Writings » from disciples » Vyasa Puja Offerings 2018
Vyasa Puja Offerings 2018
(View Devamrita Swami's 2018 offering to Srila Prabhupada)
(right-click to download vyasa-puja offerings as ePub file for reading on iPad and Kindle e-book readers)
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Aarti Dixit
Dandvat pranam
Dear Gurudev,
All glories to Guru and Gauranga
Thank you very much for accepting me as your disciple. As you asked us to read Bhagavat Gita, I have successfully completed and now reading Nectar of Devotion.
Your photo in our alter inspires me all the time, your smiling face reminded me all the time to move ahead in Krishna Consciousness
Your Disciple
Aarti
Dear Gurudev,
All glories to Guru and Gauranga
Thank you very much for accepting me as your disciple. As you asked us to read Bhagavat Gita, I have successfully completed and now reading Nectar of Devotion.
Your photo in our alter inspires me all the time, your smiling face reminded me all the time to move ahead in Krishna Consciousness
Your Disciple
Aarti
Adi-Rasa Vilasa
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeicances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance (or day before your appearance in this case).
Thanks for spending your Vyasa Puja with us again in Auckland. I’m very grateful to have been able to spend another celebration in the kitchen amongst more qualified cooks, preparing the feast. I’m sure you realise by now, but if you are ever wondering “where are the Vilasa’s?”, you can almost surely find us in the kitchen!
I’ve been sitting in front of my laptop screen for some time now trying to work out how to express my appreciation. It’s certainly not for lack of things to appreciate though. How does one sum up the full scope of what someone means to him in a few paragraphs? Even a few pages? It seems silly to express appreciation for just one aspect of my life that I owe you thanks for.
You’ve done everything for me. You put up with me when I was a mad drug addict, obsessing over petty material issues, you gave me a family when I felt so disconnected from my own. You gave new life to my relationship, helped me to understand and respect my wonderful wife and to commit. You inspired me to grow up, and to try and give back more than I take. I’m far from achieving that one, but you inspire me to try anyway. You gave me the shelter of the Loft, which is my second home. I hope I can be a part of what brought me to find Krsna, and to find you, for others, for the rest of this lifetime at the very least. I can’t explain the sheer relief of finding someone who understands what’s in my heart. That can forgive me for being a selfish, foolish, lonely, jealous and confused person and give me a real purpose.
We have struggled this year. It is difficult to manage time and finances in the first few years of building a business, and things have got very real. It’s taken an immense amount of effort and time to solidify our place in the wholesale and retail markets and build and improve our infrastructure to keep up with our with expanding business this year. Between this and my Loft services, I have spent most of the year feeling completely overwhelmed. The small interactions I have with you - rushing up from the kitchen to offer you flowers, and looking up to see you grinning and offering me some cookies; getting a fright every time you pop into the kitchen at the loft behind me while I’m jabbering on about something; reading and kirtan with you and our wonderful Kaiwaka community when you come to get some rest up north - these interactions keep me inspired and give me strength to cope with a demanding lifestyle. They remind me that the mission I’m serving is the mission of someone I feel honoured and grateful to follow.
I have so much respect for you and what you do for us. I probably don’t show it very well. I feel rough around the edges when I’m in your presence. But the respect and appreciation are there, and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to try and reveal a little bit of my heart in this offering.
Thanks for another.year of transcendental madness and fun,
Your aspiring servant,
Adi-Rasa Vilasa Das
Please accept my humble obeicances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance (or day before your appearance in this case).
Thanks for spending your Vyasa Puja with us again in Auckland. I’m very grateful to have been able to spend another celebration in the kitchen amongst more qualified cooks, preparing the feast. I’m sure you realise by now, but if you are ever wondering “where are the Vilasa’s?”, you can almost surely find us in the kitchen!
I’ve been sitting in front of my laptop screen for some time now trying to work out how to express my appreciation. It’s certainly not for lack of things to appreciate though. How does one sum up the full scope of what someone means to him in a few paragraphs? Even a few pages? It seems silly to express appreciation for just one aspect of my life that I owe you thanks for.
You’ve done everything for me. You put up with me when I was a mad drug addict, obsessing over petty material issues, you gave me a family when I felt so disconnected from my own. You gave new life to my relationship, helped me to understand and respect my wonderful wife and to commit. You inspired me to grow up, and to try and give back more than I take. I’m far from achieving that one, but you inspire me to try anyway. You gave me the shelter of the Loft, which is my second home. I hope I can be a part of what brought me to find Krsna, and to find you, for others, for the rest of this lifetime at the very least. I can’t explain the sheer relief of finding someone who understands what’s in my heart. That can forgive me for being a selfish, foolish, lonely, jealous and confused person and give me a real purpose.
We have struggled this year. It is difficult to manage time and finances in the first few years of building a business, and things have got very real. It’s taken an immense amount of effort and time to solidify our place in the wholesale and retail markets and build and improve our infrastructure to keep up with our with expanding business this year. Between this and my Loft services, I have spent most of the year feeling completely overwhelmed. The small interactions I have with you - rushing up from the kitchen to offer you flowers, and looking up to see you grinning and offering me some cookies; getting a fright every time you pop into the kitchen at the loft behind me while I’m jabbering on about something; reading and kirtan with you and our wonderful Kaiwaka community when you come to get some rest up north - these interactions keep me inspired and give me strength to cope with a demanding lifestyle. They remind me that the mission I’m serving is the mission of someone I feel honoured and grateful to follow.
I have so much respect for you and what you do for us. I probably don’t show it very well. I feel rough around the edges when I’m in your presence. But the respect and appreciation are there, and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to try and reveal a little bit of my heart in this offering.
Thanks for another.year of transcendental madness and fun,
Your aspiring servant,
Adi-Rasa Vilasa Das
Akarsini
Dear Gurudeva
Please Accept my Humble Obeicences all Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Looking for somewhere that was warmer and much more peaceful then the street I found a library on Flinders lane. I was walking back and fourth chanting on the upstairs floor and noticed a girl sitting in a chair across the other side of the room. Periodically she would sink into fits of distress, then pull herself out again. I watched her for some time and could not leave without asking if she was ok. I went over and asked her if she was from Russia, her eyes widened in shock and she answered yes. I asked if she wanted to go to a cafe and mentioned yoga and vegetarian food. Without hesitation she grabbed her hat and said ‘lets go,’ but before I knew it the security guard had pounced on me and and proceeded to tell me off, ‘you cant project yourself on people like that in here,’ were his exact words and he explained that the paramedics were already on their way. The guard explained that she had been diagnosed as “disassociated.” I found out later that it’s a word that does not sound as harsh as mad or crazy. I tried convince him to let me give her something in the form of a gift to make her feel a bit happier. The response was a flat No! so I sat down on a seat near the top of the stairwell pondering further what I could do for her. Nothing would come to mind so I started to pray.
A short time later three paramedics turned up in green one piece suits and blue plastic gloves. The whole scene looked very clinical and proceeded to get worse when they pulled out at the apparatus for testing blood pressure. This helped to increase her anxiety even more, shaking her head from side to side while struggling to get away from them. After some time they managed to escort her toward the top of the stairs with the security guard purposely placing himself in front of me so I would be obscured from her view as they passed by.
Thoughts about what they would do to her at the hospital started to turn over in my mind. No doubt they would manage to keep her contained with plenty of psychiatric drugs or tranquillisers to aid her decent into lower conscious bodies, a prolonged ride on the ghastly merry go round of material existence switching rom one pony to another.
Still sitting by the top of the stairwell I looked up mid-way through chanting a round and saw her standing right in front of me. Not saying anything I reached out and held her hands that were red with eczema bleeding beneath the skin. Asking me to hold her glasses, jacket and passport she walked off to the toilet. A little while later two of the paramedics returned looking around and up at the ceiling confused trying to work out where she had gone. After coming back she sat down next to me and we started talking while being monitored by the surrounding cohort of paramedics and library staff. Holding on to her during intervals of mental seizures, probably because she was hearing voices, she started telling me about how she hated her homeland and wanted to stay in Australia. We were talking about kangaroos and koala bears and she started to laugh a bit.
I wanted to go with her to the hospital but they would not let me go with them in the ambulance so I took out of my bag a mantra card and a golden sticker of Radha and Krsna on a swing and handed it to her. The small audience surrounding us deplored me in unison for the unlawful act as she quickly grasped it in desperation and so did so did one of the librarians which lead to a determined tug of war from both sides. The other librarian present stared at me for a while then proclaimed that I was ‘evil.’ It was like an oral spill of pollution had fallen from her mouth that she had no control over.
One of the paramedics told me I was not qualified to help her because I did not have a certificate, and the library staff’s threats to call the police followed me as I left to walk down the stairwell. I got out onto the street regretting it had turned into such an ugly scene and felt a sense of failure for not being a better messenger. In hindsight despite the unpleasant fiasco at least a tiny seed had been planted.
Previously I had been discussing with one of the librarians about the likelihood of these cases becoming more of a commonality. Replying in a carefree manner she said it happens everyday. Sure enough I went back to the same library about a week later and saw a boy standing in the open public floor space, he looked Arabic and had a big black cloud of hair holding an electric guitar in the shape of a rocket, eyes closed in trance strumming in ecstasy without even touching the strings. It was like he was lost in a rock star fantasy believing he was Jimmy Hendrix or Lenny Kravitz. Products of a misdirected civilisation, this girl and boy were just like two more missing numbers churned out by a society that turns its back on spiritual resources, becoming instead more skilled at manufacturing dark incubators for bacteria like loneliness, fear and madness.
I remember you mentioning that ‘dealing with ignorance is a serious business.’
I agree with you
Still trying to be your servant.
Akarsini devi dasi
Please Accept my Humble Obeicences all Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Looking for somewhere that was warmer and much more peaceful then the street I found a library on Flinders lane. I was walking back and fourth chanting on the upstairs floor and noticed a girl sitting in a chair across the other side of the room. Periodically she would sink into fits of distress, then pull herself out again. I watched her for some time and could not leave without asking if she was ok. I went over and asked her if she was from Russia, her eyes widened in shock and she answered yes. I asked if she wanted to go to a cafe and mentioned yoga and vegetarian food. Without hesitation she grabbed her hat and said ‘lets go,’ but before I knew it the security guard had pounced on me and and proceeded to tell me off, ‘you cant project yourself on people like that in here,’ were his exact words and he explained that the paramedics were already on their way. The guard explained that she had been diagnosed as “disassociated.” I found out later that it’s a word that does not sound as harsh as mad or crazy. I tried convince him to let me give her something in the form of a gift to make her feel a bit happier. The response was a flat No! so I sat down on a seat near the top of the stairwell pondering further what I could do for her. Nothing would come to mind so I started to pray.
A short time later three paramedics turned up in green one piece suits and blue plastic gloves. The whole scene looked very clinical and proceeded to get worse when they pulled out at the apparatus for testing blood pressure. This helped to increase her anxiety even more, shaking her head from side to side while struggling to get away from them. After some time they managed to escort her toward the top of the stairs with the security guard purposely placing himself in front of me so I would be obscured from her view as they passed by.
Thoughts about what they would do to her at the hospital started to turn over in my mind. No doubt they would manage to keep her contained with plenty of psychiatric drugs or tranquillisers to aid her decent into lower conscious bodies, a prolonged ride on the ghastly merry go round of material existence switching rom one pony to another.
Still sitting by the top of the stairwell I looked up mid-way through chanting a round and saw her standing right in front of me. Not saying anything I reached out and held her hands that were red with eczema bleeding beneath the skin. Asking me to hold her glasses, jacket and passport she walked off to the toilet. A little while later two of the paramedics returned looking around and up at the ceiling confused trying to work out where she had gone. After coming back she sat down next to me and we started talking while being monitored by the surrounding cohort of paramedics and library staff. Holding on to her during intervals of mental seizures, probably because she was hearing voices, she started telling me about how she hated her homeland and wanted to stay in Australia. We were talking about kangaroos and koala bears and she started to laugh a bit.
I wanted to go with her to the hospital but they would not let me go with them in the ambulance so I took out of my bag a mantra card and a golden sticker of Radha and Krsna on a swing and handed it to her. The small audience surrounding us deplored me in unison for the unlawful act as she quickly grasped it in desperation and so did so did one of the librarians which lead to a determined tug of war from both sides. The other librarian present stared at me for a while then proclaimed that I was ‘evil.’ It was like an oral spill of pollution had fallen from her mouth that she had no control over.
One of the paramedics told me I was not qualified to help her because I did not have a certificate, and the library staff’s threats to call the police followed me as I left to walk down the stairwell. I got out onto the street regretting it had turned into such an ugly scene and felt a sense of failure for not being a better messenger. In hindsight despite the unpleasant fiasco at least a tiny seed had been planted.
Previously I had been discussing with one of the librarians about the likelihood of these cases becoming more of a commonality. Replying in a carefree manner she said it happens everyday. Sure enough I went back to the same library about a week later and saw a boy standing in the open public floor space, he looked Arabic and had a big black cloud of hair holding an electric guitar in the shape of a rocket, eyes closed in trance strumming in ecstasy without even touching the strings. It was like he was lost in a rock star fantasy believing he was Jimmy Hendrix or Lenny Kravitz. Products of a misdirected civilisation, this girl and boy were just like two more missing numbers churned out by a society that turns its back on spiritual resources, becoming instead more skilled at manufacturing dark incubators for bacteria like loneliness, fear and madness.
I remember you mentioning that ‘dealing with ignorance is a serious business.’
I agree with you
Still trying to be your servant.
Akarsini devi dasi
Amani Gaurahari das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day
Recently I have been considering: how is it possible for people to emerge from the dark depths of kali yuga and begin the sublime process of bhakti yoga? It seems like an impossible feet - how can those whose lives are centered around the most horrific activities, and whose mentalities are not far from those of animals begin to transform in to devotees?
When I reflect on my experience of taking up the process I get insights in to your genius. Dilapidated animalistic consciousness, complete absorption in the modern sensual delights, and bewildered by atheistic belief systems - how is it that I have now come to accept, at least theoretically, Krishna as supreme and pure love of Godhead as the ultimate goal of life? I was picked up of the street by the devotees and plugged in to an incredible Bhakti experience that left little room for gross materialistic activities - an opportunity for full sensual absorption. This is your specialty, catching rascals like me by the senses, in particular, the tongue!
Not only do you provide dynamic devotional service opportunities to those who are new to the realm of bhakti, but you give long term engagements for the senses so we can go the long distance.
In your offering to Srila Prabhupada this year you mention a purport where Srila Prabhupada asserts that the purpose of ISKCON is to provide 24 hour engagement of the senses in Krishna's senses - thank you for providing this opportunity.
I hope I assist you in catching others in the network of Lord Caitanya's love.
Your insignificant servant,
Amani Gaurahari das
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day
Recently I have been considering: how is it possible for people to emerge from the dark depths of kali yuga and begin the sublime process of bhakti yoga? It seems like an impossible feet - how can those whose lives are centered around the most horrific activities, and whose mentalities are not far from those of animals begin to transform in to devotees?
When I reflect on my experience of taking up the process I get insights in to your genius. Dilapidated animalistic consciousness, complete absorption in the modern sensual delights, and bewildered by atheistic belief systems - how is it that I have now come to accept, at least theoretically, Krishna as supreme and pure love of Godhead as the ultimate goal of life? I was picked up of the street by the devotees and plugged in to an incredible Bhakti experience that left little room for gross materialistic activities - an opportunity for full sensual absorption. This is your specialty, catching rascals like me by the senses, in particular, the tongue!
Not only do you provide dynamic devotional service opportunities to those who are new to the realm of bhakti, but you give long term engagements for the senses so we can go the long distance.
In your offering to Srila Prabhupada this year you mention a purport where Srila Prabhupada asserts that the purpose of ISKCON is to provide 24 hour engagement of the senses in Krishna's senses - thank you for providing this opportunity.
I hope I assist you in catching others in the network of Lord Caitanya's love.
Your insignificant servant,
Amani Gaurahari das
Ananda-candra devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances !
All glories to Prabhupada !
All glories to you on this glorious day!
This year as an offering, I was torn between two things...
Do I attend your Vyasa Puja celebration in Auckland on Saturday? How many more opportunities do we have left of celebrating such a rare occasion with your physical presence on this planet?
Do I stay back in Wellington and ensure that the SoulFeast goes ahead the following day on Sunday, doing whatever services needed to be done, since practically the whole community would be away. This outreach programme is very dear to you, and service to the spiritual master is more important than physical association.
A month ago, a dear sannyasi godbrother of yours left this world. Although I only met him twice over a short span of two years, I felt sadness, jubilation, amazement, reflection and regret.
Sadness - separation from vaisnavas is the most unbearable pain.
Jubilation - seeing such a divine exit from this world, all due to mercy from the spiritual master.
Reflection - despite the obvious, it still doesn't sink in that we will all die.
Amazement - how much service was done for Prabhupada, that we only learn afterwards.
Regret - why didn’t I offer more service to such a special soul.
In this same way due to my ignorance, like a baby, I cannot see the jewel like opportunities that are right before me. I cannot recognise you as Lord Chaitanya's intimate servant.
So on this divine occasion of your appearance day, I seek your mercy to recognise the true wealth of your presence and instructions in my life.
With these contemplations, in my dilemma, I decided to do both things, and in this way have no regrets .
Although I could not expand myself into two and attend both the Vyasa Puja in Auckland and be at SoulFeast in Wellington at the same time, please accept my offering of organising that the SoulFeast would go ahead. Only after it was arranged and able to go on, did I fully decide to come to Auckland. It was enlivening and sweet to see the enthusiasm of newcomers, friends of Krsna and the few remaining devotees put their hands up keen to serve and keep things afloat this Sunday. Details aside, it took my brain space this week to do it, so please forgive me for not writing a poetic essay glorifying your character and qualities. Instead, from my heart I wanted to offer some practical service which afterall is the real message of my gratitude , the real connection , the glue that binds when these bodies perish.
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!
Meditating on your sublime character, I’m trying to understand what motivates you to push on with Srila Prabhupada's mission. How to understand the heart of a pure devotee? To me, it seems impossible.
"Some say that the devotee should remain in holy places like Vrindavana or some holy town where the Lord lived, but a pure devotee can live anywhere and create the atmosphere of Vrindavana by his devotional service. It was Sri Advaita who told Lord Caitanya, "Wherever You are, O Lord - THERE is Vrindavana."
(Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 8.14, Purport)
If you didn't come to New Zealand, Guru Maharaja, how would we know about Vrindavan? Out of your compassion for the people of Kali-yuga and your desire to follow in your Guru Maharaja's footsteps is the reason why New Zealand is offering not only great sights for tourists but also a great opportunity for everyone to enter into the “bhakti laboratory”, a chance to come in contact with devotionally surcharged atmosphere of the outreach centers inspired by you 25 years ago. Even if they cannot know Vrindavan in this life, they are getting known and unknown spiritual credits and such persons get to taste Vrindavan in the form of delicious Prasada, kirtan and thought-provoking classes.
I came to New Zealand fourteen years ago from a remote town in Russia, seeking a better material life in a clean-and-green New Zealand, but fortunately, I have found one of your embassies of Goloka Vrindavan in Auckland.
You are naturally very humble, in spite of having so many qualifications. You are researching, collecting and using every possible aid to give Krishna to the materially conditioned, always thinking about how to improve your service. You are also an expert in seeing and utilizing the potential of others, skillfully guiding them for everyone's benefit.
"Pure devotees are so absorbed in thought of Krsna that they have no other engagement; although they may seem to think or act otherwise, they are always thinking of Krsna. The smile of such a Krsna conscious person is so attractive that simply by smiling he wins so many admirers, disciples, and followers."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam,3.22.21, Purport)
I recall back in 2015, one man who was driving you from one city to another for just a few hours, and who hosted you one night in his home, later became an aspiring disciple and then took formal initiation from you.
Similarly, we noticed, as soon as you met your assigned driver for the duration of the Bhakti sangama festival, you right away started inquiring from him and showing interest in his life. In turn he innocently, yet affectionately, started calling you “Gurudeva” practically from day two, attending your lectures and on the third day of the festival, he had already put your photo on the dashboard of his car!
You touch the hearts of so many people of all varieties with your love, care, and wisdom.
"Lord Caitanya then inquired: What is the most profitable thing in the world, the essence of all auspicious events? Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure devotees."
(Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Page 341)
Arriving at the airport of Odessa, I had a glimpse into how pure devotee possibly sees everyone. After attending Bhakti Sangama festival with eight thousand devotees and being in the association of many senior Vaisnavas and being able to literally follow your footsteps, my perception of people changed for a few moments.
I saw people at the airport as devotees, who have forgotten about Krishna. They had no devotional clothes, neither japa beads in their hands, nor neck beads. They appeared somewhat lost. I was wondering - “what has happened?”, “why they are not happy?” and “why they are not chanting the holy names?”
I wanted to approach and ask them to chant, but after a few moments, my mind started to divide people, as usual, into “us” and “them” - devotees and non-devotees.
I realized that it was only due to your association and mercy upon me, for that short time I was able to see with your eyes and have some concern for people in their lost state.
"The causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is first appreciated when one comes in touch with a bona fide spiritual master who can bring the conditioned soul to the highest position of devotional life. Therefore Lord Caitanya said that by the mercy of the spiritual master one can achieve the causeless mercy of the Lord, and by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can attain the mercy of the bona fide spiritual master."
(Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 1)
Thank you for giving us your association, your smile, wit and wisdom, the Holy Name, the association of devotees, Prabhupada's books and devotional service. Without these, my life would be meaningless.
Praying to become fully absorbed in your service,
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!
Meditating on your sublime character, I’m trying to understand what motivates you to push on with Srila Prabhupada's mission. How to understand the heart of a pure devotee? To me, it seems impossible.
"Some say that the devotee should remain in holy places like Vrindavana or some holy town where the Lord lived, but a pure devotee can live anywhere and create the atmosphere of Vrindavana by his devotional service. It was Sri Advaita who told Lord Caitanya, "Wherever You are, O Lord - THERE is Vrindavana."
(Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 8.14, Purport)
If you didn't come to New Zealand, Guru Maharaja, how would we know about Vrindavan? Out of your compassion for the people of Kali-yuga and your desire to follow in your Guru Maharaja's footsteps is the reason why New Zealand is offering not only great sights for tourists but also a great opportunity for everyone to enter into the “bhakti laboratory”, a chance to come in contact with devotionally surcharged atmosphere of the outreach centers inspired by you 25 years ago. Even if they cannot know Vrindavan in this life, they are getting known and unknown spiritual credits and such persons get to taste Vrindavan in the form of delicious Prasada, kirtan and thought-provoking classes.
I came to New Zealand fourteen years ago from a remote town in Russia, seeking a better material life in a clean-and-green New Zealand, but fortunately, I have found one of your embassies of Goloka Vrindavan in Auckland.
You are naturally very humble, in spite of having so many qualifications. You are researching, collecting and using every possible aid to give Krishna to the materially conditioned, always thinking about how to improve your service. You are also an expert in seeing and utilizing the potential of others, skillfully guiding them for everyone's benefit.
"Pure devotees are so absorbed in thought of Krsna that they have no other engagement; although they may seem to think or act otherwise, they are always thinking of Krsna. The smile of such a Krsna conscious person is so attractive that simply by smiling he wins so many admirers, disciples, and followers."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam,3.22.21, Purport)
I recall back in 2015, one man who was driving you from one city to another for just a few hours, and who hosted you one night in his home, later became an aspiring disciple and then took formal initiation from you.
Similarly, we noticed, as soon as you met your assigned driver for the duration of the Bhakti sangama festival, you right away started inquiring from him and showing interest in his life. In turn he innocently, yet affectionately, started calling you “Gurudeva” practically from day two, attending your lectures and on the third day of the festival, he had already put your photo on the dashboard of his car!
You touch the hearts of so many people of all varieties with your love, care, and wisdom.
"Lord Caitanya then inquired: What is the most profitable thing in the world, the essence of all auspicious events? Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure devotees."
(Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Page 341)
Arriving at the airport of Odessa, I had a glimpse into how pure devotee possibly sees everyone. After attending Bhakti Sangama festival with eight thousand devotees and being in the association of many senior Vaisnavas and being able to literally follow your footsteps, my perception of people changed for a few moments.
I saw people at the airport as devotees, who have forgotten about Krishna. They had no devotional clothes, neither japa beads in their hands, nor neck beads. They appeared somewhat lost. I was wondering - “what has happened?”, “why they are not happy?” and “why they are not chanting the holy names?”
I wanted to approach and ask them to chant, but after a few moments, my mind started to divide people, as usual, into “us” and “them” - devotees and non-devotees.
I realized that it was only due to your association and mercy upon me, for that short time I was able to see with your eyes and have some concern for people in their lost state.
"The causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is first appreciated when one comes in touch with a bona fide spiritual master who can bring the conditioned soul to the highest position of devotional life. Therefore Lord Caitanya said that by the mercy of the spiritual master one can achieve the causeless mercy of the Lord, and by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can attain the mercy of the bona fide spiritual master."
(Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 1)
Thank you for giving us your association, your smile, wit and wisdom, the Holy Name, the association of devotees, Prabhupada's books and devotional service. Without these, my life would be meaningless.
Praying to become fully absorbed in your service,
Ananta-naga das
Ananya Munshi (Daughter of Madhuryadham Devi Dasi)
Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabupada.
.....Happy Krishna Conscious Birthday to You .... !!
Dear Maharaj you will always be in our altar while prayers, you will always be in our heart and you will always be in our mind for help.....
Maharaj by krishna's mercy we got you as our Guru Maharaj, may you live forever to guide people like me. Just wanted to share you some of my problems now a days - my interest towards Krishna is decreasing, I don't know why people say chant than such a thought will go but Maharaj how is that possible if you start decreasing your interest toward something how can I focus over it, I find difficult to tolerate what is happening with me right now.
I tried to solve by chanting continuously 4 rounds a day which I carried for a week or two in Mayapur but as soon as I left Mayapur I also left my impact over there. Maharaj one more thing concerned with me which also impacts my studies is that I cant follow a particular part for a long time like one of the prabhuji in a house program told us about bhrama-moorata it had a great impact over until I slept before sleeping I set an alarm of morning 4 a.m. next morning when the alarm rang I didn't wake up hearing the alarm and frequently ignored it and I would loved if it would not happen that way
Thank you Maharaj.....Please answer my prayers so that i can be a better devotee...
Your aspring servant,
Ananya Munshi
HARE KRISHNA!!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabupada.
.....Happy Krishna Conscious Birthday to You .... !!
Dear Maharaj you will always be in our altar while prayers, you will always be in our heart and you will always be in our mind for help.....
Maharaj by krishna's mercy we got you as our Guru Maharaj, may you live forever to guide people like me. Just wanted to share you some of my problems now a days - my interest towards Krishna is decreasing, I don't know why people say chant than such a thought will go but Maharaj how is that possible if you start decreasing your interest toward something how can I focus over it, I find difficult to tolerate what is happening with me right now.
I tried to solve by chanting continuously 4 rounds a day which I carried for a week or two in Mayapur but as soon as I left Mayapur I also left my impact over there. Maharaj one more thing concerned with me which also impacts my studies is that I cant follow a particular part for a long time like one of the prabhuji in a house program told us about bhrama-moorata it had a great impact over until I slept before sleeping I set an alarm of morning 4 a.m. next morning when the alarm rang I didn't wake up hearing the alarm and frequently ignored it and I would loved if it would not happen that way
Thank you Maharaj.....Please answer my prayers so that i can be a better devotee...
Your aspring servant,
Ananya Munshi
HARE KRISHNA!!
Andy
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day, your vyasa-puja, I would like to take the opportunity again to bow down at your feet in praise and gratitude for connecting us to Krishna - through your purity, mercy and long-established relationship with Krishna through the parampara.
As I navigate my way through the twists and turns of householder life, its the thought of you - your words, example and love - that inspire and give me motivation to at least maintain steadiness in my practice and to strive to please Guru and Gauranga.
So its with great eagerness that I await your association and the opportunity to serve you at the end of year festival.
Your aspiring servant,
Andy.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day, your vyasa-puja, I would like to take the opportunity again to bow down at your feet in praise and gratitude for connecting us to Krishna - through your purity, mercy and long-established relationship with Krishna through the parampara.
As I navigate my way through the twists and turns of householder life, its the thought of you - your words, example and love - that inspire and give me motivation to at least maintain steadiness in my practice and to strive to please Guru and Gauranga.
So its with great eagerness that I await your association and the opportunity to serve you at the end of year festival.
Your aspiring servant,
Andy.
Anthony Sengers
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita-svamin itinamine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
First of all I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve you and serve in Lord Chaitanya's sankirtan mission. It is by your mercy and my great fortune that I am serving at such an amazing facility as Bhakti Lounge. Being able to observe so many guests happily yet unknowingly participating in the highest spiritual activities – chanting the holy name, dancing and eating prasadam, all by your mercy and genius, re-inspires me every day. By your grace, many lost souls are getting the opportunity to obtain the benediction of Krishna.
Currently I am aspiring to become your disciple. At this point in time the verses 4.34-4.36 of Bhagavad Gita come to mind. With references to these verses my desire is that I can sincerely serve you through your instructions with great enthusiasm and determination. You have saved me from continuing to pursue the illusion of material happiness, under the delusion that through my mundane intelligence, I would have had it “all figured out” in the end. I also must thank you for this. By your grace I may never again into such illusion.
I hope that I can utilize this human form of life in a way that is pleasing to you.
Aspiring to become your humble servant,
Anthony
srimate devamrita-svamin itinamine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
First of all I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve you and serve in Lord Chaitanya's sankirtan mission. It is by your mercy and my great fortune that I am serving at such an amazing facility as Bhakti Lounge. Being able to observe so many guests happily yet unknowingly participating in the highest spiritual activities – chanting the holy name, dancing and eating prasadam, all by your mercy and genius, re-inspires me every day. By your grace, many lost souls are getting the opportunity to obtain the benediction of Krishna.
Currently I am aspiring to become your disciple. At this point in time the verses 4.34-4.36 of Bhagavad Gita come to mind. With references to these verses my desire is that I can sincerely serve you through your instructions with great enthusiasm and determination. You have saved me from continuing to pursue the illusion of material happiness, under the delusion that through my mundane intelligence, I would have had it “all figured out” in the end. I also must thank you for this. By your grace I may never again into such illusion.
I hope that I can utilize this human form of life in a way that is pleasing to you.
Aspiring to become your humble servant,
Anthony
Apurva-madhuri devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you!
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah.
I am grateful that I can write you this offering as it has given me the opportunity to snap out of my mundane routine and reflect on how fortunate I am to know you. I can see how you shine the light of realised spiritual knowledge on the dark corners of my inner world. You remain the voice of reason in my head; the voice of hope, inspiration and encouragement. By your example, I am able to understand what real care actually involves and aspire to provide that. And it is because of your kindness to me that I feel empowered to be supportive of others. Through your natural grace, intelligence and empathy, you offer us so many tools to be able to see the world through the spiritual lens of Krishna and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I know it is up to me to cultivate this sastra-caksus and to use it to make intelligent judgements about what is beneficial for myself and others. I pray that I will make the right choices as often as possible in order to serve every single jiva that I come across.
Gurudeva, thank you for being so accessible through your vani which you kindly make so palatable for a lost Australian girl like me. When I hear your voice, I feel uplifted and pacified, despite the mirror you hold up with your words that illuminates my flaws and hypocrisy. Even though I know I’m not competent or pure, because of your overflowing river of compassion you have accepted me as your disciple. You have shown me the mood of Mahaprabhu in a way that I can directly experience. How lucky we all are!
Although I do not wish to pretend that I know you well, as your student I do my best to study your words and actions. You say that the whole world is your family; that we are all your beloved sons and daughters who you care so deeply about. And as Srila Prabhupada’s beloved son yourself, you have given your whole life to study him and follow his instructions. In doing so, through Krishna’s parampara system, we are able to access His Divine Grace. This is the greatest gift; to know Prabhupada through your ocean of compassion.
I wish that I could serve you more; I wish that I could serve you better. Thank you for accepting me. I really hope that one day I will be able to chant japa attentively like you want me to.
Eternally indebted to you, my father.
Your daughter and aspiring servant forever
Apurva-madhuri devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you!
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah.
I am grateful that I can write you this offering as it has given me the opportunity to snap out of my mundane routine and reflect on how fortunate I am to know you. I can see how you shine the light of realised spiritual knowledge on the dark corners of my inner world. You remain the voice of reason in my head; the voice of hope, inspiration and encouragement. By your example, I am able to understand what real care actually involves and aspire to provide that. And it is because of your kindness to me that I feel empowered to be supportive of others. Through your natural grace, intelligence and empathy, you offer us so many tools to be able to see the world through the spiritual lens of Krishna and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I know it is up to me to cultivate this sastra-caksus and to use it to make intelligent judgements about what is beneficial for myself and others. I pray that I will make the right choices as often as possible in order to serve every single jiva that I come across.
Gurudeva, thank you for being so accessible through your vani which you kindly make so palatable for a lost Australian girl like me. When I hear your voice, I feel uplifted and pacified, despite the mirror you hold up with your words that illuminates my flaws and hypocrisy. Even though I know I’m not competent or pure, because of your overflowing river of compassion you have accepted me as your disciple. You have shown me the mood of Mahaprabhu in a way that I can directly experience. How lucky we all are!
Although I do not wish to pretend that I know you well, as your student I do my best to study your words and actions. You say that the whole world is your family; that we are all your beloved sons and daughters who you care so deeply about. And as Srila Prabhupada’s beloved son yourself, you have given your whole life to study him and follow his instructions. In doing so, through Krishna’s parampara system, we are able to access His Divine Grace. This is the greatest gift; to know Prabhupada through your ocean of compassion.
I wish that I could serve you more; I wish that I could serve you better. Thank you for accepting me. I really hope that one day I will be able to chant japa attentively like you want me to.
Eternally indebted to you, my father.
Your daughter and aspiring servant forever
Apurva-madhuri devi dasi
Aravinda Nabha das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Earlier this year one of the senior Bramacharis met a young man on the street and personally cultivated him at the Loft.
After some time this budding new practitioner had a desire to visit the temple.
One Friday night Golokanatha and I were at the New Varshan Ashram when Hriman Krishna prabhu turned up with Bhakta Eric for his first visit to the temple.
Hriman requested Golokanatha and I to come to the temple for Kirtan.
We sat before the Deities and chanted Hare Krishna, just the three of us while Eric explored the new atmosphere.
Halfway through the Kirtan he stood right in the middle of the temple and stared at Radha Giridhari.
I began to think how wonderful this is.
Only a few weeks prior he was stuck in material existence.
Now he is looking at Krishna face to face.
I thought Srila Prabhupada and Krishna must be so happy to see him here.
I then thought Srila Prabhupada and Krishna must be so happy with you Gurudeva.
Now days in 2018 is it really possible to take the modern man straight from the street to the temple?
The loft appears to be the essential stepping stone.
A place people can comfortably find there footing before making the leap to a life career in Bhakti Yoga.
The loft must be very pleasing to Srila Prabhupada because he wanted Krishna consciousness to be easily accessible for all persons.
Your God Brother Gargamuni Prabhu explains that when Srila Prabhupada first acquired the LA temple he wanted the familiar aspects of the church to stay the same.
The organ, the stage, the stain glass windows and even mainstream America was expected to walk in with their shoes on and sit in the pews.
Prabhupada saw that people were becoming disenchanted with their churches.
So he thought, their inclined to come to the church, so let them come back to the church and hear Bhagavad-Gita and Kirtan.
Srila Prabhupada said, “now i shall enchant them with Krishna consciousness.”
In a different time place and circumstance, you are also giving mainstream people a Krishna consciousness experience in an atmosphere which their inclined towards and feel comfortable in.
This year I’ve happily watched the Loft and Bhakti Lounge enchant people with Krishna consciousness.
Two young Auckland University students had a mid semester break during Janmastami and Srila Prabhupadas appearance day.
We suggested that they visit Wellington, with the hope that they would digest these significant days in a way that would really inspire them in Krishna’s service.
These two University boys lived in Bhakti lounge for two weeks taking part in daily Japa, Bhagavatam class, Kirtan, Prasad, Devotee Sanga, Devotinal Service, reading Srila Prabhupadas books and even opportunities to distribute his books!
This program of full emersion in the Bhakti life style was made possible by the devotees you’ve empowered and the attractive atmosphere that your own Bhakti Lounge radiates.
Ever since coming back from Wellington these two young men have been so enlivened in Krishna consciousness and have recently signed up for your end of year Recharge Festival. how ecstatic it is to help others and watch them grow spiritually.
Thank you for making all this possible. As you often explain, the more we give Krishna to others the more we get Krishna.
Following Srila Prabhupadas example, you’ve given us a place that makes it easy to give people Krishna, thus you’ve made it easy for the devotees to also get Krishna.
My problem is I’m conditioned to selfishness, considering my own sense gratification the highest priority, I often miss the opportunities preach. On this auspicious day of your appearance I beg for the strength to become your devoted disciple.
When will I approach Krishna for his pleasure instead of my own?
Your aspiring servant,
Aravinda Nabha das.
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Earlier this year one of the senior Bramacharis met a young man on the street and personally cultivated him at the Loft.
After some time this budding new practitioner had a desire to visit the temple.
One Friday night Golokanatha and I were at the New Varshan Ashram when Hriman Krishna prabhu turned up with Bhakta Eric for his first visit to the temple.
Hriman requested Golokanatha and I to come to the temple for Kirtan.
We sat before the Deities and chanted Hare Krishna, just the three of us while Eric explored the new atmosphere.
Halfway through the Kirtan he stood right in the middle of the temple and stared at Radha Giridhari.
I began to think how wonderful this is.
Only a few weeks prior he was stuck in material existence.
Now he is looking at Krishna face to face.
I thought Srila Prabhupada and Krishna must be so happy to see him here.
I then thought Srila Prabhupada and Krishna must be so happy with you Gurudeva.
Now days in 2018 is it really possible to take the modern man straight from the street to the temple?
The loft appears to be the essential stepping stone.
A place people can comfortably find there footing before making the leap to a life career in Bhakti Yoga.
The loft must be very pleasing to Srila Prabhupada because he wanted Krishna consciousness to be easily accessible for all persons.
Your God Brother Gargamuni Prabhu explains that when Srila Prabhupada first acquired the LA temple he wanted the familiar aspects of the church to stay the same.
The organ, the stage, the stain glass windows and even mainstream America was expected to walk in with their shoes on and sit in the pews.
Prabhupada saw that people were becoming disenchanted with their churches.
So he thought, their inclined to come to the church, so let them come back to the church and hear Bhagavad-Gita and Kirtan.
Srila Prabhupada said, “now i shall enchant them with Krishna consciousness.”
In a different time place and circumstance, you are also giving mainstream people a Krishna consciousness experience in an atmosphere which their inclined towards and feel comfortable in.
This year I’ve happily watched the Loft and Bhakti Lounge enchant people with Krishna consciousness.
Two young Auckland University students had a mid semester break during Janmastami and Srila Prabhupadas appearance day.
We suggested that they visit Wellington, with the hope that they would digest these significant days in a way that would really inspire them in Krishna’s service.
These two University boys lived in Bhakti lounge for two weeks taking part in daily Japa, Bhagavatam class, Kirtan, Prasad, Devotee Sanga, Devotinal Service, reading Srila Prabhupadas books and even opportunities to distribute his books!
This program of full emersion in the Bhakti life style was made possible by the devotees you’ve empowered and the attractive atmosphere that your own Bhakti Lounge radiates.
Ever since coming back from Wellington these two young men have been so enlivened in Krishna consciousness and have recently signed up for your end of year Recharge Festival. how ecstatic it is to help others and watch them grow spiritually.
Thank you for making all this possible. As you often explain, the more we give Krishna to others the more we get Krishna.
Following Srila Prabhupadas example, you’ve given us a place that makes it easy to give people Krishna, thus you’ve made it easy for the devotees to also get Krishna.
My problem is I’m conditioned to selfishness, considering my own sense gratification the highest priority, I often miss the opportunities preach. On this auspicious day of your appearance I beg for the strength to become your devoted disciple.
When will I approach Krishna for his pleasure instead of my own?
Your aspiring servant,
Aravinda Nabha das.
Āsrayānanda dasa
Dear Guru-maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
On this auspicious occasion I would like to express the utmost gratitude for the time and care you always have for us. As well as the constant inspiration you express in your preaching and other dealings.
Vyasa puja may be considered a once per year occasion, but I realised that it can become the sum and substance of our lives. In your example, the sacrifice you made to preach Krsna consciousness, inspite of facing a vast multitude of intimidating opposition, is a testimony to your faith and dedication in Srila Prabhupada and Krishna Consciousness. So in a sense, I think your whole life is one Maha vyasa puja to Srila Prabhupada!!!
Over the years I have begun to realise that the deeper we go, the more we give. When I think of you and how much you give in your preaching, and your GBC duties, and your care for disciples and devotees in general, Im simply astonished as to how achieve this. I understand this is the display of one who is daksyam. Expert.
I love the way you are not intimidated by opposition in the preaching front. Your stories from the Iron curtain are, in a sense, rather chivilrous! People often wonder how to utilise these moods in bhakti. But in a subtle sense and in applied to preaching, your Iron curtain stories are as exciting to hear as the kurukshtra war! The time you hid under a car after narrowly escaping apprehension, and then after waiting for them to leave, you had the nerve to re enter the building and continue the class!!!! That is pure Chivilry! I would truly love for you to write your Iron Curtain memoirs in a book for us to read! Not to be carried away, but to feel that sense of dedication and faith and that we must preach no matter the circumstances. For now the times are somewhat ok, but it could all change for the worst at any moment in this day and age.
Today, though the environment is much more hospitable for preaching in most countries, you are still traveling on grueling itineraries, dealing with major issues in our society, while giving care and support to your disciples and any devotee who takes shelter from you. You create preaching centres, ashrams and have infiltrated many universities to give the highest knowledge - for free.
Your example is massive inspiration for my life. You have always encouraged me to seriously read Srila Prabhupada's books, which has now practically become as foundational to me as my initiation vows. I realise the unmatched value in reading and I have you to thank for encouraging me in this way.
Personally I feel so fortunate to be able to see you so often when you travel here. But I generally don't like to take your time unnecessarily so I tend to seldomly contact you. I can thank you for my nice Godbrothers that I can lean on if in need. In this sense I feel supported always and have the confidence to stand tall in this world. To take that sense of Chivilry to work and maintain a Krishna conscious household! To read Prabhupadas books and then discuss in detail with devotees and deepening our understanding.
Have a wonderful appearance day Gurudeva.
Praying for may more to come
With much love, respect and gratitude
Your servant
Asrayananda dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances,
On this auspicious occasion I would like to express the utmost gratitude for the time and care you always have for us. As well as the constant inspiration you express in your preaching and other dealings.
Vyasa puja may be considered a once per year occasion, but I realised that it can become the sum and substance of our lives. In your example, the sacrifice you made to preach Krsna consciousness, inspite of facing a vast multitude of intimidating opposition, is a testimony to your faith and dedication in Srila Prabhupada and Krishna Consciousness. So in a sense, I think your whole life is one Maha vyasa puja to Srila Prabhupada!!!
Over the years I have begun to realise that the deeper we go, the more we give. When I think of you and how much you give in your preaching, and your GBC duties, and your care for disciples and devotees in general, Im simply astonished as to how achieve this. I understand this is the display of one who is daksyam. Expert.
I love the way you are not intimidated by opposition in the preaching front. Your stories from the Iron curtain are, in a sense, rather chivilrous! People often wonder how to utilise these moods in bhakti. But in a subtle sense and in applied to preaching, your Iron curtain stories are as exciting to hear as the kurukshtra war! The time you hid under a car after narrowly escaping apprehension, and then after waiting for them to leave, you had the nerve to re enter the building and continue the class!!!! That is pure Chivilry! I would truly love for you to write your Iron Curtain memoirs in a book for us to read! Not to be carried away, but to feel that sense of dedication and faith and that we must preach no matter the circumstances. For now the times are somewhat ok, but it could all change for the worst at any moment in this day and age.
Today, though the environment is much more hospitable for preaching in most countries, you are still traveling on grueling itineraries, dealing with major issues in our society, while giving care and support to your disciples and any devotee who takes shelter from you. You create preaching centres, ashrams and have infiltrated many universities to give the highest knowledge - for free.
Your example is massive inspiration for my life. You have always encouraged me to seriously read Srila Prabhupada's books, which has now practically become as foundational to me as my initiation vows. I realise the unmatched value in reading and I have you to thank for encouraging me in this way.
Personally I feel so fortunate to be able to see you so often when you travel here. But I generally don't like to take your time unnecessarily so I tend to seldomly contact you. I can thank you for my nice Godbrothers that I can lean on if in need. In this sense I feel supported always and have the confidence to stand tall in this world. To take that sense of Chivilry to work and maintain a Krishna conscious household! To read Prabhupadas books and then discuss in detail with devotees and deepening our understanding.
Have a wonderful appearance day Gurudeva.
Praying for may more to come
With much love, respect and gratitude
Your servant
Asrayananda dasa
Atma-dharma dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your on this auspicious day
Your preaching every year is amazing, we get to see so many persons changing there life to focus on krishna all the new faces in the loft and mantra lounge is a great example of your advanced practice attracting so people to krishna
Thank you Gurudeva for Gurudeva for giving me an opportunity
to assist in your preaching operations like distributing books and preaching at the urban centers
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to associate with the devotees and make real friends
Although i have the best lifestyle and best association still i am attached to mundane thoughts i pray at your lotus feet for aome purification, advancedment and empowerment to preach vigorously
Ys atma-dharma dasa
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your on this auspicious day
Your preaching every year is amazing, we get to see so many persons changing there life to focus on krishna all the new faces in the loft and mantra lounge is a great example of your advanced practice attracting so people to krishna
Thank you Gurudeva for Gurudeva for giving me an opportunity
to assist in your preaching operations like distributing books and preaching at the urban centers
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to associate with the devotees and make real friends
Although i have the best lifestyle and best association still i am attached to mundane thoughts i pray at your lotus feet for aome purification, advancedment and empowerment to preach vigorously
Ys atma-dharma dasa
Bala Gopala dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !
All Glories to you and your amazing devotional service!
You are Saksat Hari According to Sastra.
The external manifest representative of Sri Hari
Because you are a pure puppet an instrumental agent carrying out many tasks of Sri Hari your movements are all divine service.
Indeed the Lord seems to be guiding you right into our hearts at times. So much so that without any prior disclosure you are directing us as though you are fully aware of our personal complexities.
The Times when you suddenly appear via a phone message instructing me to be calm and to cultivate brahminical qualities rather than cultivating an argumentative accusative nature are stunningly timely. A phenomenal mysterious intervention by you for the preservation of my small level spiritual life.
At another unexpected time you said
"the world is bewildered by observing you and you are bewildered by the world"
Another apt reminder that I can't see as can others in the practical world.
You gently kept me from thinking myself all that.
When in your words
"You can hardly crawl out of a wet paper bag "
Other times you send articles of relevance to householders like myself who may have been lost in the transient romantic phase.
Warning that those who do not have friends outside of the little love nest~ their long term survival is less likely in the modern world.
You even go so far as to discover classic 1950's love songs making fun of your disciples who are drowning in biological love glue.
kṛṣṇa yadi kṛpā kare kona bhāgyavāne
guru-antaryāmi-rūpe śikhāya āpane
“Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone’s heart as the caittya-guru, the spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned soul, He personally gives him lessons so he can progress in devotional service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the spiritual master without."
Trusting you the paramatma sends sincere seekers and the completely miserable like myself to hear from you and be blessed by your sight, sounds of spoken or sung Kirtan uttered in pure devotion for your Lord and Master Sri Hari.
As Srila Prabhupada writes :
When Dhruva Maharaja was talking with his mother, Suniti, of all the incidents that had taken place in the palace, Narada was not present. Thus the question may be raised how Narada overheard all these topics. The answer is that Narada is trikala-jna; he is so powerful that he can understand the past, future and present of everyone's heart, just like the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, after understanding the strong determination of Dhruva Maharaja, Narada came to help him. It may be explained in this way: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is present in everyone's heart, and as soon as He understands that a living entity is serious about entering devotional service, He sends His representative. In this way Narada was sent to Dhruva Maharaja. This is explained in the Caitanya-caritamrita. Guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija: by the grace of the spiritual master and Krishna, one can enter into devotional service. Because of Dhruva Maharaja's determination, Krishna, the Supersoul, immediately sent His representative, Narada, to initiate him.
I am able to recall how I is was once being poisoned by multitudes of people posing as spiritual leaders and progressive followers. Vigorously pushing their mantras, selling their methods of distraught peace and invisible happiness. In my teenage state I was only growing more and more confused and miserable.
Somehow the Supremacy of Gaura Nitai's mercy caught me and urged me to discover you and your sincere servants at the Newmarket Loft.
The fresh air of calmness and the sweet aromatic taste of bliss that emanates from you came upon me like a strong antidote for someone fatally bitten by the poisonous snakes of Maya.
I am ever indebted to you for your not abandoning me in my various phases of relapsed madness.
You saved me from eclectic mish mash spiritual suicide and the torturous hell of an attempted cool teenage life.
I owe you lifetimes of devotional service which can never repay you for your mercy. I sincerely hope I will one day become a pure unmotivated and fully selfless servant like you.
Aspiring to become
Your servant
Bal Gopal das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !
All Glories to you and your amazing devotional service!
You are Saksat Hari According to Sastra.
The external manifest representative of Sri Hari
Because you are a pure puppet an instrumental agent carrying out many tasks of Sri Hari your movements are all divine service.
Indeed the Lord seems to be guiding you right into our hearts at times. So much so that without any prior disclosure you are directing us as though you are fully aware of our personal complexities.
The Times when you suddenly appear via a phone message instructing me to be calm and to cultivate brahminical qualities rather than cultivating an argumentative accusative nature are stunningly timely. A phenomenal mysterious intervention by you for the preservation of my small level spiritual life.
At another unexpected time you said
"the world is bewildered by observing you and you are bewildered by the world"
Another apt reminder that I can't see as can others in the practical world.
You gently kept me from thinking myself all that.
When in your words
"You can hardly crawl out of a wet paper bag "
Other times you send articles of relevance to householders like myself who may have been lost in the transient romantic phase.
Warning that those who do not have friends outside of the little love nest~ their long term survival is less likely in the modern world.
You even go so far as to discover classic 1950's love songs making fun of your disciples who are drowning in biological love glue.
kṛṣṇa yadi kṛpā kare kona bhāgyavāne
guru-antaryāmi-rūpe śikhāya āpane
“Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone’s heart as the caittya-guru, the spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned soul, He personally gives him lessons so he can progress in devotional service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the spiritual master without."
Trusting you the paramatma sends sincere seekers and the completely miserable like myself to hear from you and be blessed by your sight, sounds of spoken or sung Kirtan uttered in pure devotion for your Lord and Master Sri Hari.
As Srila Prabhupada writes :
When Dhruva Maharaja was talking with his mother, Suniti, of all the incidents that had taken place in the palace, Narada was not present. Thus the question may be raised how Narada overheard all these topics. The answer is that Narada is trikala-jna; he is so powerful that he can understand the past, future and present of everyone's heart, just like the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, after understanding the strong determination of Dhruva Maharaja, Narada came to help him. It may be explained in this way: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is present in everyone's heart, and as soon as He understands that a living entity is serious about entering devotional service, He sends His representative. In this way Narada was sent to Dhruva Maharaja. This is explained in the Caitanya-caritamrita. Guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija: by the grace of the spiritual master and Krishna, one can enter into devotional service. Because of Dhruva Maharaja's determination, Krishna, the Supersoul, immediately sent His representative, Narada, to initiate him.
I am able to recall how I is was once being poisoned by multitudes of people posing as spiritual leaders and progressive followers. Vigorously pushing their mantras, selling their methods of distraught peace and invisible happiness. In my teenage state I was only growing more and more confused and miserable.
Somehow the Supremacy of Gaura Nitai's mercy caught me and urged me to discover you and your sincere servants at the Newmarket Loft.
The fresh air of calmness and the sweet aromatic taste of bliss that emanates from you came upon me like a strong antidote for someone fatally bitten by the poisonous snakes of Maya.
I am ever indebted to you for your not abandoning me in my various phases of relapsed madness.
You saved me from eclectic mish mash spiritual suicide and the torturous hell of an attempted cool teenage life.
I owe you lifetimes of devotional service which can never repay you for your mercy. I sincerely hope I will one day become a pure unmotivated and fully selfless servant like you.
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, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Another year has gone by in the bramacari ashrama. It has been a fantastic year and I have truly experienced the magnanimity of the great souls that I live with.
Without Khela Tirtha’s constant on-going help, I cannot imagine where I would be. He is willing to help on every level imaginable for my spiritual betterment and my psycho-physical wellbeing. He acts as a friend, with the wisdom of someone who has been practicing for 25 years under your expert guidance. I can’t adequately glorify Khela Tirtha Prabhu enough for all that he does for me.
And I know that the mentor system you have set up didn’t happen over night. It has been something that you have worked hard to establish.
I read a letter of correspondence that you sent quite some years back to the devotees regarding your initial implementation of the mentor system. You described it as “another layer of care that you were weaving into the fabric” for devotees well-being.
It goes without saying that you have always been planning how to help devotees as they come along. You had foresight that more facilities would be needed. Stable ashramas with guidance would be a must. And so you have worked hard to train devotees to fill these roles.
In the bramacari ashrama alone there are 3 main mentors and a whole team of managers who organise the on-goings of the ashrama. The managers, along with yourself, organise everything including the structure of the morning and evening programs, all the various services that the devotees do during the week, all the way down to details about diet, exercise and ashrama cleanliness.
Your motto has always been “we make it easy”. And after 4 and a half years in the bramacari ashrama (following 3 years in the contemporary Vedic men’s ashramas) I wanted to share that my honest realisation is that you really have made it as easy as possible for this slightly crazy, thoroughly disturbed resident of Kali Yuga to practice Krishna Consciousness. You really have made it easy, and more than that, you have made it ecstatic and enlivening and encouraging every step of the way.
Aside from the ashramas you set up, you also come and give the best Bhagavatam classes in existence. I have taken so much solace from recordings of your classes.
The last few months I have been listening to the classes you gave at the end of year recharge festival for 2017-2018.
So expertly you were giving such well-thought out examples to help describe what material existence is and what it is actually doing to us. You gave the kaleidoscope example.
You look through a kaleidoscope and turn the tube and see so many beautiful different patterns. But if you break it open all you find is three different types of broken coloured plastic inside a cheap cardboard tube.
This is what material nature is like. It looks fresh and exciting, but all it is is the three modes of nature combining and recombining to give seemingly fresh experiences. None of it truly satisfies the heart, just as all the different patterns of a kaleidoscope do not ever truly fulfil or satisfy the heart.
But how do we realise all this? “Daily hearing for the purpose of gradual realisation. So what if it takes 40 years?!” You boldly declared.
Maya makes it seem hopeless to realise these truths of material existence, but you so expertly cut through all the doubts. “Keep hearing and chanting in the association of devotees and gradually we will realise.”
And you have made it possible to hear Srimad Bhagavatam daily in the association of devotees, in a sane and stable ashrama.
Thank you so much Gurudeva for everything you have done and do every day.
I want to do more to somehow repay you for helping me so much. At times I feel like a “special needs” Bhakta. But still you give me all the facility I need even within the Bramacari ashrama. So I want to thank you, and also make a re-determined plan to do more in your service this coming year. I want Enough magazine to look better. I want to assist to make the catering at university better and to assist more with design and advertising at the Loft.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Baladeva Nitai das.
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Another year has gone by in the bramacari ashrama. It has been a fantastic year and I have truly experienced the magnanimity of the great souls that I live with.
Without Khela Tirtha’s constant on-going help, I cannot imagine where I would be. He is willing to help on every level imaginable for my spiritual betterment and my psycho-physical wellbeing. He acts as a friend, with the wisdom of someone who has been practicing for 25 years under your expert guidance. I can’t adequately glorify Khela Tirtha Prabhu enough for all that he does for me.
And I know that the mentor system you have set up didn’t happen over night. It has been something that you have worked hard to establish.
I read a letter of correspondence that you sent quite some years back to the devotees regarding your initial implementation of the mentor system. You described it as “another layer of care that you were weaving into the fabric” for devotees well-being.
It goes without saying that you have always been planning how to help devotees as they come along. You had foresight that more facilities would be needed. Stable ashramas with guidance would be a must. And so you have worked hard to train devotees to fill these roles.
In the bramacari ashrama alone there are 3 main mentors and a whole team of managers who organise the on-goings of the ashrama. The managers, along with yourself, organise everything including the structure of the morning and evening programs, all the various services that the devotees do during the week, all the way down to details about diet, exercise and ashrama cleanliness.
Your motto has always been “we make it easy”. And after 4 and a half years in the bramacari ashrama (following 3 years in the contemporary Vedic men’s ashramas) I wanted to share that my honest realisation is that you really have made it as easy as possible for this slightly crazy, thoroughly disturbed resident of Kali Yuga to practice Krishna Consciousness. You really have made it easy, and more than that, you have made it ecstatic and enlivening and encouraging every step of the way.
Aside from the ashramas you set up, you also come and give the best Bhagavatam classes in existence. I have taken so much solace from recordings of your classes.
The last few months I have been listening to the classes you gave at the end of year recharge festival for 2017-2018.
So expertly you were giving such well-thought out examples to help describe what material existence is and what it is actually doing to us. You gave the kaleidoscope example.
You look through a kaleidoscope and turn the tube and see so many beautiful different patterns. But if you break it open all you find is three different types of broken coloured plastic inside a cheap cardboard tube.
This is what material nature is like. It looks fresh and exciting, but all it is is the three modes of nature combining and recombining to give seemingly fresh experiences. None of it truly satisfies the heart, just as all the different patterns of a kaleidoscope do not ever truly fulfil or satisfy the heart.
But how do we realise all this? “Daily hearing for the purpose of gradual realisation. So what if it takes 40 years?!” You boldly declared.
Maya makes it seem hopeless to realise these truths of material existence, but you so expertly cut through all the doubts. “Keep hearing and chanting in the association of devotees and gradually we will realise.”
And you have made it possible to hear Srimad Bhagavatam daily in the association of devotees, in a sane and stable ashrama.
Thank you so much Gurudeva for everything you have done and do every day.
I want to do more to somehow repay you for helping me so much. At times I feel like a “special needs” Bhakta. But still you give me all the facility I need even within the Bramacari ashrama. So I want to thank you, and also make a re-determined plan to do more in your service this coming year. I want Enough magazine to look better. I want to assist to make the catering at university better and to assist more with design and advertising at the Loft.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Baladeva Nitai das.
Bali Daityaraj das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this day of great celebration!
This has got to be the most important day of my life. You’re a great assistant of Bhaktivinoda’s senapati bhakta – Srila Prabhupada. You courageously wield Krishna’s holy name with compassion helping all you come in contact with.
I would like to share an example of such compassion in glorification of your lotus feet:
Assisting the Mantra Lounge mission in Hamilton has helped me to understand where I was heading. Meeting old acquaintances with serious drug and mental problems and others anchored by premature parenthood, there was no doubt maya was waiting for me just around the corner.
Days before the annual Nityananda Trayodasi 2012, devotees in Hamilton were excited with the possibility of joining the festivities with their fellow brothers in Auckland, but Bala Gopal prabhu relayed a message that Gurudeva had instructed them to; “grow up a little and hold a festival of your own”. Ki Jaya!
Suratanath made a quick flyer and began inviting people for a Monday evening festival. Surathanath stopped me on the street, being curious of what he was showing, I gave him some coins in my pocket and he left me with an Isopanisad and a flyer to a special festival. Seeing it a special occasion it seemed wrong to pass it up – this was a decision that completely turned my life around.
I don’t know if I would have gone to Krishna House without these divine arrangements. I wonder what would have happened if you didn’t ask them to stay and go that extra distance to help others come to Krishna? What would have happened if he hadn’t stopped me?
I also think of my endeavour in assisting you and how many conditioned souls have been deprived of that opportunity due to my selfish negligence?
Following in the footsteps of the original spiritual master you go out of your way to expand opportunities for more conditioned souls to come in contact with Krishna and encourage others to do the same.
Showing unbounded mercy you turned this unfortunate Jagai into an aspiring devotee. You didn’t just take me out of my hellish animal life (which is a miracle in of itself).
You gave me the ultimate collection of jewels and the tools to properly understand them:
1) Where would I be without you, your dedicated disciples and the association of devotees? You’re the example of what real Vaishnava dealings and etiquette should look like.
2) Where would I be without the Holy names of Krishna and the gift of kirtan?
You’re the example of how to truly relish and dedicate your life to Nama Prabhu.
3) Where would I be without Prasadam and Srimad Bhagavatam?
You’re the example how to extract and relish the essence of shastra and a connossieur of fine foods offered to Krishna.
4) Where would I be with out Srila Prabhupada?
You’re an example of what it means to be a genuine disciple.
These and so many more gifts…
In my last darshan you explained how it’s about time I grow up and sacrifice for Lord Caitanya to help others, like others sacrificed to helped me. You told me to; “Stop coasting” something I really needed to hear.
Thank you for showing me where the real wealth resides. I pray to you on this day that you empower me to rise above just mere words of appreciation and praise, and to give me the strength to do something meaningful with my human form of life.
Your servant
Bali Daityaraja das
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this day of great celebration!
This has got to be the most important day of my life. You’re a great assistant of Bhaktivinoda’s senapati bhakta – Srila Prabhupada. You courageously wield Krishna’s holy name with compassion helping all you come in contact with.
I would like to share an example of such compassion in glorification of your lotus feet:
Assisting the Mantra Lounge mission in Hamilton has helped me to understand where I was heading. Meeting old acquaintances with serious drug and mental problems and others anchored by premature parenthood, there was no doubt maya was waiting for me just around the corner.
Days before the annual Nityananda Trayodasi 2012, devotees in Hamilton were excited with the possibility of joining the festivities with their fellow brothers in Auckland, but Bala Gopal prabhu relayed a message that Gurudeva had instructed them to; “grow up a little and hold a festival of your own”. Ki Jaya!
Suratanath made a quick flyer and began inviting people for a Monday evening festival. Surathanath stopped me on the street, being curious of what he was showing, I gave him some coins in my pocket and he left me with an Isopanisad and a flyer to a special festival. Seeing it a special occasion it seemed wrong to pass it up – this was a decision that completely turned my life around.
I don’t know if I would have gone to Krishna House without these divine arrangements. I wonder what would have happened if you didn’t ask them to stay and go that extra distance to help others come to Krishna? What would have happened if he hadn’t stopped me?
I also think of my endeavour in assisting you and how many conditioned souls have been deprived of that opportunity due to my selfish negligence?
Following in the footsteps of the original spiritual master you go out of your way to expand opportunities for more conditioned souls to come in contact with Krishna and encourage others to do the same.
Showing unbounded mercy you turned this unfortunate Jagai into an aspiring devotee. You didn’t just take me out of my hellish animal life (which is a miracle in of itself).
You gave me the ultimate collection of jewels and the tools to properly understand them:
1) Where would I be without you, your dedicated disciples and the association of devotees? You’re the example of what real Vaishnava dealings and etiquette should look like.
2) Where would I be without the Holy names of Krishna and the gift of kirtan?
You’re the example of how to truly relish and dedicate your life to Nama Prabhu.
3) Where would I be without Prasadam and Srimad Bhagavatam?
You’re the example how to extract and relish the essence of shastra and a connossieur of fine foods offered to Krishna.
4) Where would I be with out Srila Prabhupada?
You’re an example of what it means to be a genuine disciple.
These and so many more gifts…
In my last darshan you explained how it’s about time I grow up and sacrifice for Lord Caitanya to help others, like others sacrificed to helped me. You told me to; “Stop coasting” something I really needed to hear.
Thank you for showing me where the real wealth resides. I pray to you on this day that you empower me to rise above just mere words of appreciation and praise, and to give me the strength to do something meaningful with my human form of life.
Your servant
Bali Daityaraja das
Bhakta Alex (bhadra's ashram)
Please accept my humble obeisance, all glories to Srila Prabhupad.
I wanted to thank you, for the opportunity to happen upon you book, Searching for Vedic India, when I was around 16 years old. It stayed on my bedside table for around 4 years, not knowing at all what it was until I was invited to the Loft by a tall German traveler in March 2017. Soon after it became my favorite book, a succulent literary sweet to quickly awaken my spiritual senses. I am eternally grateful, for the blessings I have received as a quick result here in the Auckland community. There there are so many exiting opportunities for service, at the Loft and distributing your Hiding in Unnatural Happiness books around central Auckland . This is all made so natural and blissful because of your hard work and dedication to the community here. Your aspiring servant, Bhakta Alex.
I wanted to thank you, for the opportunity to happen upon you book, Searching for Vedic India, when I was around 16 years old. It stayed on my bedside table for around 4 years, not knowing at all what it was until I was invited to the Loft by a tall German traveler in March 2017. Soon after it became my favorite book, a succulent literary sweet to quickly awaken my spiritual senses. I am eternally grateful, for the blessings I have received as a quick result here in the Auckland community. There there are so many exiting opportunities for service, at the Loft and distributing your Hiding in Unnatural Happiness books around central Auckland . This is all made so natural and blissful because of your hard work and dedication to the community here. Your aspiring servant, Bhakta Alex.
Bhakta Charlie (Karcsi) Tibi Reményi
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I hope my letter finds you in good health.
I wish you very good health and a very long life so that there will be even more enthusiastic followers and devotees of this nice mission by your perseverance and example.
I wish you a very happy birthday! May Krishna invigorate you for a long time!
Your aspiring servant,
Charles (Karcsi) Tibi Reményi
Debrecen, Hungary
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I hope my letter finds you in good health.
I wish you very good health and a very long life so that there will be even more enthusiastic followers and devotees of this nice mission by your perseverance and example.
I wish you a very happy birthday! May Krishna invigorate you for a long time!
Your aspiring servant,
Charles (Karcsi) Tibi Reményi
Debrecen, Hungary
Bhakta Dave Woods
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you Maharaja for your selfless service and devotion to serve all conditioned souls, devotees and Krishna. I will always remember our first darshan together in Wellington at the Bhakti Lounge, a lost traveller flailing in the wind, I had no direction or purpose with a feeling of emptiness in my life, even though at the time I was blinded of these misfortunes.
I remember that you eloquently explained how our so called 'modern day civilisation' was destroying the planet, like a pack of Zombies ravaging away at the expense of all other living entities, just to satisfy our own senses. Somehow deep down I knew this was going on, but until Krishna Consciousness I couldn't bare to shine the spotlight on this travesty, which I also contributed too.
I am so grateful for the amazing Loft Yoga and Bhakti Lounge that you have created for preaching to conditioned souls like myself, in a way that resonates with so many individuals in this age of Kali and by your mercy making it so easy for us to engage in devotional service. Had it not been for these centres, I dare to think I may not have had the opportunity to come into contact with devotees and your divine lotus feet.
As I continue my journey and begin to understand the importance of surrendering to a spiritual master, I hope to render my service to you and follow your instructions to the best of my ability. I thank you for the shelter you have provided so far and will continue to provide so mercilessly.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Dave
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you Maharaja for your selfless service and devotion to serve all conditioned souls, devotees and Krishna. I will always remember our first darshan together in Wellington at the Bhakti Lounge, a lost traveller flailing in the wind, I had no direction or purpose with a feeling of emptiness in my life, even though at the time I was blinded of these misfortunes.
I remember that you eloquently explained how our so called 'modern day civilisation' was destroying the planet, like a pack of Zombies ravaging away at the expense of all other living entities, just to satisfy our own senses. Somehow deep down I knew this was going on, but until Krishna Consciousness I couldn't bare to shine the spotlight on this travesty, which I also contributed too.
I am so grateful for the amazing Loft Yoga and Bhakti Lounge that you have created for preaching to conditioned souls like myself, in a way that resonates with so many individuals in this age of Kali and by your mercy making it so easy for us to engage in devotional service. Had it not been for these centres, I dare to think I may not have had the opportunity to come into contact with devotees and your divine lotus feet.
As I continue my journey and begin to understand the importance of surrendering to a spiritual master, I hope to render my service to you and follow your instructions to the best of my ability. I thank you for the shelter you have provided so far and will continue to provide so mercilessly.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Dave
Bhakta Jack
Dear Devamrita Swami,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada ,
And all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance
When I first met with you I asked you how I could know what Krishnas plan was for me and you advised me to start chanting Hare Krishna, expecting you to explain Krishnas entire plan, I was slightly disappointed, however when I went back into the kirtan the image of Krishna whispering in your ear came into my mind and I realised that it was Krishnas instruction given to me through you.
Imeadiatly I was filled with happiness and I started working my way to sixteen rounds the next day. I never could have imagined that six months later I would have moved out of my flat and left my girlfriend who was unfavourable to Krishna conciousness. So that I could live in the brahmachari ashram and chant Hare Krishna.
Because of your selfless service for Krishna, in opening places such as the loft and bhakti lounge, and by guiding the lost souls of this universe back home, you have created a community which I am happy to be apart of. I finally feel like I have a place were I belong and people that actually care about me. By opening the loft you made seemingly unrealatable ancient Indian wisdom exciting and available to such a western minded person like myself, with out this outreach center and the great community brought together by you I would still be searching for purpose and happiness in all the wrong places and in the most abominable ways.
No words can express my gratitude for your service, and I think I am still yet to fully understand the extent to which you have saved me, therefore I can only hope that I can serve you in some way, so that one day I can fully appreciate your service to Krishna and all the living entities.
Your aspiring servant
Bhakta Jack
All glories to Srila Prabhupada ,
And all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance
When I first met with you I asked you how I could know what Krishnas plan was for me and you advised me to start chanting Hare Krishna, expecting you to explain Krishnas entire plan, I was slightly disappointed, however when I went back into the kirtan the image of Krishna whispering in your ear came into my mind and I realised that it was Krishnas instruction given to me through you.
Imeadiatly I was filled with happiness and I started working my way to sixteen rounds the next day. I never could have imagined that six months later I would have moved out of my flat and left my girlfriend who was unfavourable to Krishna conciousness. So that I could live in the brahmachari ashram and chant Hare Krishna.
Because of your selfless service for Krishna, in opening places such as the loft and bhakti lounge, and by guiding the lost souls of this universe back home, you have created a community which I am happy to be apart of. I finally feel like I have a place were I belong and people that actually care about me. By opening the loft you made seemingly unrealatable ancient Indian wisdom exciting and available to such a western minded person like myself, with out this outreach center and the great community brought together by you I would still be searching for purpose and happiness in all the wrong places and in the most abominable ways.
No words can express my gratitude for your service, and I think I am still yet to fully understand the extent to which you have saved me, therefore I can only hope that I can serve you in some way, so that one day I can fully appreciate your service to Krishna and all the living entities.
Your aspiring servant
Bhakta Jack
Bhakta Jude
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Before meeting you I was really in the darkest of all ignorance, and by your mercy and kindness I finally started experiencing the understanding of service and devotion. I really thought I was living life before meeting devotees, then my eyes were opened to what life was really meant for, trying to achieve love of God. I will never forget the first time my eyes seen your lotus feet, I was so in shock I had no idea what to do so immediately I laid face down and didn't move. It felt like an eternity went by until finally I herd your ever so gentle laugh and you said, “Ok, you can get up now”. It didn’t matter to me how long I stayed there because at that moment it felt like something actually mattered in my life. The next few days following were some of the most inspiring and meaningful days of my existence on this earth. The first time I was able to iron for you it took me four hours, I was so afraid to deliver your clothes because it felt no matter how much focus and attention I put into it I couldn’t get it perfect. When I finally got up the strength to knock on your door and give them to you, you gave them a look and said, “very proper”, smiled asked if they taught me that in the military and laughed. My heart melted more from that than anything else in my life up until that point. I had never felt so energetic and enthused as when your in Philadelphia and I have the chance of being able to serve you so closely. During one particular event at Mantra Lounge I was so nervous and excited to serve you Prasadam, the room was so small and everybody was singing kirtan loudly outside, when you were finished eating I had no idea what to do I was kneeling in front of you and being confused i said, “Guru Maharaj, should I leave you alone”, you responded “do you want to leave”, without even thinking i blurted out “I’ll stay here forever” then you so sweetly replied “well then have a seat”. Everything after that seemed like a blur, for once in my life i had felt fatherly affection, it made life seem real again.
Thank you Guru Maharaj, you have made it very easy and clear when speaking with me to understand what I could do to serve in my very small capacity with Mangal-arti and the Mantra Lounge team. I didn’t think I could do much to serve coming from such a broken and unhealthy past. You made it very simple and told me to read, chant, stay in association of devotees and continue to remain a strong lineman on our very small intercity team.
Thank you Gurudev for all of your mercy and opening my eyes and heart to Bhakti. I beg to remain your aspiring servant and by your mercy one day grown and expand book distribution here in Philadelphia as you have asked of me. I ask to please be able to move passed the mental platform of thinking I’ll fail and wont be able to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. This very fallen servant prays and begs for your mercy.
Your Servant,
Bhakta Jude
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Before meeting you I was really in the darkest of all ignorance, and by your mercy and kindness I finally started experiencing the understanding of service and devotion. I really thought I was living life before meeting devotees, then my eyes were opened to what life was really meant for, trying to achieve love of God. I will never forget the first time my eyes seen your lotus feet, I was so in shock I had no idea what to do so immediately I laid face down and didn't move. It felt like an eternity went by until finally I herd your ever so gentle laugh and you said, “Ok, you can get up now”. It didn’t matter to me how long I stayed there because at that moment it felt like something actually mattered in my life. The next few days following were some of the most inspiring and meaningful days of my existence on this earth. The first time I was able to iron for you it took me four hours, I was so afraid to deliver your clothes because it felt no matter how much focus and attention I put into it I couldn’t get it perfect. When I finally got up the strength to knock on your door and give them to you, you gave them a look and said, “very proper”, smiled asked if they taught me that in the military and laughed. My heart melted more from that than anything else in my life up until that point. I had never felt so energetic and enthused as when your in Philadelphia and I have the chance of being able to serve you so closely. During one particular event at Mantra Lounge I was so nervous and excited to serve you Prasadam, the room was so small and everybody was singing kirtan loudly outside, when you were finished eating I had no idea what to do I was kneeling in front of you and being confused i said, “Guru Maharaj, should I leave you alone”, you responded “do you want to leave”, without even thinking i blurted out “I’ll stay here forever” then you so sweetly replied “well then have a seat”. Everything after that seemed like a blur, for once in my life i had felt fatherly affection, it made life seem real again.
Thank you Guru Maharaj, you have made it very easy and clear when speaking with me to understand what I could do to serve in my very small capacity with Mangal-arti and the Mantra Lounge team. I didn’t think I could do much to serve coming from such a broken and unhealthy past. You made it very simple and told me to read, chant, stay in association of devotees and continue to remain a strong lineman on our very small intercity team.
Thank you Gurudev for all of your mercy and opening my eyes and heart to Bhakti. I beg to remain your aspiring servant and by your mercy one day grown and expand book distribution here in Philadelphia as you have asked of me. I ask to please be able to move passed the mental platform of thinking I’ll fail and wont be able to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. This very fallen servant prays and begs for your mercy.
Your Servant,
Bhakta Jude
Bhakta Kai
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I feel unqualified to glorify your holiness on this most auspicious day of your appearance but I try to express my gratitude towards all your efforts and personality.
One year ago I came to Wellington from my trip in Australia and actually just wanted to stay in Wellington for a couple weeks and go back to Melbourne to trying to stay close to the temple and practise a little bit over there.
Doing the wwoofing program at Bhakti lounge in a time with a lot of confusion in my mind I came across your presence and encountered you the first time. In front of all the devotees I asked one simple question, which was, how to be more humble. In one straight sentence you answered my question followed by almost 10 minutes of revealing the real issues and thoughts I had to battle with at that time and place. You gave me everything I needed to gain determination to stay in Wellington and trying to make progress to the ultimate goal. All the attractions I had at the time and things to battle with cleared off in just a few moments.
Since then I have been given the chance to follow the Paramakaruna Ashram program with Mahavan Prabhu as my mentor and trying to become situated in executing your orders and my authorities. I hope one day I can realise of how much value this whole situation is and how much mercy I have received. Trying to take shelter under your lotus feet and the senior devotees especially my mentor, I got a glimpse of how little shelter there actually is in the material world in form of materialistic society. Anytime I am getting mental about something and my mind is telling me so many things, there is always someone present who can almost instantly purify my mental concoctions and set me straight.
I am very greatful for the whole system bhakti lounge is based on, it seems that there is not much chance for the mind to space out until it is formed back into shape again by some absorbing engagement, chanting of the holy name or devotee association.
It is very inspiring to see so many devotees who are willing to sacrifice their lives to serve Srila Prabhupadas mission under your guidance.
Being in their association and the absorbing atmosphere I couldn't even quite realise how I got swept away into the Krishna conscious lifestyle. Everything is so perfectly set up that people from the worst backgrounds like myself can start to practise spiritual life with the least amount of impediments which could hold one back from picking up the practise.
I am very grateful for all the association I am getting from all the senior devotees and the boys in the ashram, which are all there because of your efforts and mercy. So many times problems seemed to be as big as mountains, but inquiring from the seniors and yourself made so many things so insignificant.
The first time in my life I am getting a small realisation that people are actually genuinely caring about the welfare of others and myself inspired by your spotless character always thinking of presenting the Krishna conscious philosophy in a digestible way to the conditioned souls in material existence.
Every time I had the chance to be in your association all the agitating things in my mind were wiped away.
Listening to you speaking gives so much clarity and every sentence you are saying is revolutionary. Always when I'm hearing your words there is no space for the darkness to come in and everything makes sense, unfortunately my intelligence and remembrance is so weak that I am forgetting almost everything what you are saying. Even though that is the case I am determined to keep on hearing from you and Srila Prabhupada everyday as much as I can.
I hope one day I will be able to see how much you are giving me and I will be able to appreciate more and be able to reciprocate and assist you in some way in the future.
Your aspiring disciple
Bhakta Kai
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I feel unqualified to glorify your holiness on this most auspicious day of your appearance but I try to express my gratitude towards all your efforts and personality.
One year ago I came to Wellington from my trip in Australia and actually just wanted to stay in Wellington for a couple weeks and go back to Melbourne to trying to stay close to the temple and practise a little bit over there.
Doing the wwoofing program at Bhakti lounge in a time with a lot of confusion in my mind I came across your presence and encountered you the first time. In front of all the devotees I asked one simple question, which was, how to be more humble. In one straight sentence you answered my question followed by almost 10 minutes of revealing the real issues and thoughts I had to battle with at that time and place. You gave me everything I needed to gain determination to stay in Wellington and trying to make progress to the ultimate goal. All the attractions I had at the time and things to battle with cleared off in just a few moments.
Since then I have been given the chance to follow the Paramakaruna Ashram program with Mahavan Prabhu as my mentor and trying to become situated in executing your orders and my authorities. I hope one day I can realise of how much value this whole situation is and how much mercy I have received. Trying to take shelter under your lotus feet and the senior devotees especially my mentor, I got a glimpse of how little shelter there actually is in the material world in form of materialistic society. Anytime I am getting mental about something and my mind is telling me so many things, there is always someone present who can almost instantly purify my mental concoctions and set me straight.
I am very greatful for the whole system bhakti lounge is based on, it seems that there is not much chance for the mind to space out until it is formed back into shape again by some absorbing engagement, chanting of the holy name or devotee association.
It is very inspiring to see so many devotees who are willing to sacrifice their lives to serve Srila Prabhupadas mission under your guidance.
Being in their association and the absorbing atmosphere I couldn't even quite realise how I got swept away into the Krishna conscious lifestyle. Everything is so perfectly set up that people from the worst backgrounds like myself can start to practise spiritual life with the least amount of impediments which could hold one back from picking up the practise.
I am very grateful for all the association I am getting from all the senior devotees and the boys in the ashram, which are all there because of your efforts and mercy. So many times problems seemed to be as big as mountains, but inquiring from the seniors and yourself made so many things so insignificant.
The first time in my life I am getting a small realisation that people are actually genuinely caring about the welfare of others and myself inspired by your spotless character always thinking of presenting the Krishna conscious philosophy in a digestible way to the conditioned souls in material existence.
Every time I had the chance to be in your association all the agitating things in my mind were wiped away.
Listening to you speaking gives so much clarity and every sentence you are saying is revolutionary. Always when I'm hearing your words there is no space for the darkness to come in and everything makes sense, unfortunately my intelligence and remembrance is so weak that I am forgetting almost everything what you are saying. Even though that is the case I am determined to keep on hearing from you and Srila Prabhupada everyday as much as I can.
I hope one day I will be able to see how much you are giving me and I will be able to appreciate more and be able to reciprocate and assist you in some way in the future.
Your aspiring disciple
Bhakta Kai
Bhakta Michael McMahon Phila
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day, the day of your appearance. From the core of my heart I sincerely thank you for allowing me to take full shelter at your lotus feet and your transcendental instructions. I sincerely thank you for allowing me to become your student. It is amazing how radically different my life is today now that I have received your mercy and the mercy of the devotees under your divine care and guidance.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 10.80.43 Krsna states, “Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a person can fulfill life’s purpose and attain eternal peace.” Indeed, prior to meeting your disciples my life was completely void of purpose, hope, goodness, or peace. My whole life I have been blindly searching for a purpose, inquiring from all the wrong people in all the wrong places. By your mercy I now have the best purpose, which is to serve you and please you with the best I can offer.
The nectarean instructions, knowledge, smiles, and laughter that flow from my beloved spiritual master, Devamrita Swami, fill my heart with joy, courage, and strength. Your loving exchanges with us are pleasing beyond description. For example, during your last visit to our ashram you insisted that we have a pizza party and joined us for the party. You are our spiritual master, but you are also our beloved father, who exchanges exquisite loving relationships with his children on a transcendental level. How amazing is bhakti!
I hope you are pleased with my service to you and your disciples over the past year at the Titiksha Karunika ashram here in Philadelphia. I could not have asked for a nicer family than I have found here. In this coming year I hope to do my best to execute your mission in Philadelphia as you see fit. Indeed, I want to push on Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan movement here exactly as you desire. Nothing pleases me more than to please you. Your appearance day is glorious and auspicious for us all, and I deeply thank you for your love and mercy.
Sincerely,
Bhakta Michael McMahon
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day, the day of your appearance. From the core of my heart I sincerely thank you for allowing me to take full shelter at your lotus feet and your transcendental instructions. I sincerely thank you for allowing me to become your student. It is amazing how radically different my life is today now that I have received your mercy and the mercy of the devotees under your divine care and guidance.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 10.80.43 Krsna states, “Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a person can fulfill life’s purpose and attain eternal peace.” Indeed, prior to meeting your disciples my life was completely void of purpose, hope, goodness, or peace. My whole life I have been blindly searching for a purpose, inquiring from all the wrong people in all the wrong places. By your mercy I now have the best purpose, which is to serve you and please you with the best I can offer.
The nectarean instructions, knowledge, smiles, and laughter that flow from my beloved spiritual master, Devamrita Swami, fill my heart with joy, courage, and strength. Your loving exchanges with us are pleasing beyond description. For example, during your last visit to our ashram you insisted that we have a pizza party and joined us for the party. You are our spiritual master, but you are also our beloved father, who exchanges exquisite loving relationships with his children on a transcendental level. How amazing is bhakti!
I hope you are pleased with my service to you and your disciples over the past year at the Titiksha Karunika ashram here in Philadelphia. I could not have asked for a nicer family than I have found here. In this coming year I hope to do my best to execute your mission in Philadelphia as you see fit. Indeed, I want to push on Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan movement here exactly as you desire. Nothing pleases me more than to please you. Your appearance day is glorious and auspicious for us all, and I deeply thank you for your love and mercy.
Sincerely,
Bhakta Michael McMahon
Bhakta Philipp (From Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir)
Please accept my respectful obeisances,
I am eternally indebted to you for delivering me from the clutches of the ignorance of materialistic life.
For so many decades you have been travelling the world simply for spreading Krsna Consciousness, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted this sankirtana movement to spread its rays all over the world in every town and village like the benediction moon and with unflinching determination your working for his mission.
You are travelling non-stop, you are giving lectures, seminars, write books and establish facilities for the propagation of krsna consciousness without personal motivation but for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.
In your book “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness” you are reaching out to the recent generation, with great expertise you translate the essential teachings of the ancient Bhagavad-Gita in a language understandable for the modern western reader, with great eyes for detail you analyse the problems in materialistic society from social imbalance or economical instability to ecological challenges and offer solution on the spiritual platform but not from your own concoction but by thorough study of Srila Prabhupadas books, lectures and his life - you are simply repeating Srila Prabhupadas words and applying them to the modern context.
I remember reading in the introduction of the Srimad Bhagavatam how Srila Prabhupada mentions that this Srimad Bhagavatam is meant for a revolution in a misdirected civilisation and will save humanity in the darkest of times but I was always thinking: “How will they understand this book? How can I understand this books?” But when you are visiting our temple and when you are giving Srimad Bhavagatam class or when I hear your lectures everything becomes so clear. When you are sitting on the Vyasasana and speaking on the Srimad Bhagavatam spiritual life appears so easy, it seems like the doors to Vaikuntha are wide open. You are always emphasising the chanting of the holy names of the Lord, specifically to chant attentive japa. You emphasise harinama-sankirtana and especially the distribution of transcendental literature.
Always when my mind is giving me a hard time I just turn to one of your lectures and directly I feel inspired to get back on track and to go out spread Srila Prabhupadas mercy.
I remember listening to your lecture “Hard Luck Kid” that you gave to the book distributors in Auckland - It moved my heart and completely changed my vision to sankirtana. For two years you used to go out distributing books with barely any results, distributing only “three or four small books” or maybe five but still you were so determined to keep on going - knowing that this is the way to please Srila Prabhupada the most.
Like Krsna advised Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra to fight and perform his duty but to be detached from the result so in this same way you must have been only concerned with the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.
Then after 2 years Krsna intervened and you were able to go out to distribute so many books on the first day 30 hard bound Krsna book, then 50 an so on. You shared the realisation how ultimately Krsna is the controller and we can simply aspire to become an useful instrument. When after a period of only three months Krsna withdrawed your good health to move you to the bbt and made it impossible for you to go out on books anymore - it sounded like your heart would break. You kept on remembering and glorifying the service of sankirtana and the distribution of Srila Prabhupadas books emphasising how we should be grateful to perform this service seriously with great faith and determination for as long as we are able to do because actually it is the greatest fortune to be able to go out and distribute books regardless for the material results that we obtain.
Also I was reading your other book “Searching for Vedic India”, while “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness” is addressing much broader audience, this book specifically targets the academic and intellectual community establishing the authenticity and authority of the Vedic world and it’s ancient scriptures like the Srimad Bhagavatam. I am so impressed and can see how your books are not trying to pull all attention on them rather opposite they are pointing away from them towards Srila Prabhupada and his Bhagavad-Gita and his Srimad Bhagavatam.
Like a good physician is always finding better ways to induce the patient to take the bitter medicine so in the same way, I know, you must always be meditating on how to make the world more Krsna Consciousness by helping everyone to understand the understanding the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Srimad Bhagavatam and inducing everyone to chant the holy name of Krsna.
Even in my own life, I am eternally grateful how you opened up the nectar of transcendental bliss from the storehouse of love of god.
I remember last year around this time of the year when we were speaking together I had so many confusions and missconceptions about my spiritual and personal life, I remember revealing my mind to you, explaining my situation and seeking sanction for my plans but you simply saw through me like through water. That time you advised me to focus on the marathon and distribute books like there will be no tomorrow. To give everything for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. I remember following your kind advice and got awarded with the most encouraging and blissful time of my life after this I understood: You know myself better than I know myself. You know what is good for me and what is pleasing to Srila Prabhupada - you have a plan and made it your mission to be an instrument in the hands of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I am humbly begging for more opportunities to help and serve you in that mission.
Your eternally indebted servant,
Bhakta Philipp
I am eternally indebted to you for delivering me from the clutches of the ignorance of materialistic life.
For so many decades you have been travelling the world simply for spreading Krsna Consciousness, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted this sankirtana movement to spread its rays all over the world in every town and village like the benediction moon and with unflinching determination your working for his mission.
You are travelling non-stop, you are giving lectures, seminars, write books and establish facilities for the propagation of krsna consciousness without personal motivation but for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.
In your book “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness” you are reaching out to the recent generation, with great expertise you translate the essential teachings of the ancient Bhagavad-Gita in a language understandable for the modern western reader, with great eyes for detail you analyse the problems in materialistic society from social imbalance or economical instability to ecological challenges and offer solution on the spiritual platform but not from your own concoction but by thorough study of Srila Prabhupadas books, lectures and his life - you are simply repeating Srila Prabhupadas words and applying them to the modern context.
I remember reading in the introduction of the Srimad Bhagavatam how Srila Prabhupada mentions that this Srimad Bhagavatam is meant for a revolution in a misdirected civilisation and will save humanity in the darkest of times but I was always thinking: “How will they understand this book? How can I understand this books?” But when you are visiting our temple and when you are giving Srimad Bhavagatam class or when I hear your lectures everything becomes so clear. When you are sitting on the Vyasasana and speaking on the Srimad Bhagavatam spiritual life appears so easy, it seems like the doors to Vaikuntha are wide open. You are always emphasising the chanting of the holy names of the Lord, specifically to chant attentive japa. You emphasise harinama-sankirtana and especially the distribution of transcendental literature.
Always when my mind is giving me a hard time I just turn to one of your lectures and directly I feel inspired to get back on track and to go out spread Srila Prabhupadas mercy.
I remember listening to your lecture “Hard Luck Kid” that you gave to the book distributors in Auckland - It moved my heart and completely changed my vision to sankirtana. For two years you used to go out distributing books with barely any results, distributing only “three or four small books” or maybe five but still you were so determined to keep on going - knowing that this is the way to please Srila Prabhupada the most.
Like Krsna advised Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra to fight and perform his duty but to be detached from the result so in this same way you must have been only concerned with the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.
Then after 2 years Krsna intervened and you were able to go out to distribute so many books on the first day 30 hard bound Krsna book, then 50 an so on. You shared the realisation how ultimately Krsna is the controller and we can simply aspire to become an useful instrument. When after a period of only three months Krsna withdrawed your good health to move you to the bbt and made it impossible for you to go out on books anymore - it sounded like your heart would break. You kept on remembering and glorifying the service of sankirtana and the distribution of Srila Prabhupadas books emphasising how we should be grateful to perform this service seriously with great faith and determination for as long as we are able to do because actually it is the greatest fortune to be able to go out and distribute books regardless for the material results that we obtain.
Also I was reading your other book “Searching for Vedic India”, while “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness” is addressing much broader audience, this book specifically targets the academic and intellectual community establishing the authenticity and authority of the Vedic world and it’s ancient scriptures like the Srimad Bhagavatam. I am so impressed and can see how your books are not trying to pull all attention on them rather opposite they are pointing away from them towards Srila Prabhupada and his Bhagavad-Gita and his Srimad Bhagavatam.
Like a good physician is always finding better ways to induce the patient to take the bitter medicine so in the same way, I know, you must always be meditating on how to make the world more Krsna Consciousness by helping everyone to understand the understanding the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Srimad Bhagavatam and inducing everyone to chant the holy name of Krsna.
Even in my own life, I am eternally grateful how you opened up the nectar of transcendental bliss from the storehouse of love of god.
I remember last year around this time of the year when we were speaking together I had so many confusions and missconceptions about my spiritual and personal life, I remember revealing my mind to you, explaining my situation and seeking sanction for my plans but you simply saw through me like through water. That time you advised me to focus on the marathon and distribute books like there will be no tomorrow. To give everything for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. I remember following your kind advice and got awarded with the most encouraging and blissful time of my life after this I understood: You know myself better than I know myself. You know what is good for me and what is pleasing to Srila Prabhupada - you have a plan and made it your mission to be an instrument in the hands of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I am humbly begging for more opportunities to help and serve you in that mission.
Your eternally indebted servant,
Bhakta Philipp
Bhakta Pratham
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Its been over an year and half since i took to Krishna Consciousness. I cannot find enough words to thank you for all your blessings and guidance. I would like to share a small rhyme that i made-
Guru Maharaj You have saved my life and so many others,
You have given me a new family and amazing godbrothers.
It bothers me sometimes when i think about my past,
Then i remember you saying "Material Happiness will never last".
I feel much more peaceful and there is no more tears that i shed.
Please help this lost soul reach back home, back to godhead.
Yours aspiring servant,
Bhakta Pratham
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Its been over an year and half since i took to Krishna Consciousness. I cannot find enough words to thank you for all your blessings and guidance. I would like to share a small rhyme that i made-
Guru Maharaj You have saved my life and so many others,
You have given me a new family and amazing godbrothers.
It bothers me sometimes when i think about my past,
Then i remember you saying "Material Happiness will never last".
I feel much more peaceful and there is no more tears that i shed.
Please help this lost soul reach back home, back to godhead.
Yours aspiring servant,
Bhakta Pratham
Bhakta Tom
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to the day of your Vyasa Puja,
In the 4th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, the professional reciters state the following verse to Maharaja Prthu;
“Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste for glorifying your activities. We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant ... ” SB 4.16.3
Gurudeva, my glorification of you is, and will always inevitably be, inadequate. Nonetheless I certainly relish such opportunities!
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. (CC Madya 19.151)
I have seen how you are planting and lovingly assisting the growth of so many precious bhakti-lātas ... it is such a ecstatic opportunity to swim, splash and play in the blossoming, fragrant, transcendental garden you have created full of flourishing bhakti creepers, who are bearing so many ripening fruits of love of Krishna, and which are nourished by assisting Lord Caitanya in distribution of his fruits. I pray that by your mercy I may always have the opportunity for such a life-line of association.
Not long after you offered me the opportunity to come to New Zealand I had a dream; in the dream my brother and I were sat with you in a desert-like landscape and you were quoting verses spoken by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. While this was going on I felt an indescribable sense of wholeness and shelter. In spite of the arid landscape and scorching heat all around I felt cool, comfortable and undisturbed. It was as if my brother and I were nestled into the sweet embrace of the sound vibration emanating from your lotus mouth. At some point you stood up and spoke the following verse;
‘sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya (CC Madya 22.54)
As you walked away into the haze of the barren landscape I meditated on how fortunate my brother and I were to have had your association. Your association is so potent that if taken in the right mood, with the correct frame of mind, even just a lava-mātra, split second, can bring one to the conclusion of all revealed scriptures. In the following months I considered how I might be able to situate myself so that this effect would take place in my heart.
At the last recharge festival you spoke about the agonies and ecstasies of spiritual parenting, since then I have contemplated the hardships and pains which you are constantly undergoing on our behalf. You mentioned that;
‘Initiation yajnas are always full of enthusiasm, like infants, but you know some of them aren’t going to make it. That is the agony. The spiritual master also gets reactions for this, a lot of abuse ... casualties are difficult for the heart to bare. Heart crushed, ground into powder and still you have to work on.’ End Quote.
This reference to heart crushing agonies is a sobering reminder that you are taking on so many difficulties in your service and meanwhile, protected under your shelter, we are enjoying a simple life of service with barely any troubles at all. Life in the Parama Karuna Asrama seems so trouble free that someone raiding our prasadam sweets from the fridge is perhaps one of the worst things that one could imagine happening.
You mentioned that to make things easier for you we should all become healthy devotees so you don’t have to worry. Therefore, I realise I appear before you in a shameful and humiliating position; I have nothing to offer, apart from my attempt to assist you, and yet I am totally dependant on your mercy in order to become a healthy devotee so that I might even be able to assist you in the first place.
Prabhupada writes in the purport to SB4.22.47;
“a joker’s activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Krishna becomes a laughingstock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt”
On this auspicious day I pray that I can follow your instructions so that the medicine will work and I can one day be more than just a blunt instrument in your service.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Bhakta Tom
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to the day of your Vyasa Puja,
In the 4th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, the professional reciters state the following verse to Maharaja Prthu;
“Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste for glorifying your activities. We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant ... ” SB 4.16.3
Gurudeva, my glorification of you is, and will always inevitably be, inadequate. Nonetheless I certainly relish such opportunities!
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. (CC Madya 19.151)
I have seen how you are planting and lovingly assisting the growth of so many precious bhakti-lātas ... it is such a ecstatic opportunity to swim, splash and play in the blossoming, fragrant, transcendental garden you have created full of flourishing bhakti creepers, who are bearing so many ripening fruits of love of Krishna, and which are nourished by assisting Lord Caitanya in distribution of his fruits. I pray that by your mercy I may always have the opportunity for such a life-line of association.
Not long after you offered me the opportunity to come to New Zealand I had a dream; in the dream my brother and I were sat with you in a desert-like landscape and you were quoting verses spoken by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. While this was going on I felt an indescribable sense of wholeness and shelter. In spite of the arid landscape and scorching heat all around I felt cool, comfortable and undisturbed. It was as if my brother and I were nestled into the sweet embrace of the sound vibration emanating from your lotus mouth. At some point you stood up and spoke the following verse;
‘sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya (CC Madya 22.54)
As you walked away into the haze of the barren landscape I meditated on how fortunate my brother and I were to have had your association. Your association is so potent that if taken in the right mood, with the correct frame of mind, even just a lava-mātra, split second, can bring one to the conclusion of all revealed scriptures. In the following months I considered how I might be able to situate myself so that this effect would take place in my heart.
At the last recharge festival you spoke about the agonies and ecstasies of spiritual parenting, since then I have contemplated the hardships and pains which you are constantly undergoing on our behalf. You mentioned that;
‘Initiation yajnas are always full of enthusiasm, like infants, but you know some of them aren’t going to make it. That is the agony. The spiritual master also gets reactions for this, a lot of abuse ... casualties are difficult for the heart to bare. Heart crushed, ground into powder and still you have to work on.’ End Quote.
This reference to heart crushing agonies is a sobering reminder that you are taking on so many difficulties in your service and meanwhile, protected under your shelter, we are enjoying a simple life of service with barely any troubles at all. Life in the Parama Karuna Asrama seems so trouble free that someone raiding our prasadam sweets from the fridge is perhaps one of the worst things that one could imagine happening.
You mentioned that to make things easier for you we should all become healthy devotees so you don’t have to worry. Therefore, I realise I appear before you in a shameful and humiliating position; I have nothing to offer, apart from my attempt to assist you, and yet I am totally dependant on your mercy in order to become a healthy devotee so that I might even be able to assist you in the first place.
Prabhupada writes in the purport to SB4.22.47;
“a joker’s activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Krishna becomes a laughingstock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt”
On this auspicious day I pray that I can follow your instructions so that the medicine will work and I can one day be more than just a blunt instrument in your service.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Bhakta Tom
Bhakti-sar Dasa
One of the first things that Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī says in the beginning of Second Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is paśyann api na paśyati (SB 2.1.4). We may be able to observe small or distant objects but without purification we cannot know what we are actually seeing. This purification comes through paramparā technology, which was the cutting edge of science & technology in the past and will remain that way in the future.
Seeing is believing. We stubbornly want to stick to this idea of experiencing and learning through seeing. With naked eye the smallest visible thing is the tip of the hair. Scientists continue research in microscopy, to be able to see small objects in great detail. Recently, in 2014 & 2017, Nobel prizes in Chemistry were given to researchers in this field. Also billions of dollars are spent each year for space exploration.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Third Canto Text 11, Lord Brahmā prays āsse śrutekṣita-patho nanu nātha puṁsām. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the purport “The śrutekṣita path is to hear from bona fide devotees who are conversant with Vedic wisdom, free from mundane sentiment.”
By hearing about Kṛṣṇa and seeing through Kṛṣṇa we can actually see properly. In Bhagavad-gītā chapter 11 text 7 purport Śrīla Prabhupāda says “No one can see the entire universe while sitting in one place. Even the most advanced scientist cannot see what is going on in other parts of the universe. But a devotee like Arjuna can see everything that exists in any part of the universe. Kṛṣṇa gives him the power to see anything he wants to see, past, present and future.”
And here is a concise but eloquent one line purport (BG 11.16): “Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is unlimited; thus through Him everything could be seen.”
Māyā blinds us and keeps us asleep, viewing illusory dreams. We should get tired of this dreamy existence and our aim should be to WAKE UP to the REALITY.
kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
(CC Madhya 22.31)
Gurudeva you are so expert in reaching out to contemporary audience. I recently finished my 1st reading of your amazing book Searching for Vedic India. Any modern intellectual who has even an iota of authenticity will appreciate your attempt to establish Kṛṣṇa as Supreme and Vedic knowledge as topmost knowledge. After reading this book those who are innocent and sincere will find the presence of soul (and Supersoul, Kṛṣṇa) in their heart and those who are stubborn and atheistic will find the presence of sole (from the kick of your lotus foot) on their face.
In the course of our life we meet people who are hard-hearted (tad aśma-sāraṁ hṛdayaṁ batedaṁ, SB 2.3.) and people who are selfish (na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ, SB 4.5.31). They go here and there just for sense gratification. But everyone is Kṛṣṇa’s part and parcel. We should dedicate this and all future lives for the benefit of such people who have fallen to a very low level. By practising Kṛṣṇa consciousness they will one day come to their senses and understand the goal of their life.
This is Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda established this movement primarily based on distribution of his books. And teaching knowledge of these books along with prasadam distribution and harinam sankirtan. I aspire to whole heartedly embrace the study of Prabhupāda’s books to make my life successful. Seeking your blessings on this auspicious day.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Bhakti-sar Dasa
Seeing is believing. We stubbornly want to stick to this idea of experiencing and learning through seeing. With naked eye the smallest visible thing is the tip of the hair. Scientists continue research in microscopy, to be able to see small objects in great detail. Recently, in 2014 & 2017, Nobel prizes in Chemistry were given to researchers in this field. Also billions of dollars are spent each year for space exploration.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Third Canto Text 11, Lord Brahmā prays āsse śrutekṣita-patho nanu nātha puṁsām. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the purport “The śrutekṣita path is to hear from bona fide devotees who are conversant with Vedic wisdom, free from mundane sentiment.”
By hearing about Kṛṣṇa and seeing through Kṛṣṇa we can actually see properly. In Bhagavad-gītā chapter 11 text 7 purport Śrīla Prabhupāda says “No one can see the entire universe while sitting in one place. Even the most advanced scientist cannot see what is going on in other parts of the universe. But a devotee like Arjuna can see everything that exists in any part of the universe. Kṛṣṇa gives him the power to see anything he wants to see, past, present and future.”
And here is a concise but eloquent one line purport (BG 11.16): “Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is unlimited; thus through Him everything could be seen.”
Māyā blinds us and keeps us asleep, viewing illusory dreams. We should get tired of this dreamy existence and our aim should be to WAKE UP to the REALITY.
kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
(CC Madhya 22.31)
Gurudeva you are so expert in reaching out to contemporary audience. I recently finished my 1st reading of your amazing book Searching for Vedic India. Any modern intellectual who has even an iota of authenticity will appreciate your attempt to establish Kṛṣṇa as Supreme and Vedic knowledge as topmost knowledge. After reading this book those who are innocent and sincere will find the presence of soul (and Supersoul, Kṛṣṇa) in their heart and those who are stubborn and atheistic will find the presence of sole (from the kick of your lotus foot) on their face.
In the course of our life we meet people who are hard-hearted (tad aśma-sāraṁ hṛdayaṁ batedaṁ, SB 2.3.) and people who are selfish (na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ, SB 4.5.31). They go here and there just for sense gratification. But everyone is Kṛṣṇa’s part and parcel. We should dedicate this and all future lives for the benefit of such people who have fallen to a very low level. By practising Kṛṣṇa consciousness they will one day come to their senses and understand the goal of their life.
This is Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda established this movement primarily based on distribution of his books. And teaching knowledge of these books along with prasadam distribution and harinam sankirtan. I aspire to whole heartedly embrace the study of Prabhupāda’s books to make my life successful. Seeking your blessings on this auspicious day.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Bhakti-sar Dasa
Bhaktin Erin (ISKCON Wales)
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I’m sorry that I took so long to realise how merciful you have been been by blessing me with your association, and for not understanding that your appearance in my life is by the perfect arrangement of Krsna.
I remember seeing you at a program in Swansea 3 years ago, when I was just 16 years old and fully caught in Maya’s net. Looking up at your luminous smile which beams from your lotus face, I couldn’t fathom how someone could be so pure and saintly in such a terrifying world.
And yet, because of my infinite pride and arrogance, I did not feel that I had much to learn from you. I’m sorry for this, and for my continued puffed up attitude which contaminates my every action. In my naivety and ignorance, I have behaved inappropriately and offensively in your presence countless times, and for this I can never apologise enough.
The first time we met, you told me I am a precious jewel that no one can touch, and that I should remember this as much as possible. And so I do. I think of your heart-warming words every single day. I aspire to remember your sincere advice and encouragement, which uplift my spirits at the most difficult times in my Bhakti yoga journey.
And although I am the most unworthy candidate for your causeless mercy, I am eternally grateful for it. I have no right to ask anything of you, but if you would allow me to request one thing, it is that by the grace of you, and the senior devotees here in Wales, that I may stay in the association of devotees and serve them in even the smallest and most insignificant way.
I hope that one day I can develop some of the divine qualities of your disciples, who surround me with love, compassion and tolerance at every moment, despite my fallen nature.
I’m sorry that I am not able to properly reciprocate with your kindness or glorify you in just a minor way on this most auspicious day. Please accept my most pathetic obeisances at your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant, Bhaktin Erin
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I’m sorry that I took so long to realise how merciful you have been been by blessing me with your association, and for not understanding that your appearance in my life is by the perfect arrangement of Krsna.
I remember seeing you at a program in Swansea 3 years ago, when I was just 16 years old and fully caught in Maya’s net. Looking up at your luminous smile which beams from your lotus face, I couldn’t fathom how someone could be so pure and saintly in such a terrifying world.
And yet, because of my infinite pride and arrogance, I did not feel that I had much to learn from you. I’m sorry for this, and for my continued puffed up attitude which contaminates my every action. In my naivety and ignorance, I have behaved inappropriately and offensively in your presence countless times, and for this I can never apologise enough.
The first time we met, you told me I am a precious jewel that no one can touch, and that I should remember this as much as possible. And so I do. I think of your heart-warming words every single day. I aspire to remember your sincere advice and encouragement, which uplift my spirits at the most difficult times in my Bhakti yoga journey.
And although I am the most unworthy candidate for your causeless mercy, I am eternally grateful for it. I have no right to ask anything of you, but if you would allow me to request one thing, it is that by the grace of you, and the senior devotees here in Wales, that I may stay in the association of devotees and serve them in even the smallest and most insignificant way.
I hope that one day I can develop some of the divine qualities of your disciples, who surround me with love, compassion and tolerance at every moment, despite my fallen nature.
I’m sorry that I am not able to properly reciprocate with your kindness or glorify you in just a minor way on this most auspicious day. Please accept my most pathetic obeisances at your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant, Bhaktin Erin
Bhaktin Lena Stauber
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you and to Srila Prabhupada!
"Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show ones learning by trying to surpass the previous acarya. He must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the message must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization.” SB 1.4.1 purport
As my eloquence is quite poor, I tought it might make more sense to quote Srila Prabhupada to describe your glories.
The reason I used this quote is actually quite simple. I joined the Hare Krishna movement in New Zealand through the centers The Loft and Bhaktilounge. And when I went back to Germany and stayed there in a temple for a while I realised that I wouldn't have joined there. The philosophy was just not so easy to take for neophytes. So I wanted to thank you for establishing these centers and making Krishnaconciousness very easy accessible for everyone.
Therefore, please bless me that I can help you spreading Lord Caitanyas mission in a way suitable for the time, place and circumstances. So that his mercy may resonate in every town and village of this planet.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Lena
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you and to Srila Prabhupada!
"Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show ones learning by trying to surpass the previous acarya. He must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the message must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization.” SB 1.4.1 purport
As my eloquence is quite poor, I tought it might make more sense to quote Srila Prabhupada to describe your glories.
The reason I used this quote is actually quite simple. I joined the Hare Krishna movement in New Zealand through the centers The Loft and Bhaktilounge. And when I went back to Germany and stayed there in a temple for a while I realised that I wouldn't have joined there. The philosophy was just not so easy to take for neophytes. So I wanted to thank you for establishing these centers and making Krishnaconciousness very easy accessible for everyone.
Therefore, please bless me that I can help you spreading Lord Caitanyas mission in a way suitable for the time, place and circumstances. So that his mercy may resonate in every town and village of this planet.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Lena
Bhaktin Tamara from Kiev
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you!
First of all, I’d like to thank Krishna, Srila Prabhupada and your parents for giving us all an opportunity to receive your kind association. Considering the prehistory of your birth, - when your mother was praying for a servant of God to be born as her child, - it can be easily understood that you’ve been inherited divine and sublime qualities from the very beginning. I always enjoy stories of your childhood and youth and about your deepening into Srila Prabhupada's books and, later, meeting with and coming to devotees for the first times. This is actually very inspiring. I’ve been practicing Bhakti yoga for approximately 3.5-4 years and this is the starting point on the way of cleaning the heart of all the dust and mud, which have been accumulated there since time immemorial. So, listening to how personal paradigm can be totally transformed and how all the Prabhupada’s instructions can be fully accepted and realized (what is 100% approved by your selfless service and exemplary behavior) – this provides courage and fires up determination. Hence, pure Krishna Conscious life is no longer a pipe dream.
It’s very interesting to see how different qualities are combined within you: on the one hand, you’re very educated (even materially speaking: let us only see how scientific and logically constructed your preaching speeches are and how expertly you present profound Vedic knowledge to students and professors at the universities) and on the other hand, your inner self is fully saturated with pure love of Krishna. And what to speak of your perfect sense of humor! Sometimes it shows how blissful and emotionally complete relationships with Krishna and His devotees can be; sometimes your humor means “Listen to me very attentively now, these simple words are highly important in your current situation and for your further spiritual development”. You’re also very personal, your instructions always touch the core of the heart and reveal Prabhupada’s teachings.
This year’s Bhakti Sangama festival was special. I remember how you were speaking of the greatest mystery of love in separation, when gopies, Lord Chaitanya experience the most intense feelings of prema being physically separated from Krishna, and then you started talking of Srila Prabhupada, how you could only desire to get a chance to be close to him and then you stopped for a moment and changed the vector of your thoughts… I can only pray at your lotus feet to be able to satisfy you by my insignificant service and only by your mercy I can once experience such deep and permanent uncontaminated spiritual emotions. It was also such a heart-warming experience to see your love of your spiritual brothers and sisters – that’s a standard of what true relationships among devotees should be like.
Dear Srila Gurudeva, thank you for your mercy! Please, be kind and let us see you, personally serve you and hear from you for many more years.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Tamara from Kiev
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you!
First of all, I’d like to thank Krishna, Srila Prabhupada and your parents for giving us all an opportunity to receive your kind association. Considering the prehistory of your birth, - when your mother was praying for a servant of God to be born as her child, - it can be easily understood that you’ve been inherited divine and sublime qualities from the very beginning. I always enjoy stories of your childhood and youth and about your deepening into Srila Prabhupada's books and, later, meeting with and coming to devotees for the first times. This is actually very inspiring. I’ve been practicing Bhakti yoga for approximately 3.5-4 years and this is the starting point on the way of cleaning the heart of all the dust and mud, which have been accumulated there since time immemorial. So, listening to how personal paradigm can be totally transformed and how all the Prabhupada’s instructions can be fully accepted and realized (what is 100% approved by your selfless service and exemplary behavior) – this provides courage and fires up determination. Hence, pure Krishna Conscious life is no longer a pipe dream.
It’s very interesting to see how different qualities are combined within you: on the one hand, you’re very educated (even materially speaking: let us only see how scientific and logically constructed your preaching speeches are and how expertly you present profound Vedic knowledge to students and professors at the universities) and on the other hand, your inner self is fully saturated with pure love of Krishna. And what to speak of your perfect sense of humor! Sometimes it shows how blissful and emotionally complete relationships with Krishna and His devotees can be; sometimes your humor means “Listen to me very attentively now, these simple words are highly important in your current situation and for your further spiritual development”. You’re also very personal, your instructions always touch the core of the heart and reveal Prabhupada’s teachings.
This year’s Bhakti Sangama festival was special. I remember how you were speaking of the greatest mystery of love in separation, when gopies, Lord Chaitanya experience the most intense feelings of prema being physically separated from Krishna, and then you started talking of Srila Prabhupada, how you could only desire to get a chance to be close to him and then you stopped for a moment and changed the vector of your thoughts… I can only pray at your lotus feet to be able to satisfy you by my insignificant service and only by your mercy I can once experience such deep and permanent uncontaminated spiritual emotions. It was also such a heart-warming experience to see your love of your spiritual brothers and sisters – that’s a standard of what true relationships among devotees should be like.
Dear Srila Gurudeva, thank you for your mercy! Please, be kind and let us see you, personally serve you and hear from you for many more years.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Tamara from Kiev
Bhava Sandhi dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prahupada!
Bhagavad Gita 2.56 describes the sage of steady mind as being always daring and active for the service of the Lord.... When reading, this reminded me of you, finger on the pulse, always dynamic, never static, but fast thinking and adaptable to what gives Krishna the most pleasure. You keep up to date with the latest current issues and trends to relate to others and show the greatest personalism by empathizing and endeavoring to connect them to Krishna.
You constantly encourage others to be active in the Lords service, your latest instruction to me have been very open, but to the point, "Just do something, wherever you feel you are most productive" You have never encouraged me to dwell on my shortcomings or anarthas, just encouraged the potential ignoring the mental. And I am sometimes quite mental, once you asked another devotee that I bring you a glass of water, I was so mental that I went to your room, pushed the door open a crack and just showed the cup into the room along the floor and ran down the stairs again (not the best servant, and definitely not taking advantage of your merciful association) Your solution to my shortcomings? Once you just raised your hands in the air and said simply "Let sankirtan do it's magic" Full faith that sticking tight to the process of devotional service is the solution to all problems.
It is impossible to replay the debt to you, my spiritual master, my only hope is to try and endeavor to share that good fortune with others. In that mood I offer you this short story.
Munjeranya and I called into a motel in south Auckland to see if the owner would like Bhagavad Gitas in his guests rooms. The owner Dharminder was very enthusiastic, Munjaranya encouraged him to donate to the project and then he decided wanted us to help him put them in the rooms immediately. He knocked on each door and personally handed Bhagavad Gitas to the occupants. Munjeranya and myself followed along behind with boxes of books and watched in amazement as with each door he knocked he became more and more swept up in Lord Caitanya's mercy, he started asking the guests more enthusiastically to please read the book, then telling them it will purify them and make them happy and then by the end of the rooms he was imploring them to read Bhagavd Gita for an hour each day! His enthusiasm was contagious and increased as he followed in the footsteps of Lord Nityananda's pastimes knocking door to door offering Krishna's mercy.
It was a reminder to me of the great wealth we have, this opportunity to engage others in devotional service and see them taste the experience. In one of your lectures you talked of the combination of the enthusiasm of youth with the wisdom of experience, you humbly said that's why you like preaching, it keeps you young and connected to that fresh enthusiasm. I think its the other way around, you enthuse us so deeply by your example, your classes, kirtans, association and your daring and active service to the Lord.
Always dynamic
Never static
With the enthusiasm of youth
You propel the highest truth
Moving with the times
Sharing maha mantra sublime
To capture the heart
Of those lives so dark
Knowing how to engage
In this troubled age
Seeing the potential
Ignoring the mental
Although I cannot repay the debt
Thus rescued from a life of regret
There is only one request
Engage others in this glorious quest
Thank you gurudeva for personally plucking me out of my dazed haze, praying to cling to your lotus feet, engage in your service and be less mental and more use to you each year.
Your aspiring servant Bhava Sandhi dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prahupada!
Bhagavad Gita 2.56 describes the sage of steady mind as being always daring and active for the service of the Lord.... When reading, this reminded me of you, finger on the pulse, always dynamic, never static, but fast thinking and adaptable to what gives Krishna the most pleasure. You keep up to date with the latest current issues and trends to relate to others and show the greatest personalism by empathizing and endeavoring to connect them to Krishna.
You constantly encourage others to be active in the Lords service, your latest instruction to me have been very open, but to the point, "Just do something, wherever you feel you are most productive" You have never encouraged me to dwell on my shortcomings or anarthas, just encouraged the potential ignoring the mental. And I am sometimes quite mental, once you asked another devotee that I bring you a glass of water, I was so mental that I went to your room, pushed the door open a crack and just showed the cup into the room along the floor and ran down the stairs again (not the best servant, and definitely not taking advantage of your merciful association) Your solution to my shortcomings? Once you just raised your hands in the air and said simply "Let sankirtan do it's magic" Full faith that sticking tight to the process of devotional service is the solution to all problems.
It is impossible to replay the debt to you, my spiritual master, my only hope is to try and endeavor to share that good fortune with others. In that mood I offer you this short story.
Munjeranya and I called into a motel in south Auckland to see if the owner would like Bhagavad Gitas in his guests rooms. The owner Dharminder was very enthusiastic, Munjaranya encouraged him to donate to the project and then he decided wanted us to help him put them in the rooms immediately. He knocked on each door and personally handed Bhagavad Gitas to the occupants. Munjeranya and myself followed along behind with boxes of books and watched in amazement as with each door he knocked he became more and more swept up in Lord Caitanya's mercy, he started asking the guests more enthusiastically to please read the book, then telling them it will purify them and make them happy and then by the end of the rooms he was imploring them to read Bhagavd Gita for an hour each day! His enthusiasm was contagious and increased as he followed in the footsteps of Lord Nityananda's pastimes knocking door to door offering Krishna's mercy.
It was a reminder to me of the great wealth we have, this opportunity to engage others in devotional service and see them taste the experience. In one of your lectures you talked of the combination of the enthusiasm of youth with the wisdom of experience, you humbly said that's why you like preaching, it keeps you young and connected to that fresh enthusiasm. I think its the other way around, you enthuse us so deeply by your example, your classes, kirtans, association and your daring and active service to the Lord.
Always dynamic
Never static
With the enthusiasm of youth
You propel the highest truth
Moving with the times
Sharing maha mantra sublime
To capture the heart
Of those lives so dark
Knowing how to engage
In this troubled age
Seeing the potential
Ignoring the mental
Although I cannot repay the debt
Thus rescued from a life of regret
There is only one request
Engage others in this glorious quest
Thank you gurudeva for personally plucking me out of my dazed haze, praying to cling to your lotus feet, engage in your service and be less mental and more use to you each year.
Your aspiring servant Bhava Sandhi dd
Bhava-vibhusana das
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
This year I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to prepare & serve your breakfast & dinner, for three days during your visit to Sydney. My service was very simple. Just making a fruit bowl and porridge for breakfast and kichadi for dinner. But although my service was so small & insignificant, you took the time to offer words of appreciation & encouragement. “You cooked the khicidi? Very good. You cook for the brahmacaris also? Bhava-vibhusana…did you cook the khicidi again tonight?” I was thinking that for lunch, other devotees cook so many amazing varieties of Prasad for you every day. And all I was doing was making plain porridge and khicidi. Still to encourage me in my Krsna Consciousness, you were so merciful to me.
I always feel so blessed whenever I get a smile, a side long glance or a few words of appreciation or acknowledgment from you. Srila Prabhupada confirms that “The smile of such a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is so attractive that simply by smiling he wins so many admirers, disciples and followers.” (SB 3.22.21).
About 6 years ago during first year university, I decided to become a brahmacari after I finished my studies. I was becoming more serious in my Bhakti, & I slowly drifted away from all my karmi friends. Externally I seemed to have become anti-social or a loner, but I was happy practising bhakti. During the weekdays while I travelled to university & during my breaks, I would relish reading Srila Prabhupada’s books & hearing your lectures on my ipod. And on weekends I would take the sanga of the Prabhus at the Temple. Your lectures during four long years of university kept me enthusiastic and determined in my bhakti and away from the lures of maya. I would find great solace and joy in just sitting under a tree & listening to one of your lectures while taking Prasad during lunch.
Srila Prabhupada explains that “The human body is the boat, the instructions of Lord Kṛṣṇa are the favorable winds, and the spiritual master is the navigator. The spiritual master knows well how to adjust the sails to catch the winds favorably and steer the boat to its destination.” (SB 4.23.28). Your lectures first helped me how to adjust the sails as an aspiring brahmacari going to university and now after joining the ashram three years ago, your lectures are again helping me manoeuvre the sails as I now engage in full time service amongst brahmacaris.
I find that one of the greatest things I have gained from you, if not the greatest is the inspiration to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s books. There is no one in this world who inspires me more to take shelter of Prabhupada’s books than you, Gurudev. Thank you for giving me this great gift. By your mercy I have developed a little taste for reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. “Srī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu”. You are an ocean of mercy and the friend of all poor, conditioned souls like me. By sharing your great love for Srila Prabhupada’s books, you have made so many poor souls like me rich! Your disciples are the real slumdog millionaires.
The spiritual master is considered to be the life and soul of the devotees, “lokera jivana”. You have helped me so much in my Bhakti that I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you. Prahlad Maharaj prays “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 Nārada 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?” (SB 7.9.28). In the same way, on this most auspicious day, remembering how much you have helped me in my Bhakti, I’m re-dedicating myself to serve you & your instructions.
Srila Prabhupada further emphasises that “The disciple should not consider whether he is going back home, back to Godhead; his first business should be to execute the order of his spiritual master. Thus a disciple should always meditate on the order of the spiritual master, and that is perfectional meditation. Not only should he meditate upon that order, but he should find out the means by which he can perfectly worship and execute it.” (SB 4.24.15). Two of your prominent instructions to me have been to become a sastra man and to assist you in spreading Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement. Please give me your blessings Guru Maharaj on this most auspicious day, so that I can properly worship & execute these instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhava-vibhusana das
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
This year I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to prepare & serve your breakfast & dinner, for three days during your visit to Sydney. My service was very simple. Just making a fruit bowl and porridge for breakfast and kichadi for dinner. But although my service was so small & insignificant, you took the time to offer words of appreciation & encouragement. “You cooked the khicidi? Very good. You cook for the brahmacaris also? Bhava-vibhusana…did you cook the khicidi again tonight?” I was thinking that for lunch, other devotees cook so many amazing varieties of Prasad for you every day. And all I was doing was making plain porridge and khicidi. Still to encourage me in my Krsna Consciousness, you were so merciful to me.
I always feel so blessed whenever I get a smile, a side long glance or a few words of appreciation or acknowledgment from you. Srila Prabhupada confirms that “The smile of such a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is so attractive that simply by smiling he wins so many admirers, disciples and followers.” (SB 3.22.21).
About 6 years ago during first year university, I decided to become a brahmacari after I finished my studies. I was becoming more serious in my Bhakti, & I slowly drifted away from all my karmi friends. Externally I seemed to have become anti-social or a loner, but I was happy practising bhakti. During the weekdays while I travelled to university & during my breaks, I would relish reading Srila Prabhupada’s books & hearing your lectures on my ipod. And on weekends I would take the sanga of the Prabhus at the Temple. Your lectures during four long years of university kept me enthusiastic and determined in my bhakti and away from the lures of maya. I would find great solace and joy in just sitting under a tree & listening to one of your lectures while taking Prasad during lunch.
Srila Prabhupada explains that “The human body is the boat, the instructions of Lord Kṛṣṇa are the favorable winds, and the spiritual master is the navigator. The spiritual master knows well how to adjust the sails to catch the winds favorably and steer the boat to its destination.” (SB 4.23.28). Your lectures first helped me how to adjust the sails as an aspiring brahmacari going to university and now after joining the ashram three years ago, your lectures are again helping me manoeuvre the sails as I now engage in full time service amongst brahmacaris.
I find that one of the greatest things I have gained from you, if not the greatest is the inspiration to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s books. There is no one in this world who inspires me more to take shelter of Prabhupada’s books than you, Gurudev. Thank you for giving me this great gift. By your mercy I have developed a little taste for reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. “Srī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu”. You are an ocean of mercy and the friend of all poor, conditioned souls like me. By sharing your great love for Srila Prabhupada’s books, you have made so many poor souls like me rich! Your disciples are the real slumdog millionaires.
The spiritual master is considered to be the life and soul of the devotees, “lokera jivana”. You have helped me so much in my Bhakti that I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you. Prahlad Maharaj prays “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 Nārada 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?” (SB 7.9.28). In the same way, on this most auspicious day, remembering how much you have helped me in my Bhakti, I’m re-dedicating myself to serve you & your instructions.
Srila Prabhupada further emphasises that “The disciple should not consider whether he is going back home, back to Godhead; his first business should be to execute the order of his spiritual master. Thus a disciple should always meditate on the order of the spiritual master, and that is perfectional meditation. Not only should he meditate upon that order, but he should find out the means by which he can perfectly worship and execute it.” (SB 4.24.15). Two of your prominent instructions to me have been to become a sastra man and to assist you in spreading Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement. Please give me your blessings Guru Maharaj on this most auspicious day, so that I can properly worship & execute these instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhava-vibhusana das
Bhuri bhoja das
Dear Gurudeva ,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet . All glories to Srila Prabhupada , All Glories to you on this most auspiscious day of your appearance.
In a lecture 2010 of one of the many from you have spoken on , I became very inspired by the topic “ Maximising our spiritual needs and wants and minimising our material activities. We are all working under different types of activities , but these will only lead to pious or impious work , we need to go beyond our current situation , transform our consciousness for the pleasure of the non material self.
The Bhagavad Gita Second chapter text 1
Sanjaya uvaca
tam tatha krpayavistam asru purnakuleksanam visidantam idam vakyam
Uvaca madhusudana
Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna full of compassion ,his mind depressed , his eyes full of tears , Madhusudana ,krsna ,spoke the following words .
Text 2
Sri Bhagavan uvaca
Kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya justam asvargyam akiriti Karam Arjuna
The supreme personality of God head said:
My dear Arjuna how have these impurities come upon you ? They are not at all befitting a man who knows the value of life . They lead not to higher planets but to infamy .
Krishna could understand Arjunas lamentation , He was having a mental breakdown . We can all relate to this ,we need not take shelter of our own intelligence but rely on a Authorised prescription in order to come to a healthy state of understanding our non material reality .
Gurudeva please excuse me as I became inattentive , stumbling upon “Familiarity” while reading the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad bhagavatam , I developed a unhealthy approach , as Krishna mentions in the introduction we should at least theoretically accept Krishna as the supreme personality of god head , with that submissive spirit we can understand the Bhagavad Gita. But you said something that changed my approach , you have to rebel against the mind and pray to Krishna for the intelligence . Krishna consciousness is a guidance culture , not something one can speculate upon or manufacture from ones own intellect.
Your dynamic urban preaching Centers , are a place we’re people from all walks of life come to find the answers to life , seeking a higher understanding to the issues they face. I’m amazed by the enthusiasm of the young who enter the contemporary men’s ashram , with such nice realisations I also pray to have that same enthusiasm.
Gurudeva your very expert as you mention we are just not products of economic and consumer units but we are all part and parcel in relationship with the supreme being.
Srimad bhagavatam 1.1.2
Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this bhagavata purana propounds the highest truth which is understandable by those Devotees who are fully pure in heart .The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the three fold miseries .This beautiful bhagavatam , compiled by the great sage Vyasadeva in his maturity , is sufficient in its self for god realisation , what is the need of any other scripture ? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge the supreme lord is established within his heart.
Gurudeva Please excuse me for any offenses I have foolishly made , like a child not fully aware of the realities , I pray that i can grow mature and serve your Servants . A adherent Humble and Compassionate Spiritual master , and Spiritual Father to your disciples and well wishers I fall down like a stick at your lotus feet.
Your indebted servant and spiritual son
Bhuribhoja
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet . All glories to Srila Prabhupada , All Glories to you on this most auspiscious day of your appearance.
In a lecture 2010 of one of the many from you have spoken on , I became very inspired by the topic “ Maximising our spiritual needs and wants and minimising our material activities. We are all working under different types of activities , but these will only lead to pious or impious work , we need to go beyond our current situation , transform our consciousness for the pleasure of the non material self.
The Bhagavad Gita Second chapter text 1
Sanjaya uvaca
tam tatha krpayavistam asru purnakuleksanam visidantam idam vakyam
Uvaca madhusudana
Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna full of compassion ,his mind depressed , his eyes full of tears , Madhusudana ,krsna ,spoke the following words .
Text 2
Sri Bhagavan uvaca
Kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya justam asvargyam akiriti Karam Arjuna
The supreme personality of God head said:
My dear Arjuna how have these impurities come upon you ? They are not at all befitting a man who knows the value of life . They lead not to higher planets but to infamy .
Krishna could understand Arjunas lamentation , He was having a mental breakdown . We can all relate to this ,we need not take shelter of our own intelligence but rely on a Authorised prescription in order to come to a healthy state of understanding our non material reality .
Gurudeva please excuse me as I became inattentive , stumbling upon “Familiarity” while reading the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad bhagavatam , I developed a unhealthy approach , as Krishna mentions in the introduction we should at least theoretically accept Krishna as the supreme personality of god head , with that submissive spirit we can understand the Bhagavad Gita. But you said something that changed my approach , you have to rebel against the mind and pray to Krishna for the intelligence . Krishna consciousness is a guidance culture , not something one can speculate upon or manufacture from ones own intellect.
Your dynamic urban preaching Centers , are a place we’re people from all walks of life come to find the answers to life , seeking a higher understanding to the issues they face. I’m amazed by the enthusiasm of the young who enter the contemporary men’s ashram , with such nice realisations I also pray to have that same enthusiasm.
Gurudeva your very expert as you mention we are just not products of economic and consumer units but we are all part and parcel in relationship with the supreme being.
Srimad bhagavatam 1.1.2
Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this bhagavata purana propounds the highest truth which is understandable by those Devotees who are fully pure in heart .The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the three fold miseries .This beautiful bhagavatam , compiled by the great sage Vyasadeva in his maturity , is sufficient in its self for god realisation , what is the need of any other scripture ? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge the supreme lord is established within his heart.
Gurudeva Please excuse me for any offenses I have foolishly made , like a child not fully aware of the realities , I pray that i can grow mature and serve your Servants . A adherent Humble and Compassionate Spiritual master , and Spiritual Father to your disciples and well wishers I fall down like a stick at your lotus feet.
Your indebted servant and spiritual son
Bhuribhoja
Bhuvan mangla devi dasi
Dear Gurudev
Hare Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you Gurumaharaj on this auspicious day.On this day I pray to lord Krishna for your good health.
Gurumaharaj you are so special for us because you have given us the greatest gift.From so many years I was wandering like a fool in this material world , without a spiritual master and by the mercy of Krishna you adopted me and placed me at the lotus feet of Lord.I feel myself so fortunate and thankful to you to give me and my family your kind blessings.
Gurumaharaj, please give me strength so that I follow your instructions sincerely and serve you.Please accept my humble obeisances with love and gratitude.
Your servant
Bhuvan mangla devi dasi
Hare Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you Gurumaharaj on this auspicious day.On this day I pray to lord Krishna for your good health.
Gurumaharaj you are so special for us because you have given us the greatest gift.From so many years I was wandering like a fool in this material world , without a spiritual master and by the mercy of Krishna you adopted me and placed me at the lotus feet of Lord.I feel myself so fortunate and thankful to you to give me and my family your kind blessings.
Gurumaharaj, please give me strength so that I follow your instructions sincerely and serve you.Please accept my humble obeisances with love and gratitude.
Your servant
Bhuvan mangla devi dasi
Bimala Prasad Dasa and Family
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 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.
By your mercy alone we are surviving in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, despite numerous shortcomings and offenses committed in the practice of devotional service. Through your magnanimity, we are consistently given opportunities to serve your glorious self, and in your association I derive ever fresher instructions and guidance on how to improve my sadhana. As a true leader, you lead by exemplary actions, the importance of which I do not realise until significant time has passed – such is the depth of meaning behind your every act. For example, by observing your behaviour in honouring prasadam I have only recently understood the proper way in which to perform such a seemingly simple activity, despite being over fifty years of age.
Last year, through the cooperation of all your disciples here in Melbourne, we were able to prepare 108 prasadam items, and by your incessant mercy we were able to serve you and the senior Vaisnavas. This was an unforgettable event in my life as such an opportunity is very rare and we were blessed to be given the chance. You similarly blessed Charan by giving him your maha garland as you were leaving the dining room. We will always be indebted to you for the causeless mercy you shower upon us, though we are unworthy of your service in every way.
Hence on this auspicious day of your appearance we pray to Kṛṣṇa to grant you a long life so that you can continue to preach and deliver the countless conditioned souls like us. We also pray for your inexhaustible mercy so we can continue to serve your lotus feet and the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas, for it is only through your and their blessings that we may even dream of approaching Kṛṣṇa.
Your most fallen of servants,
Bimala Prasad Dasa, Lalitha Prasad Devi Dasi,
Bhakta Charan and Bhaktin Kṛṣṇa Priya
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
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.
By your mercy alone we are surviving in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, despite numerous shortcomings and offenses committed in the practice of devotional service. Through your magnanimity, we are consistently given opportunities to serve your glorious self, and in your association I derive ever fresher instructions and guidance on how to improve my sadhana. As a true leader, you lead by exemplary actions, the importance of which I do not realise until significant time has passed – such is the depth of meaning behind your every act. For example, by observing your behaviour in honouring prasadam I have only recently understood the proper way in which to perform such a seemingly simple activity, despite being over fifty years of age.
Last year, through the cooperation of all your disciples here in Melbourne, we were able to prepare 108 prasadam items, and by your incessant mercy we were able to serve you and the senior Vaisnavas. This was an unforgettable event in my life as such an opportunity is very rare and we were blessed to be given the chance. You similarly blessed Charan by giving him your maha garland as you were leaving the dining room. We will always be indebted to you for the causeless mercy you shower upon us, though we are unworthy of your service in every way.
Hence on this auspicious day of your appearance we pray to Kṛṣṇa to grant you a long life so that you can continue to preach and deliver the countless conditioned souls like us. We also pray for your inexhaustible mercy so we can continue to serve your lotus feet and the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas, for it is only through your and their blessings that we may even dream of approaching Kṛṣṇa.
Your most fallen of servants,
Bimala Prasad Dasa, Lalitha Prasad Devi Dasi,
Bhakta Charan and Bhaktin Kṛṣṇa Priya
Brahmakund dasa & Bhaktilata devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
While reading a section of Nectar of Devotion in which Srila Prabhupada is talking about the 6 Goswamis, Bhaktilata and I were discussing there are quite a few similarities between your life and the lives of Rupa and Sanatana Goswami. Like them, you renounced a promising material career, all the worldly pleasures that come with it and became a mendicant. They dedicated their life, taking responsibilities in the mission of their Guru - Caitanya Mahaprabhu, you have dedicated your life taking many responsibilities in the mission of your Guru – Srila Prahbupada. Rupa and Sanatana Goswami lived a simple humble life, absorbed in their respective Bhajan – studying, writing books and uncovering the holy places of Vrindavan. You live a simple humble life, studying and writing books, travelling profusely to spread Krishna Consciousness, to help conditioned souls uncover their spiritual self and their lost relationship with Krishna.
Sanatana Goswami travelled from village to village and while travelling, he listened to the problems of the villagers with patience and care. He would then please all the villagers by his preaching and give practical advice on all their problems from increasing crop yields to family issues. Following in the footsteps of Sanatana Goswami, you are travelling from country to country, and with the patience, love and care of a father you listen to the problems of all the people you meet. By your witty talks you please your audience and give practical advice on all their problems of life, from economic matters to relationship advice. You often say “people think their problems are unique and special but I have seen this movie many times before”. At the beginning of my association with Bhaktilata, you asked me if I did video skype calls with her and I said no. You then told me, don’t be artificially renounced, go and buy a web cam.
In a letter to Hamsaduta (December 10th 1972), Srila Prabhupada said:
“Devotee means he is able to tolerate all kinds of discomfort and whims of the material nature, and because he is too much absorbed in serving Krsna he takes no time to become angry or take offense with others or find out some fault. No. Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life.”
You are a living example of this letter. If someone is trying to be Krishna Conscious or performing devotional service, you only look at the sincere effort the person is putting and encourage them in their efforts. You completely overlook all the faults or any offence that person might have committed towards you. You do not get angry or hold any grudge against anyone. Instead you are always absorbed in serving Krishna and making plans on how to help others come close to Krishna. No matter what your personal situation is or stress you might have to perform your service, you are always very liberal and kind to everyone. You do not think about yourself but are always thinking what is good for this person, how can I help him/her to become Krishna Conscious or advance in Krishna Consciousness and become a better devotee. In service of Srila Prabhupada, you are reaching out to people and urging them to become free from the material concept of life. For this purpose, you are happy to tolerate any personal discomfort or inconvenience.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving us a purpose in life and by your own example enthusing in us a sense of urgency to first save ourselves and then as much as our capacity allows to help and share Krishna Consciousness with others.
On this auspicious day of your appearance we seek your blessings, instructions and guidance to be engaged in devotional service and to become an instrument of Srila Prabhupada’s compassion in this life time.
Seeking your blessings
Your Servants
Brahmakunda dasa
Bhaktilata devi dasi
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
While reading a section of Nectar of Devotion in which Srila Prabhupada is talking about the 6 Goswamis, Bhaktilata and I were discussing there are quite a few similarities between your life and the lives of Rupa and Sanatana Goswami. Like them, you renounced a promising material career, all the worldly pleasures that come with it and became a mendicant. They dedicated their life, taking responsibilities in the mission of their Guru - Caitanya Mahaprabhu, you have dedicated your life taking many responsibilities in the mission of your Guru – Srila Prahbupada. Rupa and Sanatana Goswami lived a simple humble life, absorbed in their respective Bhajan – studying, writing books and uncovering the holy places of Vrindavan. You live a simple humble life, studying and writing books, travelling profusely to spread Krishna Consciousness, to help conditioned souls uncover their spiritual self and their lost relationship with Krishna.
Sanatana Goswami travelled from village to village and while travelling, he listened to the problems of the villagers with patience and care. He would then please all the villagers by his preaching and give practical advice on all their problems from increasing crop yields to family issues. Following in the footsteps of Sanatana Goswami, you are travelling from country to country, and with the patience, love and care of a father you listen to the problems of all the people you meet. By your witty talks you please your audience and give practical advice on all their problems of life, from economic matters to relationship advice. You often say “people think their problems are unique and special but I have seen this movie many times before”. At the beginning of my association with Bhaktilata, you asked me if I did video skype calls with her and I said no. You then told me, don’t be artificially renounced, go and buy a web cam.
In a letter to Hamsaduta (December 10th 1972), Srila Prabhupada said:
“Devotee means he is able to tolerate all kinds of discomfort and whims of the material nature, and because he is too much absorbed in serving Krsna he takes no time to become angry or take offense with others or find out some fault. No. Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life.”
You are a living example of this letter. If someone is trying to be Krishna Conscious or performing devotional service, you only look at the sincere effort the person is putting and encourage them in their efforts. You completely overlook all the faults or any offence that person might have committed towards you. You do not get angry or hold any grudge against anyone. Instead you are always absorbed in serving Krishna and making plans on how to help others come close to Krishna. No matter what your personal situation is or stress you might have to perform your service, you are always very liberal and kind to everyone. You do not think about yourself but are always thinking what is good for this person, how can I help him/her to become Krishna Conscious or advance in Krishna Consciousness and become a better devotee. In service of Srila Prabhupada, you are reaching out to people and urging them to become free from the material concept of life. For this purpose, you are happy to tolerate any personal discomfort or inconvenience.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving us a purpose in life and by your own example enthusing in us a sense of urgency to first save ourselves and then as much as our capacity allows to help and share Krishna Consciousness with others.
On this auspicious day of your appearance we seek your blessings, instructions and guidance to be engaged in devotional service and to become an instrument of Srila Prabhupada’s compassion in this life time.
Seeking your blessings
Your Servants
Brahmakunda dasa
Bhaktilata devi dasi
Buddhimanta Dasa
Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your Vyasa Puja 2018.
Guru Maharaj, I am extremely happy today on the most awaited day of your Vyasa puja, meditating on your lotus feet, instructions, favours and interactions- the vibrant day when officially we get our chance to submit our gratitude at your lotus feet for all the love and affection you mercifully shower upon us throughout the year. At the same time I am a bit disappointed with myself looking back where I was 25 years ago in the beginning of my Krishna conscious career and introspecting today at what chances I have to qualify to be labelled as a devotee. I have not made much progress in my spiritual life up to the standard you have set for your disciples. The number of years I have spent in Krishna consciousness do not reflect upon my consciousness. I am still affected by what is done by others rather than what am I contributing to Lord Caitanya’s divine mission carried on by our great founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada. Sadly but truly, I am still offending vaishnavas and that could be the reason of my inattentive chanting. I am trying to practice to not mix up the two circles you taught to me, circle of concern and circle of influence. I have not been fully successful at implementation stage but surely there is slight progress by your mercy. In spite of my all short comings Guru Maharaj you are still keeping me under your care and that’s the magnanimity of your status. Guru Maharaj, I am not a worthy disciple of your attention but you are always merciful by being on my side whenever I am down due to my own anarthas. Guru Maharaj, you are always concerned about my spiritual situation and like to see me well situated in Krishna consciousness. You go out of the way to guide me personally how to handle my services without getting entrapped in conflict or stressful situation but I am so dumb I don’t get it so easily. Guru Maharaj, I still have bad habit of thinking of big preaching avenues, ignoring the small task of a steady personal sadhna. On the name of services I ignore my book reading so much which is not forgivable.
Guru Maharaj, you attract many souls to Krishna consciousness not just by your penetrating talks but even more by your simple, genuine and personal relationship building behaviour. It’s so glorious to see you influencing so many students and professors in the most esteemed universities around the globe with your crispy seminars on the Philosophy of Krishna consciousness. 600 university students attending your seminar on ‘Hidden happiness’ in Melbourne, all Australians, this is a classic example of high hanging fruits. Who else would dare to pluck them?
Guru Maharaj, on this auspicious day of your vyasa puja, I beg at your lotus feet for a special benediction that I can become a little mature, serious and grave in my devotional practices.
Thank you Guru Maharaj. 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 Prabhupada.
All glories to your Vyasa Puja 2018.
Guru Maharaj, I am extremely happy today on the most awaited day of your Vyasa puja, meditating on your lotus feet, instructions, favours and interactions- the vibrant day when officially we get our chance to submit our gratitude at your lotus feet for all the love and affection you mercifully shower upon us throughout the year. At the same time I am a bit disappointed with myself looking back where I was 25 years ago in the beginning of my Krishna conscious career and introspecting today at what chances I have to qualify to be labelled as a devotee. I have not made much progress in my spiritual life up to the standard you have set for your disciples. The number of years I have spent in Krishna consciousness do not reflect upon my consciousness. I am still affected by what is done by others rather than what am I contributing to Lord Caitanya’s divine mission carried on by our great founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada. Sadly but truly, I am still offending vaishnavas and that could be the reason of my inattentive chanting. I am trying to practice to not mix up the two circles you taught to me, circle of concern and circle of influence. I have not been fully successful at implementation stage but surely there is slight progress by your mercy. In spite of my all short comings Guru Maharaj you are still keeping me under your care and that’s the magnanimity of your status. Guru Maharaj, I am not a worthy disciple of your attention but you are always merciful by being on my side whenever I am down due to my own anarthas. Guru Maharaj, you are always concerned about my spiritual situation and like to see me well situated in Krishna consciousness. You go out of the way to guide me personally how to handle my services without getting entrapped in conflict or stressful situation but I am so dumb I don’t get it so easily. Guru Maharaj, I still have bad habit of thinking of big preaching avenues, ignoring the small task of a steady personal sadhna. On the name of services I ignore my book reading so much which is not forgivable.
Guru Maharaj, you attract many souls to Krishna consciousness not just by your penetrating talks but even more by your simple, genuine and personal relationship building behaviour. It’s so glorious to see you influencing so many students and professors in the most esteemed universities around the globe with your crispy seminars on the Philosophy of Krishna consciousness. 600 university students attending your seminar on ‘Hidden happiness’ in Melbourne, all Australians, this is a classic example of high hanging fruits. Who else would dare to pluck them?
Guru Maharaj, on this auspicious day of your vyasa puja, I beg at your lotus feet for a special benediction that I can become a little mature, serious and grave in my devotional practices.
Thank you Guru Maharaj. 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!
Today I want to glorify and thank you for being a pure representative of Krishna.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.17.27, Krishna explains:
“One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.”
Ordinary men say so many things, often of little relevance, merely for the sake of conversing. However, because you are completely dedicated to serving Srila Prabhupada and Krishna and a true Swami (master of the mind and senses), whatever you say is essential.
In Bhagavad Gita, 5.16 pp, Prabhupada reveals the potential benefit of connecting with a spiritual master:
“However, he can know everything well if he cares to take shelter of the perfect, bona fide Krishna conscious spiritual master. One can know God and one's relationship with God only when one actually meets a representative of God.”
As such, by your mercifully offering us shelter and guidance, the path to enlightenment in Krishna conscious is revealed. The question is, do we actually care to take advantage of this most special opportunity?
I can now appreciate more and more that surrendering to Guru and Krishna is no small thing. To give external aural reception is a start. But to truly hear, assimilate and apply your instructions is something else.
The conditioned soul is convinced that following the dictations of his mind and limited intelligence will lead him to substantial happiness. Although I may have externally taken to Bhakti, this rebellious and materialistic vision is unfortunately still very much present within me.
In a recent darsana you directly confronted the elephant in the room and instructed:
“Stop being such a materialist!”
Certainly no easy task. At the same time, we understand that whenever the spiritual master instructs, the strength to follow the instruction is also made available.
Gurudeva, I am simply a tiny, fearful, bewildered and selfish living entity. I know maya can’t satisfy me, yet I lack the strength, realization and courage to fully invest myself in your service.
As such, all I can do is simply beg for your mercy. When will I be blessed with the spiritual desire and capacity to genuinely hear, assimilate and apply your instructions?
Aspiring to begin real spiritual life,
Your servant,
Caitanya Vihara dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you!
Today I want to glorify and thank you for being a pure representative of Krishna.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.17.27, Krishna explains:
“One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.”
Ordinary men say so many things, often of little relevance, merely for the sake of conversing. However, because you are completely dedicated to serving Srila Prabhupada and Krishna and a true Swami (master of the mind and senses), whatever you say is essential.
In Bhagavad Gita, 5.16 pp, Prabhupada reveals the potential benefit of connecting with a spiritual master:
“However, he can know everything well if he cares to take shelter of the perfect, bona fide Krishna conscious spiritual master. One can know God and one's relationship with God only when one actually meets a representative of God.”
As such, by your mercifully offering us shelter and guidance, the path to enlightenment in Krishna conscious is revealed. The question is, do we actually care to take advantage of this most special opportunity?
I can now appreciate more and more that surrendering to Guru and Krishna is no small thing. To give external aural reception is a start. But to truly hear, assimilate and apply your instructions is something else.
The conditioned soul is convinced that following the dictations of his mind and limited intelligence will lead him to substantial happiness. Although I may have externally taken to Bhakti, this rebellious and materialistic vision is unfortunately still very much present within me.
In a recent darsana you directly confronted the elephant in the room and instructed:
“Stop being such a materialist!”
Certainly no easy task. At the same time, we understand that whenever the spiritual master instructs, the strength to follow the instruction is also made available.
Gurudeva, I am simply a tiny, fearful, bewildered and selfish living entity. I know maya can’t satisfy me, yet I lack the strength, realization and courage to fully invest myself in your service.
As such, all I can do is simply beg for your mercy. When will I be blessed with the spiritual desire and capacity to genuinely hear, assimilate and apply your instructions?
Aspiring to begin real spiritual life,
Your servant,
Caitanya Vihara dasa
Cancala-Laksmi devi dasi
Hare Krsna
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, especially on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Each week at Bhakti Lounge, we see tired, dull faces trudge into Bhakti Lounge, only to emerge a few hours later, transformed after a kirtan night or a transcendental workshop. The life breathed back into them, faces aglow, they eagerly line up to get a plate of prasadam.
One may ask, how is this transformation possible? How is it that in just a little over an hour such a remarkable change can occur?
Indeed, over time, we see new faces become regulars at Bhakti Lounge. Their hearts begin to soften, after being trampled for so long by the material energy. Tasting real satisfaction, feeling nourished and peaceful, we watch them come to life, resuscitated by the maha-mantra.
When I reflect on this metamorphosis, I can see how fortunate we are to have this safe haven known as Bhakti Lounge. A place where one can come out from behind their masks and begin to pursue the highest perfection of human life.
Gurudeva, all this is possible due to your desire and dedication to serve Srila Prabhupada.
You so expertly present Krsna Consciousness to guests at Bhakti Lounge, asking them to examine their goals, their dreams, their priorities. You brilliantly expose material life, for what it really is, and offer them a different option—to step into the Bhakti laboratory and start exploring.
We see hearts transformed by your saintly association. And this transformation takes place not only when you are physically present in Wellington. It takes place simply when one comes in contact with one of your shinning literary works.
On your most recent visit to Bhakti Lounge, after part one of your talk, Behind the Mask: Hungry for Happiness, I was sitting with a guest at dinner. Thomas, a young German man, said, “I came tonight specifically just to hear the author speak.” He had been fortunate enough to get a copy of Hiding In Unnatural Happiness several months ago, had read it, and was eager to learn more. It was the first time he and his partner, Benita, had come to Bhakti Lounge. After getting his copy of Hiding in Unnatural Happiness signed by you, Thomas told me they would come back again on Sunday to hear part two of your talk.
Sure enough, Sunday rolled around, and Thomas came back. I greeted him when he arrived, and said I was glad to see him again, he replied with a smile, “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.” He sat down in the kirtan, and I watched as he tried out the maha-mantra. A few minutes later Benita arrived and joined in the kirtan too.
It’s remarkable to see how eager this young man was to come and hear from you, Gurudeva. Remarkable, that simply by reading Hiding in Unnatural Happiness, months earlier, it sparked a desire for him to come to Bhakti Lounge to hear more from you in person.
Indeed, this small example illustrates just how potent your association is, Gurudeva. You have given us the foundation, the blue print—everything to make it easy for others to come to Bhakti.
Gurudeva, on this day I pray that I may develop and deepen my desire to carry out your orders and that I may one day desire nothing but the service of Krsna.
Your aspiring servant,
Cancala-Laksmi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, especially on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Each week at Bhakti Lounge, we see tired, dull faces trudge into Bhakti Lounge, only to emerge a few hours later, transformed after a kirtan night or a transcendental workshop. The life breathed back into them, faces aglow, they eagerly line up to get a plate of prasadam.
One may ask, how is this transformation possible? How is it that in just a little over an hour such a remarkable change can occur?
Indeed, over time, we see new faces become regulars at Bhakti Lounge. Their hearts begin to soften, after being trampled for so long by the material energy. Tasting real satisfaction, feeling nourished and peaceful, we watch them come to life, resuscitated by the maha-mantra.
When I reflect on this metamorphosis, I can see how fortunate we are to have this safe haven known as Bhakti Lounge. A place where one can come out from behind their masks and begin to pursue the highest perfection of human life.
Gurudeva, all this is possible due to your desire and dedication to serve Srila Prabhupada.
You so expertly present Krsna Consciousness to guests at Bhakti Lounge, asking them to examine their goals, their dreams, their priorities. You brilliantly expose material life, for what it really is, and offer them a different option—to step into the Bhakti laboratory and start exploring.
We see hearts transformed by your saintly association. And this transformation takes place not only when you are physically present in Wellington. It takes place simply when one comes in contact with one of your shinning literary works.
On your most recent visit to Bhakti Lounge, after part one of your talk, Behind the Mask: Hungry for Happiness, I was sitting with a guest at dinner. Thomas, a young German man, said, “I came tonight specifically just to hear the author speak.” He had been fortunate enough to get a copy of Hiding In Unnatural Happiness several months ago, had read it, and was eager to learn more. It was the first time he and his partner, Benita, had come to Bhakti Lounge. After getting his copy of Hiding in Unnatural Happiness signed by you, Thomas told me they would come back again on Sunday to hear part two of your talk.
Sure enough, Sunday rolled around, and Thomas came back. I greeted him when he arrived, and said I was glad to see him again, he replied with a smile, “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.” He sat down in the kirtan, and I watched as he tried out the maha-mantra. A few minutes later Benita arrived and joined in the kirtan too.
It’s remarkable to see how eager this young man was to come and hear from you, Gurudeva. Remarkable, that simply by reading Hiding in Unnatural Happiness, months earlier, it sparked a desire for him to come to Bhakti Lounge to hear more from you in person.
Indeed, this small example illustrates just how potent your association is, Gurudeva. You have given us the foundation, the blue print—everything to make it easy for others to come to Bhakti.
Gurudeva, on this day I pray that I may develop and deepen my desire to carry out your orders and that I may one day desire nothing but the service of Krsna.
Your aspiring servant,
Cancala-Laksmi devi dasi
Candanesvara Das
nama oṁ viṣṇu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-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 Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
I am always in awe whenever I think of the amount of travelling you do throughout the year in order to spread the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu across the globe. I often wonder how is it that you are always fresh and never seem to get tired by so much travelling? It is actually very mystical.
Srila Prabhupada mentions in a purport to Srimad Bhagavatam (7.9.26):
"The pure Vaiṣṇava’s body is spiritualized even in this life. For example, when iron is put into a fire it becomes red-hot and is no longer iron but fire. Similarly, the so-called material bodies of devotees who fully engage in the devotional service of the Lord, being constantly in the fire of spiritual life, have nothing to do with matter, but are spiritualized."
This reflects how much absorbed and dedicated you are in the preaching mission of Srila Prabhupada. You lead by example, inspiring not only your disciples, but also many devotees around the world in spreading Krishna consciousness to every town and village
You are truly following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Lately I have been meditating on the how potent the instructions of spiritual master are. Srila Prabhupada has said that instructions are more important than the physical presence. Absence is better because this makes the disciple meditate more deeply on the spiritual master than if in physical proximity. In absence a disciple is forced to take shelter of the instructions.
I came across this example, where one of your god brothers who had joined Krishna Consciousness movement in 1976, never met Srila Prabhupada. He mentioned that when Srila Prabhupada left this world he did not feel anything. He had not had sufficient time to establish a real connection with his guru. But after 4 decades or so he said his relationship with Srila Prabhupada has become very, very deep simply by following his instructions & chanting the holy names sincerely.
Sometimes instructions of spiritual master are incomprehensible and hard to understand as to why these are given. Often we may feel completely incapable of following them. But when Guru gives instructions he also gives the strength to perform those devotional activities. That is the mercy. I remember during my early days in Krishna consciousness I was struggling to read Prabhupada books everyday. I revealed my heart to you one day about this and you told me "Try to read Prabupada books everyday! Now I am telling you to do so" That instruction came as a thunderbolt and hit me right on the spot. So whatever little taste I have developed today to read and study sastra is completely by your mercy.
On another occasion when you were visiting I asked you about guiding me on how I can help my parents to be Krishna Conscious. To that you said that I should leave them alone for now and continue my devotional service. The following year when I met you I asked the same question again and again you replied, "Do not worry about them - leave them alone."
At that point I was slightly conflicted. "Isn’t the Krishna consciousness movement about preaching? Am I missing on something?"
But I left that thought there and did not preach to my parents as advised by you. Recently, though, my father had a major surgery and was at home recovering for a few months. When I gave him 7-8 SSR lectures to hear he eagerly finished all of them in couple of days. It did not stop there now they have also started attending regular program in Powai with devotees from Chowpatty. Now I know what your instructions really meant.
Following instructions of the spiritual master also enriches the connection between Guru and disciple. Just as a father instructs his son to maintain his investments, maintain family etc. and the son feels a strong connection to his father when he follows those instructions.
We also humbly beg at your lotus feet to give us the strength to follow your instructions whether the circumstances are favourable or not. We hope to further strengthen our connection with you as our spiritual father by trying to follow your instructions sincerely.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Candanesvara Das
Suvarna Radhika Devi Dasi
Narottam
Sudama
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-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 Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
I am always in awe whenever I think of the amount of travelling you do throughout the year in order to spread the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu across the globe. I often wonder how is it that you are always fresh and never seem to get tired by so much travelling? It is actually very mystical.
Srila Prabhupada mentions in a purport to Srimad Bhagavatam (7.9.26):
"The pure Vaiṣṇava’s body is spiritualized even in this life. For example, when iron is put into a fire it becomes red-hot and is no longer iron but fire. Similarly, the so-called material bodies of devotees who fully engage in the devotional service of the Lord, being constantly in the fire of spiritual life, have nothing to do with matter, but are spiritualized."
This reflects how much absorbed and dedicated you are in the preaching mission of Srila Prabhupada. You lead by example, inspiring not only your disciples, but also many devotees around the world in spreading Krishna consciousness to every town and village
You are truly following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Lately I have been meditating on the how potent the instructions of spiritual master are. Srila Prabhupada has said that instructions are more important than the physical presence. Absence is better because this makes the disciple meditate more deeply on the spiritual master than if in physical proximity. In absence a disciple is forced to take shelter of the instructions.
I came across this example, where one of your god brothers who had joined Krishna Consciousness movement in 1976, never met Srila Prabhupada. He mentioned that when Srila Prabhupada left this world he did not feel anything. He had not had sufficient time to establish a real connection with his guru. But after 4 decades or so he said his relationship with Srila Prabhupada has become very, very deep simply by following his instructions & chanting the holy names sincerely.
Sometimes instructions of spiritual master are incomprehensible and hard to understand as to why these are given. Often we may feel completely incapable of following them. But when Guru gives instructions he also gives the strength to perform those devotional activities. That is the mercy. I remember during my early days in Krishna consciousness I was struggling to read Prabhupada books everyday. I revealed my heart to you one day about this and you told me "Try to read Prabupada books everyday! Now I am telling you to do so" That instruction came as a thunderbolt and hit me right on the spot. So whatever little taste I have developed today to read and study sastra is completely by your mercy.
On another occasion when you were visiting I asked you about guiding me on how I can help my parents to be Krishna Conscious. To that you said that I should leave them alone for now and continue my devotional service. The following year when I met you I asked the same question again and again you replied, "Do not worry about them - leave them alone."
At that point I was slightly conflicted. "Isn’t the Krishna consciousness movement about preaching? Am I missing on something?"
But I left that thought there and did not preach to my parents as advised by you. Recently, though, my father had a major surgery and was at home recovering for a few months. When I gave him 7-8 SSR lectures to hear he eagerly finished all of them in couple of days. It did not stop there now they have also started attending regular program in Powai with devotees from Chowpatty. Now I know what your instructions really meant.
Following instructions of the spiritual master also enriches the connection between Guru and disciple. Just as a father instructs his son to maintain his investments, maintain family etc. and the son feels a strong connection to his father when he follows those instructions.
We also humbly beg at your lotus feet to give us the strength to follow your instructions whether the circumstances are favourable or not. We hope to further strengthen our connection with you as our spiritual father by trying to follow your instructions sincerely.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Candanesvara Das
Suvarna Radhika Devi Dasi
Narottam
Sudama
Candidasa dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I’m now employed in the field of artificial intelligence, an attempt by humans to create computers that can do tasks better than ordinary humans. In reality, while computers can perform some tasks very well, they only can do those tasks that their human masters set for them. Inevitably, these tasks involve: war, gambling, cheating and other maternalistic pursuits.
You have actual intelligence, far beyond what both ordinary human and machine can aspire to. Your intelligence is transcendental, from a source outside of this material world, received through an authorised disciplic succession, directly from Krishna.
evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
“This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way.”
You are therefore not limited by the intelligence of matter. You have guided me, and so many others, for many years now in how to best engage our limited human intelligence for the best spiritual outcome; showing, by your example, how to best make progress on the path of spiritual realisation.
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
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.
While creating artificial intelligence, so called intelligent scientists and engineers are engaged in the most unintelligent activities. If it wasn’t for your caring intelligent instructions, I would be among them, following the blind off a cliff. So, thank you very much, for opening my eyes with the torchlight of your knowledge and saving me from a meaningless life of material pursuits.
om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave-namaḥ
“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.”
your servant, Candidasa dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I’m now employed in the field of artificial intelligence, an attempt by humans to create computers that can do tasks better than ordinary humans. In reality, while computers can perform some tasks very well, they only can do those tasks that their human masters set for them. Inevitably, these tasks involve: war, gambling, cheating and other maternalistic pursuits.
You have actual intelligence, far beyond what both ordinary human and machine can aspire to. Your intelligence is transcendental, from a source outside of this material world, received through an authorised disciplic succession, directly from Krishna.
evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
“This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way.”
You are therefore not limited by the intelligence of matter. You have guided me, and so many others, for many years now in how to best engage our limited human intelligence for the best spiritual outcome; showing, by your example, how to best make progress on the path of spiritual realisation.
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
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.
While creating artificial intelligence, so called intelligent scientists and engineers are engaged in the most unintelligent activities. If it wasn’t for your caring intelligent instructions, I would be among them, following the blind off a cliff. So, thank you very much, for opening my eyes with the torchlight of your knowledge and saving me from a meaningless life of material pursuits.
om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave-namaḥ
“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.”
your servant, Candidasa dasa
Charumukhi devi dasi
Daer Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All Glories to You!
All Glories to Shrila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Thank you for accepting me as your disciple.
I am so fortunate that you are my spiritual master!
Thank you for helping me in my spiritual life and showing an amazing example of sincere Vayshnav Prabhupada follower! This inspires me very much!
Thank you for being a great inspiration for me it gives me strength to continue my spiritual life.
Thank you for your kindness and mercy towards me.
Your servant,
Carumukhi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All Glories to You!
All Glories to Shrila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Thank you for accepting me as your disciple.
I am so fortunate that you are my spiritual master!
Thank you for helping me in my spiritual life and showing an amazing example of sincere Vayshnav Prabhupada follower! This inspires me very much!
Thank you for being a great inspiration for me it gives me strength to continue my spiritual life.
Thank you for your kindness and mercy towards me.
Your servant,
Carumukhi devi dasi
Chintamani Dham dd
Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Guru Maharaj, you are really a messenger of God. You are intelligent and your lectures are too good. By listening your lectures, I do reach into some other world, which is amazing. I can see truth and reality of this life there. You make us understand that how we should have our lifestyle on every path of life? You are truly my mentor. Many a time we entangled into life, and don’t find way out to escape. In that situation, your teachings helps us. While remain far away from you, I don’t feel myself alone.
I don’t find myself capable to speak an offering to you. Your seminars are just amazing. I wish I could attend these seminars. Whenever I would be performing my household duties like cooking, cleaning etc., I would listen to your Kirtan. Your Kirtans fills us with the energy to perform.
Once you told in a lecture that we can serve our Guru in two means – by Vapu (Body) and by Vani (instructions). Whenever you are not here, we do perform services by following your instructions.
Krishna is Sat-Chita-Ananda. He tells us as to how, we can see Him? We can see Him through a bonafide Guru. Guru is the only person, who can taught us what is right and what is wrong. You are the one about whom Krishna speaks.
Guru Mahara, we pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev that he should keep you healthy and you should bless us always so that we could serve you, Srila Prabhupada and whole Guru Parampara to the extent of our energy.
Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj
Your humble servant
Chintamani Dham Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Guru Maharaj, you are really a messenger of God. You are intelligent and your lectures are too good. By listening your lectures, I do reach into some other world, which is amazing. I can see truth and reality of this life there. You make us understand that how we should have our lifestyle on every path of life? You are truly my mentor. Many a time we entangled into life, and don’t find way out to escape. In that situation, your teachings helps us. While remain far away from you, I don’t feel myself alone.
I don’t find myself capable to speak an offering to you. Your seminars are just amazing. I wish I could attend these seminars. Whenever I would be performing my household duties like cooking, cleaning etc., I would listen to your Kirtan. Your Kirtans fills us with the energy to perform.
Once you told in a lecture that we can serve our Guru in two means – by Vapu (Body) and by Vani (instructions). Whenever you are not here, we do perform services by following your instructions.
Krishna is Sat-Chita-Ananda. He tells us as to how, we can see Him? We can see Him through a bonafide Guru. Guru is the only person, who can taught us what is right and what is wrong. You are the one about whom Krishna speaks.
Guru Mahara, we pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev that he should keep you healthy and you should bless us always so that we could serve you, Srila Prabhupada and whole Guru Parampara to the extent of our energy.
Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj
Your humble servant
Chintamani Dham Devi Dasi
Chonelle Evans
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
My heart is ever so grateful for the gentle way you guide with your wisdom and knowledge.
With your patience,tolerance & encouraging words which inspire me to keep following my path..
Having a spiritual Father is still something I'm adjusting to as I feel blessed and also unqualified at times to know whether I'm taking the best action..
The way that you lead by example has the most potency for me, and my appreciation for this keeps me inspired to grow in my Bhakti life...
Thank you for allowing a fallen soul like myself to take shelter at your Lotus feet.
Through your mercy I'm trying to be a better servant, although at times it is not easy.. I wish to share this as it reminds me of how important & cherished you are in this ocean of material life..
(As a beckon of light)
This is a Prayer from Yamuna Devi Das's
(Unalloyed Devotion, Preparing an offering of Love).
Her full faith was placed at the Lotus feet of both Guru and Krishna.
Dear Lord you have called on us your servants to ventures that we can not see the ending by paths as yet untrod-den through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage not knowing where we go but only that your HAND is leading us and your LOVE supporting us...
The simple words of thank you appear to be inadequate,one who is serious about spiritual life is given by Krishna the intelligence to come into contact with a bona fide spiritual master, then by the grace of the spiritual master one advances in spiritual life...
I continue to pray that I can have continued determination, courage and inner strength to follow your instruction and have faith in Krishna's plan for me so that I engage in pleasing Krishna fully..
your aspiring servant & daughter
Chonelle
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
My heart is ever so grateful for the gentle way you guide with your wisdom and knowledge.
With your patience,tolerance & encouraging words which inspire me to keep following my path..
Having a spiritual Father is still something I'm adjusting to as I feel blessed and also unqualified at times to know whether I'm taking the best action..
The way that you lead by example has the most potency for me, and my appreciation for this keeps me inspired to grow in my Bhakti life...
Thank you for allowing a fallen soul like myself to take shelter at your Lotus feet.
Through your mercy I'm trying to be a better servant, although at times it is not easy.. I wish to share this as it reminds me of how important & cherished you are in this ocean of material life..
(As a beckon of light)
This is a Prayer from Yamuna Devi Das's
(Unalloyed Devotion, Preparing an offering of Love).
Her full faith was placed at the Lotus feet of both Guru and Krishna.
Dear Lord you have called on us your servants to ventures that we can not see the ending by paths as yet untrod-den through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage not knowing where we go but only that your HAND is leading us and your LOVE supporting us...
The simple words of thank you appear to be inadequate,one who is serious about spiritual life is given by Krishna the intelligence to come into contact with a bona fide spiritual master, then by the grace of the spiritual master one advances in spiritual life...
I continue to pray that I can have continued determination, courage and inner strength to follow your instruction and have faith in Krishna's plan for me so that I engage in pleasing Krishna fully..
your aspiring servant & daughter
Chonelle
Citta Mohini
I offer my respectful obeisances to HH Devamrita Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krishna having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the very special day of your appearance.
Thank you for initiating me as your disciple. It is said that at initiation the spiritual master accepts all the sins of the disciple. Gurudeva, only if i was able to comprehend the level of your selflessness and compassion, i would be more grateful and more active in trying to serve you.
You are not just an amazing spiritual master, but an amazing disciple. You use every minute in your life to serve Srila Prabhupada by always thinking how to help the conditioned souls. You take such personal care of each and every person that comes in contact with you.
In a lecture that you recently gave at Bhakti Lounge, you mentioned: “I tell all the ashram leaders that the devotees at the ashram have such an experience that when they look back, they remember those days”. I felt so touched, that I have such a rare opportunity to stay with the amazing devotees and so much effort has been put into making my bhakti experience memorable. Your disciples are walking examples of your mercy. Thank you so much for creating so many gems who are further helping so many others.
Gurudeva, thank you so much for saving me from this deep ocean of nescience. I sincerely pray at your lotus feet that I am able to stay in the association of devotees to be able to strengthen my choice muscles to always make the right choices in getting closer to Krishna and his devotees.
Trying to be your servant,
Citta Mohini
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the very special day of your appearance.
Thank you for initiating me as your disciple. It is said that at initiation the spiritual master accepts all the sins of the disciple. Gurudeva, only if i was able to comprehend the level of your selflessness and compassion, i would be more grateful and more active in trying to serve you.
You are not just an amazing spiritual master, but an amazing disciple. You use every minute in your life to serve Srila Prabhupada by always thinking how to help the conditioned souls. You take such personal care of each and every person that comes in contact with you.
In a lecture that you recently gave at Bhakti Lounge, you mentioned: “I tell all the ashram leaders that the devotees at the ashram have such an experience that when they look back, they remember those days”. I felt so touched, that I have such a rare opportunity to stay with the amazing devotees and so much effort has been put into making my bhakti experience memorable. Your disciples are walking examples of your mercy. Thank you so much for creating so many gems who are further helping so many others.
Gurudeva, thank you so much for saving me from this deep ocean of nescience. I sincerely pray at your lotus feet that I am able to stay in the association of devotees to be able to strengthen my choice muscles to always make the right choices in getting closer to Krishna and his devotees.
Trying to be your servant,
Citta Mohini
Dainyarnava Das
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All Glories to your Lotus feet!
Happy Appearance Day and Many more happy returns of this Day in Lord Chaitanya's mission.
I remember as a beginner at Gaura Yoga in 2007, I was seeing devotees who were dancing during kirtans. Some couldn’t help it and I wondered what and how it was all happening. The revolt in me towards Krishna was still there, maybe in a subtle way.
Now whenever in Kirtans and Harinaam I feel happy and relieved. I am happy with this achievement. I am thankful to you as I may as well be in that low percentage of people who have got this happiness in this short miserable kaliyuga life.
Now after 10 years in Bhakti, I realize how fortunate I am to have been given this shower. Nothing compares to it. During these, I feel that fearlessness (of death and of all worries), and amongst devotees life seems successful.
Yes in life, through Krishna consciousness there is hope, guidelines for life, and a guide. Not materially, but addressing the main problems of our existence. Thank you for being that guide.
The second sentence of the second verse of the Siksastakam says "nija sarva shakti" translating into "In these transcendental names You have invested ALL Your transcendental energies." All? And are we even qualified to receive it? I guess that’s what prema-avtaar really does – he doesn’t see if we are qualified or not, he just gives Krishna Prema.
Thank you so much. I profoundly appreciated your idea of Gaura Yoga 10 years ago, and soon after it became a motivation to carry that mood elsewhere.
Your servant,
Dainyarnava Das
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All Glories to your Lotus feet!
Happy Appearance Day and Many more happy returns of this Day in Lord Chaitanya's mission.
I remember as a beginner at Gaura Yoga in 2007, I was seeing devotees who were dancing during kirtans. Some couldn’t help it and I wondered what and how it was all happening. The revolt in me towards Krishna was still there, maybe in a subtle way.
Now whenever in Kirtans and Harinaam I feel happy and relieved. I am happy with this achievement. I am thankful to you as I may as well be in that low percentage of people who have got this happiness in this short miserable kaliyuga life.
Now after 10 years in Bhakti, I realize how fortunate I am to have been given this shower. Nothing compares to it. During these, I feel that fearlessness (of death and of all worries), and amongst devotees life seems successful.
Yes in life, through Krishna consciousness there is hope, guidelines for life, and a guide. Not materially, but addressing the main problems of our existence. Thank you for being that guide.
The second sentence of the second verse of the Siksastakam says "nija sarva shakti" translating into "In these transcendental names You have invested ALL Your transcendental energies." All? And are we even qualified to receive it? I guess that’s what prema-avtaar really does – he doesn’t see if we are qualified or not, he just gives Krishna Prema.
Thank you so much. I profoundly appreciated your idea of Gaura Yoga 10 years ago, and soon after it became a motivation to carry that mood elsewhere.
Your servant,
Dainyarnava Das
Daityari Hari
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisiences and accept me as a servant at your lotus feet.
I've been thinking recently about what it really means to hear from a self realised soul. I recently asked Kesava Bharati Maharaja when we visited him the other week during a reading from Srimad Bhagavatam, how it is that we actually develop a desire to serve Krsna on the basis of our own independent will, when it's often stated that Krsna as the supersoul in the heart controls and directs the very inclinations we have?
The answer was brief initially but he elaborated on it and used a simple analogy to illustrate the point he was making, and I'm sure there were various depths by which his explanation was understood by the different people in the room. The essence of what I understood was that it's simply by submissively hearing (with faith) from a self realised soul that we become inclined towards serving Krsna with love, because the self realised spiritual master is seeing Krsna and is directly in touch with Krsna and can therefore awaken our dormant desire to serve him, when we hear of Krsna from such a person. I felt a sense of reassurance and faith in what he was saying based on being around him for a few days, and I could see that he had geniune compassion for everyone in the room.
These seemingly basic preliminary questions are asked and answered all the time in devotional circles, but when such questions are addressed to self realised souls and answered by them, the effect on ones heart is undoubtedly very different. It can be seen practically that when you come here to Wales and when new people attend all your classes throughout the week, and such people are sincere, they change within the course of that week, the entire atmosphere becomes surcharged with a devotional attitude that's nowhere near as prominent in your absence.
I have some experience of when I try to be sincere in applying your instructions in the right mood, I automatically feel happier internally and as though I'm gradually coming closer to something way beyond anything I've experienced before. Regrettably I'm also noticing how by falling short and forgetting your instructions, that there's automatically a feeling of being covered over by ignorance, an incapacity to do anything properly even in the most straightforward circumstances and a feeling of old karmic impressions coming back to haunt me as an automatic side effect. It would seem reasonable and unfanatical to therefore, conclude that sincere service to you and your instructions are non-different from our best interests.
I don't know how to riciprocate properly with you, the other devotees or anyone for that matter, and usually seem to come across as a nuerotic mess even when what I say is theoretically right. Because I'm hard hearted, I'm attracted to harsh things and I feel no love in for Krsna or anything to do with him and because of this I lack the intelligence to be an effective instrument to carry out his will, in a pleasing manner. I'd like to begin to actually care to know how Krsna really feels about the things I do on a day to day basis and how I might improve them. I'm still full of misconceptions doubts and the desire to desperately escape my material shortcomings, but I'm willing to try to push through all that on the faith that your instructions, if properly followed will free me from such impersonal misconceptions and actually bring me closer to the goal of life, along with the ability to help others in the same way, and thereby please you and Krsna.
Please forgive my current shortcomings and show your mercy on me,
Your aspiring servant, Daityari Hari
Please accept my humble obeisiences and accept me as a servant at your lotus feet.
I've been thinking recently about what it really means to hear from a self realised soul. I recently asked Kesava Bharati Maharaja when we visited him the other week during a reading from Srimad Bhagavatam, how it is that we actually develop a desire to serve Krsna on the basis of our own independent will, when it's often stated that Krsna as the supersoul in the heart controls and directs the very inclinations we have?
The answer was brief initially but he elaborated on it and used a simple analogy to illustrate the point he was making, and I'm sure there were various depths by which his explanation was understood by the different people in the room. The essence of what I understood was that it's simply by submissively hearing (with faith) from a self realised soul that we become inclined towards serving Krsna with love, because the self realised spiritual master is seeing Krsna and is directly in touch with Krsna and can therefore awaken our dormant desire to serve him, when we hear of Krsna from such a person. I felt a sense of reassurance and faith in what he was saying based on being around him for a few days, and I could see that he had geniune compassion for everyone in the room.
These seemingly basic preliminary questions are asked and answered all the time in devotional circles, but when such questions are addressed to self realised souls and answered by them, the effect on ones heart is undoubtedly very different. It can be seen practically that when you come here to Wales and when new people attend all your classes throughout the week, and such people are sincere, they change within the course of that week, the entire atmosphere becomes surcharged with a devotional attitude that's nowhere near as prominent in your absence.
I have some experience of when I try to be sincere in applying your instructions in the right mood, I automatically feel happier internally and as though I'm gradually coming closer to something way beyond anything I've experienced before. Regrettably I'm also noticing how by falling short and forgetting your instructions, that there's automatically a feeling of being covered over by ignorance, an incapacity to do anything properly even in the most straightforward circumstances and a feeling of old karmic impressions coming back to haunt me as an automatic side effect. It would seem reasonable and unfanatical to therefore, conclude that sincere service to you and your instructions are non-different from our best interests.
I don't know how to riciprocate properly with you, the other devotees or anyone for that matter, and usually seem to come across as a nuerotic mess even when what I say is theoretically right. Because I'm hard hearted, I'm attracted to harsh things and I feel no love in for Krsna or anything to do with him and because of this I lack the intelligence to be an effective instrument to carry out his will, in a pleasing manner. I'd like to begin to actually care to know how Krsna really feels about the things I do on a day to day basis and how I might improve them. I'm still full of misconceptions doubts and the desire to desperately escape my material shortcomings, but I'm willing to try to push through all that on the faith that your instructions, if properly followed will free me from such impersonal misconceptions and actually bring me closer to the goal of life, along with the ability to help others in the same way, and thereby please you and Krsna.
Please forgive my current shortcomings and show your mercy on me,
Your aspiring servant, Daityari Hari
Daksh
Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I know that I am very insignificant to say something about you. Few weeks ago I started to listen to your kirtan and your lectures. Whenever I listen to your kirtan and lectures it takes me to some different world. Every word you say have a very deep meaning and keep me in very deep thinking that why are we are suffering in pain, how can we feel happy in this cruel world. The way you explain a topic is very deep. You have that capability to explain something very clearly. And in short, one can make anyone understand Krishna consciousness in a very short duration of time. Your lectures not only gives devotional understandings but also provides moral teaching.
Your kirtans are like energy drink which gives instant energy and sometimes like a lullaby gives a soothing sound in our eardrums. You come to India very rarely so whenever you come we try to enjoy every single moment with you. Your opinions for something never goes wrong. You always keep us on right directions. The place where you speaks filled with a positive vibes. I am sure, you are the only one who can take me Back to Godhead. People says that no one is perfect, but you are the perfect person for everything like for getting advise, to listen kirtan and lectures, sit and talk about some materialistic things. I have read almost every quote you have uploaded on site. These quotes gives me the internal strength. It also gives a positive energy in my brain. Peoples say that after joining any foundation we get bound to it. But with you there is no such case. After reading your biography I get very inspired from your lifestyle and the transformation of your life.
Words get smaller for writing a offering to you.
Thank you Guru Maharaj.
Hari bol,
Your little servant,
Daksh
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I know that I am very insignificant to say something about you. Few weeks ago I started to listen to your kirtan and your lectures. Whenever I listen to your kirtan and lectures it takes me to some different world. Every word you say have a very deep meaning and keep me in very deep thinking that why are we are suffering in pain, how can we feel happy in this cruel world. The way you explain a topic is very deep. You have that capability to explain something very clearly. And in short, one can make anyone understand Krishna consciousness in a very short duration of time. Your lectures not only gives devotional understandings but also provides moral teaching.
Your kirtans are like energy drink which gives instant energy and sometimes like a lullaby gives a soothing sound in our eardrums. You come to India very rarely so whenever you come we try to enjoy every single moment with you. Your opinions for something never goes wrong. You always keep us on right directions. The place where you speaks filled with a positive vibes. I am sure, you are the only one who can take me Back to Godhead. People says that no one is perfect, but you are the perfect person for everything like for getting advise, to listen kirtan and lectures, sit and talk about some materialistic things. I have read almost every quote you have uploaded on site. These quotes gives me the internal strength. It also gives a positive energy in my brain. Peoples say that after joining any foundation we get bound to it. But with you there is no such case. After reading your biography I get very inspired from your lifestyle and the transformation of your life.
Words get smaller for writing a offering to you.
Thank you Guru Maharaj.
Hari bol,
Your little servant,
Daksh
Damodara Krsna dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you!
I often remember how at the 2008 Vyasa-puja retreat in Taranaki you said that both Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura have appeared to you and instructed you to write books.
I simply marvel at the fact that you are in direct communion with the acaryas. I long for such esoteric spiritual experiences—but I am certainly unqualified and undeserving.
Srila Prabhupada would say, “<i>First deserve, then desire.</i>”
To deserve these kinds of spiritual privileges one must become qualified by performing devotional service purely. The quality of your pure service is awe inspiring. I feel I could never do such things for Guru and Gauranga. You’re outstanding in action and achievement.
In this mood of reverence, I would like to recite a sloka from Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Statva-mala:
“<i>I am too weak and too lazy to do even the smallest devotional service, so when I hear of the peerless and difficult-to-perform services performed by great devotees in ancient times, my heart burns with despair. O Lord! O killer of Aghasura! When I hear that the waves of Your mercy splash everyone from the demigod Brahma down to the most insignificant creature, my heart is sprinkled with a cooling drop of hope.</i>”
It is evident that you have deservingly attracted the attention of the parampara and therefore they must be thinking, “<i>Here is a qualified representative.</i>” Thus they have authorized you to write transcendental literature, Vaisnava literature, which is no ordinary feat.
In the Caitanya-caritamrta there is much instruction regarding the adhikara necessary to write transcendental literature. Here is one example:
<i>"To write about the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not an ordinary endeavor. Unless one is empowered by the higher authorities, or advanced devotees, one cannot write transcendental literature, for all such literature must be above suspicion, or, in other words, it must have none of the defects of conditioned souls, namely mistakes, illusions, cheating and imperfect sense perceptions. The words of Krsna and of the disciplic succession that carries the orders of Krsna are actually authoritative. To be empowered to write transcendental literature is a privilege in which a writer can take great pride. As a humble Vaisnava, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, being thus empowered, felt very much ashamed that it was he who was to narrate the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu."</i> (9 Cc Adi-lila 8.72 Purport)
Recently, as I re-read your <i>Searching For Vedic India</i>, I found myself completely stunned at the sheer brilliance of this book. Such a monumental literature; it must have taken years to research and prepare. I love the way you flow from one topic to the next, smiting misconceptions with your mighty pen. The deep intelligence with which you have gathered and presented relevant information is certainly extraordinary—all with the intention of leading readers to Srila Prabhupada’s books. Indeed, this has been the effect.
As a transcendental wordsmith you captivate your readers with your wit and eloquence. Instilling <i>sraddha</i> in your readers you then inject <i>krsna-katha</i> to purify them and generate good fortune (<i>ajnata-sukrti</i>).
I love the way you use the pastime of Kamsa driving Devaki to Vasudeva’s palace on Devaki’s wedding day. This you entitled “<i>Death On A Wedding Day.</i>” The way you use this <i>lila</i> to highlight topics regarding the transmigration of the soul—reincarnation—is fresh. This is expert contemporary preaching. You give them direct Bhagavatam in a digestible, palatable way. This reminds me of Sukadeva Gosvami and how he made the already relishable Bhagavatam even tastier.
I am astonished at how wonderfully you explained <i>karma</i> in chapter 8 “<i>Universal Law And Order.</i>” You tackle the question of <i>why do bad things happen to good people</i> by using a provoking example. You explain the tragedy that took place at the annual fair in Connecticut in the 1990s; the chilling murder of nine-year-old Katie. Here you explain how <i>karma</i> answers the questions that most religious traditions struggle with.
And then in following chapters you cover topics like psychic abilities and aliens; all the while giving Bhagavatam and Mahabharata references to the contemporary examples you cite. In this way you effectively show that Vedic knowledge can help modern man better understand the vast universe, as well as his own consciousness. I love how you explain that consciousness is causal and accountable.
Because you understood Srila Prabhupada’s books so profoundly, you can easily share his message with contemporary audiences. This is what Srila Prabhupada defines as realization:
<i>“... Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by trying to surpass the previous acarya. He must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization….”</i> (Bhagavatam 1.4.1 Purport)
Given the great success of your recent publication, ‘<i>Hiding In Unnatural Happiness</i>’, I am delighted to hear that you are working on another book. We eagerly await its arrival, confident it will bestow the greatest benefit upon all who read it.
I am very grateful to be your disciple.
Aspiring to become more qualified,
Your servant,
Damodara Krsna dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you!
I often remember how at the 2008 Vyasa-puja retreat in Taranaki you said that both Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura have appeared to you and instructed you to write books.
I simply marvel at the fact that you are in direct communion with the acaryas. I long for such esoteric spiritual experiences—but I am certainly unqualified and undeserving.
Srila Prabhupada would say, “<i>First deserve, then desire.</i>”
To deserve these kinds of spiritual privileges one must become qualified by performing devotional service purely. The quality of your pure service is awe inspiring. I feel I could never do such things for Guru and Gauranga. You’re outstanding in action and achievement.
In this mood of reverence, I would like to recite a sloka from Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Statva-mala:
“<i>I am too weak and too lazy to do even the smallest devotional service, so when I hear of the peerless and difficult-to-perform services performed by great devotees in ancient times, my heart burns with despair. O Lord! O killer of Aghasura! When I hear that the waves of Your mercy splash everyone from the demigod Brahma down to the most insignificant creature, my heart is sprinkled with a cooling drop of hope.</i>”
It is evident that you have deservingly attracted the attention of the parampara and therefore they must be thinking, “<i>Here is a qualified representative.</i>” Thus they have authorized you to write transcendental literature, Vaisnava literature, which is no ordinary feat.
In the Caitanya-caritamrta there is much instruction regarding the adhikara necessary to write transcendental literature. Here is one example:
<i>"To write about the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not an ordinary endeavor. Unless one is empowered by the higher authorities, or advanced devotees, one cannot write transcendental literature, for all such literature must be above suspicion, or, in other words, it must have none of the defects of conditioned souls, namely mistakes, illusions, cheating and imperfect sense perceptions. The words of Krsna and of the disciplic succession that carries the orders of Krsna are actually authoritative. To be empowered to write transcendental literature is a privilege in which a writer can take great pride. As a humble Vaisnava, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, being thus empowered, felt very much ashamed that it was he who was to narrate the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu."</i> (9 Cc Adi-lila 8.72 Purport)
Recently, as I re-read your <i>Searching For Vedic India</i>, I found myself completely stunned at the sheer brilliance of this book. Such a monumental literature; it must have taken years to research and prepare. I love the way you flow from one topic to the next, smiting misconceptions with your mighty pen. The deep intelligence with which you have gathered and presented relevant information is certainly extraordinary—all with the intention of leading readers to Srila Prabhupada’s books. Indeed, this has been the effect.
As a transcendental wordsmith you captivate your readers with your wit and eloquence. Instilling <i>sraddha</i> in your readers you then inject <i>krsna-katha</i> to purify them and generate good fortune (<i>ajnata-sukrti</i>).
I love the way you use the pastime of Kamsa driving Devaki to Vasudeva’s palace on Devaki’s wedding day. This you entitled “<i>Death On A Wedding Day.</i>” The way you use this <i>lila</i> to highlight topics regarding the transmigration of the soul—reincarnation—is fresh. This is expert contemporary preaching. You give them direct Bhagavatam in a digestible, palatable way. This reminds me of Sukadeva Gosvami and how he made the already relishable Bhagavatam even tastier.
I am astonished at how wonderfully you explained <i>karma</i> in chapter 8 “<i>Universal Law And Order.</i>” You tackle the question of <i>why do bad things happen to good people</i> by using a provoking example. You explain the tragedy that took place at the annual fair in Connecticut in the 1990s; the chilling murder of nine-year-old Katie. Here you explain how <i>karma</i> answers the questions that most religious traditions struggle with.
And then in following chapters you cover topics like psychic abilities and aliens; all the while giving Bhagavatam and Mahabharata references to the contemporary examples you cite. In this way you effectively show that Vedic knowledge can help modern man better understand the vast universe, as well as his own consciousness. I love how you explain that consciousness is causal and accountable.
Because you understood Srila Prabhupada’s books so profoundly, you can easily share his message with contemporary audiences. This is what Srila Prabhupada defines as realization:
<i>“... Personal realization does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by trying to surpass the previous acarya. He must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization….”</i> (Bhagavatam 1.4.1 Purport)
Given the great success of your recent publication, ‘<i>Hiding In Unnatural Happiness</i>’, I am delighted to hear that you are working on another book. We eagerly await its arrival, confident it will bestow the greatest benefit upon all who read it.
I am very grateful to be your disciple.
Aspiring to become more qualified,
Your servant,
Damodara Krsna dasa.
Dandakaranya das
Nama Om Visnu Padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutala
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is glorified as being the most magnanimous incarnation of Godhead as he is freely distributing what no other previous incarnation has done before, Krsna Prema. Under the compassionate order of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to provide supreme mercy, shelter and welfare to the Kali Yuga inmates, the six Goswami’s worked tirelessly to reveal Lord Krsna’s pastime places in Vrindavana and wrote many literatures on the science of Krsna consciousness.
In the same spirit of compassion and mercy you are instrumentally facilitating the opening of the doors to the literary works of the Goswami’s, by arranging the production of quality translations of books into English such as Rupa Goswami’s Laghu Bahagavatamrta and Bhakti Rasamrta Sindu.
As Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport to chapter 15.1 of the Bhagavad Gita:
“The entanglement of this material world is compared here to a banyan tree. For one who is engaged in fruitive activities, there is no end to the banyan tree. He wanders from one branch to another, to another, to another. The tree of this material world has no end, and for one who is attached to this tree, there is no possibility of liberation. The Vedic hymns, meant for elevating oneself, are called the leaves of this tree. This tree’s roots grow upward because they begin from where Brahma is located, the topmost planet of this universe. If one can understand this indestructible tree of illusion, then one can get out of it.”
Without the grace of the previous acaharyas and the spiritual master how would one ever come to understand that this world is an upside down perverted reflection of the spiritual dimension? A world where the jiva’s, covered by an illusory potency called maya, travelling lifetime after lifetime from one body to the next, are rebelliously endeavouring to be imitator Krsna’s and selfishly attempt to be the supreme controllers and enjoyers of their body’s senses and surroundings. (By all social, environmental and humanitarian analysis that isn’t working out so well).
Without the grace of the Vaishnava’s it is impossible to comprehend that the original Ultimate Source (Svayam Rupa) from which everything emanates from is an eternally young, flute playing, blue coloured boy named Govinda, who has cows as his favourite pets and enjoys sporting with his male friends and female consorts in His own private and intimate pleasure abode called Vrindavana.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.22 states:
“We think that we have met Your Goodness by the will of providence, just so that we may accept you as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the good qualities of a human being.”
By some great fortune and causeless mercy, in this lifetime I’ve managed to come in contact with yourself, a genuine, bona fide spiritual master, which as Rupa Goswami teaches in Bhakti-Rasamrta-Sindu, is the key principle to reawakening ones dormant Krsna consciousness and escaping the wheel of samsara.
Please allow me to continue to be of some small service to you in this lifetime in your efforts of spreading Lord Chaitanya’s merciful sankirtan mission.
Your servant,
Dandakaranya das
Krsna-presthaya Bhutala
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is glorified as being the most magnanimous incarnation of Godhead as he is freely distributing what no other previous incarnation has done before, Krsna Prema. Under the compassionate order of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to provide supreme mercy, shelter and welfare to the Kali Yuga inmates, the six Goswami’s worked tirelessly to reveal Lord Krsna’s pastime places in Vrindavana and wrote many literatures on the science of Krsna consciousness.
In the same spirit of compassion and mercy you are instrumentally facilitating the opening of the doors to the literary works of the Goswami’s, by arranging the production of quality translations of books into English such as Rupa Goswami’s Laghu Bahagavatamrta and Bhakti Rasamrta Sindu.
As Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport to chapter 15.1 of the Bhagavad Gita:
“The entanglement of this material world is compared here to a banyan tree. For one who is engaged in fruitive activities, there is no end to the banyan tree. He wanders from one branch to another, to another, to another. The tree of this material world has no end, and for one who is attached to this tree, there is no possibility of liberation. The Vedic hymns, meant for elevating oneself, are called the leaves of this tree. This tree’s roots grow upward because they begin from where Brahma is located, the topmost planet of this universe. If one can understand this indestructible tree of illusion, then one can get out of it.”
Without the grace of the previous acaharyas and the spiritual master how would one ever come to understand that this world is an upside down perverted reflection of the spiritual dimension? A world where the jiva’s, covered by an illusory potency called maya, travelling lifetime after lifetime from one body to the next, are rebelliously endeavouring to be imitator Krsna’s and selfishly attempt to be the supreme controllers and enjoyers of their body’s senses and surroundings. (By all social, environmental and humanitarian analysis that isn’t working out so well).
Without the grace of the Vaishnava’s it is impossible to comprehend that the original Ultimate Source (Svayam Rupa) from which everything emanates from is an eternally young, flute playing, blue coloured boy named Govinda, who has cows as his favourite pets and enjoys sporting with his male friends and female consorts in His own private and intimate pleasure abode called Vrindavana.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.22 states:
“We think that we have met Your Goodness by the will of providence, just so that we may accept you as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the good qualities of a human being.”
By some great fortune and causeless mercy, in this lifetime I’ve managed to come in contact with yourself, a genuine, bona fide spiritual master, which as Rupa Goswami teaches in Bhakti-Rasamrta-Sindu, is the key principle to reawakening ones dormant Krsna consciousness and escaping the wheel of samsara.
Please allow me to continue to be of some small service to you in this lifetime in your efforts of spreading Lord Chaitanya’s merciful sankirtan mission.
Your servant,
Dandakaranya das
Dasya-prema das (USA)
Dear Guru Maharaja,
On this very auspicious day, please accept my humble obeisances unto you.
All glories to you! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I was speaking with a senior devotee recently and he was sharing about the demanding task of being a Guru. Humbly stating his own lack of qualifications, he explained how taking on the responsibility to care for the spiritual life of others is very demanding and challenging. What a great austerity you have taken up for our benefit Guru Maharaja!
Taking this service so seriously, you are constantly training and inspiring devotees and disciples in how to serve Krishna.
Once, while going to a program. A devotee began to speak about the significance of your going to Yale University. You responded by saying you didn't like to talk about these things and how there are so many exalted devotees who never went to college and are now engaged in speaking at prestigious gathering around the world. To my surprise, you then turned around to me and said "see Dasya-prema, even you can become an empowered speaker". I was amazed how you used this situation to inspire a this lowly disciple.
When I had the fortune to traveled with you, Guru Maharaja, your example was constantly impressing upon me the need to efficiently and effectively use Krishna's energy in His service. When driving, you would prompt me with questions like: are the tires filled sufficiently? Do you know the amount for the tolls coming up? Are we crossing over this bridge or that one? Did you check the oil? Do you know where to park and what entrance to use when we arrive? You got me to the point of meticulously researching, checking, and double checking things in the attempts to orchestrate a seemless journey.
These are things I would have never imagined myself doing before coming to the Krishna Consciousness movement. But now, when attempting to serve Krishna, why subject Him to my ignorance-laden modus of operandi. Krishna should be given the best of everything, and you perfectly exemplify this by being so attentive to all the details.
Guru Maharaja, being in your association, and the variety of services that that includes is like a constant festival. There is the significant experience of being in one of your classes, followed by one of your penetrating and energetic kirtans. Then there is driving you on complicated on- ramps and highway junctions, you encouragingly aknowledging a good lane change or lightly rebuking me for almost going thru the wrong toll booth. Then there is the pleasure of being able to serve you Prasad and seeing the sublime process of someone honoring Prasad only to fuel the body in Krishna's service. Then there is the intimate group reading you host, you expertly dilineating on the subjects and bringing the bhakti concepts to life by probing the devotees present. I cherish these and all the other experiences in your association and pray to be able to have many more of them.
Thank you Guru Maharaja for granting me these experiences in your association and also giving me the ability to serve you outside of your direct association.
Your aspiring servant,
Dasya-prema das
On this very auspicious day, please accept my humble obeisances unto you.
All glories to you! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I was speaking with a senior devotee recently and he was sharing about the demanding task of being a Guru. Humbly stating his own lack of qualifications, he explained how taking on the responsibility to care for the spiritual life of others is very demanding and challenging. What a great austerity you have taken up for our benefit Guru Maharaja!
Taking this service so seriously, you are constantly training and inspiring devotees and disciples in how to serve Krishna.
Once, while going to a program. A devotee began to speak about the significance of your going to Yale University. You responded by saying you didn't like to talk about these things and how there are so many exalted devotees who never went to college and are now engaged in speaking at prestigious gathering around the world. To my surprise, you then turned around to me and said "see Dasya-prema, even you can become an empowered speaker". I was amazed how you used this situation to inspire a this lowly disciple.
When I had the fortune to traveled with you, Guru Maharaja, your example was constantly impressing upon me the need to efficiently and effectively use Krishna's energy in His service. When driving, you would prompt me with questions like: are the tires filled sufficiently? Do you know the amount for the tolls coming up? Are we crossing over this bridge or that one? Did you check the oil? Do you know where to park and what entrance to use when we arrive? You got me to the point of meticulously researching, checking, and double checking things in the attempts to orchestrate a seemless journey.
These are things I would have never imagined myself doing before coming to the Krishna Consciousness movement. But now, when attempting to serve Krishna, why subject Him to my ignorance-laden modus of operandi. Krishna should be given the best of everything, and you perfectly exemplify this by being so attentive to all the details.
Guru Maharaja, being in your association, and the variety of services that that includes is like a constant festival. There is the significant experience of being in one of your classes, followed by one of your penetrating and energetic kirtans. Then there is driving you on complicated on- ramps and highway junctions, you encouragingly aknowledging a good lane change or lightly rebuking me for almost going thru the wrong toll booth. Then there is the pleasure of being able to serve you Prasad and seeing the sublime process of someone honoring Prasad only to fuel the body in Krishna's service. Then there is the intimate group reading you host, you expertly dilineating on the subjects and bringing the bhakti concepts to life by probing the devotees present. I cherish these and all the other experiences in your association and pray to be able to have many more of them.
Thank you Guru Maharaja for granting me these experiences in your association and also giving me the ability to serve you outside of your direct association.
Your aspiring servant,
Dasya-prema das
David Costello
Dear Gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
Allow me to start by quoting a portion of, Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.47.
“The word, vinoda-pātram, which means "joker." A joker's activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Kṛṣṇa becomes a laughingstock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt.”
If it pleases you, consider the following scenario.
A Spiritual Master initiates Fifty Disciples who, serves Lord Krishna to varying extents. The part-timer to those who serve with complete and unalloyed devotion. Please contemplate the sum total of the Disciples Bhakti, covering initiations to leaving their bodies. Whatever it equates to, the Disciples combined service is significant (emphasis).
Points to consider,
Referring to the Joker reference Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.47, who would argue or contend otherwise? Not the writer of this offering!
Lord Krishna ability and desire to reward the Disciples cannot be conceived of. If I were asked to try I would say, Infinite. Bhagavad Gita, Chaper 12 and text 20. “Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me”. Their service and rewards occurs, due to the Spiritual Masters mercy and instructions.
Lord Krishna creates a situation where, the Spiritual Master initiates and teaches the Disciples. The Lord knows all and, is aware that the Spiritual Master initiates and instructs. Srimad Bhagavatam 3.15.45. “By meditation one can understand that God is seated within one's heart. Even if one does not know it, God is seated within the heart of everyone.”
The Disciples cannot repay their debt as this is beyond them. That said, the Disciples service creates a reality where the Spiritual Master will be rewarded to, an unlimited extent. The Spiritual Master will not drown in nectar if, the Disciples do not serve.
Is the following statement reasonable? Lord Krishna cannot establish an absolute (Disciples debt to the Guru), and ensure the Spiritual Master will be re-paid by the Disciples? No it is not, as arguing this point places human restrictions on the Lord. For context I refer you to Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9 and text 11. “In the Brahma-samhita it is said that Krsna is the supreme controller" Also and in the same text, "Krsna is the supreme controller (isvarah paramah krsnah)”
The relationship between the Disciples and Guru is beautiful and special. Each relies on the other. Their service leads to gifts of unlimited appeal and wonder. In abstract terms they can be likened to a circle. Best of all, is that they are enjoyed by Lord Krishna. Speaking of the Lord, Isvarah Paramah Krsnah is the architect of their loving exchange and relationship.
I hope that my offering pleases you.
With respect and gratitude,
David
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
Allow me to start by quoting a portion of, Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.47.
“The word, vinoda-pātram, which means "joker." A joker's activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Kṛṣṇa becomes a laughingstock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt.”
If it pleases you, consider the following scenario.
A Spiritual Master initiates Fifty Disciples who, serves Lord Krishna to varying extents. The part-timer to those who serve with complete and unalloyed devotion. Please contemplate the sum total of the Disciples Bhakti, covering initiations to leaving their bodies. Whatever it equates to, the Disciples combined service is significant (emphasis).
Points to consider,
Referring to the Joker reference Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.47, who would argue or contend otherwise? Not the writer of this offering!
Lord Krishna ability and desire to reward the Disciples cannot be conceived of. If I were asked to try I would say, Infinite. Bhagavad Gita, Chaper 12 and text 20. “Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me”. Their service and rewards occurs, due to the Spiritual Masters mercy and instructions.
Lord Krishna creates a situation where, the Spiritual Master initiates and teaches the Disciples. The Lord knows all and, is aware that the Spiritual Master initiates and instructs. Srimad Bhagavatam 3.15.45. “By meditation one can understand that God is seated within one's heart. Even if one does not know it, God is seated within the heart of everyone.”
The Disciples cannot repay their debt as this is beyond them. That said, the Disciples service creates a reality where the Spiritual Master will be rewarded to, an unlimited extent. The Spiritual Master will not drown in nectar if, the Disciples do not serve.
Is the following statement reasonable? Lord Krishna cannot establish an absolute (Disciples debt to the Guru), and ensure the Spiritual Master will be re-paid by the Disciples? No it is not, as arguing this point places human restrictions on the Lord. For context I refer you to Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9 and text 11. “In the Brahma-samhita it is said that Krsna is the supreme controller" Also and in the same text, "Krsna is the supreme controller (isvarah paramah krsnah)”
The relationship between the Disciples and Guru is beautiful and special. Each relies on the other. Their service leads to gifts of unlimited appeal and wonder. In abstract terms they can be likened to a circle. Best of all, is that they are enjoyed by Lord Krishna. Speaking of the Lord, Isvarah Paramah Krsnah is the architect of their loving exchange and relationship.
I hope that my offering pleases you.
With respect and gratitude,
David
Dayal Nitai Dasa
Nama om visnu padaya Krishna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthathapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day.
Gurudeva, you are the pure representative of God, the transparent via medium by which we can approach the Supreme Lord, and it is by your mercy only that we can be engaged in devotional service and become purified by chanting the holy names.
By following your instruction we can transcend this miserable material world.
Guru mukha padma vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa
“Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of our spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else” (Sri guru vandana, verse 2).
Serving the lotus feet of the guru and following his instruction is the bona fide process for attaining love of God, the ultimate goal of life.
Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
Uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
Vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
“The spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna)” (Sri Sri Gurv-astaka, verse 7).
O Gurudeva, I just pray that I may always remember and worship your lotus feet.
Your insignificant servant,
Dayal Nitai Dasa.
Srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthathapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day.
Gurudeva, you are the pure representative of God, the transparent via medium by which we can approach the Supreme Lord, and it is by your mercy only that we can be engaged in devotional service and become purified by chanting the holy names.
By following your instruction we can transcend this miserable material world.
Guru mukha padma vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa
“Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of our spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else” (Sri guru vandana, verse 2).
Serving the lotus feet of the guru and following his instruction is the bona fide process for attaining love of God, the ultimate goal of life.
Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
Uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
Vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
“The spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna)” (Sri Sri Gurv-astaka, verse 7).
O Gurudeva, I just pray that I may always remember and worship your lotus feet.
Your insignificant servant,
Dayal Nitai Dasa.
Dayalu Gaura Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
I sometimes wonder, when will I fully grasp the seriousness of devotional service and seriously begin the process?
It is said that the spiritual master is most pleased when the disciple is making advancement in Krsna Consciousness.
Dear Gurudeva.
Your character is exemplary in every way;
your compassion for the fallen souls;
your expertise in presenting Krsna Consciousness to those who have no desire to even know anything about Krsna;
your sacrifice in travelling to preach inspire the devotees and humbly serve Srila Prabhupada's mission.
In your lectures on being greedy for Krsna you explained the point that Lord Caitanya's mercy is such that even though we have no desire to perform devotional service opportunities to perform devotional service come about. In this regard you related your own experience;
You where sitting with a friend and you were watching on television the devotees talking about their principles and lifestyle and about pleasure.
You said, "these guys are crazy they dont know anything about pleasure.
Why dont they come to one of our parties - we'll show them what pleasure is."
But then 8 months later you were living in the brahmacari-asrama.
Now you share the same inconceivable mercy of the Lord with others by so expertly making it as easily available as possible.
Your life is evidence of the unconditional mercy of Gaura Nitai.
How dear you must be to them.
Those who have no desire to serve
Are given a much wider opportunity
to perform devotional service even though they have no qualification or desire to do it.
Such is your excellence.
As an empowered Vaisnava you make it your mission to spread the net of Lord Caitanyas unconditional mercy to anyone and everyone, considering no one fit or unfit, nor where such distribution should or should not take place; you make no conditions.
Thus percieving the inconceivable wonder of Lord Gauranga's mercy you see the desireless become full of desire, the impure become pure, the hard hearted become soft, the decietful become honest, the unsaintly become saintly, the fool become wise and the selfish become selfless.
In this way as you expand the net of the Holy Name and cast it over another Kali-yuga specimen, your experience and realisation of Bhakti increases.
I simply wish that I may assist you in your efforts to spread the mercy of Lord Caitanya, even though I have no desire,
So that I may also become a witness to the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Please give me the strength to be able to assist you.
Please forgive me for my inabilities and neglect of my duties in serving you properly.
Please cast the net of Lord Caitanya over me and save me from myself.
Please give me a drop of sincerity so that I may begin the process of devotional service.
Please mold me as you like so that my life may be a glorification of you.
What will I do without your kindness upon me? I have nothing of my own;
I only wish that your instructions may be my only possession.
Please give me the strength to remember you at every moment.
All glories to you, Gurudeva, who so mercifully accepted an undeserving fool as a disciple.
Your aspiring servant,
Dayalu Gaura Dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
I sometimes wonder, when will I fully grasp the seriousness of devotional service and seriously begin the process?
It is said that the spiritual master is most pleased when the disciple is making advancement in Krsna Consciousness.
Dear Gurudeva.
Your character is exemplary in every way;
your compassion for the fallen souls;
your expertise in presenting Krsna Consciousness to those who have no desire to even know anything about Krsna;
your sacrifice in travelling to preach inspire the devotees and humbly serve Srila Prabhupada's mission.
In your lectures on being greedy for Krsna you explained the point that Lord Caitanya's mercy is such that even though we have no desire to perform devotional service opportunities to perform devotional service come about. In this regard you related your own experience;
You where sitting with a friend and you were watching on television the devotees talking about their principles and lifestyle and about pleasure.
You said, "these guys are crazy they dont know anything about pleasure.
Why dont they come to one of our parties - we'll show them what pleasure is."
But then 8 months later you were living in the brahmacari-asrama.
Now you share the same inconceivable mercy of the Lord with others by so expertly making it as easily available as possible.
Your life is evidence of the unconditional mercy of Gaura Nitai.
How dear you must be to them.
Those who have no desire to serve
Are given a much wider opportunity
to perform devotional service even though they have no qualification or desire to do it.
Such is your excellence.
As an empowered Vaisnava you make it your mission to spread the net of Lord Caitanyas unconditional mercy to anyone and everyone, considering no one fit or unfit, nor where such distribution should or should not take place; you make no conditions.
Thus percieving the inconceivable wonder of Lord Gauranga's mercy you see the desireless become full of desire, the impure become pure, the hard hearted become soft, the decietful become honest, the unsaintly become saintly, the fool become wise and the selfish become selfless.
In this way as you expand the net of the Holy Name and cast it over another Kali-yuga specimen, your experience and realisation of Bhakti increases.
I simply wish that I may assist you in your efforts to spread the mercy of Lord Caitanya, even though I have no desire,
So that I may also become a witness to the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Please give me the strength to be able to assist you.
Please forgive me for my inabilities and neglect of my duties in serving you properly.
Please cast the net of Lord Caitanya over me and save me from myself.
Please give me a drop of sincerity so that I may begin the process of devotional service.
Please mold me as you like so that my life may be a glorification of you.
What will I do without your kindness upon me? I have nothing of my own;
I only wish that your instructions may be my only possession.
Please give me the strength to remember you at every moment.
All glories to you, Gurudeva, who so mercifully accepted an undeserving fool as a disciple.
Your aspiring servant,
Dayalu Gaura Dasa.
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.
As each year goes by, I feel more and more unqualified to glorify you.
I’m so fortunate to have such a kind father like yourself, kindly and patiently helping me get through the turbulent years of my life. I hope one day I will be able to give myself fully to serving you with love and not just out of duty.
The reality of the material world has slowly begun to dawn on me that there is nothing else to be had in material existence except for your mercy coming in the form of service to you.
And everyday I have the opportunity to beg for your mercy in my small attempts to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. Gurudeva, I have no compassion, but empowered by your vani, coming through your lectures and instructions, I’m able to push myself out the door.
I sincerely hope and pray that I can dedicate this one life in assisting you in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and bringing many lost conditioned souls to your lotus feet.
Gurudeva, please please reveal the secret of sankirtana to me, so that I will be able to do something to help in this supreme welfare work of yours.
Trying to be your 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.
As each year goes by, I feel more and more unqualified to glorify you.
I’m so fortunate to have such a kind father like yourself, kindly and patiently helping me get through the turbulent years of my life. I hope one day I will be able to give myself fully to serving you with love and not just out of duty.
The reality of the material world has slowly begun to dawn on me that there is nothing else to be had in material existence except for your mercy coming in the form of service to you.
And everyday I have the opportunity to beg for your mercy in my small attempts to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. Gurudeva, I have no compassion, but empowered by your vani, coming through your lectures and instructions, I’m able to push myself out the door.
I sincerely hope and pray that I can dedicate this one life in assisting you in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and bringing many lost conditioned souls to your lotus feet.
Gurudeva, please please reveal the secret of sankirtana to me, so that I will be able to do something to help in this supreme welfare work of yours.
Trying to be your servant,
Dayamaya devi dasi.
Dayavira das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prahupada!
Here I am lying in the dentist chair waiting for the verdict of the x-ray. Well it all looks very comfy and peaceful with the nice view of the Hellensville river and moored pleasure boats. Spring is in full force now, bringing much waited relief from the winter blues. Short lived I'm afraid, the results are back with a cavity to be dealt with on my back molar. In spiritual life the expert Guru is always diligent to spot the festering mentalities harboring in our hearts, no x-rays needed. Injection? No think I will wing it. Anyway as a kid we did not even have the option of anesthetic. As the drill entered deeper into my tooth I suddenly remembered Guru Maharaja's emphatic words that he spook to my wife years before." There is no limit to the suffering that can be experienced through the material body. That realization was just hitting home as the pain violently peaked. Finally some relief with the cavern etched out by the drill now being filled. Bhakti Siddhanta Maharaja used to joke with me that his dentist must have been a gold digger in his previous birth judging by how deep he would drill. So yes the spiritual master is kindly filling all the gaps in our consciousness with nourishing Krishna katha. Now it was time to smooth out all those rough edges and complete the job.Unlike this one off ,the guru is tirelessly trying to shape the the bhakti creeper of so many dependents to offer though the parampara for Krishna's pleasure. Now I'm simply trying to give up my bitter sweet bad habits that have sadly decayed my natural spontaneous love for Krishna and His beautiful devotees by your causeless compassion GuruMaharaja. Please be kind enough to accept this very simple offering on your auspicious appearance day and bless us spiritual aspirants with a sincere heart in Krishna seva as portrayed by your exemplary personal example.
Your aspiring servant, Dayavira das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prahupada!
Here I am lying in the dentist chair waiting for the verdict of the x-ray. Well it all looks very comfy and peaceful with the nice view of the Hellensville river and moored pleasure boats. Spring is in full force now, bringing much waited relief from the winter blues. Short lived I'm afraid, the results are back with a cavity to be dealt with on my back molar. In spiritual life the expert Guru is always diligent to spot the festering mentalities harboring in our hearts, no x-rays needed. Injection? No think I will wing it. Anyway as a kid we did not even have the option of anesthetic. As the drill entered deeper into my tooth I suddenly remembered Guru Maharaja's emphatic words that he spook to my wife years before." There is no limit to the suffering that can be experienced through the material body. That realization was just hitting home as the pain violently peaked. Finally some relief with the cavern etched out by the drill now being filled. Bhakti Siddhanta Maharaja used to joke with me that his dentist must have been a gold digger in his previous birth judging by how deep he would drill. So yes the spiritual master is kindly filling all the gaps in our consciousness with nourishing Krishna katha. Now it was time to smooth out all those rough edges and complete the job.Unlike this one off ,the guru is tirelessly trying to shape the the bhakti creeper of so many dependents to offer though the parampara for Krishna's pleasure. Now I'm simply trying to give up my bitter sweet bad habits that have sadly decayed my natural spontaneous love for Krishna and His beautiful devotees by your causeless compassion GuruMaharaja. Please be kind enough to accept this very simple offering on your auspicious appearance day and bless us spiritual aspirants with a sincere heart in Krishna seva as portrayed by your exemplary personal example.
Your aspiring servant, Dayavira das
Deewanshi Narula
Hare krishna.
My dearest Gurumaharaj
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Gurumaharaj, I am very grateful to have you in my life. You are so thoughtful about each and every disciple of yours. You guide us and correct our mistakes. Your calm and loving nature infuses positivity in me and encourages me to serve krishna and his devotees even more. Without your presence in my life I wouldn't have been able to understand krishna and Prabhupada's message.
Gurumaharaj it has been nearly 6 years since my family came in krishna consciousness and you've played a major role in enhancing my family's spiritual life. I can never thank you enough. You never fail to strengthen our commitment and conviction to Srila Prabhupada. Gurumaharaj on this auspicious day of your appearance I pray Sri Sri radha going dev to continue bestowing his blessings upon you. May you live a long and a healthy life so that you can preach more and help other fallen souls like me.
Your humble servant
Deewanshi.
My dearest Gurumaharaj
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Gurumaharaj, I am very grateful to have you in my life. You are so thoughtful about each and every disciple of yours. You guide us and correct our mistakes. Your calm and loving nature infuses positivity in me and encourages me to serve krishna and his devotees even more. Without your presence in my life I wouldn't have been able to understand krishna and Prabhupada's message.
Gurumaharaj it has been nearly 6 years since my family came in krishna consciousness and you've played a major role in enhancing my family's spiritual life. I can never thank you enough. You never fail to strengthen our commitment and conviction to Srila Prabhupada. Gurumaharaj on this auspicious day of your appearance I pray Sri Sri radha going dev to continue bestowing his blessings upon you. May you live a long and a healthy life so that you can preach more and help other fallen souls like me.
Your humble servant
Deewanshi.
Dennis Anao
The universe is beautiful and if you dont have guidance you will be lost. The first thing you said when i met you after my first sentence. This statement had me thinking so much i couldn't get it out of my head. I never understood "the spiritual master is the ocean of mercy and friend of the poor" Mercy was given when i first met you but i didn't see it and further you given me the chance to serve at Gita Nagari. In terms of poverty i was poor in knowledge but your first statement was enough to keep associating with devotees. You have a lot of offerings to read so i will keep this short With a big thank you from the heart.
Dhira Siromani Dasa
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine.
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your lotus feet!
All glories to your auspicious appearance day!
What justice can the English language do to describe your qualities? What qualification do I even possess to say anything? As I sit to helplessly assemble a few words to glorify you somehow, I beg you to please forgive my meagre attempt. Since it is the duty of a disciple to glorify his spiritual master on his appearance day, I seize the opportunity to grasp further mercy.
In my naivety, I recently addressed you as my beloved gurumaharaj in our email exchanges. After a while I started introspecting: How much do i really meant what i said. To call someone beloved means you love the person extremely. Immediately it struck me how much do i love you? What is the love of a disciple for his spiritual master? What is love?
Being caught up in the abyss of these, I got further humbled when I looked around and started observing my godbrothers and godsisters.
The efforts and inconveniences they go through just to please you, to obtain a glance of yours or even to earn a smile from you, is unparalleled. Instantaneously it springs up, how just to catch the attention of Srila Prabhupada, you took up the BBT service in the quest of somehow pleasing him.
You have been teaching by example. You have been exemplifying what is meant to be a disciple.
I then started to realise how magnanimous you are to have accepted me as your son despite I do not possess any sincere attitude.
In one of your lectures you were mentioning how one should not accept the service of accepting disciple if he is not ready to have his heart crushed. Just like Srila Prabhupada who accepted to go through hardships for others' benefit and to please his guru, you have chosen to have your heart crushed but embarked on accepting disciples.
In fact, you went on with the lecture and stated you were ready to have your heart grounded to powder because you see the potential in the initiates who can be better than you tomorrow. I then thought to myself "whoooa this is what humility is about."
Gurumaharaj, even a first class fool like me, you accepted. You are indeed karuna sindhu.
Although I do not have any qualification to receive such good fortune, you still bestow it upon me, causelessly, like the sunshine which doesn’t discriminate and purifies even the most filthy place.
In Caintya Charitamrta, madhya lila 2.22.51
mahat-kṛpā vinā kona karme 'bhakti' naya
kṛṣṇa-bhakti dūre rahu, saḿsāra nahe kṣaya
“Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of krsna-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence."
Today, I stand before you, a wayward son, pitiably reduced, bowed and bereft—more a beggar than ever. I am still the shameless beggar I was the day we first met. Therefore, on the occasion of your Vyasa-puja, when I should offer rather than take, I stand before you empty-handed, with only this pauper’s appeal to make: Independence has been my undoing; free will has been only misused. I consign these, now, to you. Please, Gurumaharaj do not return them. Despite my hesitancy and possible unwillingness, force me to accept your causeless mercy. Please make me your authentic son.
Thank you for being such a loving and caring father.
Your unworthy insignificant servant
Dhira Siromani Dasa
srimate devamrita swami iti namine.
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your lotus feet!
All glories to your auspicious appearance day!
What justice can the English language do to describe your qualities? What qualification do I even possess to say anything? As I sit to helplessly assemble a few words to glorify you somehow, I beg you to please forgive my meagre attempt. Since it is the duty of a disciple to glorify his spiritual master on his appearance day, I seize the opportunity to grasp further mercy.
In my naivety, I recently addressed you as my beloved gurumaharaj in our email exchanges. After a while I started introspecting: How much do i really meant what i said. To call someone beloved means you love the person extremely. Immediately it struck me how much do i love you? What is the love of a disciple for his spiritual master? What is love?
Being caught up in the abyss of these, I got further humbled when I looked around and started observing my godbrothers and godsisters.
The efforts and inconveniences they go through just to please you, to obtain a glance of yours or even to earn a smile from you, is unparalleled. Instantaneously it springs up, how just to catch the attention of Srila Prabhupada, you took up the BBT service in the quest of somehow pleasing him.
You have been teaching by example. You have been exemplifying what is meant to be a disciple.
I then started to realise how magnanimous you are to have accepted me as your son despite I do not possess any sincere attitude.
In one of your lectures you were mentioning how one should not accept the service of accepting disciple if he is not ready to have his heart crushed. Just like Srila Prabhupada who accepted to go through hardships for others' benefit and to please his guru, you have chosen to have your heart crushed but embarked on accepting disciples.
In fact, you went on with the lecture and stated you were ready to have your heart grounded to powder because you see the potential in the initiates who can be better than you tomorrow. I then thought to myself "whoooa this is what humility is about."
Gurumaharaj, even a first class fool like me, you accepted. You are indeed karuna sindhu.
Although I do not have any qualification to receive such good fortune, you still bestow it upon me, causelessly, like the sunshine which doesn’t discriminate and purifies even the most filthy place.
In Caintya Charitamrta, madhya lila 2.22.51
mahat-kṛpā vinā kona karme 'bhakti' naya
kṛṣṇa-bhakti dūre rahu, saḿsāra nahe kṣaya
“Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of krsna-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence."
Today, I stand before you, a wayward son, pitiably reduced, bowed and bereft—more a beggar than ever. I am still the shameless beggar I was the day we first met. Therefore, on the occasion of your Vyasa-puja, when I should offer rather than take, I stand before you empty-handed, with only this pauper’s appeal to make: Independence has been my undoing; free will has been only misused. I consign these, now, to you. Please, Gurumaharaj do not return them. Despite my hesitancy and possible unwillingness, force me to accept your causeless mercy. Please make me your authentic son.
Thank you for being such a loving and caring father.
Your unworthy insignificant servant
Dhira Siromani Dasa
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj
Please accept my prostrate obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on the most auspicious day of your appearance
Srila Rupa Gosvami with great humility glorifies Lord Caitanya, his spiritual master for giving him the inspiration for devotional service.
hådi yasya preranayä pravartito ‘ham varäka-rüpo ‘pi
tasya hareh pada-kamalam vande caitanya-devasya
Sri Caitanya Caritamrita 19.134
Following in his footsteps, I can take this opportunity to say few words in glorification of you. I may feel as low and humbled and not as pure as Srila Rupa Gosvami, I can still say something just like a child may say some things to please his parents.
I am very grateful to you for giving me a spark of inspiration to perform sankirtan. I would like to especially say that it’s such a pleasure to distribute your book “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness”. Many people like it for a beautiful and attractive cover, some find the title very interesting and others for its contents. Many especially like it for the article “eluding the matrix of illusion”. They say after hearing about the Matrix “Oh yes ill take that one”.
There are some students who read about you at the back cover and wonder “He is a Yale graduate”. I like this book as it allows me to talk about you and remember you on Sanikrtana.
I inform students at colleges that the author recommends study of famous yoga book “Bhagavad Gita As It Is” in this book. Many times they also take Bhagavad Gita with it. You are so expert at Sankirtan that by writing such books you are continuously expanding the book distribution.
I certainly participate in Sankirtan taking inspiration from you. In this way I can purify my consciousness and become qualified to serve you nicely. Thank you for allowing me to join the New Dwarka sankirtan party. Its a wonderful opportunity for me to increase my service and its great association to grow.
Last year you very kindly gave me an opportunity to go to Vrindavana with you. I was so happy to hear that and am so grateful to you for such an opportunity. It was an honour to be part of exalted association of you and your godbrothers at Govardhan, Vrindavan in kartik.
It was like a dream come true to see you and H.G.Vaisesika Prabhu in Vrindavan. It was certainly enlivening to be in your association there. At the same time it was very humbling reflecting at the condition of my own heart and the dirt stocked up in there for millions of lifetimes. I realised physically I might be present there but consciously how far I was.
Srila Rupa Gosvami gives the best way to stay in Vrindavan in text 8 of Upadesamrita/ Nectar of Instruction that one should utilize ones full time twenty four hours a day in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord. One should follow in the footsteps of the Lords beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to His devotional service.
tan-näma-rüpa-caritädi-sukirtanänu-
smrtyoh kramena rasanä-manasi niyojya
tisthan vraje tad anuragi jananugami....
It gives me a lot of hope too. You are a resident of Vraja and I can try to follow in your footsteps. In that way I could remember your beloved Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar and Vrindavan dham your residence.
Hoping to continue serving you by engaging in this beautiful Sankirtan of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Your servant
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
I offer my respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You, a pure sage of bhakti, always travel the path of the previous acaryas to give Krishna consciousness to others. Many years ago, after engaging me in service, you sent me to Vrindavan along with Sruticari and Guruvani, and carefully put us under the supervision of one of your senior resident god-sisters. This is an example of your thoughtful care.
Years later when I am here (again in Vrindavan) and Krishna consciousness still seems way out of reach, I realise something that gives me solace. Although I am not qualified and really feel that here, I’m fortunate enough to have a spiritual master and you take great care of your disciples. So, in the service and merciful association of a truely Krishna conscious person, Krishna consciousness can be cultivated. I fall at your feet to thank you for the opportunity you extend to me to serve you. Thank you for taking care of and guiding me.
I think of the austerities you undergo to give the seed of Krishna consciousness to people like me and believe that it must be attainable. In your vyasa puja offering to Srila Prabhupada this year you reassure us of this by describing your realised appreciation of the Holy Name and the process of engaging the senses in service.
For one who has implicit faith in both the spiritual master and the revealed scriptures, all the imports of the Vedic literature will automatically be revealed.
Ananta Naga prabhu recently described you coming through arrivals in Manchester airport. You were alone, exhausted after a long international flight, hauling your own luggage. First, being crammed in at high altitudes in the dry, pungent chamber of the aeroplane, then the standing in the long stagnant queues through security and customs, then dragging your own luggage around and around the world year after year, to give Krishna consciousness to others. This is intense austerity and it’s continuous for you, it just doesn’t stop.
Recently on a Sunday at the Loft, a room of 130 guests sat fixed to their seats as you delivered your talk. There is something extra-ordinary about your outreach: you don’t present Krishna consciousness as a science or a philosophy—you just engulf people in it. Each point is delivered direct to each of them simultaneously, like arrows empowered to reach target deep inside the hearts of the conditioned souls. Yes, they always squirm a bit: it’s so direct, so un-kiwi, so in-your-face, and powerful! As usual, some courageous souls came just for this, others were coaxed along by a shining book distributer, and others completely unknowing came because the menu was advertised. None of them will ever, like me, be quite the same again.
But what is even more amazing about you, is how year after year you relish the austerity of giving Krishna consciousness to others. Often you will remain at the Loft until 10pm speaking one on one with the guests, even when you are jet lagged and haven’t slept the night before. Your love for the conditioned souls knows no bounds, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission in the west never flails.
I hold on tight to your lotus feet. Although the spiritual reality is unknown to me because I have no bhakti, I do have faith in my glorious spiritual master. You have dedication to your spiritual master, you have a taste for the Holy Name, you have bhakti—please be my shelter so I can have these things in time.
Forgive me for not being able to honour you properly in words, nor being able to worship you in Auckland on this day and also not being able to serve you much in this phase of my life. My incalculable debt gets bigger day by day but I hang in there waiting for the time when I can try to repay you.
With deep gratitude your servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You, a pure sage of bhakti, always travel the path of the previous acaryas to give Krishna consciousness to others. Many years ago, after engaging me in service, you sent me to Vrindavan along with Sruticari and Guruvani, and carefully put us under the supervision of one of your senior resident god-sisters. This is an example of your thoughtful care.
Years later when I am here (again in Vrindavan) and Krishna consciousness still seems way out of reach, I realise something that gives me solace. Although I am not qualified and really feel that here, I’m fortunate enough to have a spiritual master and you take great care of your disciples. So, in the service and merciful association of a truely Krishna conscious person, Krishna consciousness can be cultivated. I fall at your feet to thank you for the opportunity you extend to me to serve you. Thank you for taking care of and guiding me.
I think of the austerities you undergo to give the seed of Krishna consciousness to people like me and believe that it must be attainable. In your vyasa puja offering to Srila Prabhupada this year you reassure us of this by describing your realised appreciation of the Holy Name and the process of engaging the senses in service.
For one who has implicit faith in both the spiritual master and the revealed scriptures, all the imports of the Vedic literature will automatically be revealed.
Ananta Naga prabhu recently described you coming through arrivals in Manchester airport. You were alone, exhausted after a long international flight, hauling your own luggage. First, being crammed in at high altitudes in the dry, pungent chamber of the aeroplane, then the standing in the long stagnant queues through security and customs, then dragging your own luggage around and around the world year after year, to give Krishna consciousness to others. This is intense austerity and it’s continuous for you, it just doesn’t stop.
Recently on a Sunday at the Loft, a room of 130 guests sat fixed to their seats as you delivered your talk. There is something extra-ordinary about your outreach: you don’t present Krishna consciousness as a science or a philosophy—you just engulf people in it. Each point is delivered direct to each of them simultaneously, like arrows empowered to reach target deep inside the hearts of the conditioned souls. Yes, they always squirm a bit: it’s so direct, so un-kiwi, so in-your-face, and powerful! As usual, some courageous souls came just for this, others were coaxed along by a shining book distributer, and others completely unknowing came because the menu was advertised. None of them will ever, like me, be quite the same again.
But what is even more amazing about you, is how year after year you relish the austerity of giving Krishna consciousness to others. Often you will remain at the Loft until 10pm speaking one on one with the guests, even when you are jet lagged and haven’t slept the night before. Your love for the conditioned souls knows no bounds, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission in the west never flails.
I hold on tight to your lotus feet. Although the spiritual reality is unknown to me because I have no bhakti, I do have faith in my glorious spiritual master. You have dedication to your spiritual master, you have a taste for the Holy Name, you have bhakti—please be my shelter so I can have these things in time.
Forgive me for not being able to honour you properly in words, nor being able to worship you in Auckland on this day and also not being able to serve you much in this phase of my life. My incalculable debt gets bigger day by day but I hang in there waiting for the time when I can try to repay you.
With deep gratitude your servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi.
Djitamitra das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances.
Your Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, on the day of Your appearance, I want to try to glorify You and Your exemplary life in this incarnation.
You are the perfect tool in the hands of Srila Prabhupada. You give to all Your disciples a good example of the sermon through Your personal example – prachar’ poorva daksyam cha. Your behavior is already preaching for devotees and ordinary people - bhaktachara-provinata. You are the owner of true wealth – pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve chate namaha, I bow down before You.
Thank Krishna, I feel my insignificant in front of You. Please accept my achievements for this year, which I have been able to achieve by the grace of Krishna. In the course of this year I was able to undergo learning and pass exams at the Sri isopanishad and Nectar of Devotion. This year I was lucky, and by our artist Ramis Prabhu, I began to participate in performances and scenes devoted mainly to sankirtana. Also this spring I went to the exit sankirtana in Poland, in the team of one of our senior devote Raghava Pandit Prabhu. During this year I tried to communicate with senior devotees and reflected on the process Shravanam - how he changes fate.
Krishna is very merciful to me and, through the senior devotees, he arranges everything in my life in the best way, but I foolishly attribute these results to my account. And that's just one of my many flaws. Your Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, in spite of all my imperfections, You have spilled Your mercy on me and You gave me this year the first initiation, Harinama diksha - I owe You a great debt. I pray to Krishna that He will help me to always strictly follow my vows.
Guru Maharaj I ask Your blessings to be the same as You are in the power to serve Krishna. I also ask for Your blessings for purity and maturity in Krishna consciousness.
Guru Maharaj, I wish You the deepest connection with Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna.
Your disciple Djitamitra das.
Your Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, on the day of Your appearance, I want to try to glorify You and Your exemplary life in this incarnation.
You are the perfect tool in the hands of Srila Prabhupada. You give to all Your disciples a good example of the sermon through Your personal example – prachar’ poorva daksyam cha. Your behavior is already preaching for devotees and ordinary people - bhaktachara-provinata. You are the owner of true wealth – pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve chate namaha, I bow down before You.
Thank Krishna, I feel my insignificant in front of You. Please accept my achievements for this year, which I have been able to achieve by the grace of Krishna. In the course of this year I was able to undergo learning and pass exams at the Sri isopanishad and Nectar of Devotion. This year I was lucky, and by our artist Ramis Prabhu, I began to participate in performances and scenes devoted mainly to sankirtana. Also this spring I went to the exit sankirtana in Poland, in the team of one of our senior devote Raghava Pandit Prabhu. During this year I tried to communicate with senior devotees and reflected on the process Shravanam - how he changes fate.
Krishna is very merciful to me and, through the senior devotees, he arranges everything in my life in the best way, but I foolishly attribute these results to my account. And that's just one of my many flaws. Your Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, in spite of all my imperfections, You have spilled Your mercy on me and You gave me this year the first initiation, Harinama diksha - I owe You a great debt. I pray to Krishna that He will help me to always strictly follow my vows.
Guru Maharaj I ask Your blessings to be the same as You are in the power to serve Krishna. I also ask for Your blessings for purity and maturity in Krishna consciousness.
Guru Maharaj, I wish You the deepest connection with Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna.
Your disciple Djitamitra das.
Dvija Pitambar dasa
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your divine appearance day.
Sometimes young devotees like a little recognition from their spiritual master taking that as an confirmation of their personal relationships with their spiritual master. However, they may fail to understand the value of associating with spiritual master through Vani, personal instructions or through his public lectures.
Guru Maharaj despite your busy schedules and engagements, we greatly value and appreciate your guidance and concerns for our lives. In your recent trip to Melbourne, upon your arrival, your first question to me was “how is your ankle? Are you back on your feet as normal?” Although I had not seen you or spoken to you for many months, I was amazed that you still remembered my injury and were concerned about my recovery. Sometimes the same love can also manifest more strongly. Once couple of devotees wanted your blessings for doing things their way, without your permission and you almost ignored them. Later you told laughingly, “Guru maharaj! Please give your blessings. Then we will be happy and we will love you. You will be so popular!”
Your physical association with your spiritual master was brief. As you often narrate the pastime of Srila Prabhupada visiting the BBT office and while observing the workings of the office, he looks at you. You offer your obeisances and while you are on the floor, you hear the devotee in-charge introduce you to Srila Prabhupada. The only personal instruction that you would receive on your way up would be a long “hmmm”. When disciples hanker for personal association or some recognition from their spiritual master, you didn’t receive any of that, at least from mundane point of view. However, your life is a testimony to show how one can be connected to their spiritual master in complete oneness of desire.
The desire of yours, which is very much in line with Srila Prabhupada, is Sankirtan and outreach. In your recent Srimad Bhagavatam class in Melbourne on 4.14.8-9, you mentioned how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has a pain. He is feeling the pain in seeing the suffering of the humanity and a devotee’s desires and actions are directed towards relieving Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu off that pain.
For this you are always encouraging devotees to engage in Sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Through your lectures and personal instructions you continue to instruct devotees to expand the preaching through book distribution.
Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami in Chaitanya Charitamrta writes,
ācāryera mata yei, sei mata sāra
tāṅra ājñā laṅghi' cale, sei ta' asāra
“The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life. Anyone who disobeys the order of the spiritual master immediately becomes useless.”
I humbly wish to be engaged in following your instructions for your pleasure and that of Srila Prabhupada’s although it’s not always very easy. I pray that one day your instructions become the active principles in my spiritual life.
On this auspicious day, I beg for your mercy to allow me the necessary intelligence and strength to carry out what is pleasing to you.
Aspiring to be your worthy disciple,
Dvija Pitambar dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your divine appearance day.
Sometimes young devotees like a little recognition from their spiritual master taking that as an confirmation of their personal relationships with their spiritual master. However, they may fail to understand the value of associating with spiritual master through Vani, personal instructions or through his public lectures.
Guru Maharaj despite your busy schedules and engagements, we greatly value and appreciate your guidance and concerns for our lives. In your recent trip to Melbourne, upon your arrival, your first question to me was “how is your ankle? Are you back on your feet as normal?” Although I had not seen you or spoken to you for many months, I was amazed that you still remembered my injury and were concerned about my recovery. Sometimes the same love can also manifest more strongly. Once couple of devotees wanted your blessings for doing things their way, without your permission and you almost ignored them. Later you told laughingly, “Guru maharaj! Please give your blessings. Then we will be happy and we will love you. You will be so popular!”
Your physical association with your spiritual master was brief. As you often narrate the pastime of Srila Prabhupada visiting the BBT office and while observing the workings of the office, he looks at you. You offer your obeisances and while you are on the floor, you hear the devotee in-charge introduce you to Srila Prabhupada. The only personal instruction that you would receive on your way up would be a long “hmmm”. When disciples hanker for personal association or some recognition from their spiritual master, you didn’t receive any of that, at least from mundane point of view. However, your life is a testimony to show how one can be connected to their spiritual master in complete oneness of desire.
The desire of yours, which is very much in line with Srila Prabhupada, is Sankirtan and outreach. In your recent Srimad Bhagavatam class in Melbourne on 4.14.8-9, you mentioned how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has a pain. He is feeling the pain in seeing the suffering of the humanity and a devotee’s desires and actions are directed towards relieving Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu off that pain.
For this you are always encouraging devotees to engage in Sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Through your lectures and personal instructions you continue to instruct devotees to expand the preaching through book distribution.
Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami in Chaitanya Charitamrta writes,
ācāryera mata yei, sei mata sāra
tāṅra ājñā laṅghi' cale, sei ta' asāra
“The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life. Anyone who disobeys the order of the spiritual master immediately becomes useless.”
I humbly wish to be engaged in following your instructions for your pleasure and that of Srila Prabhupada’s although it’s not always very easy. I pray that one day your instructions become the active principles in my spiritual life.
On this auspicious day, I beg for your mercy to allow me the necessary intelligence and strength to carry out what is pleasing to you.
Aspiring to be your worthy disciple,
Dvija Pitambar dasa.
ESTHER SHARP
Dearest Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeiscances on your appeardance day, all glories to you, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Here I am Gurdeva, placed exactly in my new devotional home and it feels wonderful. Thank you for bringing me here. A smile envelopes my face and heart - sweet like bliss as I look towards trying to develop serving you here in Ty Krishna Wales. As a finacee, aspiring Grehasta and deeply desiring book distributor I feel as though I have rays of candy in my hand. Seeing how you have deeply cared for, personally guided, and believed in myself and Pete as we aspire to humbly make attempts to serve you and develop our new future in Bhakti is something I cannot express enough gratitude for. We owe you so much, and both care about you so deeply. He is my best friend, and aspiring partner in enlightenment, we look towards wishing to be the cogs at the forefront of the ISKCON Wales Wheel....whats next Gurudev?
Here to another magical year wishing to serve you forever more.
Ys with deepest wishes, and affection aspiring to be your servant and daughter.
Esther
Please accept my humble obeiscances on your appeardance day, all glories to you, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Here I am Gurdeva, placed exactly in my new devotional home and it feels wonderful. Thank you for bringing me here. A smile envelopes my face and heart - sweet like bliss as I look towards trying to develop serving you here in Ty Krishna Wales. As a finacee, aspiring Grehasta and deeply desiring book distributor I feel as though I have rays of candy in my hand. Seeing how you have deeply cared for, personally guided, and believed in myself and Pete as we aspire to humbly make attempts to serve you and develop our new future in Bhakti is something I cannot express enough gratitude for. We owe you so much, and both care about you so deeply. He is my best friend, and aspiring partner in enlightenment, we look towards wishing to be the cogs at the forefront of the ISKCON Wales Wheel....whats next Gurudev?
Here to another magical year wishing to serve you forever more.
Ys with deepest wishes, and affection aspiring to be your servant and daughter.
Esther
Ekant Dham das
Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Every year so many of your disciples, devotees, well-wishers glorifies you. Certainly I do amaze that you don’t only have admirers or followers in New York, Melbourne or in India. They are spread all around the world. Even though you are idol for the persons, who are not practicing Krishna Consciousness. One of my friend always talks about you and your blogs & lectures. In front of all these admirers and followers I do feel myself very insignificant that they love you so much that they use to talk about your teachings and thoughts.
Guru Maharaj, you have taught the world to live a happy and healthy life and Go Back to Godhead after this life. Most of the house holders like us desires to keep a balance over material and spiritual life. For some, balance means to gratify their senses and for others to renounce everything. Once in your lecture, you have explained it very excellently. You had given the analogy of body temperature. You taught us that for a healthy body, we require a certain level of temperature – not so hot not so cool. Similarly, the householders should not live a life for sense gratification only. In another lecture, you said that Krishna Consciousness is like gaining good health. No one wants to remain unhealthy. You have compared Krishna Consciousness with health. More we become Krishna Conscious, the more we become healthy.
As I was suffering from enviousness, may be now too, Guru Maharaj, your personal instructions to me to appreciate the devotees and not to be envious with them have helped me a lot. It has developed my good relations with them. Also by doing this now I can focus more on my sadhana. Though I am totally unworthy, while following your instructions, I can hope that I would be able to Go back to Godhead. Not only me, whosoever will follow you, will surely Go Back to Godhead and could escape from material cycle of birth and death.
Guru Maharaj, on this most auspicious day, I can only pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev to bless you a healthy and long life, so that more souls like me could be saved to get lost in this material ocean of sufferings.
Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj
Your unworthy servant
Ekant Dham Das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Every year so many of your disciples, devotees, well-wishers glorifies you. Certainly I do amaze that you don’t only have admirers or followers in New York, Melbourne or in India. They are spread all around the world. Even though you are idol for the persons, who are not practicing Krishna Consciousness. One of my friend always talks about you and your blogs & lectures. In front of all these admirers and followers I do feel myself very insignificant that they love you so much that they use to talk about your teachings and thoughts.
Guru Maharaj, you have taught the world to live a happy and healthy life and Go Back to Godhead after this life. Most of the house holders like us desires to keep a balance over material and spiritual life. For some, balance means to gratify their senses and for others to renounce everything. Once in your lecture, you have explained it very excellently. You had given the analogy of body temperature. You taught us that for a healthy body, we require a certain level of temperature – not so hot not so cool. Similarly, the householders should not live a life for sense gratification only. In another lecture, you said that Krishna Consciousness is like gaining good health. No one wants to remain unhealthy. You have compared Krishna Consciousness with health. More we become Krishna Conscious, the more we become healthy.
As I was suffering from enviousness, may be now too, Guru Maharaj, your personal instructions to me to appreciate the devotees and not to be envious with them have helped me a lot. It has developed my good relations with them. Also by doing this now I can focus more on my sadhana. Though I am totally unworthy, while following your instructions, I can hope that I would be able to Go back to Godhead. Not only me, whosoever will follow you, will surely Go Back to Godhead and could escape from material cycle of birth and death.
Guru Maharaj, on this most auspicious day, I can only pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev to bless you a healthy and long life, so that more souls like me could be saved to get lost in this material ocean of sufferings.
Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj
Your unworthy servant
Ekant Dham Das
Ekatma Gaur Das
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this your vyasa puja celebration!
Another year has passed, and I have been contemplating on how you amazingly you effect the lives of so many people through your dedication to Prabhupada’s mission and Lord’s movement.
I am thankful to you to give of Krishna to me in so many ways, directly and through my God brothers. You have always been inspiring to chant the maha mantra with attention. Just by seeing you honouring prasadam is an inspiration to how to respect everything you do in Krishna Consciousness.
Taking a stock of my life in Krishna Consciousness, not sure where the time have gone by. I can see that I have to climb a steep hill of devotion and will take time to start the journey as well. In time, I am sure with your blessing I will have a start.
I pray to you to bless me to remain dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and to yourself and guide me to use my energies in serving you.
Aspiring to be a Useful Servant
Ekatma Gaura Dasa
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this your vyasa puja celebration!
Another year has passed, and I have been contemplating on how you amazingly you effect the lives of so many people through your dedication to Prabhupada’s mission and Lord’s movement.
I am thankful to you to give of Krishna to me in so many ways, directly and through my God brothers. You have always been inspiring to chant the maha mantra with attention. Just by seeing you honouring prasadam is an inspiration to how to respect everything you do in Krishna Consciousness.
Taking a stock of my life in Krishna Consciousness, not sure where the time have gone by. I can see that I have to climb a steep hill of devotion and will take time to start the journey as well. In time, I am sure with your blessing I will have a start.
I pray to you to bless me to remain dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and to yourself and guide me to use my energies in serving you.
Aspiring to be a Useful Servant
Ekatma Gaura Dasa
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
When I sat down to contemplate something to say for this Vyasa Puja offering, I found myself remembering all the words I've heard you say. I regularly listen to your lectures, so my thoughts were naturally flowing to your words.
The tongue is such a powerful instrument, to be used or abused.
Your glory is your ability to present Srimad Bhagavatam, the truth about Krishna, in an endless variety of ever fresh ways. You display the perfection of engaging the tongue in the Lords service.
You constantly have up to date insights on the social, political and economic fabric of society and present Bhagavatam in such an easy to appreciate, logical, reasonable and dynamic way.
"The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to convert the nondevotees in terms of particular time and circumstance. Devotional service is dynamic activity, and the expert devotees can find out competent means to inject it into the dull brains of the materialistic population"
SB.1.5.16 purport
It actually sounds not as if your trying to convince people when you speak, but more that its so exciting and enlivening relishing the service of presenting Bhagavatam, that convincing the audience is a by product.
Endlessly glorifying Krishna to those who have forgotten, or are struggling to remember Krishna, you exemplify the perfect dharma for the tongue.
Paraphrasing what you said in one end of year festival in New Zealand, in essence you said:
"Watch what your tongue is tasting and vibrating. That's how you can judge your spiritual progress."
I heard in one lecture, you shared how you were so disheartened to have to visit a dentist for a particular procedure. You weren't mentioning anything about pain, or anything like that, but you were saddened because it interrupted your service. It put you out of action for speaking Krishna katha.
You were saying "I just want to inspire the devotees". You said it with such heartfelt emotion.
This is the sum and substance of your life. Enlivening, encouraging and inspiring others to deepen their faith and love in Krishna.
One of the common fears today, especially in New Zealand is being afraid of anyone with a "belief" in God.
You very meticulously explain that Bhakti is
1) Practical (Its engagement for the senses)
and
2) Scientific (There is a process to verify the statement that Krishna is the cause of all causes)
In this way you allay the scepticism of our own devotee community. We're not just becoming "true believers" And of course, you reassure new comers that we're not religious fanatics.
For example, as you once mentioned about preaching in America, they have a fear that every person presenting a spiritual path is going to at some point say "our way is the only way"....
You joked about how people in different states, in different universities all somehow or other asked you the same question.
They asked you in a challenging mood...
"Are you trying to say....That your way is the ONLY way?"
Despite such “on edge” responses, you break through the barriers with your trademark mesmerising expertise in Western outreach.
Year after year, people from all over are taking shelter of you to develop their love for Krishna,
You are constantly highlighting that one needs to be pro-active to receive Krishna's grace.
What a challenge for a laid back Kiwi mind to accept. Nevertheless you are patient and tolerant and always encouraging a progressive march back to Godhead, no matter how reluctant the prevailing mindset.
When I first met you, you encouraged me to read Srila Prabhupada's books. This endeared me to you as I thought "Wow, this person is so accomplished, influential and even has his own books here, yet he's advising me to read someone elses' books. He's really humble"
And that's what makes you a perfect transmitter of transcendental knowledge. As explained in SB.1.4.1P, the perfect speaker
"must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization." SB.1.4.1.P
To say that what you speak is interesting is an understatement.
We can practically see that by the results of your Krishna katha in all its shapes and forms, new people are coming to Bhakti and existing devotees are diving deeper into their own practice and their own efforts to share Krishna with others.
As the person Bhagavatam you fit the description mentioned in the Bhagavatam.
It says Bhagavatam is "full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this worlds misdirected civilization."
SB1.5.11
You are also full of such words which are impacting the people of today.
Thank you Gurudeva.
Thank you for showing how we need to speak and talk in the Lords service.
As Srila Prabupada mentions in BG.2.54
"Most important is how the man in Krishna consciousness speaks, for speech is the most important quality of any man”
Thank you for showing how to speak about Krishna in all times, places and circumstances.
Please bless us that we may have the intelligence to speak about Krishna always, in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.
Your aspiring servant,
GGd.
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
When I sat down to contemplate something to say for this Vyasa Puja offering, I found myself remembering all the words I've heard you say. I regularly listen to your lectures, so my thoughts were naturally flowing to your words.
The tongue is such a powerful instrument, to be used or abused.
Your glory is your ability to present Srimad Bhagavatam, the truth about Krishna, in an endless variety of ever fresh ways. You display the perfection of engaging the tongue in the Lords service.
You constantly have up to date insights on the social, political and economic fabric of society and present Bhagavatam in such an easy to appreciate, logical, reasonable and dynamic way.
"The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to convert the nondevotees in terms of particular time and circumstance. Devotional service is dynamic activity, and the expert devotees can find out competent means to inject it into the dull brains of the materialistic population"
SB.1.5.16 purport
It actually sounds not as if your trying to convince people when you speak, but more that its so exciting and enlivening relishing the service of presenting Bhagavatam, that convincing the audience is a by product.
Endlessly glorifying Krishna to those who have forgotten, or are struggling to remember Krishna, you exemplify the perfect dharma for the tongue.
Paraphrasing what you said in one end of year festival in New Zealand, in essence you said:
"Watch what your tongue is tasting and vibrating. That's how you can judge your spiritual progress."
I heard in one lecture, you shared how you were so disheartened to have to visit a dentist for a particular procedure. You weren't mentioning anything about pain, or anything like that, but you were saddened because it interrupted your service. It put you out of action for speaking Krishna katha.
You were saying "I just want to inspire the devotees". You said it with such heartfelt emotion.
This is the sum and substance of your life. Enlivening, encouraging and inspiring others to deepen their faith and love in Krishna.
One of the common fears today, especially in New Zealand is being afraid of anyone with a "belief" in God.
You very meticulously explain that Bhakti is
1) Practical (Its engagement for the senses)
and
2) Scientific (There is a process to verify the statement that Krishna is the cause of all causes)
In this way you allay the scepticism of our own devotee community. We're not just becoming "true believers" And of course, you reassure new comers that we're not religious fanatics.
For example, as you once mentioned about preaching in America, they have a fear that every person presenting a spiritual path is going to at some point say "our way is the only way"....
You joked about how people in different states, in different universities all somehow or other asked you the same question.
They asked you in a challenging mood...
"Are you trying to say....That your way is the ONLY way?"
Despite such “on edge” responses, you break through the barriers with your trademark mesmerising expertise in Western outreach.
Year after year, people from all over are taking shelter of you to develop their love for Krishna,
You are constantly highlighting that one needs to be pro-active to receive Krishna's grace.
What a challenge for a laid back Kiwi mind to accept. Nevertheless you are patient and tolerant and always encouraging a progressive march back to Godhead, no matter how reluctant the prevailing mindset.
When I first met you, you encouraged me to read Srila Prabhupada's books. This endeared me to you as I thought "Wow, this person is so accomplished, influential and even has his own books here, yet he's advising me to read someone elses' books. He's really humble"
And that's what makes you a perfect transmitter of transcendental knowledge. As explained in SB.1.4.1P, the perfect speaker
"must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization." SB.1.4.1.P
To say that what you speak is interesting is an understatement.
We can practically see that by the results of your Krishna katha in all its shapes and forms, new people are coming to Bhakti and existing devotees are diving deeper into their own practice and their own efforts to share Krishna with others.
As the person Bhagavatam you fit the description mentioned in the Bhagavatam.
It says Bhagavatam is "full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this worlds misdirected civilization."
SB1.5.11
You are also full of such words which are impacting the people of today.
Thank you Gurudeva.
Thank you for showing how we need to speak and talk in the Lords service.
As Srila Prabupada mentions in BG.2.54
"Most important is how the man in Krishna consciousness speaks, for speech is the most important quality of any man”
Thank you for showing how to speak about Krishna in all times, places and circumstances.
Please bless us that we may have the intelligence to speak about Krishna always, in a manner appropriate to the circumstances.
Your aspiring servant,
GGd.
Gaura - bhumi Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion
My Dear Father, it has been quite some time since I've been blessed with the opportunity of seeing you physically and I have been reflecting on the times I did have with you. A stretch of happiness - cocooned in love and devotion.
And then I think of yourself - someone who did not have as much physical association with Srila Prabhupada as others, and yet holds the teachings of Lord Caitanya in the highest regard due to firm faith and belief. To me, you are an embodiment of what it means to adhere to the vani of the spiritual master. This inspiration keeps me alive in devotion.
I take solace in Srila Prabhupada 's letter to Hams auto dated 22 June 1970: "We are not separated actually. There are two—vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence and vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. So Krsna when He was physically present before Arjuna is the same when He is present before us by His vani of Bhagavad-gita. So far I am concerned, I do not factually feel any separation from my Spiritual Master because I am trying to serve Him according to His desire. That should be the motto. If you kindly try to fulfill my mission for which you have been sent there, that will be our constant association."
I am still a fledgling in spiritual life so I do feel separation from you. But I take solace in the belief that performing devotional service is our way of association. "Now is the time" - you constantly emphasise in your lectures. This keeps me alive in bhakti practice.
Aspiring to be a servant
Gaura - bhumi Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion
My Dear Father, it has been quite some time since I've been blessed with the opportunity of seeing you physically and I have been reflecting on the times I did have with you. A stretch of happiness - cocooned in love and devotion.
And then I think of yourself - someone who did not have as much physical association with Srila Prabhupada as others, and yet holds the teachings of Lord Caitanya in the highest regard due to firm faith and belief. To me, you are an embodiment of what it means to adhere to the vani of the spiritual master. This inspiration keeps me alive in devotion.
I take solace in Srila Prabhupada 's letter to Hams auto dated 22 June 1970: "We are not separated actually. There are two—vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence and vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. So Krsna when He was physically present before Arjuna is the same when He is present before us by His vani of Bhagavad-gita. So far I am concerned, I do not factually feel any separation from my Spiritual Master because I am trying to serve Him according to His desire. That should be the motto. If you kindly try to fulfill my mission for which you have been sent there, that will be our constant association."
I am still a fledgling in spiritual life so I do feel separation from you. But I take solace in the belief that performing devotional service is our way of association. "Now is the time" - you constantly emphasise in your lectures. This keeps me alive in bhakti practice.
Aspiring to be a servant
Gaura - bhumi Devi Dasi
Gaura Nataraj das
Dear Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every year that passes I try my best to become more mature, to become more sincere in my spiritual efforts, however every year I realize how behind I am in knowledge or spiritual realization. Any merit or good fortune I may have is due to your blessings and excellent guidance. Without your instructions I would been by now in a very sad and unfortunate condition. Having taken shelter at your lotus feet is my best achievement and my most important blessing.
At this point in my life I am trying to restructure myself. I don't know if it was a bad astrological period or just plain ignorance but I feel the past few years have been overwhelming. Perhaps it's just the fact I live in this material plain or perhaps it is the denial of my own responsibilities and duties.
In this new stage of my life I am trying to make it simple. Simplify things and hurry up to try to advance the most I can in my spiritual life.
What I am working on, and wish with all my heart is to please you. Actually just last week I started a very small project of my own. I am setting up a small table with Prabhupada's books in different expos or events. In the same way my dear God-brother Shastra krit das does sankirtan and cultivates so many nice young people, I am trying to follow his example and attempt to do something similar over here in Guadalajara.
There is nothing that would make me happier than to be able to serve you in my limited capacity with a small group of sincere Mexicans willing to follow the same process that you have taught us. I will do my best to make this happen and get something like this going on for your pleasure and for the benefit of others.
Thanks again dear Guru Maharaj for everything. Nitai 3 years old now and Gokulesvari Devi Dasi offer their respectful obeisances as well.
Hare Krishna
Gokulesvari d.d., Nitai Galeana, and Gaura Nataraj das.
Every year that passes I try my best to become more mature, to become more sincere in my spiritual efforts, however every year I realize how behind I am in knowledge or spiritual realization. Any merit or good fortune I may have is due to your blessings and excellent guidance. Without your instructions I would been by now in a very sad and unfortunate condition. Having taken shelter at your lotus feet is my best achievement and my most important blessing.
At this point in my life I am trying to restructure myself. I don't know if it was a bad astrological period or just plain ignorance but I feel the past few years have been overwhelming. Perhaps it's just the fact I live in this material plain or perhaps it is the denial of my own responsibilities and duties.
In this new stage of my life I am trying to make it simple. Simplify things and hurry up to try to advance the most I can in my spiritual life.
What I am working on, and wish with all my heart is to please you. Actually just last week I started a very small project of my own. I am setting up a small table with Prabhupada's books in different expos or events. In the same way my dear God-brother Shastra krit das does sankirtan and cultivates so many nice young people, I am trying to follow his example and attempt to do something similar over here in Guadalajara.
There is nothing that would make me happier than to be able to serve you in my limited capacity with a small group of sincere Mexicans willing to follow the same process that you have taught us. I will do my best to make this happen and get something like this going on for your pleasure and for the benefit of others.
Thanks again dear Guru Maharaj for everything. Nitai 3 years old now and Gokulesvari Devi Dasi offer their respectful obeisances as well.
Hare Krishna
Gokulesvari d.d., Nitai Galeana, and Gaura Nataraj das.
Gaura Prema das, Nitai Prema dd, and Krishna Prema das
Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every day we pray to Sri Sri Pancha Tattva that They help you in fulfilling Prabhupada's and Lord Chaitanya's mission. Wishing you good health and many successful years ahead.
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.
Every day we pray to Sri Sri Pancha Tattva that They help you in fulfilling Prabhupada's and Lord Chaitanya's mission. Wishing you good health and many successful years ahead.
Your humble servants,
Gaura Prema das, Nitai Prema dd, and Krishna Prema das
Gaura-arati dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
It feels like an impossible task, to properly glorify and express my full gratitude to you Gurudeva. For all that you unceasingly do to serve your spiritual master in giving Krishna consciousness to the world, and for saving me from another useless, wasted lifetime. You have given me the greatest gift, unlimited opportunity to engage in devotional service in the association of sincere and serious devotees. What more could one ask for?
It is often said, one reason you are so expert in outreach is because you have your finger on the pulse, and are well aware of the latest cutting edge trends and research. Like a lord Brahma you have a crystal clear understanding of what makes this world tick, and what makes it flop. More importantly, you intimately know the reality of which this whole fiasco is just a shadow, and are a devoted, humble servitor of your spiritual master. The combination of all of this can be nothing but an extremely powerful instrument in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s hands.
You drum on people’s real life pains and concerns, opening eyes to see how this world is an absolute mess. For some it may be a bit too raw and real to face. But for the fortunates, your words deliver the goods. Each word, full with realisation and so precisely chosen for its meaning, has the potency to transform the heart. There are many people in the world who use their careers to help raise awareness about the worlds woes. The environmental disaster, the madness and proliferation of nuclear weaponry, political and social unjustness, loneliness and mental illness… they preach that we need to be the change we want to see and clean up our lifestyles. Sometimes you quote these experts of their fields. But what real solution are they able to offer? And how much of the picture can they see? What more than words and a band aid solution can they promise?
For the past two decades you have tirelessly worked to create hubs of bhakti where the essential missing piece of the puzzle may be found. Places where people can begin to experience the magic of devotional service, the one switch that has the ability to address all the issues of the past, present and future. You’ve made sure these hubs are accessible to the local culture and in this way have opened the doors to the real world, and welcome those who may not otherwise be so inspired, to come on in for a gradual and organic transformation like no other.
For those who want more than preliminary faith, you have set up ashrams and trained mentors for helping us move beyond the neophyte stages. You always stress hearing and chanting as paramount, our life and soul from where everything else will come. In this way we can become firmly fixed in stead, for whatever life may present. Then dive into the refreshing ocean of selfless devotional service, especially in the form of giving Krishna to others. These are invaluable guiding principles that can carry us through our whole lives and ultimately will bring us to the platform of pure love for Sri Krishna.
With these solid foundations in place, you lead by example that once something is nice we don’t sit on our laurels. You continuously shine the light on areas that need developing and rooms for improvement. A life under your care is never a boring one and that there is so much more to be done seems an understatement! One example of this is at the Bhakti Lounge you have been asking that we develop the ‘friends of the bhakti lounge’ model so that supporters and well wishers may better play their part in the sankirtan yajna, in a way that is comfortable and accessible to them. Not everyone will be sadhakas. Hearing from you recently in a darshan helped me to see that this is key for expanding our circle of influence and for us to see even bigger and brighter things in the future.
There is so much more I could say, as I learn of new areas of ISKCON which you are invigorating, both in the lives of devotees and in outreach. You have many glorious qualities, deeds and projects that I have not mentioned and many more I am not even aware of. I feel a bit like my 2.5 year old son Nitai, trying to count the stars in the night sky. But as Nitai needs my attention now I will end this humble offering of gratitude with a heartfelt request.
For what am I other than a mercy case? Where would I be without you? And where would I be without the cohort of devotees you inspire; as my dear friends? For this association I am so grateful and indebted. I pray that I will always remain in their company, with a mood of selfless service. Please help me to learn the art of properly associating with devotees and the spiritual master so I may deepen these relationships. I know you have given me everything, but still I have no love for Krishna. I feel rich in opportunity but so poor in my current depth of Krishna consciousness. Please help me to chant the holy name with feeling and hear with rapt attention. I really am dependent on your mercy Gurudeva.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Gaura-arati dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
It feels like an impossible task, to properly glorify and express my full gratitude to you Gurudeva. For all that you unceasingly do to serve your spiritual master in giving Krishna consciousness to the world, and for saving me from another useless, wasted lifetime. You have given me the greatest gift, unlimited opportunity to engage in devotional service in the association of sincere and serious devotees. What more could one ask for?
It is often said, one reason you are so expert in outreach is because you have your finger on the pulse, and are well aware of the latest cutting edge trends and research. Like a lord Brahma you have a crystal clear understanding of what makes this world tick, and what makes it flop. More importantly, you intimately know the reality of which this whole fiasco is just a shadow, and are a devoted, humble servitor of your spiritual master. The combination of all of this can be nothing but an extremely powerful instrument in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s hands.
You drum on people’s real life pains and concerns, opening eyes to see how this world is an absolute mess. For some it may be a bit too raw and real to face. But for the fortunates, your words deliver the goods. Each word, full with realisation and so precisely chosen for its meaning, has the potency to transform the heart. There are many people in the world who use their careers to help raise awareness about the worlds woes. The environmental disaster, the madness and proliferation of nuclear weaponry, political and social unjustness, loneliness and mental illness… they preach that we need to be the change we want to see and clean up our lifestyles. Sometimes you quote these experts of their fields. But what real solution are they able to offer? And how much of the picture can they see? What more than words and a band aid solution can they promise?
For the past two decades you have tirelessly worked to create hubs of bhakti where the essential missing piece of the puzzle may be found. Places where people can begin to experience the magic of devotional service, the one switch that has the ability to address all the issues of the past, present and future. You’ve made sure these hubs are accessible to the local culture and in this way have opened the doors to the real world, and welcome those who may not otherwise be so inspired, to come on in for a gradual and organic transformation like no other.
For those who want more than preliminary faith, you have set up ashrams and trained mentors for helping us move beyond the neophyte stages. You always stress hearing and chanting as paramount, our life and soul from where everything else will come. In this way we can become firmly fixed in stead, for whatever life may present. Then dive into the refreshing ocean of selfless devotional service, especially in the form of giving Krishna to others. These are invaluable guiding principles that can carry us through our whole lives and ultimately will bring us to the platform of pure love for Sri Krishna.
With these solid foundations in place, you lead by example that once something is nice we don’t sit on our laurels. You continuously shine the light on areas that need developing and rooms for improvement. A life under your care is never a boring one and that there is so much more to be done seems an understatement! One example of this is at the Bhakti Lounge you have been asking that we develop the ‘friends of the bhakti lounge’ model so that supporters and well wishers may better play their part in the sankirtan yajna, in a way that is comfortable and accessible to them. Not everyone will be sadhakas. Hearing from you recently in a darshan helped me to see that this is key for expanding our circle of influence and for us to see even bigger and brighter things in the future.
There is so much more I could say, as I learn of new areas of ISKCON which you are invigorating, both in the lives of devotees and in outreach. You have many glorious qualities, deeds and projects that I have not mentioned and many more I am not even aware of. I feel a bit like my 2.5 year old son Nitai, trying to count the stars in the night sky. But as Nitai needs my attention now I will end this humble offering of gratitude with a heartfelt request.
For what am I other than a mercy case? Where would I be without you? And where would I be without the cohort of devotees you inspire; as my dear friends? For this association I am so grateful and indebted. I pray that I will always remain in their company, with a mood of selfless service. Please help me to learn the art of properly associating with devotees and the spiritual master so I may deepen these relationships. I know you have given me everything, but still I have no love for Krishna. I feel rich in opportunity but so poor in my current depth of Krishna consciousness. Please help me to chant the holy name with feeling and hear with rapt attention. I really am dependent on your mercy Gurudeva.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Gaura-arati dd
Gauramandala 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 !
Your deep absorption on the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada reflect in every word you speak. In Isopanishad, we read Lord Krishna is perfect and complete and His every creation is. Whenever I hear your every lecture I feel the same. I feel ashamed even after getting crystal clear presentation of Krishna Consciousness and its urgency it does not translate into action in me.
I memorized the Sikshastakam prayers with meanings and sing daily. I get amazed reflecting on below verse.
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha
etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah
"O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names, you have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach you by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them."
Although Lord made it super easy and fully potent, further Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON practically made household word and open centers in every nook and coroner, I reflect how practically I still don’t have attraction for them. Then I reflect on your super ecstatic kirtans, calling Lordship in the association of devotees as loudly as possible and engage all the senses especially the tongue in chanting and body in dancing. Although dancing wildly I think that activity by the mercy of Lord Chaitanya was natural soul’s awakening experience and Samadhi in the sound of Krishna (Nama Prabhu).
I am re-reading JAPA book again by HG Bhurijan Prabhu, where prabhuji explain in tiny detail internal workings of mind and how even to hear one mantra is so potent however for long time, several lifetimes badly conditioned mind of mine is just taking pleasure in mundane things. How neglecting mind and focus on sound of mantra is the best way to deal.
I humbly pray on this day at your divine lotus feet to shower your causeless mercy to help focus on the Hare Krishna Mantra, don’t get lost in mass distraction of material world, always render menial service to the Lord’s devotees in humble mood, share the nectar of Krishna consciousness in the most suitable way to awaken lost souls.
Your humble servants
Gauramandala das, Vraja Mandala Devi Dasi, Sanjitha, Shruti.
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 !
Your deep absorption on the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada reflect in every word you speak. In Isopanishad, we read Lord Krishna is perfect and complete and His every creation is. Whenever I hear your every lecture I feel the same. I feel ashamed even after getting crystal clear presentation of Krishna Consciousness and its urgency it does not translate into action in me.
I memorized the Sikshastakam prayers with meanings and sing daily. I get amazed reflecting on below verse.
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha
etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah
"O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names, you have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach you by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them."
Although Lord made it super easy and fully potent, further Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON practically made household word and open centers in every nook and coroner, I reflect how practically I still don’t have attraction for them. Then I reflect on your super ecstatic kirtans, calling Lordship in the association of devotees as loudly as possible and engage all the senses especially the tongue in chanting and body in dancing. Although dancing wildly I think that activity by the mercy of Lord Chaitanya was natural soul’s awakening experience and Samadhi in the sound of Krishna (Nama Prabhu).
I am re-reading JAPA book again by HG Bhurijan Prabhu, where prabhuji explain in tiny detail internal workings of mind and how even to hear one mantra is so potent however for long time, several lifetimes badly conditioned mind of mine is just taking pleasure in mundane things. How neglecting mind and focus on sound of mantra is the best way to deal.
I humbly pray on this day at your divine lotus feet to shower your causeless mercy to help focus on the Hare Krishna Mantra, don’t get lost in mass distraction of material world, always render menial service to the Lord’s devotees in humble mood, share the nectar of Krishna consciousness in the most suitable way to awaken lost souls.
Your humble servants
Gauramandala das, Vraja Mandala Devi Dasi, Sanjitha, Shruti.
Gauranga Gopala Das
Dear Devamrita Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance in this material world, please accept this small attempt to glorify your most exalted qualities.
I have no talent or skills of my own. All my material qualities are useless if not engaged in your service. I cannot even write sincerely few lines to speak about your magnanimous character. I am just a fool, ridiculously puffed up, arrogant and envious when I compare myself to others or to you even. How can I speak any meaningful word when in my actions and thoughts I am unworthy of your blessings?
By reading Caitanya Caritamrta as you vividly recommended, I found the answer in a very nice verse :
“By remembering the lotus feet of the Panca-Tattva, a dumb man can become a poet, a lame man can cross mountains, and a blind man can see the stars in the sky” (CC Adi 8.5)
In its Purport, Srila Prabhupada explains that perfection can be achieved by way of krpa-siddha, by the mercy of the spiritual master or other vaisnava. “Such mercy doesn’t depend on the qualifications of a devotee”, he then says. Let me then pray that such mercy be showered upon me as on my own, the way to perfection seems like an endless and dark road.
Once, early in my Bhakti career, I asked you during a Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class about the reason behind our desire to help others before first getting help for ourselves. Almost interrupting my last few words, in a grand storming voice, you heavily thundered : “PRIDE”, making the walls quake and the audience squeak in surprise. Soaked with perspiration, I was stunned by the sharpness and accuracy of your answer, revealing your great expertise in preaching and in the same time one of my very numerous shortcomings.
You explained in one lecture that in Kali Yuga, as one cannot possibly count the waves on the surface of the ocean, we shouldn’t even bother trying to count our unlimited faults. In that case, by the use of one exact word, you cut through the waves of my conditioned nature to give me perfect knowledge, heavily ripping apart my false ego as if scarred by Lord Nrismadeva’s wonderful Lotus nails.
How can I not fully understand the extent of your causeless mercy? You spending so much time and energy repeatedly picking me out of the ocean of faults I am willingly falling in over and over again is so inconceivable. Instead, please let me drown in your nectarean and transcendental loving nature.
Again in the Caitanya Caritamrita, Srila Prabhupada describes in a Purport :
"When a disciple very perfectly makes progress in spiritual life, this gladdens the spiritual master, who then also smiles in ecstasy, thinking, 'How successful my disciple has become!' He feels so glad that he smiles as he enjoys the progress of the disciple, just as a smiling parent enjoys the activities of a child who is trying to stand up or crawl perfectly" (CC Adi 7.82, Purport).
Oh Gurudeva, when will the soothing rays of your moonlike smile pierce the covering of my demonic mentality so I can finally taste all the full sweetness of your compassion ? When will the day come when I will be able to please you by crawling perfectly on the way back home, back to Godhead?
May I become your deeply obedient servant and disciple, so you can use me as you desire to spread the Krsna consciousness movement everywhere you need me to. May you forever engage me in the divine service of Sri Sri Panca-Tattva for the next million births, as they possess the highest treasure, ready to be offered freely to the whole creation and connect everyone with their true Supreme love.
Your aspiring disciple,
Gaurānga-Gopāla Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance in this material world, please accept this small attempt to glorify your most exalted qualities.
I have no talent or skills of my own. All my material qualities are useless if not engaged in your service. I cannot even write sincerely few lines to speak about your magnanimous character. I am just a fool, ridiculously puffed up, arrogant and envious when I compare myself to others or to you even. How can I speak any meaningful word when in my actions and thoughts I am unworthy of your blessings?
By reading Caitanya Caritamrta as you vividly recommended, I found the answer in a very nice verse :
“By remembering the lotus feet of the Panca-Tattva, a dumb man can become a poet, a lame man can cross mountains, and a blind man can see the stars in the sky” (CC Adi 8.5)
In its Purport, Srila Prabhupada explains that perfection can be achieved by way of krpa-siddha, by the mercy of the spiritual master or other vaisnava. “Such mercy doesn’t depend on the qualifications of a devotee”, he then says. Let me then pray that such mercy be showered upon me as on my own, the way to perfection seems like an endless and dark road.
Once, early in my Bhakti career, I asked you during a Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class about the reason behind our desire to help others before first getting help for ourselves. Almost interrupting my last few words, in a grand storming voice, you heavily thundered : “PRIDE”, making the walls quake and the audience squeak in surprise. Soaked with perspiration, I was stunned by the sharpness and accuracy of your answer, revealing your great expertise in preaching and in the same time one of my very numerous shortcomings.
You explained in one lecture that in Kali Yuga, as one cannot possibly count the waves on the surface of the ocean, we shouldn’t even bother trying to count our unlimited faults. In that case, by the use of one exact word, you cut through the waves of my conditioned nature to give me perfect knowledge, heavily ripping apart my false ego as if scarred by Lord Nrismadeva’s wonderful Lotus nails.
How can I not fully understand the extent of your causeless mercy? You spending so much time and energy repeatedly picking me out of the ocean of faults I am willingly falling in over and over again is so inconceivable. Instead, please let me drown in your nectarean and transcendental loving nature.
Again in the Caitanya Caritamrita, Srila Prabhupada describes in a Purport :
"When a disciple very perfectly makes progress in spiritual life, this gladdens the spiritual master, who then also smiles in ecstasy, thinking, 'How successful my disciple has become!' He feels so glad that he smiles as he enjoys the progress of the disciple, just as a smiling parent enjoys the activities of a child who is trying to stand up or crawl perfectly" (CC Adi 7.82, Purport).
Oh Gurudeva, when will the soothing rays of your moonlike smile pierce the covering of my demonic mentality so I can finally taste all the full sweetness of your compassion ? When will the day come when I will be able to please you by crawling perfectly on the way back home, back to Godhead?
May I become your deeply obedient servant and disciple, so you can use me as you desire to spread the Krsna consciousness movement everywhere you need me to. May you forever engage me in the divine service of Sri Sri Panca-Tattva for the next million births, as they possess the highest treasure, ready to be offered freely to the whole creation and connect everyone with their true Supreme love.
Your aspiring disciple,
Gaurānga-Gopāla Dasa
Girish Dixit
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obesiences
All glories to Guru and Gauranga
Thank you for giving me the wonderful opportunity to present my offerings at your lotus feet. Whether I am away from you or with you I remember your instruction to read the Bhagavad Gita. With your mercy I have read 12 chapters so far.
Hope I shall always be an instrument to propagate Krishna consciousness by some means and remain a humble servant taking instructions from senior Vaishnavas to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Seeking your blessings,
Your obedient disciple,
Girish
Please accept my humble obesiences
All glories to Guru and Gauranga
Thank you for giving me the wonderful opportunity to present my offerings at your lotus feet. Whether I am away from you or with you I remember your instruction to read the Bhagavad Gita. With your mercy I have read 12 chapters so far.
Hope I shall always be an instrument to propagate Krishna consciousness by some means and remain a humble servant taking instructions from senior Vaishnavas to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Seeking your blessings,
Your obedient disciple,
Girish
Gita Govinda devi dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obesiences, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracarya purva daksham ca
bhaktacarya pravinatha
parar tatapi karunyam
yasyas sarve ca te namah
Gurudev, in SB 11.10.12 it says: “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.” Gurudev, thank you for giving me access to the highest happiness in life. I am like a child holding a priceless diamond in my hands, an invaluable gift given by you to me, but like a child I don’t fully know the value of this gift and sometimes haphazardly mishandle it or take it for granted. Gurudev, I pray that I can never take devotional service for granted, and as you’ve told me, that I protect my bhakti-lata-bija.
Gurudev, one morning when you were here and just leaving for your morning walk, I watched you as you stepped outside and looked left, down the street of our humble West Philly abode. In that moment I suddenly experienced an awareness of the years and years of austerity you performed…as a book distributor for Srila Prabhupada, spreading Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan mission all over the world, and your years behind the iron curtain. I felt such deep appreciation and admiration for your steadfastness, determination, and gravity, and your lifetime career in Krishna Consciousness. I felt in awe and also deeply connected to you in service to Srila Prabhupada. Gurudev, thank you for being so merciful to me and engaging me in devotional service, in the highest perfection of life and the rarest opportunity.
Guru Maharaj, when you were here in Philadelphia giving your final talk at Mantra Lounge, I suddenly became overcome with anxiety and thought, “who will smash my false ego after Gurudev leaves? Without Gurudev I will just become more and more puffed up and not progress in Krishna Consciousness!” Gurudev, thank you for always making me aware of my own mentality. I experience that you are constantly holding a mirror up for me to see myself, and although it is a really scary sight at times, by your association and mercy I can tolerate it and actually feel that I can change.
Gurudev, you once talked to me about sadhu-bhusana, and asked me if it was possible for me to develop the ornaments of a saintly person. Last time you were here we had a program at West Chester and as I was walking with you from one building to another, I became conscious of the experience that you are always walking with me and that you always have. I felt deeply appreciative and indebted to you for your unconditional care. No one has ever cared about all the intricacies of my life so deeply, or painstakingly tried to help me develop good character. Gurudev, I always meditate on your instruction to hear the mantra – I can hear your voice saying, “you have to hear” and I pray that I can learn to listen better.
Dear GuruMaharaj, I experience that when I need you the most you are always there. Even though you are not always physically present in Philadelphia, you never actually leave us. You are always present here in the “titiksavah karunikah” ashram, as you named us.
Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Gita Govinda devi dasi
Please accept my humble obesiences, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracarya purva daksham ca
bhaktacarya pravinatha
parar tatapi karunyam
yasyas sarve ca te namah
Gurudev, in SB 11.10.12 it says: “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.” Gurudev, thank you for giving me access to the highest happiness in life. I am like a child holding a priceless diamond in my hands, an invaluable gift given by you to me, but like a child I don’t fully know the value of this gift and sometimes haphazardly mishandle it or take it for granted. Gurudev, I pray that I can never take devotional service for granted, and as you’ve told me, that I protect my bhakti-lata-bija.
Gurudev, one morning when you were here and just leaving for your morning walk, I watched you as you stepped outside and looked left, down the street of our humble West Philly abode. In that moment I suddenly experienced an awareness of the years and years of austerity you performed…as a book distributor for Srila Prabhupada, spreading Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan mission all over the world, and your years behind the iron curtain. I felt such deep appreciation and admiration for your steadfastness, determination, and gravity, and your lifetime career in Krishna Consciousness. I felt in awe and also deeply connected to you in service to Srila Prabhupada. Gurudev, thank you for being so merciful to me and engaging me in devotional service, in the highest perfection of life and the rarest opportunity.
Guru Maharaj, when you were here in Philadelphia giving your final talk at Mantra Lounge, I suddenly became overcome with anxiety and thought, “who will smash my false ego after Gurudev leaves? Without Gurudev I will just become more and more puffed up and not progress in Krishna Consciousness!” Gurudev, thank you for always making me aware of my own mentality. I experience that you are constantly holding a mirror up for me to see myself, and although it is a really scary sight at times, by your association and mercy I can tolerate it and actually feel that I can change.
Gurudev, you once talked to me about sadhu-bhusana, and asked me if it was possible for me to develop the ornaments of a saintly person. Last time you were here we had a program at West Chester and as I was walking with you from one building to another, I became conscious of the experience that you are always walking with me and that you always have. I felt deeply appreciative and indebted to you for your unconditional care. No one has ever cared about all the intricacies of my life so deeply, or painstakingly tried to help me develop good character. Gurudev, I always meditate on your instruction to hear the mantra – I can hear your voice saying, “you have to hear” and I pray that I can learn to listen better.
Dear GuruMaharaj, I experience that when I need you the most you are always there. Even though you are not always physically present in Philadelphia, you never actually leave us. You are always present here in the “titiksavah karunikah” ashram, as you named us.
Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Gita Govinda devi dasi
Gokul Lila dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
An image of you has lodged itself into my wretched heart. You are pulling your suitcases through the airport pick up point after yet another long haul flight. Upon spotting us,you hang your face in fatigue, as Ananta naga runs to relieve you of the burden. The burden is not just the heavy suitcases you are pulling but a burden of love; the physical strain of international travel you willingly accept so that others may benefit from your association.
You welcomed us into one of the heavenly planets, i.e. the VIP lounge in Melbourne airport. I had been wondering “what it was like ‘up there’?” You scanned the room for a spot without a television blaring at you... “what is it like…it’s trying to escape the televisions”. I thought the lounge may be a comfortable resting place for you, but your burden of love you indirectly informed me is being strapped to a seat, crossing oceans and time zones to tirelessly give Krishna to others.
As a humble, enthusiastic and surrendered servant of the ISKCON society and humanity at large, completely sold out to Srila Prabhupada, you undertake countless burdens of love, diligently using your every moment, not leaving a second for maya. Arriving from the air at your next destination, you sometimes have to ask “where are you taking me”? or “where should I go?” or “what is the topic?” Earlier this year you scheduled a rest, which was soon hijacked by another service that you had to tend to in another part of the world. With the conviction that everything is meant for Krishna’s pleasure, you allow yourself to be pulled here or there as required. Sometimes you go somewhere and, despite being tired from the previous destination, the devotees squeeze every last inch of energy out of you. This is your mercy that you take on so many burdens of love, giving yourself fully to us, leaving nothing left.
Your service capacity and appetite, your desire to please the parampara, your expertise in countless fields, focus on attentive hearing and chanting, ability to inspire so many varieties of people, management vision, accurate guidance, deep, captivating classes, loving dealings with devotees and lively kirtans are extraordinary, inconceivable and have won the hearts of so many devotees.
To conclude I wanted to share a story that glorifies you as an empowered Sankirtan general. Always meditating on how to bring more people to Krishna, always desiring the best for Krishna, utilising material skills if necessary.
In 2017 as suggested by you a couple of us did several marketing courses and began experimenting with different avenues to bring people to our outreach centres. In February this year after a surprising turn out in an event in Christchurch, where most the people had come from a fumbling social media trial, you enthusiastically asked us to take our marketing to higher levels. The results have been exciting and enlivening for the devotees, although still just humble beginnings. In the month of July, both the Loft and Bhakti Lounge had 3-4 Sunday festivals where we were reaching maximum capacity and turning guests away.
In March you understood I was becoming fixed on social media and therefore hadn’t been putting posters up in backpackers in Auckland, you requested that we get on to doing that again. Since then we try to ensure the backpackers always have our posters and consequently we are meeting more and more travellers on Sunday’s who come to the Loft because of seeing a poster. Last Saturday Natalie did a poster run and invited the receptionist from one backpackers to come the following night which she did, and in turn, inspired eight others from the backpackers to come along with her.
Your grand vision and expertise is bringing many new people to hear and chant!
My only hope is for assisting you and capturing your merciful glance along with your effulgent smile of approval.
I live for that.
Thank you for seeing value in me.
May your effulgent bhakti enlighten my wretched heart.
your servant,
Gokul lila dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
An image of you has lodged itself into my wretched heart. You are pulling your suitcases through the airport pick up point after yet another long haul flight. Upon spotting us,you hang your face in fatigue, as Ananta naga runs to relieve you of the burden. The burden is not just the heavy suitcases you are pulling but a burden of love; the physical strain of international travel you willingly accept so that others may benefit from your association.
You welcomed us into one of the heavenly planets, i.e. the VIP lounge in Melbourne airport. I had been wondering “what it was like ‘up there’?” You scanned the room for a spot without a television blaring at you... “what is it like…it’s trying to escape the televisions”. I thought the lounge may be a comfortable resting place for you, but your burden of love you indirectly informed me is being strapped to a seat, crossing oceans and time zones to tirelessly give Krishna to others.
As a humble, enthusiastic and surrendered servant of the ISKCON society and humanity at large, completely sold out to Srila Prabhupada, you undertake countless burdens of love, diligently using your every moment, not leaving a second for maya. Arriving from the air at your next destination, you sometimes have to ask “where are you taking me”? or “where should I go?” or “what is the topic?” Earlier this year you scheduled a rest, which was soon hijacked by another service that you had to tend to in another part of the world. With the conviction that everything is meant for Krishna’s pleasure, you allow yourself to be pulled here or there as required. Sometimes you go somewhere and, despite being tired from the previous destination, the devotees squeeze every last inch of energy out of you. This is your mercy that you take on so many burdens of love, giving yourself fully to us, leaving nothing left.
Your service capacity and appetite, your desire to please the parampara, your expertise in countless fields, focus on attentive hearing and chanting, ability to inspire so many varieties of people, management vision, accurate guidance, deep, captivating classes, loving dealings with devotees and lively kirtans are extraordinary, inconceivable and have won the hearts of so many devotees.
To conclude I wanted to share a story that glorifies you as an empowered Sankirtan general. Always meditating on how to bring more people to Krishna, always desiring the best for Krishna, utilising material skills if necessary.
In 2017 as suggested by you a couple of us did several marketing courses and began experimenting with different avenues to bring people to our outreach centres. In February this year after a surprising turn out in an event in Christchurch, where most the people had come from a fumbling social media trial, you enthusiastically asked us to take our marketing to higher levels. The results have been exciting and enlivening for the devotees, although still just humble beginnings. In the month of July, both the Loft and Bhakti Lounge had 3-4 Sunday festivals where we were reaching maximum capacity and turning guests away.
In March you understood I was becoming fixed on social media and therefore hadn’t been putting posters up in backpackers in Auckland, you requested that we get on to doing that again. Since then we try to ensure the backpackers always have our posters and consequently we are meeting more and more travellers on Sunday’s who come to the Loft because of seeing a poster. Last Saturday Natalie did a poster run and invited the receptionist from one backpackers to come the following night which she did, and in turn, inspired eight others from the backpackers to come along with her.
Your grand vision and expertise is bringing many new people to hear and chant!
My only hope is for assisting you and capturing your merciful glance along with your effulgent smile of approval.
I live for that.
Thank you for seeing value in me.
May your effulgent bhakti enlighten my wretched heart.
your servant,
Gokul lila dd
Golokanatha das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my attempt at a poetic offering today
glorifying and thanking you for all us souls who you have saved
despite the weapons of mass distraction in this
topsy turvy age
in the onslaught of mayas heat your lotus feet offer us all shade
thus through your state of the art preaching centres ample devotees are being made
then once one is ready to delve deeper to uncover the next stage
you provide living situations where all walks of life can be trained
develop brahminical qualities even if their intelligence was splayed
While discussing the different asramas you've often been fond to say
"I would like to point out there is a cheaper way"
life is simplified finances are minimised be that as at may
in the form of your determination and bhakti a higher price was paid
Uncompromising standards expert vision and attentive guidance you gave
not only with eloquently spoken words but in character you display
still it's not the only asrama flourishing following the paths you paved
such are but manifestations of your grace dedication and unflinching faith
After some time has passed chanting and following the four rules
I sometimes forget what it was like to live and work like a mule
and all of a sudden burning in material existence starts to look pretty cool
but you remind us its nothing more than a seat on mayas dunking stool
where a gasp of air seems heavenly amidst a life spent drowning in her pool
Needless to say the peril of mayas offer still stands
headed by intoxication and the type of association said to expand
on my own how could I even begin to control the senses and minds demands
But just stay put under your guidance and I know I'm in good hands
Please continue to help me close down my factory for making plans
Your aspiring servant Golokanatha dasa
Gopa Vrndesa Dasa
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your lotus feet
When great acaryas chant Hare Krsna maha mantra and preach Krsna consciousness many sleeping souls wakeup from the slumber of illusory energy and start acting as spirit souls, servants of Krsna. You are successfully transforming many from the contemporary western world into thriving practitioners and preachers of Krsna Consciousness. Many of the senior devotees and Srila Prabhupada’s disciples share their realisations that the devotees in New Zealand yatra resembles the community of devotees in sixties and seventies as there is a predominance of westerners. By your mercy you have created replicable systems for outreach.
You are very personal in your dealings to your disciples and you understand their background and nature and give personal time to all and guide us in all possible situations. The more we are open to your guidance clearer our spiritual life would be. I realise that your succinct but impactful instructions can drive away any kind of attacks of maya. You encourage all to preach Krsna consciousness and in that way make advancement in bhakti. As you often say, “the more you give Krsna the more you get Krsna.” I asked your blessings before a Srila Prabhupada book marathon and you send me the following verse to encourage me.
yathā yathā gaura-padāravinde
vindeta bhaktiṁ kṛta-puṇya-rāśiḥ
tathā tathotsarpati hṛdy akasmāt
rādhā-padāmbhoja-sudhāṁbu-rāśiḥ
[Caitanya-candramrta by Prabhodananda Sarasvati]
To the degree that a fortunate pious person attains devotion unto the lotus feet of Gaura, to that degree he spontaneously finds the nectar-ocean of attachment to Sri Radha’s lotus feet rising in his heart.
I thought a bit about this verse and I started seeing your life, your mood and mission in this verse. All our great gosthyanandi acaryas demonstrated their active absorption in preaching and simultaneously their spontaneous attraction for Sri Sri Radha and Krsna and both these aspects are two sides of the same bhakti coin. Sometimes I get opportunity to discuss the upcoming preaching programs with you and then I see how meticulously you utilise time in service of Krsna and you weigh different preaching opportunities to see what gives Krsna the most pleasure.
After practicing Krsna consciousness for some years, now I realise that I need to focus on the following aspects in Krsna consciousness to make some advancement in bhakti.
> Take instructions and philosophy seriously in my life to be a devotee and not to look like one.
> Focus and be conscious of pleasure of Guru and Krsna in my services rather than be forgetful of the goal.
> Start to see and experience the greatest opportunities present in chanting Krsna’s names with attention and affection.
> Always focus on sharing Krsna consciousness with proper consciousness amid selfish desires and distractive mind.
I pray that I can take Krsna consciousness seriously and be of some use in your service.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Gopa-Vrndesa dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your lotus feet
When great acaryas chant Hare Krsna maha mantra and preach Krsna consciousness many sleeping souls wakeup from the slumber of illusory energy and start acting as spirit souls, servants of Krsna. You are successfully transforming many from the contemporary western world into thriving practitioners and preachers of Krsna Consciousness. Many of the senior devotees and Srila Prabhupada’s disciples share their realisations that the devotees in New Zealand yatra resembles the community of devotees in sixties and seventies as there is a predominance of westerners. By your mercy you have created replicable systems for outreach.
You are very personal in your dealings to your disciples and you understand their background and nature and give personal time to all and guide us in all possible situations. The more we are open to your guidance clearer our spiritual life would be. I realise that your succinct but impactful instructions can drive away any kind of attacks of maya. You encourage all to preach Krsna consciousness and in that way make advancement in bhakti. As you often say, “the more you give Krsna the more you get Krsna.” I asked your blessings before a Srila Prabhupada book marathon and you send me the following verse to encourage me.
yathā yathā gaura-padāravinde
vindeta bhaktiṁ kṛta-puṇya-rāśiḥ
tathā tathotsarpati hṛdy akasmāt
rādhā-padāmbhoja-sudhāṁbu-rāśiḥ
[Caitanya-candramrta by Prabhodananda Sarasvati]
To the degree that a fortunate pious person attains devotion unto the lotus feet of Gaura, to that degree he spontaneously finds the nectar-ocean of attachment to Sri Radha’s lotus feet rising in his heart.
I thought a bit about this verse and I started seeing your life, your mood and mission in this verse. All our great gosthyanandi acaryas demonstrated their active absorption in preaching and simultaneously their spontaneous attraction for Sri Sri Radha and Krsna and both these aspects are two sides of the same bhakti coin. Sometimes I get opportunity to discuss the upcoming preaching programs with you and then I see how meticulously you utilise time in service of Krsna and you weigh different preaching opportunities to see what gives Krsna the most pleasure.
After practicing Krsna consciousness for some years, now I realise that I need to focus on the following aspects in Krsna consciousness to make some advancement in bhakti.
> Take instructions and philosophy seriously in my life to be a devotee and not to look like one.
> Focus and be conscious of pleasure of Guru and Krsna in my services rather than be forgetful of the goal.
> Start to see and experience the greatest opportunities present in chanting Krsna’s names with attention and affection.
> Always focus on sharing Krsna consciousness with proper consciousness amid selfish desires and distractive mind.
I pray that I can take Krsna consciousness seriously and be of some use in your service.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Gopa-Vrndesa dasa
Gopala Guru dasa
Dear Gurudeva.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet.
About 15 years ago I made my first trip to India and had the privilege of having your association and serving you in Govardhana. Being young and full of passion the concept of reading and chanting all day seemed quite foreign and somewhat intolerable to me, walks up to the sweet shop gave me something else to engage the mind and senses in and help the first few days go by. Being compassionate you could sense my restlessness, so you took us on Govardhana parikarama. At the end you mentioned, with great enthusiasm, something to the extent of, “You have done Govardhana parikrama, you have achieved!” You then advised to try absorbing myself in hearing and chanting whilst at Govardhana, and that it is possible to train the mind to be able to do that.
As I write this offering I am in Vrindavan, having recently completed a course in Pune I have been here for several day without my family. Taking advantage of some temporary independence I have been taking your advice and trying to absorb myself in chanting 64 rounds for a few days. Although I am far away from complete absorption in the holy names, it is amazing to see how I am progressing and that my mind is gradually becoming more controlled over time. It is inspiring to see that the process of Krishna consciousness does work and by following your instructions and good example we are able to make further advancement along the path of bhakti.
Thank you for this gift Gurudeva. You personally convinced me to take up the practice of Krishna consciousness and have guided me through the years in how to apply bhakti to the various stages of my life. I am very grateful that you have given me the holy names and service to Krishna and His devotees, for without which I would be in a very miserable condition indeed. Please bless me so that I can follow in your example and give this gift to others.
Your servant,
Gopala Guru dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet.
About 15 years ago I made my first trip to India and had the privilege of having your association and serving you in Govardhana. Being young and full of passion the concept of reading and chanting all day seemed quite foreign and somewhat intolerable to me, walks up to the sweet shop gave me something else to engage the mind and senses in and help the first few days go by. Being compassionate you could sense my restlessness, so you took us on Govardhana parikarama. At the end you mentioned, with great enthusiasm, something to the extent of, “You have done Govardhana parikrama, you have achieved!” You then advised to try absorbing myself in hearing and chanting whilst at Govardhana, and that it is possible to train the mind to be able to do that.
As I write this offering I am in Vrindavan, having recently completed a course in Pune I have been here for several day without my family. Taking advantage of some temporary independence I have been taking your advice and trying to absorb myself in chanting 64 rounds for a few days. Although I am far away from complete absorption in the holy names, it is amazing to see how I am progressing and that my mind is gradually becoming more controlled over time. It is inspiring to see that the process of Krishna consciousness does work and by following your instructions and good example we are able to make further advancement along the path of bhakti.
Thank you for this gift Gurudeva. You personally convinced me to take up the practice of Krishna consciousness and have guided me through the years in how to apply bhakti to the various stages of my life. I am very grateful that you have given me the holy names and service to Krishna and His devotees, for without which I would be in a very miserable condition indeed. Please bless me so that I can follow in your example and give this gift to others.
Your servant,
Gopala Guru dasa
Gopi-gitamrita
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu !
Dear Gurudeva, once I heard from you a phrase which was something that I started thinking of almost everyday.
The phrase says:" Make Krishna interesting where he is not."
As a person who is really busy going to school, to university now, talking every day with people who are not conscious of God is inevitable.
And this why I have the biggest opportunity. I work, study and associate with people for whom Krishna is not at all interesting. But of course it is the greatest difficulty as well.
I hear from your lectures how you reveal newer and newer instructions of how we can make Krishna interesting for everyone in every place we go and in every situation we are in.
Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
Yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
Dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
Vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Dear Gurudeva, please give me your mercy so that I can also like you present Krishna in most attractive way. Srila Prabhupada writes in a Bhagavatam purport that the duty of the preacher of bhagavata dharma is to find new ways to plant the massage of Krishna in the dull brains of the materialists from Kali Yuga. Please bless me so that I can be faithful to Prabhupada and innovative and independently thoughtful at the same time in my preaching.
All glories unto you!
All glories unto the lotus feet of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai !
Your servant,
Gopi-gitamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu !
Dear Gurudeva, once I heard from you a phrase which was something that I started thinking of almost everyday.
The phrase says:" Make Krishna interesting where he is not."
As a person who is really busy going to school, to university now, talking every day with people who are not conscious of God is inevitable.
And this why I have the biggest opportunity. I work, study and associate with people for whom Krishna is not at all interesting. But of course it is the greatest difficulty as well.
I hear from your lectures how you reveal newer and newer instructions of how we can make Krishna interesting for everyone in every place we go and in every situation we are in.
Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
Yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
Dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
Vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Dear Gurudeva, please give me your mercy so that I can also like you present Krishna in most attractive way. Srila Prabhupada writes in a Bhagavatam purport that the duty of the preacher of bhagavata dharma is to find new ways to plant the massage of Krishna in the dull brains of the materialists from Kali Yuga. Please bless me so that I can be faithful to Prabhupada and innovative and independently thoughtful at the same time in my preaching.
All glories unto you!
All glories unto the lotus feet of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai !
Your servant,
Gopi-gitamrita devi dasi
Gopikaa Sonthalia
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your Vyasa puja celebration and I wish you a very happy birthday.
I love your kirtans, they are so ecstatic, I remember your instruction to chant out loud. I also like the stories you tell in your classes and when I can talk to you. In Mayapur I got to put your books on your bookshelf, I loved doing that service for you.
Please bless me and inspire me to be a great devotee. Hare Krishna, your servant Gopikaa
Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your Vyasa puja celebration and I wish you a very happy birthday.
I love your kirtans, they are so ecstatic, I remember your instruction to chant out loud. I also like the stories you tell in your classes and when I can talk to you. In Mayapur I got to put your books on your bookshelf, I loved doing that service for you.
Please bless me and inspire me to be a great devotee. Hare Krishna, your servant Gopikaa
Gopipremamrita devi dasi & Dhanishta
Dearest Spiritual Father,
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.
Once again I take the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for accepting me as your spiritual daughter and to glorify you, though I'm not competent enough to glorify you.
GuruMaharaj, you are an expert father and you exactly know how to handle each of your kids. You are a wonderful guide,you always guide us in a way which would always help us to appreciate and understand the the Lord's plan.
Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Maharaj in his article on Guru Tattva says
"My Gurudeva constantly protects me from becoming absorbed in activities separate from the interest of Bhagavan.
If I do not remember my Gurudeva at the beginning of each year, each month, each day, and at every moment, I will surely fall further away from the path of bhakti.
Our spiritual masters are the abodes of love. They appear to us in different forms to bestow their mercy upon us. They are reflected in all objects and in every entity. Indeed, they are the special manifestations of Srila Gurudeva, he who imparts transcendental knowledge"
During the most important phase in my life, i received wonderful care and guidance from wonderful devotees. If not for these devotees association and guidance, i wouldn't have been able to pass through the difficult phase and be able to stick on to Krsna Consciousness. Its your mercy which was reflected through these devotees. GuruMaharaj, please bless me that i always remain in the association of these wonderful devotees and always have the vision to see and appreciate your mercy that comes in the form of these devotees.
I once read in HH Kadama Kanna Maharaj blog that "a disciple should conquer his or her Spiritual Master through devotional service". GuruMaharaj, you always conquer us through your selfless love and care. Please bless me that some day i would be able to please you by my devotional service.
The very first instruction that you gave us was "Qualify yourself so you can guide devotees". GuruMaharaj, please help me to develop compassion and go deeper into hearing, chanting and serving devotees, so one day or the other i would be qualified to follow your instruction and pass on the guidance, love and care that i receive from you to other devotees.
I always think, wish I could do this service, wish I could do that service and wondered why i'm not not able to do any of those services and was never appreciative of what ever service i was doing. I always had this question in me. The other day when i was listening to your lecture, you mentioned that when the Lord sees that whatever service we are currently doing, if we do it properly and nicely then the Lord will bestow us with more services. Thank you GuruMaharaj for constantly guiding me through your wonderful lectures. Please help me to appreciate the service that Lord has currently given me and please give me the mercy to do the service with the best of my ability, so that the Lord would be pleased and would bestow me with more services.
When i was in India i realized how much I'm in need of your personal association too. I understand vani is more important than vapu, but I'm very much a neophyte and I always need your personal association and guidance. Its wonderful to see how you take the trouble to constantly travel across the globe to personally guide and care for your disciples. On this most auspicious day I Pray to Lord Narashimadev to bestow you with good health for you to continue with your mission to spread the Sankirtan movement.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for accepting me as your spiritual daughter.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Gopipremamrita devi dasi
--------------------------------
Offering from Dhanishta:
Dear Guru Maharaj,
I thank you for the garland you gave me in New Govardan after the Bhagavatham class.
I love to hear you sing lovely Kirtan.
Thank you for giving me a blessing.
HARE KRISHNA AND HAPPY VYASA PUJA!
Love from Dhanishta
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.
Once again I take the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for accepting me as your spiritual daughter and to glorify you, though I'm not competent enough to glorify you.
GuruMaharaj, you are an expert father and you exactly know how to handle each of your kids. You are a wonderful guide,you always guide us in a way which would always help us to appreciate and understand the the Lord's plan.
Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Maharaj in his article on Guru Tattva says
"My Gurudeva constantly protects me from becoming absorbed in activities separate from the interest of Bhagavan.
If I do not remember my Gurudeva at the beginning of each year, each month, each day, and at every moment, I will surely fall further away from the path of bhakti.
Our spiritual masters are the abodes of love. They appear to us in different forms to bestow their mercy upon us. They are reflected in all objects and in every entity. Indeed, they are the special manifestations of Srila Gurudeva, he who imparts transcendental knowledge"
During the most important phase in my life, i received wonderful care and guidance from wonderful devotees. If not for these devotees association and guidance, i wouldn't have been able to pass through the difficult phase and be able to stick on to Krsna Consciousness. Its your mercy which was reflected through these devotees. GuruMaharaj, please bless me that i always remain in the association of these wonderful devotees and always have the vision to see and appreciate your mercy that comes in the form of these devotees.
I once read in HH Kadama Kanna Maharaj blog that "a disciple should conquer his or her Spiritual Master through devotional service". GuruMaharaj, you always conquer us through your selfless love and care. Please bless me that some day i would be able to please you by my devotional service.
The very first instruction that you gave us was "Qualify yourself so you can guide devotees". GuruMaharaj, please help me to develop compassion and go deeper into hearing, chanting and serving devotees, so one day or the other i would be qualified to follow your instruction and pass on the guidance, love and care that i receive from you to other devotees.
I always think, wish I could do this service, wish I could do that service and wondered why i'm not not able to do any of those services and was never appreciative of what ever service i was doing. I always had this question in me. The other day when i was listening to your lecture, you mentioned that when the Lord sees that whatever service we are currently doing, if we do it properly and nicely then the Lord will bestow us with more services. Thank you GuruMaharaj for constantly guiding me through your wonderful lectures. Please help me to appreciate the service that Lord has currently given me and please give me the mercy to do the service with the best of my ability, so that the Lord would be pleased and would bestow me with more services.
When i was in India i realized how much I'm in need of your personal association too. I understand vani is more important than vapu, but I'm very much a neophyte and I always need your personal association and guidance. Its wonderful to see how you take the trouble to constantly travel across the globe to personally guide and care for your disciples. On this most auspicious day I Pray to Lord Narashimadev to bestow you with good health for you to continue with your mission to spread the Sankirtan movement.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for accepting me as your spiritual daughter.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Gopipremamrita devi dasi
--------------------------------
Offering from Dhanishta:
Dear Guru Maharaj,
I thank you for the garland you gave me in New Govardan after the Bhagavatham class.
I love to hear you sing lovely Kirtan.
Thank you for giving me a blessing.
HARE KRISHNA AND HAPPY VYASA PUJA!
Love from Dhanishta
Govardhana Sila das
Dearest Devamrita Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your wonderful preaching.
In your 1997 Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada, you state in the last paragraph:
“Sometimes it seems that all our efforts are required just to keep a temple afloat, or to fill one sankirtana van. Influencing a government, what to speak of transforming the world, seems at most a very distant, hazy dream.”
Your disciple, Sveta, and I, have shared with you some of the issues we face here in Cape Town and South Africa, and even though it’s been too long since you’ve visited us, I’m sure you are somewhat aware of some of the issues we face. As of March 2018, ISKCON Cape Town has a new Temple President, HG Vrajbasi Prabhu, with a new management style; and with this plenty of ideas and energy around transformation, growth, etc. There are plenty of challenges though, and the words from your Vyasa Puja offering strike a familiar chord, and dismay sometimes threatens to take over when faced with such adversity.
When I think though, of your energetic and dynamic preaching style, the attention to detail you pay to your training and preaching programmes, the commitment of not only yourself, but your amazing disciples as well, all of this is so encouraging and inspiring.
Of recent, when I think of trying to assist with establishing a dynamic, growing yatra, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is, what will attract HH Devamrita Swami and get him excited to come to Cape Town? My prayer is that we can find a way to bring you to Cape Town on a regular basis to preach to the intelligent masses in the way that you do best.
Aspiring to be your servant
Your spiritual son-in-law (hubby of Sveta Manjari devi dasi)
Govardhana Sila das
15/10/2018
Cape Town, South Africa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your wonderful preaching.
In your 1997 Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada, you state in the last paragraph:
“Sometimes it seems that all our efforts are required just to keep a temple afloat, or to fill one sankirtana van. Influencing a government, what to speak of transforming the world, seems at most a very distant, hazy dream.”
Your disciple, Sveta, and I, have shared with you some of the issues we face here in Cape Town and South Africa, and even though it’s been too long since you’ve visited us, I’m sure you are somewhat aware of some of the issues we face. As of March 2018, ISKCON Cape Town has a new Temple President, HG Vrajbasi Prabhu, with a new management style; and with this plenty of ideas and energy around transformation, growth, etc. There are plenty of challenges though, and the words from your Vyasa Puja offering strike a familiar chord, and dismay sometimes threatens to take over when faced with such adversity.
When I think though, of your energetic and dynamic preaching style, the attention to detail you pay to your training and preaching programmes, the commitment of not only yourself, but your amazing disciples as well, all of this is so encouraging and inspiring.
Of recent, when I think of trying to assist with establishing a dynamic, growing yatra, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is, what will attract HH Devamrita Swami and get him excited to come to Cape Town? My prayer is that we can find a way to bring you to Cape Town on a regular basis to preach to the intelligent masses in the way that you do best.
Aspiring to be your servant
Your spiritual son-in-law (hubby of Sveta Manjari devi dasi)
Govardhana Sila das
15/10/2018
Cape Town, South Africa
Govinda Darsana dasa
nama om vishnu padaya krishna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krishna to you Dear Gurudev
Please accept my most humble and most respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
Wishing you a Krishna concious appearance day.
Gurudev, your strong and effective preaching skills have greatly transformed several's lives, including mine. You have deep understanding of Sastras and have a regulated personal sastric study schedule; this inspires me to read more steadily.
Your desire is to spread the Krishna conciousness movement and you have encouraged me to preach more. I am definitely trying to preach as much as I could. Your lectures are full of nectar and deep realizations. They motivate me to remain fixed in Krishna conciousness.
Gurudev, praying for your better health. Thank you for your guidance and support,
and seeking your blessings for my progressive spiritual life.
Thank you
Your disciple
Govinda Darsana dasa
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krishna to you Dear Gurudev
Please accept my most humble and most respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
Wishing you a Krishna concious appearance day.
Gurudev, your strong and effective preaching skills have greatly transformed several's lives, including mine. You have deep understanding of Sastras and have a regulated personal sastric study schedule; this inspires me to read more steadily.
Your desire is to spread the Krishna conciousness movement and you have encouraged me to preach more. I am definitely trying to preach as much as I could. Your lectures are full of nectar and deep realizations. They motivate me to remain fixed in Krishna conciousness.
Gurudev, praying for your better health. Thank you for your guidance and support,
and seeking your blessings for my progressive spiritual life.
Thank you
Your disciple
Govinda Darsana dasa
Govinda Kund Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to You
Srila Prabhupada mentions that only by following the instructions of a bonafide Spiritual Master can one become a candidate for liberation. Although I did not know what the significance of a Spiritual Master is or how to choose one, but when I heard you for the first time in Melbourne, I decided to have you as my Guru. I am very fortunate that you accepted me as your disciple and by your mercy I am connected to the Parampara.
Your life is dedicated to serving Srila Prabhupada and you are mercifully engaging others in this sublime service. You derive pleasure from reading Srila Prahupada’s books and are very pleased when his books are distributed. I pray for your mercy that I can get a taste for reading scriptures and be engaged in book distribution.
Thank you Gurudeva for painstakingly travelling and distributing mercy on fallen conditional souls like me.
I pray to the Lord for your good health and that you can keep showering your mercy upon us
Your Insignificant Servant
Govinda Kund Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to You
Srila Prabhupada mentions that only by following the instructions of a bonafide Spiritual Master can one become a candidate for liberation. Although I did not know what the significance of a Spiritual Master is or how to choose one, but when I heard you for the first time in Melbourne, I decided to have you as my Guru. I am very fortunate that you accepted me as your disciple and by your mercy I am connected to the Parampara.
Your life is dedicated to serving Srila Prabhupada and you are mercifully engaging others in this sublime service. You derive pleasure from reading Srila Prahupada’s books and are very pleased when his books are distributed. I pray for your mercy that I can get a taste for reading scriptures and be engaged in book distribution.
Thank you Gurudeva for painstakingly travelling and distributing mercy on fallen conditional souls like me.
I pray to the Lord for your good health and that you can keep showering your mercy upon us
Your Insignificant Servant
Govinda Kund Devi Dasi
Gtavali devi dasi
Vyasa Puja Offering 2018
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to our beloved Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this magnificent day of your appearance.
In life there are numerous moments when we don't know where you're going. We don't know where we are heading, up, down, backwards, or forward. Many people today struggle with their minds, with others opinions, social media loneliness, all the while being completely engrossed in illusion, submerged in the ocean of nescience making them feel like they are maybe so called "happy", but most of them are lost, not actually knowing what they want. Having the opportunity to associate with a person of your calibre has been life changing. Everyone needs a Guru, a life compass. I'm so fortunate that by Krishna's grace I was able to meet you and have the feeble intelligence to follow your instructions. Now, I'm happy, really happy to have found shelter at your lotus feet.
This past week was celebrated "#WorldTeachersDay"; all over the world people were thanking and taking the time to glorify their most favourite teachers they had at school, teachers and people who had made a difference in their lives. People who had touched them and inspired them and made them feel like there was hope for them. We all have many teachers in our lives, however there are not that many who are qualified Gurus as yourself. Gurus who guide us spirit souls through the dense forest of material nature. You are a teacher and guide, who possesses the shakti, the power, the skills to cuts the tight knots of attachment for puny and insignificant things of this world. You are in effect, a gifted teacher, who lives the truth, who walks his talk so genuinely.
Here I am today, standing before you to honor you, my most respected and most honorable of teachers. My dear spiritual master; who gives me light, who inspires me to keep going when the going gets tough; Thank you.
You sent me up to live in Auckland 11 years ago to enliven the sankirtan troops with my enthusiasm and from there, was born; "Captain E"...captain Enthusiasm! Thank you so much Gurudeva, for your energy, for your own infectious enthusiasm, for your desire to continue on, to reach out to everyone you meet, giving of your precious time freely, giving your tender compassion for all people who enter the door. These are the qualities needed to continue on the long haul of returning to our eternal home, going back to Godhead.
Kadamba Kanana Swami once said, "One must be a nectar hunter (pause), one cannot just wait." You are indeed tasting such nectar Gurudeva, or else, I'm sure you wouldn't be where you are today. I too, am hankering for that nectar. Through hearing, kirtan but mostly giving and sharing our jewel of Krishna consciousness to others. I don't want to just wait for that nectar till I get old and more wrinkly. Now is the time, as you did in your youth, as you dedicate your life to Srila Prabhupada in the quest for spiritual life.
Now after having practiced Bhakti for some years now, after reflecting on where I am today, I realise that it's only through your mercy, your guidance and because of the choices I made, following your instructions, that I am where I am today. My family and I have a wonderful lifestyle. This is exactly where we want to be. Where would I be right now if I hadn't made a decision to trust you to pursue this spiritual career? Nowhere of real value, that is certain.
Thank you Gurudeva, for allowing me to be who I am, while using my tiny skills, God-given abilities and propensities, in the service of Krishna. Today, at my middle-life years, I'm able to use my creative juices to help devotees and inspire others. Over the years, you've encouraged my creative projects of Bhakti journals and films. I'm launching a few new projects to inspire and motivate devotees and also to plant the seed in those who haven't heard of Bhakti. I feel like I've found my calling and I feel so enlivened to continue on this path with passion and fervour, thanks to your guidance and association. As an offering to you.
Through this important and glorious process of Krishna consciousness, we are given the opportunity to turn into these positive instruments of change. Instruments of spreading the fruits of Love of God as Lord Caitanya instructed. On our own, we are disconnected, and lifeless, so we desperately seek your mercy.
Na ca tasman manusyesu, kascin me priya krittamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad, anyah priyataro bhuvi
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."
You are so dear to Krishna, continuously giving or your body, mind and words in His supreme service.Because of you Srila Gurudeva, I want to help make a difference and uplift everyone I meet with the science of Bhakti. I have a desire to upgrade myself so that I can continue to please you and make progress on this beautiful Bhakti path.
You are a top leader, a first class teacher, worthy of our respect.You are such a priceless figure in my eyes as you are the one who inspires me to become the absolute best version of myself. Now is the time to Rise up!...as an offering to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Gitavali devi dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to our beloved Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this magnificent day of your appearance.
In life there are numerous moments when we don't know where you're going. We don't know where we are heading, up, down, backwards, or forward. Many people today struggle with their minds, with others opinions, social media loneliness, all the while being completely engrossed in illusion, submerged in the ocean of nescience making them feel like they are maybe so called "happy", but most of them are lost, not actually knowing what they want. Having the opportunity to associate with a person of your calibre has been life changing. Everyone needs a Guru, a life compass. I'm so fortunate that by Krishna's grace I was able to meet you and have the feeble intelligence to follow your instructions. Now, I'm happy, really happy to have found shelter at your lotus feet.
This past week was celebrated "#WorldTeachersDay"; all over the world people were thanking and taking the time to glorify their most favourite teachers they had at school, teachers and people who had made a difference in their lives. People who had touched them and inspired them and made them feel like there was hope for them. We all have many teachers in our lives, however there are not that many who are qualified Gurus as yourself. Gurus who guide us spirit souls through the dense forest of material nature. You are a teacher and guide, who possesses the shakti, the power, the skills to cuts the tight knots of attachment for puny and insignificant things of this world. You are in effect, a gifted teacher, who lives the truth, who walks his talk so genuinely.
Here I am today, standing before you to honor you, my most respected and most honorable of teachers. My dear spiritual master; who gives me light, who inspires me to keep going when the going gets tough; Thank you.
You sent me up to live in Auckland 11 years ago to enliven the sankirtan troops with my enthusiasm and from there, was born; "Captain E"...captain Enthusiasm! Thank you so much Gurudeva, for your energy, for your own infectious enthusiasm, for your desire to continue on, to reach out to everyone you meet, giving of your precious time freely, giving your tender compassion for all people who enter the door. These are the qualities needed to continue on the long haul of returning to our eternal home, going back to Godhead.
Kadamba Kanana Swami once said, "One must be a nectar hunter (pause), one cannot just wait." You are indeed tasting such nectar Gurudeva, or else, I'm sure you wouldn't be where you are today. I too, am hankering for that nectar. Through hearing, kirtan but mostly giving and sharing our jewel of Krishna consciousness to others. I don't want to just wait for that nectar till I get old and more wrinkly. Now is the time, as you did in your youth, as you dedicate your life to Srila Prabhupada in the quest for spiritual life.
Now after having practiced Bhakti for some years now, after reflecting on where I am today, I realise that it's only through your mercy, your guidance and because of the choices I made, following your instructions, that I am where I am today. My family and I have a wonderful lifestyle. This is exactly where we want to be. Where would I be right now if I hadn't made a decision to trust you to pursue this spiritual career? Nowhere of real value, that is certain.
Thank you Gurudeva, for allowing me to be who I am, while using my tiny skills, God-given abilities and propensities, in the service of Krishna. Today, at my middle-life years, I'm able to use my creative juices to help devotees and inspire others. Over the years, you've encouraged my creative projects of Bhakti journals and films. I'm launching a few new projects to inspire and motivate devotees and also to plant the seed in those who haven't heard of Bhakti. I feel like I've found my calling and I feel so enlivened to continue on this path with passion and fervour, thanks to your guidance and association. As an offering to you.
Through this important and glorious process of Krishna consciousness, we are given the opportunity to turn into these positive instruments of change. Instruments of spreading the fruits of Love of God as Lord Caitanya instructed. On our own, we are disconnected, and lifeless, so we desperately seek your mercy.
Na ca tasman manusyesu, kascin me priya krittamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad, anyah priyataro bhuvi
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."
You are so dear to Krishna, continuously giving or your body, mind and words in His supreme service.Because of you Srila Gurudeva, I want to help make a difference and uplift everyone I meet with the science of Bhakti. I have a desire to upgrade myself so that I can continue to please you and make progress on this beautiful Bhakti path.
You are a top leader, a first class teacher, worthy of our respect.You are such a priceless figure in my eyes as you are the one who inspires me to become the absolute best version of myself. Now is the time to Rise up!...as an offering to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Gitavali devi dasi
Hamsa sanga dasa
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj
Please accept my most sincere attempt of obsciences to you. All glories to Guru and Gauranga! All glories to you on this most blessed day of your appearance.
Yuvatīnāṁ yathā yūni yūnāṁ ca yuvatau yathā/ mano 'bhiramate tadvan mano me ramatāṁ tvayi
As the minds of young girls take pleasure in thinking of a young boy and those of young boys take pleasure in thinking of a young girl, may my mind take pleasure in You."
A dear friend and godbrother Dhira Lalita Prabhu told me in a lecture you were saying in your beginning years you really admired this sloka.
So I've been for 3 years trying to make some sort of effort to try to memorize this. But i have no greed to follow in your footsteps.
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Common men follow..but I'm not even for that caliber, no attachment and desire I have. But still I've drownded in understanding that what and how you are performing your bhakti so then I make a minut kind of attempt to do but just knowing your glories makes this big blob of unmentionables's body want to dance for mahaprabhu and CHANT VERY LOUDLY GAURANGAAA!!!
A bee colony has everything.. bees,honey, hornets, queen hornet etc the bees are enjoying the nectar of material entanglement and hornets come, and very soon send them back to Godhead and queen hornet is always relishing seeing the activities of these hornets and that are executing her desire and always she is surrounded by her asscioates and shes the queen! Everyone of them want a piece of the honey. That most desireable and worshipable object. The honey is always self satisfied and happy and doesnt mind if the bees take him or if the hornets take him. But the unfortunate insignificant mosquito's like me amongst the very few have no chance at all admist all of this nectar eternally happening.
Even My trying to ask for your blessings is also pathetic. But if there's any scope to ask then I just ask if you can give me very little mercy so I can possibly Begin to start my bhakti.
My very useless miserly attempts to glorify you. Only pure jivas as yourself are chanting pure holy name, but I'm living in a ocean of faults so just to rectify my offences I've done while writing this offering, at least one time in my life without offences I can try to CHANT EXTREMLY LOUDLY HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE.. atleast in my mind and soul.
All glories to you Guru Maharaj.
Your insignificant aspiring servant
Hamsa sanga dasa
Please accept my most sincere attempt of obsciences to you. All glories to Guru and Gauranga! All glories to you on this most blessed day of your appearance.
Yuvatīnāṁ yathā yūni yūnāṁ ca yuvatau yathā/ mano 'bhiramate tadvan mano me ramatāṁ tvayi
As the minds of young girls take pleasure in thinking of a young boy and those of young boys take pleasure in thinking of a young girl, may my mind take pleasure in You."
A dear friend and godbrother Dhira Lalita Prabhu told me in a lecture you were saying in your beginning years you really admired this sloka.
So I've been for 3 years trying to make some sort of effort to try to memorize this. But i have no greed to follow in your footsteps.
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Common men follow..but I'm not even for that caliber, no attachment and desire I have. But still I've drownded in understanding that what and how you are performing your bhakti so then I make a minut kind of attempt to do but just knowing your glories makes this big blob of unmentionables's body want to dance for mahaprabhu and CHANT VERY LOUDLY GAURANGAAA!!!
A bee colony has everything.. bees,honey, hornets, queen hornet etc the bees are enjoying the nectar of material entanglement and hornets come, and very soon send them back to Godhead and queen hornet is always relishing seeing the activities of these hornets and that are executing her desire and always she is surrounded by her asscioates and shes the queen! Everyone of them want a piece of the honey. That most desireable and worshipable object. The honey is always self satisfied and happy and doesnt mind if the bees take him or if the hornets take him. But the unfortunate insignificant mosquito's like me amongst the very few have no chance at all admist all of this nectar eternally happening.
Even My trying to ask for your blessings is also pathetic. But if there's any scope to ask then I just ask if you can give me very little mercy so I can possibly Begin to start my bhakti.
My very useless miserly attempts to glorify you. Only pure jivas as yourself are chanting pure holy name, but I'm living in a ocean of faults so just to rectify my offences I've done while writing this offering, at least one time in my life without offences I can try to CHANT EXTREMLY LOUDLY HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE.. atleast in my mind and soul.
All glories to you Guru Maharaj.
Your insignificant aspiring servant
Hamsa sanga dasa
Hari loka das
nama om visnu - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev,
Your lectures are a source of great inspiration for me. Even just by listening to you for 20-30 minutes everyday on my way to work , gives me the strength to do this service. Through your lectures, I can feel how convinced you are about Krishna Consciousness, and that convinces me about the purpose of my life.
Your instructions is the way for me to understand and increase my spiritual experience. Utilizing my senses and emotions allow me to have spiritual experience now, in my present situation.
Praying to become useful in your service,
hari loka das
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev,
Your lectures are a source of great inspiration for me. Even just by listening to you for 20-30 minutes everyday on my way to work , gives me the strength to do this service. Through your lectures, I can feel how convinced you are about Krishna Consciousness, and that convinces me about the purpose of my life.
Your instructions is the way for me to understand and increase my spiritual experience. Utilizing my senses and emotions allow me to have spiritual experience now, in my present situation.
Praying to become useful in your service,
hari loka das
Hari-Bhakta das
Dear, Gurudeva
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on the glorious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Although I am covered by ignorance, by the grace of Srila Prabhupada’s books, I forcibly come to realizations.
One such realization is that by your example alone, you have bestowed upon your disciples the perfection of dharma, for the modern age.
We read in Prabhupada’s purport (SB 3.22.6):
"Because the common man is unable to control the senses and the mind, it is his duty to seek the shelter of a great soul or a great devotee of the Lord and just try to please him. That will make his life perfect. A common man cannot rise to the topmost stage of spiritual perfection simply by following the rituals and religious principles. He has to take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and work under his direction faithfully and sincerely; then he becomes perfect, without a doubt."
-When I read this I couldn’t help but to think of the great mercy that you have bestowed upon us, by giving us the tools, the guidance, and the perfect strategy to perform the great art of outreach in the modern world. You have given us access to this unfathomable gift, that will not only give us the opportunity to perfect our lives, but also the profound opportunity to be able to share that perfection with others.
By your deep compassion to serve the materially afflicted world, you have expertly created a system that is single handedly opening the door of Bhakti to the youth of the world. A system in which perfectly engages devoted practitioners and new comers alike, in the yuga dharma to the fullest extent.
Although I am spiritually crippled, you have given me access to the perfect medicine. I am eternally indebted to you.
"I have fortunately been instructed by you, and thus great favor has been bestowed upon me. I thank The Love Supreme that I have listened with open ears to your pure words.” (SB 3.22.7)
Your lowly servant,
Hari-Bhakta das
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on the glorious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Although I am covered by ignorance, by the grace of Srila Prabhupada’s books, I forcibly come to realizations.
One such realization is that by your example alone, you have bestowed upon your disciples the perfection of dharma, for the modern age.
We read in Prabhupada’s purport (SB 3.22.6):
"Because the common man is unable to control the senses and the mind, it is his duty to seek the shelter of a great soul or a great devotee of the Lord and just try to please him. That will make his life perfect. A common man cannot rise to the topmost stage of spiritual perfection simply by following the rituals and religious principles. He has to take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and work under his direction faithfully and sincerely; then he becomes perfect, without a doubt."
-When I read this I couldn’t help but to think of the great mercy that you have bestowed upon us, by giving us the tools, the guidance, and the perfect strategy to perform the great art of outreach in the modern world. You have given us access to this unfathomable gift, that will not only give us the opportunity to perfect our lives, but also the profound opportunity to be able to share that perfection with others.
By your deep compassion to serve the materially afflicted world, you have expertly created a system that is single handedly opening the door of Bhakti to the youth of the world. A system in which perfectly engages devoted practitioners and new comers alike, in the yuga dharma to the fullest extent.
Although I am spiritually crippled, you have given me access to the perfect medicine. I am eternally indebted to you.
"I have fortunately been instructed by you, and thus great favor has been bestowed upon me. I thank The Love Supreme that I have listened with open ears to your pure words.” (SB 3.22.7)
Your lowly servant,
Hari-Bhakta das
Harinamamrita das
Hare Krishna dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious day, I would like to thank you from deep of my heart for guiding me through at all times - good & bad covering my whimsical, foolish, selfish natures and yet never abandoned me. This by itself is the least testament of your unlimited mercy. You have given me a new life and I'm ever indebted to you for that.
Listening to your lectures, I wonder how constantly you emphasise on the importance of chanting, devotee association and developing compassion to give Krishna to others. Despite hearing them, I'm still struggling to constantly appreciate and enthusiastically apply them in my life at all times.
I also wonder about your love and dedication to Srila Prabhupada and your ocean of love for his books. I wish to develop at least a drop of that love and get immersed in Srila Prabhupada's books and your instructions.
I might only continue to write my inabilities and aspirations forgetting that you have already given me so much love and I'm yet to even begin to reciprocate.
I sincerely pray to Lord Narasimha Dev to give you protection and strength to continue preaching the glories of the holy name and your loving service to Srila Prabhupada.
With love and gratitude,
Harinamamrita das
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious day, I would like to thank you from deep of my heart for guiding me through at all times - good & bad covering my whimsical, foolish, selfish natures and yet never abandoned me. This by itself is the least testament of your unlimited mercy. You have given me a new life and I'm ever indebted to you for that.
Listening to your lectures, I wonder how constantly you emphasise on the importance of chanting, devotee association and developing compassion to give Krishna to others. Despite hearing them, I'm still struggling to constantly appreciate and enthusiastically apply them in my life at all times.
I also wonder about your love and dedication to Srila Prabhupada and your ocean of love for his books. I wish to develop at least a drop of that love and get immersed in Srila Prabhupada's books and your instructions.
I might only continue to write my inabilities and aspirations forgetting that you have already given me so much love and I'm yet to even begin to reciprocate.
I sincerely pray to Lord Narasimha Dev to give you protection and strength to continue preaching the glories of the holy name and your loving service to Srila Prabhupada.
With love and gratitude,
Harinamamrita das
Hriman Krishna das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I marveled at your presentation in the Loft recently. Your topic: Hiding behind the Mask – hungry for happiness. Like an expert surgeon, you cut through the mass of ignorance in such a way that seemed completely painless. The audience couldn’t feel the knife sink deep; as you illuminated the psychology of what it means to suffer in illusion. You told us that living in the bodily concept of life means to put up a façade while we try to impress others of our artificial significance. Artistically you performed open-heart surgery and removed the tumor of nescience. In the end, your precision speech had everyone astonished; no one knew what to say.
Devahuti said to Lord Kapiladeva in the third canto of Srimad Bhagavatam chapter 25 text 8:
tasya tvaṁ tamaso 'ndhasya
duṣpārasyādya pāragam
sac-cakṣur janmanām ante
labdhaṁ me tvad-anugrahāt
“Your lordship is my only means of getting out of this darkest region of ignorance because you are my transcendental eye, which, by your mercy only, I have attained after many, many births”.
Srila Prabhupada explained this indicates the relationship between the spiritual master and disciple, and that the spiritual master is worshiped as one who delivers the disciple from the mire of ignorance, as Devahuti says, “sat caksur” you are my transcendental eye.
People at the Loft get the association of a bona fide spiritual master unaware of the good fortune it entails. Although recognizing the truth of your words, sometimes they get right back into their mundane habits. They may even pose themselves as some very intelligent authority; as you say, put up a “façade” although they’re totally under the grip of Maya.
There is one news article from India of a self-proclaimed god-man who calls himself Nithyananda. He declares that he will make monkeys; cows and lions speak Tamil and Sanskrit after initiating them in super consciousness. The sad thing is someone will probably give their life to such a fool who simply try to make another sequel to – Planet of the Apes.
There’s only madness in this world without a genuine guru who repeat Krishna’s message.
While so many bogus authorities are cheating people, you patiently just keep on giving Krishna year after year. Gurudeva, you are Krishna’s champion; by repeating exactly what Krishna says in your unique way, you are factually changing lives for those fortunate enough to act on your words.
You have rescued me from such freakish god men and divine incarnations who are propagating cat and dog life. Srila Prabhupada said in a purport that evidence of the superiority of Vedic regulations is – if one does not follow them; they become like animals.
I am truly and eternally indebted to have you as my spiritual master.
You’re ecstatic when the disciple makes progressive spiritual advancement and I know your instructions will propel my spiritual life forward.Today I especially pray for the spiritual strength to always keep those instructions as my life source, just like the air that maintains this body.
Srimad Bhagavatam fourth canto chapter 12, text 36 says you’re a Vaikuntha-man:
yad bhrājamānaṁ sva-rucaiva sarvato
lokās trayo hy anu vibhrājanta ete
yan nāvrajañ jantuṣu ye 'nanugrahā
vrajanti bhadrāṇi caranti ye 'niśam
“The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets.”
Because you are serving Srila Prabhuapda in Lord Caitanya’s line, you go beyond Vaikuntha; you’re a Goloka-man gurudeva and I beg you to take me wherever you go in this life and the next.
Determined to be your selfless and obedient servant
Hriman Krishna das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I marveled at your presentation in the Loft recently. Your topic: Hiding behind the Mask – hungry for happiness. Like an expert surgeon, you cut through the mass of ignorance in such a way that seemed completely painless. The audience couldn’t feel the knife sink deep; as you illuminated the psychology of what it means to suffer in illusion. You told us that living in the bodily concept of life means to put up a façade while we try to impress others of our artificial significance. Artistically you performed open-heart surgery and removed the tumor of nescience. In the end, your precision speech had everyone astonished; no one knew what to say.
Devahuti said to Lord Kapiladeva in the third canto of Srimad Bhagavatam chapter 25 text 8:
tasya tvaṁ tamaso 'ndhasya
duṣpārasyādya pāragam
sac-cakṣur janmanām ante
labdhaṁ me tvad-anugrahāt
“Your lordship is my only means of getting out of this darkest region of ignorance because you are my transcendental eye, which, by your mercy only, I have attained after many, many births”.
Srila Prabhupada explained this indicates the relationship between the spiritual master and disciple, and that the spiritual master is worshiped as one who delivers the disciple from the mire of ignorance, as Devahuti says, “sat caksur” you are my transcendental eye.
People at the Loft get the association of a bona fide spiritual master unaware of the good fortune it entails. Although recognizing the truth of your words, sometimes they get right back into their mundane habits. They may even pose themselves as some very intelligent authority; as you say, put up a “façade” although they’re totally under the grip of Maya.
There is one news article from India of a self-proclaimed god-man who calls himself Nithyananda. He declares that he will make monkeys; cows and lions speak Tamil and Sanskrit after initiating them in super consciousness. The sad thing is someone will probably give their life to such a fool who simply try to make another sequel to – Planet of the Apes.
There’s only madness in this world without a genuine guru who repeat Krishna’s message.
While so many bogus authorities are cheating people, you patiently just keep on giving Krishna year after year. Gurudeva, you are Krishna’s champion; by repeating exactly what Krishna says in your unique way, you are factually changing lives for those fortunate enough to act on your words.
You have rescued me from such freakish god men and divine incarnations who are propagating cat and dog life. Srila Prabhupada said in a purport that evidence of the superiority of Vedic regulations is – if one does not follow them; they become like animals.
I am truly and eternally indebted to have you as my spiritual master.
You’re ecstatic when the disciple makes progressive spiritual advancement and I know your instructions will propel my spiritual life forward.Today I especially pray for the spiritual strength to always keep those instructions as my life source, just like the air that maintains this body.
Srimad Bhagavatam fourth canto chapter 12, text 36 says you’re a Vaikuntha-man:
yad bhrājamānaṁ sva-rucaiva sarvato
lokās trayo hy anu vibhrājanta ete
yan nāvrajañ jantuṣu ye 'nanugrahā
vrajanti bhadrāṇi caranti ye 'niśam
“The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets.”
Because you are serving Srila Prabhuapda in Lord Caitanya’s line, you go beyond Vaikuntha; you’re a Goloka-man gurudeva and I beg you to take me wherever you go in this life and the next.
Determined to be your selfless and obedient servant
Hriman Krishna das
Indranath das
Dear Curu Maharaja ,please accept my humble obeisances.By Krishna mercy I have You and by your mercy I have a glimpse of understanding in my spiritual life.I often thinking how lucky I am to have You as my spiritual master.Thank you for continuos guading me in my life.Your seravant Indranath das
Indranila devi dasi
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Lotusfeet.
All glories to your efforts in spreading the holy names,
They're so tremendous they put us all in undeniable shame.
For all your sacrifices teaching people all over the world to engage in devotional service,
So hard for us common men to do, makes us and maybe even Maya nervous.
Enduring cold nights, little sleep,
Life threatening moments, uncomfortable plain seats.
How can Krsna not be impressed?
We know Srila Prabhupada would have been the first to bless.
And all the patience required not knowing if food and house will be provided,
forced to be a beggar, live without security or luxury, feeling uninvited.
Being detached from family relations with no one but Krsna to rely on,
Pouring out your heart with only Krsna to hear your prayers from dusk till dawn.
Unwaveringly following the principles and chanting everyday for so many years,
Day in day out, night come night gone, casting aside all your fears.
I makes me so mad when I hear people say that Prabhupada disciples were not qualified,
When they were doing then exactly what they do now, following nicely thus being bonafide.
It makes me so sad to know people's lack of empathy in their hearts,
I pray for their maturity and protection before Maya them outsmarts.
"Anyone can fall down" is what Srila Prabhupada in Bhagavad -Gita declared,
Material contamination is so strong even a yogi fully engaged, sometimes becomes ensnared.
"Therefore, a person who is situated in Krsna and determined in chanting the holy names,
Is to be considered in transcendental position even if by accident has fallen down", Gita exclaims.
It's clear people have no idea what Srila Prabhupada said, dictated or wrote,
One must be careful not to offend or in Aussie language, "one might become a goat".
It's not a hard science to elaborate on in it's uncomplicated and very simple,
You're all Srila Prabhupada's stars and soldiers, you all twinkle.
As a matter a fact, it's so simple I read it to my kindy kids the other day for rest time,
Krsna said to brahmana Srutadeva about His friends he was travelling with, something sublime:
"My dear Srutadeva, you can put your faith in pure devotees like these holy men here. They are free from the 4 kinds of sinful activities of illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and eating animal flesh. They very kindly make everything pure wherever they go because they teach my devotional service. Worshiping my devotees is even better than directly worshiping me." -Krsna book(Krsna visits two places at the same time)
Trying to be your servant,
Indranila devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Lotusfeet.
All glories to your efforts in spreading the holy names,
They're so tremendous they put us all in undeniable shame.
For all your sacrifices teaching people all over the world to engage in devotional service,
So hard for us common men to do, makes us and maybe even Maya nervous.
Enduring cold nights, little sleep,
Life threatening moments, uncomfortable plain seats.
How can Krsna not be impressed?
We know Srila Prabhupada would have been the first to bless.
And all the patience required not knowing if food and house will be provided,
forced to be a beggar, live without security or luxury, feeling uninvited.
Being detached from family relations with no one but Krsna to rely on,
Pouring out your heart with only Krsna to hear your prayers from dusk till dawn.
Unwaveringly following the principles and chanting everyday for so many years,
Day in day out, night come night gone, casting aside all your fears.
I makes me so mad when I hear people say that Prabhupada disciples were not qualified,
When they were doing then exactly what they do now, following nicely thus being bonafide.
It makes me so sad to know people's lack of empathy in their hearts,
I pray for their maturity and protection before Maya them outsmarts.
"Anyone can fall down" is what Srila Prabhupada in Bhagavad -Gita declared,
Material contamination is so strong even a yogi fully engaged, sometimes becomes ensnared.
"Therefore, a person who is situated in Krsna and determined in chanting the holy names,
Is to be considered in transcendental position even if by accident has fallen down", Gita exclaims.
It's clear people have no idea what Srila Prabhupada said, dictated or wrote,
One must be careful not to offend or in Aussie language, "one might become a goat".
It's not a hard science to elaborate on in it's uncomplicated and very simple,
You're all Srila Prabhupada's stars and soldiers, you all twinkle.
As a matter a fact, it's so simple I read it to my kindy kids the other day for rest time,
Krsna said to brahmana Srutadeva about His friends he was travelling with, something sublime:
"My dear Srutadeva, you can put your faith in pure devotees like these holy men here. They are free from the 4 kinds of sinful activities of illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and eating animal flesh. They very kindly make everything pure wherever they go because they teach my devotional service. Worshiping my devotees is even better than directly worshiping me." -Krsna book(Krsna visits two places at the same time)
Trying to be your servant,
Indranila devi dasi
Isvar Candra das and Candrika devi dasi
Hare Krishna, dear Gurumaharaj.
Please accept our humble obeisancess.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.
Everytime we read Srimad Bhagavatam there is something new and enlivening in Srila Prabhupada's purports. They are like different drawers filled with jewels waiting to be discovered.
In the first three purports of first canto Srila Prabhupada is repeating two main instructions - do not jump directly to Krishna's intimate pastimes (Tenth canto) and do not hear from professional reciters because this will be detrimental for our spiritual life.
"A professional man who makes a business out of reciting the Bhāgavatam illegally is certainly not a representative of Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Such a man’s business is only to earn his livelihood. Therefore one should refrain from hearing the lectures of such professional men. Such men usually go to the most confidential part of the literature without undergoing the gradual process of understanding this grave subject. They usually plunge into the subject matter of the rāsa dance, which is misunderstood by the foolish class of men. Some of them take this to be immoral, while others try to cover it up by their own stupid interpretations. They have no desire to follow in the footsteps of Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
One should conclude, therefore, that the serious student of the rasa should receive the message of Bhāgavatam in the chain of disciplic succession from Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who describes the Bhāgavatam from its very beginning and not whimsically to satisfy the mundaner who has very little knowledge in transcendental science. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is so carefully presented that a sincere and serious person can at once enjoy the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge simply by drinking the nectarean juice through the mouth of Śukadeva Gosvāmī or his bona fide representative." SB 1.1.3 purport
We are very fortunate to be quided by a bona fide representative of Sukadeva Gosvami like you. Through your lectures, your instructions and your example you are making sure that we learn and live the most basic, yet profound principles of bhakti - always remain humble, be patient and determined, don't take Krishna cheaply or for granted, make Krishna consciousness our life's career and hold tight to Srila Prabhupada's instructions.
Close to the Himallayas the river Ganga is strong and turbulent. People have to hold tight to chains in order not to get swiped away when they take their bath. In our case you are giving us this security. Holding on and following your instructions is the safety chain that is protecting us from drawning in the deep and violent waters of the material life and the inappropriate and whimsical way of executing devotional service.
Realizing that we will never be of any importance, still we would like you to know that there are two souls that are continuing properly on the path of Krishna consciousness just because of your mercy and quidance.
trying to be your servants, isvar candra das and candrika devi dasi
Please accept our humble obeisancess.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.
Everytime we read Srimad Bhagavatam there is something new and enlivening in Srila Prabhupada's purports. They are like different drawers filled with jewels waiting to be discovered.
In the first three purports of first canto Srila Prabhupada is repeating two main instructions - do not jump directly to Krishna's intimate pastimes (Tenth canto) and do not hear from professional reciters because this will be detrimental for our spiritual life.
"A professional man who makes a business out of reciting the Bhāgavatam illegally is certainly not a representative of Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Such a man’s business is only to earn his livelihood. Therefore one should refrain from hearing the lectures of such professional men. Such men usually go to the most confidential part of the literature without undergoing the gradual process of understanding this grave subject. They usually plunge into the subject matter of the rāsa dance, which is misunderstood by the foolish class of men. Some of them take this to be immoral, while others try to cover it up by their own stupid interpretations. They have no desire to follow in the footsteps of Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
One should conclude, therefore, that the serious student of the rasa should receive the message of Bhāgavatam in the chain of disciplic succession from Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who describes the Bhāgavatam from its very beginning and not whimsically to satisfy the mundaner who has very little knowledge in transcendental science. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is so carefully presented that a sincere and serious person can at once enjoy the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge simply by drinking the nectarean juice through the mouth of Śukadeva Gosvāmī or his bona fide representative." SB 1.1.3 purport
We are very fortunate to be quided by a bona fide representative of Sukadeva Gosvami like you. Through your lectures, your instructions and your example you are making sure that we learn and live the most basic, yet profound principles of bhakti - always remain humble, be patient and determined, don't take Krishna cheaply or for granted, make Krishna consciousness our life's career and hold tight to Srila Prabhupada's instructions.
Close to the Himallayas the river Ganga is strong and turbulent. People have to hold tight to chains in order not to get swiped away when they take their bath. In our case you are giving us this security. Holding on and following your instructions is the safety chain that is protecting us from drawning in the deep and violent waters of the material life and the inappropriate and whimsical way of executing devotional service.
Realizing that we will never be of any importance, still we would like you to know that there are two souls that are continuing properly on the path of Krishna consciousness just because of your mercy and quidance.
trying to be your servants, isvar candra das and candrika devi dasi
Isvaresvara Das
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
After many years of outstanding selfless service in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement you are still more than ever vigorously fulfilling and representing SP’s pure desire of giving the chance of reviving the highest love of Godhead to every soul on this planet, and beyond.
On the 15th of June this year you took the opportunity to further exhibit your compassion by giving spiritual birth to a most foolish conditioned soul. While giving me initiation you explained that just like sometimes small wooden logs floating in the ocean get stranded, by Krsna’s causeless mercy and arrangement sometimes conditioned souls, suffering from the three-fold miseries floating in the unsurpassable ocean of material existence, get stranded at the lotus feet of His bonafide representative.
Further, knowing that the heart of that soul is covered with a thick layer of false pride, you gave me a name which shall always remind me of that helplessly dependent position – that I am not a controller – rather simply the most insignificant servant of the servant... of the Lord of all Lords.
Guru Maharaja, I am still miserly attached to my false, temporary identity, most unqualified to have received your mercy.
As the compassionate spiritual father you always give me a feeling of shelter no matter what challenges I might struggle with at a time. And what I find especially important for a neophyte like me is that you are expert in getting through our stubborn heads to lose faith into our own mind, but rather sell our heart fully to Krsna.
When will we come to such consciousness of the gopis who, as Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur explains, run out in the dead of night trying to catch that thief of their hearts and minds?!
Simply hearing your transcendental voice instils trust into Krsna so that even miserly souls like me may slowly get to fully invest into our eternal relationship with Krsna, the reservoir of all rasas and thus pleasure.
Thank you Guru Maharaja that you are giving me the privilege of living together with some of your most sincerely devoted disciples.
Thank you that you are giving me the privilege of being able to serve and see every single day their most beautiful, sweet and loving Lordship Sri Sri Radha Gopinath.
I pray that you may bless me with at least a drop of sincerity of my Godbrothers and that I may always remember and appreciate my helplessly dependent position at your lotus feet.
Due to karpanya dosa I am just like someone who is asking others to help him out of the room, yet is holding on tightly to a pillar.
Yet, Guru Maharaja I don’t want to remain a selfish miser and thus I beg for your blessings that I may become and fully be used life after life as a particle of dust at your lotus feet in your division in Srila Prabhupada’s sankirtan army, freely distributing, even to the most fallen souls, the highest ecstatic love of Godhead.
Your most insignificant, aspiring servant,
Isvaresvara Das
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
After many years of outstanding selfless service in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement you are still more than ever vigorously fulfilling and representing SP’s pure desire of giving the chance of reviving the highest love of Godhead to every soul on this planet, and beyond.
On the 15th of June this year you took the opportunity to further exhibit your compassion by giving spiritual birth to a most foolish conditioned soul. While giving me initiation you explained that just like sometimes small wooden logs floating in the ocean get stranded, by Krsna’s causeless mercy and arrangement sometimes conditioned souls, suffering from the three-fold miseries floating in the unsurpassable ocean of material existence, get stranded at the lotus feet of His bonafide representative.
Further, knowing that the heart of that soul is covered with a thick layer of false pride, you gave me a name which shall always remind me of that helplessly dependent position – that I am not a controller – rather simply the most insignificant servant of the servant... of the Lord of all Lords.
Guru Maharaja, I am still miserly attached to my false, temporary identity, most unqualified to have received your mercy.
As the compassionate spiritual father you always give me a feeling of shelter no matter what challenges I might struggle with at a time. And what I find especially important for a neophyte like me is that you are expert in getting through our stubborn heads to lose faith into our own mind, but rather sell our heart fully to Krsna.
When will we come to such consciousness of the gopis who, as Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur explains, run out in the dead of night trying to catch that thief of their hearts and minds?!
Simply hearing your transcendental voice instils trust into Krsna so that even miserly souls like me may slowly get to fully invest into our eternal relationship with Krsna, the reservoir of all rasas and thus pleasure.
Thank you Guru Maharaja that you are giving me the privilege of living together with some of your most sincerely devoted disciples.
Thank you that you are giving me the privilege of being able to serve and see every single day their most beautiful, sweet and loving Lordship Sri Sri Radha Gopinath.
I pray that you may bless me with at least a drop of sincerity of my Godbrothers and that I may always remember and appreciate my helplessly dependent position at your lotus feet.
Due to karpanya dosa I am just like someone who is asking others to help him out of the room, yet is holding on tightly to a pillar.
Yet, Guru Maharaja I don’t want to remain a selfish miser and thus I beg for your blessings that I may become and fully be used life after life as a particle of dust at your lotus feet in your division in Srila Prabhupada’s sankirtan army, freely distributing, even to the most fallen souls, the highest ecstatic love of Godhead.
Your most insignificant, aspiring servant,
Isvaresvara Das
Isvari Kesavi dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudev.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
gurv-anusaraṇe pravartaka ity arthaḥ
"The knowledge acquired by one's own perception and intelligence leads one to appreciate the value of the representative of Lord Krsna." Sb 11.7.20 pp.
ISKCON Atlanta August 2018 was the last time I saw you.
Sitting in a parked van you said,
"Isvari Kesavi. Still chasing after fortune?" I replied, "Something like that Gurudev."
"Well, you know what they say... You live and you learn. I hope you learn" you responded.
Father knows best.
Through your words and example you are always teaching me and all of your disciples invaluable lessons.
In the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna had so many reasons and arguments why he shouldn't fight the battle but despite his logic he was unable to solve his real problem without the help of Lord Krishna, the spiritual master.
My well wisher you continue to be, this is why you are invaluable to me.
The one person I have to shake me out of my misperception and challenge me to fight, so to speak; fight under your command.
"One should understand oneself to be the eternal servant of guru." Sb 11.3.48 pp.
Dear Gurudev, I feel incapable of serving you properly although my heart longs too. Meditating on the words of Bhaktivinoda Thakur, "If you examine me, you will find no qualities;" nothing of value.
Without you and without everything you have given me Gurudev, my life has no value.
I pray to one day become your genuine servant.
Isvari Kesavi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
gurv-anusaraṇe pravartaka ity arthaḥ
"The knowledge acquired by one's own perception and intelligence leads one to appreciate the value of the representative of Lord Krsna." Sb 11.7.20 pp.
ISKCON Atlanta August 2018 was the last time I saw you.
Sitting in a parked van you said,
"Isvari Kesavi. Still chasing after fortune?" I replied, "Something like that Gurudev."
"Well, you know what they say... You live and you learn. I hope you learn" you responded.
Father knows best.
Through your words and example you are always teaching me and all of your disciples invaluable lessons.
In the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna had so many reasons and arguments why he shouldn't fight the battle but despite his logic he was unable to solve his real problem without the help of Lord Krishna, the spiritual master.
My well wisher you continue to be, this is why you are invaluable to me.
The one person I have to shake me out of my misperception and challenge me to fight, so to speak; fight under your command.
"One should understand oneself to be the eternal servant of guru." Sb 11.3.48 pp.
Dear Gurudev, I feel incapable of serving you properly although my heart longs too. Meditating on the words of Bhaktivinoda Thakur, "If you examine me, you will find no qualities;" nothing of value.
Without you and without everything you have given me Gurudev, my life has no value.
I pray to one day become your genuine servant.
Isvari Kesavi dasi
Itumeleng Mphake
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I heard recently that one should examine their life through their relationship with the Holy Name. Examining my own life recently its apparent that unless I am attentive to your instructions, I surely fall prey to the "deadly loop between my mind and senses" and completely disconnected from you as my lifeline and source of all protection from material illusion.
Without any depth of realisation of who you are or who you are not I have failed to take you nor your instructions seriously, the consequences of which have been devastatingly apparent - “The spiritual master should be considered to be directly the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant."
Through the example of your sincere disciples and by your personal example, I am beginning to see that you are the perfect transparent via medium and disciple and thus also the perfect spiritual master. You appear never to be separated from the words, intructions and selfless service to your spiritual master - Srila Prabhupada. Despite all of your outreach accomplishments, in the form of books, centers, sustainability projects etc you always remember and humbly give all credit to the mercy of your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada and Sri Lord Caitanya. Similarly you teach and inspire in your disciples the same attentive and dedicated spiritual practice, a loving relationship rooted by commitment, gratitude and selfless service, and a sense of compassion for all living entities following in the mood of the previous acaryas.
I therefore humbly pray to remain connected to you in all circumstances through your instructions, and selfless service. Always remembering in all circumstances that you are eternally my most beloved spiritual father. And without your causeless mercy, I am as good as a tiny spark separated from its life giving force.
Your aspiring eternal servant
Itu
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I heard recently that one should examine their life through their relationship with the Holy Name. Examining my own life recently its apparent that unless I am attentive to your instructions, I surely fall prey to the "deadly loop between my mind and senses" and completely disconnected from you as my lifeline and source of all protection from material illusion.
Without any depth of realisation of who you are or who you are not I have failed to take you nor your instructions seriously, the consequences of which have been devastatingly apparent - “The spiritual master should be considered to be directly the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant."
Through the example of your sincere disciples and by your personal example, I am beginning to see that you are the perfect transparent via medium and disciple and thus also the perfect spiritual master. You appear never to be separated from the words, intructions and selfless service to your spiritual master - Srila Prabhupada. Despite all of your outreach accomplishments, in the form of books, centers, sustainability projects etc you always remember and humbly give all credit to the mercy of your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada and Sri Lord Caitanya. Similarly you teach and inspire in your disciples the same attentive and dedicated spiritual practice, a loving relationship rooted by commitment, gratitude and selfless service, and a sense of compassion for all living entities following in the mood of the previous acaryas.
I therefore humbly pray to remain connected to you in all circumstances through your instructions, and selfless service. Always remembering in all circumstances that you are eternally my most beloved spiritual father. And without your causeless mercy, I am as good as a tiny spark separated from its life giving force.
Your aspiring eternal servant
Itu
Jack Dodson
Guru Maharaja,
Please Accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I am contemplating the role of Guru. In the Sri Guruastakam, where Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura writes:
<center><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></center>
Certainly, you have extinguished that fire of material existence from my life. I am thinking of my so-called life before, by the mercy of you and your disciples, coming into contact with Srila Prabhupada’s books. I would say that I was engaged in a quick downward descent towards hellish life, but the truth is that I was already there. I would say that I was more like a crow or a dog than a human being. Being complicit in the murder of so many living entities and the destruction of my own body, simply using others for my own selfish sense gratification, and wanting so hard to forget myself and God that I looked for salvation in the bottom of a bottle. Still, somehow, I gained the mercy of far more than a moment’s association with you.
In the short time that I have taken shelter of you, you have mercifully given me so many instructions to extinguish that blazing fire. By listening to your instructions I am learning how to tolerate the urges of the mind and senses, how to take shelter of the Srimad Bhagvatam and Bhagavad Gita, how to properly chant the Maha Mantra and serve Krishna, and how to utilize my training and so-called intelligence in such service.
I have read that when the disciple is ready, Krishna will guide him to the spiritual master. There is no way that I was ready or qualified to receive the your instructions. It is only by your mercy that I am going on in devotional service. I can only hope that I will still be there at your lotus feet whenever there is some menial service to render onto you.
Eternally aspiring for your service,
Jack
Please Accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I am contemplating the role of Guru. In the Sri Guruastakam, where Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura writes:
<center><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></center>
Certainly, you have extinguished that fire of material existence from my life. I am thinking of my so-called life before, by the mercy of you and your disciples, coming into contact with Srila Prabhupada’s books. I would say that I was engaged in a quick downward descent towards hellish life, but the truth is that I was already there. I would say that I was more like a crow or a dog than a human being. Being complicit in the murder of so many living entities and the destruction of my own body, simply using others for my own selfish sense gratification, and wanting so hard to forget myself and God that I looked for salvation in the bottom of a bottle. Still, somehow, I gained the mercy of far more than a moment’s association with you.
In the short time that I have taken shelter of you, you have mercifully given me so many instructions to extinguish that blazing fire. By listening to your instructions I am learning how to tolerate the urges of the mind and senses, how to take shelter of the Srimad Bhagvatam and Bhagavad Gita, how to properly chant the Maha Mantra and serve Krishna, and how to utilize my training and so-called intelligence in such service.
I have read that when the disciple is ready, Krishna will guide him to the spiritual master. There is no way that I was ready or qualified to receive the your instructions. It is only by your mercy that I am going on in devotional service. I can only hope that I will still be there at your lotus feet whenever there is some menial service to render onto you.
Eternally aspiring for your service,
Jack
Jagat mangal das
All glories to Guru and Gaurang
Dear guru maharaja please accept my humble obeisances offered at your lotus feet
Happy Vyas puja to you
Srila Prabhupada explained 'A spiritual master is not a enjoyer of facilities offered by his disciples.He is like a parent .Without the attentive service of his parents a child cannot grow to manhood.Similarly without the care of the spiritual master one cannot rise to the plane of trancidental service.
Gurumaharaj, you are the ocean of mercy and compassion.By your causeless mercy you open to me the happiness of Krishna consciousness.
Gurumaharaj year after year selflessly you are spreading Krishna consciousness and serving Prabhupada you are the most perfect example of surrendering unto the lotus feet of guru and Krishna
Without the guidance and blessings. Of guru there can be no progress in spiritual life.
Only the fools give up the service of guru and think themselves advanced in spiritual knowledge.
Thank you Gurumaharaj for giving me shade of your lotus feet and opening my dull mind to see
this place of misery.
Your servant
Jagat mangal das
Dear guru maharaja please accept my humble obeisances offered at your lotus feet
Happy Vyas puja to you
Srila Prabhupada explained 'A spiritual master is not a enjoyer of facilities offered by his disciples.He is like a parent .Without the attentive service of his parents a child cannot grow to manhood.Similarly without the care of the spiritual master one cannot rise to the plane of trancidental service.
Gurumaharaj, you are the ocean of mercy and compassion.By your causeless mercy you open to me the happiness of Krishna consciousness.
Gurumaharaj year after year selflessly you are spreading Krishna consciousness and serving Prabhupada you are the most perfect example of surrendering unto the lotus feet of guru and Krishna
Without the guidance and blessings. Of guru there can be no progress in spiritual life.
Only the fools give up the service of guru and think themselves advanced in spiritual knowledge.
Thank you Gurumaharaj for giving me shade of your lotus feet and opening my dull mind to see
this place of misery.
Your servant
Jagat mangal das
Jahnavi Jivan dd
Namo om Vishnu padayaya Krishna pastalya bhutale
Shrimate devamrita-swamin iti namine
Pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthathapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
All glories to Srila Prabhupada !
All glories to you Guru Maharaj.
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet on your divine appearance day.
Gurumaharaj,
On this auspicious day of your Vyasa puja celebrations, I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for being kind, tolerant and merciful to accept me as your disciple despite of my disqualifications.
Please forgive me for any short comings in my offering unto you.
Maharaj, I admire your sincerity and dedication of serving Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada in spreading Lord Caitanya’s mission of preaching and spreading the glories of the Supreme Lord. You has embraced Srila Prabhupada mood and mission as your own and scarified your life to serve Srila Prabhupada.
As predicted by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu :-
Prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
Sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama
Srila Prabhupada risked his life to travel to western countries to give Krishna to others so do also helping him to make his mission successful as a true disciple with an unflinching faith in Guru and Krishna so the Krisha’s glories reach out to every village, town and city.
Year after year over more than four decades you have been vigorously travelling to preach young students, professionals, and many others in all walks of life and show concern to attract them towards Krishna. You have expertise in presenting the teachings of bhakti yoga process and give valuable guidance to everyone on how to balance their spiritual and professional life. You explain very difficult subject matter in a simple way and make us convinced and feel easy to practice spiritual life with our day to day struggle of keeping up our material commitments.
As stated in SB 3.25.21 The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.
You are a perfect example of a pure sadhu and an ideal disciple who selflessly trying to help everyone to understand the goal of life. I feel that Krishna has send you to this material world to give special mercy of the Lord to the fallen conditioned souls by awakening the love of God in their hearts, by training them to perform devotional service without any selfish desires, and perfect them in practising Krishna consciousness so that they become eligible to go back to spiritual world. I see blazing fire of compassion in your heart to reach out to as many new people as possible. I see you get so much taste and satisfaction by sharing Krishna’s glories in your inspiring lectures. I notice how you get immense pleasure by doing ecstacic kirtans, chanting and dancing.
As stated in Cc 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.
You are very compassionate and help everyone who just come in contact with you to take up this process of bhakti yoga and just with your moments association, you make a deep impact on them to let them think of Krishna and make them feel to keep Krishna in centre of their life.
When will this fallen soul learn that all the instructions are given in your lectures and Srila prabhupada books and not to think that I need to be told or instructed. In your lectures you always instruct everyone to chant attentively, read and distribute Srila Prabhupada books. You always advise no mater in whichever ashram one is in, one must take time out to read Srila Prabhupada books. I am trying to chant attentively before I caught up with my day to day family duties but struggling hard to find time to read Srila Prabhupada books due to my demanding duty as a mother looking after two energetic boys. Instead of giving excuses to read Srila Prabhupada books, I took up doing courses in the temple so that I can pull out sometime to read. I think deep in my heart while reading books that how much dedication, faith and sincerity you have in following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions as it is. Just by attempting to preach other we feel there is so much potential to do and drive us to do more and more. I can’t imagine how much pleasure and nectar you must be tasting by preaching and continuing the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Before taking Brahman initiation you instructed that taking Brahamna is not for the sake of taking it, but one must perform consistent devotional services with dedication and sincerity. Please bless me so I can be able to keep up to your expectations as a true disciple. As your discsiple, not for the name sake, I desire to follow your instructions to chant, read and distribute books in my little capacity. Guru Maharaj, praying and begging for your kind blessings and mercy on this auspicious day so that I can be able to follow Krishna consciousness until my last breath.
Deep in my heart, I feel so much indebted to you in this life, and I sincerely desire to attempt to serve you in whichever way that please you in your mission of serving Srila Prabhupada. I beg you at your louts feet to kindly shower your blessings to my family so we become an instruments in practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness and serve the servants of the servants of the Lord.
I pray to the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vallabha, Gaura Nitai and Jagganatha, Baladeva and Subhra Mayi for your good health and well-being to continue this mission of spreading the message of love of God so that many more fallen souls like me get the advantage of your teachings.
Trying to be your true disciple,
Jahnavi Jivan dd, Bhakta Venu Gopal, & Bhakta Harideva
Shrimate devamrita-swamin iti namine
Pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthathapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
All glories to Srila Prabhupada !
All glories to you Guru Maharaj.
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet on your divine appearance day.
Gurumaharaj,
On this auspicious day of your Vyasa puja celebrations, I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for being kind, tolerant and merciful to accept me as your disciple despite of my disqualifications.
Please forgive me for any short comings in my offering unto you.
Maharaj, I admire your sincerity and dedication of serving Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada in spreading Lord Caitanya’s mission of preaching and spreading the glories of the Supreme Lord. You has embraced Srila Prabhupada mood and mission as your own and scarified your life to serve Srila Prabhupada.
As predicted by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu :-
Prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
Sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama
Srila Prabhupada risked his life to travel to western countries to give Krishna to others so do also helping him to make his mission successful as a true disciple with an unflinching faith in Guru and Krishna so the Krisha’s glories reach out to every village, town and city.
Year after year over more than four decades you have been vigorously travelling to preach young students, professionals, and many others in all walks of life and show concern to attract them towards Krishna. You have expertise in presenting the teachings of bhakti yoga process and give valuable guidance to everyone on how to balance their spiritual and professional life. You explain very difficult subject matter in a simple way and make us convinced and feel easy to practice spiritual life with our day to day struggle of keeping up our material commitments.
As stated in SB 3.25.21 The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.
You are a perfect example of a pure sadhu and an ideal disciple who selflessly trying to help everyone to understand the goal of life. I feel that Krishna has send you to this material world to give special mercy of the Lord to the fallen conditioned souls by awakening the love of God in their hearts, by training them to perform devotional service without any selfish desires, and perfect them in practising Krishna consciousness so that they become eligible to go back to spiritual world. I see blazing fire of compassion in your heart to reach out to as many new people as possible. I see you get so much taste and satisfaction by sharing Krishna’s glories in your inspiring lectures. I notice how you get immense pleasure by doing ecstacic kirtans, chanting and dancing.
As stated in Cc 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.
You are very compassionate and help everyone who just come in contact with you to take up this process of bhakti yoga and just with your moments association, you make a deep impact on them to let them think of Krishna and make them feel to keep Krishna in centre of their life.
When will this fallen soul learn that all the instructions are given in your lectures and Srila prabhupada books and not to think that I need to be told or instructed. In your lectures you always instruct everyone to chant attentively, read and distribute Srila Prabhupada books. You always advise no mater in whichever ashram one is in, one must take time out to read Srila Prabhupada books. I am trying to chant attentively before I caught up with my day to day family duties but struggling hard to find time to read Srila Prabhupada books due to my demanding duty as a mother looking after two energetic boys. Instead of giving excuses to read Srila Prabhupada books, I took up doing courses in the temple so that I can pull out sometime to read. I think deep in my heart while reading books that how much dedication, faith and sincerity you have in following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions as it is. Just by attempting to preach other we feel there is so much potential to do and drive us to do more and more. I can’t imagine how much pleasure and nectar you must be tasting by preaching and continuing the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Before taking Brahman initiation you instructed that taking Brahamna is not for the sake of taking it, but one must perform consistent devotional services with dedication and sincerity. Please bless me so I can be able to keep up to your expectations as a true disciple. As your discsiple, not for the name sake, I desire to follow your instructions to chant, read and distribute books in my little capacity. Guru Maharaj, praying and begging for your kind blessings and mercy on this auspicious day so that I can be able to follow Krishna consciousness until my last breath.
Deep in my heart, I feel so much indebted to you in this life, and I sincerely desire to attempt to serve you in whichever way that please you in your mission of serving Srila Prabhupada. I beg you at your louts feet to kindly shower your blessings to my family so we become an instruments in practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness and serve the servants of the servants of the Lord.
I pray to the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vallabha, Gaura Nitai and Jagganatha, Baladeva and Subhra Mayi for your good health and well-being to continue this mission of spreading the message of love of God so that many more fallen souls like me get the advantage of your teachings.
Trying to be your true disciple,
Jahnavi Jivan dd, Bhakta Venu Gopal, & Bhakta Harideva
Jaisacinandana Das
Nama om visnu-padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Dearest Gurudev,
On this auspicious day of your Vysa puja its once again an opportunity to thank you for the kindness and mercy you have bestowed to this fallen soul.
As I reflect and go through various phases and stages in life and especially in interactions with the material world, I realise how fortunate have I been to be touched by your mercy and association.
Your leadership, kindness, purity, unalloyed devotion, personal care and guidance have shaped the last decade plus of my life.
Everything I have today is a gift from you Gurudev and thank you for showering so much mercy on me.
I pray to their lordships to give you a long life and also pristine health.
I also yearn for more and more of your association.
Your Insignificant Servant
Jaisacinandana &
Baby Arjun
Srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Dearest Gurudev,
On this auspicious day of your Vysa puja its once again an opportunity to thank you for the kindness and mercy you have bestowed to this fallen soul.
As I reflect and go through various phases and stages in life and especially in interactions with the material world, I realise how fortunate have I been to be touched by your mercy and association.
Your leadership, kindness, purity, unalloyed devotion, personal care and guidance have shaped the last decade plus of my life.
Everything I have today is a gift from you Gurudev and thank you for showering so much mercy on me.
I pray to their lordships to give you a long life and also pristine health.
I also yearn for more and more of your association.
Your Insignificant Servant
Jaisacinandana &
Baby Arjun
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 Your most auspicious appearance in this world!
On reflecting upon how significantly my life has changed since our first encounter, I can only feel extremely blessed and grateful.
And although since moving to Sridham Mayapur about 7 years ago, I have been beteft of Your Vapu , except for a few brief moments of Your darshan, or discourses , yet somehow I always feel your guiding presence.
Your ongoing inspiration to read and study Srila Prabhupada 's books , to associate with devotees who inspire & uplift us, to care for one another and for Krsna's beloved cows , and to distribute Srila Prabhupada 's books , in whatever big or small capacity keeps me enlivened.
This year marks an important milestone in Your Loft preaching activities.
For the past 25 years You so expertly inspired Your disciples to reach out and give people the greatest gift, through the process of Bhakti Yoga.
You continue to tirelessly travel the globe, with fixed determination and compassion for all conditioned souls , to bring them back to the loving shelter of Sri Guru and Gauranga , helping them to revive their dormant love for Sri Sri Radha & Krsna.
Srila Prabhupada states that there is no greater welfare work than this.
In your recent class at the Gold coast, You so nicely explained how Bhakti Yoga is our career.
And even if we don't feel like executing our prescribed duties, like chanting our minimum of 16 rounds a day , we HAVE to do it.
Just like in a career there's certain things that we may not like to do at times, but it's our duty to our spiritual master and the disciplic succession to perform our prescribed duties.
You furthermore explained that this is the only way to control the mind and senses.
Although my mind and senses are still very much uncontrolled, and my chanting is inattentive and full of offenses, due to Your causeless mercy and inspiration over the last 16 years, i must admit that, looking back at my life before coming to Krsna consciousness,
this process works, despite all my shortcomings and bad habits.
As it it spoken by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura,
if we satisfy a pure devotee, who has no other service then to serve Krsna, by our service, then, even if
there's some discrepancies, we are eligible for mercy.
I'm presently in Maui, Hawaii with my beloved husband.
In our own little insignificant way , we are attempting to reach out to others to connect them to the process of Bhakti.
A few days ago, we attempted our first yoga & kirtan evening.
Although most of the yoga attendants were affiliated with Osho , one lady from Italy was very much interested in the philosophy of KC.
One of the kirtan guests took a small book on Bhakti Yoga, the art of eternal love.
Last night on Harinam Krsna kindly reciprocated with my desire to please You, a few small books went out, and one girl named Joy asked me if I had a Bhagavat Gita and said that she'd been wanting to get a copy.
I was over "Joyed" to give her my only copy.
She was so grateful. It was such a simple , yet blissful exchange.
And although this is very insignificant, I was reflecting upon a post from my dear Godbrother Nitai Cand Prabhu recently, in which he shared how at the last Bhakti fest, You emphasised not to underestimate our small efforts to distribute Srila Prabhupada 's books whether big or small.
This again shows your inconceivable compassion and encouragement, especially for this insignificant aspiring servant.
Thank you Gurudeva for all that You have given me.
I beg that I may one day become Your worthy servant.
Sincerely,
Your aspiring servant,
Janesvari devi dasi
Jayadeva Kavi das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances at your soothing feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
And all glories to your exalted self!
Thank you for your guidance and care over the years, both personally by your instructions and also with your outreach centres which nourish the wider community of conditioned souls of which I am a long-time member. Here is a short story for your pleasure:
Last Sunday at The Loft I had an interesting encounter over dinner. Tim, a clean cut, positive and peaceful guy in his late 30’s, was there for his first time. He expressed his appreciation for Candidasa’s talk on Karma. He especially liked the example Candidasa gave detailing the reaction a police officer faces when he kills in the line of duty and the contrary reaction awarded when the killing is self-motivated and becomes murder.
Turns out Tim is a police officer himself, working in South Auckland. And after many years of experiencing the horror and difficulties accompanying such a job, he was considering a new occupation. But remembering his occupation was rendering a higher service to the community, above choosing a career simply according to one’s immediate personal interests, he decided to stay with it. He felt he had a need to serve
“How did you find out about this place,” I enquired.
“I googled ‘bhakti yoga Auckland,’ and this was the only place that came up,” Tim replied.
Asking if he had read Bhagavad-gita, he gave a look of disappointment. “I tried, but gave up. It was too hard to understand.” Then he explained how, despite trying, he could not understand the meaning of what he had read.
I explained that, similar to ordinary knowledge, spiritual subject matter has to be presented by someone who not only understands the meaning but also lives it practically in their life. I was able to present Srila Prabhupada as the pre-eminent teacher of Bhakti Yoga in the modern age and that you, his beloved student-disciple, are my spiritual master and have set up this place – the Loft – just to teach and encourage people in practicing Bhakti Yoga!
He was enthusiastic to learn about Srila Prabhupada’s ‘walk through guide’ in the form of his purports and, before leaving that night, made sure to purchase a hardback Bhagavad-gita to take home and study.
This is the nectar of serving at The Loft: being able to help connect people to Krishna in so many different ways, in a way that’s approachable and more relatable to people in general but without sacrificing or changing the principles. It not only sounds nice and feels easier, but it actually works. People are being connected to The Loft in a variety of ways, and then becoming practitioners of bhakti, devotees of Krishna. By chanting The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, hearing transcendental messages and receiving mercy by tasting Prasad, all kinds of people are becoming purified. People may think it’s a mundane yoga centre (even some devotees) but they’re missing the point: to make it easy to come to Krishna, make it easy to practice bhakti, and make it easy to give Krishna to others.
Tonight I sat with a teenager whose older brother, after being a regular at the Bhakti Lounge in Wellington, now encourages this brother in Auckland to visit The Loft. After a gentle encouragement from Wanzi, he took home japa beads and a book, agreeing to begin chanting 1 round every day. My wife, Madhuryamrita, met with a Argentinian girl she encountered on Harinama Sankirtana who was looking for a genuine copy of Bhagavad-gita in Spanish. Tonight she was so pleased to have bought the last copy that my wife could find. It was the exact copy she was looking for, the one by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. And the other two girls she sat with, one has lived above The Loft for some time and finally decided to check it out and the other came for a health workshop one year ago and after receiving a year of Loft adverts on Facebook finally chose to come tonight to hear from the International Speaker, Travelling Monk and Author [yourself].
These a but a few examples of people coming in contact with The Loft. You have started something wonderful and so many conditioned souls are benefitting from this. We are benefitting not only by purification through attending the programme but also from all the service created to keep such programmes running. I am so proud to be a ‘Loft Staff.’
It’s now 1AM Monday morning and this homage is officially overdue. Please continue to encourage us and everyone in bhakti yoga, service to Krishna and help keep Prabhupada’s mission alive and flourishing in the western countries, where service to God and self-realisation is such a foreign concept.
Begging to remain at your service in this life and the next.
Your aspiring disciple,
Jayadeva Kavi das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your soothing feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
And all glories to your exalted self!
Thank you for your guidance and care over the years, both personally by your instructions and also with your outreach centres which nourish the wider community of conditioned souls of which I am a long-time member. Here is a short story for your pleasure:
Last Sunday at The Loft I had an interesting encounter over dinner. Tim, a clean cut, positive and peaceful guy in his late 30’s, was there for his first time. He expressed his appreciation for Candidasa’s talk on Karma. He especially liked the example Candidasa gave detailing the reaction a police officer faces when he kills in the line of duty and the contrary reaction awarded when the killing is self-motivated and becomes murder.
Turns out Tim is a police officer himself, working in South Auckland. And after many years of experiencing the horror and difficulties accompanying such a job, he was considering a new occupation. But remembering his occupation was rendering a higher service to the community, above choosing a career simply according to one’s immediate personal interests, he decided to stay with it. He felt he had a need to serve
“How did you find out about this place,” I enquired.
“I googled ‘bhakti yoga Auckland,’ and this was the only place that came up,” Tim replied.
Asking if he had read Bhagavad-gita, he gave a look of disappointment. “I tried, but gave up. It was too hard to understand.” Then he explained how, despite trying, he could not understand the meaning of what he had read.
I explained that, similar to ordinary knowledge, spiritual subject matter has to be presented by someone who not only understands the meaning but also lives it practically in their life. I was able to present Srila Prabhupada as the pre-eminent teacher of Bhakti Yoga in the modern age and that you, his beloved student-disciple, are my spiritual master and have set up this place – the Loft – just to teach and encourage people in practicing Bhakti Yoga!
He was enthusiastic to learn about Srila Prabhupada’s ‘walk through guide’ in the form of his purports and, before leaving that night, made sure to purchase a hardback Bhagavad-gita to take home and study.
This is the nectar of serving at The Loft: being able to help connect people to Krishna in so many different ways, in a way that’s approachable and more relatable to people in general but without sacrificing or changing the principles. It not only sounds nice and feels easier, but it actually works. People are being connected to The Loft in a variety of ways, and then becoming practitioners of bhakti, devotees of Krishna. By chanting The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, hearing transcendental messages and receiving mercy by tasting Prasad, all kinds of people are becoming purified. People may think it’s a mundane yoga centre (even some devotees) but they’re missing the point: to make it easy to come to Krishna, make it easy to practice bhakti, and make it easy to give Krishna to others.
Tonight I sat with a teenager whose older brother, after being a regular at the Bhakti Lounge in Wellington, now encourages this brother in Auckland to visit The Loft. After a gentle encouragement from Wanzi, he took home japa beads and a book, agreeing to begin chanting 1 round every day. My wife, Madhuryamrita, met with a Argentinian girl she encountered on Harinama Sankirtana who was looking for a genuine copy of Bhagavad-gita in Spanish. Tonight she was so pleased to have bought the last copy that my wife could find. It was the exact copy she was looking for, the one by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. And the other two girls she sat with, one has lived above The Loft for some time and finally decided to check it out and the other came for a health workshop one year ago and after receiving a year of Loft adverts on Facebook finally chose to come tonight to hear from the International Speaker, Travelling Monk and Author [yourself].
These a but a few examples of people coming in contact with The Loft. You have started something wonderful and so many conditioned souls are benefitting from this. We are benefitting not only by purification through attending the programme but also from all the service created to keep such programmes running. I am so proud to be a ‘Loft Staff.’
It’s now 1AM Monday morning and this homage is officially overdue. Please continue to encourage us and everyone in bhakti yoga, service to Krishna and help keep Prabhupada’s mission alive and flourishing in the western countries, where service to God and self-realisation is such a foreign concept.
Begging to remain at your service in this life and the next.
Your aspiring disciple,
Jayadeva Kavi das
Jīva Doya dāsa
A blessed occasion,
Auspicious for all.
At thy lotus feet,
Prostrated we fall.
Recalling our debt,
We now make a wish,
To repay with some service,
Your Holiness.
His Divine Grace
Made a beckoning call.
A war against darkness
Where many may fall.
Understanding the need
Eager to enlist.
A soldier of God,
Your Holiness.
Sword of knowledge
Firmly in hand.
Defeating mere theory,
Drier than sand.
Pouring on sweet,
Nectarean bliss
Krishna's name shines forth
From Your Holiness.
Soft like a rose
Hard as lightning.
Our only shelter
In a world so frightening.
We clawed for pleasure
In this filthy abyss.
Led now to salvation,
By Your Holiness.
Impeccable insight,
In light of the scripture.
The deepest of truths
Painted clear as a picture.
Divine līlā shared
With a humorous twist
A standing ovation,
Your Holiness.
The extent of your greatness,
God only knows.
Living only for others
Your mercy thus flows.
Showing love purer
Than a mother's kiss.
Our hearts in awe,
At Your Holiness.
Infected by Kali,
Through acts all too savage.
We approach thy feet
With our unholy baggage.
Our sins cast aside
With a flick of the wrist.
Kali sinks in fear
Of Your Holiness.
Thank you, dear Father,
Always so giving.
More than we deserve
A life worth living.
A chance to serve Krishna,
Not to be missed.
Bestowed upon us,
By Your Holiness.
Auspicious for all.
At thy lotus feet,
Prostrated we fall.
Recalling our debt,
We now make a wish,
To repay with some service,
Your Holiness.
His Divine Grace
Made a beckoning call.
A war against darkness
Where many may fall.
Understanding the need
Eager to enlist.
A soldier of God,
Your Holiness.
Sword of knowledge
Firmly in hand.
Defeating mere theory,
Drier than sand.
Pouring on sweet,
Nectarean bliss
Krishna's name shines forth
From Your Holiness.
Soft like a rose
Hard as lightning.
Our only shelter
In a world so frightening.
We clawed for pleasure
In this filthy abyss.
Led now to salvation,
By Your Holiness.
Impeccable insight,
In light of the scripture.
The deepest of truths
Painted clear as a picture.
Divine līlā shared
With a humorous twist
A standing ovation,
Your Holiness.
The extent of your greatness,
God only knows.
Living only for others
Your mercy thus flows.
Showing love purer
Than a mother's kiss.
Our hearts in awe,
At Your Holiness.
Infected by Kali,
Through acts all too savage.
We approach thy feet
With our unholy baggage.
Our sins cast aside
With a flick of the wrist.
Kali sinks in fear
Of Your Holiness.
Thank you, dear Father,
Always so giving.
More than we deserve
A life worth living.
A chance to serve Krishna,
Not to be missed.
Bestowed upon us,
By Your Holiness.
Jiva-maya devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my ever humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I’ve been meditating more and more on the glory and necessity of steadiness. In turn, I have been more and more blown away by your exemplification of it.
The way you have lived, performing such austerities by traveling so extensively for so long, all the while maintaining such pure consciousness. I’m baffled and in awe, the more I think about it.
To do so has no doubt required such determination, such selflessness, such strength. It’s unfathomable.
A friend in Krishna Consciousness was recently sharing with me her experience, being in the movement for 25 years, and how she observes that less and less of us newer devotees truly surrender. How we miss out on that opportunity of seeing how once we jump, Krishna helps us to fly, and our feet don’t touch the ground.
This also made me think of you: and with the word “fly”, I can think of you twofold, because your surrender literally involves so much flying through the air, country to country, all for others’ benefit.
In doing a tiny bit of transcribing service, I hear on these countless trips how you repeatedly present unique, but equally powerful, presentations of Krishna Consciousness in every talk. How carefully curated, how expertly emphatic. That is the fruit of so much practise, so much thought. So much spiritual potency.
That potency is so strong that it overspills to spiritual vultures like this lowly soul. I feel greedy to load up on your association and pass it all on. Maintaining or developing my own such potency seems far away, especially when so many other areas of life require “meditation”. Life’s To Do List and the mind’s other agendas steals attention that otherwise belongs with the Holy Name.
You refused to settle for this compromise, this tireless balancing act.
I remember hearing you tell the story of when you “took the plunge”, and left your “material life” in the middle of the night without telling anyone, because you knew no one would understand. I sometimes want to hear more about those moments, in the hope I might have my own epiphany… all the different emotions and thoughts you experienced… but more so, the overwhelming tidal wave of conviction churned by Srila Prabhupada that must have washed over you and carried you to step out of the door.
You’ve surfed that surging swell of devotional service for over 40 years, and I pray your body continues to find its balance on each board it lands on, within any ocean and on whichever continent. I pray to generate waves of interest from conditioned souls that you can keep catching and ride with transcendental joy. I pray for a splash, a drop or even just some spray.
Aspiring to be the person you see I could be,
Jiva-maya devi dasi
Jules
I would like to thank you for giving me a chance to serve krishna, by creating the loft, by writing those amazing book and by your mercy, you open my eyes and my mind, I am eternally grateful to you . Please accept my obeisance. Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
Kalpana Kaore
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja!
Thank you for giving me shelter at the dust of your lotus feet and for the mercy you have showered upon me. Gurudeva, it is my sincere desire that I may be able to assist you in some small way in your service to Srila Prabhupada by following your personal instructions given to me about making Prasadam and distributing it. With your blessings I have also been able to distribute 24 of Srila Prabhupada's books till now. Because of you, so many people are fortunate enough to be able to relish the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and read Srila Prabhupada's books. Through your lectures I am learning lots of things such as how to serve you, Krishna and His devotees.
Thank you for your loving attention and guidance.
Your humble servant,
Kalpana Kaore
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja!
Thank you for giving me shelter at the dust of your lotus feet and for the mercy you have showered upon me. Gurudeva, it is my sincere desire that I may be able to assist you in some small way in your service to Srila Prabhupada by following your personal instructions given to me about making Prasadam and distributing it. With your blessings I have also been able to distribute 24 of Srila Prabhupada's books till now. Because of you, so many people are fortunate enough to be able to relish the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and read Srila Prabhupada's books. Through your lectures I am learning lots of things such as how to serve you, Krishna and His devotees.
Thank you for your loving attention and guidance.
Your humble servant,
Kalpana Kaore
Kamsari Sena dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
Thank you for accepting me as your disciple. I lack the qualities of a disciple yet you have still accepted me as your spiritual son. As a caring father you always show your care and love. When I look at my life, I feel very grateful. I didn't do anything to deserve this. There’s nothing better than this. It is a great benediction to be surrounded by serious practitioners of bhakti, to live in Sri Radha Gopinath’s temple and to be engaged in Their service. This is all due to your blessings. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings “Gurudeva, your mercy is all that I am made of.”
As a bona fide spiritual master you simply repeat the message of the Guru Parampara. Guru Maharaj, you do not manufacture anything new or fashionable. Yet the message is delivered in such an expert way that it is so easy to understand. Following in the footsteps of the predecessor acaryas like Sukadeva Goswami you give the essence of spiritual knowledge in a way that it can be easily received.
This makes me feel most secure hearing from you about Krishna and devotional service. You make it so easy to practice bhakti. If I feel any difficulty in my life all I have to do is hear you speak. I feel pacified and enthusiastic to continue my devotional service.
Guru Maharaja thank you for patiently teaching me the basics of the bhakti practice – attentive hearing and chanting. You emphasis it and you live by it. Your instructions always dissipate the darkness of ignorance. You make practicing devotional service so easy. Feeling indebted to you this insignificant servant begs for your blessings to help assist you in making it easy for others.
Your spiritual son,
Kamsari Sena dasa
Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
Thank you for accepting me as your disciple. I lack the qualities of a disciple yet you have still accepted me as your spiritual son. As a caring father you always show your care and love. When I look at my life, I feel very grateful. I didn't do anything to deserve this. There’s nothing better than this. It is a great benediction to be surrounded by serious practitioners of bhakti, to live in Sri Radha Gopinath’s temple and to be engaged in Their service. This is all due to your blessings. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings “Gurudeva, your mercy is all that I am made of.”
As a bona fide spiritual master you simply repeat the message of the Guru Parampara. Guru Maharaj, you do not manufacture anything new or fashionable. Yet the message is delivered in such an expert way that it is so easy to understand. Following in the footsteps of the predecessor acaryas like Sukadeva Goswami you give the essence of spiritual knowledge in a way that it can be easily received.
This makes me feel most secure hearing from you about Krishna and devotional service. You make it so easy to practice bhakti. If I feel any difficulty in my life all I have to do is hear you speak. I feel pacified and enthusiastic to continue my devotional service.
Guru Maharaja thank you for patiently teaching me the basics of the bhakti practice – attentive hearing and chanting. You emphasis it and you live by it. Your instructions always dissipate the darkness of ignorance. You make practicing devotional service so easy. Feeling indebted to you this insignificant servant begs for your blessings to help assist you in making it easy for others.
Your spiritual son,
Kamsari Sena dasa
Karuna Purna dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your selfless service!
Recently I have studied a few of your outreach workshops in Wellington and around the world. It always strikes me how you have become so expert in delivering the pure message of Krishna-bhakti. You deliver it with extreme authenticity, straightforwardness and compassion. Yet you have expertly adopted the delivery to suit the current social climate. The medicine may be strong, but your charm makes the administering pleasant. Owing to this expertise of yours many souls have become fortunate.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was known for uncompromisingly delivering the truth, whether palatable or not to the audience. Yet he always did so with the deepest compassion to benefit the hearer. As stated in Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava, The Revolutionary Preacher of Truth, p.148:
“…despite his fighting approach he bore no malice toward anyone. It was not his intention to become anyone’s enemy, for he was the genuine well-wisher of all. But as a propagator of the ultimate truth, which alone could bestow actual beatitude upon all, he was obliged to point out discrepancies in whoever contested his propagating that truth. As he explained, “If people would happily accept the truth, there would be no need to reprove them.” His chastisement was in the spirit of vasudhaiva-kutumbakam (seeing everyone in the world as dear), for he cared so deeply for all that he could not bear to see others misled or misleading.”
We can find in Srila Prabhupada the same authenticity, purity and compassion in delivering the message. Now you are carrying on the same work with deep love. This only shows your dedication to following in the footsteps of our parampara. You are a perfect spiritual master, because you are a perfect disciple of your spiritual master.
You stated in a class to devotees that although the conditions of kali-yuga are getting more and more disadvantageous for spiritual advancement, the conditioned souls still have a chance, because the devotees are becoming more and more expert in delivering the message of Krishna Consciousness. The credit for that goes to you for showing by example how to do it, and tirelessly training up the troops.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was sometimes criticised for openly pointing out the truth, rather than just appreciating the good in everyone. As a response Srila Sarasvati Thakur explained the real duty of a sadhu:
“Without a doubt, a sadhu’s words possess power to destroy the evil propensities of one’s mind. In this way sadhus benefit everyone who associates with them. There are many things which we do not disclose to the sadhu. The real sadhu makes us speak out what we keep concealed in our hearts. He then applies the knife. The very word sadhu has no other meaning than this. He stands in front of the block with the uplifted sacrificial knife in hand. The sensuous desires of men are like goats. The sadhu stands there to kill those desires by the merciful stroke of the keen edge of the sacrificial knife in the form of unpleasant language. If the sadhu turns into my flatterer, then he does me harm; he becomes my enemy. If he flatters us, we will be led to the road which brings worldly enjoyment but no factual wellbeing.” Harmonist 287.267 (February 1931)
You are certainly a real sadhu, not afraid of pointing out what we need to hear. You often refer to this as “shaking the rug.” But you always do it lovingly. This only deepens our gratitude and indebtedness to you as a truly worthy spiritual master.
On this auspicious day of your appearance day I pray that I might be able to be of some use as your instrument in helping to deliver the message purely and authentically.
I also pray for the humility to give up my false pride, and always present myself in such a way that you may be able to tell me what I need to hear.
With gratitude,
Your servant Karuna-purna dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your selfless service!
Recently I have studied a few of your outreach workshops in Wellington and around the world. It always strikes me how you have become so expert in delivering the pure message of Krishna-bhakti. You deliver it with extreme authenticity, straightforwardness and compassion. Yet you have expertly adopted the delivery to suit the current social climate. The medicine may be strong, but your charm makes the administering pleasant. Owing to this expertise of yours many souls have become fortunate.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was known for uncompromisingly delivering the truth, whether palatable or not to the audience. Yet he always did so with the deepest compassion to benefit the hearer. As stated in Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava, The Revolutionary Preacher of Truth, p.148:
“…despite his fighting approach he bore no malice toward anyone. It was not his intention to become anyone’s enemy, for he was the genuine well-wisher of all. But as a propagator of the ultimate truth, which alone could bestow actual beatitude upon all, he was obliged to point out discrepancies in whoever contested his propagating that truth. As he explained, “If people would happily accept the truth, there would be no need to reprove them.” His chastisement was in the spirit of vasudhaiva-kutumbakam (seeing everyone in the world as dear), for he cared so deeply for all that he could not bear to see others misled or misleading.”
We can find in Srila Prabhupada the same authenticity, purity and compassion in delivering the message. Now you are carrying on the same work with deep love. This only shows your dedication to following in the footsteps of our parampara. You are a perfect spiritual master, because you are a perfect disciple of your spiritual master.
You stated in a class to devotees that although the conditions of kali-yuga are getting more and more disadvantageous for spiritual advancement, the conditioned souls still have a chance, because the devotees are becoming more and more expert in delivering the message of Krishna Consciousness. The credit for that goes to you for showing by example how to do it, and tirelessly training up the troops.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was sometimes criticised for openly pointing out the truth, rather than just appreciating the good in everyone. As a response Srila Sarasvati Thakur explained the real duty of a sadhu:
“Without a doubt, a sadhu’s words possess power to destroy the evil propensities of one’s mind. In this way sadhus benefit everyone who associates with them. There are many things which we do not disclose to the sadhu. The real sadhu makes us speak out what we keep concealed in our hearts. He then applies the knife. The very word sadhu has no other meaning than this. He stands in front of the block with the uplifted sacrificial knife in hand. The sensuous desires of men are like goats. The sadhu stands there to kill those desires by the merciful stroke of the keen edge of the sacrificial knife in the form of unpleasant language. If the sadhu turns into my flatterer, then he does me harm; he becomes my enemy. If he flatters us, we will be led to the road which brings worldly enjoyment but no factual wellbeing.” Harmonist 287.267 (February 1931)
You are certainly a real sadhu, not afraid of pointing out what we need to hear. You often refer to this as “shaking the rug.” But you always do it lovingly. This only deepens our gratitude and indebtedness to you as a truly worthy spiritual master.
On this auspicious day of your appearance day I pray that I might be able to be of some use as your instrument in helping to deliver the message purely and authentically.
I also pray for the humility to give up my false pride, and always present myself in such a way that you may be able to tell me what I need to hear.
With gratitude,
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 auspicious day of your appearance!
You simply selflessly live to reach out to others and are therefore very dear to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Krishna as He Himself explains that there will never be one more dear than he who explains this wonderful conversation to others.
You are constantly engaged in service, without a dull moment. Therefore you are constantly in touch with Krishna's spiritual energy and like iron touching the fire you are constantly emanating a bright spiritual effulgence which dissipates the darkness of this world, the darkness of my mind. We can observe that through your association you are able to ignite the spiritual fire in dead iron-like human-like beings like myself.
I therefore pray that you my bless me to stay in your association, manifested through service, so my dull iron-like mind will light up with fire like qualities because only then will I be able to truly associate with you in the proper manner, executing your orders and serving your lotus feet.
There is a little anecdote with our little daughter Sati. When she started to speak and learn names she always called you 'da-go-da' instead Gurudeva and we simply thought, well, like with other words she'll get it right at one stage. However while speaking to some Bengali devotees about her speech and how she calls Gurudeva 'Da-go-da' they explained that she says 'grandfather' in bengali. In fact now she says both, Gurudeva and 'Da-go-da'.
Through your dedicated, selfless activities you created a family beyond the bodily concept, with children and grandchildren fully depended on your expert guidance and you compassionately take care of all of them.
Thank you for your compassionate guidance and your patience.
Your aspiring servant
Kasi Priya das
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
And all glories unto you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
You simply selflessly live to reach out to others and are therefore very dear to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Krishna as He Himself explains that there will never be one more dear than he who explains this wonderful conversation to others.
You are constantly engaged in service, without a dull moment. Therefore you are constantly in touch with Krishna's spiritual energy and like iron touching the fire you are constantly emanating a bright spiritual effulgence which dissipates the darkness of this world, the darkness of my mind. We can observe that through your association you are able to ignite the spiritual fire in dead iron-like human-like beings like myself.
I therefore pray that you my bless me to stay in your association, manifested through service, so my dull iron-like mind will light up with fire like qualities because only then will I be able to truly associate with you in the proper manner, executing your orders and serving your lotus feet.
There is a little anecdote with our little daughter Sati. When she started to speak and learn names she always called you 'da-go-da' instead Gurudeva and we simply thought, well, like with other words she'll get it right at one stage. However while speaking to some Bengali devotees about her speech and how she calls Gurudeva 'Da-go-da' they explained that she says 'grandfather' in bengali. In fact now she says both, Gurudeva and 'Da-go-da'.
Through your dedicated, selfless activities you created a family beyond the bodily concept, with children and grandchildren fully depended on your expert guidance and you compassionately take care of all of them.
Thank you for your compassionate guidance and your patience.
Your aspiring servant
Kasi Priya das
Kasturika devi dasi
Dearest Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to You
Happy vyasapuja Gurudeva !
In one of your lectures you were emphasising how everyone in today's society have no protection and hardly ever think that they need protection. Where does such protection lies without your presence in my life? You devise ways and means to give spiritual lifestyle so that we are protected from our selfish low born desires..
As a father you care and as a teacher you correct me...
Mother Daivi sakti opened a new bookshop as Global featuring more than 100 different languages of Srila Prabhupadas books. It's truly a blessed opportunity to serve under her. And in my daily interactions when trying to introduce Srila Prabhupadas books, to visitors I have noticed how people deep down are always looking for fulfillment and ever lasting happiness. Whether it is the east or the west everyone is suffering from same material situations, which often make me remind me of how you urge the Indians and westerns to take up to Bhakti yoga. And how you so expertly guide them according to their nature's helping them to become devotees in every nook and corner of the globe you travel.
This year I had fortune to witness the glorious passing of HH Gunagrahi swami...personally being present in midst of devotees chanting...in that room I understood what exactly is fortune...to be able to call out to krsna and having some devotees to help you call out for krsna...I realised I stand no where....and in your recent classes you were emphasising on the chanting and also teaching young kids around how they should learn to chant. I wish I could be one of those kids to learn to chant the holy names from you.
This year I have seen many turbulences in my spiritual life but Mother Daivi sakti as well Bhakti lata guide me and protect me from time to time. Thank you Gurudeva for always looking out for my protection and placing me in good hands and giving me the best of gifts of Kc lifestyle.
Today I pray that i can be more steady and strong in coming days in my sadhana and be selfless to serve you and your mission for your pleasure.
Aspiring to be servant of the servant
Kasturika devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to You
Happy vyasapuja Gurudeva !
In one of your lectures you were emphasising how everyone in today's society have no protection and hardly ever think that they need protection. Where does such protection lies without your presence in my life? You devise ways and means to give spiritual lifestyle so that we are protected from our selfish low born desires..
As a father you care and as a teacher you correct me...
Mother Daivi sakti opened a new bookshop as Global featuring more than 100 different languages of Srila Prabhupadas books. It's truly a blessed opportunity to serve under her. And in my daily interactions when trying to introduce Srila Prabhupadas books, to visitors I have noticed how people deep down are always looking for fulfillment and ever lasting happiness. Whether it is the east or the west everyone is suffering from same material situations, which often make me remind me of how you urge the Indians and westerns to take up to Bhakti yoga. And how you so expertly guide them according to their nature's helping them to become devotees in every nook and corner of the globe you travel.
This year I had fortune to witness the glorious passing of HH Gunagrahi swami...personally being present in midst of devotees chanting...in that room I understood what exactly is fortune...to be able to call out to krsna and having some devotees to help you call out for krsna...I realised I stand no where....and in your recent classes you were emphasising on the chanting and also teaching young kids around how they should learn to chant. I wish I could be one of those kids to learn to chant the holy names from you.
This year I have seen many turbulences in my spiritual life but Mother Daivi sakti as well Bhakti lata guide me and protect me from time to time. Thank you Gurudeva for always looking out for my protection and placing me in good hands and giving me the best of gifts of Kc lifestyle.
Today I pray that i can be more steady and strong in coming days in my sadhana and be selfless to serve you and your mission for your pleasure.
Aspiring to be servant of the servant
Kasturika devi dasi.
Kathamrta Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories unto Srila Prabhupada and all glories unto you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance in this world.
2015 Toronto, Ontario- Krishna Janmastami. We rised early, bathed, and chanted our japa together. There was a wonderful class which extended late into the morning. The Krishna-katha gave our minds sustenance for a day of aspiring for selfless service.
Then it began- cooking, decorating, and working on festival presentations consumed us. Mid-day We met up as a small group of 4 or 5 devotee's and distributed books and flyers; inviting everyone to "Krishna's Party."
Greeting guests and seating everyone comfortably as they arrived, we dove into kirtan saying, "Let the festivities begin!" A group of us wrote a musical and performed it in dramatic fashion for an overflowing room of eager listeners. The play was about a young girl who was seeking happiness and how she was disappointed that every approach she attempted hit walls on the material platform.
There was a song that our main character sang,
"If happiness is up to me why can't I just grab it?
I'm trying and I'm fighting but I'm starting to doubt it.
I wake up each day and I jump and I shout it,
"I can do anything can't say nothing about it."
But the world comes crashing down,
life is a trashing.
I try to enjoy but it comes as a lashing,
and nothing makes sense.
I'm failing in three classes.
I'm trying to go with the flow in a series of patches.
And I'm a confused thread- just trying to stitch it together
but there is no measure
and the pressure is buliding
to hold myself together.
I thought this world was my oster.
I thought I was the pearl.
I'm trying hard to enjoy life;
is it even possible?"
The talk was followed by a workshop on the introduction to Nectar of Devotion, wherein we read this passage of Srila Prabhupada's introduction, "At the present moment the human society teaches one to love his country or family or his personal self, but there is no information where to repose the loving propensity so that everyone can become happy. That missing point is Kṛṣṇa, and The Nectar of Devotionteaches us how to stimulate our original love for Kṛṣṇa and how to be situated in that position where we can enjoy our blissful life."
The feast followed and the devotees went to great lengths to serve each guest in a humble and joyful mood. Then at 11:30pm the doors of Bhakti Lounge closed. The devotees took off karmi-costumes, bathed, and decorated the body in tilak. Then, in dhotis and sarees we rushed to the temple for midnight ararti- excited to see Sri Sri Radha Kira Cora Gopinatha decorated in flower-dresses. The kirtan went on and on, and I fell asleep paying obeisances, while the devotees scrambled thinking I was in some ecstatic condition. Waking up we took prasadam, and with tears of love or maybe just emotional exhaustion- we honoured the Lord's mercy, not knowing what we would be doing if not engaged on this special day.
Arriving back to the Bhakti Lounge, we found the kitchen was left in shambles. I was on pot washing, and Saci-devi Devi Dasi was to help. But I just couldn't stand up, Gurudeva! I actually couldn't stand. I haven't ever felt like this before and I haven't felt this way since. I think it was around 3am. We really wanted to clean the kitchen so it was fresh to cook for Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja feast preparation on the next day. But, I just didn't know what to do! My legs completely gave out.
So, there I was... lying on the kitchen floor. Saci Devi was washing dishes and I feel horrible and I keep telling her to go to bed. I said, "I just need a second, and then I'll get up and I'll do it." But, she's very merciful, so she's singing the holy names, and cleaning, and she's laughing at the pitiful condition I was in. So, I decided that she cannot just upstage me in devotional service like this... and so I grab a near by Krishna Book to read to her. And then something incredible happened.. I said, "Saci, give me a beat." And she started beating on a pot that she was washing and I sang, "Hey, it's that time again... Time to open up, Krishna." And we started laughing because all we have been doing all day is trying to talk about Krishna- and now it's 3 am, and we have service to do, but our bodies are so slack that we can hardly stand- yet somehow or other, we have this idea to go on talking about Krishna despite all odds. The very thought of this being the answer to our distress gave us such a inexplicably wonderful feeling. The song continued,
"Hey, what's going on in there?
That Supreme Personality of Godhead....Godhead, yeah!
And who is serving Him?
Fanning Him?
Loving Him?
And where is it happening?
Vrndavana? Mathura? Dvaraka?
Hmmmm....
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! pāhi mām
rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! pāhi mām"
I read a chapter. Then I was back on my feet and we were scrubbing the pots together. Although it was a private affair, I must say we were completely disregarding all social conventions.
I wanted to remember how we celebrated Krishna's appearance day in full pomp on your appearance day- because your appearance day is even more wonderful. Without you, I wouldn't know what is Krishna Janmastami, I wouldn't know Who to sing about, Who to remember, Who to sacrifice for, and Who to repose my loving propensity in. I wouldn't know my self, I wouldn't know the beauty of devotee relationships, I wouldn't know how to offer, taste or serve prasadam. Without you I am a 0. You are my shining star. Your influence in my life is my saving grace and my only hope. When I pray, I pray through you.
So I pray, please do not shake me off your feet like a stuck piece of sand that irritates you. Please forgive me and let me stay here. I have no other home. By your grace, because you have given me this sweet name, even when my body is failing me, somehow I remember one thing I can do- talk about Krishna. I am so indebted to you for this... I will never be able to repay you.
All I can do is say thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Your aspiring piece of talking sand,
Kathamrta
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories unto Srila Prabhupada and all glories unto you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance in this world.
2015 Toronto, Ontario- Krishna Janmastami. We rised early, bathed, and chanted our japa together. There was a wonderful class which extended late into the morning. The Krishna-katha gave our minds sustenance for a day of aspiring for selfless service.
Then it began- cooking, decorating, and working on festival presentations consumed us. Mid-day We met up as a small group of 4 or 5 devotee's and distributed books and flyers; inviting everyone to "Krishna's Party."
Greeting guests and seating everyone comfortably as they arrived, we dove into kirtan saying, "Let the festivities begin!" A group of us wrote a musical and performed it in dramatic fashion for an overflowing room of eager listeners. The play was about a young girl who was seeking happiness and how she was disappointed that every approach she attempted hit walls on the material platform.
There was a song that our main character sang,
"If happiness is up to me why can't I just grab it?
I'm trying and I'm fighting but I'm starting to doubt it.
I wake up each day and I jump and I shout it,
"I can do anything can't say nothing about it."
But the world comes crashing down,
life is a trashing.
I try to enjoy but it comes as a lashing,
and nothing makes sense.
I'm failing in three classes.
I'm trying to go with the flow in a series of patches.
And I'm a confused thread- just trying to stitch it together
but there is no measure
and the pressure is buliding
to hold myself together.
I thought this world was my oster.
I thought I was the pearl.
I'm trying hard to enjoy life;
is it even possible?"
The talk was followed by a workshop on the introduction to Nectar of Devotion, wherein we read this passage of Srila Prabhupada's introduction, "At the present moment the human society teaches one to love his country or family or his personal self, but there is no information where to repose the loving propensity so that everyone can become happy. That missing point is Kṛṣṇa, and The Nectar of Devotionteaches us how to stimulate our original love for Kṛṣṇa and how to be situated in that position where we can enjoy our blissful life."
The feast followed and the devotees went to great lengths to serve each guest in a humble and joyful mood. Then at 11:30pm the doors of Bhakti Lounge closed. The devotees took off karmi-costumes, bathed, and decorated the body in tilak. Then, in dhotis and sarees we rushed to the temple for midnight ararti- excited to see Sri Sri Radha Kira Cora Gopinatha decorated in flower-dresses. The kirtan went on and on, and I fell asleep paying obeisances, while the devotees scrambled thinking I was in some ecstatic condition. Waking up we took prasadam, and with tears of love or maybe just emotional exhaustion- we honoured the Lord's mercy, not knowing what we would be doing if not engaged on this special day.
Arriving back to the Bhakti Lounge, we found the kitchen was left in shambles. I was on pot washing, and Saci-devi Devi Dasi was to help. But I just couldn't stand up, Gurudeva! I actually couldn't stand. I haven't ever felt like this before and I haven't felt this way since. I think it was around 3am. We really wanted to clean the kitchen so it was fresh to cook for Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja feast preparation on the next day. But, I just didn't know what to do! My legs completely gave out.
So, there I was... lying on the kitchen floor. Saci Devi was washing dishes and I feel horrible and I keep telling her to go to bed. I said, "I just need a second, and then I'll get up and I'll do it." But, she's very merciful, so she's singing the holy names, and cleaning, and she's laughing at the pitiful condition I was in. So, I decided that she cannot just upstage me in devotional service like this... and so I grab a near by Krishna Book to read to her. And then something incredible happened.. I said, "Saci, give me a beat." And she started beating on a pot that she was washing and I sang, "Hey, it's that time again... Time to open up, Krishna." And we started laughing because all we have been doing all day is trying to talk about Krishna- and now it's 3 am, and we have service to do, but our bodies are so slack that we can hardly stand- yet somehow or other, we have this idea to go on talking about Krishna despite all odds. The very thought of this being the answer to our distress gave us such a inexplicably wonderful feeling. The song continued,
"Hey, what's going on in there?
That Supreme Personality of Godhead....Godhead, yeah!
And who is serving Him?
Fanning Him?
Loving Him?
And where is it happening?
Vrndavana? Mathura? Dvaraka?
Hmmmm....
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! pāhi mām
rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! pāhi mām"
I read a chapter. Then I was back on my feet and we were scrubbing the pots together. Although it was a private affair, I must say we were completely disregarding all social conventions.
I wanted to remember how we celebrated Krishna's appearance day in full pomp on your appearance day- because your appearance day is even more wonderful. Without you, I wouldn't know what is Krishna Janmastami, I wouldn't know Who to sing about, Who to remember, Who to sacrifice for, and Who to repose my loving propensity in. I wouldn't know my self, I wouldn't know the beauty of devotee relationships, I wouldn't know how to offer, taste or serve prasadam. Without you I am a 0. You are my shining star. Your influence in my life is my saving grace and my only hope. When I pray, I pray through you.
So I pray, please do not shake me off your feet like a stuck piece of sand that irritates you. Please forgive me and let me stay here. I have no other home. By your grace, because you have given me this sweet name, even when my body is failing me, somehow I remember one thing I can do- talk about Krishna. I am so indebted to you for this... I will never be able to repay you.
All I can do is say thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Your aspiring piece of talking sand,
Kathamrta
Keli- kānana Dasa
Dear His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Having taken shelter of your lotus feet, The holy name now tastes more sweet, establishing connection each time I repeat, I’m feeling truly blessed.
Just as life felt all to bleak, I attended a programme to hear you speak, you appeared so confident and yet so meek, as you spoke to the distressed.
You spoke of wisdom old and new, how life looses flavour the more we chew, your realisations resounded true, and touched my heavy heart.
You spoke about the love supreme, and how this life is like a dream, as deeply troubling as it may seem, we need to make a start.
Make a start to contemplate, why we oft’ procrastinate, from life’s goal to assimilate, pure love for the divine.
I didn’t know what guru meant, or how a lifetime should be spent, remaining always transcendent, to material sparkle and shine.
You freely offer the Bhakti seed, to all whom you perceive may need, overlooking race, colour or creed, your an expert at compassion.
I’m sure all others would agree, you exude real positivity, by preaching from city to city, pioneering Vedic fashion.
You specialise in the highest pleasure, of which Bhakti is the treasure, and it’s value has no measure, this is what you share.
How you serve so selflessly, is to me a mystery, solely by this activity, I know you truly care.
Thank you for the sweet amrta, your teach ing from Prabhupadas Gita, destroying propensities to be a cheater, this I can’t repay.
I hope to remain as your humble servant,
To decrease my material fervent, pray let me always remain observant, on your vyasa puja day.
At your service,
Keli- kānana Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Having taken shelter of your lotus feet, The holy name now tastes more sweet, establishing connection each time I repeat, I’m feeling truly blessed.
Just as life felt all to bleak, I attended a programme to hear you speak, you appeared so confident and yet so meek, as you spoke to the distressed.
You spoke of wisdom old and new, how life looses flavour the more we chew, your realisations resounded true, and touched my heavy heart.
You spoke about the love supreme, and how this life is like a dream, as deeply troubling as it may seem, we need to make a start.
Make a start to contemplate, why we oft’ procrastinate, from life’s goal to assimilate, pure love for the divine.
I didn’t know what guru meant, or how a lifetime should be spent, remaining always transcendent, to material sparkle and shine.
You freely offer the Bhakti seed, to all whom you perceive may need, overlooking race, colour or creed, your an expert at compassion.
I’m sure all others would agree, you exude real positivity, by preaching from city to city, pioneering Vedic fashion.
You specialise in the highest pleasure, of which Bhakti is the treasure, and it’s value has no measure, this is what you share.
How you serve so selflessly, is to me a mystery, solely by this activity, I know you truly care.
Thank you for the sweet amrta, your teach ing from Prabhupadas Gita, destroying propensities to be a cheater, this I can’t repay.
I hope to remain as your humble servant,
To decrease my material fervent, pray let me always remain observant, on your vyasa puja day.
At your service,
Keli- kānana Dasa
Kesi-mardana das
Dearest Gurudeva,
Hare Krishna! Please accept my most respectful, prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you, to Srila Prabhupada, and to our entire Guru Parampara, whom you so perfectly represent.
Krishna has blessed me with the inconceivable fortune of another year of opportunities to be engaged in your service, in the association of inspiring god-family, well-wishers, and friends. This is without doubt the most precious gift and the only wealth worth attaining. Being a recipient of this gift is undoubtedly only due to your love, kindness, and mercy - qualities which you purely embody and in fact, emanate.
Gurudeva, simply being in your presence one can perceive the fact that the pure spirit soul is naturally full of all virtuous and desirable attributes. By your pure-hearted engagement in devotional service, the soul’s eternal dharma, the beautiful, saintly qualities which are described in the Bhagavatam and other Vedic literatures have become vividly present in your personality and dealings with all who achieve the fortune of your association. For me, your very insignificant disciple, you make the teachings of our Vaisnava acaryas come alive. By observing your speech, your work, your guidance, and your lifestyle, one gets a glimpse into the realm of pure spiritual relationships and endeavors. I cannot thank you enough for the example which you are setting for us, your dependent disciples.
I remember once Gurudeva, how you described that in your role as our spiritual master, you sincerely try to give us all everything you desired and received in your relationship with your spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. As we understand from shastra, the instruction of the spiritual master is even more important than his physical association. However, in our dealings here at Gita Nagari, you have been so merciful as to allow us to serve you very closely and intimately. All the while your focus is entirely on providing the potent instructions that we need to continually advance in Krishna consciousness, keeping our attention on the most important aspects of our spiritual life - especially hearing and chanting.
We can see that you have such attachment for chanting and hearing about Krishna. During our gatherings you genuinely relish our discussions about Krishna and the Bhagavatam and you distribute that flavor to us as well. For me personally the memories of these moments together and the talks we have about Krishna, are the most valuable assets I could ever possess. Thank you for enlivening us and bringing us closer to Krishna in this way.
On this divine day of your appearance Gurudeva, when you are especially merciful, I pray to you and beg for the strong desire to be fixed in unwavering devotional service, eternally under your guidance. Please bestow your mercy that my heart will simply become filled with all encompassing lust for pleasing Krishna’s senses, as you exhibit perfectly.
I also beg you to forgive me for my innumerable offenses. Only by understanding that by following your instructions I will gradually become pure, am I able to forge ahead in the daily battle with the mind and senses. Please bless me with the strength to remain always attached to Krishna’s service and to the lotus feet of His devotees, and to your divinely inspired instructions.
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Kesi-mardana das
Hare Krishna! Please accept my most respectful, prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you, to Srila Prabhupada, and to our entire Guru Parampara, whom you so perfectly represent.
Krishna has blessed me with the inconceivable fortune of another year of opportunities to be engaged in your service, in the association of inspiring god-family, well-wishers, and friends. This is without doubt the most precious gift and the only wealth worth attaining. Being a recipient of this gift is undoubtedly only due to your love, kindness, and mercy - qualities which you purely embody and in fact, emanate.
Gurudeva, simply being in your presence one can perceive the fact that the pure spirit soul is naturally full of all virtuous and desirable attributes. By your pure-hearted engagement in devotional service, the soul’s eternal dharma, the beautiful, saintly qualities which are described in the Bhagavatam and other Vedic literatures have become vividly present in your personality and dealings with all who achieve the fortune of your association. For me, your very insignificant disciple, you make the teachings of our Vaisnava acaryas come alive. By observing your speech, your work, your guidance, and your lifestyle, one gets a glimpse into the realm of pure spiritual relationships and endeavors. I cannot thank you enough for the example which you are setting for us, your dependent disciples.
I remember once Gurudeva, how you described that in your role as our spiritual master, you sincerely try to give us all everything you desired and received in your relationship with your spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. As we understand from shastra, the instruction of the spiritual master is even more important than his physical association. However, in our dealings here at Gita Nagari, you have been so merciful as to allow us to serve you very closely and intimately. All the while your focus is entirely on providing the potent instructions that we need to continually advance in Krishna consciousness, keeping our attention on the most important aspects of our spiritual life - especially hearing and chanting.
We can see that you have such attachment for chanting and hearing about Krishna. During our gatherings you genuinely relish our discussions about Krishna and the Bhagavatam and you distribute that flavor to us as well. For me personally the memories of these moments together and the talks we have about Krishna, are the most valuable assets I could ever possess. Thank you for enlivening us and bringing us closer to Krishna in this way.
On this divine day of your appearance Gurudeva, when you are especially merciful, I pray to you and beg for the strong desire to be fixed in unwavering devotional service, eternally under your guidance. Please bestow your mercy that my heart will simply become filled with all encompassing lust for pleasing Krishna’s senses, as you exhibit perfectly.
I also beg you to forgive me for my innumerable offenses. Only by understanding that by following your instructions I will gradually become pure, am I able to forge ahead in the daily battle with the mind and senses. Please bless me with the strength to remain always attached to Krishna’s service and to the lotus feet of His devotees, and to your divinely inspired instructions.
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Kesi-mardana das
Khadiravan devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to your lotus feet and your divine service at Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet.
I remember you speaking about how a coach trains their sports team to stick to the fundamentals. And you have mentioned how Srila Prabhupada was a “master of the focus”, which demonstrates that you realise the value of that yourself, and try to pass on this sense of keeping things potent and essential to your spiritual children, young and old.
In light of this I want to offer you my gratitude for this sutra, a daily dose remedy packed with unlimited nutrients for regaining spiritual health:
“devotee means devotional service”,
followed by a chaser to analyse our life practically:
“look at your life: what are you doing with your senses? Are you using them for Krishna’s pleasure or your own?”
I find this sutra alone can be enough to remember each day to keep life centred on Krishna according to whatever my current level of capacity and realisation may be. Thank you for this sublime simplicity in the ocean of complexities that is life in the material world in a material body.
It brings any imaginary ideas of what it means to try to be a devotee down to earth fast. Next it propels me in the direction I should be heading - where is my service? Today, tomorrow, next week, next year?
Like a drowning swimmer reaching for a lifeline, I can feel the traction gained and strength gifted by offering devotional service, as I’m pulled out from maya’s undercurrents that try to drag me down moment to moment. We are trying to fight the good fight, the only worthwhile fight in this world, by the lifeline you have thrown. I long for the day that I am fully absorbed at all times, twenty fours hours a day, with sacrifice in service at your lotus feet, in ways that please you intensely.
Even the act of trying to be a devotee in this way is a very pleasurable life you have gifted me, it is so tasty to be running after some service as much as possible, despite the daily mutinies my mind and its sensory comrades attempt, and sometimes pull off.
Thank you always and forever for everything you have done and continue to do for myself and so many others, and the whole world as you travel endlessly, distributing Lord Caitanya’s mercy. Your selflessness and compassion is so great that it is embarrassing to see my own lack of reciprocation in response, and my own lack of giving to others as I have been given to. I’ll never be able to give you anything near what you have given me. Nor care for others adequately in light of your care. I’m constantly a debtor, living in the red. I am grateful for this benediction of being indebted because truly it is my saving grace, as it pushes me onwards.
I hope I can continue attempting to reciprocate, though impossible, until the last breath in this body and onwards after that into the next situation, whatever that may be.
******************************
Everything in my spiritual life traces back to your mercy, and your surrender to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desires with maximum thoughtful consideration and heartfelt effort.
Firstly you even ventured to come to New Zealand, after the devotees in Australia apparently warned you - “don’t go there Maharaja, they’re really mental! Stay here where we speak our minds!” But still you came, because there is nothing you won’t do to further Prabhupada’s mission.
What would have become of me if you hadn’t come to inject energy into rousing the Kiwis from their slumber?
I came in contact with the devotees and Prabhupada’s books through an Ayurvedic course at a Natural Health college in Auckland. Fortunately for me, the man who was supposed to run the course with his own version of Ayurveda, “prema ayurveda”, (replete with the example of him running off with his assistant), was unable at the last minute, and instead Dr Gupta appeared, fresh from Vraja, dressed in a t-shirt bearing Lord Dhanvantari and an orange dhoti. I found out later that he was staying with the devotees, and he had bought books to distribute to us, to compensate for Seva-kunja helping him with something and not being able to go out on books that day. Intrigued already by Dr Gupta and his peaceful and grounded ambience and sense of knowing what life was about, I bought a Science of Self Realisation and deluxe Bhagavad Gita from him. He told us to study about the modes of nature from the Gita. Later he invited us for cooking classes at the Loft in Newmarket where we also had kirtan and class with Chandrashekhara Swami. The loft angels appeared at the end of the night with bliss balls, haloes and their shining, soothing smiles. I resolved on the spot to come back to this magical place as soon as possible. Later I learnt that you Gurudev had inspired Dr Gupta to share Krishna consciousness through Ayurveda, one of the many stones you have never left unturned for Krishna’s pleasure.
What would have become of me if you hadn’t thought to encourage Dr Gupta to share Krishna consciousness through Ayurveda, or set up the Loft as a place to come in contact with devotees in such an easy, comfortable way on a regular basis?
The devotees invited me in to their world at the Loft, packing me with nectarean caramel slices and other treats, fascinating workshops, and life changing kirtans. Chanting beads made their way into my hands by their artful encouragement and soon I was racing against two other guests to see how many rounds we could chant a day. I was eager to get more and more involved and the angels mercifully arranged a weekend spiritual retreat at their ashram in Mt Roskill complete with yoga, cooking class, even a trip to the temple for mangal arati if I remember rightly (or maybe it was a bush walk with paneer sandwiches?) Stepping foot in their ashram abode was like entering another world, so fragrant, pure and spiritually surcharged with service, hearing and chanting. I later learnt that you were the great trainer and example fuelling the modus operandi of these saintly people.
What would have become of me if you hadn’t inspired the devotees by your example to reach out, love and care in the most personal ways, inviting poor conditioned souls into the warm embrace of Vaisnava community? And again, what would have become of me without a setting such as the Loft to return to repeatedly and become purified and attracted to Krishna consciousness?
On the topic of Prasad - I had never tasted anything like it until that trip to the Loft. My life became a series of necessary actions (like working, and then travelling to the Loft each night) between Prasad times that gave a pleasure unmatched in the material world. With the total package of workshops and kirtans and prasad, I was hooked. Later I learned that you were the inspirator of “Prasad with a capital P” - luxuriant dishes, and recognisably appealing to the senses of westerners - Italian, Mexican, Indian, middle Eastern….
What would have become of me if you hadn’t had the insight to share prasad that westerners could relate to, what to speak of making sure it is infused with love and enthusiasm to serve, prasad with a capital P?
Your glories are endless, I am forever indebted.
Aspiring to serve always,
Khadiravan devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to your lotus feet and your divine service at Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet.
I remember you speaking about how a coach trains their sports team to stick to the fundamentals. And you have mentioned how Srila Prabhupada was a “master of the focus”, which demonstrates that you realise the value of that yourself, and try to pass on this sense of keeping things potent and essential to your spiritual children, young and old.
In light of this I want to offer you my gratitude for this sutra, a daily dose remedy packed with unlimited nutrients for regaining spiritual health:
“devotee means devotional service”,
followed by a chaser to analyse our life practically:
“look at your life: what are you doing with your senses? Are you using them for Krishna’s pleasure or your own?”
I find this sutra alone can be enough to remember each day to keep life centred on Krishna according to whatever my current level of capacity and realisation may be. Thank you for this sublime simplicity in the ocean of complexities that is life in the material world in a material body.
It brings any imaginary ideas of what it means to try to be a devotee down to earth fast. Next it propels me in the direction I should be heading - where is my service? Today, tomorrow, next week, next year?
Like a drowning swimmer reaching for a lifeline, I can feel the traction gained and strength gifted by offering devotional service, as I’m pulled out from maya’s undercurrents that try to drag me down moment to moment. We are trying to fight the good fight, the only worthwhile fight in this world, by the lifeline you have thrown. I long for the day that I am fully absorbed at all times, twenty fours hours a day, with sacrifice in service at your lotus feet, in ways that please you intensely.
Even the act of trying to be a devotee in this way is a very pleasurable life you have gifted me, it is so tasty to be running after some service as much as possible, despite the daily mutinies my mind and its sensory comrades attempt, and sometimes pull off.
Thank you always and forever for everything you have done and continue to do for myself and so many others, and the whole world as you travel endlessly, distributing Lord Caitanya’s mercy. Your selflessness and compassion is so great that it is embarrassing to see my own lack of reciprocation in response, and my own lack of giving to others as I have been given to. I’ll never be able to give you anything near what you have given me. Nor care for others adequately in light of your care. I’m constantly a debtor, living in the red. I am grateful for this benediction of being indebted because truly it is my saving grace, as it pushes me onwards.
I hope I can continue attempting to reciprocate, though impossible, until the last breath in this body and onwards after that into the next situation, whatever that may be.
******************************
Everything in my spiritual life traces back to your mercy, and your surrender to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desires with maximum thoughtful consideration and heartfelt effort.
Firstly you even ventured to come to New Zealand, after the devotees in Australia apparently warned you - “don’t go there Maharaja, they’re really mental! Stay here where we speak our minds!” But still you came, because there is nothing you won’t do to further Prabhupada’s mission.
What would have become of me if you hadn’t come to inject energy into rousing the Kiwis from their slumber?
I came in contact with the devotees and Prabhupada’s books through an Ayurvedic course at a Natural Health college in Auckland. Fortunately for me, the man who was supposed to run the course with his own version of Ayurveda, “prema ayurveda”, (replete with the example of him running off with his assistant), was unable at the last minute, and instead Dr Gupta appeared, fresh from Vraja, dressed in a t-shirt bearing Lord Dhanvantari and an orange dhoti. I found out later that he was staying with the devotees, and he had bought books to distribute to us, to compensate for Seva-kunja helping him with something and not being able to go out on books that day. Intrigued already by Dr Gupta and his peaceful and grounded ambience and sense of knowing what life was about, I bought a Science of Self Realisation and deluxe Bhagavad Gita from him. He told us to study about the modes of nature from the Gita. Later he invited us for cooking classes at the Loft in Newmarket where we also had kirtan and class with Chandrashekhara Swami. The loft angels appeared at the end of the night with bliss balls, haloes and their shining, soothing smiles. I resolved on the spot to come back to this magical place as soon as possible. Later I learnt that you Gurudev had inspired Dr Gupta to share Krishna consciousness through Ayurveda, one of the many stones you have never left unturned for Krishna’s pleasure.
What would have become of me if you hadn’t thought to encourage Dr Gupta to share Krishna consciousness through Ayurveda, or set up the Loft as a place to come in contact with devotees in such an easy, comfortable way on a regular basis?
The devotees invited me in to their world at the Loft, packing me with nectarean caramel slices and other treats, fascinating workshops, and life changing kirtans. Chanting beads made their way into my hands by their artful encouragement and soon I was racing against two other guests to see how many rounds we could chant a day. I was eager to get more and more involved and the angels mercifully arranged a weekend spiritual retreat at their ashram in Mt Roskill complete with yoga, cooking class, even a trip to the temple for mangal arati if I remember rightly (or maybe it was a bush walk with paneer sandwiches?) Stepping foot in their ashram abode was like entering another world, so fragrant, pure and spiritually surcharged with service, hearing and chanting. I later learnt that you were the great trainer and example fuelling the modus operandi of these saintly people.
What would have become of me if you hadn’t inspired the devotees by your example to reach out, love and care in the most personal ways, inviting poor conditioned souls into the warm embrace of Vaisnava community? And again, what would have become of me without a setting such as the Loft to return to repeatedly and become purified and attracted to Krishna consciousness?
On the topic of Prasad - I had never tasted anything like it until that trip to the Loft. My life became a series of necessary actions (like working, and then travelling to the Loft each night) between Prasad times that gave a pleasure unmatched in the material world. With the total package of workshops and kirtans and prasad, I was hooked. Later I learned that you were the inspirator of “Prasad with a capital P” - luxuriant dishes, and recognisably appealing to the senses of westerners - Italian, Mexican, Indian, middle Eastern….
What would have become of me if you hadn’t had the insight to share prasad that westerners could relate to, what to speak of making sure it is infused with love and enthusiasm to serve, prasad with a capital P?
Your glories are endless, I am forever indebted.
Aspiring to serve always,
Khadiravan devi dasi
Khela tirtha dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
On this most auspicious day of your appearance
All glories to your divine Spiritual master
A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they say
-“ example is better than precept”
You illustrate this maxim in a number of ways.
One of which is described here-
In our palatial ashram in the affluent area of Central Papatoetoe,I have framed pictures of you distributing Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita and ,in another ,distributing your own publication
‘Hiding in unnatural Happiness’
Firstly,these pictures are a tremendous source of both inspiration and encouragement.
Seeing you Gurudev,a senior Prabhupada disciple, distributing Prabhupadas books is vivid testimony that Prabhupada has infused empowerment,inspiration,steady determination,transcendental fixation and compassion in you,his disciple,to personally relish and practically exemplify the ongoing distribution of THE most important bastions of transcendental literature this world has ever seen.
What’s most important is that you have heard the desire of Srila Prabhupada and have dedicated your life to fulfilling that desire.
You describe both your extacies and struggles in distributing Prabhupadas books to us,in different times and places.
We were very fortunate to receive daily txts from you when you were visiting Silicon Valley CA one year
You were relishing distributing books with your God brother ,Vaisesika prabhu,
and sharing the bliss you were experiencing,with us.
What to speak of the fortunate souls that met such a Transcendental duo that particular week
This increased the bliss of your disciples and their distribution of Prabhupadas books unlimitedly.
The inspiration and encouragement your disciples thrive on.
Secondly ,the people that you are approaching in the pictures are clearly moved by being in your presence and coming in touch with Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita and your HIUH.
They are bewildered by your infectious,transcendental smile ,your voice laiden with saffron particles of transcendental sound vibration and your charming intelligence and wit.
What is most apparent is the fact that the soul is finally meeting their Spiritual Master,face to face,who has been performing the Sankirtan yajna to bring these fortunate souls,out of the woodwork to be harvested for the ongoing growth of their Bhakti Lata bija and to be taken back home ,back to Krsna
And who better to meet ,than the discreet Spirtual Master Himself ,HH Devamrta Swami ,who is personally distributing the tickets ,Prabhupadas books and his own bridge books,for the journey back to the spiritual world !
Providing and nourishing facilities in the form of Loft outreach centres and appropriate ashram environments for the progressive march of the new found soul,are the platforms on the stairway to Goloka
A wholesome and realistically complete package for the aspirants that come forward.
From the ground up,your provision, supervision and transcendental vision are both exemplary and inspirational.
As the acarya walks his talk and inspires others to walk theirs,you are always a source of pleasure for your Spirtual master ,Srila Prabhupada ,and the unfailing ,guiding spiritual light for those of us who are attempting to please you and follow in your footsteps.
Thankyou ,Gurudev,for graciously appearing in these framed Sankirtan photos that I relish
daily.
Your unphotogenic ,aspiring disciple
Khela tirtha dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances
On this most auspicious day of your appearance
All glories to your divine Spiritual master
A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they say
-“ example is better than precept”
You illustrate this maxim in a number of ways.
One of which is described here-
In our palatial ashram in the affluent area of Central Papatoetoe,I have framed pictures of you distributing Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita and ,in another ,distributing your own publication
‘Hiding in unnatural Happiness’
Firstly,these pictures are a tremendous source of both inspiration and encouragement.
Seeing you Gurudev,a senior Prabhupada disciple, distributing Prabhupadas books is vivid testimony that Prabhupada has infused empowerment,inspiration,steady determination,transcendental fixation and compassion in you,his disciple,to personally relish and practically exemplify the ongoing distribution of THE most important bastions of transcendental literature this world has ever seen.
What’s most important is that you have heard the desire of Srila Prabhupada and have dedicated your life to fulfilling that desire.
You describe both your extacies and struggles in distributing Prabhupadas books to us,in different times and places.
We were very fortunate to receive daily txts from you when you were visiting Silicon Valley CA one year
You were relishing distributing books with your God brother ,Vaisesika prabhu,
and sharing the bliss you were experiencing,with us.
What to speak of the fortunate souls that met such a Transcendental duo that particular week
This increased the bliss of your disciples and their distribution of Prabhupadas books unlimitedly.
The inspiration and encouragement your disciples thrive on.
Secondly ,the people that you are approaching in the pictures are clearly moved by being in your presence and coming in touch with Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita and your HIUH.
They are bewildered by your infectious,transcendental smile ,your voice laiden with saffron particles of transcendental sound vibration and your charming intelligence and wit.
What is most apparent is the fact that the soul is finally meeting their Spiritual Master,face to face,who has been performing the Sankirtan yajna to bring these fortunate souls,out of the woodwork to be harvested for the ongoing growth of their Bhakti Lata bija and to be taken back home ,back to Krsna
And who better to meet ,than the discreet Spirtual Master Himself ,HH Devamrta Swami ,who is personally distributing the tickets ,Prabhupadas books and his own bridge books,for the journey back to the spiritual world !
Providing and nourishing facilities in the form of Loft outreach centres and appropriate ashram environments for the progressive march of the new found soul,are the platforms on the stairway to Goloka
A wholesome and realistically complete package for the aspirants that come forward.
From the ground up,your provision, supervision and transcendental vision are both exemplary and inspirational.
As the acarya walks his talk and inspires others to walk theirs,you are always a source of pleasure for your Spirtual master ,Srila Prabhupada ,and the unfailing ,guiding spiritual light for those of us who are attempting to please you and follow in your footsteps.
Thankyou ,Gurudev,for graciously appearing in these framed Sankirtan photos that I relish
daily.
Your unphotogenic ,aspiring disciple
Khela tirtha dasa
Kirtiman Krsna 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 Gurudev
I humbly offer my obeisances to you on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasapuja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As another year passes by, your glories continue to spread far and wide. Your enthusiasm to serve Srila Prabhupada and spread the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu seems more than ever before. Many around the world continue to get inspired to serve Krishna by your kirtans, lectures, lifestyle and even just your smile. I feel extremely fortunate to be one among them and offer a few words in gratitude.
We were blessed with a daughter a couple of months back. While it was a moment of great happiness, things weren't all smooth and easy at the time. During those days I used to remember the phrase that I've heard from you many times - "It takes a whole community to bring up a child". Those days were a great source of learning for us about the importance of devotee association and the fact that, in times of need its only the devotees around us who can offer a helping hand.
Parenthood has also helped me have a greater appreciation for what you do for us. In many ways its no different - we are like children, not knowing what is to be done and what not. As a father you keep a close watch to make sure we don't trip whilst starting to walk on our own. You patiently pacify us when we create a fuss about petty things like a child throwing a tantrum for silly things. Sooner or later we realize our total dependence on your shelter and guidance to grow and make any further progress in our lives.
I have recently been reflecting on my services and despite my obvious disqualifications, how fortunate I am to have been engaged in these services. Yet I feel disappointed of not making the most of the opportunity I've got. There is honestly not much to complain about, but I continue to look for excuses for not improving my chanting and reading of Srila Prabhupada's books.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I beg for forgiveness for all my shortcomings and mistakes.
Eternally indebted to you.
Your aspiring servants
Kirtiman Krsna Dasa
Priyamvada Madhavi Devi Dasi &
Baby Priti
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudev
I humbly offer my obeisances to you on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasapuja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As another year passes by, your glories continue to spread far and wide. Your enthusiasm to serve Srila Prabhupada and spread the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu seems more than ever before. Many around the world continue to get inspired to serve Krishna by your kirtans, lectures, lifestyle and even just your smile. I feel extremely fortunate to be one among them and offer a few words in gratitude.
We were blessed with a daughter a couple of months back. While it was a moment of great happiness, things weren't all smooth and easy at the time. During those days I used to remember the phrase that I've heard from you many times - "It takes a whole community to bring up a child". Those days were a great source of learning for us about the importance of devotee association and the fact that, in times of need its only the devotees around us who can offer a helping hand.
Parenthood has also helped me have a greater appreciation for what you do for us. In many ways its no different - we are like children, not knowing what is to be done and what not. As a father you keep a close watch to make sure we don't trip whilst starting to walk on our own. You patiently pacify us when we create a fuss about petty things like a child throwing a tantrum for silly things. Sooner or later we realize our total dependence on your shelter and guidance to grow and make any further progress in our lives.
I have recently been reflecting on my services and despite my obvious disqualifications, how fortunate I am to have been engaged in these services. Yet I feel disappointed of not making the most of the opportunity I've got. There is honestly not much to complain about, but I continue to look for excuses for not improving my chanting and reading of Srila Prabhupada's books.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I beg for forgiveness for all my shortcomings and mistakes.
Eternally indebted to you.
Your aspiring servants
Kirtiman Krsna Dasa
Priyamvada Madhavi Devi Dasi &
Baby Priti
Krishna Deva Das
Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
ALL Glories to Srila Prabhupada
ALL Glories to Your Merciful Glance
Happy Vyasa Puja
As much as I feel that I am making advancement and progressing in spiritual life on my own accord, I have come to the realization that I'm actually a puppet in the hands of Maya and the reality is that I have no real power or intelligence.
You are, as you always finish your Communications with me, my ever "Well-wisher". My success in life professionally and more importantly spiritually is directly because of your mercy upon me and the shelter that you've given me and honestly I don't know where I would be or who I would be if you'd never give me shelter.
You know me better than I know myself and you desire that those around me look after me and take care of me because I have so much certainty about all my abilities that it clouds my judgement and makes it difficult for me to progress spiritually.
I know that with the passing of time we are getting closer to leaving these bodies and my desire for your Vyasa Puja is to begin to serve you in the capacity in which you appreciate the most and day by day try to become that vessel in which the Lord Works through, so that I become that magnanimous fruit from the Kalpa Vrksa Tree (You) in which others can eat from and enjoy the Bhakti Rasamrita Sindu.
Your Lowly and Insignificant Servant,
Krishna Deva Das,
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
ALL Glories to Srila Prabhupada
ALL Glories to Your Merciful Glance
Happy Vyasa Puja
As much as I feel that I am making advancement and progressing in spiritual life on my own accord, I have come to the realization that I'm actually a puppet in the hands of Maya and the reality is that I have no real power or intelligence.
You are, as you always finish your Communications with me, my ever "Well-wisher". My success in life professionally and more importantly spiritually is directly because of your mercy upon me and the shelter that you've given me and honestly I don't know where I would be or who I would be if you'd never give me shelter.
You know me better than I know myself and you desire that those around me look after me and take care of me because I have so much certainty about all my abilities that it clouds my judgement and makes it difficult for me to progress spiritually.
I know that with the passing of time we are getting closer to leaving these bodies and my desire for your Vyasa Puja is to begin to serve you in the capacity in which you appreciate the most and day by day try to become that vessel in which the Lord Works through, so that I become that magnanimous fruit from the Kalpa Vrksa Tree (You) in which others can eat from and enjoy the Bhakti Rasamrita Sindu.
Your Lowly and Insignificant Servant,
Krishna Deva Das,
Krishna-mayi dd
My dearest Gurudeva, Hare Krishna!
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to my greatest spiritual Grandfather, Srila Prabhupada, by whose mercy I was able to come in contact with you! All glories unto you, my eternal spiritual father and master!
It is my true honor and the greatest privilege to write few words of your glories on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day. There are about 360,000 people born every single day on this earth planet. This gives a figure of roughly 130 million in a year. How on earth among so many conditioned soul you were able to find me? This is my fortune that I will never fully understand. I will remain forever grateful for lifting me up and offering shelter at your lotus feet.
I would never be here today if not for your difficult years sharing Krishna consciousness in the former Communist Eastern Block countries. Risking your life, sacrificing your comfort, you became Srila Prabhupada’s frontline soldier. This is how my husband was introduced to Krishna Consciousness by your gift of love and sacrifice. This is how he carried this gift to me and instilled in my heart a burning desire to meet you.
Two years ago while having a privilege to drive you to a preaching program, you shared with my husband and I, details of how austere and dangerous your undercover operations were in Eastern European countries. I was listening and couldn’t believe how one could ever do this, so I asked: “Gurudeva, from all the places available for service at that time, why did you choose to go there?” You replied: “because Srila Prabhupada said that this would please him the most.”
This is called unconditional love! You mastered it, Gurudeva and showed by your actions.
You unconditional love and desire to bring the conditioned soul to Krishna’s lotus feet hasn’t stop pouring back then. It continues to flow endlessly and expertly, as the times have changed and it requires a different approach. Someone may say that your sacrifice is not as great as it was back then, as seemingly things are easier now, but this can’t be further away from truth.
Your sacrifice is the same if not greater, as back then people were anxious for Krishna, now they are allured by so many material attractions, their minds are destroyed, their hearts are hardened. You are required to operate on people’s hearts which is far dangerous and challenging than anything else.
How do you cut through thick layers of false ago and material attachments, yet save the patient? The scalpel needs to be very sharp, cuts firm, precise yet gentle. This difficult surgery is performed on the most delicate organ, which is heart. This requires extreme expertise!
I have experienced you operating on my heart many times, yet one particular time stands out for me more than other. I always considered myself to be your spiritual daughter, often more a daughter than a disciple. Expecting lots of love and no reprimand. Silly me! This is not how one can grow!
Being a spiritual father carries far greater responsibility than ordinary fatherhood. Material father’s responsibilities are usually around providing food, shelter and education.
Spiritual father’s responsibilities are not only around material safety of his spiritual son or daughter. You are here to save us, save us from the repeated birth and death in this material world. You are here to teach us how to love unconditionally, how to serve, how to give.
You checked my heart gently to see how eager it was for a remedy. You shared some words of wisdom and waited to see how I was. I felt there was something more that you wanted to say, so I asked: Gurudeva, what do you really want to tell me?
You look straight in my eyes and in a very grave voice you said: Are you sure you want to hear? This has frightened me, but I trusted you because of your unconditional love and always wishing me well.
“Yes, Gurudeva, I want to hear” and then you spoke… The cut was deep, so deep, so painful and I broke down at your lotus feet totally devastated, but I was still breathing and my heart was gently beating. The next morning I was not able or wanting to see you, because the wound inflicted during the surgery hurt so badly. You knew so well how I felt, you knew you had to cut deep and precise as the infection was too far spread. Yet you worried, just as loving father would and you called to check on your patient: “Where are you this morning? I was hoping to see you both” you said in the most sweet and caring voice.
This incident was a defining moment in development of my Krishna consciousness. It was not just an operation on my heart; I felt as if my entire heart was replaced. I was seeing the world from a different perspective, my darkened eyes were open with the torchlight of knowledge, your mercy was pouring through an open channel, I was relieved, I was saved!
The operation was successful!
Gurudeva, you are empowered by Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to carry out Their deepest desire. Your presentation of Krishna conscious philosophy in a way that attracts the disturbed minds of young people in modern age is equal to none. They think they are strong, yet they are lonely, fragile, and unsafe. The system fails them, they desperately need some help.
Across the country, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students behind accidents. The suicide rate of young adults, ages 15 to 24 has tripled since the 1950s.
But why would you care? They are not your family, not even friends. They are strangers to you, and you are a stranger to them. What makes you travel thousands of miles to speak to them? What makes you feel concerned?
This is again your unconditional love you carry for them, the desire to bring them back to their original home, the desire to save them for Krishna’s sake.
You take their tender, delicate hearts that have been torn to pieces many times, and in a highly skillful manner, you mold them into a perfect shape: hearts that beat for Krishna!
I can see how they open like beautiful lotus flowers from the darkness of night to a light of a day. The changes you make in their hearts are irreversible. You are giving them life, you are giving them back what they have given up: the matchless gift of love of Krishna!
Thank you so much, Gurudeva, for your sacrifice and for your love!
Thank you for your expertise, selflessness and compassion!
Dearest Gurudeva, I am your precious jewel in making. I am not saying this because I am proud, because I am qualified, skilled or deserving. Not at all. I am saying this because I belong to Krishna, and I am meant to serve Him eternally. I am eternal spirit soul, full of bliss knowledge and unconditional love. I have been covered by thick layers of dust accumulated for many lifetimes, and it takes an expert like you to uncover what has been lost.
From where I have been when you lifted me up to where I am now, it is a huge difference. I am excited to shine for you and get better and better in what I do. I am ready and eager to be shaped by you into a servant of the servant of the servant of the servant—one hundred times down the servant of who the maintainer of the gopīs, Krishna!
Your humble servant and disciple in training,
Krishna-may dd
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to my greatest spiritual Grandfather, Srila Prabhupada, by whose mercy I was able to come in contact with you! All glories unto you, my eternal spiritual father and master!
It is my true honor and the greatest privilege to write few words of your glories on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day. There are about 360,000 people born every single day on this earth planet. This gives a figure of roughly 130 million in a year. How on earth among so many conditioned soul you were able to find me? This is my fortune that I will never fully understand. I will remain forever grateful for lifting me up and offering shelter at your lotus feet.
I would never be here today if not for your difficult years sharing Krishna consciousness in the former Communist Eastern Block countries. Risking your life, sacrificing your comfort, you became Srila Prabhupada’s frontline soldier. This is how my husband was introduced to Krishna Consciousness by your gift of love and sacrifice. This is how he carried this gift to me and instilled in my heart a burning desire to meet you.
Two years ago while having a privilege to drive you to a preaching program, you shared with my husband and I, details of how austere and dangerous your undercover operations were in Eastern European countries. I was listening and couldn’t believe how one could ever do this, so I asked: “Gurudeva, from all the places available for service at that time, why did you choose to go there?” You replied: “because Srila Prabhupada said that this would please him the most.”
This is called unconditional love! You mastered it, Gurudeva and showed by your actions.
You unconditional love and desire to bring the conditioned soul to Krishna’s lotus feet hasn’t stop pouring back then. It continues to flow endlessly and expertly, as the times have changed and it requires a different approach. Someone may say that your sacrifice is not as great as it was back then, as seemingly things are easier now, but this can’t be further away from truth.
Your sacrifice is the same if not greater, as back then people were anxious for Krishna, now they are allured by so many material attractions, their minds are destroyed, their hearts are hardened. You are required to operate on people’s hearts which is far dangerous and challenging than anything else.
How do you cut through thick layers of false ago and material attachments, yet save the patient? The scalpel needs to be very sharp, cuts firm, precise yet gentle. This difficult surgery is performed on the most delicate organ, which is heart. This requires extreme expertise!
I have experienced you operating on my heart many times, yet one particular time stands out for me more than other. I always considered myself to be your spiritual daughter, often more a daughter than a disciple. Expecting lots of love and no reprimand. Silly me! This is not how one can grow!
Being a spiritual father carries far greater responsibility than ordinary fatherhood. Material father’s responsibilities are usually around providing food, shelter and education.
Spiritual father’s responsibilities are not only around material safety of his spiritual son or daughter. You are here to save us, save us from the repeated birth and death in this material world. You are here to teach us how to love unconditionally, how to serve, how to give.
You checked my heart gently to see how eager it was for a remedy. You shared some words of wisdom and waited to see how I was. I felt there was something more that you wanted to say, so I asked: Gurudeva, what do you really want to tell me?
You look straight in my eyes and in a very grave voice you said: Are you sure you want to hear? This has frightened me, but I trusted you because of your unconditional love and always wishing me well.
“Yes, Gurudeva, I want to hear” and then you spoke… The cut was deep, so deep, so painful and I broke down at your lotus feet totally devastated, but I was still breathing and my heart was gently beating. The next morning I was not able or wanting to see you, because the wound inflicted during the surgery hurt so badly. You knew so well how I felt, you knew you had to cut deep and precise as the infection was too far spread. Yet you worried, just as loving father would and you called to check on your patient: “Where are you this morning? I was hoping to see you both” you said in the most sweet and caring voice.
This incident was a defining moment in development of my Krishna consciousness. It was not just an operation on my heart; I felt as if my entire heart was replaced. I was seeing the world from a different perspective, my darkened eyes were open with the torchlight of knowledge, your mercy was pouring through an open channel, I was relieved, I was saved!
The operation was successful!
Gurudeva, you are empowered by Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to carry out Their deepest desire. Your presentation of Krishna conscious philosophy in a way that attracts the disturbed minds of young people in modern age is equal to none. They think they are strong, yet they are lonely, fragile, and unsafe. The system fails them, they desperately need some help.
Across the country, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students behind accidents. The suicide rate of young adults, ages 15 to 24 has tripled since the 1950s.
But why would you care? They are not your family, not even friends. They are strangers to you, and you are a stranger to them. What makes you travel thousands of miles to speak to them? What makes you feel concerned?
This is again your unconditional love you carry for them, the desire to bring them back to their original home, the desire to save them for Krishna’s sake.
You take their tender, delicate hearts that have been torn to pieces many times, and in a highly skillful manner, you mold them into a perfect shape: hearts that beat for Krishna!
I can see how they open like beautiful lotus flowers from the darkness of night to a light of a day. The changes you make in their hearts are irreversible. You are giving them life, you are giving them back what they have given up: the matchless gift of love of Krishna!
Thank you so much, Gurudeva, for your sacrifice and for your love!
Thank you for your expertise, selflessness and compassion!
Dearest Gurudeva, I am your precious jewel in making. I am not saying this because I am proud, because I am qualified, skilled or deserving. Not at all. I am saying this because I belong to Krishna, and I am meant to serve Him eternally. I am eternal spirit soul, full of bliss knowledge and unconditional love. I have been covered by thick layers of dust accumulated for many lifetimes, and it takes an expert like you to uncover what has been lost.
From where I have been when you lifted me up to where I am now, it is a huge difference. I am excited to shine for you and get better and better in what I do. I am ready and eager to be shaped by you into a servant of the servant of the servant of the servant—one hundred times down the servant of who the maintainer of the gopīs, Krishna!
Your humble servant and disciple in training,
Krishna-may dd
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my respectful obeisances on this auspicious day.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
For this offering I want to glorify you for your incredible contribution to outreach in New Zealand; it’s 25 years this year since you started “Urban Preaching” which has attracted so many diverse westerners to Krishna and inspired so many devotees to give their lives to Lord Caitanya’s movement.
It was at the first centre you started, “The Loft” that I had the good fortune to meet you. You were invested in a new field of outreach “Urban Preaching” and you certainly rolled up your sleeves and got stuck in trying to figure out the Kiwi’s and how to attract them to Krishna. You would sit with the guests over dinner, you would give Bhagavad-gita classes, you would even come bush walking with us. After morning programs you and the other Swami’s and Param Bhava would discuss the previous nights outreach events dissecting them to see what worked and what didn’t.
There were just a hand full of devotees then and you basically raised us in “outreach” - giving Krishna to others. In 1994 you started to encourage The Loft kids to distribute books, you would get a kick out it when we went out and distributed a few books. Then as more people started taking up the Bhakti process and devotees from other centres came, you started to focus in on book distribution more and more. You would hold sankirtan meetings to discuss what was working, what wasn’t, how could we improve. For many years you would actually drive to different area’s of Auckland and watch us doing book distribution on the street - to inspire us. You sent a fax in October 1994 stating “My only desire is that you all stress the Bhagavad-giita and invite the people to The Loft, especially for Bhagavad-gita class but the other times too. This point may make our distribution technique expansive. We want the people who buy books to feel personally invited. Remember NZ is only 3 million people. You will be seeing the same people again and again. Let them look forward to meeting us - such wonderful unusual people” You called it contact sankirtan. Meeting people on the street and inviting them back to the centres has proved a successful formula to make devotees. At the Recharge festival 3 years ago during the marathon celebration night you asked devotees to put their hands up if they came through meeting a book distributor on the street - 98% of the 140 devotees attending put their hands up.
From the street to the Urban centres - a place where people can mingle with devotees. Your mission statement has become our company culture - “We Make It Easy - for people to come to Krishna consciousness, to grow in Krishna consciousness and to give Krishna consciousness to others” Simultaneous distribution and transformation. At the Urban centres people come and are swept away by the warmth of the devotees, the prasad, kirtan, philosophy; they become part of the community and want to do what we are doing. In CC Madhya 24.123 pp "The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to attract all types of men, even those who desire things other than the Lord's devotional service. Through the association of devotees, they gradually begin to render devotional service".
How have you inspired so many to invest and take up responsibility in Lord Caitanya’s mission? Along with the book distribution and cultivation you developed a culture of care. In the beginning so many were blessed by your personal training and care. Sometimes you would even visit budding devotees at their homes in Auckland as well as around NZ. To keep us inspired you would send emails, phone us, take devotees on retreats with you, personally help devotees when they were struggling. You are still doing the same thing now! You certainly are an ocean of mercy, teaching by such exemplary example! I can't fathom how you do it; put in so much effort, time and energy into devotees and outreach as well as look after your own personal needs.
Only Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada and yourself know the full extent of how you have sacrificed every drop of blood for the pleasure of Their mission not only in NZ but in other parts of the world. Recently in a class you said that sometimes you are so exhausted and don’t know what to do so you pick up your beads and chant.
All glories to you Gurudeva for your dedicated service!
Thank you for allowing me to be part of outreach and thank you for the service you have given me. I hope my kali yuga heart will one day soften to fully appreciate what you have given me and I seriously beg that my service will become expansive to assist you more and more.
your servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Please accept my respectful obeisances on this auspicious day.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
For this offering I want to glorify you for your incredible contribution to outreach in New Zealand; it’s 25 years this year since you started “Urban Preaching” which has attracted so many diverse westerners to Krishna and inspired so many devotees to give their lives to Lord Caitanya’s movement.
It was at the first centre you started, “The Loft” that I had the good fortune to meet you. You were invested in a new field of outreach “Urban Preaching” and you certainly rolled up your sleeves and got stuck in trying to figure out the Kiwi’s and how to attract them to Krishna. You would sit with the guests over dinner, you would give Bhagavad-gita classes, you would even come bush walking with us. After morning programs you and the other Swami’s and Param Bhava would discuss the previous nights outreach events dissecting them to see what worked and what didn’t.
There were just a hand full of devotees then and you basically raised us in “outreach” - giving Krishna to others. In 1994 you started to encourage The Loft kids to distribute books, you would get a kick out it when we went out and distributed a few books. Then as more people started taking up the Bhakti process and devotees from other centres came, you started to focus in on book distribution more and more. You would hold sankirtan meetings to discuss what was working, what wasn’t, how could we improve. For many years you would actually drive to different area’s of Auckland and watch us doing book distribution on the street - to inspire us. You sent a fax in October 1994 stating “My only desire is that you all stress the Bhagavad-giita and invite the people to The Loft, especially for Bhagavad-gita class but the other times too. This point may make our distribution technique expansive. We want the people who buy books to feel personally invited. Remember NZ is only 3 million people. You will be seeing the same people again and again. Let them look forward to meeting us - such wonderful unusual people” You called it contact sankirtan. Meeting people on the street and inviting them back to the centres has proved a successful formula to make devotees. At the Recharge festival 3 years ago during the marathon celebration night you asked devotees to put their hands up if they came through meeting a book distributor on the street - 98% of the 140 devotees attending put their hands up.
From the street to the Urban centres - a place where people can mingle with devotees. Your mission statement has become our company culture - “We Make It Easy - for people to come to Krishna consciousness, to grow in Krishna consciousness and to give Krishna consciousness to others” Simultaneous distribution and transformation. At the Urban centres people come and are swept away by the warmth of the devotees, the prasad, kirtan, philosophy; they become part of the community and want to do what we are doing. In CC Madhya 24.123 pp "The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to attract all types of men, even those who desire things other than the Lord's devotional service. Through the association of devotees, they gradually begin to render devotional service".
How have you inspired so many to invest and take up responsibility in Lord Caitanya’s mission? Along with the book distribution and cultivation you developed a culture of care. In the beginning so many were blessed by your personal training and care. Sometimes you would even visit budding devotees at their homes in Auckland as well as around NZ. To keep us inspired you would send emails, phone us, take devotees on retreats with you, personally help devotees when they were struggling. You are still doing the same thing now! You certainly are an ocean of mercy, teaching by such exemplary example! I can't fathom how you do it; put in so much effort, time and energy into devotees and outreach as well as look after your own personal needs.
Only Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada and yourself know the full extent of how you have sacrificed every drop of blood for the pleasure of Their mission not only in NZ but in other parts of the world. Recently in a class you said that sometimes you are so exhausted and don’t know what to do so you pick up your beads and chant.
All glories to you Gurudeva for your dedicated service!
Thank you for allowing me to be part of outreach and thank you for the service you have given me. I hope my kali yuga heart will one day soften to fully appreciate what you have given me and I seriously beg that my service will become expansive to assist you more and more.
your servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Krsna Prasada das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Observing the World today, the majority of people are struggling and suffering, trying to stay afloat in this sub-human civilisation. Their main focus being money, quality of life and sense gratification, in actuality they are being victimised by material nature, misusing their time, thinking they have freedom and choice. Externally things may seem to be ok for the most part, but internally there is something different going on.
Gurudeva, You are our Transcendental coastguard, not only for all these poor souls but also for us who are trying to clamber out of this troublesome existence. You traverse the World, throwing so many souls the life line, plucking them from the waters. The same is true for myself as I gradually end up back in the freezing cold, salt water, almost thinking it to be invigorating and refreshing, you bring us back to shore every time you visit. As you said in one of your classes I heard recently - The only choice and freedom we have in this world is like having different ways to trash our arms about in the water, whether its this way or that way, it doesn’t matter, we are missing the real point, get out of the water. But we are happy trying to get the best or latest model lifejacket, bobbing up and down in the water.
Krsna is unlimitedly attractive and exquisitely beautiful, whether it be his name, form or anything about him. I don’t have any realisation or understanding of this, although I would like to. Krsna is trying to attract us, yet I am refusing. Gurudeva, please pull me from this ocean and take the lifejacket off for good, and allow me to let myself be attracted by Krsna.
Thank you so much for dedicating your life to expertly serving so many people. We are so fortunate to have a Spiritual father, what to speak of it being you. Hopefully one day I will be able to take some instruction from you, actually execute it and try to please you.
Your Servant
Krsna Prasada das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Observing the World today, the majority of people are struggling and suffering, trying to stay afloat in this sub-human civilisation. Their main focus being money, quality of life and sense gratification, in actuality they are being victimised by material nature, misusing their time, thinking they have freedom and choice. Externally things may seem to be ok for the most part, but internally there is something different going on.
Gurudeva, You are our Transcendental coastguard, not only for all these poor souls but also for us who are trying to clamber out of this troublesome existence. You traverse the World, throwing so many souls the life line, plucking them from the waters. The same is true for myself as I gradually end up back in the freezing cold, salt water, almost thinking it to be invigorating and refreshing, you bring us back to shore every time you visit. As you said in one of your classes I heard recently - The only choice and freedom we have in this world is like having different ways to trash our arms about in the water, whether its this way or that way, it doesn’t matter, we are missing the real point, get out of the water. But we are happy trying to get the best or latest model lifejacket, bobbing up and down in the water.
Krsna is unlimitedly attractive and exquisitely beautiful, whether it be his name, form or anything about him. I don’t have any realisation or understanding of this, although I would like to. Krsna is trying to attract us, yet I am refusing. Gurudeva, please pull me from this ocean and take the lifejacket off for good, and allow me to let myself be attracted by Krsna.
Thank you so much for dedicating your life to expertly serving so many people. We are so fortunate to have a Spiritual father, what to speak of it being you. Hopefully one day I will be able to take some instruction from you, actually execute it and try to please you.
Your Servant
Krsna Prasada das
Krsna Sanga Devi Dasi
Nama om vishnu padaya,
Krsna prestaya bhu tale,
Srimati devamrita svamin iti namine
Pracare purva dakshyam ca,
Bhaktacara pravinata,
Paratapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah.
Hare krsna Guru Maharaj.
Please accept my humble observances,
All glories to Srilla Prabhupada
All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your vyasa puja.
Guru Maharaj, I really don't know where to start from. I can't thank you enough for changing my life. Thank you Guru Maharaj for being my guide, my inspiration, my strength and my light.
Even though you have seen through me where I come from, what I am , where I am going and what sometimes holds me back, despite all my downfalls, still u have never left me, and taken me under your shelter.
I am so grateful to u for taking me. You are always felt deeply in my heart and I am so grateful that you are there. I thank u very much for your guidance and for saving me.
I will always pray for your good health and will grow deeper in my service to you.
Om ajnana timirandhasya
Jnananjana shalakaya chakshur unmilitam yena, tasmai shri gurave namah.
From your servants of servant,
Krsna sanga devi dasi.
Krsna prestaya bhu tale,
Srimati devamrita svamin iti namine
Pracare purva dakshyam ca,
Bhaktacara pravinata,
Paratapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah.
Hare krsna Guru Maharaj.
Please accept my humble observances,
All glories to Srilla Prabhupada
All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your vyasa puja.
Guru Maharaj, I really don't know where to start from. I can't thank you enough for changing my life. Thank you Guru Maharaj for being my guide, my inspiration, my strength and my light.
Even though you have seen through me where I come from, what I am , where I am going and what sometimes holds me back, despite all my downfalls, still u have never left me, and taken me under your shelter.
I am so grateful to u for taking me. You are always felt deeply in my heart and I am so grateful that you are there. I thank u very much for your guidance and for saving me.
I will always pray for your good health and will grow deeper in my service to you.
Om ajnana timirandhasya
Jnananjana shalakaya chakshur unmilitam yena, tasmai shri gurave namah.
From your servants of servant,
Krsna sanga devi dasi.
Krsnamrita das & Rasamrita 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 Gurudev,
Please accept our respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
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.
On this most auspicious day of your vyasa puja, we pray for your good health and express our
gratitude for having your guidance in our life.
We are so grateful for your very determined and steady effort in preaching Srila Prabhupada's
mission.
Human life is meant for plain living and high thinking. Human life is meant for God realisation and
human being is given higher intelligence for this purpose.
However, we are so greedy and ignorant that we work day and night to get comfortable in this
material prison. We are wasting our human life trying to enjoy this material world when in fact we
are so miserable.
It is said in the Bhagavad-Gita “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire
from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realised soul can impart knowledge
unto you because he has seen the truth. “
We are so fortunate that we have your shelter and guidance. We pray that we can follow your
instructions and engage in devotional service.
Thank you again for being such an exemplary role model .
Aspiring to be your servants,
Krsnamrita das & Rasamrita devi dasi
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept our respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
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.
On this most auspicious day of your vyasa puja, we pray for your good health and express our
gratitude for having your guidance in our life.
We are so grateful for your very determined and steady effort in preaching Srila Prabhupada's
mission.
Human life is meant for plain living and high thinking. Human life is meant for God realisation and
human being is given higher intelligence for this purpose.
However, we are so greedy and ignorant that we work day and night to get comfortable in this
material prison. We are wasting our human life trying to enjoy this material world when in fact we
are so miserable.
It is said in the Bhagavad-Gita “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire
from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realised soul can impart knowledge
unto you because he has seen the truth. “
We are so fortunate that we have your shelter and guidance. We pray that we can follow your
instructions and engage in devotional service.
Thank you again for being such an exemplary role model .
Aspiring to be your servants,
Krsnamrita das & Rasamrita devi dasi
Krsnananda dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I would like to offer a few sincere words on this auspicious day. What else can I do? I am not a very capable person so it’s difficult to offer any sort of accomplishments rendered throughought the year.
I am trying to develop a deeper level of gratitude in my Bhakti. Simultaneously, through the parenting phase of life, I am appreciating more and more the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”. How relevant this timeless truth is, even in today’s hyper individualistic society we live in.
Its been almost 10 years now since I began chanting 16 rounds of Maha Mantra each day and have not stopped since. Reflecting on this, the penny has finally dropped - I have only come this far due to the mercy of the devotees of the Lord. I am grateful for all those devotees who have helped me grow in my spiritual infancy - even through periods of tantrums, emotional outbursts, insecurities, confusion, etc
Thus it behooves me now to mention some of these splendid devotees, part of a very wonderful spiritual family that I am very fortunate to be part of. I hope this may please you.
Going back to 2008, having enjoyed Krsna food at university for many months, finally I relented to the polite invitations and succumbed to the sweetness of the devotees of Krsna. Arriving through the door at the magnificent Gaura Yoga centre for the first time, I remember the nice presentation given by Manada Mataji on chanting Hare Krsna. Thus my intellectual curiosity was activated here to explore the yoga philosophy. Furthermore, my dear friend Sachi Dhulal Prabhu was there from the start in that workshop and has been my older brother ever since. Fortunate I am to have such a gentle and wise older brother replete with superb advice which has been invaluable for me countless times.
Attending my first Soulfeast I was provided more prasad than I could handle. Then later, when an attractive devotee was leading kirtan I witnessed first hand an incredible display of deep happiness, of real satisfaction that I’d not seen anywhere in the world prior. I was sold.
Saci Dhulal Prabhu and Candidasa Prabhu were both very kind to allow me to stay in their working mens ashrama where my love for Srila Prabhupada and his books began to blossom. They were kind to allow me the facility to find some foundation in the community and to find my place. For this I am very grateful.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Mahavan Prabhu, nicely supported by Khadiravan Mataji for their selfless service of facilitating a contemporary Vedic mens ashrama - Parama Karuna ashrama where I was able to grow up a bit and dive deeper into the practice for one year. Gaining the association of elder brothers such as Ramadas Prabhu and Bal Gopal Prabhu’s as they moved down to Wellington was invaluable. Their fine qualities developed from many years in the Brahmacari ashrama were further ornaments in the crown of the now re-named Bhakti Lounge centre.
Somehow or other, God only knows how, I survived the treacherous and unstable courting period. Well and truly exceeding my small collection of pious credits from previous lifetimes I was fortunate to be able to marry a very serious devotee of Krsna who has been - as Prabhupada points out in the 3rd Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam - my better half!
Reflecting on this, I have to give special mention to the herculean lifetime sacrifice made by Krsnaloka Mataji. She is like the mother of the Wellington community and has overseen the development of so many magnificent Vaisnavis like Gaura-arati. It is no wonder that Krsnaloka has dreams of Srila Prabhupada personally giving her a ticket out of the quagmire of this world - with seas rising, and skies darkening - back home, back to Godhead.
With marriage comes steep challenges, thick and fast, from multiple directions. Countless times I have been very fortunate to be able to get good advice from Gopal Guru Prabhu who is always sacrificing for the greater good and a champion householder. He has been a rock in my life which I am very grateful for. He has helped me through difficult times. Prabhu is like the engine room of the Wellington community in managing the many managers and leading a very inspiring and visionary strategic plan for the next 10 years which is exciting!
At one particular time in Bhakti I was going through much tumult and confusion and I always remember how Khela Tirtha Prabhu helped me. How he did that and the incredible depth of kindness exhibited was coming from a place not of this world. The only way I can describe it. Something I will never forget.
Periodically visiting Auckland, one of my highlights is going up to visit the Yatra’s farm in Kaiwaka. Absorbing the atmosphere surcharged with Krsna’s blessed cows being nicely protected, amazing devotee care, kirtan and the ethos of simple-living-high-thinking being practically applied, I am very inspired by their sterling example.
The list of appreciations could go on all yuga of course, and there are so many more devotees to mention. Taking shelter of my elders has been a great benediction. I will continue to try to invoke their blessings that I may be able to render some beneficial service in the future.
What a remarkable village indeed for this very fallen child.
The greatest debt of course, is one I owe you Gurudeva.
The greatest shelter has been yours.
Sitting at the head of the spiritual family, I appreciate now that all those mentioned - and many more that I haven’t - derive their spiritual strength from you.
As mercy descends downwards, you are the fountainhead of adhikara for us all.
I can appreciate how your life has given life - real, eternal, blissful life - to others.
Your life has been one of sacrifice and love.
Truth and virtue, dedication and patience.
Genius and strategy.
You have taken the mission of Srila Prabhupada as your life and soul. He wanted the movement to go on through intelligence and organisation which you have masterminded.
Overcoming immense odds, you have cracked the code of how to transform peoples lives.
Performing so many heart operations, you give us opportunities to thrive in Bhakti. When will I take that opportunity?
Creating a spiritual family, you have raised so many spiritual children. You are the father, of this remarkable village of Vaisnava’s and Vaisnavi’s. If we continue to help each other and take your instructions very seriously, we can all - collectively - advance in the right direction on board the ship of transcendence.
With folded palms I sincerely ask that I may be able to one day be a positive instrument for the pleasure of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and if I can give this one life for His pleasure, for your pleasure, then let it be that way. I’m useless at being the enjoyer anyway, so what is holding me back?
I will always remember those times I have had the good fortunate to be able to drive you to various destinations. Indeed at such times I felt true peace. I pray that I may always be your charioteer driver as you continue to fire sharp arrows of enlightenment through the thick nescience of this dark age of Kali. That would be my desire.
Praying to be of some use to you.
Krsnananda dasa
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I would like to offer a few sincere words on this auspicious day. What else can I do? I am not a very capable person so it’s difficult to offer any sort of accomplishments rendered throughought the year.
I am trying to develop a deeper level of gratitude in my Bhakti. Simultaneously, through the parenting phase of life, I am appreciating more and more the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”. How relevant this timeless truth is, even in today’s hyper individualistic society we live in.
Its been almost 10 years now since I began chanting 16 rounds of Maha Mantra each day and have not stopped since. Reflecting on this, the penny has finally dropped - I have only come this far due to the mercy of the devotees of the Lord. I am grateful for all those devotees who have helped me grow in my spiritual infancy - even through periods of tantrums, emotional outbursts, insecurities, confusion, etc
Thus it behooves me now to mention some of these splendid devotees, part of a very wonderful spiritual family that I am very fortunate to be part of. I hope this may please you.
Going back to 2008, having enjoyed Krsna food at university for many months, finally I relented to the polite invitations and succumbed to the sweetness of the devotees of Krsna. Arriving through the door at the magnificent Gaura Yoga centre for the first time, I remember the nice presentation given by Manada Mataji on chanting Hare Krsna. Thus my intellectual curiosity was activated here to explore the yoga philosophy. Furthermore, my dear friend Sachi Dhulal Prabhu was there from the start in that workshop and has been my older brother ever since. Fortunate I am to have such a gentle and wise older brother replete with superb advice which has been invaluable for me countless times.
Attending my first Soulfeast I was provided more prasad than I could handle. Then later, when an attractive devotee was leading kirtan I witnessed first hand an incredible display of deep happiness, of real satisfaction that I’d not seen anywhere in the world prior. I was sold.
Saci Dhulal Prabhu and Candidasa Prabhu were both very kind to allow me to stay in their working mens ashrama where my love for Srila Prabhupada and his books began to blossom. They were kind to allow me the facility to find some foundation in the community and to find my place. For this I am very grateful.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Mahavan Prabhu, nicely supported by Khadiravan Mataji for their selfless service of facilitating a contemporary Vedic mens ashrama - Parama Karuna ashrama where I was able to grow up a bit and dive deeper into the practice for one year. Gaining the association of elder brothers such as Ramadas Prabhu and Bal Gopal Prabhu’s as they moved down to Wellington was invaluable. Their fine qualities developed from many years in the Brahmacari ashrama were further ornaments in the crown of the now re-named Bhakti Lounge centre.
Somehow or other, God only knows how, I survived the treacherous and unstable courting period. Well and truly exceeding my small collection of pious credits from previous lifetimes I was fortunate to be able to marry a very serious devotee of Krsna who has been - as Prabhupada points out in the 3rd Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam - my better half!
Reflecting on this, I have to give special mention to the herculean lifetime sacrifice made by Krsnaloka Mataji. She is like the mother of the Wellington community and has overseen the development of so many magnificent Vaisnavis like Gaura-arati. It is no wonder that Krsnaloka has dreams of Srila Prabhupada personally giving her a ticket out of the quagmire of this world - with seas rising, and skies darkening - back home, back to Godhead.
With marriage comes steep challenges, thick and fast, from multiple directions. Countless times I have been very fortunate to be able to get good advice from Gopal Guru Prabhu who is always sacrificing for the greater good and a champion householder. He has been a rock in my life which I am very grateful for. He has helped me through difficult times. Prabhu is like the engine room of the Wellington community in managing the many managers and leading a very inspiring and visionary strategic plan for the next 10 years which is exciting!
At one particular time in Bhakti I was going through much tumult and confusion and I always remember how Khela Tirtha Prabhu helped me. How he did that and the incredible depth of kindness exhibited was coming from a place not of this world. The only way I can describe it. Something I will never forget.
Periodically visiting Auckland, one of my highlights is going up to visit the Yatra’s farm in Kaiwaka. Absorbing the atmosphere surcharged with Krsna’s blessed cows being nicely protected, amazing devotee care, kirtan and the ethos of simple-living-high-thinking being practically applied, I am very inspired by their sterling example.
The list of appreciations could go on all yuga of course, and there are so many more devotees to mention. Taking shelter of my elders has been a great benediction. I will continue to try to invoke their blessings that I may be able to render some beneficial service in the future.
What a remarkable village indeed for this very fallen child.
The greatest debt of course, is one I owe you Gurudeva.
The greatest shelter has been yours.
Sitting at the head of the spiritual family, I appreciate now that all those mentioned - and many more that I haven’t - derive their spiritual strength from you.
As mercy descends downwards, you are the fountainhead of adhikara for us all.
I can appreciate how your life has given life - real, eternal, blissful life - to others.
Your life has been one of sacrifice and love.
Truth and virtue, dedication and patience.
Genius and strategy.
You have taken the mission of Srila Prabhupada as your life and soul. He wanted the movement to go on through intelligence and organisation which you have masterminded.
Overcoming immense odds, you have cracked the code of how to transform peoples lives.
Performing so many heart operations, you give us opportunities to thrive in Bhakti. When will I take that opportunity?
Creating a spiritual family, you have raised so many spiritual children. You are the father, of this remarkable village of Vaisnava’s and Vaisnavi’s. If we continue to help each other and take your instructions very seriously, we can all - collectively - advance in the right direction on board the ship of transcendence.
With folded palms I sincerely ask that I may be able to one day be a positive instrument for the pleasure of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and if I can give this one life for His pleasure, for your pleasure, then let it be that way. I’m useless at being the enjoyer anyway, so what is holding me back?
I will always remember those times I have had the good fortunate to be able to drive you to various destinations. Indeed at such times I felt true peace. I pray that I may always be your charioteer driver as you continue to fire sharp arrows of enlightenment through the thick nescience of this dark age of Kali. That would be my desire.
Praying to be of some use to you.
Krsnananda dasa
Kula Pavana Das & Bhuvana Pavana Devi Dasi
Dearst Gurudev
Please accept our Humble Obeisance’s onto your lotus feet.
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Vyasa Puja is the opportunity for disciples to officially render glorifications and prayers to the spiritual master. On this auspicious day we take this opportunity to express our heartfelt experiences.
upadeksyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darsinah
The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
Guru always guides us through his Vapu and we have always been experiencing this in our day-to-day life. We have always felt you guide us in taking appropriate decisions.
This year I realized how much more I have to learn, while we were serving prasadam, out of my own interpretation I was trying to serve you Dosa with both the hands and you immediately corrected me saying, “Please serve with right hand only”.
This shows to what extent you come down and teach us.
On this auspicious day we humbly request you to keep guiding us to continue our devotional service.
We pray to
Sri Sri Gaura Nitai,
Sri Sri Radhawallabha and
Sri Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra devi
To give you long life and good health to help many like us
Your Servants,
Kula Pavana Das
Bhuvana Pavana Devi Dasi
Yamua
Please accept our Humble Obeisance’s onto your lotus feet.
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Vyasa Puja is the opportunity for disciples to officially render glorifications and prayers to the spiritual master. On this auspicious day we take this opportunity to express our heartfelt experiences.
upadeksyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darsinah
The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
Guru always guides us through his Vapu and we have always been experiencing this in our day-to-day life. We have always felt you guide us in taking appropriate decisions.
This year I realized how much more I have to learn, while we were serving prasadam, out of my own interpretation I was trying to serve you Dosa with both the hands and you immediately corrected me saying, “Please serve with right hand only”.
This shows to what extent you come down and teach us.
On this auspicious day we humbly request you to keep guiding us to continue our devotional service.
We pray to
Sri Sri Gaura Nitai,
Sri Sri Radhawallabha and
Sri Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subhadra devi
To give you long life and good health to help many like us
Your Servants,
Kula Pavana Das
Bhuvana Pavana Devi Dasi
Yamua
Kumara Sanandana Das
Dear Guru Maharaj
Nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate Devamrita-Svamin iti namine
Nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate Bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
Nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Please accept my humble obeisance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to His Holiness Devamrita Maharaj.
All glories to Sri Vyasa-puja
Hope you well.
Happy appearance day !!
This year is one of the most unforgettable year in my life. That too the day (15th Jun 2018) you accepted this insignificant person as your disciple. I always wondered am I eligible to be a worthy disciple of yours. Time after time you showed compassion, love and caring towards me and every other people you meet. It is because of these qualities a person like get an opportunity to serve you , Srila Prabhupada and his mission. On this note I remember the verse from Sri Gurvastakam which very deeply applies to me;
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisance unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Guru maharaj, from my heart I would like to thank you and would like to serve you more with every opportunity I receive.
Though I had various twist and turns in my journey it is because of your causeless mercy I am here and practicing Krsna Consciousness. I still remember the "golden" words you spoke to me before leaving the airport (this year) "this is not end this is the beginning". You told me this because I took so long to get committed in Krsna Consciousness and initiated. At times we both thought I won't make it. Again it is because of your causeless mercy I am here. I don't have any other words to express my feelings other than saying "thank you", it means a lot.
Dear Guru maharaj I wish you good health. I pray to beloved Narishinga dev, Jaganath, Baladev and Subhathra for your wellbeing and for your continuous support with Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Hare Krsna
Your servant
Kumara Sanandana Das.
Nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate Devamrita-Svamin iti namine
Nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate Bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
Nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Please accept my humble obeisance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to His Holiness Devamrita Maharaj.
All glories to Sri Vyasa-puja
Hope you well.
Happy appearance day !!
This year is one of the most unforgettable year in my life. That too the day (15th Jun 2018) you accepted this insignificant person as your disciple. I always wondered am I eligible to be a worthy disciple of yours. Time after time you showed compassion, love and caring towards me and every other people you meet. It is because of these qualities a person like get an opportunity to serve you , Srila Prabhupada and his mission. On this note I remember the verse from Sri Gurvastakam which very deeply applies to me;
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisance unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Guru maharaj, from my heart I would like to thank you and would like to serve you more with every opportunity I receive.
Though I had various twist and turns in my journey it is because of your causeless mercy I am here and practicing Krsna Consciousness. I still remember the "golden" words you spoke to me before leaving the airport (this year) "this is not end this is the beginning". You told me this because I took so long to get committed in Krsna Consciousness and initiated. At times we both thought I won't make it. Again it is because of your causeless mercy I am here. I don't have any other words to express my feelings other than saying "thank you", it means a lot.
Dear Guru maharaj I wish you good health. I pray to beloved Narishinga dev, Jaganath, Baladev and Subhathra for your wellbeing and for your continuous support with Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Hare Krsna
Your servant
Kumara Sanandana Das.
Kunja-mandana devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you and your divine service!
Gurudeva, you demonstrate the power of the maha mantra. Being in your kirtans, you lead the way, smashing through the cloudy material plane, taking us to newer heights every time. My conviction, taste and enthusiasm for chanting the holy name are increased by hearing you chant. Soaring above the clouds, you roar the mantra so bold and bright that like a fire, it burns through all mental dust. I pray I can always catch that transcendental airplane in kirtan and be transported like I am in all your kirtans.
It is said the spiritual master is a transparent medium. Everything from your lotus mouth is as clear and bright as pure spring water. I am very muddy, yet your words are so clear and vibrant
that I always feel cleansed, relieved and invigorated by your classes, your exciting question and answer sessions and any precious time I am able to hear from you.
Gurudeva, you are so authentic. You are fully awake. Sometimes it is shocking because you throw the spotlight on my hiding spots - ways I am reserving myself from Krishna. Because you are awake, everything you do, you do with preciseness, purpose, timing and most of all deep compassion. You and your exalted servants are giving the medicine that Lord Caitanya brought.
My desire is to be deeply involved in your mission and to follow the instructions you have given me. Please give me the intelligence, strength and determination to follow your instructions and always keep them close to my heart.
With deep gratitude I thank you for all the service and service opportunities I have in my life. Please keep shining the torch on all my hiding places. I need a serious clean up.
Aspiring to be your serious servant,
Kunja-mandana devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you and your divine service!
Gurudeva, you demonstrate the power of the maha mantra. Being in your kirtans, you lead the way, smashing through the cloudy material plane, taking us to newer heights every time. My conviction, taste and enthusiasm for chanting the holy name are increased by hearing you chant. Soaring above the clouds, you roar the mantra so bold and bright that like a fire, it burns through all mental dust. I pray I can always catch that transcendental airplane in kirtan and be transported like I am in all your kirtans.
It is said the spiritual master is a transparent medium. Everything from your lotus mouth is as clear and bright as pure spring water. I am very muddy, yet your words are so clear and vibrant
that I always feel cleansed, relieved and invigorated by your classes, your exciting question and answer sessions and any precious time I am able to hear from you.
Gurudeva, you are so authentic. You are fully awake. Sometimes it is shocking because you throw the spotlight on my hiding spots - ways I am reserving myself from Krishna. Because you are awake, everything you do, you do with preciseness, purpose, timing and most of all deep compassion. You and your exalted servants are giving the medicine that Lord Caitanya brought.
My desire is to be deeply involved in your mission and to follow the instructions you have given me. Please give me the intelligence, strength and determination to follow your instructions and always keep them close to my heart.
With deep gratitude I thank you for all the service and service opportunities I have in my life. Please keep shining the torch on all my hiding places. I need a serious clean up.
Aspiring to be your serious servant,
Kunja-mandana devi dasi
Kurmadev das
PAMHO
ALTSP
All glories to you!
krpa-sindhu su-sampurnah
sarva-sattvopakarakah
nisprhah sarvatah siddhah
sarva-vidya-visaradhah
sarva-samsaya-samcetta
'nalaso gurur ahrtah
"He who is an ocean of mercy, who is full in every sense, who possesses all good qualities, who works always for the benefit of all souls, who is free from lust, who is perfect in everything, who is well versed in the scriptures [sastras] and who knows the science of Krishna, he is known as a guru. "(Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 1.45-46).
Dear Gurudeva Maharaja.
Infinite thanks for accepting me and connecting me in the line of disciplic succession, you are undoubtedly very merciful with this soul,
your eternal servant kurmadeva das.
ALTSP
All glories to you!
krpa-sindhu su-sampurnah
sarva-sattvopakarakah
nisprhah sarvatah siddhah
sarva-vidya-visaradhah
sarva-samsaya-samcetta
'nalaso gurur ahrtah
"He who is an ocean of mercy, who is full in every sense, who possesses all good qualities, who works always for the benefit of all souls, who is free from lust, who is perfect in everything, who is well versed in the scriptures [sastras] and who knows the science of Krishna, he is known as a guru. "(Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 1.45-46).
Dear Gurudeva Maharaja.
Infinite thanks for accepting me and connecting me in the line of disciplic succession, you are undoubtedly very merciful with this soul,
your eternal servant kurmadeva das.
Lavangi dasi
Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In this most auspicious day of Your appearance in this world I would like to thank You, that You are my inspiration to follow Krishna Consciousness. Your personal qualities speak of Your high spiritual realizations. You are always satisfied. You are happy, full of love, bliss and energy. You always have complete faith in Srila Prabhupada. This is my special luck to know such elevated Soul as You are. Please forgive my mistakes and always lead me to Lord Krishna.
Your eternal servant, mataji Lavangi dasi
In this most auspicious day of Your appearance in this world I would like to thank You, that You are my inspiration to follow Krishna Consciousness. Your personal qualities speak of Your high spiritual realizations. You are always satisfied. You are happy, full of love, bliss and energy. You always have complete faith in Srila Prabhupada. This is my special luck to know such elevated Soul as You are. Please forgive my mistakes and always lead me to Lord Krishna.
Your eternal servant, mataji Lavangi dasi
Leela rasa dasi
Hare krsna gurudev
Please accept my humble obisence
All glories to srila prabhupad
I thank you very sincerely from the bottom of my heart, for accepting me your spiritual daughter. With your blessing and mercy i got daughter Suniti. Thank you so much for gave her such a beautiful name.
When she was in my womb i was not feeling satisfaction what i was doing as reading everyday, listening kirtan and lectures then you instruct me to take shelter of holy name , its good for you and your unborn child.
Last time we came for dasran and you instructed me, now you become mother you have great responsiblity to raise your child in krsna consciousness and make her krsna conscious . This is your fulltime seva .all these instruction shows your love, care,compassion and mercy towards us.
Please shower your blessing so that we will advance in bhakti and help our child to become krsna conscious
Your daughter
Leela rasa dasi
Please accept my humble obisence
All glories to srila prabhupad
I thank you very sincerely from the bottom of my heart, for accepting me your spiritual daughter. With your blessing and mercy i got daughter Suniti. Thank you so much for gave her such a beautiful name.
When she was in my womb i was not feeling satisfaction what i was doing as reading everyday, listening kirtan and lectures then you instruct me to take shelter of holy name , its good for you and your unborn child.
Last time we came for dasran and you instructed me, now you become mother you have great responsiblity to raise your child in krsna consciousness and make her krsna conscious . This is your fulltime seva .all these instruction shows your love, care,compassion and mercy towards us.
Please shower your blessing so that we will advance in bhakti and help our child to become krsna conscious
Your daughter
Leela rasa dasi
Lila Katha devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Dear Guru Maharaja, I am very happy to see you when you come to Melbourne and I love to listen to your classes.
I love to cook for you, thankyou for this opportunity, please allow me to cook for you any time you want.
Please guide me how I can increase my Krsna Consciousness.
Thankyou for your mercy Guru Maharaja.
Your servant Lila Katha devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Dear Guru Maharaja, I am very happy to see you when you come to Melbourne and I love to listen to your classes.
I love to cook for you, thankyou for this opportunity, please allow me to cook for you any time you want.
Please guide me how I can increase my Krsna Consciousness.
Thankyou for your mercy Guru Maharaja.
Your servant Lila Katha devi dasi
Lila-madhurya dasi
Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances.
Once I was in a Prague tram, and in my mind I saw how everything will be not simply destroyed, but totally annihilated: all these so called “beautiful” buildings along the road, the road and tram itself, even single stone will not remain.
Srimad Bhagavatam (2.5.21) explains:
“The Lord, who is the controller of all energies, thus creates, by His own potency, eternal time, the fate of all living entities, and their particular nature, for which they were created, and He again merges them independently.” And Srila Prabhupada further explains: “So the creation and annihilation of the material worlds is a regular action of the Lord just to allow the conditioned souls to play as they like and thereby create their own fate of being differently created again in terms of their independent desires at the time of annihilation.”
From that we can understand that powerful time destroys everything, but not the desire of the living entity. Even after breath of Maha Visnu it is not destroyed.
And Your words are so powerful, they do what even Lord in a form of time does not do. Your words destroy our material desires and nourish us with the taste to listen and read about Krishna and His devotees.
Everything what is visible by material eyes will be annihilated. That means material eyes give only illusion of sight. And You give us real vision. Devahuti tells to Kapiladeva in Srimad Bhagavatam:
“Your Lordship is my only means of getting out of this darkest region of ignorance because You are my transcendental eye, which, by Your mercy only, I have attained after many, many births.” Yes, dear Gurumaharaj, You are my transcendental eye and my only real fortune. Sometimes I am in anxiety, because one thing is to win the big one on the lottery and another thing is how to use the opportunity in a proper way. My anxiety is: Am I doing my best in the service to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga?
From the relationship of Devahuti and Kardama Muni we can see that Spiritual Master is not in need of service, but the disciple offers sincere service to the Spiritual Master and in that process disciple’s heart becomes purified. Dear Gurudeva, You are certainly not in need of our service, but we are those who are in need.
Dhruva Maharaja prays like that: “O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate with great devotees who engage in Your transcendental loving service constantly, as the waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By the process of devotional service I shall surely be able to cross the nescient ocean of material existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers”. Following in his footsteps, I beg whether perfectly or imperfectly to assist You in this lifetime and in the next.
Your aspiring servant,
Lila-madhurya dasi
Once I was in a Prague tram, and in my mind I saw how everything will be not simply destroyed, but totally annihilated: all these so called “beautiful” buildings along the road, the road and tram itself, even single stone will not remain.
Srimad Bhagavatam (2.5.21) explains:
“The Lord, who is the controller of all energies, thus creates, by His own potency, eternal time, the fate of all living entities, and their particular nature, for which they were created, and He again merges them independently.” And Srila Prabhupada further explains: “So the creation and annihilation of the material worlds is a regular action of the Lord just to allow the conditioned souls to play as they like and thereby create their own fate of being differently created again in terms of their independent desires at the time of annihilation.”
From that we can understand that powerful time destroys everything, but not the desire of the living entity. Even after breath of Maha Visnu it is not destroyed.
And Your words are so powerful, they do what even Lord in a form of time does not do. Your words destroy our material desires and nourish us with the taste to listen and read about Krishna and His devotees.
Everything what is visible by material eyes will be annihilated. That means material eyes give only illusion of sight. And You give us real vision. Devahuti tells to Kapiladeva in Srimad Bhagavatam:
“Your Lordship is my only means of getting out of this darkest region of ignorance because You are my transcendental eye, which, by Your mercy only, I have attained after many, many births.” Yes, dear Gurumaharaj, You are my transcendental eye and my only real fortune. Sometimes I am in anxiety, because one thing is to win the big one on the lottery and another thing is how to use the opportunity in a proper way. My anxiety is: Am I doing my best in the service to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga?
From the relationship of Devahuti and Kardama Muni we can see that Spiritual Master is not in need of service, but the disciple offers sincere service to the Spiritual Master and in that process disciple’s heart becomes purified. Dear Gurudeva, You are certainly not in need of our service, but we are those who are in need.
Dhruva Maharaja prays like that: “O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate with great devotees who engage in Your transcendental loving service constantly, as the waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By the process of devotional service I shall surely be able to cross the nescient ocean of material existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers”. Following in his footsteps, I beg whether perfectly or imperfectly to assist You in this lifetime and in the next.
Your aspiring servant,
Lila-madhurya dasi
Liliya
Dear Guru Maharaja!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glorious to Srila Prabhupada!
All glorious to you.
Dearest Gurudeva, on such an auspicious day of your appearance, I want to thank you for your instructions and guidance! They have completely changed my life. Every darshan I've had with you has been so transformative and given me support and a great foundation in my Krishna Consciousness.
Because of the outreach, you have established here in New Zealand, it has brought me back to understanding my real position as a servant of the servants. It began with rejecting two Sankirtan devotees on Queen Street almost four years ago, then meeting Guru Vani at new Varshan and finally coming to the Loft. Now I have the special opportunity to live in the ladies Ashram, with the amazing abundance of service and I am feeling the love and care of devotees.
Life in the Bhakti Lounge community has shown me how thoughtful and caring you are about every jiva.No matter how busy your schedule is you always find time for us, giving classes, giving us the rare chance to speak with you about spiritual life, dance in your kirtans and feel uplifted by your divine presence. What is luck for me to have shelter in your caring family and your sweet association? You have told us many times that disciples and guru are always together through the vani. But still, your kindness is giving us your incredible association.
By your mercy only I'm in the situation and have the opportunities I have.
I hope to realise my fortunate and appreciate it with whole my heart, rather than take everything for granted due to ignorance. Your instructions are my only way to get out of my conditioning. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to engage my material propensities in cooking and baking in Krishna's service.
Praying to you on your auspicious appearance day that I'm able to remember and value your mercy upon me and stick to the process no matter how my stubborn conditioning attacks. Wishing forever be the servant of your servants and be a useful instrument to assist you.
Your aspiring servant,
Liliya
Lizzy (Wellington)
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
So the saying goes, 'another year older another year wiser'.. This is an instance where this statement actually holds truth. Your wisdom extends beyond the material realm, and unlocks the understanding of the spirit soul and its eternal connection with Lord Sri Krishna. It’s amazing to see how with true wisdom one becomes more selfless, which you expertly demonstrate. Gurudeva, you were recently speaking on how you often think “oh i could just be reading Krishna Lila and chanting all day” but instead you are so compassionate by researching ways you can help conditioned souls through making current social links fit with the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, allowing people to access timeless knowledge that releases one from the clutches of illusion. This is one of the many things about you that inspires me- to become selfless and use this human form of life in selfless service.
I would like to share an amusing story with you to illicit the situation of a young girl in Kali yuga, and ultimately highlight how you have completely changed my life. When I was 16 years old I was so excited to have my first boyfriend so I could finally receive a valentines gift that wasn’t from my mum. I desperately wanted a rose, and I even gave my him a store pamphlet for where to get the cheapest deal. I received no rose on valentines day, and I was devastated! I use to think that he was so stupid for not getting me such a simple thing, especially as i lay it out so clearly- no mind games. But by your mercy Gurudeva I’ve been able to realise that I was the stupid one, covered so heavily by ignorance, trying to be the controller and enjoyer, and inevitably being frustrated in that position. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport of BG 2.7: "By nature’s own way the complete system of material activities is a source of perplexity for everyone. In every step there is perplexity, and therefore it behooves one to approach a bona fide spiritual master who can give one proper guidance for executing the purpose of life” This verse is also profound as Arjuna declares “Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me”
Gurudeva, I am aspiring to be your disciple, and desire desperately to surrender unto you and the parampara. Please instruct me, and bestow your mercy upon me so that I can truly support you and your mission.
You have destroyed with the shining torch of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance. No longer is my aim to receive flowers for myself, but to receive flowers to garland the Lord, and offer to Srila Prabhupada.. You have generously set up a shelter that is so genius to help the conditioned souls repose their loving propensity from their selfish motivations to the ultimate source of all love. The Bhakti Lounge is a dynamic hub filled with devotee’s who are determined and enthusiastic to serve, and who are caring and supportive. Everyone is focused on working on themselves to become useful instruments and humble servants. I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to be in this community, and it is all thanks to you. I pray that I can always be in a situation where I can serve the devotees, remember your instructions, and chant and read with attention, determination, enthusiasm, and the knowledge that I am experiencing the highest, most deepest wealth.
Thank you for everything.
Your eternally grateful and aspiring servant,
Lizzy
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
So the saying goes, 'another year older another year wiser'.. This is an instance where this statement actually holds truth. Your wisdom extends beyond the material realm, and unlocks the understanding of the spirit soul and its eternal connection with Lord Sri Krishna. It’s amazing to see how with true wisdom one becomes more selfless, which you expertly demonstrate. Gurudeva, you were recently speaking on how you often think “oh i could just be reading Krishna Lila and chanting all day” but instead you are so compassionate by researching ways you can help conditioned souls through making current social links fit with the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, allowing people to access timeless knowledge that releases one from the clutches of illusion. This is one of the many things about you that inspires me- to become selfless and use this human form of life in selfless service.
I would like to share an amusing story with you to illicit the situation of a young girl in Kali yuga, and ultimately highlight how you have completely changed my life. When I was 16 years old I was so excited to have my first boyfriend so I could finally receive a valentines gift that wasn’t from my mum. I desperately wanted a rose, and I even gave my him a store pamphlet for where to get the cheapest deal. I received no rose on valentines day, and I was devastated! I use to think that he was so stupid for not getting me such a simple thing, especially as i lay it out so clearly- no mind games. But by your mercy Gurudeva I’ve been able to realise that I was the stupid one, covered so heavily by ignorance, trying to be the controller and enjoyer, and inevitably being frustrated in that position. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport of BG 2.7: "By nature’s own way the complete system of material activities is a source of perplexity for everyone. In every step there is perplexity, and therefore it behooves one to approach a bona fide spiritual master who can give one proper guidance for executing the purpose of life” This verse is also profound as Arjuna declares “Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me”
Gurudeva, I am aspiring to be your disciple, and desire desperately to surrender unto you and the parampara. Please instruct me, and bestow your mercy upon me so that I can truly support you and your mission.
You have destroyed with the shining torch of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance. No longer is my aim to receive flowers for myself, but to receive flowers to garland the Lord, and offer to Srila Prabhupada.. You have generously set up a shelter that is so genius to help the conditioned souls repose their loving propensity from their selfish motivations to the ultimate source of all love. The Bhakti Lounge is a dynamic hub filled with devotee’s who are determined and enthusiastic to serve, and who are caring and supportive. Everyone is focused on working on themselves to become useful instruments and humble servants. I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to be in this community, and it is all thanks to you. I pray that I can always be in a situation where I can serve the devotees, remember your instructions, and chant and read with attention, determination, enthusiasm, and the knowledge that I am experiencing the highest, most deepest wealth.
Thank you for everything.
Your eternally grateful and aspiring servant,
Lizzy
Madana Mohini devi dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Thank you for giving me shelter.
I always feel I dont have the knowledge I should to practice Krishna Consciousness but because you gave me protection I decided to take extra shelter on Krishna's name and chant always extra rounds. My minimum after initiation are 20 rounds daily and trying always to do more.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to advance in my spiritual practice.
Thank you for giving me shelter.
I always feel I dont have the knowledge I should to practice Krishna Consciousness but because you gave me protection I decided to take extra shelter on Krishna's name and chant always extra rounds. My minimum after initiation are 20 rounds daily and trying always to do more.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to advance in my spiritual practice.
Madhava Seva Das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to Your Divine Services.
I can't believe that another year has gone by so swiftly. During a previous exchange you mentioned "time is passing between us" and yes indeed a long 15 years have passed since we first met. Your instructions and teachings have been of the highest order and totally inlined with Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna's instructions. You have been an inspiring beacon in my life amidst all the chaos that's been going on.
I truly admit that I still remain to be a fallen soul lying on the lap of this evil witch called Maya. I haven't paid serious attention to escape from Her grip and come under Krishna's shelter. As the years go by, it is becoming apparent that it is next to impossible for a conditioned soul to escape the illusory energy unless it gets the special mercy of Guru or Vaishnava. Only Krishna knows how many lifetimes of hurdles and tests I have to pass to uplift my fallen condition.
I pray to you on this blessed day for your mercy so I may serve Krishna properly that is pleasing to you. Even though the desire is there to serve, it is severely weakened by my own shortfalls. Please give me your mercy Maharaj.
Begging at your lotus feet,
Your most fallen insignificant disciple,
Madhava Seva Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to Your Divine Services.
I can't believe that another year has gone by so swiftly. During a previous exchange you mentioned "time is passing between us" and yes indeed a long 15 years have passed since we first met. Your instructions and teachings have been of the highest order and totally inlined with Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna's instructions. You have been an inspiring beacon in my life amidst all the chaos that's been going on.
I truly admit that I still remain to be a fallen soul lying on the lap of this evil witch called Maya. I haven't paid serious attention to escape from Her grip and come under Krishna's shelter. As the years go by, it is becoming apparent that it is next to impossible for a conditioned soul to escape the illusory energy unless it gets the special mercy of Guru or Vaishnava. Only Krishna knows how many lifetimes of hurdles and tests I have to pass to uplift my fallen condition.
I pray to you on this blessed day for your mercy so I may serve Krishna properly that is pleasing to you. Even though the desire is there to serve, it is severely weakened by my own shortfalls. Please give me your mercy Maharaj.
Begging at your lotus feet,
Your most fallen insignificant disciple,
Madhava Seva Das
Madhava mohini devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obesainces. All glories to Srila Prabhupada & all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
This year I have been trying to broaden my vision by trying to see each devotee for how sincere they are. I have had some amazing realisations. You have always instructed me to serve the devotees and told me try to see your fortune that Lord Caitanya is using you in his mission. This year I have tried to cultivate that mood Gurudeva. To try to serve the devotees from my heart and think of their welfare.
Not only is this devotional service easy, but it can be performed in a happy mood. One does not need to undergo any severe penance and austerity. He can live this life in devotional service, guided by an expert spiritual master, and in any position, either as a householder or a sannyāsī or a brahmacārī; in any position and anywhere in the world, he can perform this devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus become actually mahātmā, a great soul (BG 9.14, Purport).
The Bhakti Lounge and loft communities are a living example of this verse. Since I have tried to broaden my vision naturally I have developed relationships with devotees because I have tried to open my heart to them. I have nice relationships now in the community and I can do my service better because my vision has changed. I understand if I serve sincerely I have the amazing opportunity to serve you every day through the devotees because that is your mission to serve the devotees.
Thank you for guiding me and tolerating so much so that I have the best opportunity to be Krishna conscious.
Your servant
Madhava mohini devi dasi
Please accept my humble obesainces. All glories to Srila Prabhupada & all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
This year I have been trying to broaden my vision by trying to see each devotee for how sincere they are. I have had some amazing realisations. You have always instructed me to serve the devotees and told me try to see your fortune that Lord Caitanya is using you in his mission. This year I have tried to cultivate that mood Gurudeva. To try to serve the devotees from my heart and think of their welfare.
Not only is this devotional service easy, but it can be performed in a happy mood. One does not need to undergo any severe penance and austerity. He can live this life in devotional service, guided by an expert spiritual master, and in any position, either as a householder or a sannyāsī or a brahmacārī; in any position and anywhere in the world, he can perform this devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus become actually mahātmā, a great soul (BG 9.14, Purport).
The Bhakti Lounge and loft communities are a living example of this verse. Since I have tried to broaden my vision naturally I have developed relationships with devotees because I have tried to open my heart to them. I have nice relationships now in the community and I can do my service better because my vision has changed. I understand if I serve sincerely I have the amazing opportunity to serve you every day through the devotees because that is your mission to serve the devotees.
Thank you for guiding me and tolerating so much so that I have the best opportunity to be Krishna conscious.
Your servant
Madhava mohini devi dasi
Madhupāna līlā devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
CC Madhya 19.151 states:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.
It is said in 2.6.18 purport how one universe is compared to one mustard seed, Prabhupada then describes how there are millions of universes so much so that it could be compared to a bucket full of mustard seeds.
If we imagine our mustard seed sized universe, and in this universe there are so many different planets, and out of these planets there is this Earth, on earth there are so many different places, and out of this there is this very small little island down in the South Pacific called New Zealand, and in New Zealand there are just under 5 million people, and out of these millions of people there are 15 ladies who live in an ashram in Wellington, and out of these 15 ladies, there is one very unfortunate neophyte who is mental that someone has stolen her shower time.
So given all of this, I find it very incredible that I have been fortunate enough to come in contact with a bonafide spiritual master. And not just any spiritual master, one who is as tolerant and patient as you. Although my heart is a very unfit place, filled with many weeds, and thorn bushes, you have planted the seed of the creeper of devotional service there. Gurudev I have no words of which to glorify you, because I have no knowledge of sastra, I only have envy for my god sisters who possess such knowledge. But in my attempt, I can regurgitate the words of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
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.
Gurudeva I relish each and every one of your kirtans which are like heavy rain clouds showering the nectar to extinguish the soldiers of Maya Devi such as Envy and Lust. I remember one kirtan, in particular, I was thinking to myself ‘this is a transcendental shower!’ not just because my clothing had darkened a few shades due to over perspiration but because I was chanting, dancing and all I could hear was the mahamantra. It was amazing, I couldn’t hear anything else.
I have the full facility to swim in the ocean of full time devotional service. And yet I wish I could do more for you. As Srila prabhupada says in BG 4.34 “satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life”. I'm trying to follow your instructions to satisfy you and at the same time scraping off the sedimentary layers of dust I've been accumulating for lifetimes. Please forgive me for being an inadequate excuse for a disciple. On this day of your appearance I pray “dīna kṛṣṇa-dāse koy, ei yena mora hoy, śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi” (This very fallen and lowly servant of Krishna prays, “ may I always swim in the love of Sri Radha and Govinda”) And may I never lose taste for chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
Aspiring to be of some use to your mission
Your servant,
Madhupāna līlā devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
CC Madhya 19.151 states:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.
It is said in 2.6.18 purport how one universe is compared to one mustard seed, Prabhupada then describes how there are millions of universes so much so that it could be compared to a bucket full of mustard seeds.
If we imagine our mustard seed sized universe, and in this universe there are so many different planets, and out of these planets there is this Earth, on earth there are so many different places, and out of this there is this very small little island down in the South Pacific called New Zealand, and in New Zealand there are just under 5 million people, and out of these millions of people there are 15 ladies who live in an ashram in Wellington, and out of these 15 ladies, there is one very unfortunate neophyte who is mental that someone has stolen her shower time.
So given all of this, I find it very incredible that I have been fortunate enough to come in contact with a bonafide spiritual master. And not just any spiritual master, one who is as tolerant and patient as you. Although my heart is a very unfit place, filled with many weeds, and thorn bushes, you have planted the seed of the creeper of devotional service there. Gurudev I have no words of which to glorify you, because I have no knowledge of sastra, I only have envy for my god sisters who possess such knowledge. But in my attempt, I can regurgitate the words of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
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.
Gurudeva I relish each and every one of your kirtans which are like heavy rain clouds showering the nectar to extinguish the soldiers of Maya Devi such as Envy and Lust. I remember one kirtan, in particular, I was thinking to myself ‘this is a transcendental shower!’ not just because my clothing had darkened a few shades due to over perspiration but because I was chanting, dancing and all I could hear was the mahamantra. It was amazing, I couldn’t hear anything else.
I have the full facility to swim in the ocean of full time devotional service. And yet I wish I could do more for you. As Srila prabhupada says in BG 4.34 “satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life”. I'm trying to follow your instructions to satisfy you and at the same time scraping off the sedimentary layers of dust I've been accumulating for lifetimes. Please forgive me for being an inadequate excuse for a disciple. On this day of your appearance I pray “dīna kṛṣṇa-dāse koy, ei yena mora hoy, śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi” (This very fallen and lowly servant of Krishna prays, “ may I always swim in the love of Sri Radha and Govinda”) And may I never lose taste for chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
Aspiring to be of some use to your mission
Your servant,
Madhupāna līlā devi dasi
Madhurananda das
ai Srila Gurudeva
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
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhuapada
The road to pure devotional service is never easy and just when you think you're making progress, you realise you've walked miles in the opposite direction.
We blissfully read descriptions of Maya and obstacles in devotional service from the comfort of Srila Prabhupada's books, thinking we will never fall victim to our own pride or conditioning. How wrong we are! This has been a most difficult year where my devotion was truly tested in ways I wasn't expecting.
Feeling alone, isolated and uncared for, we are quick to play the blame game. I can never be our fault, it must be someone else. Friends quickly become problems and our dear most mind becomes our worst enemy and we suddenly become experts in fault finding. Srila Prabhupada explained in a 1975 morning walk that "There is no question of quarrel. Quarrel is material". Indeed, in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.25, Kali is described as quarrel personified.
How easy is it then for such tiny soul to think they are the controller. How easy is it to run away.
Your mercy however is every reaching, and even when the reluctant soul tries to run away, Krsna will let them go but the devotee will not. You have shown just how caring and compassionate a person can be when connected to the Supreme Lord and Srila Prabhupada.
Then, like an expert doctor, you begin your diagnosis. Cutting away at the layers of conditioning, doubt and ego to reveal the real issue. Like a patient, we think the medicine unsavory, but you know how sweet it really is. Your amazing ability is to take the thousands of whirlwind thoughts in our restless minds and address them in a few simple words. "Be part of the solution, not the problem", "Don't get into the blame game" and "This is a London problem"
Please bless us so that we can see clarity through our own confusion and in that way, see how lucky we are to be connected to Srila Prabhupada and you
your servant,
Madurananda 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
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhuapada
The road to pure devotional service is never easy and just when you think you're making progress, you realise you've walked miles in the opposite direction.
We blissfully read descriptions of Maya and obstacles in devotional service from the comfort of Srila Prabhupada's books, thinking we will never fall victim to our own pride or conditioning. How wrong we are! This has been a most difficult year where my devotion was truly tested in ways I wasn't expecting.
Feeling alone, isolated and uncared for, we are quick to play the blame game. I can never be our fault, it must be someone else. Friends quickly become problems and our dear most mind becomes our worst enemy and we suddenly become experts in fault finding. Srila Prabhupada explained in a 1975 morning walk that "There is no question of quarrel. Quarrel is material". Indeed, in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.25, Kali is described as quarrel personified.
How easy is it then for such tiny soul to think they are the controller. How easy is it to run away.
Your mercy however is every reaching, and even when the reluctant soul tries to run away, Krsna will let them go but the devotee will not. You have shown just how caring and compassionate a person can be when connected to the Supreme Lord and Srila Prabhupada.
Then, like an expert doctor, you begin your diagnosis. Cutting away at the layers of conditioning, doubt and ego to reveal the real issue. Like a patient, we think the medicine unsavory, but you know how sweet it really is. Your amazing ability is to take the thousands of whirlwind thoughts in our restless minds and address them in a few simple words. "Be part of the solution, not the problem", "Don't get into the blame game" and "This is a London problem"
Please bless us so that we can see clarity through our own confusion and in that way, see how lucky we are to be connected to Srila Prabhupada and you
your servant,
Madurananda das
Madhurya-sindhu dd
Hare Krishna Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja!
I am extremely grateful to you for accepting me as your disciple. You are my constant reminder to advance in devotional service.
2018 is a special year for us, as you chose to visit us in Dallas. The moment I heard you are coming to Dallas I was counting the days . Every day I had played in my mind various scenarios on how I can best serve you so that you would be pleased. Thank you so much for visiting us. I feel so fortunate and happy I had the great privilege to prepare some of your meals during your stay.
Only by your mercy I am in Krishna consciousness and trying to do some service.
With extreme gratitude I thank you for your guidance, instructions and care you have give me and my family.
Wishing to remain the servant of the servant.
Madhurya-sindhu dd
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja!
I am extremely grateful to you for accepting me as your disciple. You are my constant reminder to advance in devotional service.
2018 is a special year for us, as you chose to visit us in Dallas. The moment I heard you are coming to Dallas I was counting the days . Every day I had played in my mind various scenarios on how I can best serve you so that you would be pleased. Thank you so much for visiting us. I feel so fortunate and happy I had the great privilege to prepare some of your meals during your stay.
Only by your mercy I am in Krishna consciousness and trying to do some service.
With extreme gratitude I thank you for your guidance, instructions and care you have give me and my family.
Wishing to remain the servant of the servant.
Madhurya-sindhu dd
Madhuryadham Devi Dasi
Dear Gurumaharaj
On this auspicious occasion I pray to Lord Jagannath ji , Baldeva ji and Subdra mai for your good health.
Life in this material world is like a roller coaster for me - sometimes, it test my bhakti or else check confidence in Krishna. For me, confidence in Krishna is very far away but what is saving me till now from the onslaught of maya's attacks is your mercy. I don't have words to express my gratitude for your love to this useless soul; for I don't have any qualification even to stay in association of devotee nor the seva for diety and still I'm able to do chant it is just because of your mercy on me.
When I was in Melbourne I use to take darshan of you quite often but never realized the importance to it them but now as I'm far away but again for some reason I still feel how your mercy flow towards me breaking barrier of distance.
Your are real spiritual father always with us. Without your mercy I cannot do anything in material life what to mention of my spiritual life.
Last year on your Vyas puja I prayed to give me taste to read book and you are so merciful that I started attending bhakti shastri course in Pune and started reading Prabhupad books daily. This year again your daughter is asking you how I can improve my chanting and develop taste for chanting. Please bless me so that I can chant my round sincerely and attentively.
Please bless me and my family so that we can continue our devotional service sincerly.
Your aspiring servant,
Madhuryadham devi dasi
On this auspicious occasion I pray to Lord Jagannath ji , Baldeva ji and Subdra mai for your good health.
Life in this material world is like a roller coaster for me - sometimes, it test my bhakti or else check confidence in Krishna. For me, confidence in Krishna is very far away but what is saving me till now from the onslaught of maya's attacks is your mercy. I don't have words to express my gratitude for your love to this useless soul; for I don't have any qualification even to stay in association of devotee nor the seva for diety and still I'm able to do chant it is just because of your mercy on me.
When I was in Melbourne I use to take darshan of you quite often but never realized the importance to it them but now as I'm far away but again for some reason I still feel how your mercy flow towards me breaking barrier of distance.
Your are real spiritual father always with us. Without your mercy I cannot do anything in material life what to mention of my spiritual life.
Last year on your Vyas puja I prayed to give me taste to read book and you are so merciful that I started attending bhakti shastri course in Pune and started reading Prabhupad books daily. This year again your daughter is asking you how I can improve my chanting and develop taste for chanting. Please bless me so that I can chant my round sincerely and attentively.
Please bless me and my family so that we can continue our devotional service sincerly.
Your aspiring servant,
Madhuryadham devi dasi
Madhuryamrita devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
All glories to you on your auspicious appearance day!
etad eva hi sac-chiṣyaiḥ
kartavyaṁ guru-niṣkṛtam
yad vai viśuddha-bhāvena
sarvārthātmārpaṇaṁ gurau
This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even their very lives.
SB 10.80.41
Gurudeva, I am eternally indebted to you. As Sandipani Muni instructed his disciples, Krishna and Sudama, one should be prepared to give their very life to their spiritual master. How? How do I offer my life to you? By assisting you in your service.
In a lecture you gave, you were explaining how being “Krishna conscious” means to be conscious of Krishna AND His desires. You were referring to Lord Chaitanya’s desire to deliver all the fallen souls. Everyone is suffering so much; in obvious ways, like bodily pain, and in more hidden ways, like mental anxiety. Even those that are apparently peaceful, if they are not connected with Krishna in loving devotion, their peace won’t last forever and they are not experiencing the only thing that fulfills the soul, bhakti bhava.
I am grateful for the opportunity you gave us to serve among the Mantra Lounge outreach crew in Philly and the project at Sri Gita Nagari Dhama. I learned so much from the very sincere and dedicated devotees there and became so attached to serving Sri Sri Radha Damodar. They are the center of my life.
Now in Auckland, I am getting opportunities to serve Sri Sri Radha Giridhari and also to engage in outreach at the Loft. So many people are coming to the Sunday Free Spirit Festival from harinam! Practically every week!! I love being able to invite them there after meeting them on the street, and know that they will be looked after nicely and encouraged to pursue their bhakti career.
Two Argentinean girls came last Sunday from harinam and one of them told me she had been looking for a Spanish Bhagavad Gita in Buenos Aires but couldn’t find one. Luckily Bhava Sandhi had given me one odd one she happened to have. I get so excited when things like this happen. Someone is getting the rarest chance to connect with Krishna through associating with Srila Prabhupada’s books, reading his purports, which, as you have said before, are his devotional ecstasies! I get so enlivened reading Bhagavad Gita with guests, witnessing how they are peeling off the layers of ignorance and relishing a taste of reality.
You have instructed us that being focused only on ourselves and our selfish desires is miserable and shrinks our hearts, and that sankirtan, spreading Krishna’s glories in all shapes and forms, makes our hearts big!!! As you have said, to show real love is to connect others with Krishna.
Even though in a couple of months, my life will change dramatically, I still pray to have that sankirtan focus, to sacrifice for Krishna’s pleasure. I want to combine motherhood with outreach, please grant me your blessings.
In Fourth Canto chapter 31 verse 5, when Narada Muni instructs the Pracetas, they compare his traveling to the sun’s, for he drives away all kinds of fear. Srila Prabhupada’s purport reveals:
“Because of the night’s darkness, everyone is afraid of rogues and thieves, especially in great cities. People are often afraid to go out on the streets, and we understand that even in a great city like New York people do not like to go out at night. More or less, when it is night everyone is afraid, either in the city or in the village. However, as soon as the sun rises everyone is relieved. Similarly, this material world is dark by nature. Everyone is afraid of danger at every moment, but when one sees a devotee like Nārada, all fear is relieved. Just as the sun disperses darkness, the appearance of a great sage like Nārada disperses ignorance. When one meets Nārada or his representative, a spiritual master, one is freed from all anxiety brought about by ignorance.”
I have had so many experiences like that; hearing from you, I am again reminded of my constitutional position of being Krishna’s servant, and the anxiety that comes from material consciousness, where I consider myself this temporary body and mind, is dissipated. You bring the sunshine of transcendental knowledge into my life through your instructions. For example: I am so fortunate to have studying sastra as a daily focus; thank you for encouraging us in taking shelter of that essential service.
Continuing the pastime in Srimad Bhagavatam, the Pracetas admit that they have become overly attached to family affairs, and Srila Prabhupada explains:
“If one wishes to enjoy the senses more than required, he becomes attached to family life, which means bondage.”
So, they ask Narada Muni for guidance, and he goes on to instruct the Pracetas in many ways:
"By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other, and restricting the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janārdana.
Purport:
The first item mentioned is dayayā sarva-bhūteṣu, showing mercy to all conditioned souls. The best way to show mercy is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The entire world is suffering for want of this knowledge(…)To spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement throughout the world, the devotees should be satisfied in all conditions(…)The senses are automatically controlled when one’s mind is engaged in the service of the Lord."
SB 4.31.19
Gurudeva, I am inspired by your example, you personify this verse, you are merciful, self satisfied and self controlled. Because I don’t know what day will be my last in this life, I truly don’t want to become overwhelmed in this new stage and lose the plot. I hope I can please you by raising this child in KC and also by assisting you in your outreach endeavors.
Your servant,
Madhuryamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
All glories to you on your auspicious appearance day!
etad eva hi sac-chiṣyaiḥ
kartavyaṁ guru-niṣkṛtam
yad vai viśuddha-bhāvena
sarvārthātmārpaṇaṁ gurau
This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even their very lives.
SB 10.80.41
Gurudeva, I am eternally indebted to you. As Sandipani Muni instructed his disciples, Krishna and Sudama, one should be prepared to give their very life to their spiritual master. How? How do I offer my life to you? By assisting you in your service.
In a lecture you gave, you were explaining how being “Krishna conscious” means to be conscious of Krishna AND His desires. You were referring to Lord Chaitanya’s desire to deliver all the fallen souls. Everyone is suffering so much; in obvious ways, like bodily pain, and in more hidden ways, like mental anxiety. Even those that are apparently peaceful, if they are not connected with Krishna in loving devotion, their peace won’t last forever and they are not experiencing the only thing that fulfills the soul, bhakti bhava.
I am grateful for the opportunity you gave us to serve among the Mantra Lounge outreach crew in Philly and the project at Sri Gita Nagari Dhama. I learned so much from the very sincere and dedicated devotees there and became so attached to serving Sri Sri Radha Damodar. They are the center of my life.
Now in Auckland, I am getting opportunities to serve Sri Sri Radha Giridhari and also to engage in outreach at the Loft. So many people are coming to the Sunday Free Spirit Festival from harinam! Practically every week!! I love being able to invite them there after meeting them on the street, and know that they will be looked after nicely and encouraged to pursue their bhakti career.
Two Argentinean girls came last Sunday from harinam and one of them told me she had been looking for a Spanish Bhagavad Gita in Buenos Aires but couldn’t find one. Luckily Bhava Sandhi had given me one odd one she happened to have. I get so excited when things like this happen. Someone is getting the rarest chance to connect with Krishna through associating with Srila Prabhupada’s books, reading his purports, which, as you have said before, are his devotional ecstasies! I get so enlivened reading Bhagavad Gita with guests, witnessing how they are peeling off the layers of ignorance and relishing a taste of reality.
You have instructed us that being focused only on ourselves and our selfish desires is miserable and shrinks our hearts, and that sankirtan, spreading Krishna’s glories in all shapes and forms, makes our hearts big!!! As you have said, to show real love is to connect others with Krishna.
Even though in a couple of months, my life will change dramatically, I still pray to have that sankirtan focus, to sacrifice for Krishna’s pleasure. I want to combine motherhood with outreach, please grant me your blessings.
In Fourth Canto chapter 31 verse 5, when Narada Muni instructs the Pracetas, they compare his traveling to the sun’s, for he drives away all kinds of fear. Srila Prabhupada’s purport reveals:
“Because of the night’s darkness, everyone is afraid of rogues and thieves, especially in great cities. People are often afraid to go out on the streets, and we understand that even in a great city like New York people do not like to go out at night. More or less, when it is night everyone is afraid, either in the city or in the village. However, as soon as the sun rises everyone is relieved. Similarly, this material world is dark by nature. Everyone is afraid of danger at every moment, but when one sees a devotee like Nārada, all fear is relieved. Just as the sun disperses darkness, the appearance of a great sage like Nārada disperses ignorance. When one meets Nārada or his representative, a spiritual master, one is freed from all anxiety brought about by ignorance.”
I have had so many experiences like that; hearing from you, I am again reminded of my constitutional position of being Krishna’s servant, and the anxiety that comes from material consciousness, where I consider myself this temporary body and mind, is dissipated. You bring the sunshine of transcendental knowledge into my life through your instructions. For example: I am so fortunate to have studying sastra as a daily focus; thank you for encouraging us in taking shelter of that essential service.
Continuing the pastime in Srimad Bhagavatam, the Pracetas admit that they have become overly attached to family affairs, and Srila Prabhupada explains:
“If one wishes to enjoy the senses more than required, he becomes attached to family life, which means bondage.”
So, they ask Narada Muni for guidance, and he goes on to instruct the Pracetas in many ways:
"By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other, and restricting the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janārdana.
Purport:
The first item mentioned is dayayā sarva-bhūteṣu, showing mercy to all conditioned souls. The best way to show mercy is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The entire world is suffering for want of this knowledge(…)To spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement throughout the world, the devotees should be satisfied in all conditions(…)The senses are automatically controlled when one’s mind is engaged in the service of the Lord."
SB 4.31.19
Gurudeva, I am inspired by your example, you personify this verse, you are merciful, self satisfied and self controlled. Because I don’t know what day will be my last in this life, I truly don’t want to become overwhelmed in this new stage and lose the plot. I hope I can please you by raising this child in KC and also by assisting you in your outreach endeavors.
Your servant,
Madhuryamrita devi dasi
Maha Hari das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept
My humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you in this most auspicious day of your vyasa puja!
Gratefulness is a big lesson to learn.
Often we find ourselves complaining about things we do not have or we wish we could have, forgetting how blessed have we been in our lives having so many reason in front of us to be grateful for.
I think that in these days when we honor our spiritual master we should pursue the opportunity to go deeper in our hearts and exercise the gratitude that distinguishes a healthy vaisnava sipiritual life.
I am grateful for your presence in my life
I am grateful for your guidance and instructions
I am grateful for the spiritual family Srila Prabhupada gave us.
I am grateful for having your association.
I am grateful to be connected to the guru parampara through you.
I am grateful for witnessing you dedication to Srila Prabhupada!
I am grateful for your mercy.
And lastly I am grateful for having you an super excelent vaisnava as my beloved spiritual master.
Happy vyasa puja gurudeva!
I hope you have a wonderful celebration and enjoy kirtan, sadhu sanga and prasadam with the vaisnavas!
Your son
Maha Hari das
Please accept
My humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you in this most auspicious day of your vyasa puja!
Gratefulness is a big lesson to learn.
Often we find ourselves complaining about things we do not have or we wish we could have, forgetting how blessed have we been in our lives having so many reason in front of us to be grateful for.
I think that in these days when we honor our spiritual master we should pursue the opportunity to go deeper in our hearts and exercise the gratitude that distinguishes a healthy vaisnava sipiritual life.
I am grateful for your presence in my life
I am grateful for your guidance and instructions
I am grateful for the spiritual family Srila Prabhupada gave us.
I am grateful for having your association.
I am grateful to be connected to the guru parampara through you.
I am grateful for witnessing you dedication to Srila Prabhupada!
I am grateful for your mercy.
And lastly I am grateful for having you an super excelent vaisnava as my beloved spiritual master.
Happy vyasa puja gurudeva!
I hope you have a wonderful celebration and enjoy kirtan, sadhu sanga and prasadam with the vaisnavas!
Your son
Maha Hari das
Maha Matsya das
Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In this auspicious day of Your appearance allow me to express my sincere gratitude.
In Bhagavad Gita 4.36. in purport Srila Prabhupada says: "This material world is sometimes regarded as an ocean of nescience and sometimes as a blazing forest. In the ocean, however expert a swimmer one may be, the struggle for existence is very severe. If someone comes forward and lifts the struggling swimmer from the ocean, he is the greatest savior." For me, by mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya it was You who came to help me. Moreover You are always nearby in Your instructions, lectures and books. In most difficult moments in life, You are always coming to help and immediately darkness of ignorance dissipates in presence of light of the books and lectures of Srila Prabhupada, which You compassionately explain to us, Your disciples.
Selflessly and with compassion You at once provide to anyone (who has luck to hear You) all that is necessary to practice Bhakti yoga, but I am so unfortunate and unqualified. I still cannot Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender to Krishna. But still hope doesn't leave my wounded heart. Only thing I want are instructions that are coming from Your lotus like mouth would purify my consciousness. Spiritually poor and useless I hope for Your causeless mercy. Please allow me life after life remain at Your lotus feet asking again and again the only one question "Where is Krishna?".
Srila Prabhupada is summarising the purport 4.36.: "The boat of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very simple, but at the same time the most sublime."
Your foolish and useless disciple Maha Matsya das
In this auspicious day of Your appearance allow me to express my sincere gratitude.
In Bhagavad Gita 4.36. in purport Srila Prabhupada says: "This material world is sometimes regarded as an ocean of nescience and sometimes as a blazing forest. In the ocean, however expert a swimmer one may be, the struggle for existence is very severe. If someone comes forward and lifts the struggling swimmer from the ocean, he is the greatest savior." For me, by mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya it was You who came to help me. Moreover You are always nearby in Your instructions, lectures and books. In most difficult moments in life, You are always coming to help and immediately darkness of ignorance dissipates in presence of light of the books and lectures of Srila Prabhupada, which You compassionately explain to us, Your disciples.
Selflessly and with compassion You at once provide to anyone (who has luck to hear You) all that is necessary to practice Bhakti yoga, but I am so unfortunate and unqualified. I still cannot Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender to Krishna. But still hope doesn't leave my wounded heart. Only thing I want are instructions that are coming from Your lotus like mouth would purify my consciousness. Spiritually poor and useless I hope for Your causeless mercy. Please allow me life after life remain at Your lotus feet asking again and again the only one question "Where is Krishna?".
Srila Prabhupada is summarising the purport 4.36.: "The boat of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very simple, but at the same time the most sublime."
Your foolish and useless disciple Maha Matsya das
Mahabhagavat Das
Dear Srila Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories unto your divine grace.
This year, I missed sending in my offerings on time, but your disciples are kindly enabling me to submit a late offering...
I want to express my gratitude for having inspired me to share Krishna consciousness with others. At the very least, this has helped me stay in the fire!
I learned that you are currently serving as GBC in upstate New York... just wanted to let you know that I now have an opportunity to serve you directly by serving the devotees in Rochester who are trying to setup a program of Krishna consciousness in Rochester.
I pray to serve you and yours for all of eternity, though I must admit I don't quite fathom the concept of eternity yet. Still, I understand this as more than I can imagine of the best possible imaginable thing.
Praying to remain,
your servant,
Mahabhagavat Das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories unto your divine grace.
This year, I missed sending in my offerings on time, but your disciples are kindly enabling me to submit a late offering...
I want to express my gratitude for having inspired me to share Krishna consciousness with others. At the very least, this has helped me stay in the fire!
I learned that you are currently serving as GBC in upstate New York... just wanted to let you know that I now have an opportunity to serve you directly by serving the devotees in Rochester who are trying to setup a program of Krishna consciousness in Rochester.
I pray to serve you and yours for all of eternity, though I must admit I don't quite fathom the concept of eternity yet. Still, I understand this as more than I can imagine of the best possible imaginable thing.
Praying to remain,
your servant,
Mahabhagavat Das
Mahavan Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your merciful lotus feet.
As time passes in bhakti, and one apparently becomes an “older devotee,” fundamental principles of the process can be imperceptibly relegated to second, third, or fourth place. Or even completely forgotten.
Especially in household life, where one has extra responsibilities and a license to “fly one’s own plane,” priorities can become scrambled, with the primary and secondary easily swapping places.
However, the progressive student works strenuously, in all circumstances and phases of life, to remember that love is dynamic, and that as time passes, more is required.
By that effort the student realizes that his spiritual master’s mercy, manifesting as tailor made directions both philosophical and practical, is indeed his only solace, his only shelter.
He realizes that mercy to be his greatest asset, giving him the ability to focus on the essential and leave aside everything superfluous.
As an accredited “master of the focus” I recall you assisting me in this way on our first meeting.
You had just delivered a lively Bhagavad Gita class to the brahmacaris at their outpost in Hamilton, and referred several times to false ego. Responding to your call for questions I asked “There are karmis, jnanis and yogis who are all on the false ego platform, but is one better than the other?”
Closing your eyes and beaming with softheartedness, you replied “If you want to be Krishna conscious, why not just hear from Krishna?”
Scratching my head, I was confused about how that could be the answer my question, so to clarify I probed “Yes, but is there a gradation of better or worse in these different categories?”
Your answer cleared the path.
“That’s like going to a hospital and asking a doctor ‘This person has tuberculosis, this person has a broken leg, this one has cancer - who’s better off?’ You can do that, but do you really want to spend your time in that way? Why not just take the cure?”
From that day until this one, you have dedicated volumes of time and energy to focus me in bhakti. This is the mercy for which I always plead, and for which I will always remain indebted.
Your aspiring disciple,
Mahavan das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your merciful lotus feet.
As time passes in bhakti, and one apparently becomes an “older devotee,” fundamental principles of the process can be imperceptibly relegated to second, third, or fourth place. Or even completely forgotten.
Especially in household life, where one has extra responsibilities and a license to “fly one’s own plane,” priorities can become scrambled, with the primary and secondary easily swapping places.
However, the progressive student works strenuously, in all circumstances and phases of life, to remember that love is dynamic, and that as time passes, more is required.
By that effort the student realizes that his spiritual master’s mercy, manifesting as tailor made directions both philosophical and practical, is indeed his only solace, his only shelter.
He realizes that mercy to be his greatest asset, giving him the ability to focus on the essential and leave aside everything superfluous.
As an accredited “master of the focus” I recall you assisting me in this way on our first meeting.
You had just delivered a lively Bhagavad Gita class to the brahmacaris at their outpost in Hamilton, and referred several times to false ego. Responding to your call for questions I asked “There are karmis, jnanis and yogis who are all on the false ego platform, but is one better than the other?”
Closing your eyes and beaming with softheartedness, you replied “If you want to be Krishna conscious, why not just hear from Krishna?”
Scratching my head, I was confused about how that could be the answer my question, so to clarify I probed “Yes, but is there a gradation of better or worse in these different categories?”
Your answer cleared the path.
“That’s like going to a hospital and asking a doctor ‘This person has tuberculosis, this person has a broken leg, this one has cancer - who’s better off?’ You can do that, but do you really want to spend your time in that way? Why not just take the cure?”
From that day until this one, you have dedicated volumes of time and energy to focus me in bhakti. This is the mercy for which I always plead, and for which I will always remain indebted.
Your aspiring disciple,
Mahavan das
Manada devi dasi
My dear spiritual father
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
At this time of your vyasa puja, I think about what I am most grateful for. There is so much you’ve done to drag this conditioned soul away from her absorption in Krsna’s material energy. In previous offerings, I’ve described the many ways you’ve encouraged me, pushed me, begged me to embrace reality, to be more Krsna conscious. But I can never be grateful enough. In essence, everything you do for me is all due to your compassion and great mercy and that is what I’m most grateful for. This compassion and mercy is characteristic of a great soul.
śrī-havir uvāca
sarva-bhūteṣu yaḥ paśyed
bhagavad-bhāvam ātmanaḥ
bhūtāni bhagavaty ātmany
eṣa bhāgavatottamaḥ
“Sri Havir said: The most advanced devotee sees within everything the soul of all souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Consequently, he sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord and understands that everything that exists is eternally situated within the Lord.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.45-47)
Reading this verse, I realize that your every thought, word, and action embodies the principle mentioned here– you see everything in relation to Krsna. Your tremendous contributions -- preaching, cultivating, and guidance – you perform with the understanding that conditioned souls suffer due to their separation from Krsna and that everyone has an eternal relationship with Krsna. Out of love for Srila Prabhupada and Krsna, all you desire is to reconnect Krsna’s suffering parts and parcels with Him. Whether someone has left the association of the devotees, is in the association of devotees, or is yet to come – you see their distress, you see their conditioning, and your heart melts with compassion. And because of your strong desire to give anyone you meet love of Krsna, you appeal to Krsna on their behalf, for His mercy.
Srila Prabhupada points out that it is natural for a saintly person to be moved by seeing the suffering of others. “So this is natural. If one saintly person is not disturbed by people’s unhappiness, he is not a saintly person. He is not a saintly person.
"So when a pure devotee sees living entities suffering within this world, he correctly feels that just as he is suffering because of separation from Kṛṣṇa, all other living beings are also suffering from separation from Kṛṣṇa. The difference is that a pure devotee correctly ascertains the cause of his heartbreak whereas the conditioned soul, bewildered by maya, is unable to understand his eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa and the unlimited pain arising from neglect of that relationship." (Conversation in Jaipur, Jan 18, 1972).
Srila Prabhupada points out in this conversation that the problem faced by the Krsna Consciousness movement is that “…people are becoming more and more Godless. And one may think that unnecessarily we have taken this responsibility to make them God conscious, Krsna conscious…There was no need to make this propaganda all over the world. But actually, the saintly persons have concern.” Misled by self-serving leaders, people are, more than ever, working long hours, day and night, for temporary so-called happiness. That people have forgotten their true goal in life and lack knowledge of their true nature and relationship with Krsna, is of serious concern to you, and you urge us to take this concern into our hearts too.
We see your compassionate concern demonstrated in your outreach efforts and the way you expertly engage devotees according to their natures, abilities and propensities; your continuous preaching from continent to continent; and in your personal dealings – the amount of time you spend personally uplifting devotees wherever they may be on the bhakti path. And we also see Krsna’s reciprocation as more and more lives are wonderfully transformed.
I’m grateful for your unfailing personal guidance. Thank you for engaging me in devotional service, attached as I am to material activities, for reminding me what is really my heart and soul, and giving me a glimpse of spiritual happiness - what is unlimitedly more attractive and relishable than anything. Now I’m beginning to see what you mean. I’m beginning to see the brightness of a future in bhakti.
I regret all the time I’ve wasted. I pray that I will not ever take your compassion and mercy upon me for granted and that I may dedicate every day of my life to assisting you somehow in your service to Srila Prabhupada, as you have requested, and that my desire to please Krsna may increase more and more.
Your servant
Manada dd
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
At this time of your vyasa puja, I think about what I am most grateful for. There is so much you’ve done to drag this conditioned soul away from her absorption in Krsna’s material energy. In previous offerings, I’ve described the many ways you’ve encouraged me, pushed me, begged me to embrace reality, to be more Krsna conscious. But I can never be grateful enough. In essence, everything you do for me is all due to your compassion and great mercy and that is what I’m most grateful for. This compassion and mercy is characteristic of a great soul.
śrī-havir uvāca
sarva-bhūteṣu yaḥ paśyed
bhagavad-bhāvam ātmanaḥ
bhūtāni bhagavaty ātmany
eṣa bhāgavatottamaḥ
“Sri Havir said: The most advanced devotee sees within everything the soul of all souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Consequently, he sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord and understands that everything that exists is eternally situated within the Lord.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.45-47)
Reading this verse, I realize that your every thought, word, and action embodies the principle mentioned here– you see everything in relation to Krsna. Your tremendous contributions -- preaching, cultivating, and guidance – you perform with the understanding that conditioned souls suffer due to their separation from Krsna and that everyone has an eternal relationship with Krsna. Out of love for Srila Prabhupada and Krsna, all you desire is to reconnect Krsna’s suffering parts and parcels with Him. Whether someone has left the association of the devotees, is in the association of devotees, or is yet to come – you see their distress, you see their conditioning, and your heart melts with compassion. And because of your strong desire to give anyone you meet love of Krsna, you appeal to Krsna on their behalf, for His mercy.
Srila Prabhupada points out that it is natural for a saintly person to be moved by seeing the suffering of others. “So this is natural. If one saintly person is not disturbed by people’s unhappiness, he is not a saintly person. He is not a saintly person.
"So when a pure devotee sees living entities suffering within this world, he correctly feels that just as he is suffering because of separation from Kṛṣṇa, all other living beings are also suffering from separation from Kṛṣṇa. The difference is that a pure devotee correctly ascertains the cause of his heartbreak whereas the conditioned soul, bewildered by maya, is unable to understand his eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa and the unlimited pain arising from neglect of that relationship." (Conversation in Jaipur, Jan 18, 1972).
Srila Prabhupada points out in this conversation that the problem faced by the Krsna Consciousness movement is that “…people are becoming more and more Godless. And one may think that unnecessarily we have taken this responsibility to make them God conscious, Krsna conscious…There was no need to make this propaganda all over the world. But actually, the saintly persons have concern.” Misled by self-serving leaders, people are, more than ever, working long hours, day and night, for temporary so-called happiness. That people have forgotten their true goal in life and lack knowledge of their true nature and relationship with Krsna, is of serious concern to you, and you urge us to take this concern into our hearts too.
We see your compassionate concern demonstrated in your outreach efforts and the way you expertly engage devotees according to their natures, abilities and propensities; your continuous preaching from continent to continent; and in your personal dealings – the amount of time you spend personally uplifting devotees wherever they may be on the bhakti path. And we also see Krsna’s reciprocation as more and more lives are wonderfully transformed.
I’m grateful for your unfailing personal guidance. Thank you for engaging me in devotional service, attached as I am to material activities, for reminding me what is really my heart and soul, and giving me a glimpse of spiritual happiness - what is unlimitedly more attractive and relishable than anything. Now I’m beginning to see what you mean. I’m beginning to see the brightness of a future in bhakti.
I regret all the time I’ve wasted. I pray that I will not ever take your compassion and mercy upon me for granted and that I may dedicate every day of my life to assisting you somehow in your service to Srila Prabhupada, as you have requested, and that my desire to please Krsna may increase more and more.
Your servant
Manada dd
Mangal-arti dd
Dearest Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day celebration
Dear Guru Maharaj thank you so much for your loving care, visionary strategies and tireless guidance on how to expertly organize outreach efforts in Philadelphia and in the process, give our lives a purpose.
<i>vyavasayatmika buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one.</i>
Thank you Guru Maharaj for your practical instructions on how to apply this principle in life and service by asking me to constantly maintain a very very core focus - <i>“push forward Srila Prabhupada’s mission wherever you are and in whatever circumstances you are.”</i>
Sometimes baffled in my efforts to present Krishna consciousness to people, I try to find material strategies to solve problems, but Gurudev always brings things back to Krishna’s desire and plans. On one such occasion Gurudev reminded me on how Krishna and Krishna’s will should be the devotee’s focus:
<i>As always, you make propaganda against Maya, and Maya will make propaganda against you. Ultimately everything depends on the SuperSoul in everyone’s heart, fulfilling everyone’s desires. If someone is sincere, they’ll make their way through the labyrinth that Maya presents and they will grasp the truth. As far as preachers, all we can do is our best, and depend on Krishna.</i>
Thank you so much for placing me in the divine shelter of Sri Sri Radha Damodar and repeatedly asking me to anchor anchor everything to Radha Damodar.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for your expertise and personal examples and instructions on how to maintain the heart’s focus on Krishna while using the best cutting edge technologies to push forward the sankirtan mission. From asking us to sign up for marketing training to boost our event attendance, to using DSLR camera for quality pictures or checking the lumens on a projector or details of the sound system and it’s quality - you show us the level of expertise and finesse required to run a successful outreach program.
Thank you for pushing me to be flexible in my outreach endeavours. You said <i>“I want you to make solid Krsna conscious strategies and decisions—that’s what will please me.”</i> Please give me the ability and sincerity required to make that happen. While I don’t have much of an idea where to start, I can see Gurudev’s bold Krishna conscious strategy for Farm-city connection through student exchange programs, alternative breaks, academic collaborations, cow cuddling and nature therapy retreats have been well received by media and universities. Earlier this year you spoke about this model in an interview with the prestigious University of Pennsylvania magazine, and your brilliant presentation of the farm-city model was printed in the Ivy league newspaper:
<i>“You can’t have an improvement in the world without uplifting human consciousness. In other words, I’ve come to the same conclusion many environmentalists have come to, which is that stressing legislation is not enough. There has to be connection between environmentalism and efforts to raise human consciousness.” We hope to show at the farm that their personal transformation needs to take place in a realistic, natural context,” he says. “They have to see that, feel that, and then become more motivated. I’m aiming to move to recalibrate the whole approach of universities and connect them with eco-projects as a vibrant and vital part of a student’s education.”</i>
In the city you push me to be flexible and pragmatic, ready to reconfigure, adapt, downsize, upsize - pushing me to keep moving forward steadily. As you said <i>“ whatever, wherever, with whomever. Don’t be stuck in the mud. Take what Krishna sends and move on. That’s what Prabhupada did.”</i> You are encouraging us to deal with all levels of persons, from just supporters to those who will become full-time practitioners. You want to engage everyone in Krishna’s service, according to their capacity. Please give us the intelligence on how to engage the diverse, fast paced cosmopolitan crowd in Krishna’s service.
Dear Guru Maharaj, even though we have such a small team here, yet you took so much time to give us Bhagvatam classes every day, mercifully trying to accelerate our spiritual growth. While pushing us towards higher standards of devotional steadiness through your practical instructions, we were so lucky to also receive expert bhakti party training from Gurudev. You made us all eat lots of pizza, ice-cream and ordered special ginger beer for all of us and made us all laugh by leading the party.
Guru Maharaj sometimes when in Philly, you take the boys with you on a walk and they came back sweating and panting, unable to keep up with Gurudev’s pace. Their walks reminded me of the one time, years ago in Toronto, I had the fortune to follow Gurudev on a walk and I could barely keep up with the pace. I ran the whole time and was still not able to keep up. But it was thrilling and exciting to know that I was running after you and I didn't get tired. Dearest Guru Maharaj, then and now, serving under your care and following your vision for spreading Krishna consciousness, I feel like I am light years away and constantly running to catch up with Gurudev’s vision and strategies . But somehow even while it seems like I am falling short, it fills my heart with unlimited joy. …like a kid in a candy shop where everything is free…joy from knowing that i am always running after you and your vision. Looking right ahead at your lotus feet I could run forever, it’s the most fun of all races I ever ran. Your very presence makes everything a fresh and exciting challenge.
Earlier this year you messaged me saying <i>“Overflow crowd of 600 students”</i> at Melbourne University and I wanted to have even more in Philadelphia for Gurudev’s pleasure. Guru Maharaj, hearing about your vision and strategy, I have a desire that more people come to Mantra lounge and we have ashrams full of young men and women wanting to push forward sankirtan movement and overflow Philly with books and prashad. I want to be able to take vans full of devotees and guests to Gita Nagari for festivals and retreats. But Guru Maharaj, maybe my desires are clouded by bhakti immaturity and material ambition. I simply pray at your lotus feet, that if this is what you desire and if this will please Srila Prabhupada, please give me the intelligence and selflessness required to make this dream a reality. Please don’t let my shortcomings cloud my ability to see what would please you most.
Recently you called me “foolish” for a poor decision I took. Sorry Guru Maharaj, it’s true I am foolish but thank you for allowing this foolish daughter of yours to have endless bhakti adventures in your care. You are the most perfect father, encouraging me in whatever adventure I take on, never put any limitations on my service options. Years ago, When I first wanted to organize a preaching program and didn’t know how to give a class or preach, you encouraged me by asking me to record my class and send it to you so you could hear it. Some years later when I said I want to distribute books, you encouraged me by telling me how to get trained, sending articles, asking nectar stories, checking scores and sending sankirtan inspiration in so many ways. Now when I say I want to do prashad distribution, you back me up in my new insane idea, sending me articles on dark kitchens and plant based diet trends. By your showing the slightest interest in my childish service ideas, you empower me with endless energy to move forward and give me conviction that there are no limits to Krsna’s service. Through your loving encouragement and even more loving corrections, I feel no fear of making mistakes and no limitations in dreaming up plans for Krishna’s service. How can I ever pay off this debt, it is impossible.
At the end of the marathon last year, you said : <i>Thank you for the wonderful news of so many seeds being planted. I know the effort was a sacrifice of your time and energy. Of course, a material existence also demands effort and sacrifice, as you all know—but there is no intelligent or lasting point to it all. By your efforts in the sacrificial fire of Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan, you become spiritually advanced as well as everyone that allows themselves to be affected by you, even momentarily.</i>
I simply pray that I can be your sincere servant and never have to regret that I did not offer my 100% at your lotus feet. I may fail or succeed, but please let all my life’s efforts and sacrifices be directed towards your desires.
your humble servant
Mangal-arti dd
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day celebration
Dear Guru Maharaj thank you so much for your loving care, visionary strategies and tireless guidance on how to expertly organize outreach efforts in Philadelphia and in the process, give our lives a purpose.
<i>vyavasayatmika buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one.</i>
Thank you Guru Maharaj for your practical instructions on how to apply this principle in life and service by asking me to constantly maintain a very very core focus - <i>“push forward Srila Prabhupada’s mission wherever you are and in whatever circumstances you are.”</i>
Sometimes baffled in my efforts to present Krishna consciousness to people, I try to find material strategies to solve problems, but Gurudev always brings things back to Krishna’s desire and plans. On one such occasion Gurudev reminded me on how Krishna and Krishna’s will should be the devotee’s focus:
<i>As always, you make propaganda against Maya, and Maya will make propaganda against you. Ultimately everything depends on the SuperSoul in everyone’s heart, fulfilling everyone’s desires. If someone is sincere, they’ll make their way through the labyrinth that Maya presents and they will grasp the truth. As far as preachers, all we can do is our best, and depend on Krishna.</i>
Thank you so much for placing me in the divine shelter of Sri Sri Radha Damodar and repeatedly asking me to anchor anchor everything to Radha Damodar.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for your expertise and personal examples and instructions on how to maintain the heart’s focus on Krishna while using the best cutting edge technologies to push forward the sankirtan mission. From asking us to sign up for marketing training to boost our event attendance, to using DSLR camera for quality pictures or checking the lumens on a projector or details of the sound system and it’s quality - you show us the level of expertise and finesse required to run a successful outreach program.
Thank you for pushing me to be flexible in my outreach endeavours. You said <i>“I want you to make solid Krsna conscious strategies and decisions—that’s what will please me.”</i> Please give me the ability and sincerity required to make that happen. While I don’t have much of an idea where to start, I can see Gurudev’s bold Krishna conscious strategy for Farm-city connection through student exchange programs, alternative breaks, academic collaborations, cow cuddling and nature therapy retreats have been well received by media and universities. Earlier this year you spoke about this model in an interview with the prestigious University of Pennsylvania magazine, and your brilliant presentation of the farm-city model was printed in the Ivy league newspaper:
<i>“You can’t have an improvement in the world without uplifting human consciousness. In other words, I’ve come to the same conclusion many environmentalists have come to, which is that stressing legislation is not enough. There has to be connection between environmentalism and efforts to raise human consciousness.” We hope to show at the farm that their personal transformation needs to take place in a realistic, natural context,” he says. “They have to see that, feel that, and then become more motivated. I’m aiming to move to recalibrate the whole approach of universities and connect them with eco-projects as a vibrant and vital part of a student’s education.”</i>
In the city you push me to be flexible and pragmatic, ready to reconfigure, adapt, downsize, upsize - pushing me to keep moving forward steadily. As you said <i>“ whatever, wherever, with whomever. Don’t be stuck in the mud. Take what Krishna sends and move on. That’s what Prabhupada did.”</i> You are encouraging us to deal with all levels of persons, from just supporters to those who will become full-time practitioners. You want to engage everyone in Krishna’s service, according to their capacity. Please give us the intelligence on how to engage the diverse, fast paced cosmopolitan crowd in Krishna’s service.
Dear Guru Maharaj, even though we have such a small team here, yet you took so much time to give us Bhagvatam classes every day, mercifully trying to accelerate our spiritual growth. While pushing us towards higher standards of devotional steadiness through your practical instructions, we were so lucky to also receive expert bhakti party training from Gurudev. You made us all eat lots of pizza, ice-cream and ordered special ginger beer for all of us and made us all laugh by leading the party.
Guru Maharaj sometimes when in Philly, you take the boys with you on a walk and they came back sweating and panting, unable to keep up with Gurudev’s pace. Their walks reminded me of the one time, years ago in Toronto, I had the fortune to follow Gurudev on a walk and I could barely keep up with the pace. I ran the whole time and was still not able to keep up. But it was thrilling and exciting to know that I was running after you and I didn't get tired. Dearest Guru Maharaj, then and now, serving under your care and following your vision for spreading Krishna consciousness, I feel like I am light years away and constantly running to catch up with Gurudev’s vision and strategies . But somehow even while it seems like I am falling short, it fills my heart with unlimited joy. …like a kid in a candy shop where everything is free…joy from knowing that i am always running after you and your vision. Looking right ahead at your lotus feet I could run forever, it’s the most fun of all races I ever ran. Your very presence makes everything a fresh and exciting challenge.
Earlier this year you messaged me saying <i>“Overflow crowd of 600 students”</i> at Melbourne University and I wanted to have even more in Philadelphia for Gurudev’s pleasure. Guru Maharaj, hearing about your vision and strategy, I have a desire that more people come to Mantra lounge and we have ashrams full of young men and women wanting to push forward sankirtan movement and overflow Philly with books and prashad. I want to be able to take vans full of devotees and guests to Gita Nagari for festivals and retreats. But Guru Maharaj, maybe my desires are clouded by bhakti immaturity and material ambition. I simply pray at your lotus feet, that if this is what you desire and if this will please Srila Prabhupada, please give me the intelligence and selflessness required to make this dream a reality. Please don’t let my shortcomings cloud my ability to see what would please you most.
Recently you called me “foolish” for a poor decision I took. Sorry Guru Maharaj, it’s true I am foolish but thank you for allowing this foolish daughter of yours to have endless bhakti adventures in your care. You are the most perfect father, encouraging me in whatever adventure I take on, never put any limitations on my service options. Years ago, When I first wanted to organize a preaching program and didn’t know how to give a class or preach, you encouraged me by asking me to record my class and send it to you so you could hear it. Some years later when I said I want to distribute books, you encouraged me by telling me how to get trained, sending articles, asking nectar stories, checking scores and sending sankirtan inspiration in so many ways. Now when I say I want to do prashad distribution, you back me up in my new insane idea, sending me articles on dark kitchens and plant based diet trends. By your showing the slightest interest in my childish service ideas, you empower me with endless energy to move forward and give me conviction that there are no limits to Krsna’s service. Through your loving encouragement and even more loving corrections, I feel no fear of making mistakes and no limitations in dreaming up plans for Krishna’s service. How can I ever pay off this debt, it is impossible.
At the end of the marathon last year, you said : <i>Thank you for the wonderful news of so many seeds being planted. I know the effort was a sacrifice of your time and energy. Of course, a material existence also demands effort and sacrifice, as you all know—but there is no intelligent or lasting point to it all. By your efforts in the sacrificial fire of Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan, you become spiritually advanced as well as everyone that allows themselves to be affected by you, even momentarily.</i>
I simply pray that I can be your sincere servant and never have to regret that I did not offer my 100% at your lotus feet. I may fail or succeed, but please let all my life’s efforts and sacrifices be directed towards your desires.
your humble servant
Mangal-arti dd
Manimanjari dd
Hare Krsna Gurumaharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
Currently, amid the dark tailspin of my life I can't summon much to offer. Not because there is a limit to your glories, but that there is a lack of my insight due to self absorption. Such is this life.
Fortunately, I have you. I have you, to hold on to, I have you to keep in my thoughts so that I can stay tethered to Krishna and his plan for me, (whatever that may be). While talking to an unknown visitor, he asked who my Guru was. When I told him your name he said something to the effect of “Wow!” then he congratulated me. He congratulated me as if it was some sort of accomplishment I had attained. I thanked him, but later I was able to realize what I felt. Which was that your mercy upon me has nothing to do with any accomplishments of my own. Any perceived accomplishments may have well been good enough reasons for you, not to include me in your mercy. But you chose to give me mercy anyway. The amount you care amazes me. You care even for those of us who are being bashed around by Maya over and over and over.
You could easily live a life without having to dip so deep into the bland rechewd bits of Maya (where i am floundering), but for some reason you truly care and guide me through it even though I can’t see things clearly, and I sink, sputter and get turned around. You still care.
A new devotee asked me once why would a person have/need a Guru. Not being an academic I didn’t have an appropriate shastrik answer. All I had at my ready was my feelings. What I ended up telling them was that: “Out of every relationship in our lives no one does or can 100% care about you! The unequivocal pure you. Not the “you” strapped by sorrowful childhood behaviour patterns, not the “you” who strives to fulfill prescribed roles of wife, daughter, mother, friend, sister, devotee, woman. The Guru 100% cares for 100% pure you, the true you. No one else on the planet can care for you that way. A mother's love is deep and true, but still there are the constraints of facilitating each other's needs in this material world, a significant other needs you to be so much more than just spirit soul, even friendships with conscious people involve some stickiness. The Guru has no material motivations. The Guru is the only one who contemplates and works towards your spiritual welfare only. This is the unique relationship that only a Guru and disciple can have.”
This is why i feel so indebted to you and so grateful to you, and so, dare I say......hopeful. Which is light amidst the darkness. And directions amidst the tailspin.
.......... I hope I can reciprocate proportionally some day.
Your forever grateful servant
Manimanjari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
Currently, amid the dark tailspin of my life I can't summon much to offer. Not because there is a limit to your glories, but that there is a lack of my insight due to self absorption. Such is this life.
Fortunately, I have you. I have you, to hold on to, I have you to keep in my thoughts so that I can stay tethered to Krishna and his plan for me, (whatever that may be). While talking to an unknown visitor, he asked who my Guru was. When I told him your name he said something to the effect of “Wow!” then he congratulated me. He congratulated me as if it was some sort of accomplishment I had attained. I thanked him, but later I was able to realize what I felt. Which was that your mercy upon me has nothing to do with any accomplishments of my own. Any perceived accomplishments may have well been good enough reasons for you, not to include me in your mercy. But you chose to give me mercy anyway. The amount you care amazes me. You care even for those of us who are being bashed around by Maya over and over and over.
You could easily live a life without having to dip so deep into the bland rechewd bits of Maya (where i am floundering), but for some reason you truly care and guide me through it even though I can’t see things clearly, and I sink, sputter and get turned around. You still care.
A new devotee asked me once why would a person have/need a Guru. Not being an academic I didn’t have an appropriate shastrik answer. All I had at my ready was my feelings. What I ended up telling them was that: “Out of every relationship in our lives no one does or can 100% care about you! The unequivocal pure you. Not the “you” strapped by sorrowful childhood behaviour patterns, not the “you” who strives to fulfill prescribed roles of wife, daughter, mother, friend, sister, devotee, woman. The Guru 100% cares for 100% pure you, the true you. No one else on the planet can care for you that way. A mother's love is deep and true, but still there are the constraints of facilitating each other's needs in this material world, a significant other needs you to be so much more than just spirit soul, even friendships with conscious people involve some stickiness. The Guru has no material motivations. The Guru is the only one who contemplates and works towards your spiritual welfare only. This is the unique relationship that only a Guru and disciple can have.”
This is why i feel so indebted to you and so grateful to you, and so, dare I say......hopeful. Which is light amidst the darkness. And directions amidst the tailspin.
.......... I hope I can reciprocate proportionally some day.
Your forever grateful servant
Manimanjari dd
Mantramálá dd.
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to You.
I am ill-prepared to celebrate your Vyasa Puja because my heart is not filled with love and my state of consciousness is dull.
Thus, being under the "modes", the best I can do is to praise your efforts and to express my genuine gratitude:
Thank you, Gurudeva, for thinking out and giving me the name "Mantramálá". (Please allow me to write it in the Hungarian way since the stresses are of utmost importance in the Sanskrit language. At the Budapest Temple we have a "Manimálá" and a "Mantramálá", these are the "málás" so far.)
Mine is a rare name in the ISKCON world. Many people say how beautiful it is. Not only devotees. For me my name has been a life-saver: a Mantramálá dasi or devi dasi must chant her rounds, no matter what.
In sum I could take shelter in my name in difficult times. The Loft ladies, your kind disciples, gave me further shelter.
Thank you for taking care of me this way, as well.
Happy Vyasa Puja day!
Remaining your servant,
Mantramálá dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to You.
I am ill-prepared to celebrate your Vyasa Puja because my heart is not filled with love and my state of consciousness is dull.
Thus, being under the "modes", the best I can do is to praise your efforts and to express my genuine gratitude:
Thank you, Gurudeva, for thinking out and giving me the name "Mantramálá". (Please allow me to write it in the Hungarian way since the stresses are of utmost importance in the Sanskrit language. At the Budapest Temple we have a "Manimálá" and a "Mantramálá", these are the "málás" so far.)
Mine is a rare name in the ISKCON world. Many people say how beautiful it is. Not only devotees. For me my name has been a life-saver: a Mantramálá dasi or devi dasi must chant her rounds, no matter what.
In sum I could take shelter in my name in difficult times. The Loft ladies, your kind disciples, gave me further shelter.
Thank you for taking care of me this way, as well.
Happy Vyasa Puja day!
Remaining your servant,
Mantramálá dasi
Mantriraja Dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Whomever you meet you enlighten with transcendental knowledge and love for Krishna. You fearless speak Krishna's instructions to make everyone happy.
I remember when I first met you. I mentioned I thought I had made rapid advancement because I practically immediately started chanting 16 rounds. I explained that I was feeling pride because of this and asked if that was alright.
You lovingly said: "Spiritual advancement is never accompanied by pride." You fearlessly revealed the real truth, concise and eloquent, which dispelled my illusion. Thank you. I am still endeavouring to realise this truth.
Unfortunately, I am a very stubborn materialist and I do not make your instructions my heart and soul. Lazy and disturbed, all I can do is continue to endeavour to chant with attention and without offence and pray for your mercy.
I have been told that on their birthdays Krishna and His pure devotees are more keen to bestow their blessings. As such I wish to ask for only one benediction, that no matter how much I may suffer, I never offend and leave the association of the Vaishnavas.
Your insignificant servant,
Mantriraja Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Whomever you meet you enlighten with transcendental knowledge and love for Krishna. You fearless speak Krishna's instructions to make everyone happy.
I remember when I first met you. I mentioned I thought I had made rapid advancement because I practically immediately started chanting 16 rounds. I explained that I was feeling pride because of this and asked if that was alright.
You lovingly said: "Spiritual advancement is never accompanied by pride." You fearlessly revealed the real truth, concise and eloquent, which dispelled my illusion. Thank you. I am still endeavouring to realise this truth.
Unfortunately, I am a very stubborn materialist and I do not make your instructions my heart and soul. Lazy and disturbed, all I can do is continue to endeavour to chant with attention and without offence and pray for your mercy.
I have been told that on their birthdays Krishna and His pure devotees are more keen to bestow their blessings. As such I wish to ask for only one benediction, that no matter how much I may suffer, I never offend and leave the association of the Vaishnavas.
Your insignificant servant,
Mantriraja Dasa
Meik Miiemiec
Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisence, on this most auspicious day I humbly attempt to glorify you.
When I was thinking about the start of my Bhakti career, then I can't deviate from the fact that you play a huge roll for me. It is undeniable that your sublime preaching method and your sharpness saved me from wasting this human life for nothing.
To substantiate that, I do like to reveal some insides from my first meeting with you in the Loft at my 2nd Sunday feast there.
Excited as I was after hearing a traveling monk is coming, I enthusiastically and absorbed, relished every moment of the talk, sensing ensurance within that I finally found the right people for real deepness! Being thus very enlivened, I chose to approach you after the talk with the hope to maintain the flow of nectar flowing in my ears.
I cannot remember the whole conversation, but it got quickly to a point when I shared my so-called spiritual achievements, like performing Vipassana, expecting some credits or recognition. Rather you decided being honest and straightforward telling me in a clear way: "Great! So you learned how to observe your breath. What an achievement." Making me understand in a way that this is not really spiritual, but more like toying around.
A little disappointed and unable to appreciate your kindness due to a defense of my false ego and a sense of prestige I was unable to appreciate. But something still happened to me internally, so I sticked around and seeing you a little later as time passes. My understanding and gratefulness towards the first meeting increased and I could unnderstand, as well as admire much more what you doing. By selflessly sacrificing your life to enable people like me to turn towards Krsna. Stepping in that way in the footsteps of previous teachers without taking personal credit you really inspired me and set an unseen example for me!
I'm not a men of great words nor a poet, but just an evidence how you changed a life completely from illness to realness.
Thank you so much Maharaja for all your time and effort in spreading this Krsna conscious movement.
Ys Bhakta Meik
Please accept my humble obeisence, on this most auspicious day I humbly attempt to glorify you.
When I was thinking about the start of my Bhakti career, then I can't deviate from the fact that you play a huge roll for me. It is undeniable that your sublime preaching method and your sharpness saved me from wasting this human life for nothing.
To substantiate that, I do like to reveal some insides from my first meeting with you in the Loft at my 2nd Sunday feast there.
Excited as I was after hearing a traveling monk is coming, I enthusiastically and absorbed, relished every moment of the talk, sensing ensurance within that I finally found the right people for real deepness! Being thus very enlivened, I chose to approach you after the talk with the hope to maintain the flow of nectar flowing in my ears.
I cannot remember the whole conversation, but it got quickly to a point when I shared my so-called spiritual achievements, like performing Vipassana, expecting some credits or recognition. Rather you decided being honest and straightforward telling me in a clear way: "Great! So you learned how to observe your breath. What an achievement." Making me understand in a way that this is not really spiritual, but more like toying around.
A little disappointed and unable to appreciate your kindness due to a defense of my false ego and a sense of prestige I was unable to appreciate. But something still happened to me internally, so I sticked around and seeing you a little later as time passes. My understanding and gratefulness towards the first meeting increased and I could unnderstand, as well as admire much more what you doing. By selflessly sacrificing your life to enable people like me to turn towards Krsna. Stepping in that way in the footsteps of previous teachers without taking personal credit you really inspired me and set an unseen example for me!
I'm not a men of great words nor a poet, but just an evidence how you changed a life completely from illness to realness.
Thank you so much Maharaja for all your time and effort in spreading this Krsna conscious movement.
Ys Bhakta Meik
Mula Karana DD
Nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita-svamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve cate namah
My dear dear Gurudev,
Please accept my very most humble obeisances at your lotus feet! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Gurudev,
When you were here in philadelphia in August and you were giving morning SB class at the ashram, you told us that we were extremely lucky to be able to do what we were doing.
Dear Gurudev, whatever luck or fortune that we may have is simply due to your amazing grace!
In SB 3.31.16 purport , Srila Prabhupada said “...the spiritual master is therefore the mercy manifestation of the Supreme person. The conditioned soul has to take direct instruction from the spiritual master, and thus he gradually becomes enlightened to the path of Krishna Consciousness. The seed of Krishna Consciousness is sown within the heart of the conditoned soul, and when one hears instruction from the spiritual master, the seed fructifies, and one's life is blessed. “
Thank you Gurudev for you mercy!
Finally in this lifetime, I have the chance to know Krishna, and I am moving gradually on the path of Krishna consciousness. And I am trying really hard to water this very precious seed of Krishna Consciousness in my heart by hearing your words and instructions!
Indeed, material existence is truly impossible! Every time I go to work, I see people suffering up close and personal and in my face. So much fear, hankering, and lamentation!
In SB 3.23.7 purport, Srila Prabhupada said “....What are the graces of the Lord?...abhaya, free from fearfulness..and the benediction of the Lord, bhagavat-prasada, is never to be lost. It is simply to be enjoyed. Srila Prabhupada also said that love of Krsna is the highest perfection of bhagavat-prasada, or divine mercy.
Dear Gurudev, this abhaya, freedom from fearfulness, and this benediction of Krsna, bhagavat-prasada is accessible to a fallen soul like myself only because of you!
I absolutely have no qualifications at all. But because of you, I began to imagine I may have a chance to possibly achieve love of Krsna! Yasya prasadad, by your mercy, bhagavat prasadah, I receive Krsna's mercy !
In CC Antya 7.11, Krshnadasa Kaviraja said that “ unless empowered by Krsna, one cannot propagate the sankirtana movement.” Also, in CC Madhya 10.136, he said that “ an authorized spiritual master empowered by Krsna can spread the glories of the holy name of the Lord, for he has power of attorney from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” And Srila Prabhupada said that the greatest human welfare is to help and bring people to Krishna Consciounsess.
Dear Gurudev, you are empowered, and you have the power of attorney from Krsna!
You have such unflinching faith in executing Srila Prabhupada's mission, and you followed his instructions as your life and soul! You have done so so much in continuing his mission and propagating Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement, and you have saved so many souls including myself!
Dear Gurudev, you travel all over the world, from town to town, and city to city to preach Krishna Consciousness to people because you know human life is meant for realizing Krsna. You are not just satisfied with your own liberation. You always concern and think about others. You want others not to waste the human form of life.
You want others to get a chance to know Krsna and go back home.
You had told us that despite any difficulties due to physical pain or discomfort, you had to go on with travelling and preaching.
You have met so many opposing elements where you were ill treated , yet you tolerated them all!
You really have a thankless job!
Dear Gurudev, you always say that you consider everyone in this world your family. In BG 6.30, For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me. I think of you when I read this verse. You truly see everyone and everything in Krsna and Krsna in everyone and everything!
You are the well wisher of all living entities even animals, and you have no enemy!
You are titiksavah, tolerant!
You are karunikah, merciful!
Before meeting you, Gurudev, I was simply trying to stay afloat in this material ocean and struggling to breath for Maya!
With you in my life, I am actually living and trying to breath every second for Krishna!
A moment of full consciousness is better than prolonged lifetime of ignorance!
Because of you, Gurudev, I am using whatever time alloted to me to hear, chant, and glorify Krsna!
Life is so so fearful without Krsna!
Life is so so blissful and wonderful with Krsna, his incredible pastimes & activities, and His devotees!
In Madhya lila 20.143, “ Krsna, Krsna's service and love of Krsna are the 3 great riches of life.”
Because of you, Gurudev, I may possibly have these 3 amazing great riches and I can give them to others!
What more can I ask for?
This is the best life ever!
I want to do this forever and ever!
Thank you so so much Gurudev!
All Glories, all glories, and all glories to you Gurudev!
I sincerely pray that Krsna may always protect you and all of us, and that Krsna may let me use whatever I have ..my body, words, and mind to serve you in fulfilling your Gurudev Srila Prabhupada's mission in spreading Krishna Consciousness and help as many people as I can.
YAS MKDD
srimate Devamrita-svamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve cate namah
My dear dear Gurudev,
Please accept my very most humble obeisances at your lotus feet! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Gurudev,
When you were here in philadelphia in August and you were giving morning SB class at the ashram, you told us that we were extremely lucky to be able to do what we were doing.
Dear Gurudev, whatever luck or fortune that we may have is simply due to your amazing grace!
In SB 3.31.16 purport , Srila Prabhupada said “...the spiritual master is therefore the mercy manifestation of the Supreme person. The conditioned soul has to take direct instruction from the spiritual master, and thus he gradually becomes enlightened to the path of Krishna Consciousness. The seed of Krishna Consciousness is sown within the heart of the conditoned soul, and when one hears instruction from the spiritual master, the seed fructifies, and one's life is blessed. “
Thank you Gurudev for you mercy!
Finally in this lifetime, I have the chance to know Krishna, and I am moving gradually on the path of Krishna consciousness. And I am trying really hard to water this very precious seed of Krishna Consciousness in my heart by hearing your words and instructions!
Indeed, material existence is truly impossible! Every time I go to work, I see people suffering up close and personal and in my face. So much fear, hankering, and lamentation!
In SB 3.23.7 purport, Srila Prabhupada said “....What are the graces of the Lord?...abhaya, free from fearfulness..and the benediction of the Lord, bhagavat-prasada, is never to be lost. It is simply to be enjoyed. Srila Prabhupada also said that love of Krsna is the highest perfection of bhagavat-prasada, or divine mercy.
Dear Gurudev, this abhaya, freedom from fearfulness, and this benediction of Krsna, bhagavat-prasada is accessible to a fallen soul like myself only because of you!
I absolutely have no qualifications at all. But because of you, I began to imagine I may have a chance to possibly achieve love of Krsna! Yasya prasadad, by your mercy, bhagavat prasadah, I receive Krsna's mercy !
In CC Antya 7.11, Krshnadasa Kaviraja said that “ unless empowered by Krsna, one cannot propagate the sankirtana movement.” Also, in CC Madhya 10.136, he said that “ an authorized spiritual master empowered by Krsna can spread the glories of the holy name of the Lord, for he has power of attorney from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” And Srila Prabhupada said that the greatest human welfare is to help and bring people to Krishna Consciounsess.
Dear Gurudev, you are empowered, and you have the power of attorney from Krsna!
You have such unflinching faith in executing Srila Prabhupada's mission, and you followed his instructions as your life and soul! You have done so so much in continuing his mission and propagating Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement, and you have saved so many souls including myself!
Dear Gurudev, you travel all over the world, from town to town, and city to city to preach Krishna Consciousness to people because you know human life is meant for realizing Krsna. You are not just satisfied with your own liberation. You always concern and think about others. You want others not to waste the human form of life.
You want others to get a chance to know Krsna and go back home.
You had told us that despite any difficulties due to physical pain or discomfort, you had to go on with travelling and preaching.
You have met so many opposing elements where you were ill treated , yet you tolerated them all!
You really have a thankless job!
Dear Gurudev, you always say that you consider everyone in this world your family. In BG 6.30, For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me. I think of you when I read this verse. You truly see everyone and everything in Krsna and Krsna in everyone and everything!
You are the well wisher of all living entities even animals, and you have no enemy!
You are titiksavah, tolerant!
You are karunikah, merciful!
Before meeting you, Gurudev, I was simply trying to stay afloat in this material ocean and struggling to breath for Maya!
With you in my life, I am actually living and trying to breath every second for Krishna!
A moment of full consciousness is better than prolonged lifetime of ignorance!
Because of you, Gurudev, I am using whatever time alloted to me to hear, chant, and glorify Krsna!
Life is so so fearful without Krsna!
Life is so so blissful and wonderful with Krsna, his incredible pastimes & activities, and His devotees!
In Madhya lila 20.143, “ Krsna, Krsna's service and love of Krsna are the 3 great riches of life.”
Because of you, Gurudev, I may possibly have these 3 amazing great riches and I can give them to others!
What more can I ask for?
This is the best life ever!
I want to do this forever and ever!
Thank you so so much Gurudev!
All Glories, all glories, and all glories to you Gurudev!
I sincerely pray that Krsna may always protect you and all of us, and that Krsna may let me use whatever I have ..my body, words, and mind to serve you in fulfilling your Gurudev Srila Prabhupada's mission in spreading Krishna Consciousness and help as many people as I can.
YAS MKDD
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!
As usual you are following an inconceivable travel schedule. When you arrive at Bhakti lounge sometimes you briefly describe where you have been over the last few months. And its always mind numbing all the places you have been to. Especially for me who has only traveled to Christchurch, Auckland, Melbourne and of course the Holy Dhama. But even your inconceivable travel schedule does not reveal the amount of time and energy you have put into arranging it all, not wanting to waste even a second in Krsna’s service. You never take anything for granted and are always pushing on the mission of you spiritual master.
I have been thinking a lot about that last point this year. The point of not taking what we have for granted. I have heard you mention this in class, “Don’t take your good situation for granted because you can lose it at any moment”. And I don’t just mean having a good wife (always), good health (sometimes), a good living situation, a good job (if there is such a thing), a good means of transportation. These things are certainly very wonderful and I pray that I don’t take any of them for granted. But especially I am referring to having a good spiritual master. Good seems a grossly inadequate word to describe you but when I was at school I took going to class and learning English for granted, hence I now speak English as a second language, with very little advanced describing word options, I think they are called adjectives?!
I have such a qualified, sincere, genuine, loving Spiritual master, who always has my best interest at heart. I was thinking of just a simple thing, like when we give you a donation, it is easy to do because we know that you are so expert at engaging everything that you receive in Krsna’s service, in ways we could not even conceive of. This brings such peace of mind. People the world over are exploited, used, abused and taken advantage of but I have the incredible good fortune of having a spiritual master who has my best interests at heart, what could truly be better than that.
Even though I don’t see you in person very much your instruction and guidance comes to me through the powerful network of senior devotee mentors that you have established, another thing not to take for granted!
Thank you, once again, for allowing me to stay in Krsna consciousness, for inspiring me and giving me the direction I need to stay on track. Something I hope to not take for granted one day!
So this year I am praying that I don’t take anything you give me for granted, but instead see it as the greatest gift, as my life and soul.
Begging to always get your direction and guidance and the ability to serve you.
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!
As usual you are following an inconceivable travel schedule. When you arrive at Bhakti lounge sometimes you briefly describe where you have been over the last few months. And its always mind numbing all the places you have been to. Especially for me who has only traveled to Christchurch, Auckland, Melbourne and of course the Holy Dhama. But even your inconceivable travel schedule does not reveal the amount of time and energy you have put into arranging it all, not wanting to waste even a second in Krsna’s service. You never take anything for granted and are always pushing on the mission of you spiritual master.
I have been thinking a lot about that last point this year. The point of not taking what we have for granted. I have heard you mention this in class, “Don’t take your good situation for granted because you can lose it at any moment”. And I don’t just mean having a good wife (always), good health (sometimes), a good living situation, a good job (if there is such a thing), a good means of transportation. These things are certainly very wonderful and I pray that I don’t take any of them for granted. But especially I am referring to having a good spiritual master. Good seems a grossly inadequate word to describe you but when I was at school I took going to class and learning English for granted, hence I now speak English as a second language, with very little advanced describing word options, I think they are called adjectives?!
I have such a qualified, sincere, genuine, loving Spiritual master, who always has my best interest at heart. I was thinking of just a simple thing, like when we give you a donation, it is easy to do because we know that you are so expert at engaging everything that you receive in Krsna’s service, in ways we could not even conceive of. This brings such peace of mind. People the world over are exploited, used, abused and taken advantage of but I have the incredible good fortune of having a spiritual master who has my best interests at heart, what could truly be better than that.
Even though I don’t see you in person very much your instruction and guidance comes to me through the powerful network of senior devotee mentors that you have established, another thing not to take for granted!
Thank you, once again, for allowing me to stay in Krsna consciousness, for inspiring me and giving me the direction I need to stay on track. Something I hope to not take for granted one day!
So this year I am praying that I don’t take anything you give me for granted, but instead see it as the greatest gift, as my life and soul.
Begging to always get your direction and guidance and the ability to serve you.
Your insignificant disciple and spiritual son,
Muni-cari DASA.
Munjaranya dd
Hare Krishna dearest Gurudeva!
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
You are a humble saint of many miracles;
you only labor to loosen our shackles.
You humbly follow your master’s word,
urging us all to leave maya’s prison world.
Your words are meant only for his pleasure,
striving to bring us closer to the eternal treasure.
Your words are absolute in stature;
Chastisement, counsel, and care,
with every word, real love you share.
Your mind is a place of conspiracy,
hatching plans against maya’s hypocrisy.
Your work load is immense and transcendental;
thinking of your service profile makes me go mental.
Leadership, guidance, writing, community projects,
speaking engagements, devotee care, constant travel,
the list is increasing,
but your enthusiasm, determination and sacrifice is never decreasing.
You are a treasure house of spiritual potency,
enlivening us with its nectarean vibrancy.
I know not even a drop of your glory,
but allow me to share this short story.
At Mantra Lounge, I was making a presentation on Srimad Bhagavatam.
Falling asleep, struggling to keep their eyes open,
everyone was eager for it to end.
Appalled at my boring performance, I wound up the talk.
Relieved at my exit, everyone enjoyed Kirtan,
To my utter surprise, during the feast, two guests took sets!
How did this happen? It was totally your mercy! What can I say!!!
One of them was Sean.
Sometime in June, I was doing books outside Mantra Lounge, an hour before the program was to start.
It was a cold, dark, rainy night, with no one in sight.
Came a man sprinting down the street,
He heard my spiel in a massive rush, and with a flyer he took off.
I saw him with his wife and young kid again after 3 weeks, his first time at Mantra Lounge at your event.
He was mesmerized by your talk, his wife was ecstatic when you led Kirtan.
They come every week, she talks about your chanting longingly.
When I first saw him, running down the street, I never thought that a few months later, he would take a Bhagavatam set.
How did all this happen? It was totally your mercy! What can I say!!!
The glories of your mercy are limitless,
for it shines through even this kali yuga reject!
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. (SB 6.7.23)
Gurudeva, I cannot express sufficient gratitude for the mercy that you have shown to this undeserving disciple. Thank you for giving me a little entry into understanding that any spiritual progress is only due to the causeless mercy of the spiritual master.
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 (CC Ādi 1.58).
Srila Prabhupada comments “It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called āśraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter.” (CC Ādi 1.46)
Gurudeva, I beg for your mercy to remain under your eternal shelter. Without your mercy, I am like a forlorn child. I am begging for the mercy to remain always under the shelter of your lotus feet and follow your instructions to my best ability. As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura expresses:
jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep (Gurudeva Krpa Bindu Diya, Saranagati).
Aspiring to become the servant of your servants,
Munjaranya dd.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
You are a humble saint of many miracles;
you only labor to loosen our shackles.
You humbly follow your master’s word,
urging us all to leave maya’s prison world.
Your words are meant only for his pleasure,
striving to bring us closer to the eternal treasure.
Your words are absolute in stature;
Chastisement, counsel, and care,
with every word, real love you share.
Your mind is a place of conspiracy,
hatching plans against maya’s hypocrisy.
Your work load is immense and transcendental;
thinking of your service profile makes me go mental.
Leadership, guidance, writing, community projects,
speaking engagements, devotee care, constant travel,
the list is increasing,
but your enthusiasm, determination and sacrifice is never decreasing.
You are a treasure house of spiritual potency,
enlivening us with its nectarean vibrancy.
I know not even a drop of your glory,
but allow me to share this short story.
At Mantra Lounge, I was making a presentation on Srimad Bhagavatam.
Falling asleep, struggling to keep their eyes open,
everyone was eager for it to end.
Appalled at my boring performance, I wound up the talk.
Relieved at my exit, everyone enjoyed Kirtan,
To my utter surprise, during the feast, two guests took sets!
How did this happen? It was totally your mercy! What can I say!!!
One of them was Sean.
Sometime in June, I was doing books outside Mantra Lounge, an hour before the program was to start.
It was a cold, dark, rainy night, with no one in sight.
Came a man sprinting down the street,
He heard my spiel in a massive rush, and with a flyer he took off.
I saw him with his wife and young kid again after 3 weeks, his first time at Mantra Lounge at your event.
He was mesmerized by your talk, his wife was ecstatic when you led Kirtan.
They come every week, she talks about your chanting longingly.
When I first saw him, running down the street, I never thought that a few months later, he would take a Bhagavatam set.
How did all this happen? It was totally your mercy! What can I say!!!
The glories of your mercy are limitless,
for it shines through even this kali yuga reject!
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. (SB 6.7.23)
Gurudeva, I cannot express sufficient gratitude for the mercy that you have shown to this undeserving disciple. Thank you for giving me a little entry into understanding that any spiritual progress is only due to the causeless mercy of the spiritual master.
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 (CC Ādi 1.58).
Srila Prabhupada comments “It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called āśraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter.” (CC Ādi 1.46)
Gurudeva, I beg for your mercy to remain under your eternal shelter. Without your mercy, I am like a forlorn child. I am begging for the mercy to remain always under the shelter of your lotus feet and follow your instructions to my best ability. As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura expresses:
jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep (Gurudeva Krpa Bindu Diya, Saranagati).
Aspiring to become the servant of your servants,
Munjaranya dd.
Nanda Mandir
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
One of your qualities which strikes me the most is the ability to be detached from the results of activities & consequence of that you have been able to persevere in “western” outreach when most of the world has resigned due to western outreach being undoubtedly challenging. The example you quote often is how you carried out book distribution in New York 7 days a week for 2 years straight with very insignificant results from the perspective of number of books distributed.
This is not possible without a strong foundation of compassion, rendering service for the pleasure of Krishna without seeking external success & also rendering the service with expertise, a mindset of continuous improvement, being mindful & adapting the strategy to the constantly changing environment.
This combination of internal depth & external endeavour has bestowed upon you the successes we now see.
Thank you for the kindness & affection you shower upon me. I hope to please you with some service & be of some use in Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
Your servant
Nanda Mandir dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
One of your qualities which strikes me the most is the ability to be detached from the results of activities & consequence of that you have been able to persevere in “western” outreach when most of the world has resigned due to western outreach being undoubtedly challenging. The example you quote often is how you carried out book distribution in New York 7 days a week for 2 years straight with very insignificant results from the perspective of number of books distributed.
This is not possible without a strong foundation of compassion, rendering service for the pleasure of Krishna without seeking external success & also rendering the service with expertise, a mindset of continuous improvement, being mindful & adapting the strategy to the constantly changing environment.
This combination of internal depth & external endeavour has bestowed upon you the successes we now see.
Thank you for the kindness & affection you shower upon me. I hope to please you with some service & be of some use in Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
Your servant
Nanda Mandir dasa
Nandisvara
My dearest Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to you!
What an amazing person you are just the fact that you are shouldering a global load yet finding the time to so delicately mould and inspire so many people of all different stages of spiritual advancement is enough to warrant a reverance I cannot even conceive of. My obeisances to you hundreds and hundreds of times.
This example alone is indisputable proof that if the living entity surrenders to Krsna, Krsna will empower that living entity. I pray to you today for the strength to follow in your blessed foot steps.
Your aspiring servant Nandisvara das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to you!
What an amazing person you are just the fact that you are shouldering a global load yet finding the time to so delicately mould and inspire so many people of all different stages of spiritual advancement is enough to warrant a reverance I cannot even conceive of. My obeisances to you hundreds and hundreds of times.
This example alone is indisputable proof that if the living entity surrenders to Krsna, Krsna will empower that living entity. I pray to you today for the strength to follow in your blessed foot steps.
Your aspiring servant Nandisvara das
Narayana Rsi Das
Dear Gurudeva.
Please accept my humble obeisances prostrated at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As of recent, I have heard you often quoting that "A Vaisnava is an expert opportunist!"seeking to always find opportunity even where it may not be so clearly manifest.
Yet, as this first year of being in the brahmacari asrama comes to a close, I can only see all around me, how much opportunity is visible before my eyes.
In all avenues of Auckland, I only see opportunity that has been made possible & set up, by your mercy.
Endless opportunity to serve Vaisnavas, to learn, to grow, to develop, to deepen relationships, to work on ourselves, to read the philosophy, to develop divine qualities.
How could one ever repay you?
Such sharp intellect and compassion is rarely found in such a fallen age.
You have set up the unthinkable, to have so much preaching possibility, to distribute books, prasadam and the holy name, to follow in your footsteps.
As I often meet travelling Vaisnavas, not privy to our luxurious realm of opportunity here in New Zealand, they marvel at how these foundation walls have been solidified and maintained, to allow devotees to grow and give to others.
How fearless you are, making propaganda against the waves of the illusory energy, bringing people to shelter at the lotus feet of Guru and Gauranga. Fearless to propagate the message of the Bhagavatam, to deliver the jewels from the storehouse of love of God that Lord Caitanya has opened for the entire world.
Fearless to accept disciples such as myself even with such shortcomings and unwanted habits. Though I have no doubt of your transcendental plan.
Your expertise are second to none.
How you craft such poetry in the form of intellectual books to captivate, enthrall and entice conditioned souls to inquire into the Absolute Truth, as I come to an end of my first reading of Searching for Vedic India, as I distribute copious amounts of Hiding In Unnatural Happiness day in, day out, I couldn't begin to express words of appreciation.
Every angle you take, every vision you have to give to others, to indulge them in the nectar they seek, is simply breath taking.
Appreciation may be one of the only things I can do right, and by my good fortune I have had the opportunity to accept initiation from a spiritual master whose mood and actions make appreciation as simple as breath.
I simply desire to become more serious, strict and sincere. By following in your footsteps, I know this will one day come to pass, provided one simply follows your instructions, follows his vows, and continues to chant with attention and enthusiasm.
You have done so much for me, for all your disciples.
You have seen whatever traces of good are within such a dirty place, and allowed us to render you some small service with your constant encouragement, pertinent persuasion, and loving affection for a lost child.
Words can only do so much. I pray to you that I may be able to act in an exemplary manner, so you may be pleased to refer to me as your disciple.
Please one day allow my vision to align with your own, Gurudeva.
I have no other means for advancement, nor do I have any other place of shelter, than to be properly situated at your lotus feet, so I may one day receive a glance of your mercy.
Thank you, from the depths of my heart, for being the father I could never have dreamed of having.
Your eternally indebted servant.
Please accept my humble obeisances prostrated at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As of recent, I have heard you often quoting that "A Vaisnava is an expert opportunist!"seeking to always find opportunity even where it may not be so clearly manifest.
Yet, as this first year of being in the brahmacari asrama comes to a close, I can only see all around me, how much opportunity is visible before my eyes.
In all avenues of Auckland, I only see opportunity that has been made possible & set up, by your mercy.
Endless opportunity to serve Vaisnavas, to learn, to grow, to develop, to deepen relationships, to work on ourselves, to read the philosophy, to develop divine qualities.
How could one ever repay you?
Such sharp intellect and compassion is rarely found in such a fallen age.
You have set up the unthinkable, to have so much preaching possibility, to distribute books, prasadam and the holy name, to follow in your footsteps.
As I often meet travelling Vaisnavas, not privy to our luxurious realm of opportunity here in New Zealand, they marvel at how these foundation walls have been solidified and maintained, to allow devotees to grow and give to others.
How fearless you are, making propaganda against the waves of the illusory energy, bringing people to shelter at the lotus feet of Guru and Gauranga. Fearless to propagate the message of the Bhagavatam, to deliver the jewels from the storehouse of love of God that Lord Caitanya has opened for the entire world.
Fearless to accept disciples such as myself even with such shortcomings and unwanted habits. Though I have no doubt of your transcendental plan.
Your expertise are second to none.
How you craft such poetry in the form of intellectual books to captivate, enthrall and entice conditioned souls to inquire into the Absolute Truth, as I come to an end of my first reading of Searching for Vedic India, as I distribute copious amounts of Hiding In Unnatural Happiness day in, day out, I couldn't begin to express words of appreciation.
Every angle you take, every vision you have to give to others, to indulge them in the nectar they seek, is simply breath taking.
Appreciation may be one of the only things I can do right, and by my good fortune I have had the opportunity to accept initiation from a spiritual master whose mood and actions make appreciation as simple as breath.
I simply desire to become more serious, strict and sincere. By following in your footsteps, I know this will one day come to pass, provided one simply follows your instructions, follows his vows, and continues to chant with attention and enthusiasm.
You have done so much for me, for all your disciples.
You have seen whatever traces of good are within such a dirty place, and allowed us to render you some small service with your constant encouragement, pertinent persuasion, and loving affection for a lost child.
Words can only do so much. I pray to you that I may be able to act in an exemplary manner, so you may be pleased to refer to me as your disciple.
Please one day allow my vision to align with your own, Gurudeva.
I have no other means for advancement, nor do I have any other place of shelter, than to be properly situated at your lotus feet, so I may one day receive a glance of your mercy.
Thank you, from the depths of my heart, for being the father I could never have dreamed of having.
Your eternally indebted servant.
Narottam Vilas das & Rati Vilas d.d.
Dear Guru Maharaja! Please accept our obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet!
Please accept our congratulations on the Day of Your Appearance! On this day we want to bring you our lowest obeisances with words of gratitude. You took us and gave us your refuge, although we were not worthy of it then just as now. We bring you a deep obeisances and words of appreciation! You give us a chance to move along the spiritual path, be in the family of Srila Prabhupada and participate in the mission.
By your causeless mercy you are showing us the path to spiritual progress. Seeing our nature, you are helping to engage it in the service of Lord Krsna. At the right moment, you are encouraging us or making us understand that we are acting in the wrong way. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it hurts and it hurts. But we understand that this pain is the medicine necessary for our healing. Therefore, we are very grateful to you for this.
As small children, we need your care, because we still have to grow and grow. We make many mistakes, but you always believe in us, despite the fact that we are disobedient. We thank you and admire your endless patience, which you show to hundreds of your disciples!
We are proud of your devotion to Srila Prabhupada and his mission. You have managed, together with other devotees, to accomplish one of the most difficult tasks that Srila Prabhupada gave to his disciples. This is about the publication of the Caitanya Charitamrita. It was a real spiritual achievement and proof that, by the grace of the spiritual teacher, the impossible becomes possible.
We wish you a long life and good health so that your service to the Lord and Srila Prabhupada will last for many decades! You are doing so much to advance the mission of your spiritual master! And we would like to be of some use to you in your service to Srila Prabhupada!
Your lowest servants, Narottam Vilas das and Rati Vilas devi dasi
Please accept our congratulations on the Day of Your Appearance! On this day we want to bring you our lowest obeisances with words of gratitude. You took us and gave us your refuge, although we were not worthy of it then just as now. We bring you a deep obeisances and words of appreciation! You give us a chance to move along the spiritual path, be in the family of Srila Prabhupada and participate in the mission.
By your causeless mercy you are showing us the path to spiritual progress. Seeing our nature, you are helping to engage it in the service of Lord Krsna. At the right moment, you are encouraging us or making us understand that we are acting in the wrong way. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it hurts and it hurts. But we understand that this pain is the medicine necessary for our healing. Therefore, we are very grateful to you for this.
As small children, we need your care, because we still have to grow and grow. We make many mistakes, but you always believe in us, despite the fact that we are disobedient. We thank you and admire your endless patience, which you show to hundreds of your disciples!
We are proud of your devotion to Srila Prabhupada and his mission. You have managed, together with other devotees, to accomplish one of the most difficult tasks that Srila Prabhupada gave to his disciples. This is about the publication of the Caitanya Charitamrita. It was a real spiritual achievement and proof that, by the grace of the spiritual teacher, the impossible becomes possible.
We wish you a long life and good health so that your service to the Lord and Srila Prabhupada will last for many decades! You are doing so much to advance the mission of your spiritual master! And we would like to be of some use to you in your service to Srila Prabhupada!
Your lowest servants, Narottam Vilas das and Rati Vilas devi dasi
Navadvipa vasi das
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 Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious Vyasa-puja day.
On the fateful day of the 3rd of march 2018 my family and I were making our way towards hare Krishna valley in order to serve you lunch after you had performed a lecture. In my heart I held a great feeling of fear, as I thought that we were extremely late.
When I arrived at the cabin that you were supposed to be I imagined opening the door to see you sitting at the dining table looking at me in the eye simply waiting for the prasadam as we were so late, while i was absorbed in my dilemma I walked up to the cabin and tried to open the door, and to my surprise the door was locked! So I went to the temple room in hare krsna valley only to meet her grace Swaroop Shakti devi dasi mataji outside the temple room, when I asked her why the door for guru maharaj’s cabin was locked she told me that guru maharaj was still answering questions at the lecture.
As mataji uttered those words an immediate sensation of joy and relief appeared inside me. That was the spiritual mercy of you guru maharaj. That was the spiritual mercy that guided me 6 years ago when I first met you and that is the spiritual mercy that will continue to guide me until my very last breath. Thank you guru maharaj for granting me this mercy ever so compassionately, for it is a gift that I can never repay you for.
Your humble servant,
Navadvip vasi das and family
Kṛṣṇa-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious Vyasa-puja day.
On the fateful day of the 3rd of march 2018 my family and I were making our way towards hare Krishna valley in order to serve you lunch after you had performed a lecture. In my heart I held a great feeling of fear, as I thought that we were extremely late.
When I arrived at the cabin that you were supposed to be I imagined opening the door to see you sitting at the dining table looking at me in the eye simply waiting for the prasadam as we were so late, while i was absorbed in my dilemma I walked up to the cabin and tried to open the door, and to my surprise the door was locked! So I went to the temple room in hare krsna valley only to meet her grace Swaroop Shakti devi dasi mataji outside the temple room, when I asked her why the door for guru maharaj’s cabin was locked she told me that guru maharaj was still answering questions at the lecture.
As mataji uttered those words an immediate sensation of joy and relief appeared inside me. That was the spiritual mercy of you guru maharaj. That was the spiritual mercy that guided me 6 years ago when I first met you and that is the spiritual mercy that will continue to guide me until my very last breath. Thank you guru maharaj for granting me this mercy ever so compassionately, for it is a gift that I can never repay you for.
Your humble servant,
Navadvip vasi das and family
Netrananda devi dasi
nama om vishny padaya krishna preshthaya bhy tale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
prachare purva dakshyam cha
bhakta chara pravinata
pararthat api karynyam
yasya sarve cha te namaha
Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of Your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to You,my dear spiritual master!
Please accept this humble offering and my gratitude
for Your mercy all these years.
Giving the people Krishna's name
You travel all over the world.
Saving conditional soules
You are going only forward.
With Prabhupada's blessings
Nothing can scare You or stop,
Krishna is always with You
He gives You His shelter and strength!
Guru Maharaj!
Life of the disciple will be successful and perfect
when Guru is satisfied with his service and gives him
his blessings.
And on this auspicious Day of Your Vyasa-Puja
bending down toYour lotus feet I pray for blessings to be always engaged in the devotional service in Srila
Prabhupada's mission in vaishnava society.
Your eternal servant
Netrananda devi dasi
Snt Petersburg,14th of October 2018
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
prachare purva dakshyam cha
bhakta chara pravinata
pararthat api karynyam
yasya sarve cha te namaha
Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of Your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to You,my dear spiritual master!
Please accept this humble offering and my gratitude
for Your mercy all these years.
Giving the people Krishna's name
You travel all over the world.
Saving conditional soules
You are going only forward.
With Prabhupada's blessings
Nothing can scare You or stop,
Krishna is always with You
He gives You His shelter and strength!
Guru Maharaj!
Life of the disciple will be successful and perfect
when Guru is satisfied with his service and gives him
his blessings.
And on this auspicious Day of Your Vyasa-Puja
bending down toYour lotus feet I pray for blessings to be always engaged in the devotional service in Srila
Prabhupada's mission in vaishnava society.
Your eternal servant
Netrananda devi dasi
Snt Petersburg,14th of October 2018
Nikhil Padhiar
Dearest Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja!
It’s a cloudy world. Easy to fall under illusion, get distracted and forget our true purpose in life. However, I have noticed that it only takes a moment of your association to make me feel hopeful, positive and faithful that I can one day become a true devotee of Krsna. Only a pure Vaishnava can have such a lasting spiritual impact on a fool like me. Thank you for being that pure Vaishnava.
A senior devotee once told me that a sadhu cuts faith and builds faith. Every time I hear from you I see how my faith in material pleasures cuts away into thin air; and how my faith in the process of Krsna Consciousness builds firmly. My association with you really is my greatest wealth, it has made a poor man like me extremely wealthy with Vaishnava sanga.
I have seen how you have embraced the mood of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by giving opportunity and chances to those most undeserving. Otherwise why would you of even given me, a person who has seen every dark nook and cranny of this material world the chance to take your association? I remember when you kindly allowed me to assist you on your daily Japa walks in Cardiff through which on one day I hit a huge realisation. It was during the sunny summer season when individuals, families, couples and kids were out enjoying their senses clueless of the ultimate reality. As we walked through the park, I was walking behind you and observing how the essence of material life was unfolding around me, but I felt safe. Why? Because all I had to do was to follow you. Armed with the Maha-mantra and being sure to situate myself in your cooling shade, I felt as if I had traversed the material realm.
Our relationship in this life is still fairly young, but I am trying my best to serve you and Srila Prabhupada’s movement with an intention that will be most pleasing to you; and ultimately allow me to go deeper in this relationship as an aspiring disciple.
Thank you for giving your life so that blind guys like me can have a chance at perfection.
Your aspiring disciple & servant,
Nikhil
London, UK
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja!
It’s a cloudy world. Easy to fall under illusion, get distracted and forget our true purpose in life. However, I have noticed that it only takes a moment of your association to make me feel hopeful, positive and faithful that I can one day become a true devotee of Krsna. Only a pure Vaishnava can have such a lasting spiritual impact on a fool like me. Thank you for being that pure Vaishnava.
A senior devotee once told me that a sadhu cuts faith and builds faith. Every time I hear from you I see how my faith in material pleasures cuts away into thin air; and how my faith in the process of Krsna Consciousness builds firmly. My association with you really is my greatest wealth, it has made a poor man like me extremely wealthy with Vaishnava sanga.
I have seen how you have embraced the mood of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by giving opportunity and chances to those most undeserving. Otherwise why would you of even given me, a person who has seen every dark nook and cranny of this material world the chance to take your association? I remember when you kindly allowed me to assist you on your daily Japa walks in Cardiff through which on one day I hit a huge realisation. It was during the sunny summer season when individuals, families, couples and kids were out enjoying their senses clueless of the ultimate reality. As we walked through the park, I was walking behind you and observing how the essence of material life was unfolding around me, but I felt safe. Why? Because all I had to do was to follow you. Armed with the Maha-mantra and being sure to situate myself in your cooling shade, I felt as if I had traversed the material realm.
Our relationship in this life is still fairly young, but I am trying my best to serve you and Srila Prabhupada’s movement with an intention that will be most pleasing to you; and ultimately allow me to go deeper in this relationship as an aspiring disciple.
Thank you for giving your life so that blind guys like me can have a chance at perfection.
Your aspiring disciple & servant,
Nikhil
London, UK
Nilacala Candra Das
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
All Glories To Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga
Hare Krishna Gurudev
I offer my obeisances to your lotus feet.
Dear Gurudev, after unaccountable births and deaths, my body and soul must have passed through miserable conditions changing bodies in this material World and I am not sure how many more such life cycles I may have to pass through in this conditioned body, mind and soul.
By The Mercy of His Divine Grace Ac Bhaktivedanta Swamy Srila Prabhupada You have come to rescue me, given me shelter at your lotus feet and as my Gurudev, you have given me unconditional love, blessings and inspiration to continue in Krishna consciousness.
On your glorious appearance day, I Pray To Sri Sri Panca Tatva, Sri Sri Jaganatha, Sri Sri Baladeva, Maharani Srimathi Subhadra Devi And Sri Sri Nrsinga Dev's Mercy be Bestowed upon you with excellent health always at all times and also to give you tons of energy to carry on Srila Prabhupada's legacy.
' HAPPY BIRTHDAY'
Your humble servant
Nilacala Candra Das
Honolulu, Hawaii
All Glories To Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga
Hare Krishna Gurudev
I offer my obeisances to your lotus feet.
Dear Gurudev, after unaccountable births and deaths, my body and soul must have passed through miserable conditions changing bodies in this material World and I am not sure how many more such life cycles I may have to pass through in this conditioned body, mind and soul.
By The Mercy of His Divine Grace Ac Bhaktivedanta Swamy Srila Prabhupada You have come to rescue me, given me shelter at your lotus feet and as my Gurudev, you have given me unconditional love, blessings and inspiration to continue in Krishna consciousness.
On your glorious appearance day, I Pray To Sri Sri Panca Tatva, Sri Sri Jaganatha, Sri Sri Baladeva, Maharani Srimathi Subhadra Devi And Sri Sri Nrsinga Dev's Mercy be Bestowed upon you with excellent health always at all times and also to give you tons of energy to carry on Srila Prabhupada's legacy.
' HAPPY BIRTHDAY'
Your humble servant
Nilacala Candra Das
Honolulu, Hawaii
Nisha Abrol
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja!
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
I have neither the words nor the qualification to describe or understand your exalted position, still I'm going to take this opportunity to glorify you with my very limited abilities for my own purification. Gurudeva, by the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Vallabha, I have come into contact with You and you've always been so merciful upon me. You are very compassionate, patient and tolerant ; and your kindness is manifested by the way you care for each individual that comes to you. You've shown your tremendous love and support to me and my family in the past years for that I'm eternally grateful and indebted to you. You've filled my heart with faith and hope.
Gurudeva, I need your special blessings and guidance on this very auspicious day to develop intelligence so that I can follow your instructions as they are and implement them in practice so that I can be useful to you to carry on Srila Prabhupada's mission. I pray that you will never give up on me as I struggle to make progress. I pray that I can have more and more of your association so that I can find some steadiness in my devotional life.
I pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Vallabha to bless you with a long and healthy life so that you can keep delivering the fallen souls like me.
Your insignificant servant,
Nisha Abrol
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja!
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
I have neither the words nor the qualification to describe or understand your exalted position, still I'm going to take this opportunity to glorify you with my very limited abilities for my own purification. Gurudeva, by the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Vallabha, I have come into contact with You and you've always been so merciful upon me. You are very compassionate, patient and tolerant ; and your kindness is manifested by the way you care for each individual that comes to you. You've shown your tremendous love and support to me and my family in the past years for that I'm eternally grateful and indebted to you. You've filled my heart with faith and hope.
Gurudeva, I need your special blessings and guidance on this very auspicious day to develop intelligence so that I can follow your instructions as they are and implement them in practice so that I can be useful to you to carry on Srila Prabhupada's mission. I pray that you will never give up on me as I struggle to make progress. I pray that I can have more and more of your association so that I can find some steadiness in my devotional life.
I pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Vallabha to bless you with a long and healthy life so that you can keep delivering the fallen souls like me.
Your insignificant servant,
Nisha Abrol
Osiji Prabhu
Dear Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
Dhyana Moolam Guru Murti
Puja Moolam Gurur Padam,
Mantra Moolam Gurur Vakyam,
Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa
Guru Gita - Skanda Purana Dialogue between Shiva and Uma (Shakti)
Translation: 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.
As we receive this message through parampara system from Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhvacarya, in this way, Madhavendra Puri, then Isvara Puri, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then six Gosvamis, then others, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura, Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Srila Prabhupada and now your Holiness Devamrita Swami. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of Krishna consciousness and for giving me the chance of being part of this long and esteemed parampara. On this occasion of your Holiness’ Vyasa-puja ceremony I offer my dandavats and obeisance to you.
Ys
Dhyana Moolam Guru Murti
Puja Moolam Gurur Padam,
Mantra Moolam Gurur Vakyam,
Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa
Guru Gita - Skanda Purana Dialogue between Shiva and Uma (Shakti)
Translation: 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.
As we receive this message through parampara system from Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhvacarya, in this way, Madhavendra Puri, then Isvara Puri, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then six Gosvamis, then others, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura, Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Srila Prabhupada and now your Holiness Devamrita Swami. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of Krishna consciousness and for giving me the chance of being part of this long and esteemed parampara. On this occasion of your Holiness’ Vyasa-puja ceremony I offer my dandavats and obeisance to you.
Ys
Padaravinda dasa
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your inspiring service and Srila Prabhupada. Your recent visit to Dallas was such a blessing for all of us here at Radha Kalachandji dham. Though your stay was brief we had the opportunity to serve you which in itself is your blessing upon us. As part of this insignificant service we were privy to the many conversations you had with your guests including His Grace Giriraja swami maharaj. What we heard especially about the tribal mindset you elaborated, answered so many misconceptions that had overtaken me and were actually stumbling blocks in executing devotional service.. it was such a relief. Though there is much more to be thankful to you that escapes my active cognition your fatherly affection for our well being and patient hearing of the many unnecessary experiences we go through as we try to prepare ourself to fully engage in devotional service is a significant aspect of our good fortune. Hope you continue to Insipre and bless us for many many more
years
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your inspiring service and Srila Prabhupada. Your recent visit to Dallas was such a blessing for all of us here at Radha Kalachandji dham. Though your stay was brief we had the opportunity to serve you which in itself is your blessing upon us. As part of this insignificant service we were privy to the many conversations you had with your guests including His Grace Giriraja swami maharaj. What we heard especially about the tribal mindset you elaborated, answered so many misconceptions that had overtaken me and were actually stumbling blocks in executing devotional service.. it was such a relief. Though there is much more to be thankful to you that escapes my active cognition your fatherly affection for our well being and patient hearing of the many unnecessary experiences we go through as we try to prepare ourself to fully engage in devotional service is a significant aspect of our good fortune. Hope you continue to Insipre and bless us for many many more
years
Pallavee Ramparsad
Dearest Maharaj,
I offer my most respectful and humble dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Jagad-Guru, Srila Prabhupada and all glories to your loving divine grace.
This is my first offering- please forgive me for anything which I may say wrong... Few years back when I was new to Krsna Consciousness and Dhira Siromani Dasa used to always talk about you, I used to think what is a maharaja and what is special about a maharaja for him to speak so enthusiastically about you. His eyes used to be always lit, with that spark, when he spoke about you or when he used to tell me on the phone that he got chance to serve maharaja.
This year when I came to Melbourne and had your darshan for the first time I realized that now I know why is maharaja so special.
Thank you for having always guided us while we were in the long distance relationship, by teaching us how to always keep krsna in the centre and for still guiding us now that we are in grhasta ashram.
Dear maharaj I wish you a very happy vyasa-puja and pray to Sri Radhavallabha for your well being.
I also pray that 1 day, I become your daughter and able to render menial service for your pleasure.
Aspiring to be your servant
Pallavee
I offer my most respectful and humble dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Jagad-Guru, Srila Prabhupada and all glories to your loving divine grace.
This is my first offering- please forgive me for anything which I may say wrong... Few years back when I was new to Krsna Consciousness and Dhira Siromani Dasa used to always talk about you, I used to think what is a maharaja and what is special about a maharaja for him to speak so enthusiastically about you. His eyes used to be always lit, with that spark, when he spoke about you or when he used to tell me on the phone that he got chance to serve maharaja.
This year when I came to Melbourne and had your darshan for the first time I realized that now I know why is maharaja so special.
Thank you for having always guided us while we were in the long distance relationship, by teaching us how to always keep krsna in the centre and for still guiding us now that we are in grhasta ashram.
Dear maharaj I wish you a very happy vyasa-puja and pray to Sri Radhavallabha for your well being.
I also pray that 1 day, I become your daughter and able to render menial service for your pleasure.
Aspiring to be your servant
Pallavee
Pandava bandhava dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Our Acharyas explain that we should look for association of advanced devotees who are like minded and sympathetic towards us.
There are many advanced devotees in this world. But it is hard to find those who are not only advanced but have also similar mood to ours; it is still harder to find advanced and like minded devotees who are ready to commit to a lasting relationship because they have a personal and natural sympathy towards us.
Thank you for being such a rare devotee. There are many who give good example in bhakti, but such example is hard to follow unless there is a personal relationship. You make it easy for us by your personal commitment and care.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that the intelligence analyses but the mind takes the decisions. We, neophyte devotees, are simple creatures, heavily influenced by our emotions. Thank you for taking the time and endeavour to come down to our sentimental level of existence and attract our minds to you and to Krishna.
Thank you that you make me realise that you actually care for me and you understand me. Thank you for sharing, just like a friend, your vast experience in bhakti and your personal realisations. Your words resonate deeply inside me and I feel very happy that I understand you. One moment like this can enthuse me in my devotional life for a long time.
I pray for your mercy so that I can fulfil the potential you see in me.
Thank you, dear Gurudeva.
Your servant,
Pandava bandhava dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Our Acharyas explain that we should look for association of advanced devotees who are like minded and sympathetic towards us.
There are many advanced devotees in this world. But it is hard to find those who are not only advanced but have also similar mood to ours; it is still harder to find advanced and like minded devotees who are ready to commit to a lasting relationship because they have a personal and natural sympathy towards us.
Thank you for being such a rare devotee. There are many who give good example in bhakti, but such example is hard to follow unless there is a personal relationship. You make it easy for us by your personal commitment and care.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that the intelligence analyses but the mind takes the decisions. We, neophyte devotees, are simple creatures, heavily influenced by our emotions. Thank you for taking the time and endeavour to come down to our sentimental level of existence and attract our minds to you and to Krishna.
Thank you that you make me realise that you actually care for me and you understand me. Thank you for sharing, just like a friend, your vast experience in bhakti and your personal realisations. Your words resonate deeply inside me and I feel very happy that I understand you. One moment like this can enthuse me in my devotional life for a long time.
I pray for your mercy so that I can fulfil the potential you see in me.
Thank you, dear Gurudeva.
Your servant,
Pandava bandhava dasa
Pārjanya Gopa Das
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,
Recently I have been trying to understand more about the modes of material nature. In this regard, Bhagavad-Gita 14.19 verse and purport particularly strikes me.
The conclusion is that you have given me, as Srila Prabhupada explains, "the scope for spiritual life."
It is embarrassing, how such a low sinful living entity who deserves the worst punishments could have received the highest benediction, for no reason and for free.
It is only due to your unfathomable compassion.
I admire you because you are always endeavoring for the welfare of others, making all your actions an offering of love to Srila Prabhupada.
You magnify Srila Prabhupada's definition of management, that "when persons have no desire to take to Krishna, you make arrangements, and they'll develop a desire".
You are the most expert at creating these arrangements and pleasing your Spiritual Master.
Meeting you is the best thing that happened in my life, and serving you is my aspiration.
I am eternally grateful, for you have rescued me from hell and given me a real life.
What can I do? I can only prostrate myself at your feet and beg for your service.
This is my only hope, and I pray to become more and more attached to purely fulfilling your desires.
Your aspiring servant
Parjanya Gopa Dasa
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Recently I have been trying to understand more about the modes of material nature. In this regard, Bhagavad-Gita 14.19 verse and purport particularly strikes me.
The conclusion is that you have given me, as Srila Prabhupada explains, "the scope for spiritual life."
It is embarrassing, how such a low sinful living entity who deserves the worst punishments could have received the highest benediction, for no reason and for free.
It is only due to your unfathomable compassion.
I admire you because you are always endeavoring for the welfare of others, making all your actions an offering of love to Srila Prabhupada.
You magnify Srila Prabhupada's definition of management, that "when persons have no desire to take to Krishna, you make arrangements, and they'll develop a desire".
You are the most expert at creating these arrangements and pleasing your Spiritual Master.
Meeting you is the best thing that happened in my life, and serving you is my aspiration.
I am eternally grateful, for you have rescued me from hell and given me a real life.
What can I do? I can only prostrate myself at your feet and beg for your service.
This is my only hope, and I pray to become more and more attached to purely fulfilling your desires.
Your aspiring servant
Parjanya Gopa Dasa
Peter Denness
Gurudeva;
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Most will just exist, few truly live.
Free free, unhumble me,
That’s what I used to be,
Living the life of luxury,
That’s how free.
Do as I please,
Do what I want,
No consequences for me,
I’m a good guy and I’m free.
Half a world away I must travel,
To hear a sweet sound,
An American sound.
Something so precious and something not looking for but found,
Ohhh that American sound.
Proud and confident i shake your hand,
I can undo this American sound,
My question was weak and easily answered,
Next time I’ll undo this American sound.
It was that fateful day,
Hearing the American sound,
I don’t know what mercy was bestowed upon me,
Unknowingly lost but now found.
I practised and read, and listened to the American sound,
But still I could not let go, surely there was more to be found.
In the mountains and trees, the solace of silence,
Ohhh how I longed for the American sound.
With the peaks and travel behind me now,
I knew I could commit,
Commit to the American sound.
Time passed since I saw you last,
Nearly a year, since I heard the American sound.
Gurudeva but I was wrong all along,
I thought I lived, but instead I merely existed.
By your grace and eloquence, your fearlessness and poise,
I was starting to shut out the material noise.
I felt it in my heart, deep as can be, since that fateful day we first met,
You actually were setting me free.
So then I was in,
I decided I would seek guidance from the American sound,
Wales, Cardiff, you should go there,
Wales really?? Aren’t sheep the only thing to be found,
As a child, I would day dream about medieval battles,
What war was like back in the day,
But then I heard the Hari’s go to war every day.
Not with sword and axe,
But maya, she was seeking her prey.
But now I’m a Ty Krishna man,
And with my brothers and sisters in arms,
And you Gurudeva leading me forward,
following your example as best I can.
I am yours, do as you please, guide me so, I will try my best for you, I prey that this conditioned soul does not fall away. I only seek to please you so, The American sound.
Your Humble Servant
Pete Denness
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Most will just exist, few truly live.
Free free, unhumble me,
That’s what I used to be,
Living the life of luxury,
That’s how free.
Do as I please,
Do what I want,
No consequences for me,
I’m a good guy and I’m free.
Half a world away I must travel,
To hear a sweet sound,
An American sound.
Something so precious and something not looking for but found,
Ohhh that American sound.
Proud and confident i shake your hand,
I can undo this American sound,
My question was weak and easily answered,
Next time I’ll undo this American sound.
It was that fateful day,
Hearing the American sound,
I don’t know what mercy was bestowed upon me,
Unknowingly lost but now found.
I practised and read, and listened to the American sound,
But still I could not let go, surely there was more to be found.
In the mountains and trees, the solace of silence,
Ohhh how I longed for the American sound.
With the peaks and travel behind me now,
I knew I could commit,
Commit to the American sound.
Time passed since I saw you last,
Nearly a year, since I heard the American sound.
Gurudeva but I was wrong all along,
I thought I lived, but instead I merely existed.
By your grace and eloquence, your fearlessness and poise,
I was starting to shut out the material noise.
I felt it in my heart, deep as can be, since that fateful day we first met,
You actually were setting me free.
So then I was in,
I decided I would seek guidance from the American sound,
Wales, Cardiff, you should go there,
Wales really?? Aren’t sheep the only thing to be found,
As a child, I would day dream about medieval battles,
What war was like back in the day,
But then I heard the Hari’s go to war every day.
Not with sword and axe,
But maya, she was seeking her prey.
But now I’m a Ty Krishna man,
And with my brothers and sisters in arms,
And you Gurudeva leading me forward,
following your example as best I can.
I am yours, do as you please, guide me so, I will try my best for you, I prey that this conditioned soul does not fall away. I only seek to please you so, The American sound.
Your Humble Servant
Pete Denness
Pranav Agrawal
Hare Krishna Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I pray to Lord Narsingha Dev for your good health and trust that you are keeping well amidst your busy schedule and worldwide travels.
Gurumaharaj I wish to express my utmost inability in appropriately glorifying your Holiness on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebrations. I feel that I neither have the depth of proper spiritual realization nor complete surrender to Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON movement to be able to express myself humbly and sincerely.
Despite my shortcomings, I can see that with Sriman Mahaprabhu’s munificence and Lord Nityananda’s benevolence, I am gradually coming closer in my mind, my words and my actions to both the book bhagvata and devotee bhagvata.
Gurumaharaj, you are such an erudite scholar, a Yale university graduate, having authored, published and distributed so many scholarly books, preached Krishna Consciousness under iron curtains with extremely difficult circumstances and now travelling worldwide spreading the glories of Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, your glories are a shining light for our younger and older generations alike. Your words are so full of ripened spiritual knowledge and your ability to relate with everyone regardless of their material situation and spiritual intensity is truly inspiring.
Gurumaharaj, you are leading ISKCON from the front line making grass root changes by introducing Krishna Consciousness to Universities across the globe including the most prestigious IVY league universities. This is what Srila Prabhupada also did in the initial days of establishing ISKCON by influencing the youth of the counter culture era. You are showing us the way forward for this movement.
I feel encouraged to do more devotional service when I see you championing the solutions to the most pressing issues which our modern day society faces today such as global warming, sustainable living, loneliness, World peace etc…
You once said, chanting is a life-long profession and that when we turn old and through practice when we are able to relish the taste in chanting even if this comes in our old age, our life should be considered successful. I wish to dive deeper into the holy name and your words are an assurance to me personally to continue to strive harder on this path.
Gurumaharaj, I wish to convey my heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to you for guiding me in the spiritual path. I have seen so many souls getting truly transformed through your divine words. I was one of them a few years ago, after taking your personal darshan and hearing from you I have felt truly transformed since then.
I wish to mention that by reading your books like Bhakti Bhava – The emotional dynamics of a devotee – I could see my future in Krishna Consciousness and a promise that by committing myself to the process I will be able to fully satisfy my heart through loving devotional service rendered to Krishna.
I have read Searching for Vedic India – which is a treatise into succinctly understanding the Vedic context to Krishna Consciousness in a way that only a highly learned and elevated Mahatma like yourself can present.
Gurumaharaj finally, I wish to mention the name of your disciples Harinamamrita Prabhu and Gopipriya Mataji who have constantly guided me and my whole family and inspired so many other families to take up Krishna Consciousness very seriously.
Seeking your blessings so that I can serve Your Holiness, devotees and Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON for all of eternity.
Your Servant
Pranav Agrawal
18 Ferndale Rd, Normanhurst, NSW – 2076
Australia
+61-401 555 792
hello_pranav@yahoo.com
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I pray to Lord Narsingha Dev for your good health and trust that you are keeping well amidst your busy schedule and worldwide travels.
Gurumaharaj I wish to express my utmost inability in appropriately glorifying your Holiness on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebrations. I feel that I neither have the depth of proper spiritual realization nor complete surrender to Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON movement to be able to express myself humbly and sincerely.
Despite my shortcomings, I can see that with Sriman Mahaprabhu’s munificence and Lord Nityananda’s benevolence, I am gradually coming closer in my mind, my words and my actions to both the book bhagvata and devotee bhagvata.
Gurumaharaj, you are such an erudite scholar, a Yale university graduate, having authored, published and distributed so many scholarly books, preached Krishna Consciousness under iron curtains with extremely difficult circumstances and now travelling worldwide spreading the glories of Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, your glories are a shining light for our younger and older generations alike. Your words are so full of ripened spiritual knowledge and your ability to relate with everyone regardless of their material situation and spiritual intensity is truly inspiring.
Gurumaharaj, you are leading ISKCON from the front line making grass root changes by introducing Krishna Consciousness to Universities across the globe including the most prestigious IVY league universities. This is what Srila Prabhupada also did in the initial days of establishing ISKCON by influencing the youth of the counter culture era. You are showing us the way forward for this movement.
I feel encouraged to do more devotional service when I see you championing the solutions to the most pressing issues which our modern day society faces today such as global warming, sustainable living, loneliness, World peace etc…
You once said, chanting is a life-long profession and that when we turn old and through practice when we are able to relish the taste in chanting even if this comes in our old age, our life should be considered successful. I wish to dive deeper into the holy name and your words are an assurance to me personally to continue to strive harder on this path.
Gurumaharaj, I wish to convey my heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to you for guiding me in the spiritual path. I have seen so many souls getting truly transformed through your divine words. I was one of them a few years ago, after taking your personal darshan and hearing from you I have felt truly transformed since then.
I wish to mention that by reading your books like Bhakti Bhava – The emotional dynamics of a devotee – I could see my future in Krishna Consciousness and a promise that by committing myself to the process I will be able to fully satisfy my heart through loving devotional service rendered to Krishna.
I have read Searching for Vedic India – which is a treatise into succinctly understanding the Vedic context to Krishna Consciousness in a way that only a highly learned and elevated Mahatma like yourself can present.
Gurumaharaj finally, I wish to mention the name of your disciples Harinamamrita Prabhu and Gopipriya Mataji who have constantly guided me and my whole family and inspired so many other families to take up Krishna Consciousness very seriously.
Seeking your blessings so that I can serve Your Holiness, devotees and Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON for all of eternity.
Your Servant
Pranav Agrawal
18 Ferndale Rd, Normanhurst, NSW – 2076
Australia
+61-401 555 792
hello_pranav@yahoo.com
Prem Madhurya Devi Dasi
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
Thank you Guru Maharaj, for helping me to taste the real happiness and to rediscover genuine laughter. I am extremely indebted to you. Your heart is full of compassion and kindness to all living entities that it makes them come closer to Krishna.
You guide us in the world where there is danger at every step and bring Krishna close to ordinary souls. It's intriguing how the stories that you tell to help us understand the realities of material life , make it easy for one to laugh at their own foolishness. I am thankful for the mercy You have bestowed upon me and my family.
On this auspicious day of your Vyas Puja, I would like to pray to Lord Krishna to bestow upon you good health and long life.
Your humble servant
Prem Madhurya Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
Thank you Guru Maharaj, for helping me to taste the real happiness and to rediscover genuine laughter. I am extremely indebted to you. Your heart is full of compassion and kindness to all living entities that it makes them come closer to Krishna.
You guide us in the world where there is danger at every step and bring Krishna close to ordinary souls. It's intriguing how the stories that you tell to help us understand the realities of material life , make it easy for one to laugh at their own foolishness. I am thankful for the mercy You have bestowed upon me and my family.
On this auspicious day of your Vyas Puja, I would like to pray to Lord Krishna to bestow upon you good health and long life.
Your humble servant
Prem Madhurya Devi Dasi
Prema Lahari devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Gurudeva I feel very small and inadequate to attempt to glorify you today but I pray to you for the intelligence and strength to speak something real in gratitude and glorification of you, my dear spiritual master.
Durvasa muni had the great misfortune to offend a pure devotee. And as a result he had to run very fast over the whole universe, finding no shelter from Lord Brahma or Lord Siva. Finally on approaching Lord Narayana, falling at his lotus feet and desperately praying for relief he was given this response.
"I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me. O best of the brāhmaṇas, without saintly persons for whom I am the only destination, I do not desire to enjoy My transcendental bliss and My supreme opulences."
In the purport to these verses Srila Prabhupada describes the activities of a pure devotee, “expert at the science of transcendental bliss” a pure devotee wants to expand the number of pure devotees, because that is what the Lord needs to feel transcendental bliss. In fact, Srila Prabhupada explains, the Lord does not feel bliss without his devotees.
Gurudeva you are very finely tuned to Krsna’s pleasure, and the lengths to which you go to adhere to this description of a pure devotee is truly admirable. You have understood the science of transcendental bliss so nicely that you can present Krsna consciousness to practically any audience, in different ways to suit the time place and circumstances, all the while maintaining the original purpose of the message. You spend every week in a different location, different people around you, different time zones, you are constantly on the go. And instead of taking a couple of days to recover from jetlag and the long hours in a cramped sitting position, breathing recycled air, upon arrival you happily look around at us, give a welcome address, give out cookies, knowing that for most of us the way to our hearts is through our tongues (you definitely set the example for your motto of “we make it easy”).
From our daily sloka practices I have learnt that the secret to success is satisfaction of the spiritual master.
From your recent class you have made it obvious how to satisfy you. Become obsessed with Srila Prabhupada’s books. Read them, ask questions for clarification on how to apply the instructions, how to understand the different contexts, and to clear up doubts. And of course share them with others.
Gurudeva today I would like to beg you to somehow or other always be assisting you in your mission of giving Krsna to others. It's not a desire that I have but it's one I am trying to cultivate to please you. I pray to become more in tune with what pleases you, as you are in tune with what pleases Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. As a perfect devotee of a perfect devotee, you are very dear to Krsna.
Always aspiring to be,
your indebted servant
Prema Lahari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Gurudeva I feel very small and inadequate to attempt to glorify you today but I pray to you for the intelligence and strength to speak something real in gratitude and glorification of you, my dear spiritual master.
Durvasa muni had the great misfortune to offend a pure devotee. And as a result he had to run very fast over the whole universe, finding no shelter from Lord Brahma or Lord Siva. Finally on approaching Lord Narayana, falling at his lotus feet and desperately praying for relief he was given this response.
"I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me. O best of the brāhmaṇas, without saintly persons for whom I am the only destination, I do not desire to enjoy My transcendental bliss and My supreme opulences."
In the purport to these verses Srila Prabhupada describes the activities of a pure devotee, “expert at the science of transcendental bliss” a pure devotee wants to expand the number of pure devotees, because that is what the Lord needs to feel transcendental bliss. In fact, Srila Prabhupada explains, the Lord does not feel bliss without his devotees.
Gurudeva you are very finely tuned to Krsna’s pleasure, and the lengths to which you go to adhere to this description of a pure devotee is truly admirable. You have understood the science of transcendental bliss so nicely that you can present Krsna consciousness to practically any audience, in different ways to suit the time place and circumstances, all the while maintaining the original purpose of the message. You spend every week in a different location, different people around you, different time zones, you are constantly on the go. And instead of taking a couple of days to recover from jetlag and the long hours in a cramped sitting position, breathing recycled air, upon arrival you happily look around at us, give a welcome address, give out cookies, knowing that for most of us the way to our hearts is through our tongues (you definitely set the example for your motto of “we make it easy”).
From our daily sloka practices I have learnt that the secret to success is satisfaction of the spiritual master.
From your recent class you have made it obvious how to satisfy you. Become obsessed with Srila Prabhupada’s books. Read them, ask questions for clarification on how to apply the instructions, how to understand the different contexts, and to clear up doubts. And of course share them with others.
Gurudeva today I would like to beg you to somehow or other always be assisting you in your mission of giving Krsna to others. It's not a desire that I have but it's one I am trying to cultivate to please you. I pray to become more in tune with what pleases you, as you are in tune with what pleases Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. As a perfect devotee of a perfect devotee, you are very dear to Krsna.
Always aspiring to be,
your indebted servant
Prema Lahari devi dasi
Prema-Sankirtan Das
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
As per your instruction I am continuously trying to nicely distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. Everyday so many unique exchanges happen.
It’s such an honour to be an instrument in Lord Caitanya’s mission. For last few days I had good association with my godbrother Dhira-Lalita Dasa.
We had a wonderful experience distributing books together at Griffith observatory, sitting on a book table.
It was such a pleasurable experience sharing these beautiful books with many conditioned souls wandering there, looking for sense gratification.
Another occasion we went to East LA college and had a similar beautiful experience giving Krsna consciousness to the students there. Looking forward to working together with him for future for your pleasure.
I observed that Dhira-Lalita Dasa likes to not only give books to people but also invite them to the temple for more learning and association of the devotees. Some people he invited did visit the temple and I would try to follow his example.
Book table is such a nice tool to preach to people while distributing the books.
By your’s and Krsna’s grace I see how eager they become to take the books.
Sometimes Krsna sends very interested people who are eager to take this transcendental knowledge.
Eventually next contact is so much desirable.
I hope it will continue to happen.
Thank you Guru Maharaj
Your aspiring disciple
Prema-Sankirtan Das
Prema-lata Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudev
Please accept my obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you and your glorious appearance day
sri-guro paramananda premananda phala-prada
vrajananda-pradananda-sevayam ma niyojaya
My dear spiritual master, who give the fruit of the highestbliss—the bliss of love of Godhead—please
engage me in the blissful service of Sri Krishna, who bestowsbliss upon the land of Vraja.
We say this prayer each time we step on the altar for service. This prayer has been a constant reminder of how blessed I am to be a part bona-fide line of spiritual teachers. It is only because of your mercy that I have had the opportunity to be engaged in deity worship in any ISKCON temple that I visited throughout the world. For a beginner like myself these new service opportunities just brought the entire mood of Goloka Vrndavana to the forefront. I am more conscious and grateful for being in your shelter. I could not do any of these services without your blessings, whether it was preparing food, dressing deities, performing arti, singing kirtan or giving a class. I have learnt a lot and I hope that I continue to learn and grow under your shelter. Your guidance and support have been of a very subtle nature in my case and I have had to go against all odds to try to understand the gist of it.
I did not realise how much you actually cared till the day I came back to New Zealand and I saw how happy you were. I have always seen you happy but that was the happiest I have ever seen you! I know you have been so concerned about me and you want to see me in a more stable life situation like most matajis and you have sought out the best material and spiritual bargains for me despite my unwillingness to take advantage of any of these arrangements. Your care is so evident in those moments when you ask me, “So are you here for good or are you going to take off again?” Or when you say, “ Let me know what you are doing.” You have never made me feel neglected just because I am of a very different personality type or that I occasionally tend to fly towards foreign territories. You gave me all the freedom in the world and trusted that I will always remain under your shelter and ultimately fly back to your lotus feet.
Thank you Gurudev for leading by example and for showing me a glimpse of the gateway to the realm of selfless love. I hope that someday I will be able to do something worthy for you.
Your spiritual daughter and aspiring servant,
Prema-lata Devi Dasi
Please accept my obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you and your glorious appearance day
sri-guro paramananda premananda phala-prada
vrajananda-pradananda-sevayam ma niyojaya
My dear spiritual master, who give the fruit of the highestbliss—the bliss of love of Godhead—please
engage me in the blissful service of Sri Krishna, who bestowsbliss upon the land of Vraja.
We say this prayer each time we step on the altar for service. This prayer has been a constant reminder of how blessed I am to be a part bona-fide line of spiritual teachers. It is only because of your mercy that I have had the opportunity to be engaged in deity worship in any ISKCON temple that I visited throughout the world. For a beginner like myself these new service opportunities just brought the entire mood of Goloka Vrndavana to the forefront. I am more conscious and grateful for being in your shelter. I could not do any of these services without your blessings, whether it was preparing food, dressing deities, performing arti, singing kirtan or giving a class. I have learnt a lot and I hope that I continue to learn and grow under your shelter. Your guidance and support have been of a very subtle nature in my case and I have had to go against all odds to try to understand the gist of it.
I did not realise how much you actually cared till the day I came back to New Zealand and I saw how happy you were. I have always seen you happy but that was the happiest I have ever seen you! I know you have been so concerned about me and you want to see me in a more stable life situation like most matajis and you have sought out the best material and spiritual bargains for me despite my unwillingness to take advantage of any of these arrangements. Your care is so evident in those moments when you ask me, “So are you here for good or are you going to take off again?” Or when you say, “ Let me know what you are doing.” You have never made me feel neglected just because I am of a very different personality type or that I occasionally tend to fly towards foreign territories. You gave me all the freedom in the world and trusted that I will always remain under your shelter and ultimately fly back to your lotus feet.
Thank you Gurudev for leading by example and for showing me a glimpse of the gateway to the realm of selfless love. I hope that someday I will be able to do something worthy for you.
Your spiritual daughter and aspiring servant,
Prema-lata Devi Dasi
Premdham Das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga !!
On this auspicious day of your appearance day, I beg for your well being and good health. May Krishna bless you with millions of years to spread the wonderful mission of spreading the divine movement of preaching in Prabhupada's mission.
Not even a day passes without seeing your love and blessing in every sphere of our life. Be it material or spiritual; we all see your divine intervention. Be it overcoming health issues or overcoming financial challenges or relationship up and downs and spiritual well beings. We feel completely protected by your mercy.
We're fortunate to have the dieties of Sri Sri Jagannath ji, Baladev ji & Subhadra mai in our home and feel most fortunate to serve them. In reality it is a miracle in spite of so many short comings we able to continue our spiritual practices. The continuous attacks of maya in different form always available to pull us down but someone how holding our ground and trying to perform some service as per the instruction and guidance of senior devotees in Pune. Last year I was fortunate to distribute books and got wonderful opportunity to preach in educational institutes.
May I request if you could bless me to improve my quality of chanting and I could assign some dedicated time to read Prabhupada's books. I'm still having one unfulfilled instruction to distribute your books so that you could start to come to Pune as well. I always remember that instruction and wonder how I can start doing it. Where to start and how can I find time for it. Please guide me and bless me so that I can be of some help.
We hope to have your darshan during your Kartika month in Mumbai.
Your aspiring servant,
Premdham das
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga !!
On this auspicious day of your appearance day, I beg for your well being and good health. May Krishna bless you with millions of years to spread the wonderful mission of spreading the divine movement of preaching in Prabhupada's mission.
Not even a day passes without seeing your love and blessing in every sphere of our life. Be it material or spiritual; we all see your divine intervention. Be it overcoming health issues or overcoming financial challenges or relationship up and downs and spiritual well beings. We feel completely protected by your mercy.
We're fortunate to have the dieties of Sri Sri Jagannath ji, Baladev ji & Subhadra mai in our home and feel most fortunate to serve them. In reality it is a miracle in spite of so many short comings we able to continue our spiritual practices. The continuous attacks of maya in different form always available to pull us down but someone how holding our ground and trying to perform some service as per the instruction and guidance of senior devotees in Pune. Last year I was fortunate to distribute books and got wonderful opportunity to preach in educational institutes.
May I request if you could bless me to improve my quality of chanting and I could assign some dedicated time to read Prabhupada's books. I'm still having one unfulfilled instruction to distribute your books so that you could start to come to Pune as well. I always remember that instruction and wonder how I can start doing it. Where to start and how can I find time for it. Please guide me and bless me so that I can be of some help.
We hope to have your darshan during your Kartika month in Mumbai.
Your aspiring servant,
Premdham das
Priyanka Mittal
Dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
I am so fortunate to have you in my life. Your lectures, books, your personal presence - it all inspires me to continue enthusiastically in my devotional life.
For so many decades you are constantly travelling far and wide to spread Srila Prabhupad's mission. You must face so many difficulties in your travels - long waits, lack of sleep, jet lags, lack of proper cleanliness, yet you remain unfazed and determined more than ever in your mission to spread Krishna consciousness around the world.
I am praying to Krishna that He continues to empower you to serve your spiritual master eternally.
You spoke vehemently in your live Vyasapuja lecture here in Melbourne in 2017. You said - "Nothing can compare to the life that Srila Prabhupad has given us. Nothing!" Today on this glorious day of your Vyasapuja I seek shelter at your lotus feet. Please give me the intelligence to fully appreciate and take advantage of what Srila Prabhupad has given us - his books, the chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra, Krishna prasad and the association of devotees. I never ever want to entertain a thought that there is anything out there which is better than Krishna conscious life that Srila Prabhupad mapped out for us. Please give me your blessing that I make right decisions in my life and do not lead myself and others in to ignorance.
Your aspiring servant
Priyanka Mittal
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
I am so fortunate to have you in my life. Your lectures, books, your personal presence - it all inspires me to continue enthusiastically in my devotional life.
For so many decades you are constantly travelling far and wide to spread Srila Prabhupad's mission. You must face so many difficulties in your travels - long waits, lack of sleep, jet lags, lack of proper cleanliness, yet you remain unfazed and determined more than ever in your mission to spread Krishna consciousness around the world.
I am praying to Krishna that He continues to empower you to serve your spiritual master eternally.
You spoke vehemently in your live Vyasapuja lecture here in Melbourne in 2017. You said - "Nothing can compare to the life that Srila Prabhupad has given us. Nothing!" Today on this glorious day of your Vyasapuja I seek shelter at your lotus feet. Please give me the intelligence to fully appreciate and take advantage of what Srila Prabhupad has given us - his books, the chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra, Krishna prasad and the association of devotees. I never ever want to entertain a thought that there is anything out there which is better than Krishna conscious life that Srila Prabhupad mapped out for us. Please give me your blessing that I make right decisions in my life and do not lead myself and others in to ignorance.
Your aspiring 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.
On a recent trip away with you the driver of our vehicle asked me if we were all family. Before I could respond, you instantly chimed in with a resounding, yes! Oh how my heart filled with joy upon hearing your answer. As I look around the room today, I marvel at what a wonderful family it is to be a part of. So many god brothers and sisters each with their own dedication, devotion and loving mood of surrender, all of whom inspire me in so many ways, and you dear Gurudeva as our Spiritual master and father. You are so expert in cutting through my nonsense and fanning the flame of the tiny spark of Bhakti you see hidden in the depths of my heart.
You never give up on anyone. You encourage everyone and you make the application of Bhakti so simple to grasp, yet the subject matter is so deep and profound.
Normally relationships in this world are fleeting. Together for some time then separated by time like straws on the ocean. Sometimes the straws come together, then with the waves of time, separation draws them apart. I see this clearly with my own family, my parents are both long gone. Cancer was the culprit, but the true underlining reason and ultimate cause was material nature. Our karma brought us together and separated us in due course of time. How many mothers and fathers have we had over countless lifetimes? The identifying force of this type of family is biological because we are from the same bloodline, this means we are family. But how deep is that connection really? In comparison, the family you have given us all is so deep and real based on the soul level. Beyond cultural, biological and geographical limitations. Like pearls strung on a thread, you dear Gurudeva connect us altogether with the Parampara all the way to Krsna. I am enterally grateful to have you as my spiritual father and master.
In the purport of the 6th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 16 Text 6 Srila Prabhupada writes:
“In the transmigration of the soul through different bodies everyone in every form of life be it human, animal, tree or demigod gets a father and mother. This is not very difficult. The difficulty is to obtain a bona fide spiritual master and Krsna. Therefore the duty of a human being is to capture the opportunity to come in touch with Krsna’s representative, the bona fide spiritual master. Under the guidance of the spiritual master, the spiritual father, one can return home, back to godhead.”
It is such a rare and special opportunity to have you as our guide and beacon. Thank you Gurudeva for everything that you do. I know it can’t be easy, the worries, the stresses dealing with everyones problems on an individual and collective level. The burden of love you have taken on to assist your beloved spiritual master is such a selfless act, its hard to fathom it’s entirety.
I pray, please never allow me to take for granted this precious jewel of Bhakti and that I can take deep into my heart the instructions you have given me and to live by them always.
Your spiritual daughter and indebted servant,
Radha Prasada devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
On a recent trip away with you the driver of our vehicle asked me if we were all family. Before I could respond, you instantly chimed in with a resounding, yes! Oh how my heart filled with joy upon hearing your answer. As I look around the room today, I marvel at what a wonderful family it is to be a part of. So many god brothers and sisters each with their own dedication, devotion and loving mood of surrender, all of whom inspire me in so many ways, and you dear Gurudeva as our Spiritual master and father. You are so expert in cutting through my nonsense and fanning the flame of the tiny spark of Bhakti you see hidden in the depths of my heart.
You never give up on anyone. You encourage everyone and you make the application of Bhakti so simple to grasp, yet the subject matter is so deep and profound.
Normally relationships in this world are fleeting. Together for some time then separated by time like straws on the ocean. Sometimes the straws come together, then with the waves of time, separation draws them apart. I see this clearly with my own family, my parents are both long gone. Cancer was the culprit, but the true underlining reason and ultimate cause was material nature. Our karma brought us together and separated us in due course of time. How many mothers and fathers have we had over countless lifetimes? The identifying force of this type of family is biological because we are from the same bloodline, this means we are family. But how deep is that connection really? In comparison, the family you have given us all is so deep and real based on the soul level. Beyond cultural, biological and geographical limitations. Like pearls strung on a thread, you dear Gurudeva connect us altogether with the Parampara all the way to Krsna. I am enterally grateful to have you as my spiritual father and master.
In the purport of the 6th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam Chapter 16 Text 6 Srila Prabhupada writes:
“In the transmigration of the soul through different bodies everyone in every form of life be it human, animal, tree or demigod gets a father and mother. This is not very difficult. The difficulty is to obtain a bona fide spiritual master and Krsna. Therefore the duty of a human being is to capture the opportunity to come in touch with Krsna’s representative, the bona fide spiritual master. Under the guidance of the spiritual master, the spiritual father, one can return home, back to godhead.”
It is such a rare and special opportunity to have you as our guide and beacon. Thank you Gurudeva for everything that you do. I know it can’t be easy, the worries, the stresses dealing with everyones problems on an individual and collective level. The burden of love you have taken on to assist your beloved spiritual master is such a selfless act, its hard to fathom it’s entirety.
I pray, please never allow me to take for granted this precious jewel of Bhakti and that I can take deep into my heart the instructions you have given me and to live by them always.
Your spiritual daughter and indebted servant,
Radha Prasada devi dasi
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 this most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja, my heart is overflowing with deepest gratitude to you for showering your causeless mercy upon me unlimitedly. While I can never glorify you sufficiently, on this blessed day, I beg for the ability to humbly highlight one way in which you are transforming my life and that of thousands around the world today, and of millions in the future:
Revitalization of Gita Nagari dham:
———————————————————-
Your visionary leadership and personal commitment for reinvigorating this very important and historic “New York temple” farm that was very dear to Srila Prabhupada, is exemplary. It’s my greatest fortune that we live only 6.5 hours drive away from this beautiful abode of Sri Sri Radha Damodar, their cows and land, and served by a growing team of dedicated devotees. By your causeless mercy, over the last few years, My family and I have been able to visit Gita Nagari regularly, and its transformation and unprecedented growth potential is beyond words. You have not only inspired the best-in-class devotees globally to move to Gita Nagari, but also continue to personally guide them in their service. By your mercy Gurumaharaj, I now know why Srila Prabhupada wanted ‘every temple to have a farm’ and the long term benefits of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between the two. Srila Prabhupada said that the only reason devotees should live in the city is to preach. And what better place for the city “warriors” to go to rejuvenate and recharge their sankirtan batteries than a holy place like Gita Nagari, with its purest air and peaceful life fully revolving around protected and happy cows.
Gurudev, your vision for Gita Nagari dham is cutting edge and shall play a crucial role in sustaining the future generations of ISKCON. I pray for the ever increase of the Gita Nagari project under your leadership.
———
Gurumaharaj, I am eternally grateful to you that despite all my disqualifications, you gave me the shelter of your lotus feet and allowed this insignificant aspiring disciple to assist you in your service to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, through the ever expansion of “Our family business” - book distribution. I beg to remain in this consciousness eternally.
I pray for your good health Gurudev so that many more fortunate souls like me can become Krishna Conscious in this lifetime.
Your eternally indebted servant,
Radha-mohan das
Toronto, Canada
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja, my heart is overflowing with deepest gratitude to you for showering your causeless mercy upon me unlimitedly. While I can never glorify you sufficiently, on this blessed day, I beg for the ability to humbly highlight one way in which you are transforming my life and that of thousands around the world today, and of millions in the future:
Revitalization of Gita Nagari dham:
———————————————————-
Your visionary leadership and personal commitment for reinvigorating this very important and historic “New York temple” farm that was very dear to Srila Prabhupada, is exemplary. It’s my greatest fortune that we live only 6.5 hours drive away from this beautiful abode of Sri Sri Radha Damodar, their cows and land, and served by a growing team of dedicated devotees. By your causeless mercy, over the last few years, My family and I have been able to visit Gita Nagari regularly, and its transformation and unprecedented growth potential is beyond words. You have not only inspired the best-in-class devotees globally to move to Gita Nagari, but also continue to personally guide them in their service. By your mercy Gurumaharaj, I now know why Srila Prabhupada wanted ‘every temple to have a farm’ and the long term benefits of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between the two. Srila Prabhupada said that the only reason devotees should live in the city is to preach. And what better place for the city “warriors” to go to rejuvenate and recharge their sankirtan batteries than a holy place like Gita Nagari, with its purest air and peaceful life fully revolving around protected and happy cows.
Gurudev, your vision for Gita Nagari dham is cutting edge and shall play a crucial role in sustaining the future generations of ISKCON. I pray for the ever increase of the Gita Nagari project under your leadership.
———
Gurumaharaj, I am eternally grateful to you that despite all my disqualifications, you gave me the shelter of your lotus feet and allowed this insignificant aspiring disciple to assist you in your service to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, through the ever expansion of “Our family business” - book distribution. I beg to remain in this consciousness eternally.
I pray for your good health Gurudev so that many more fortunate souls like me can become Krishna Conscious in this lifetime.
Your eternally indebted servant,
Radha-mohan das
Toronto, Canada
Radhananda Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day.
In the second chapter of the eleventh canto of Srimad Bhagavatam Sri Vasudeva became ecstatic upon receiving Narada Muni at his house.
Sri Vasudeva makes a statement that great saintly persons such as Narada Muni are always merciful to all living beings.
After reading this verse I closed my eyes and tried to remember all the different gurus, teachers, leaders and personalities who have come into my life acting as my well-wishers.
My parents came first to my mind. They would definitely argue that they are the most merciful personalities in my life. They would say: “without us, you wouldn’t even be born. We gave you shelter, dressed you, fed you, paid for your education and so much more.”
Next my sister would point out that it was her who actually helped me to grow up. Who taught me how to live and function as an adult.
All of my school teachers would certainly object that without giving me an education I wouldn’t achieve economic success. Without a diploma I wouldn’t find a job and make money. And how could I achieve happiness without money?
Doctors would also protest that without them I would be already dead. That many times they have saved my life.
Certainly there is no doubt that all these people have impacted me to some degree and I will always be grateful for their help.
But none of them had an actual idea of what real help means. None of them could truly benefit me.
Only after a few years later when I came to Wellington, I got to meet the most important and merciful well-wishers! Gurudeva you are the only true benefactor of my life. All those so called shelters of mine that I mentioned could not even compare to 1% of how much you care for me. Even the demigods who administer the entire universe and provide the various necessities of life can’t compare to your care and love. This is also what Sri Vasudeva has stated.
The activities of demigods lead to both misery and happiness for living beings. But the activities of great saints like you, who have accepted the infallible Lord as their very soul, result only in the happiness of all beings. (SB 11.2.5)
So only great sadhus like you are actually truly merciful to the fallen.
Only the bona-fide spiritual masters know the permanent benefit, the true happiness, the real dharma of living beings, the ultimate goal of life!
Last time when you came to Wellington you explained to us that external dharma is only necessary for social interactions. If people would follow the scriptural rules of how to behave morally they would be able to live peacefully with one and other.We can see how in today’s society no one follows any scriptural rules, thus life is total chaos, just like the life of cats and dogs! So material responsibility is important you pointed out. But more important you explained is the real eternal dharma of the soul. if we don’t care about the soul we are just moving from one so called temporary good to another so called temporary good. You talked about how people in the name of being responsible are actually being irresponsible! All these people who acted as my parents, teachers, doctors, and friends were just preoccupied with false, temporary, so called good activities. Now they would try to convince me that I am wasting my life with some airy fairy, bizarre, far out, yoga system. To that you would oppose that everyone is trying to foolishly enjoy their sense organs. They are trying to grab on to something just for few moments. Everybody is selling themselves so cheaply to the cruel material energy and all they get at the end is just a few happy memories…That is all there is to it…
Gurudeva thank you for killing my ignorance and showing me the right path. Waking me up from the distressing nightmare that all these people still have to face.
I still have a long way to go.
Thank you for bringing Sri Jiva Caran to my life. Hopefully together we can serve you better. We need your mercy, your navigation and direction.
Your aspiring servant Radhananda Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day.
In the second chapter of the eleventh canto of Srimad Bhagavatam Sri Vasudeva became ecstatic upon receiving Narada Muni at his house.
Sri Vasudeva makes a statement that great saintly persons such as Narada Muni are always merciful to all living beings.
After reading this verse I closed my eyes and tried to remember all the different gurus, teachers, leaders and personalities who have come into my life acting as my well-wishers.
My parents came first to my mind. They would definitely argue that they are the most merciful personalities in my life. They would say: “without us, you wouldn’t even be born. We gave you shelter, dressed you, fed you, paid for your education and so much more.”
Next my sister would point out that it was her who actually helped me to grow up. Who taught me how to live and function as an adult.
All of my school teachers would certainly object that without giving me an education I wouldn’t achieve economic success. Without a diploma I wouldn’t find a job and make money. And how could I achieve happiness without money?
Doctors would also protest that without them I would be already dead. That many times they have saved my life.
Certainly there is no doubt that all these people have impacted me to some degree and I will always be grateful for their help.
But none of them had an actual idea of what real help means. None of them could truly benefit me.
Only after a few years later when I came to Wellington, I got to meet the most important and merciful well-wishers! Gurudeva you are the only true benefactor of my life. All those so called shelters of mine that I mentioned could not even compare to 1% of how much you care for me. Even the demigods who administer the entire universe and provide the various necessities of life can’t compare to your care and love. This is also what Sri Vasudeva has stated.
The activities of demigods lead to both misery and happiness for living beings. But the activities of great saints like you, who have accepted the infallible Lord as their very soul, result only in the happiness of all beings. (SB 11.2.5)
So only great sadhus like you are actually truly merciful to the fallen.
Only the bona-fide spiritual masters know the permanent benefit, the true happiness, the real dharma of living beings, the ultimate goal of life!
Last time when you came to Wellington you explained to us that external dharma is only necessary for social interactions. If people would follow the scriptural rules of how to behave morally they would be able to live peacefully with one and other.We can see how in today’s society no one follows any scriptural rules, thus life is total chaos, just like the life of cats and dogs! So material responsibility is important you pointed out. But more important you explained is the real eternal dharma of the soul. if we don’t care about the soul we are just moving from one so called temporary good to another so called temporary good. You talked about how people in the name of being responsible are actually being irresponsible! All these people who acted as my parents, teachers, doctors, and friends were just preoccupied with false, temporary, so called good activities. Now they would try to convince me that I am wasting my life with some airy fairy, bizarre, far out, yoga system. To that you would oppose that everyone is trying to foolishly enjoy their sense organs. They are trying to grab on to something just for few moments. Everybody is selling themselves so cheaply to the cruel material energy and all they get at the end is just a few happy memories…That is all there is to it…
Gurudeva thank you for killing my ignorance and showing me the right path. Waking me up from the distressing nightmare that all these people still have to face.
I still have a long way to go.
Thank you for bringing Sri Jiva Caran to my life. Hopefully together we can serve you better. We need your mercy, your navigation and direction.
Your aspiring servant Radhananda Devi Dasi
Radhika Prasad das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my respectful obeisances on this glorious occasion of your Vyasapooja. All glories to Srila Prabhuad! All glories to your appearance day!
Leading up to this auspicious day, while on my dham yatra, I have been contemplating on your two instructions to me this year.
First explicit instruction was "please expand the congregational and other forms of outreach programs" -
In this regard I am utilising my extended leave period from work to pursue this instruction as best as possible.
Second instruction came during a Bhagavatam class, which was more implicit, when you questioned me – ‘as part of the outreach programs, what are you doing to facilitate the bhakti life for introductory persons, who are talking up our books”
Obviously, these two instructions are intrinsically connected, and show your mercy towards us - to deepen our service, and also demonstrate your inner desire to fulfil Srila Prabhupad’s mission - by giving the fallen souls of this age an opportunity to be saved from this samsara dhava.
Gurudev, I accepted these instructions with determined heart, and earnestly praying to GauraNitai to give me the strength and necessary intelligence to be able to fulfil, and thereby please you.
There is one more advice you provide us in your book ‘Bhakti bhava’ which has also been the object of my contemplation this year – paraphrasing – “in order to grow and improve our bhakti life it is important - from time to time - to revitalize our relationship with the divine couple Radha-Krishna by taking active steps to deepen our loving service to Them”.
Gurudev, I will continue to meditate on these instructions and will take objective measures to nourish my devotional creeper. However, on this auspicious day of your vyasa pooja, I wish to beg you to please bless me that I can continue to improve my bhakti life, and thus become your worthy disciple.
Your humble servant
Radhika Prasad Das
Please accept my respectful obeisances on this glorious occasion of your Vyasapooja. All glories to Srila Prabhuad! All glories to your appearance day!
Leading up to this auspicious day, while on my dham yatra, I have been contemplating on your two instructions to me this year.
First explicit instruction was "please expand the congregational and other forms of outreach programs" -
In this regard I am utilising my extended leave period from work to pursue this instruction as best as possible.
Second instruction came during a Bhagavatam class, which was more implicit, when you questioned me – ‘as part of the outreach programs, what are you doing to facilitate the bhakti life for introductory persons, who are talking up our books”
Obviously, these two instructions are intrinsically connected, and show your mercy towards us - to deepen our service, and also demonstrate your inner desire to fulfil Srila Prabhupad’s mission - by giving the fallen souls of this age an opportunity to be saved from this samsara dhava.
Gurudev, I accepted these instructions with determined heart, and earnestly praying to GauraNitai to give me the strength and necessary intelligence to be able to fulfil, and thereby please you.
There is one more advice you provide us in your book ‘Bhakti bhava’ which has also been the object of my contemplation this year – paraphrasing – “in order to grow and improve our bhakti life it is important - from time to time - to revitalize our relationship with the divine couple Radha-Krishna by taking active steps to deepen our loving service to Them”.
Gurudev, I will continue to meditate on these instructions and will take objective measures to nourish my devotional creeper. However, on this auspicious day of your vyasa pooja, I wish to beg you to please bless me that I can continue to improve my bhakti life, and thus become your worthy disciple.
Your humble servant
Radhika Prasad Das
Radhikesa dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to you on this most auspicious day
It was the appearance day of Lord Narasimhadeva and I was sitting in the transcendental realm of New Vraja Dhama, hearing H.H. Indradyumna Maharaja give class. Whilst animatedly describing the Lord’s ‘Ultimate Horror Movie’ pastimes, Maharaja suddenly became a little more sober as he starting talking about the role of a Guru. He went on to explain how Guru literally means "one who dispels darkness" or one who is "heavy" with the weight of vast knowledge. Then, feeling that he was speaking to me directly, asked, “How can you expect the Spiritual Master to enter your heart if you don’t open it up to him?”. I immediately protested within, “I can’t show him that!”.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to attempt to serve you over the years and I wanted to give my deepest gratitude for being such a competent teacher. Your selflessness, wisdom, love, and compassion is evident as I slowly uncover the nasty workings of a heart that I’ve kept closely guarded. I cannot conceive of the working of your heart, but I do know know that its illuminating rays are having a profound effect with all those who come in contact with it.
Your servant,
Radhikesa dasa
Ramadas das
Dear Guru maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisance’s.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am very grateful today that you have given us Krsna consciousness.
You are the typical Vaishnava Srila Prabhupada explains in the 7th canto.
Recently I was doing a japa walk through my home away from home town. It was very dead there. It was quite painful to the heart and made it ache. To give that town Matamata some credit, the parks and lawns were very well kept. But it felt like a cemetery. I could see how my past has been washed away by time. Even if I wanted to go back there all the people I knew have been scattered. Some are dead others in this world somewhere. Where are the dead ones? In this universe? In the soil, in the south pacific? The cowshed? My youth is like a dream now. Recently I talked to a man face to face for 20 minutes. The next day we realized we were friends at school for 7 years. Because of Natures perfect face transplant we couldn’t recognise each other.
I can’t remember now what it’s like to have good eye sight, hearing without ringing, rising without worry, combing my hair. In one bite, the snake of time has bit off half my life… I hope its half. 40 more years would be nice.
With time comes the “could come out of the cave anytime”, elephant of push comes to shove. Is this headache 4 times in a row a brand new brain tumour. Is this latest blemish on my skin cancer? Am I becoming a hypochondriac? How long does this typical man mentality of I like being babied go on or have I got the early stages of dementia.
If Brahma is a bubble in the cosmic ocean moved by eternal time I’ve got about one second left.
Its amazing to read about this and see how my activities are so laid back in this regard. It seems that nothing can penetrate my covering to reach my pure consciousness. It’s almost unbelievable that Bhagavad Gita describes me as the “wise living entity. “
How regrettable it will be that I didn’t take advantage of the will of the Lord to gradually rectify the asuras through his liberated servitors who travel in different countries.
So this is just a glimpse of my plight.
I thank God that at least this plight sometimes sits in the midst of your kirtans, classes, I see your example, you’re travelling, I read your books. Observe your influence. Your disciples. I used to find just you amazing now I find your disciples amazing.
I’m so spoiled.
All glories to you.
Aspiring for all sorts of things.
Ramadas das.
Please accept my humble obeisance’s.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am very grateful today that you have given us Krsna consciousness.
You are the typical Vaishnava Srila Prabhupada explains in the 7th canto.
Recently I was doing a japa walk through my home away from home town. It was very dead there. It was quite painful to the heart and made it ache. To give that town Matamata some credit, the parks and lawns were very well kept. But it felt like a cemetery. I could see how my past has been washed away by time. Even if I wanted to go back there all the people I knew have been scattered. Some are dead others in this world somewhere. Where are the dead ones? In this universe? In the soil, in the south pacific? The cowshed? My youth is like a dream now. Recently I talked to a man face to face for 20 minutes. The next day we realized we were friends at school for 7 years. Because of Natures perfect face transplant we couldn’t recognise each other.
I can’t remember now what it’s like to have good eye sight, hearing without ringing, rising without worry, combing my hair. In one bite, the snake of time has bit off half my life… I hope its half. 40 more years would be nice.
With time comes the “could come out of the cave anytime”, elephant of push comes to shove. Is this headache 4 times in a row a brand new brain tumour. Is this latest blemish on my skin cancer? Am I becoming a hypochondriac? How long does this typical man mentality of I like being babied go on or have I got the early stages of dementia.
If Brahma is a bubble in the cosmic ocean moved by eternal time I’ve got about one second left.
Its amazing to read about this and see how my activities are so laid back in this regard. It seems that nothing can penetrate my covering to reach my pure consciousness. It’s almost unbelievable that Bhagavad Gita describes me as the “wise living entity. “
How regrettable it will be that I didn’t take advantage of the will of the Lord to gradually rectify the asuras through his liberated servitors who travel in different countries.
So this is just a glimpse of my plight.
I thank God that at least this plight sometimes sits in the midst of your kirtans, classes, I see your example, you’re travelling, I read your books. Observe your influence. Your disciples. I used to find just you amazing now I find your disciples amazing.
I’m so spoiled.
All glories to you.
Aspiring for all sorts of things.
Ramadas das.
Ranga-Nayaki dd
Dear Guru Maharaj, accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. In this wonderful day of Your Vyasa-puja, I want to thank You so much. Because all the good that I have now in my life only by Your mercy and mercy of Srila Prabhupada. You show an example of inexhaustible source of enthusiasm and determination in spiritual practice. I never fully realize what You are doing for me. Except You, I have no other refuge. Thank You for the bright present in the Krishna Consciousness. Your eternal servant, Ranga-Nayaki dd.
Rasayatra dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My thoughts this year turn to what it means to be a disciple. It’s no small thing to be a genuinely helpful servant of the spiritual master. As conditioned souls we tend to gravitate towards myriads of distractions of our own making. The urgency to be genuine, fully engaged followers of Prabhupada’s movement takes second place to our own creative usages of time. Excuses abound. Granted, there are practicalities which require attention. It’s not that we wish to neglect our duties- whether physical, social, emotional or mental. Indeed, without proper balance our service capacity will be hindered. However, the “paramountcy” principle must remain the central theme during all phases across our lifespan: “DEAREST KRSNA KINDLY ENGAGE ME IN YOUR DEVOTIONAL SERVICE”.
On our farm we have a dog. When working with our dog I have reflected on the nature of the master/servant relationship. His job is to be helpful, attentive in his duty. When on task he is very helpful. During his presence the cows know it’s time to move. Neighbouring cows who venture onto our property are much easier to return to their respective pasturing grounds with the help of his barking. He saves us leg work – he saves our breath.
When distracted he is most unhelpful. Rather than listening for commands he is busy chasing birds in the sky. Completely absorbed in their flying he is busy strategizing how he can bring them to earth. Needless to say his meditation is fruitless. Rather than being helpful, his distracted musing is plain annoying.
One might say that I should be kind and encourage him to pursue his dreams, let him use his energy chasing birds, that real love is to support him to feel happiness in his temporary body. But, for me personally, I would rather have a disciplined, effective helper on the farm. To me, that’s the point of his existence in my world.
With this in mind, I aspire to be an effective disciple to you, Gurudeva. It’s all too easy to become distracted- lifetime after lifetime. So many phantasmagorias to pursue. But what a waste. Like rounding up a herd of scattered cows, the mission bestowed to you by your spiritual master requires energy, focus, loyalty, genuine commitment and love. I aspire to focus on the task at hand.
Praying to become a helpful assistant,
Rasayatra dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My thoughts this year turn to what it means to be a disciple. It’s no small thing to be a genuinely helpful servant of the spiritual master. As conditioned souls we tend to gravitate towards myriads of distractions of our own making. The urgency to be genuine, fully engaged followers of Prabhupada’s movement takes second place to our own creative usages of time. Excuses abound. Granted, there are practicalities which require attention. It’s not that we wish to neglect our duties- whether physical, social, emotional or mental. Indeed, without proper balance our service capacity will be hindered. However, the “paramountcy” principle must remain the central theme during all phases across our lifespan: “DEAREST KRSNA KINDLY ENGAGE ME IN YOUR DEVOTIONAL SERVICE”.
On our farm we have a dog. When working with our dog I have reflected on the nature of the master/servant relationship. His job is to be helpful, attentive in his duty. When on task he is very helpful. During his presence the cows know it’s time to move. Neighbouring cows who venture onto our property are much easier to return to their respective pasturing grounds with the help of his barking. He saves us leg work – he saves our breath.
When distracted he is most unhelpful. Rather than listening for commands he is busy chasing birds in the sky. Completely absorbed in their flying he is busy strategizing how he can bring them to earth. Needless to say his meditation is fruitless. Rather than being helpful, his distracted musing is plain annoying.
One might say that I should be kind and encourage him to pursue his dreams, let him use his energy chasing birds, that real love is to support him to feel happiness in his temporary body. But, for me personally, I would rather have a disciplined, effective helper on the farm. To me, that’s the point of his existence in my world.
With this in mind, I aspire to be an effective disciple to you, Gurudeva. It’s all too easy to become distracted- lifetime after lifetime. So many phantasmagorias to pursue. But what a waste. Like rounding up a herd of scattered cows, the mission bestowed to you by your spiritual master requires energy, focus, loyalty, genuine commitment and love. I aspire to focus on the task at hand.
Praying to become a helpful assistant,
Rasayatra dasi
Rodney "Deuce" Bowles
Dearest Devamrita Swami Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
I feel so humbled, unworthy, but thankful to have a great soul like you in my life as a spiritual master, teacher and guide.
I read this today, and related so much as I look at my almost 10 year journey.
bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad
isad apetasya viparyayo 'smritih
tan-mayayato budha abhajet tam
bhaktyaikayesam guru-devatatma
“Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the living entity thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as a servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called maya. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotional service of the Lord, under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, whom he should accept as his worshipable deity and as his very life and soul.”
The spiritual master is truly the crown jewel of this universe and even moreso when you consider this age of Kali-Yuga where there seems to be no light and unlimited confusion. I read this verse and saw myself in it. I can so easily recollect the gnawing feelings within my mind of being completely lost and anxious, feeling like I had nothing to exist for, and despite all my best efforts to enjoy this world feeling absolutely hopeless as it seemed like there no real satisfaction to be found. And unfortunately, just like a mad person, going back again and again hoping that each time would be different just to realize that I was chewing the chewed. You were there through a lot of this journey and because of your boundless patience, mercy, darshans, encouragement and wisdom over many years, you completely changed my life and helped me to see some real light, find actual inspiration for life, and truly taste some love for Krsna that for so long I had been yearning.
I am so grateful for you on this Vyasa-Puja as your presence alone has helped and inspired me in so many ways to truly anchor my intelligence in real knowledge. And because of this, I am so eternally grateful to you. I hope and look forward to spending the rest of my days in your service as my feeble attempt to reciprocate some of that mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Deuce
Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
I feel so humbled, unworthy, but thankful to have a great soul like you in my life as a spiritual master, teacher and guide.
I read this today, and related so much as I look at my almost 10 year journey.
bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad
isad apetasya viparyayo 'smritih
tan-mayayato budha abhajet tam
bhaktyaikayesam guru-devatatma
“Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the living entity thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as a servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called maya. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotional service of the Lord, under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, whom he should accept as his worshipable deity and as his very life and soul.”
The spiritual master is truly the crown jewel of this universe and even moreso when you consider this age of Kali-Yuga where there seems to be no light and unlimited confusion. I read this verse and saw myself in it. I can so easily recollect the gnawing feelings within my mind of being completely lost and anxious, feeling like I had nothing to exist for, and despite all my best efforts to enjoy this world feeling absolutely hopeless as it seemed like there no real satisfaction to be found. And unfortunately, just like a mad person, going back again and again hoping that each time would be different just to realize that I was chewing the chewed. You were there through a lot of this journey and because of your boundless patience, mercy, darshans, encouragement and wisdom over many years, you completely changed my life and helped me to see some real light, find actual inspiration for life, and truly taste some love for Krsna that for so long I had been yearning.
I am so grateful for you on this Vyasa-Puja as your presence alone has helped and inspired me in so many ways to truly anchor my intelligence in real knowledge. And because of this, I am so eternally grateful to you. I hope and look forward to spending the rest of my days in your service as my feeble attempt to reciprocate some of that mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Deuce
Roop Madhurya Das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
Dandvat Pranam.
I don't have the words nor the qualification to describe or understand your exalted position. All I know for sure is that you are my only shelter. By your grace only, I have the strength to engage in Vaishnav Seva and with your blessings only I can reach my goal. You are so merciful to all without any discrimination. Your saintly qualities are rareto find and you are so merciful that only you had given me shelter. I am so fallen Guru Maharaj.
On this auspicious day, I beg the Lord to always keep me at your lotus feet and I beg you to continue giving me your mercy so that one day I will actually realise the Holy Name. I pray for your long life and good health always. Hare Krishna
Your Servant
Roop Madhurya Das
Dandvat Pranam.
I don't have the words nor the qualification to describe or understand your exalted position. All I know for sure is that you are my only shelter. By your grace only, I have the strength to engage in Vaishnav Seva and with your blessings only I can reach my goal. You are so merciful to all without any discrimination. Your saintly qualities are rareto find and you are so merciful that only you had given me shelter. I am so fallen Guru Maharaj.
On this auspicious day, I beg the Lord to always keep me at your lotus feet and I beg you to continue giving me your mercy so that one day I will actually realise the Holy Name. I pray for your long life and good health always. Hare Krishna
Your Servant
Roop Madhurya Das
Rudrarama Pandit das
Nama om Vishnu-padaya
Krishna-pressthaya bhu tale
Srimate Devamrita
Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Parathatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca ten amah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and onto the dust of your lotus feet
“When you were a teenager, did you ever wonder what your future would be like?”
This is a question you asked while you were answering one devotee’s question.
This struck me with wonder and I thought about myself. What did I think my life would be when I was teenage?
Q: Did I think practicing Krishna conscious, becoming a servant?
A: No way!
So what did I think…
I was thinking for successful life in my teenage.
Q: What was my success?
A: Financial success
Q: What was my goal?
A: Karōshi (overwork death)
I was working so hard, nearly karōshi (about 20 hours a day for about a year) due to being completely convinced that financial success brings me happiness.
This must be one of the result from this heavily economic based society and kali yuga.
According to Harvard Business Review released below statistics about success, Financial Success seem to be common among some men.
<img src="/assets/epub/rrp6-1.png" width="550px">
People work so hard for so called success. I could see among my co-workers who work so hard to achieve their goal.
So how could I change from such a materialistic mind to spiritual practice?
You explained in your class 2001, comparing happiness of business man who graduated from Todai (Tokyo university) – one of the top notch university - against a man who withdrew from high school and simply sweeping Hare Krishna temple every day.
I would never forget first time I chanted maha mantra, executed devotional service and talked with you.
Gurudeva, you saved me!
Hopefully I can change my life from karōshi to karoti, someone who perform or support guru.
Please forgive any short coming or insufficiency and please be patient with my slow progress. You gave me so much mercy in your recent visit. You seemed to be happy and encouraging my tiny effort. I was so happy and realised finally I am doing right thing.
So it is clear my success is….
“Make you happy”
Since I don’t have any skills or ability to make you happy so I would like to offer you below community achievement for your pleasure.
<img src="/assets/epub/rrp6-2.png" width="550px">
<img src="/assets/epub/rrp6-3.png" width="550px">
Trying to be your servant of servant
Rudrarama Pandit Dasa
Krishna-pressthaya bhu tale
Srimate Devamrita
Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Parathatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca ten amah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and onto the dust of your lotus feet
“When you were a teenager, did you ever wonder what your future would be like?”
This is a question you asked while you were answering one devotee’s question.
This struck me with wonder and I thought about myself. What did I think my life would be when I was teenage?
Q: Did I think practicing Krishna conscious, becoming a servant?
A: No way!
So what did I think…
I was thinking for successful life in my teenage.
Q: What was my success?
A: Financial success
Q: What was my goal?
A: Karōshi (overwork death)
I was working so hard, nearly karōshi (about 20 hours a day for about a year) due to being completely convinced that financial success brings me happiness.
This must be one of the result from this heavily economic based society and kali yuga.
According to Harvard Business Review released below statistics about success, Financial Success seem to be common among some men.
<img src="/assets/epub/rrp6-1.png" width="550px">
People work so hard for so called success. I could see among my co-workers who work so hard to achieve their goal.
So how could I change from such a materialistic mind to spiritual practice?
You explained in your class 2001, comparing happiness of business man who graduated from Todai (Tokyo university) – one of the top notch university - against a man who withdrew from high school and simply sweeping Hare Krishna temple every day.
I would never forget first time I chanted maha mantra, executed devotional service and talked with you.
Gurudeva, you saved me!
Hopefully I can change my life from karōshi to karoti, someone who perform or support guru.
Please forgive any short coming or insufficiency and please be patient with my slow progress. You gave me so much mercy in your recent visit. You seemed to be happy and encouraging my tiny effort. I was so happy and realised finally I am doing right thing.
So it is clear my success is….
“Make you happy”
Since I don’t have any skills or ability to make you happy so I would like to offer you below community achievement for your pleasure.
<img src="/assets/epub/rrp6-2.png" width="550px">
<img src="/assets/epub/rrp6-3.png" width="550px">
Trying to be your servant of servant
Rudrarama Pandit Dasa
Rupamrita-sindhu das
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet on this auspicious day of Your 68th Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your transcendental adventures all over the world!
nama om visnu-pädäya krsna-prasthaya bhü-tale
Srimati Devämrita-svämin iti nämine
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, and continuing to give us shelter even though You know well my anarthas. I have to repeat again this year, that this is the greatest evidence of Krsna’s causeless mercy, since I know that I deserve none of Your blessings.
This year we were showered with some extreme mercy. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to have Your personal association and to serve You, right here in Dallas. It has been a few years since Your last visit, and it was worth the long wait!
While You stayed at HG Nityanananda Prabhuji’s residence my wife and I had the opportunity to serve You by helping in the daily cooking and running errands. While we relished the opportunity to serve You, at every step, HG Manjuali Mataji would explain to us the loftiness of service to Guru. Our realizations and spiritual consciousness were deepened as a result. The precious memories linger, giving us joy, as well as hope for the mercy of Your personal association.
The program at the temple was full of nectar and mercy. Devotees that were fortunate to have heard Your nectar were hankering for more. Our older daughter, Sunita, and her friend, Cynthia, were one of the fortunate souls. They were moved by Your words and presence. We are so grateful for Your guidance and advice to both of us as well as our daughters.
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 neophyte 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 68th Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your transcendental adventures all over the world!
nama om visnu-pädäya krsna-prasthaya bhü-tale
Srimati Devämrita-svämin iti nämine
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, and continuing to give us shelter even though You know well my anarthas. I have to repeat again this year, that this is the greatest evidence of Krsna’s causeless mercy, since I know that I deserve none of Your blessings.
This year we were showered with some extreme mercy. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to have Your personal association and to serve You, right here in Dallas. It has been a few years since Your last visit, and it was worth the long wait!
While You stayed at HG Nityanananda Prabhuji’s residence my wife and I had the opportunity to serve You by helping in the daily cooking and running errands. While we relished the opportunity to serve You, at every step, HG Manjuali Mataji would explain to us the loftiness of service to Guru. Our realizations and spiritual consciousness were deepened as a result. The precious memories linger, giving us joy, as well as hope for the mercy of Your personal association.
The program at the temple was full of nectar and mercy. Devotees that were fortunate to have heard Your nectar were hankering for more. Our older daughter, Sunita, and her friend, Cynthia, were one of the fortunate souls. They were moved by Your words and presence. We are so grateful for Your guidance and advice to both of us as well as our daughters.
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 neophyte 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
SUDHA SINDHU DEVI DASI
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please Accept My humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet !
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to you Maharaj.
All Glories to your auspicious appearance day!
Nama om Vishnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine.
Pracare purva daksyam ca Bhaktacara pravinata
Parathatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah.
I am very thankful and fortunate to have the shelter of the spiritual master of your caliber who is always engaged in serving all humanity so that they can be engaged in loving devotional service to the transcendental Lord.
Please bless me so that I do my foremost duty to always lovingly serve servants of your servants to the best of my ability.
I pray for your long and healthy life so that you can inspire, correct and guide us, and continue in accomplishing the mission you have taken up.
Maharaj , I don’t have words to express my gratefulness to you for remembering and being anxious about well being of insignificant servant like me.
With full respect, gratitude and heartfelt love.
Your servant,
Sudha Sindhu devi dasi
Please Accept My humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet !
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to you Maharaj.
All Glories to your auspicious appearance day!
Nama om Vishnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine.
Pracare purva daksyam ca Bhaktacara pravinata
Parathatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah.
I am very thankful and fortunate to have the shelter of the spiritual master of your caliber who is always engaged in serving all humanity so that they can be engaged in loving devotional service to the transcendental Lord.
Please bless me so that I do my foremost duty to always lovingly serve servants of your servants to the best of my ability.
I pray for your long and healthy life so that you can inspire, correct and guide us, and continue in accomplishing the mission you have taken up.
Maharaj , I don’t have words to express my gratefulness to you for remembering and being anxious about well being of insignificant servant like me.
With full respect, gratitude and heartfelt love.
Your servant,
Sudha Sindhu devi dasi
Sachi Dulal das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
You are an exemplary acharya living the verses of the Chaitanya Charitamrita. In particular, you demonstrate deep attachment to chanting the holy name while simultaneously advancing the outreach mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in dynamic and innovative ways. This, we known from the mouth of Sanatana Goswami (C.C. Antya 4. 101-103), is the verifiable sign of an uttama-devotee, someone who is qualified to be spiritual master of the entire world.
Yet, even among uttama-devotees, you are exemplary. At the risk of being labeled a Guru-groupie, I must say that you, Gurudeva, are unmatched in the ability to reach out to the hearts and minds of the twenty-first century post-modern generation. When most of western ISKCON has largely resigned itself to catering to the pious Indian diaspora, you continue to blaze outreach trails into the increasingly apatheistic Western market democracies. The result of your endeavour is there for all to see: in your Mantra/Bhakti Lounge model, we have the most successful Western outreach program in ISKCON in the last two decades.
Covered by a crazed mind and an insidious ahankara, I am yet to taste or fully appreciate the matchless gifts that you have bestowed upon me. In the matchless words of Srila Prabhodhananda Saraswati:
“It is Kali-yuga, and our enemies the senses are powerful. In this world, the path of bhakti is spiked with millions of thorny obstacles. O Caitanya-candra, if You do not bestow Your mercy on me today, then being confused, where will I go and what will I do?” (Caitanya-candramrta 49)
But the only way to obtain the mercy of Caitanya-candra is by pleasing his pure servants. So today, I am begging to be forgiven for all my offenses at your lotus feet, I am begging for the determination and intelligence to continue trying to serve your instructions. Even though I am fully endowed with all the faults inherent in conditioned souls, I have hope against hope that in some future birth, your mercy combined with the mercy of Caitanya-candra will take effect: my entanglement in this world will end, I will wake up from the dream that is samsara and my real life—the life of bhakti—will begin.
Your aspiring servant,
Sachi Dulal das.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
You are an exemplary acharya living the verses of the Chaitanya Charitamrita. In particular, you demonstrate deep attachment to chanting the holy name while simultaneously advancing the outreach mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in dynamic and innovative ways. This, we known from the mouth of Sanatana Goswami (C.C. Antya 4. 101-103), is the verifiable sign of an uttama-devotee, someone who is qualified to be spiritual master of the entire world.
Yet, even among uttama-devotees, you are exemplary. At the risk of being labeled a Guru-groupie, I must say that you, Gurudeva, are unmatched in the ability to reach out to the hearts and minds of the twenty-first century post-modern generation. When most of western ISKCON has largely resigned itself to catering to the pious Indian diaspora, you continue to blaze outreach trails into the increasingly apatheistic Western market democracies. The result of your endeavour is there for all to see: in your Mantra/Bhakti Lounge model, we have the most successful Western outreach program in ISKCON in the last two decades.
Covered by a crazed mind and an insidious ahankara, I am yet to taste or fully appreciate the matchless gifts that you have bestowed upon me. In the matchless words of Srila Prabhodhananda Saraswati:
“It is Kali-yuga, and our enemies the senses are powerful. In this world, the path of bhakti is spiked with millions of thorny obstacles. O Caitanya-candra, if You do not bestow Your mercy on me today, then being confused, where will I go and what will I do?” (Caitanya-candramrta 49)
But the only way to obtain the mercy of Caitanya-candra is by pleasing his pure servants. So today, I am begging to be forgiven for all my offenses at your lotus feet, I am begging for the determination and intelligence to continue trying to serve your instructions. Even though I am fully endowed with all the faults inherent in conditioned souls, I have hope against hope that in some future birth, your mercy combined with the mercy of Caitanya-candra will take effect: my entanglement in this world will end, I will wake up from the dream that is samsara and my real life—the life of bhakti—will begin.
Your aspiring servant,
Sachi Dulal das.
Sachidevi devi dasi
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
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my very humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your glorious appearance.
It is the fashion in the material world to bask in one’s own so-called glories. The endeavour is so wired that one gets pleasure from seeing that others buy into the image one tries to portray.
Indeed, this is a miserly life. What is the good in trying to relish the temporary trinkets offered by the material nature, when one can simply meditate on the glory of the lotus feet of the spiritual master eternally, and derive unlimited bliss and realization by doing so?
This is an uncommon, unnatural occurrence in the material world, but, as you have so eloquently put it, we are all hiding in unnatural happiness.
In the course of distributing your book, so many people have asked me that “I don’t get this title?” But it is a simple fact of material life - that we are scrounging for some artificial sense of pleasure. Little do most living entities know that our natural position is sac-cid-ananda - eternity, knowledge and bliss.
It is nothing less than natural to bask in the glories of the Supreme Lord and His most confidential servitors.
Only by your mercy, with the torchlight of knowledge you have kindly lit in my dulled consciousness, am I starting to perceive in a very remote way what is the substance that is real happiness and real love and care - unavailable in the material atmosphere, unknown to the conditioned souls that populate this cloud of the material manifestation.
I was reflecting on a part of one of Srila Prabhupada’s purports:
“There is a nice story about Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī. He had a touchstone with him, and this stone was left in a pile of refuse. A needy man took it, but later on wondered why the valuable stone was kept in such a neglected place. He therefore asked him for the most valuable thing, and then he was given the holy name of the Lord. Akiñcana means one who has nothing to give materially. A factual devotee, or mahātmā, does not give anything material to anyone because he has already left all material assets. He can, however, deliver the supreme asset, namely the Personality of Godhead, because He is the only property of a factual devotee. The touchstone of Sanātana Gosvāmī, which was thrown in the rubbish, was not the property of the Gosvāmī, otherwise it would not have been kept in such a place. This specific example is given for the neophyte devotees just to convince them that material hankerings and spiritual advancement go ill together. Unless one is able to see everything as spiritual in relation with the Supreme Lord, one must always distinguish between spirit and matter.”
“Krsna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply your servant running behind you shouting, ‘Krsna! Krsna!’”
Anytime I have approached you seeking guidance in any regard, you have never given me anything but Krishna. You have always allowed me to see the fault in my airy-fairy consciousness, and always allowed me to access higher and higher shelter of you, the devotees, and the Supreme Lord.
I cannot fathom a day without your care.
It has been five years in your all-encompassing shelter, and my life has completely changed forever.
How is it that someone so fallen, someone “so completely bewildered,” as you say, could have ever even begun to make their way out of the dense darkness of ignorance, of delusion, and turn back towards Krishna, after spending so many lifetimes ignoring and forgetting Him? This is practically inconceivable, and indeed, it’s actually impossible, but you, my dear spiritual father, are all-glorious in your service to the Supreme Lord, determined and unfailing in your efforts, and you can transform the hearts of such wretched, unfortunate souls very easily, by pouring the greatest fortune into their lives, flooding their ears and hearts with transcendental sound vibration . Though it may be such a foreign substance to the deluded soul, you instil great faith and understanding of the rare gift that is the holy name of Krishna, and service to that Supreme Lord.
It is astonishing to watch the work of art that is your ability to inspire the flame of bhakti desire in so many hearts.
Every program at Mantra Lounge, at the Titiksava Karunika Ashram, every word you throw someone’s way they are willing and eager to catch with all their might, with all their hearts, and thus their journey towards full surrender is sped into full acceleration. Your expertise is a constant factor of amazement for my limited scope of realization and understanding, and I am so grateful that you have granted all of us here so much of your association to be able to see what it’s like to live a life dedicated to Guru and Krishna.
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
What have I got that you have not given? The answer is simple: there is nothing good in my life that hasn’t come from anywhere but the flow of your mercy.
Though completely incapable in every way, though so completely spaced out by so much illicit activity in the material world, somehow I find myself in your home, in your family, in Krishna’s abode, in the association of such advanced, saintly devotees. Who else could perform such a grand miracle?
As you recently pointed out, I was in such a bewildered, dull and stone-like condition that I could barely even do anything for you. Still, somehow or other, you allowed me to offer some service at your lotus feet, though so insignificant, and by such a benediction, I’m still around, trying to become a sharp instrument for your pleasure and for your use in the service of the Lord. Who else but such a personality as you could navigate my lack of consciousness with such expertise as to finally wake me up after so many lifetimes of deep sleep?
So many lifetimes have I spent digging through the refuse of material sense gratification, with not even a hint of intelligence. But by dint of your causeless mercy, you have granted me the crest jewel of life - a chance at pure loving devotional service to Krishna, the ultimate goal of human life.
kṛṣṇa-viṣayaka premā—parama puruṣārtha
yāra āge tṛṇa-tulya cāri puruṣārtha
“ ‘Religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation are known as the four goals of life, but before love of Godhead, the fifth and highest goal, these appear as insignificant as straw in the street.
pañcama puruṣārtha—premānandāmṛta-sindhu
mokṣādi ānanda yāra nahe eka bindu
“ ‘For a devotee who has actually developed bhāva, the pleasure derived from dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa appears like a drop in the presence of the sea.
CC, Adi Lila, 7.84-85
In the past (very few) years that I have somehow or other been allowed to stick around in devotional service, I have seen so many people come and go.
Coming so close to Krishna, they’re hit with a crossroads - will it be maya, or Krishna? Everyday that passes in my humble attempts at service I am seeing how actually, this is a choice one makes at every second of every day. In executing devotional service, I am seeing that my greatest wealth and my greatest spiritual insurance and reassurance is my ability to say that I am your servant, Gurudeva. I am completely yours, and whatever I do, I aspire to do for you, for your pleasure.
A scary, miserable, pointless life is a life lived for some temporary character in the replay movie of material life, that is a life lived in vain. But your mercy has extended so far that it has reached my dried up heart and given it an eternal life worth living.
Please accept my tiny, limited realization of your glory, though there is no way to do your mercy and character any justice through my insignificant words, and please give me the benediction of surrender at your precious lotus feet. Please award me the king of all occupations - devotional service - and help me be greedy for the overwhelming ocean of devotional service.
Please give me the strength and intelligence to stay fixed - especially through my early 20s.
Please be merciful unto me, your unworthy servant, and purify me of the unwanted dirt and knots in my heart.
I have grieved for so many things this life and past lives, now let me have the greatest anxiety, a worth-it anxiety - that I lose my contact with your lotus feet - my greatest treasure. Please let all of my heart’s energies be reposed in nothing but this invaluable service that you have us engaged in. I only long for this, and pray to have no desire for anything else.
Your daughter, aspiring servant and humble beggar,
Sachidevi devi dasi
krishna presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita-
svamin iti namine
pracare 'purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my very humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your glorious appearance.
It is the fashion in the material world to bask in one’s own so-called glories. The endeavour is so wired that one gets pleasure from seeing that others buy into the image one tries to portray.
Indeed, this is a miserly life. What is the good in trying to relish the temporary trinkets offered by the material nature, when one can simply meditate on the glory of the lotus feet of the spiritual master eternally, and derive unlimited bliss and realization by doing so?
This is an uncommon, unnatural occurrence in the material world, but, as you have so eloquently put it, we are all hiding in unnatural happiness.
In the course of distributing your book, so many people have asked me that “I don’t get this title?” But it is a simple fact of material life - that we are scrounging for some artificial sense of pleasure. Little do most living entities know that our natural position is sac-cid-ananda - eternity, knowledge and bliss.
It is nothing less than natural to bask in the glories of the Supreme Lord and His most confidential servitors.
Only by your mercy, with the torchlight of knowledge you have kindly lit in my dulled consciousness, am I starting to perceive in a very remote way what is the substance that is real happiness and real love and care - unavailable in the material atmosphere, unknown to the conditioned souls that populate this cloud of the material manifestation.
I was reflecting on a part of one of Srila Prabhupada’s purports:
“There is a nice story about Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī. He had a touchstone with him, and this stone was left in a pile of refuse. A needy man took it, but later on wondered why the valuable stone was kept in such a neglected place. He therefore asked him for the most valuable thing, and then he was given the holy name of the Lord. Akiñcana means one who has nothing to give materially. A factual devotee, or mahātmā, does not give anything material to anyone because he has already left all material assets. He can, however, deliver the supreme asset, namely the Personality of Godhead, because He is the only property of a factual devotee. The touchstone of Sanātana Gosvāmī, which was thrown in the rubbish, was not the property of the Gosvāmī, otherwise it would not have been kept in such a place. This specific example is given for the neophyte devotees just to convince them that material hankerings and spiritual advancement go ill together. Unless one is able to see everything as spiritual in relation with the Supreme Lord, one must always distinguish between spirit and matter.”
“Krsna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply your servant running behind you shouting, ‘Krsna! Krsna!’”
Anytime I have approached you seeking guidance in any regard, you have never given me anything but Krishna. You have always allowed me to see the fault in my airy-fairy consciousness, and always allowed me to access higher and higher shelter of you, the devotees, and the Supreme Lord.
I cannot fathom a day without your care.
It has been five years in your all-encompassing shelter, and my life has completely changed forever.
How is it that someone so fallen, someone “so completely bewildered,” as you say, could have ever even begun to make their way out of the dense darkness of ignorance, of delusion, and turn back towards Krishna, after spending so many lifetimes ignoring and forgetting Him? This is practically inconceivable, and indeed, it’s actually impossible, but you, my dear spiritual father, are all-glorious in your service to the Supreme Lord, determined and unfailing in your efforts, and you can transform the hearts of such wretched, unfortunate souls very easily, by pouring the greatest fortune into their lives, flooding their ears and hearts with transcendental sound vibration . Though it may be such a foreign substance to the deluded soul, you instil great faith and understanding of the rare gift that is the holy name of Krishna, and service to that Supreme Lord.
It is astonishing to watch the work of art that is your ability to inspire the flame of bhakti desire in so many hearts.
Every program at Mantra Lounge, at the Titiksava Karunika Ashram, every word you throw someone’s way they are willing and eager to catch with all their might, with all their hearts, and thus their journey towards full surrender is sped into full acceleration. Your expertise is a constant factor of amazement for my limited scope of realization and understanding, and I am so grateful that you have granted all of us here so much of your association to be able to see what it’s like to live a life dedicated to Guru and Krishna.
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
What have I got that you have not given? The answer is simple: there is nothing good in my life that hasn’t come from anywhere but the flow of your mercy.
Though completely incapable in every way, though so completely spaced out by so much illicit activity in the material world, somehow I find myself in your home, in your family, in Krishna’s abode, in the association of such advanced, saintly devotees. Who else could perform such a grand miracle?
As you recently pointed out, I was in such a bewildered, dull and stone-like condition that I could barely even do anything for you. Still, somehow or other, you allowed me to offer some service at your lotus feet, though so insignificant, and by such a benediction, I’m still around, trying to become a sharp instrument for your pleasure and for your use in the service of the Lord. Who else but such a personality as you could navigate my lack of consciousness with such expertise as to finally wake me up after so many lifetimes of deep sleep?
So many lifetimes have I spent digging through the refuse of material sense gratification, with not even a hint of intelligence. But by dint of your causeless mercy, you have granted me the crest jewel of life - a chance at pure loving devotional service to Krishna, the ultimate goal of human life.
kṛṣṇa-viṣayaka premā—parama puruṣārtha
yāra āge tṛṇa-tulya cāri puruṣārtha
“ ‘Religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation are known as the four goals of life, but before love of Godhead, the fifth and highest goal, these appear as insignificant as straw in the street.
pañcama puruṣārtha—premānandāmṛta-sindhu
mokṣādi ānanda yāra nahe eka bindu
“ ‘For a devotee who has actually developed bhāva, the pleasure derived from dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa appears like a drop in the presence of the sea.
CC, Adi Lila, 7.84-85
In the past (very few) years that I have somehow or other been allowed to stick around in devotional service, I have seen so many people come and go.
Coming so close to Krishna, they’re hit with a crossroads - will it be maya, or Krishna? Everyday that passes in my humble attempts at service I am seeing how actually, this is a choice one makes at every second of every day. In executing devotional service, I am seeing that my greatest wealth and my greatest spiritual insurance and reassurance is my ability to say that I am your servant, Gurudeva. I am completely yours, and whatever I do, I aspire to do for you, for your pleasure.
A scary, miserable, pointless life is a life lived for some temporary character in the replay movie of material life, that is a life lived in vain. But your mercy has extended so far that it has reached my dried up heart and given it an eternal life worth living.
Please accept my tiny, limited realization of your glory, though there is no way to do your mercy and character any justice through my insignificant words, and please give me the benediction of surrender at your precious lotus feet. Please award me the king of all occupations - devotional service - and help me be greedy for the overwhelming ocean of devotional service.
Please give me the strength and intelligence to stay fixed - especially through my early 20s.
Please be merciful unto me, your unworthy servant, and purify me of the unwanted dirt and knots in my heart.
I have grieved for so many things this life and past lives, now let me have the greatest anxiety, a worth-it anxiety - that I lose my contact with your lotus feet - my greatest treasure. Please let all of my heart’s energies be reposed in nothing but this invaluable service that you have us engaged in. I only long for this, and pray to have no desire for anything else.
Your daughter, aspiring servant and humble beggar,
Sachidevi devi dasi
Sadhu-marga dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Guru Maharaj, I am very happy to be your disciple and I am very grateful that by your mercy I have been connected to the parampara of Sri-Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya.
In this very amazing sampradaya, Sri Krishna Bhagavan performed His pastimes as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu together with His associates and servants and distributed the very rear Vraja-bhakti very generously.
In CC (Adi-lila 1.60) Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami quotes a wonderful verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada wrote such a perfect purport to this verse, giving perfect instructions in a very clear and easy-to-understand way.
“The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion.”
Purport:
This verse appears in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25), where Kapiladeva replies to the questions of His mother, Devahūti, about the process of devotional service. As one advance in devotional activities, the process becomes progressively clearer and more encouraging. 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. Initially, one must develop confidence by hearing the science of devotion from a qualified spiritual master. Then, as he associates with devotees and tries to adopt the means instructed by the spiritual master in his own life, his misgivings and other obstacles are vanquished by his execution of devotional service. Strong attachment for the transcendental service of the Lord develops as he continues listening to the messages of Godhead, and if he steadfastly proceeds in this way, he is certainly elevated to spontaneous love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
It is interesting that Prabhupada says here that the way to develop a relationship with one’s guru, cleanse one’s heart from material attachments and please Krishna is by listening carefully to the instruction of the guru and then try to apply it in one’s life.
Another interesting point he makes is that it is important to associate with devotees, always offer them respects and try to serve them.
Knowing the tendencies of conditioned souls here in the material world, who by default, even while following a spiritual path, hope to get material facilities and a relief from sufferings, Srila Prabhupada adds one more point to make it conclusive. He points out what will be the goal of following his instructions, which is to be established in pure devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada knows perfectly the conclusion of the scriptures, he also followed them perfectly and he gives us these teachings in a perfect way.
I am so happy that I am connected with Srila Prabhupada through you and it is so wonderful to see how you have dedicated with complete surrender your mind, body, and words to the service of Srila Prabhupada in such an exemplary way and how much you labor to distribute the teaching of Srila Prabhupada to the conditioned souls.
Thank you very much.
Please be patient with me, I try, to some degree, to become a devotee, but still, I commit countless offenses every day to the guru, Vaishnavas, Deity and the Holy Name.
Your servant,
Sadhu-marga das
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Guru Maharaj, I am very happy to be your disciple and I am very grateful that by your mercy I have been connected to the parampara of Sri-Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya.
In this very amazing sampradaya, Sri Krishna Bhagavan performed His pastimes as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu together with His associates and servants and distributed the very rear Vraja-bhakti very generously.
In CC (Adi-lila 1.60) Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami quotes a wonderful verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada wrote such a perfect purport to this verse, giving perfect instructions in a very clear and easy-to-understand way.
“The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion.”
Purport:
This verse appears in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.25), where Kapiladeva replies to the questions of His mother, Devahūti, about the process of devotional service. As one advance in devotional activities, the process becomes progressively clearer and more encouraging. 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. Initially, one must develop confidence by hearing the science of devotion from a qualified spiritual master. Then, as he associates with devotees and tries to adopt the means instructed by the spiritual master in his own life, his misgivings and other obstacles are vanquished by his execution of devotional service. Strong attachment for the transcendental service of the Lord develops as he continues listening to the messages of Godhead, and if he steadfastly proceeds in this way, he is certainly elevated to spontaneous love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
It is interesting that Prabhupada says here that the way to develop a relationship with one’s guru, cleanse one’s heart from material attachments and please Krishna is by listening carefully to the instruction of the guru and then try to apply it in one’s life.
Another interesting point he makes is that it is important to associate with devotees, always offer them respects and try to serve them.
Knowing the tendencies of conditioned souls here in the material world, who by default, even while following a spiritual path, hope to get material facilities and a relief from sufferings, Srila Prabhupada adds one more point to make it conclusive. He points out what will be the goal of following his instructions, which is to be established in pure devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada knows perfectly the conclusion of the scriptures, he also followed them perfectly and he gives us these teachings in a perfect way.
I am so happy that I am connected with Srila Prabhupada through you and it is so wonderful to see how you have dedicated with complete surrender your mind, body, and words to the service of Srila Prabhupada in such an exemplary way and how much you labor to distribute the teaching of Srila Prabhupada to the conditioned souls.
Thank you very much.
Please be patient with me, I try, to some degree, to become a devotee, but still, I commit countless offenses every day to the guru, Vaishnavas, Deity and the Holy Name.
Your servant,
Sadhu-marga das
Sam Vennell
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
Over the past few weeks of your stay in Wellington, I have been again astonished at how your presence has so wonderfully uplifted and enlivened the Bhakti Lounge community, surcharging devotees with renewed spiritual vigour. It repeatedly astounds me how you present the highest pinnacle of life with such clarity and boldness, weaving the topmost philosophy together with idiosyncratic humour and down-to-earth practicality.
You unceasingly remind us practitioners to make the chanting of Hare Krishna the bedrock of our lives, to build our intelligence by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, and to determinedly engage our senses in giving Krishna Consciousness to others. These are not hollow words for you; you embody what you preach, having undertaken such extraordinary risk to spread Bhakti Yoga behind the iron curtain and demonstrating a genuine attachment to the holy name, never wasting a precious moment that can be utilised in devotional service.
Bhakti Lounge, your ingenious scheme to inundate 21st Century urban dwellers with the flood of Lord Gauranga’s mercy, “makes it easy” not only for the fortunate guests to come to Krishna Consciousness, but for the dedicated devotee staff, who work within a strong structure and surrounded by serious and sincere association, never being short of opportunities to engage in service.
You cannot remain always in our physical presence, having so many responsibilities as a veritable general in Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement, but “somehow or other, through service we are always together”. I pray to perceive your presence even in your absence, to cultivate this mood of service to you amidst whatever ups and downs the material tabernacle brings.
I also feel a deepening appreciation for your book “Bhakti-Bhava”, which is jam-packed with pearls of practical devotional wisdom. You direct and focus our spiritual vision, encouraging us to see whatever service that we have, big or small, as Krishna’s mercy and an opportunity to invest our heart with full care and attention. I hope to cultivate this sincere gratitude towards you, the devotees, Srila Prabhupada and ultimately Sri Krishna for mercifully engaging me and hence develop the compassionate desire to share this matchless gift with the lost souls struggling in material meaninglessness and frustration.
Thank you again for your compassionate and patient guidance. I hope to grow and develop as your servant in the years to come.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Sam
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
Over the past few weeks of your stay in Wellington, I have been again astonished at how your presence has so wonderfully uplifted and enlivened the Bhakti Lounge community, surcharging devotees with renewed spiritual vigour. It repeatedly astounds me how you present the highest pinnacle of life with such clarity and boldness, weaving the topmost philosophy together with idiosyncratic humour and down-to-earth practicality.
You unceasingly remind us practitioners to make the chanting of Hare Krishna the bedrock of our lives, to build our intelligence by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, and to determinedly engage our senses in giving Krishna Consciousness to others. These are not hollow words for you; you embody what you preach, having undertaken such extraordinary risk to spread Bhakti Yoga behind the iron curtain and demonstrating a genuine attachment to the holy name, never wasting a precious moment that can be utilised in devotional service.
Bhakti Lounge, your ingenious scheme to inundate 21st Century urban dwellers with the flood of Lord Gauranga’s mercy, “makes it easy” not only for the fortunate guests to come to Krishna Consciousness, but for the dedicated devotee staff, who work within a strong structure and surrounded by serious and sincere association, never being short of opportunities to engage in service.
You cannot remain always in our physical presence, having so many responsibilities as a veritable general in Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement, but “somehow or other, through service we are always together”. I pray to perceive your presence even in your absence, to cultivate this mood of service to you amidst whatever ups and downs the material tabernacle brings.
I also feel a deepening appreciation for your book “Bhakti-Bhava”, which is jam-packed with pearls of practical devotional wisdom. You direct and focus our spiritual vision, encouraging us to see whatever service that we have, big or small, as Krishna’s mercy and an opportunity to invest our heart with full care and attention. I hope to cultivate this sincere gratitude towards you, the devotees, Srila Prabhupada and ultimately Sri Krishna for mercifully engaging me and hence develop the compassionate desire to share this matchless gift with the lost souls struggling in material meaninglessness and frustration.
Thank you again for your compassionate and patient guidance. I hope to grow and develop as your servant in the years to come.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Sam
Sammohini devi dasi
Nama om visnu-padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Dear Guru Maharaja
Under your guidance and shelter I took Bhakti process and under your example trying to make my practice stronger every year.
Especially on your Vyasa Puja it is the only day, I think deeper about my own practice and how to improve it. As I feel that is the best way I can show my gratitude to how much you have done for my family.
I always wish to serve you more and even better.
During your last visit to Melbourne, you mentioned how to keep our enthusiasm in preaching especially in book distribution when people don’t understand the philosophy. You stressed the point that one never knows when you plant a seed when it will blossom or when you distribute a book in whose hands will it finally end.
This has been in my heart giving me the enthusiasm to preach more.
All glories to you and your services to Prabhupada and Lord Krishna.
Your eternal servant
Sammohini.dd
Srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Dear Guru Maharaja
Under your guidance and shelter I took Bhakti process and under your example trying to make my practice stronger every year.
Especially on your Vyasa Puja it is the only day, I think deeper about my own practice and how to improve it. As I feel that is the best way I can show my gratitude to how much you have done for my family.
I always wish to serve you more and even better.
During your last visit to Melbourne, you mentioned how to keep our enthusiasm in preaching especially in book distribution when people don’t understand the philosophy. You stressed the point that one never knows when you plant a seed when it will blossom or when you distribute a book in whose hands will it finally end.
This has been in my heart giving me the enthusiasm to preach more.
All glories to you and your services to Prabhupada and Lord Krishna.
Your eternal servant
Sammohini.dd
Sandrananda dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Material everyday exchanges are transformed into epic spiritual events such is the potency of such a great soul as yourself.
i savour these days where you are actually present with us giving us your kirtan and lectures where the bliss outpours onto all who are around.
you are really one of a kind and you are so good at being personal towards me.
I appreciate your dedication to preaching and your amazing service attitude towards fulfilling the mission of your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada.
I'm glad my kids are able to also take the mercy of your association.
i hope you enjoy your birthday.
from your servant
Sandrananda dd
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Material everyday exchanges are transformed into epic spiritual events such is the potency of such a great soul as yourself.
i savour these days where you are actually present with us giving us your kirtan and lectures where the bliss outpours onto all who are around.
you are really one of a kind and you are so good at being personal towards me.
I appreciate your dedication to preaching and your amazing service attitude towards fulfilling the mission of your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada.
I'm glad my kids are able to also take the mercy of your association.
i hope you enjoy your birthday.
from your servant
Sandrananda dd
Sankarasana Rama Das
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 Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisance’s in the dust of your lotus feet. On this most sacred day, I offer you my heart.
The mercy of a pure devotee is inconceivable. I have absolute confidence in this fact. With full faith in this reality, I come before you today with petition of an abject beggar: I am pleading for but one drop of your special mercy. My conviction is that if I can receive just one drop of your special mercy, then only I will be able to develop some taste for the holy name and chant sincerely, without committing offenses. Please give me the shade of your lotus feet and purify me.
Gurudev, as a neophyte and still in the beginning stage of Bhakti, I am not able to fully discharge your injunctions. I beg to you to please give me your mercy so one day I may be able follow them sincerely. My lack of significant service to your lotus feet, despite having all opportunity to perform it, sadly shows my lack of both surrender and humility. Your compassion is unlimited. You never abandon anyone who continues to approach you submissively with faith, no matter what his condition. I am just amazed at how you saved me. I can understand your saving others, but your saving me was an act of extraordinary mercy.
Even though I am often ashamed of myself, every time I look back and think about my past sinful activities and all the deep rooted anarthas I am still carrying within me, still the gift of Krishna consciousness which you have given me is so kind and sweet that I find myself singing and dancing again and again. Hearing the words emanating from your lotus mouth with unflinching faith is the medicine that cures the materially diseased heart. Following your instructions is the diet that nourishes our spiritual health and gives us the strength to keep moving forward in our spiritual life. You have taught us to take the shelter of the holy name, especially during difficult times.
jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
prāṇa nā rākhibo āra
“If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.”
Therefore I am praying that please continue to cast your mercy in my direction. Please don’t become indifferent to me or see me as a hopeless case, for my own I have no ability to overcome the waves of material energy that are repeatedly trying to distract me from my actual position as a servant of Krishna.
Praying on behalf of myself and my mother, please bless us that we can always stay on the path of Krishna consciousness and serve you till the end of our present life and the lives to come.
Your oceanic compassion will always be my saving grave and my only qualification.
Aspiring to become the servant of your servants,
Sankarsana Rama Das
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ,
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisance’s in the dust of your lotus feet. On this most sacred day, I offer you my heart.
The mercy of a pure devotee is inconceivable. I have absolute confidence in this fact. With full faith in this reality, I come before you today with petition of an abject beggar: I am pleading for but one drop of your special mercy. My conviction is that if I can receive just one drop of your special mercy, then only I will be able to develop some taste for the holy name and chant sincerely, without committing offenses. Please give me the shade of your lotus feet and purify me.
Gurudev, as a neophyte and still in the beginning stage of Bhakti, I am not able to fully discharge your injunctions. I beg to you to please give me your mercy so one day I may be able follow them sincerely. My lack of significant service to your lotus feet, despite having all opportunity to perform it, sadly shows my lack of both surrender and humility. Your compassion is unlimited. You never abandon anyone who continues to approach you submissively with faith, no matter what his condition. I am just amazed at how you saved me. I can understand your saving others, but your saving me was an act of extraordinary mercy.
Even though I am often ashamed of myself, every time I look back and think about my past sinful activities and all the deep rooted anarthas I am still carrying within me, still the gift of Krishna consciousness which you have given me is so kind and sweet that I find myself singing and dancing again and again. Hearing the words emanating from your lotus mouth with unflinching faith is the medicine that cures the materially diseased heart. Following your instructions is the diet that nourishes our spiritual health and gives us the strength to keep moving forward in our spiritual life. You have taught us to take the shelter of the holy name, especially during difficult times.
jogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
karuṇā nā hoile, kāndiyā kāndiyā,
prāṇa nā rākhibo āra
“If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.”
Therefore I am praying that please continue to cast your mercy in my direction. Please don’t become indifferent to me or see me as a hopeless case, for my own I have no ability to overcome the waves of material energy that are repeatedly trying to distract me from my actual position as a servant of Krishna.
Praying on behalf of myself and my mother, please bless us that we can always stay on the path of Krishna consciousness and serve you till the end of our present life and the lives to come.
Your oceanic compassion will always be my saving grave and my only qualification.
Aspiring to become the servant of your servants,
Sankarsana Rama Das
Santa-rupa devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhakta cara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
We are so privileged to have you once in a while with us in Wales.
And I'm especially fortunate to get the opportunity to walk the Bhakti path in the last part of this life.
Krishna's mercy is inconceivable.
To make you happy in my attempts to learn about Krishna; to deepen my hearing and go deeper into the Maha-Mantra is my only goal.
To share some off my humble realisations and be a wise friend to whomever comes through the door is one way to share my fortune with others.
Thank you for tolerating this aspiring servant.
All glories to your divine grace.
Your very grateful servant,
Santa-rupa devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhakta cara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
We are so privileged to have you once in a while with us in Wales.
And I'm especially fortunate to get the opportunity to walk the Bhakti path in the last part of this life.
Krishna's mercy is inconceivable.
To make you happy in my attempts to learn about Krishna; to deepen my hearing and go deeper into the Maha-Mantra is my only goal.
To share some off my humble realisations and be a wise friend to whomever comes through the door is one way to share my fortune with others.
Thank you for tolerating this aspiring servant.
All glories to your divine grace.
Your very grateful servant,
Santa-rupa devi dasi
Sarah Ballard
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto you on this most auspicious day of your appearance!
Almost two years ago when I first stumbled into Bhakti Lounge, bedraggled and bewildered, I wondered, is there anyone left who can be trusted in this world? I was completely apprehensive but the doubts soon filtered away when I began to rationally observe the fruits of your activities. I considered the energy I felt when I entered through the doors of Bhakti Lounge for the first time, it was as if stepping aboard a luminous bubble from another realm, curiously cushioned amongst the tamasic atmosphere of modern materialistic society. It appeared to be a shelter in which to gather real knowledge with no traces of exploitation that I could perceive. The compassion and integrity of the devotees was another factor that inspired me to push through the jabberings of my wary mind. Even then it persisted, “a scene too good to be true… ?”
Upon my first darshan with you, due to my layers of material conditioning I was startled by the directness of your words. My false ego wanted to kick up a fuss, but something within me wanted to persevere. Then reflecting some time later as my heart began to be cleansed in the devotional atmosphere of the Nandini ashram I realised, this swami talks no nonsense! You were simply being utterly merciful unto this bewildered spirit soul, delivering to my ears, not more nonsense, but just what I required to rise above those pangs of material misery. “Just Chant”, you sternly and plainly told me, just as a father directs the child to do the necessary.
Since then I have begun to see how this wonderful community fits into the bigger picture of the expansive family of ISKCON and the immense role you have played in its inception and growth. Every day seems to reveal another aspect of your glories, and yet I feel I will never know the extent of them. You are beyond my very limited scope.
What I do know is that I love to relish your nectarean kirtans. They inspire me to march up the hill with glee to the educational slaughterhouse as spiritual warrior armed with the shield of the Hare Krishna maha mantra, and also to run back down the hill in ecstasy towards the loving embrace of the devotees after the austerity of attending some obligatory evening event. Such is your potency.
You have the vision that enables you to expertly preach according to time, place and circumstance. Your books Searching for Vedic India and Hiding in Natural Happiness brilliantly cater to broad categories of persons, those who are curious and in search of knowledge, and those exhausted by the material energy. It was the literary marvel Searching for Vedic India that gave me the confirmation to go on and pursue Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental works.
I am eternally grateful for the challenging times in which I hear your voice. Even your advice is kaleidoscopic and each time I sit down to reflect on what you have said there is something more to garner from it. I am eternally grateful for the colour you have imbued into my reality and for the most beautiful statement I have ever heard - “The maha mantra is the sound of Krishna’s flute.” I have no idea how to comprehend this, but I look forward to continuing to dive into that transcendental sound vibration in search of connection with this eternal truth.
Most importantly, I thank you for the facility in which to associate with and serve the wonderful devotees - your kind, compassionate, magnanimous servants. They assisted most gracefully in drying me off after I was pulled out of the ocean of material existence by your mercy.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.”(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta: Madhya-līlā 19.151)
Thank you for saving me from the darkest path Gurudeva… I am so covered and ungrateful that for some time I could not understand even vaguely my great fortune of your association, and still I cannot realise what I have gained.
And now, even if this is too good to be true, even if this is the greatest ‘trick’, I don’t care because it would have to be the most beautiful trick in existence. This is the higher experience, the real deal, and this is how I have come to know you are someone I can trust, Gurudeva. And the proof goes on as I have newer experiences in Krishna Consciousness. There is nothing more heart-warming than seeing new visitors to Bhakti Lounge relishing the holy names as if stranded fish that have been put back into water and the faces of exhausted souls lighting up at the sound and sight of Harinama. Krishna is so kind that to my great relief, the Absolute Truth does indeed exist, and He is so mercifully available to everyone.
As I hear more and more about your instrumental role in dear Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, my reverence grows. Each time I listen to you discussing Krishna’s pastimes with such joviality and conviction the surreal haze of causeless mercy surrounds me all over again again. Why??? Krishna!! What did I do to obtain the opportunity to serve this selfless soul and sit at their lotus feet?
I pray that I can step up and assist you more directly in your mission by being present for those who come into contact with Krishna. I pray that I can get myself permanently together so that I can begin repaying my eternal debt to you in loving devotional service.
Longing for the time when I can take further instruction from you in Krishna’s service.
Your aspiring servant,
Sarah
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto you on this most auspicious day of your appearance!
Almost two years ago when I first stumbled into Bhakti Lounge, bedraggled and bewildered, I wondered, is there anyone left who can be trusted in this world? I was completely apprehensive but the doubts soon filtered away when I began to rationally observe the fruits of your activities. I considered the energy I felt when I entered through the doors of Bhakti Lounge for the first time, it was as if stepping aboard a luminous bubble from another realm, curiously cushioned amongst the tamasic atmosphere of modern materialistic society. It appeared to be a shelter in which to gather real knowledge with no traces of exploitation that I could perceive. The compassion and integrity of the devotees was another factor that inspired me to push through the jabberings of my wary mind. Even then it persisted, “a scene too good to be true… ?”
Upon my first darshan with you, due to my layers of material conditioning I was startled by the directness of your words. My false ego wanted to kick up a fuss, but something within me wanted to persevere. Then reflecting some time later as my heart began to be cleansed in the devotional atmosphere of the Nandini ashram I realised, this swami talks no nonsense! You were simply being utterly merciful unto this bewildered spirit soul, delivering to my ears, not more nonsense, but just what I required to rise above those pangs of material misery. “Just Chant”, you sternly and plainly told me, just as a father directs the child to do the necessary.
Since then I have begun to see how this wonderful community fits into the bigger picture of the expansive family of ISKCON and the immense role you have played in its inception and growth. Every day seems to reveal another aspect of your glories, and yet I feel I will never know the extent of them. You are beyond my very limited scope.
What I do know is that I love to relish your nectarean kirtans. They inspire me to march up the hill with glee to the educational slaughterhouse as spiritual warrior armed with the shield of the Hare Krishna maha mantra, and also to run back down the hill in ecstasy towards the loving embrace of the devotees after the austerity of attending some obligatory evening event. Such is your potency.
You have the vision that enables you to expertly preach according to time, place and circumstance. Your books Searching for Vedic India and Hiding in Natural Happiness brilliantly cater to broad categories of persons, those who are curious and in search of knowledge, and those exhausted by the material energy. It was the literary marvel Searching for Vedic India that gave me the confirmation to go on and pursue Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental works.
I am eternally grateful for the challenging times in which I hear your voice. Even your advice is kaleidoscopic and each time I sit down to reflect on what you have said there is something more to garner from it. I am eternally grateful for the colour you have imbued into my reality and for the most beautiful statement I have ever heard - “The maha mantra is the sound of Krishna’s flute.” I have no idea how to comprehend this, but I look forward to continuing to dive into that transcendental sound vibration in search of connection with this eternal truth.
Most importantly, I thank you for the facility in which to associate with and serve the wonderful devotees - your kind, compassionate, magnanimous servants. They assisted most gracefully in drying me off after I was pulled out of the ocean of material existence by your mercy.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.”(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta: Madhya-līlā 19.151)
Thank you for saving me from the darkest path Gurudeva… I am so covered and ungrateful that for some time I could not understand even vaguely my great fortune of your association, and still I cannot realise what I have gained.
And now, even if this is too good to be true, even if this is the greatest ‘trick’, I don’t care because it would have to be the most beautiful trick in existence. This is the higher experience, the real deal, and this is how I have come to know you are someone I can trust, Gurudeva. And the proof goes on as I have newer experiences in Krishna Consciousness. There is nothing more heart-warming than seeing new visitors to Bhakti Lounge relishing the holy names as if stranded fish that have been put back into water and the faces of exhausted souls lighting up at the sound and sight of Harinama. Krishna is so kind that to my great relief, the Absolute Truth does indeed exist, and He is so mercifully available to everyone.
As I hear more and more about your instrumental role in dear Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, my reverence grows. Each time I listen to you discussing Krishna’s pastimes with such joviality and conviction the surreal haze of causeless mercy surrounds me all over again again. Why??? Krishna!! What did I do to obtain the opportunity to serve this selfless soul and sit at their lotus feet?
I pray that I can step up and assist you more directly in your mission by being present for those who come into contact with Krishna. I pray that I can get myself permanently together so that I can begin repaying my eternal debt to you in loving devotional service.
Longing for the time when I can take further instruction from you in Krishna’s service.
Your aspiring servant,
Sarah
Satya saar devi dasi
Respected Guru Maharaja,
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to glorify you in the association of vaisnavas. Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. It is your divine grace's causeless mercy that you have lifted me up from the ocean of birth and death and engaged me in Krsna's devotional service. I feel that if it weren't for your causeless service we wouldn't have got the holy name of Krsna. I am eternally indebted to your divine grace for blessing my son Bhakti Sar Das and taking care of him.
Gurudev, you awaken us from our slumber by your brilliant classes. Our greatest fortune is that your presence is felt by hearing your talks. I pray that I always remember your instructions and never deviate from the auspicious path of devotional service that you have provided us. Please bless me to maintain my daily sadhna of attentive chanting, reading, hearing and association of devotees. My life is full of imperfections and shortcomings. Please forgive me for the offenses at your lotus feet. Thank you Guru Maharaj I pray for your good health.
Your servant
Satya saar devi dasi
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to glorify you in the association of vaisnavas. Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. It is your divine grace's causeless mercy that you have lifted me up from the ocean of birth and death and engaged me in Krsna's devotional service. I feel that if it weren't for your causeless service we wouldn't have got the holy name of Krsna. I am eternally indebted to your divine grace for blessing my son Bhakti Sar Das and taking care of him.
Gurudev, you awaken us from our slumber by your brilliant classes. Our greatest fortune is that your presence is felt by hearing your talks. I pray that I always remember your instructions and never deviate from the auspicious path of devotional service that you have provided us. Please bless me to maintain my daily sadhna of attentive chanting, reading, hearing and association of devotees. My life is full of imperfections and shortcomings. Please forgive me for the offenses at your lotus feet. Thank you Guru Maharaj I pray for your good health.
Your servant
Satya saar devi dasi
Saumya-mayī devi dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this special day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In a recent class you said that hearts are crying out for genuine, authentic interaction.
Millions of souls desperately seeking real connection and satisfaction.
"We don't want to rest in peace while others are suffering"- I once heard you say.
So when you heard the hearts cry you sprung right into action, without delay.
You established dynamic bhakti centres
- real connection hubs for empty hearts.
I can't perceive your depth of vision and compassion you've had from the very start.
We have all become so fortunate since we stepped through bhakti lounge door.
After being tossed by the waves of maya we finally washed up on the shore.
Freshly pulled from the ocean of exploitation our hearts so hard , but like you say we want to be for real.
but we had compromised, submitting to hypocrisy and fakeness as part of the Kali yuga deal.
So with hearts locked and guards up we begin on the Bhakti path.
You encourage us "bhakti yoga is therapy for the steel-framed heart."
You're an expert transcendental therapist, seeing our bhakti potential behind the steel frame.
Your powerful words and affectionate care gradually melt the frame away.
You help us break our steel conditioning and give us the key.
Dive deep in floods of service- "Bhaktya mam abhijānāti."
You compassionately teach us how we're sick and give us personal instructions how to regain our health.
You show us how to nourish our dry hearts- chant, hear and distribute Krishna to others- that's the real wealth.
Thank you for providing such an amazing centre where we can have genuine authentic interactions with all.
This company culture of care you've created is revolutionarily successful.
A new young female practitioner recently revealed "I always wondered what it would be like to have real friends in my life..
Now I know"- she said as she smiled at all the devotees- free from any strife.
You told me that serving Lord Caitanyas mission is the highest investment - the best pay.
I pray to realize my fortune and feel so grateful that you have engaged me in this way.
You're a powerhouse general in this mission, but have a heart like a Bengali mother.
Your fire of intense devotional service melts your heart so soft like butter.
Thank you for providing priceless opportunity to absorb my heart in outreach.
Please give me an inch of your strength and compassion so I may always dynamically preach.
Thank you for expanding the unique loving network of Mahāprabhu,
and gifting me the friendship and sangha of such wonderful devotees too!
So when once our hearts were crying out of distress and disconnection.
now are hearts are running after you crying Krishna Krishna!- the perfection.
Hare Krishna Gurudeva!
Aspiring to become your servant,
Saumya-mayī devi dasi.
In a recent class you said that hearts are crying out for genuine, authentic interaction.
Millions of souls desperately seeking real connection and satisfaction.
"We don't want to rest in peace while others are suffering"- I once heard you say.
So when you heard the hearts cry you sprung right into action, without delay.
You established dynamic bhakti centres
- real connection hubs for empty hearts.
I can't perceive your depth of vision and compassion you've had from the very start.
We have all become so fortunate since we stepped through bhakti lounge door.
After being tossed by the waves of maya we finally washed up on the shore.
Freshly pulled from the ocean of exploitation our hearts so hard , but like you say we want to be for real.
but we had compromised, submitting to hypocrisy and fakeness as part of the Kali yuga deal.
So with hearts locked and guards up we begin on the Bhakti path.
You encourage us "bhakti yoga is therapy for the steel-framed heart."
You're an expert transcendental therapist, seeing our bhakti potential behind the steel frame.
Your powerful words and affectionate care gradually melt the frame away.
You help us break our steel conditioning and give us the key.
Dive deep in floods of service- "Bhaktya mam abhijānāti."
You compassionately teach us how we're sick and give us personal instructions how to regain our health.
You show us how to nourish our dry hearts- chant, hear and distribute Krishna to others- that's the real wealth.
Thank you for providing such an amazing centre where we can have genuine authentic interactions with all.
This company culture of care you've created is revolutionarily successful.
A new young female practitioner recently revealed "I always wondered what it would be like to have real friends in my life..
Now I know"- she said as she smiled at all the devotees- free from any strife.
You told me that serving Lord Caitanyas mission is the highest investment - the best pay.
I pray to realize my fortune and feel so grateful that you have engaged me in this way.
You're a powerhouse general in this mission, but have a heart like a Bengali mother.
Your fire of intense devotional service melts your heart so soft like butter.
Thank you for providing priceless opportunity to absorb my heart in outreach.
Please give me an inch of your strength and compassion so I may always dynamically preach.
Thank you for expanding the unique loving network of Mahāprabhu,
and gifting me the friendship and sangha of such wonderful devotees too!
So when once our hearts were crying out of distress and disconnection.
now are hearts are running after you crying Krishna Krishna!- the perfection.
Hare Krishna Gurudeva!
Aspiring to become your servant,
Saumya-mayī devi dasi.
Sayak Basu
Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva. Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
On the auspicious occasion of your appearance day I am trying to pen down glorification of that personality who has changed the definition of my life completely many years back. I still remember the time when my dear friend Agni Pan Krsna Das send me an audio video of yours and out of curiosity I started watching that video. My heart was made of steel, full of pride, arrogance and in a deep material trance. But somehow I heard your lectures with rapt attention and somehow it moved my steel framed heart. I did not understand some technical part of your lecture but somehow it percolated my heart and made me think deep and left indelible impression in my mind. I am fully convinced that my baby steps into spiritual life started from that day.
Every year when I sit down to write glorification of yours I try to meditate what I have done all this time to please you. What I have done to be called as your servant ? The answer that comes from inside is a big 'NO'. With utmost shame, I accept the fact that I have not done anything to please my spiritual master then in that case how I am eligible to get your mercy ? But as scripture uses the word " Causeless mercy " I am hundred percent sure this applies to me. Yes it is your causeless mercy that you always bestow upon me though in heart of heart I know that I failed to please you and Srila Prabhupada time and again.
Every time whenever I meet you time and again you have shown your caring attitude by giving not only your valuable time but your valuable instructions pertaining to my spiritual and material life. I still remember the instructions you gave me because of my declining health 2 years back and in spite of your busy schedule you on that day gave me so much time.I know the success of my spiritual life is only to execute those instructions of yours and whenever I have tried that I have experienced sublime taste in Krishna consciousness.
My faith in Krishna bhakti is so feeble and I don't know if I have Guru-nishta also in my heart. But as Srila Prabhupada describes that faith is something which is very sublime in nature perhaps I experience that whenever I have tried to hear your instructions through vani.
In the midst of most extreme material situations, my only shelter has been your recorded instructions which somehow makes me afloat in spiritual life.
In my dull-headed consciousness and with few years of practice, I have understood that the strength to continue my spiritual life I don't have that. It is completely and totally depends upon you. There are many great vaishnavas who have tolerated difficult times and continued their spiritual life but for me with little material disturbances I get so much affected. But somehow if I am continuing then its only because of me hearing the transcendental sound vibration coming out from your lips. This Krishna consciousness is actually mystic in this way which is only to be felt by practice.
On this auspicious day I am again trying to meditate upon your instructions which is my life and soul but to carry and execute those instructions also I need your causeless mercy. So on this day I am shamelessly begging to you to bestow your mercy on this 'adhama'. I am a worthless son but as all merciful father I am hoping against hope I be the recipient of your causeless mercy once again.
Gurumaharaj please forgive for all the offenses I have committed and I hope to make you proud as your servant.
Your aspiring servant
Sayak Basu
On the auspicious occasion of your appearance day I am trying to pen down glorification of that personality who has changed the definition of my life completely many years back. I still remember the time when my dear friend Agni Pan Krsna Das send me an audio video of yours and out of curiosity I started watching that video. My heart was made of steel, full of pride, arrogance and in a deep material trance. But somehow I heard your lectures with rapt attention and somehow it moved my steel framed heart. I did not understand some technical part of your lecture but somehow it percolated my heart and made me think deep and left indelible impression in my mind. I am fully convinced that my baby steps into spiritual life started from that day.
Every year when I sit down to write glorification of yours I try to meditate what I have done all this time to please you. What I have done to be called as your servant ? The answer that comes from inside is a big 'NO'. With utmost shame, I accept the fact that I have not done anything to please my spiritual master then in that case how I am eligible to get your mercy ? But as scripture uses the word " Causeless mercy " I am hundred percent sure this applies to me. Yes it is your causeless mercy that you always bestow upon me though in heart of heart I know that I failed to please you and Srila Prabhupada time and again.
Every time whenever I meet you time and again you have shown your caring attitude by giving not only your valuable time but your valuable instructions pertaining to my spiritual and material life. I still remember the instructions you gave me because of my declining health 2 years back and in spite of your busy schedule you on that day gave me so much time.I know the success of my spiritual life is only to execute those instructions of yours and whenever I have tried that I have experienced sublime taste in Krishna consciousness.
My faith in Krishna bhakti is so feeble and I don't know if I have Guru-nishta also in my heart. But as Srila Prabhupada describes that faith is something which is very sublime in nature perhaps I experience that whenever I have tried to hear your instructions through vani.
In the midst of most extreme material situations, my only shelter has been your recorded instructions which somehow makes me afloat in spiritual life.
In my dull-headed consciousness and with few years of practice, I have understood that the strength to continue my spiritual life I don't have that. It is completely and totally depends upon you. There are many great vaishnavas who have tolerated difficult times and continued their spiritual life but for me with little material disturbances I get so much affected. But somehow if I am continuing then its only because of me hearing the transcendental sound vibration coming out from your lips. This Krishna consciousness is actually mystic in this way which is only to be felt by practice.
On this auspicious day I am again trying to meditate upon your instructions which is my life and soul but to carry and execute those instructions also I need your causeless mercy. So on this day I am shamelessly begging to you to bestow your mercy on this 'adhama'. I am a worthless son but as all merciful father I am hoping against hope I be the recipient of your causeless mercy once again.
Gurumaharaj please forgive for all the offenses I have committed and I hope to make you proud as your servant.
Your aspiring servant
Sayak Basu
Sevā Vilāsa
Dear Gurudeva,
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.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance,
Midnight has long gone
Headache, heartache
Music is still on
Trying to forget
Laying on the ground
Hoping to be found
Praying to a god
Maybe this is odd
Carry on they say
Have a drink like us
Couldn’t find a ray
Of light in this chaos
But he had heard my cry
He had seen in my heart
He sent me an angel
To give me a new start
Mercy personified
Reached his hand out to me
A jewel of humankind
Lifted me up and set me free
He was sweet, soft and bright
Gave me new insight
His speech was convincing
He stayed true to his preaching
A pure heart without envy
Perseverant, devoted
Serving relentlessly
Strong and committed
He gives us all shelter
Good advice and care
Service opportunities
And transcendental parties
Special moments together
For us he always has time
Loving as a father
He never gives up on one
Leading by example
Everywhere is his temple
He takes through every word
The association of the Lord
He managed to discover
The world’s best kept secret
By his unlimited mercy
Also shared it with me
Poems, letters or songs
Certainly don’t go wrong
But how to rightly tell one
« Thank you for all you have done »
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
An eternally indebted and aspiring servant,
Sevā Vilāsa Devi Dasi
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.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance,
Midnight has long gone
Headache, heartache
Music is still on
Trying to forget
Laying on the ground
Hoping to be found
Praying to a god
Maybe this is odd
Carry on they say
Have a drink like us
Couldn’t find a ray
Of light in this chaos
But he had heard my cry
He had seen in my heart
He sent me an angel
To give me a new start
Mercy personified
Reached his hand out to me
A jewel of humankind
Lifted me up and set me free
He was sweet, soft and bright
Gave me new insight
His speech was convincing
He stayed true to his preaching
A pure heart without envy
Perseverant, devoted
Serving relentlessly
Strong and committed
He gives us all shelter
Good advice and care
Service opportunities
And transcendental parties
Special moments together
For us he always has time
Loving as a father
He never gives up on one
Leading by example
Everywhere is his temple
He takes through every word
The association of the Lord
He managed to discover
The world’s best kept secret
By his unlimited mercy
Also shared it with me
Poems, letters or songs
Certainly don’t go wrong
But how to rightly tell one
« Thank you for all you have done »
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
An eternally indebted and aspiring servant,
Sevā Vilāsa Devi Dasi
Sevamrita devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Recently I observed how people were looking occupied in the hustle and bustle of the city. I too was caught up with a plan of that day. Then I realised how
'lifeless' we are actually without bhakti yoga. Material life is plainly futile and frustrating, beyond its glitter and pretence. As I was reflecting this, I felt grateful that now I have the maha mantra and an access to the best knowledge & felt inspired to
share this jewel of bhakti with others.
For me, it was just a few seconds of reflection that happen to come up. On the other hand, you mould every aspects and seconds of your life so that you can best give the bhakti to others.
Armed with love for Srila prabhupada and Lord Krsna, with deep realisation and knowledge, with compassion, you are a true spiritual warrior destroying the darkness of ignorance in us all!
Thank you for being my spiritual master, giving me guidance and shelter.
Aspiring to assist you better your spiritual daughter and servant,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Recently I observed how people were looking occupied in the hustle and bustle of the city. I too was caught up with a plan of that day. Then I realised how
'lifeless' we are actually without bhakti yoga. Material life is plainly futile and frustrating, beyond its glitter and pretence. As I was reflecting this, I felt grateful that now I have the maha mantra and an access to the best knowledge & felt inspired to
share this jewel of bhakti with others.
For me, it was just a few seconds of reflection that happen to come up. On the other hand, you mould every aspects and seconds of your life so that you can best give the bhakti to others.
Armed with love for Srila prabhupada and Lord Krsna, with deep realisation and knowledge, with compassion, you are a true spiritual warrior destroying the darkness of ignorance in us all!
Thank you for being my spiritual master, giving me guidance and shelter.
Aspiring to assist you better your spiritual daughter and servant,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Sevya Bhagavan Dasa
nama om visnu - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance at the dust of Your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Guru maharaj this year I was listening your Python Man series lectures from Srimad Bhagavatam 7th Canto. They are full of nectar. In your lectures you addresses the key problem of the living entities, which is happiness. Because, whatever activity a living entity perform is to derive happiness from it. I and many living entities left our eternal home and relationship with Krishna to enjoy separately from Him. But in our every attempt to enjoy separately we baffled again and again by the onslaught of illusory energy of the Lord. To counteract this miserable conditions of life we made so many plans scientifically, politically, economically and innumerable ways. But in this material world as Prahlad Maharaj said, “duhkhausadham tad api duhkham atad-dhiyaham” (SB 7.9.17) in our every attempt to counteract our unhappiness, leading us to deeper ignorance of miserable condition of life. Our only hope to get out of this entanglement is to listen from Your Lotus mouth. As Prthu maharaj said, “smrtim punar vismrta-tattva-vartmanam” (SB 4.20.25) by listening from Your lotus mouth about the descriptions of the Supreme Lord is the only way to remember again our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord. Only after that we can come to the right conclusion about the value of the life. You are distributing this science of happiness which is, Krishna consciousness, throughout the world like a cloud distributes water to everyone and everywhere.
Guru Maharaj, You encourage everyone as per the capacity of the individual in the service of the Lord for the satisfaction of the Lord. You always gives practical and your personal examples to motivate us to render service to the Lord in proper Krishna consciousness. You always encourage us to enjoy the luxury of Krishna consciousness by becoming busy in the service of Krishna whole day and night, and by night be tired and sleep. Once You said in one lecture that in preaching Krishna Consciousness in Communist Russia, Your motto was, “I may live or die but, Bhagavad Gita is eternal”. With this motivation You have been conquering many conditioned souls and making them pure devotees of the Lord.
Guru Maharaj on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day I beg for your mercy to increase my attraction for chanting and hearing about the glories of the Lord with proper Krishna consciousness in the association of devotees without committing any offences on to vaishnavas and, eternally engage in your service and mission.
Your obedient servant,
Sevya Bhagavan Dasa
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance at the dust of Your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Guru maharaj this year I was listening your Python Man series lectures from Srimad Bhagavatam 7th Canto. They are full of nectar. In your lectures you addresses the key problem of the living entities, which is happiness. Because, whatever activity a living entity perform is to derive happiness from it. I and many living entities left our eternal home and relationship with Krishna to enjoy separately from Him. But in our every attempt to enjoy separately we baffled again and again by the onslaught of illusory energy of the Lord. To counteract this miserable conditions of life we made so many plans scientifically, politically, economically and innumerable ways. But in this material world as Prahlad Maharaj said, “duhkhausadham tad api duhkham atad-dhiyaham” (SB 7.9.17) in our every attempt to counteract our unhappiness, leading us to deeper ignorance of miserable condition of life. Our only hope to get out of this entanglement is to listen from Your Lotus mouth. As Prthu maharaj said, “smrtim punar vismrta-tattva-vartmanam” (SB 4.20.25) by listening from Your lotus mouth about the descriptions of the Supreme Lord is the only way to remember again our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord. Only after that we can come to the right conclusion about the value of the life. You are distributing this science of happiness which is, Krishna consciousness, throughout the world like a cloud distributes water to everyone and everywhere.
Guru Maharaj, You encourage everyone as per the capacity of the individual in the service of the Lord for the satisfaction of the Lord. You always gives practical and your personal examples to motivate us to render service to the Lord in proper Krishna consciousness. You always encourage us to enjoy the luxury of Krishna consciousness by becoming busy in the service of Krishna whole day and night, and by night be tired and sleep. Once You said in one lecture that in preaching Krishna Consciousness in Communist Russia, Your motto was, “I may live or die but, Bhagavad Gita is eternal”. With this motivation You have been conquering many conditioned souls and making them pure devotees of the Lord.
Guru Maharaj on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day I beg for your mercy to increase my attraction for chanting and hearing about the glories of the Lord with proper Krishna consciousness in the association of devotees without committing any offences on to vaishnavas and, eternally engage in your service and mission.
Your obedient servant,
Sevya Bhagavan Dasa
Shastra Krit das
Dear Guru-Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees worldwide appreciate the outreach formula that you put into action, for all age groups, for seasoned and unseasoned participants. 'We have to become expert at administering the medicine', as you would often say.
How joyful we have become because you have been and always are sharing Krishna Consciousness in a most
pleasing way.
You show through your attachment to reading Srila Prabhupada's books & attentive chanting of your rounds that the many issues and decisions we face each day in Krishna's service may be difficult, but we can overcome them easily.
Krishna das Kaviraj compares sadhana to eating grains. You eat super grains & have super sadhana.
Often when you are personally giving guidance to someone you can give a direct and relevant quote from what you read that very day in the Bhagavatam. Your good counsel helps to connect the devotee to the Srimad Bhagavatam in a very real and practical way.
Srila Prabhupad says that "to be empowered by Krishna, one has to qualify himself, and qualifying oneself means that one must engage twenty-four hours daily in the loving devotional service of the Lord." We see that you are engaged in service the moment you wake up
to the time you take rest at night. Sometimes we feel that the day must expand itself beyond twenty-four hours
to accommodate all of the services that you fit in. It’s mystical.
On the most fundamental level to fulfill your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada, you qualified yourself and now you are empowering others. Training and empowering others are hallmarks of your managerial style. You understand the
satisfaction and joy that devotees feel by having meaningful service and by being
given the opportunity to take up responsibility.
I heard your recent vyasapuja address Gurudeva. You exemplify the most enthusiastic and compassionate follower of Srila Prabhupad's teachings by constantly encouraging book distribution and helping people understand the books. As we meditate on the obstacles you faced in your service, our minute intelligence cannot understand the depth of your determination.
Srimad Bhagavtam says, "For the conditioned souls, the human body is most difficult to achieve, and it can be lost at any moment. But I think that even those who have achieved human life rarely gain the association of pure devotees, who are dear to the Lord of Vaikuntha. "
With days and years passing by, we realize more and more your unconditional mercy and support you provide us. Your kind, encouraging words are the fuel of our spiritual life, and the desire to see you happy and proud is our goal. In the mood of Nityananda Prabhu, you are always ready to deliver all living entities who come in contact with you without any judgment or consideration. Due to your immense realization, you always find creative ways to engage everybody in Caitanya's sankirtan movement.
Gurudeva, in your association I get practical experience of the verse from BG 9.2,
“su-sukham kartum avyayam”, you are always blissful and your smile always fills me with happiness and energy.
When I mention your name to other devotees anywhere in the world, they sing your praises and hold your name high with such great esteem. As their eyes light up, everyone says, ‘He is amazing, I listen to him all the time on the internet’ or ‘He makes me happy’ and ‘He’s so funny’ or ‘I’ve read his book, its great!’.
I take this opportunity to thank you for everything you have given me. Just to name a few, you have given me my name, my japa beads, saligram sila, Gayatri mantra, Prabhupada's books, health tips, country of residence, place of residence ( speaking about book distribution: you happily asked me, "so you have all of Atlanta for your self ah?!") prasadam everyday day, and outreach tips. I especially thank you for giving me the taste for book distribution.
This service of book distribution you are encouraging us to do is so nice, and its consuming our lives; it's addictive. Without book distribution we don't even know what to do with ourselves on a so called day off . Anandam budhi vardhanam. At the end of each book distribution my wife and I are so elated remembering all the sweet people we met and all the miracles that took place that we can't even fall asleep. Some new souls are coming along to our ashram and eagerly participating in book distribution and feeling the ecstasy of outreach right away.
For your pleasure I wanted to share with you this nectar story as part of my offering Gurudeva :
Last night we were invited to set up book table this Navaratri dance festival. It was a late night festival , but we were told 10,000 people are expected. Two of our new devotee women were excited to distribute books. So hoping we can distribute some Bhagavtam sets as an offering for your vyasa puja we all went. The festival started at 10pm and was supposed to go on till 4 am. So I made a deal with the team 2 am or a set of Bhagavtam which ever comes first. We distributed lots of Gitas and Krishna books etc., but no one wanted Bhagavtam set. The whole time I'm praying to be able to distribute at least one set. Finally, it was 2 am and we sadly started packing. Sure enough this pious gujarati lady walks up to us and says, "can i ask you a question? What's the difference between Gita and Bhagavath?" I couldn't believe my ears and I looked at the team with excitement and a huge smile thinking, " this could be it guys please start praying"
So I became animated and explained to her the difference, and she wanted to know if the set was for sale. We told her sure it is! Her concern was how to carry all these 18 books? I assured her that I can put the set in her car that's not a problem. She bought the set with tears gliding down her cheeks, and all of us were jubilant as we drove back.
As I read this letter of Srila Prabhupada, I had this realization how you definitely are an instrument of Srila Prabhupada's mercy and compassion.
Devotee 1: Why can't you give us your old age?
Prabhupada: When I see that things are going on nicely, I am happy. What is this with this body? Body is body. We are not body.
Devotee 1: Wasn't it Purudasa that gave his father his youth?
Prabhupada: Hm?
Devotee 2: Yayati. King Yayati traded his old age.
Devotee 1: With his son. You can do that.
Prabhupada: (laughs) Who did?
Devotee 2: King Yayati.
Prabhupada: Ah. Yayati. No, why? You are my body. So you live on. There is no difference. Just like I am working, so my Guru Maharaja is there, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there…
Room Conversation
Vrndavana, May 27, 1977
Aspiring to become your unconditional servant
Shastra Krit das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees worldwide appreciate the outreach formula that you put into action, for all age groups, for seasoned and unseasoned participants. 'We have to become expert at administering the medicine', as you would often say.
How joyful we have become because you have been and always are sharing Krishna Consciousness in a most
pleasing way.
You show through your attachment to reading Srila Prabhupada's books & attentive chanting of your rounds that the many issues and decisions we face each day in Krishna's service may be difficult, but we can overcome them easily.
Krishna das Kaviraj compares sadhana to eating grains. You eat super grains & have super sadhana.
Often when you are personally giving guidance to someone you can give a direct and relevant quote from what you read that very day in the Bhagavatam. Your good counsel helps to connect the devotee to the Srimad Bhagavatam in a very real and practical way.
Srila Prabhupad says that "to be empowered by Krishna, one has to qualify himself, and qualifying oneself means that one must engage twenty-four hours daily in the loving devotional service of the Lord." We see that you are engaged in service the moment you wake up
to the time you take rest at night. Sometimes we feel that the day must expand itself beyond twenty-four hours
to accommodate all of the services that you fit in. It’s mystical.
On the most fundamental level to fulfill your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada, you qualified yourself and now you are empowering others. Training and empowering others are hallmarks of your managerial style. You understand the
satisfaction and joy that devotees feel by having meaningful service and by being
given the opportunity to take up responsibility.
I heard your recent vyasapuja address Gurudeva. You exemplify the most enthusiastic and compassionate follower of Srila Prabhupad's teachings by constantly encouraging book distribution and helping people understand the books. As we meditate on the obstacles you faced in your service, our minute intelligence cannot understand the depth of your determination.
Srimad Bhagavtam says, "For the conditioned souls, the human body is most difficult to achieve, and it can be lost at any moment. But I think that even those who have achieved human life rarely gain the association of pure devotees, who are dear to the Lord of Vaikuntha. "
With days and years passing by, we realize more and more your unconditional mercy and support you provide us. Your kind, encouraging words are the fuel of our spiritual life, and the desire to see you happy and proud is our goal. In the mood of Nityananda Prabhu, you are always ready to deliver all living entities who come in contact with you without any judgment or consideration. Due to your immense realization, you always find creative ways to engage everybody in Caitanya's sankirtan movement.
Gurudeva, in your association I get practical experience of the verse from BG 9.2,
“su-sukham kartum avyayam”, you are always blissful and your smile always fills me with happiness and energy.
When I mention your name to other devotees anywhere in the world, they sing your praises and hold your name high with such great esteem. As their eyes light up, everyone says, ‘He is amazing, I listen to him all the time on the internet’ or ‘He makes me happy’ and ‘He’s so funny’ or ‘I’ve read his book, its great!’.
I take this opportunity to thank you for everything you have given me. Just to name a few, you have given me my name, my japa beads, saligram sila, Gayatri mantra, Prabhupada's books, health tips, country of residence, place of residence ( speaking about book distribution: you happily asked me, "so you have all of Atlanta for your self ah?!") prasadam everyday day, and outreach tips. I especially thank you for giving me the taste for book distribution.
This service of book distribution you are encouraging us to do is so nice, and its consuming our lives; it's addictive. Without book distribution we don't even know what to do with ourselves on a so called day off . Anandam budhi vardhanam. At the end of each book distribution my wife and I are so elated remembering all the sweet people we met and all the miracles that took place that we can't even fall asleep. Some new souls are coming along to our ashram and eagerly participating in book distribution and feeling the ecstasy of outreach right away.
For your pleasure I wanted to share with you this nectar story as part of my offering Gurudeva :
Last night we were invited to set up book table this Navaratri dance festival. It was a late night festival , but we were told 10,000 people are expected. Two of our new devotee women were excited to distribute books. So hoping we can distribute some Bhagavtam sets as an offering for your vyasa puja we all went. The festival started at 10pm and was supposed to go on till 4 am. So I made a deal with the team 2 am or a set of Bhagavtam which ever comes first. We distributed lots of Gitas and Krishna books etc., but no one wanted Bhagavtam set. The whole time I'm praying to be able to distribute at least one set. Finally, it was 2 am and we sadly started packing. Sure enough this pious gujarati lady walks up to us and says, "can i ask you a question? What's the difference between Gita and Bhagavath?" I couldn't believe my ears and I looked at the team with excitement and a huge smile thinking, " this could be it guys please start praying"
So I became animated and explained to her the difference, and she wanted to know if the set was for sale. We told her sure it is! Her concern was how to carry all these 18 books? I assured her that I can put the set in her car that's not a problem. She bought the set with tears gliding down her cheeks, and all of us were jubilant as we drove back.
As I read this letter of Srila Prabhupada, I had this realization how you definitely are an instrument of Srila Prabhupada's mercy and compassion.
Devotee 1: Why can't you give us your old age?
Prabhupada: When I see that things are going on nicely, I am happy. What is this with this body? Body is body. We are not body.
Devotee 1: Wasn't it Purudasa that gave his father his youth?
Prabhupada: Hm?
Devotee 2: Yayati. King Yayati traded his old age.
Devotee 1: With his son. You can do that.
Prabhupada: (laughs) Who did?
Devotee 2: King Yayati.
Prabhupada: Ah. Yayati. No, why? You are my body. So you live on. There is no difference. Just like I am working, so my Guru Maharaja is there, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there…
Room Conversation
Vrndavana, May 27, 1977
Aspiring to become your unconditional servant
Shastra Krit das
Sophie (Wellington)
Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabupada!
Thankyou for giving me the chance to live a real human existence, for the chance to discover my true purpose and ultimate goal. I often reflect on how my life has changed in a year, and I write this offering in an attempt to express my gratitude. The first time I met you Gurudeva, as a blue-haired, sceptical, bewildered, university student, I asked how I could be more convinced by the Bhakti path. Drowning in the mirage of kali yuga society, you pulled me out by the instruction- “read the books”. These three words changed my life. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 4.42: “Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge, armed with yoga, o bharata, stand and fight”. I have limited realisation on the full power of this weapon, otherwise I would ecstatically relish every word. But I am strengthened by seeing the way you live exactly according to Krishna’s system, and by your ardent endeavour in trying to inspire people to do the same. You saved me from the gloom of material life- where anxiety, insecurity and empty promises seemed to reign supreme. Thanks to your mercy I now have a chance to reclaim my eternal, natural position as a servant of the supreme, Krishna.
In material life I always desperately longed for someone to understand me, but I didn’t know what that looked like or how to attain it. However the instructions you have so kindly given to me are the epitome of true understanding. Srila Prabupada says in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.32 that “His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the woodlike living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages”. You are so personal in your dealings with devotees, and you prescribe the medicine with so much care and affection. So thank you Gurudeva for kindling my spiritual fire and softening my woodlike heart. In my attempts in trying to be a devotee, I have experienced love like I never thought possible. Your compassion sparked my desire to dedicate my life to serve your mission and strive to fulfil your instructions. I am so undeserving of your mercy, but you gave it so freely nonetheless, totally imbibing the mood of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in your every word and action.
I pray that one day I will be able to express my gratitude not through hollow words, but by fully engaging in the service of Sri Krishna and by utilising the potential that you see in me. I pray that one day I will be able to render some sort of useful service to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Sophie.
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabupada!
Thankyou for giving me the chance to live a real human existence, for the chance to discover my true purpose and ultimate goal. I often reflect on how my life has changed in a year, and I write this offering in an attempt to express my gratitude. The first time I met you Gurudeva, as a blue-haired, sceptical, bewildered, university student, I asked how I could be more convinced by the Bhakti path. Drowning in the mirage of kali yuga society, you pulled me out by the instruction- “read the books”. These three words changed my life. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 4.42: “Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge, armed with yoga, o bharata, stand and fight”. I have limited realisation on the full power of this weapon, otherwise I would ecstatically relish every word. But I am strengthened by seeing the way you live exactly according to Krishna’s system, and by your ardent endeavour in trying to inspire people to do the same. You saved me from the gloom of material life- where anxiety, insecurity and empty promises seemed to reign supreme. Thanks to your mercy I now have a chance to reclaim my eternal, natural position as a servant of the supreme, Krishna.
In material life I always desperately longed for someone to understand me, but I didn’t know what that looked like or how to attain it. However the instructions you have so kindly given to me are the epitome of true understanding. Srila Prabupada says in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.32 that “His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the woodlike living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages”. You are so personal in your dealings with devotees, and you prescribe the medicine with so much care and affection. So thank you Gurudeva for kindling my spiritual fire and softening my woodlike heart. In my attempts in trying to be a devotee, I have experienced love like I never thought possible. Your compassion sparked my desire to dedicate my life to serve your mission and strive to fulfil your instructions. I am so undeserving of your mercy, but you gave it so freely nonetheless, totally imbibing the mood of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in your every word and action.
I pray that one day I will be able to express my gratitude not through hollow words, but by fully engaging in the service of Sri Krishna and by utilising the potential that you see in me. I pray that one day I will be able to render some sort of useful service to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Sophie.
Sri Goloka 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
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Appearance Day!
Exactly 10 years ago on the lunar calendar, you bestowed your mercy upon me by formally initiating me to be your disciple. I wish to spend lifetimes serving at your lotus feet Guru Maharaj and even then I wouldn’t be able to repay you.
You allow me to serve you, you tolerate my imperfections during my service and as a nurturing father, you correct me without hesitation when needed. This is your right and for me its my lifeline. There is an indescribable sweetness under your shelter that makes me feel like dedicating everything into serving you Guru Maharaj, whether its sadhana or service, I must stay alert enough to remember you through your pranaam mantra and dedicate every single action to you. I must remember that everything I do, I am passing the credit to you. This is because none of what I do is accepted by Krsna unless it goes through you. Why? It is because you are the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I have no right to directly approach Krsna because I cannot conceive Him, nor do I remember my relationship with Krsna, in short I have no standing with Krsna. All I have is my servant relationship to you and you have somehow or another accepted me as your disciple and I must take full advantage by learning how to digest your compassion. The scriptures say that:
brahmananda brahmite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
The living entity wanders into many species of life, but he is fortunate when he once again meets his friend, either in person or through His representative.
Death can come for me at anytime, at any place. I may wonder through many lifetimes not having this opportunity again. I must become serious, I must become sincere. Gurudeva, without you, I am lost. You often tell me that a major portion of our advancement comes from attentive rounds. The holy names are alive and They will reciprocate if you receive Them properly. Receiving means attention. You say it with so much conviction. Telling me to wake up and taste that sweet nectar that I am depriving myself of. I do not have to rely on the silent voice in my mind anymore, I have an external manifestation of the Supersoul guiding me for all these years.
On your appearance day, I would like to thank you Gurudeva for being my life mentor, my guide, my friend, my father. You gave me such a sweet shelter, within that shelter, I feel like a sense of purpose in life. Thank you Guru Maharaj for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and the mission of Mahaprabhu by your example and mood.
Your servant,
Sri Goloka das
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Appearance Day!
Exactly 10 years ago on the lunar calendar, you bestowed your mercy upon me by formally initiating me to be your disciple. I wish to spend lifetimes serving at your lotus feet Guru Maharaj and even then I wouldn’t be able to repay you.
You allow me to serve you, you tolerate my imperfections during my service and as a nurturing father, you correct me without hesitation when needed. This is your right and for me its my lifeline. There is an indescribable sweetness under your shelter that makes me feel like dedicating everything into serving you Guru Maharaj, whether its sadhana or service, I must stay alert enough to remember you through your pranaam mantra and dedicate every single action to you. I must remember that everything I do, I am passing the credit to you. This is because none of what I do is accepted by Krsna unless it goes through you. Why? It is because you are the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I have no right to directly approach Krsna because I cannot conceive Him, nor do I remember my relationship with Krsna, in short I have no standing with Krsna. All I have is my servant relationship to you and you have somehow or another accepted me as your disciple and I must take full advantage by learning how to digest your compassion. The scriptures say that:
brahmananda brahmite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
The living entity wanders into many species of life, but he is fortunate when he once again meets his friend, either in person or through His representative.
Death can come for me at anytime, at any place. I may wonder through many lifetimes not having this opportunity again. I must become serious, I must become sincere. Gurudeva, without you, I am lost. You often tell me that a major portion of our advancement comes from attentive rounds. The holy names are alive and They will reciprocate if you receive Them properly. Receiving means attention. You say it with so much conviction. Telling me to wake up and taste that sweet nectar that I am depriving myself of. I do not have to rely on the silent voice in my mind anymore, I have an external manifestation of the Supersoul guiding me for all these years.
On your appearance day, I would like to thank you Gurudeva for being my life mentor, my guide, my friend, my father. You gave me such a sweet shelter, within that shelter, I feel like a sense of purpose in life. Thank you Guru Maharaj for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and the mission of Mahaprabhu by your example and mood.
Your servant,
Sri Goloka das
Sri Jiva Charan das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
One morning a few years ago, I was mediating on Bhakti Tirtha Swami. I had heard in his practice of Japa that if he felt he was being inattentive he would go back a few beads and chant on them again. That morning I felt inspired by this method. I decided I would not move beyond the bead I was chanting on until I was certain I had heard each syllable of the maha mantra. It took longer to chant my rounds but there was definitely an increase of taste for chanting the holy name at that time.
The next morning I had a dream in which you appeared. You where sitting back in a relaxed manner, clad in saffron attire, the back ground pure white. You then leaned forward pointing at me saying, "Wake up now! Practice that technique of chanting!" I did so.
A few months later I wrote to you about this dream. You replied:
"The more seriously you practice the chanting, the more powerful the spiritual dynamics you will experience.
Sometimes I do as you describe, though a different way: I don't stop chanting rounds until I feel the chanting has reached an appropriate sensitivity to Krishna."
By Your grace I gained some insight to Krishna's teachings, Bhagavad Gita 4.11:
ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ
"As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā."
I gained a deeper insight that krishna consciousness is a science. That as I apply myself I get a certain result. When I strive to chant attentively and sincerely spiritual life becomes dynamic, when I don't it can appear "stale".
Thank you for showing me through your own example that krishna is a PERSON!
You said:
"I don't stop chanting rounds until I feel the chanting has reached an appropriate sensitivity to Krishna."
If I ring Krishna up and I give him undivided attention, it's natural I'm going to experience and feel his presence in my life. But if I call Him up, then start paying attention to other people and things he won't take me seriously, He may even be offended. Why would He reveal himself?
It seems advancement in spiritual life depends simply on how sensitive we want to be towards Krishna and His name. It seems only a matter of desire.
You obviously have such an intense desire to be sensitive to Krishna, to give pleasure to Krishna, for you are His unalloyed Devotee.
In the purport to BG 4.11 Srila Prabhupada writes:
"Kṛṣṇa is fully realized only by His pure devotees. Consequently, Kṛṣṇa is the object of everyone's realization, and thus anyone and everyone is satisfied according to one's desire to have Him. In the transcendental world also, Kṛṣṇa reciprocates with His pure devotees in the transcendental attitude, just as the devotee wants Him. One devotee may want Kṛṣṇa as supreme master, another as his personal friend, another as his son, and still another as his lover. Kṛṣṇa rewards all the devotees equally, according to their different intensities of love for Him. In the material world, the same reciprocations of feelings are there, and they are equally exchanged by the Lord with the different types of worshipers. The pure devotees both here and in the transcendental abode associate with Him in person and are able to render personal service to the Lord and thus derive transcendental bliss in His loving service."
Your consistent bliss is evidence of your Bhakti caliber. Your devotion amazes me.
What you must be experiencing in Krishna consciousness, how Krishna must be reciprocating with You is inconceivable to me.
Thank you for endeavouring to teaching me how to chant properly. Thank you for uprooting the weeds of impersonalism, thus clearing the path of shuddha bhakti. The path you urge us to trek.
Desiring to become a personalist again. Your fledgling disciple Sri Jiva Charan dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
One morning a few years ago, I was mediating on Bhakti Tirtha Swami. I had heard in his practice of Japa that if he felt he was being inattentive he would go back a few beads and chant on them again. That morning I felt inspired by this method. I decided I would not move beyond the bead I was chanting on until I was certain I had heard each syllable of the maha mantra. It took longer to chant my rounds but there was definitely an increase of taste for chanting the holy name at that time.
The next morning I had a dream in which you appeared. You where sitting back in a relaxed manner, clad in saffron attire, the back ground pure white. You then leaned forward pointing at me saying, "Wake up now! Practice that technique of chanting!" I did so.
A few months later I wrote to you about this dream. You replied:
"The more seriously you practice the chanting, the more powerful the spiritual dynamics you will experience.
Sometimes I do as you describe, though a different way: I don't stop chanting rounds until I feel the chanting has reached an appropriate sensitivity to Krishna."
By Your grace I gained some insight to Krishna's teachings, Bhagavad Gita 4.11:
ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ
"As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā."
I gained a deeper insight that krishna consciousness is a science. That as I apply myself I get a certain result. When I strive to chant attentively and sincerely spiritual life becomes dynamic, when I don't it can appear "stale".
Thank you for showing me through your own example that krishna is a PERSON!
You said:
"I don't stop chanting rounds until I feel the chanting has reached an appropriate sensitivity to Krishna."
If I ring Krishna up and I give him undivided attention, it's natural I'm going to experience and feel his presence in my life. But if I call Him up, then start paying attention to other people and things he won't take me seriously, He may even be offended. Why would He reveal himself?
It seems advancement in spiritual life depends simply on how sensitive we want to be towards Krishna and His name. It seems only a matter of desire.
You obviously have such an intense desire to be sensitive to Krishna, to give pleasure to Krishna, for you are His unalloyed Devotee.
In the purport to BG 4.11 Srila Prabhupada writes:
"Kṛṣṇa is fully realized only by His pure devotees. Consequently, Kṛṣṇa is the object of everyone's realization, and thus anyone and everyone is satisfied according to one's desire to have Him. In the transcendental world also, Kṛṣṇa reciprocates with His pure devotees in the transcendental attitude, just as the devotee wants Him. One devotee may want Kṛṣṇa as supreme master, another as his personal friend, another as his son, and still another as his lover. Kṛṣṇa rewards all the devotees equally, according to their different intensities of love for Him. In the material world, the same reciprocations of feelings are there, and they are equally exchanged by the Lord with the different types of worshipers. The pure devotees both here and in the transcendental abode associate with Him in person and are able to render personal service to the Lord and thus derive transcendental bliss in His loving service."
Your consistent bliss is evidence of your Bhakti caliber. Your devotion amazes me.
What you must be experiencing in Krishna consciousness, how Krishna must be reciprocating with You is inconceivable to me.
Thank you for endeavouring to teaching me how to chant properly. Thank you for uprooting the weeds of impersonalism, thus clearing the path of shuddha bhakti. The path you urge us to trek.
Desiring to become a personalist again. Your fledgling disciple Sri Jiva Charan dasa.
Sri Yasoda dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebration,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
From a lecture by Srila Prabhupada, on Vyasa puja day, 1973, at Bhaktivedanta Manor, England:
“The Vedas enjoin us to seek out a guru; actually, they say to seek out the guru, not just a guru. The guru is one because he comes in disciplic succession. What Vyasadeva and Krishna taught 5,000 years ago is also being taught now. There is no difference between the two instructions. Although hundreds and thousands of acaryas have come and gone, the message is one. The real guru cannot be two because the real guru does not speak differently from his predecessors. Some spiritual teachers say, “In my opinion you should do this,” but this is not a guru. Such so-called gurus are simply rascals. The genuine guru has only one opinion, and that is the opinion expressed by Krishna, Vyasadeva, Narada, Arjuna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Gosvamis. Five thousand years ago Lord Sri Krishna spoke Bhagavad-gita, and Vyasadeva recorded it. Srila Vyasadeva did not say, “This is my opinion.” Rather, he wrote, sri bhagavan uvaca, that is, “The Supreme Personality of Godhead says.” Whatever Vyasadeva wrote was originally spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Vyasadeva did not give his own opinion.”
Dear Guru Maharaja, thankyou for being this genuine Guru that Srila Prabhupada explains, coming down through disciplic succession carrying the unchanged message of the Supreme Lord.
After reading this beautiful lecture by Srila Prabhupada my desire is to glorify your inconceivable capacity to give this message, pure and unchanged, in the form of urban outreach. Your centres for such transformation across New Zealand and around the world are pumping, vibrant hives of activity. No one can preach in this unique way as you do, there is so much to be learnt from your empowered example. Following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada you take the refuse of Kali Yuga, the lost, unguided and illusioned, and transform these souls into effluent, blissful and skilled devotees of the Lord, studying and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, chanting the Lords holy names and in this way continuing to distribute this pure message, unchanged to others in an ever fresh variety of approaches.
My glorification of your mercy and genuine compassion to do this many faceted service is desperately inadequate and my gratitude as one of many such fallen souls caught in your outreach centres goes beyond anything I can express in words.
Today and every day I offer my obeisances unto you, my dear spiritual father, at your ever merciful lotus feet.
I have allot of work to do on myself as you know and so kindly continue to help me with, although I am undeserving of your tolerance and love.
Praying to actually serve you and follow your instructions, now and eternally.
Your servant Sri Yasoda dd
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebration,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
From a lecture by Srila Prabhupada, on Vyasa puja day, 1973, at Bhaktivedanta Manor, England:
“The Vedas enjoin us to seek out a guru; actually, they say to seek out the guru, not just a guru. The guru is one because he comes in disciplic succession. What Vyasadeva and Krishna taught 5,000 years ago is also being taught now. There is no difference between the two instructions. Although hundreds and thousands of acaryas have come and gone, the message is one. The real guru cannot be two because the real guru does not speak differently from his predecessors. Some spiritual teachers say, “In my opinion you should do this,” but this is not a guru. Such so-called gurus are simply rascals. The genuine guru has only one opinion, and that is the opinion expressed by Krishna, Vyasadeva, Narada, Arjuna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Gosvamis. Five thousand years ago Lord Sri Krishna spoke Bhagavad-gita, and Vyasadeva recorded it. Srila Vyasadeva did not say, “This is my opinion.” Rather, he wrote, sri bhagavan uvaca, that is, “The Supreme Personality of Godhead says.” Whatever Vyasadeva wrote was originally spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Vyasadeva did not give his own opinion.”
Dear Guru Maharaja, thankyou for being this genuine Guru that Srila Prabhupada explains, coming down through disciplic succession carrying the unchanged message of the Supreme Lord.
After reading this beautiful lecture by Srila Prabhupada my desire is to glorify your inconceivable capacity to give this message, pure and unchanged, in the form of urban outreach. Your centres for such transformation across New Zealand and around the world are pumping, vibrant hives of activity. No one can preach in this unique way as you do, there is so much to be learnt from your empowered example. Following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada you take the refuse of Kali Yuga, the lost, unguided and illusioned, and transform these souls into effluent, blissful and skilled devotees of the Lord, studying and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, chanting the Lords holy names and in this way continuing to distribute this pure message, unchanged to others in an ever fresh variety of approaches.
My glorification of your mercy and genuine compassion to do this many faceted service is desperately inadequate and my gratitude as one of many such fallen souls caught in your outreach centres goes beyond anything I can express in words.
Today and every day I offer my obeisances unto you, my dear spiritual father, at your ever merciful lotus feet.
I have allot of work to do on myself as you know and so kindly continue to help me with, although I am undeserving of your tolerance and love.
Praying to actually serve you and follow your instructions, now and eternally.
Your servant Sri Yasoda dd
Sriman Nrsimha das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you Guru Maharaj! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thank you for giving me several vivid memories of your causeless reciprocation with me, especially in my early days in Krishna Consciousness – they keep me hopeful and enthused in bhakti. As a new bhakta, I once heard news of your departing from Sydney to catch an international flight across the globe. At once Ananth (now Kamsari Sena prabhu) and I got in the car and sped off to the airport hoping to catch a glimpse of you; we didn’t have much time at all. Parking the car in whatever space we could find, we dashed into the airport. “How do we find him?” Ananth asked, “Just look for the saffron!” I quipped. It wasn’t all that easy but after much frantic searching finally we saw you at a distance checking in your last suitcase. As we ran over to you, you seemed glad and immediately placed a bag each in our hands to carry. As you strode on with confidence and pace escorted by another senior disciple of yours from Melbourne, the both of us tried to keep up with you. All the while I was considering myself so fortunate to have found you, and now having the opportunity of doing a little service also. After reaching the gateway point where only passengers are allowed, you took the bags off our hands and walked through bidding us a final farewell. We hadn’t had enough though and wanted to see you again. There was a long walkway window which allowed relatives and well-wishers to see-off passengers one final time as they made their way to their departure lounges on the other side. Ananth and I ran along the whole length of this walkway window trying to catch another glimpse of you. We finally reached the end of the window and waited on some seats hoping you’d pass by on the other side. After much waiting, we thought we’d missed you and we were just about to leave… when we saw the saffron again! Just as the window ended, you also saw us on the other side and you burst into laughter. Then, shaking your head at seeing our eagerness, with a <i>Vaikunta</i> smile, you walked off with your carry-on luggage. We could no longer see you.
I pray that the same intense desire I had then to see you and follow you lives on within me. While it is true that Srila Prabhupada belongs to everybody; still you are especially dear to him. If we follow in the footprints of great personalities of bhakti such as yourself, we can also become dear to Srila Prabhupada. You very often quote from Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura's "Ohe Vaishnava Thakura":
<i>kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dīte pāro,
tomāra śakati āche
āmi to' kāńgāla, 'kṛṣṇa' 'kṛṣṇa' boli',
dhāi tava pāche pāche</i>
<strong>“Krishna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply your servant running behind you shouting, "Krishna! Krishna!"”</strong>
You have already made clear your personal desire, the deepest ambition in your heart – to follow Srila Prabhupada over lifetimes, wherever he goes, and become a member in his <i>nirmala</i> sankirtan party, passing out his books. Guru Maharaj, please purify me of all impurities and strengthen me also for this mercy quest. May my consciousness rest at your lotus feet, as well as Srila Prabhupada and my dearest Sri Radha-Gopinath eternally. All glories to you Guru Maharaj!
Below is my attempt at writing a short and very simple poem for your pleasure depicting how fortunate I was to meet you in this life and how you continue to inspire me.
<strong>There was a Poor Dreaded Soul</strong>
There was a poor dreaded soul
Whose life was full of sin
Not knowing another way
Not knowing how to win
He was invited to a spiritual retreat
By an old school acquaintance named Jit (Jitendra)
A timing so perfect, his dog had died
An opportunity to get out of the fit
By providence there was a sadhu
Who said "stop this material rant"
"Sit down beside me"
"I bless you so that you may chant"
His demeanor was grave and sober
His eyes were very big
Always meditating on Transcendence
For Maya's tricks he didn't care a fig
His name: Devamrita Swami
He's a pure devotee of Krishna
He's Prabhupada's man and
For bhakti he has trishna
He accepted me as his disciple
And gave me the Holy Name
The greatest thing of substance
From the spiritual world the vibration came
As the years passed by he said
"Build your strength so you may preach"
"Don't be miserly, don't be shy"
"Go out to the world and do outreach"
Going out almost everyday
Assisting to raise social consciousness as a whole
One, two, three books at a time
Guru's mercy, reaching out to every soul
Engaging in service with amazing devotees
Sheltered at the feet of Radha-Gopinath
The foremost being Ghanashyam
By them and Guru's grace have found the right path
There 'was' a poor dreaded soul
Whose life 'was' full of sin
But now bestowed with Krishna Consciousness by Guru
Surely, he will win.
Your servant,
Sriman Nrsimha das
Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you Guru Maharaj! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thank you for giving me several vivid memories of your causeless reciprocation with me, especially in my early days in Krishna Consciousness – they keep me hopeful and enthused in bhakti. As a new bhakta, I once heard news of your departing from Sydney to catch an international flight across the globe. At once Ananth (now Kamsari Sena prabhu) and I got in the car and sped off to the airport hoping to catch a glimpse of you; we didn’t have much time at all. Parking the car in whatever space we could find, we dashed into the airport. “How do we find him?” Ananth asked, “Just look for the saffron!” I quipped. It wasn’t all that easy but after much frantic searching finally we saw you at a distance checking in your last suitcase. As we ran over to you, you seemed glad and immediately placed a bag each in our hands to carry. As you strode on with confidence and pace escorted by another senior disciple of yours from Melbourne, the both of us tried to keep up with you. All the while I was considering myself so fortunate to have found you, and now having the opportunity of doing a little service also. After reaching the gateway point where only passengers are allowed, you took the bags off our hands and walked through bidding us a final farewell. We hadn’t had enough though and wanted to see you again. There was a long walkway window which allowed relatives and well-wishers to see-off passengers one final time as they made their way to their departure lounges on the other side. Ananth and I ran along the whole length of this walkway window trying to catch another glimpse of you. We finally reached the end of the window and waited on some seats hoping you’d pass by on the other side. After much waiting, we thought we’d missed you and we were just about to leave… when we saw the saffron again! Just as the window ended, you also saw us on the other side and you burst into laughter. Then, shaking your head at seeing our eagerness, with a <i>Vaikunta</i> smile, you walked off with your carry-on luggage. We could no longer see you.
I pray that the same intense desire I had then to see you and follow you lives on within me. While it is true that Srila Prabhupada belongs to everybody; still you are especially dear to him. If we follow in the footprints of great personalities of bhakti such as yourself, we can also become dear to Srila Prabhupada. You very often quote from Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura's "Ohe Vaishnava Thakura":
<i>kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dīte pāro,
tomāra śakati āche
āmi to' kāńgāla, 'kṛṣṇa' 'kṛṣṇa' boli',
dhāi tava pāche pāche</i>
<strong>“Krishna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply your servant running behind you shouting, "Krishna! Krishna!"”</strong>
You have already made clear your personal desire, the deepest ambition in your heart – to follow Srila Prabhupada over lifetimes, wherever he goes, and become a member in his <i>nirmala</i> sankirtan party, passing out his books. Guru Maharaj, please purify me of all impurities and strengthen me also for this mercy quest. May my consciousness rest at your lotus feet, as well as Srila Prabhupada and my dearest Sri Radha-Gopinath eternally. All glories to you Guru Maharaj!
Below is my attempt at writing a short and very simple poem for your pleasure depicting how fortunate I was to meet you in this life and how you continue to inspire me.
<strong>There was a Poor Dreaded Soul</strong>
There was a poor dreaded soul
Whose life was full of sin
Not knowing another way
Not knowing how to win
He was invited to a spiritual retreat
By an old school acquaintance named Jit (Jitendra)
A timing so perfect, his dog had died
An opportunity to get out of the fit
By providence there was a sadhu
Who said "stop this material rant"
"Sit down beside me"
"I bless you so that you may chant"
His demeanor was grave and sober
His eyes were very big
Always meditating on Transcendence
For Maya's tricks he didn't care a fig
His name: Devamrita Swami
He's a pure devotee of Krishna
He's Prabhupada's man and
For bhakti he has trishna
He accepted me as his disciple
And gave me the Holy Name
The greatest thing of substance
From the spiritual world the vibration came
As the years passed by he said
"Build your strength so you may preach"
"Don't be miserly, don't be shy"
"Go out to the world and do outreach"
Going out almost everyday
Assisting to raise social consciousness as a whole
One, two, three books at a time
Guru's mercy, reaching out to every soul
Engaging in service with amazing devotees
Sheltered at the feet of Radha-Gopinath
The foremost being Ghanashyam
By them and Guru's grace have found the right path
There 'was' a poor dreaded soul
Whose life 'was' full of sin
But now bestowed with Krishna Consciousness by Guru
Surely, he will win.
Your servant,
Sriman Nrsimha das
Sruti-cari dd
Dear Guru Deva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Krishna himself in the Krishna Book states when speaking to Sudama Brahmana that: "If a man is sufficiently educated in spiritual life under the guidance of a proper teacher, his life becomes successful in the future. He can very easily cross over the ocean of nescience, and he is not subject to the influence of the illusory energy."
Reading this, I am reminded just how important the spiritual master is in spiritual life. Dear Guru Deva, you are the captain of that ship that carries us, your disciples, over the ocean of nescience. Without your guidance we drown; in other words, we are without spiritual hope. But it is so easy to forget.
For too many years, I have been struggling with major doubts, fears, lethargy, ignorance, and misunderstandings. This curtain of illusion has discouraged me, eroding my faith and enthusiasm in Bhakti. It leaves me in a dark place, full of depression and loneliness.
But I have a great hope for the future. I am optimistic that I can throw aside this illusion, and that I can again serve, as I once did, with my whole heart. With a joyful heart. I want to feel the magic of bhakti again.
But I need your help, as I always have. I need you to forgive my offences and continue to guide me. I am your foolish servant nothing more. I know I make so many mistakes, but I really have nothing else in my life as valuable as my relationship with you. I want to make you proud. Please show me how I can best serve you.
Your servant
Sruti-cari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Krishna himself in the Krishna Book states when speaking to Sudama Brahmana that: "If a man is sufficiently educated in spiritual life under the guidance of a proper teacher, his life becomes successful in the future. He can very easily cross over the ocean of nescience, and he is not subject to the influence of the illusory energy."
Reading this, I am reminded just how important the spiritual master is in spiritual life. Dear Guru Deva, you are the captain of that ship that carries us, your disciples, over the ocean of nescience. Without your guidance we drown; in other words, we are without spiritual hope. But it is so easy to forget.
For too many years, I have been struggling with major doubts, fears, lethargy, ignorance, and misunderstandings. This curtain of illusion has discouraged me, eroding my faith and enthusiasm in Bhakti. It leaves me in a dark place, full of depression and loneliness.
But I have a great hope for the future. I am optimistic that I can throw aside this illusion, and that I can again serve, as I once did, with my whole heart. With a joyful heart. I want to feel the magic of bhakti again.
But I need your help, as I always have. I need you to forgive my offences and continue to guide me. I am your foolish servant nothing more. I know I make so many mistakes, but I really have nothing else in my life as valuable as my relationship with you. I want to make you proud. Please show me how I can best serve you.
Your servant
Sruti-cari dd
Stambha bhava das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the dust at you lotus feet.
I would like to express my sincere heart felt gratitude to you for being the perfect example for your disciples to follow. By your cultivating extensive knowledge of the shastra and having the expertise to teach it thoroughly to others, being extremely strict in following the rules and regulations of your ashram and most importantly your constant endeavour to deepen your attachment to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna through his Holy Name, are all perfect qualities of the āchārya.
In Srila Prabhupada’s purport to C.C. Adi Lila 1.46, he explains the position of the bona fide spiritual master.
"The spiritual master is also called ācārya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science. Manu-saṁhitā (2.140) explains the duties of an ācārya, describing that a bona fide spiritual maser accepts charge of disciples, teaches them the Vedic knowledge with all its intricacies, and gives them their second birth.”
"Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an ācārya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called āśraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter. The bona fide spiritual master always engages in unalloyed devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By this test he is known to be a direct manifestation of the Lord and a genuine representative of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. Such a spiritual master is known as ācāryadeva.”
Having the opportunity to travel with you every year always gives me a powerful reminder of the austerities you perform, for example, delayed flights, drivers falling asleep at the wheel, having to deal with such a variety of cooks and servants, and the list goes on. By witnessing this, it always deepens my appreciation for the lifestyle you have embraced. Although usually only spending a couple of weeks with you at a time, the experience of how intense your schedule is, is inconceivable for me to imagine how someone with a body almost 30 years older then me can do it continuously.
In Srimad Bhagavatam when Lord Brahma is just about to start performing tapasya after receiving instruction from Krishna, Srila Prabhupada says in his purport.
“The mercy that the Lord bestows on a particular person engaged in executing the responsible work entrusted unto him is beyond imagination. But his mercy is received due to our penance and perseverance in executing devotional service.”
The results of your strong determination to perform these austerities to please Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya have surely manifested in your glorious preaching, I feel extremely privileged to to have such an empowered personality as my Spiritual Master.
The devotees in New Zealand often exclaim to me, “how fortunate you are to travel with Gurudeva!” which is true, I am fortunate to have so much of your personal association, but actually, while traveling I get to see how fortunate the devotees in New Zealand are. No where have I seen a system set up like that as which is in New Zealand. Centres where conditioned souls (especially the youth) are gradually introduced to Bhakti through contemporary means, become trained up in devotional principles, practice the lifestyle and most importantly such an emphasis is stressed from the very beginning, that as a part of the culture is to give Bhakti to others, are practically non existent in other parts of the world.
From the results of the past 25 years of preaching in New Zealand, it’s been thoroughly proven, this system works! Your a genius Gurudeva who wears his heart on his sleeve, what amazing qualities you have, and how wonderful it is that Krishna has used you in such an exceptional way. This is the transcendental competition, just as you traverse the world glorifying Krishna, Krishna has empowered you in such a way that as you travel, your own glories spread throughout the world.
Always praying to be a suitable instrument to spread your glorious qualities and activities.
Your aspiring servant
Stambha bhava das
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the dust at you lotus feet.
I would like to express my sincere heart felt gratitude to you for being the perfect example for your disciples to follow. By your cultivating extensive knowledge of the shastra and having the expertise to teach it thoroughly to others, being extremely strict in following the rules and regulations of your ashram and most importantly your constant endeavour to deepen your attachment to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna through his Holy Name, are all perfect qualities of the āchārya.
In Srila Prabhupada’s purport to C.C. Adi Lila 1.46, he explains the position of the bona fide spiritual master.
"The spiritual master is also called ācārya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science. Manu-saṁhitā (2.140) explains the duties of an ācārya, describing that a bona fide spiritual maser accepts charge of disciples, teaches them the Vedic knowledge with all its intricacies, and gives them their second birth.”
"Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an ācārya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called āśraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter. The bona fide spiritual master always engages in unalloyed devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By this test he is known to be a direct manifestation of the Lord and a genuine representative of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. Such a spiritual master is known as ācāryadeva.”
Having the opportunity to travel with you every year always gives me a powerful reminder of the austerities you perform, for example, delayed flights, drivers falling asleep at the wheel, having to deal with such a variety of cooks and servants, and the list goes on. By witnessing this, it always deepens my appreciation for the lifestyle you have embraced. Although usually only spending a couple of weeks with you at a time, the experience of how intense your schedule is, is inconceivable for me to imagine how someone with a body almost 30 years older then me can do it continuously.
In Srimad Bhagavatam when Lord Brahma is just about to start performing tapasya after receiving instruction from Krishna, Srila Prabhupada says in his purport.
“The mercy that the Lord bestows on a particular person engaged in executing the responsible work entrusted unto him is beyond imagination. But his mercy is received due to our penance and perseverance in executing devotional service.”
The results of your strong determination to perform these austerities to please Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya have surely manifested in your glorious preaching, I feel extremely privileged to to have such an empowered personality as my Spiritual Master.
The devotees in New Zealand often exclaim to me, “how fortunate you are to travel with Gurudeva!” which is true, I am fortunate to have so much of your personal association, but actually, while traveling I get to see how fortunate the devotees in New Zealand are. No where have I seen a system set up like that as which is in New Zealand. Centres where conditioned souls (especially the youth) are gradually introduced to Bhakti through contemporary means, become trained up in devotional principles, practice the lifestyle and most importantly such an emphasis is stressed from the very beginning, that as a part of the culture is to give Bhakti to others, are practically non existent in other parts of the world.
From the results of the past 25 years of preaching in New Zealand, it’s been thoroughly proven, this system works! Your a genius Gurudeva who wears his heart on his sleeve, what amazing qualities you have, and how wonderful it is that Krishna has used you in such an exceptional way. This is the transcendental competition, just as you traverse the world glorifying Krishna, Krishna has empowered you in such a way that as you travel, your own glories spread throughout the world.
Always praying to be a suitable instrument to spread your glorious qualities and activities.
Your aspiring servant
Stambha bhava das
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Beyond what we can ever describe
Your appearance lights up our lives
With true love you prise open our eyes
Re-igniting real life from inside
You give Prabhupadas' books as our guide
While you expertly write, as his scribe
You present truth to those who have lied
Breathing life into those who have died
Your personalism breaks down our pride
Your instructions, may we strive to abide
By your mercy we come close by your side
You are the king of our spiritual pride.
Your glories will never subside.
Your trying servant, eternally,
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Beyond what we can ever describe
Your appearance lights up our lives
With true love you prise open our eyes
Re-igniting real life from inside
You give Prabhupadas' books as our guide
While you expertly write, as his scribe
You present truth to those who have lied
Breathing life into those who have died
Your personalism breaks down our pride
Your instructions, may we strive to abide
By your mercy we come close by your side
You are the king of our spiritual pride.
Your glories will never subside.
Your trying servant, eternally,
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Sundarangi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances on this glorious occasion of your vyasa puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva you have shown me where to take real shelter, hearing and speaking Krsna katha. The Sundays when we can hear you live giving Srimad Bhagavatam class in the temple and Loft class in the evening are a real treat! A transcendental sand which.
Thank you for giving. You have given me a real life to strive for. You have given me everything and the process to see that. Now I am begging for the ability to practice and be a useful instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your servant
Sundarangi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances on this glorious occasion of your vyasa puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva you have shown me where to take real shelter, hearing and speaking Krsna katha. The Sundays when we can hear you live giving Srimad Bhagavatam class in the temple and Loft class in the evening are a real treat! A transcendental sand which.
Thank you for giving. You have given me a real life to strive for. You have given me everything and the process to see that. Now I am begging for the ability to practice and be a useful instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your servant
Sundarangi devi dasi
Surapala dasa
Beloved Gurudeva, Hare Krishna!
Please accept my humble obeisances and dandavatas in dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
GURUDEVA, please accept my humble offering in this most auspicious day of your Appearance Day, your Vyasa-puja which is like celebration of New Year…
a New Year because as we know a date of appearance of very unique and special person like pure devotee of the Lord is marked in history as beginning of new era in this material world.
Especially, what an era for disciples! For a conditioned soul who has privilege and good fortune to be a disciple of such an unique and special person as you are - is an extra ordinary opportunity to remember you more, to praise you more, to pray to you more for extra mercy… because pure devotee of the Lord like you is always very merciful to all conditioned souls, what to speak of your merciful lenience towards your disciples. Lord Krishna privileged me to become your disciple because of your compassionate loving care you are able to bestow upon my fallen self. I offer my respectful obeisances in dust of your lotus feet:
OM AJNANA TIMIRANDHASYA
JNANANJANA SALAKAYA
CAKSUR UNMILITAM YENA
TASMAI SRI GURAVE NAMAHA
“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.”
Disciple can only live on the mercy of his spiritual master, there is no other way to sustain the life of the disciple.
mukam karoti vacalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
sri gurum dina-taranam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of all fallen souls, whose mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers, and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
In this way I feel most lucky to have a privilege to be your disciple. Everyday I am thanking Lord Krishna for causeless mercy He bestowed upon such fallen soul as I am by giving me you as my guide and spiritual master. And by your merciful intercession Lord Krishna blessed me with the best facilities I can imagine to make spiritual progress in developing consciousness of Him and awaken my dormant love of Him. First of all He gave me you, who from the very beginning was taking care of me like my own father. I remember in early 80’s when you were visiting New Santipur farm in Poland (where you hid me to protect from a draft to an army) you were bringing from Western Europe for my god-brother Vairocani and I, farmer uniforms, sweaters, warm hats, etc. - making sure that during severe winter time we will not get sick rather be healthy and happily engaged in devotional service.
Sometimes you were also giving me an opportunity to chant my japa in your room in your association. It was giving me feeling that through your ears Lord Krishna is listening to my calling of His names. At that time as 21 years old young puffed-up man, a very neophyte devotee I was very proud of my parentage, education I received and skills (martial art and resoluteness) I developed and cultivated before I joined ISKCON. In this way I was not very humble and not behaving very well according Vaishnava etiquette amongst devotees. One day you called me to your room and gave me reprimand: “Why are you not respecting brahmanas? (You asked me) Do you know that Lord Vishnu is ready to cut off one of His 4 arms to protect His devotee brahamana?” I was shocked and scared! This was a very strong lesson for me. So strong that right after that I was begging Lord Krishna in my prayers to help me improve my behavior and become more humble.
Your classes at that time were a respond for my prayers, because you were talking about the essential details and intricacies of Vaishnava dealings and association. At that time as we all concluded - you were pouring shower of sweet nectar, teaching us how to treat other devotees that Lord Krishna by watching us would derive pleasure. You were pointing out that other devotees are like jewels full of shiny beautiful qualities we can learn from to improve our own character. You were teaching us that we should always remember that devotee of Krishna is very dear to Krishna’s lotus heart and therefore we should learn the art how to appreciate Vaishnava association. How to be very grateful for privilege of living together with other devotees and dealing with them more gently in devotional service daily. You were emphasizing “necessity of being surrounded by devotees, being always wrapped by association of devotees and lovingly embracing them”. So, we took it literary, almost wrestling with each other just to lovingly embrace other devotees. Following your advice help us to remove some barriers blocking us to deal with each other in more loving manner and it melted our hearts. Afterwards it appeared that it was the most blissful time in our co-existence. Also after while you expressed your satisfaction with improvement of my behavior what I accepted as sweet smile of Lord Krishna’s beautiful divine face. This is the sublime result of following advice of pure devotee, empowered representative of God. Since pure devotee loves God and God loves His pure devotee - pure devotee knows the secret how to ignite love in hearts of others where fire of love is not burning yet.
As “Lord Krishna told King Yudisthira that he is conquered by the love of one who has conquered his senses. One who has not conquered his senses cannot conquer the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the secret of devotional Service. To conquer the senses means to engage them constantly in the service of the Lord. This specific qualification of all the Pandava brothers was that they always engaged their senses in the Lord’s service. One who thus engages his senses becomes purified, and with purified senses the devotee can actually render transcendental loving service to the Lord and conquer Him.” [Krishna book ch. 72 “Liberation of King Jarasandha]
Gurudeva, since you conquered your senses by constant focus on performing selfless loving devotional service to Krishna you conquered Unconquerable, the Supreme Lord. Your constant focus on serving Krishna and spreading His glories is expression of your pure mind and loving heart. You constantly think what to do and how to do things that can be more effective in the mission of helping others to become Krishna conscious. Your total absorption with missionary activities of Krishna consciousness is a genuine expression of your pure love of Krishna and your Guru Maharaja who wants to see Lord Krishna’s glories being dynamically and effectively spread all over the world.
As Srila Prabhupada mentioned in [Bg.8.14]: “The special qualification of the pure devotee is that he is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa without deviation and without considering the time or place. There should be no impediments. He should be able to carry out his service anywhere and at any time. Some say that the devotee should remain in holy places like Vṛndāvana or some holy town where the Lord lived, but a pure devotee can live anywhere and create the atmosphere of Vṛndāvana by his devotional service. It was Śrī Advaita who told Lord Caitanya, “Wherever You are, O Lord – there is Vṛndāvana.”
As indicated by the words satatam and nityaśaḥ, which mean “always,” “regularly,” or “every day,” a pure devotee constantly remembers Kṛṣṇa and meditates upon Him. These are qualifications of the pure devotee, for whom the Lord is most easily attainable.”
Since you attained your beloved, the Supreme Lord, when you talk about Him it is like a symphony of pure soul. When you narrate Krishna’s pastimes it is like you are opening a window to spiritual world where listener through your words can see Krishna, His devotees and their loving exchanges with the Lord. In this way wherever you are, you are creating atmosphere of Vrindavana, turning a place into embassy of Vaikuntha full of transcendental bliss. It is quality of the expert servant of the servant of those who serve Srimati Radharani who most expertly is serving Krishna’s lotus feet. Only such expert servant is able to utilize everything whatever exist in Krishna’s creation in His loving service. You Gurudeva are one of those who perfectly well know how to dovetail everything in Krishna’s service.
When Krishna is talking in BG about “a yogi who after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy you are coming to my understanding. Srila Prabhupada to this 6. 41 verse of Bg. explains that by the grace of the Lord such yogis are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities. “And after that, they are given opportunities to live prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families. Those who are born in such families may take advantage of the facilities and try to elevate themselves to full Krishna consciousness”.
Thus from the very young age you were trained in God consciousness and according Western point of view it was high level standard. You were also trained in higher morals that could be praised by Wester society standards as well. This training and education you received developed strong desire in you to constantly look for “the best”. Like Maharaja Pariksit after taking birth was constantly looking for the best of the best - for Krishna he saw in the womb of his mother. Similarly you were constantly looking for “the best”, for “the highest”, for “the topmost”…
Finally Lord Krishna fulfilled deeply rooted in your heart desire by supplying you Transcendental Teachings of Prahlada Maharaja that
gave you a clear perspective of what is “the best” and “the highest”. This topmost transcendental science at once attracted your hankering heart with the best knowledge you were searching for so long. Receiving high education at Yale, one of the topmost materialistic universities in US, you simultaneously were deliberating on different ideas how to help suffering humanity at large. Even academical advisors of Yale requested you if you find such a solution, to please let them know. So, as a big scholar, intellectualist, sophisticated cosmopolitan New Yorker, “ananda” lover who endeavored to experience everything best… now in full ecstasy you studied Srila Prabhupada’s books for 4 consecutive months to understand the secret of solving all problems in human society. Your deliberative intelligence was fully satisfied searching for spiritual perfection and for ultimate solutions to all material problems by embracing science, art and culture of Krishna consciousness and thus you dedicated your entire life on the altar of Srila Prabhupada’s mission to spread Lord Krishna’s glories all over the world. In reciprocation Lord Krishna empowered and entrusted you with special mission to accomplish.
You were teaching to us in early 80’s “when you become free from your own problems, Krishna will give you problems of others”.
Like Prahlada Maharaja when he was dealing with his school-maids or his teachers whose focus was of opposite direction than his or even his demoniac father - it looks like Prahlad was against everyone and everything, all social and political systems dominating in his place. Wherever he faced was just opposition and disapprobation. However despite of atrocities he experienced he was stalwart in his convictions, commitment and devotion in spreading Krishna’s glories. Similarly for 8 years you acted underground facing opposition and danger wherever you went. Just like Prahlada Maharaja who despite of opposition was teaching Bhakti wisdom, you were also spreading Krishna’s glories, teaching us civilized way of living with Krishna in the center.
Even today although world situation is different that it was in 70’s or 80’s nonetheless the conditioned souls still face the same problems and you are there for them without fail rescuing them in many different ways. Risking your physical or emotional comfort, exposing yourself for lack of understanding or appreciation or gratitude you tirelessly and constantly focus on Lord Caitanya’s mission spreading Lord Krishna’s glories and trying to educate everyone on your way.
So, isn’t Lord Krishna’s by arrangement of handing you Transcendental Teaching of Prahlada Maharaja was trying to prepare you for near future sacrifice and dedicated service you performed in Eastern Europe?
Sophistication that assisted you from earliest days of your divine life is still manifesting today through your pure, selfless and loving devotional service you perform at the lotus feet of your Guru Maharaja and Krishna. Standards of your spiritual practices, your divine wisdom, your transcendental behavior and mannerism, your devotional action indicates spiritual sophistication of transcendental perfectionist, spiritual maximizer, spiritual scholar and topmost intellectualist of modern time.
Thus most sophisticated subjects of spiritual perfection are presented by you in profound and unparalleled manner captivating minds of those who are searching for true love and spirituality. When you discuss vital subjects with important persons of this world they are becoming impressed by illuminating knowledge you present. It is amazing how erudite you are and how eloquently you can speak on any subject, keeping focus on conclusion of spiritual wisdom. Your proactive approach reminds me often your Spiritual Grandpa’s initiatives. Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakur was very well know as an expert of using everything properly in service to Krishna. Sometimes, some were not able to understand him properly, just as it was similarly in a case of his dedicated disciple A.C. Bhaktivednta Swami Prabhupada, who also was not understood properly by many on the beginning of his global massive distribution of Krishna’s mercy in the form of Krishna consciousness movement.
Similarly, as your two glories spiritual predecessors you are also very proactive transcendentalist who by pure love of God, out of your compassion to all living entities, is constantly thinking how to rescue conditioned souls and mercifully acts to help them open their hearts for Krishna’s mercy you are sharing with. As your two greatest spiritual predecessors, not touched by misunderstanding of others continued their missionary activities for Krishna’s satisfaction and revolutionized all world by giving Krishna to others - you are doing the same transcendental task of liberating others without being affected by any impediments may occur on the way. Either it was during your undercover missionary activities in Eastern Block of communistic countries in Europe or now during saturation by voidism and extreme impersonalism in human society. Both cases are demanding and require highly elevated expert like you to deal with confused, degraded and bewildered conditioned souls of modern time. To persist on the field of preaching nowadays it also requires enormous enthusiasm and determination which are luminous and integral of your divine personality.
In this way your preaching spirit is perfect and extremely encouraging example of persistence Krishna was recommending Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Thus you are also a spiritual worrier, who by transcendental methods of Bhakti and your words of wisdom, by your gentle behavior with which you treat everyone with loving care and by your perfect example that is very encouraging, you are changing hearts of conditioned souls wherever you go.
One day in Gita Nagari you have asked me: “you know me already for almost 40 years, did I change anything in my spiritual routine? I am doing the same things all the time for all these decades.” Yes Gurudeva, since I know you, you are constantly the same person; full of expertise on any subject that ultimately you lead to present absolute conclusion - the essence of Krishna conscious wisdom. You are totally devoted to your spiritual practices, selflessly and lovingly dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s mission of spreading Krishna’s glories and thus rescue conditioned souls from clutches of Maya. You are an expert in dovetailing proactive strategies in missionary activities, you are an expert in using everything properly in Krishna’s service to satisfy Srila Prabhupada and Krishna and thus benefit conditioned souls wherever you are.
Although I experienced many times your compassionate mercy you bestow upon my fallen self either back in Poland or US in St. Louis or Las Vegas or even Philadelphia or Gita Nagari I will recall the story you described with one conditioned soul from UK who became your disciple. This story is a perfect example how selfless, how compassionate and loving you are, always ready to sacrifice your time, energy and means to rescue conditioned soul and bring him to Krishna’s lotus feet. To attract this soul to Krishna you discovered his passion as photographer and you were willing even to purchase a camera just to let him teach you how to take good pictures. Meantime by your purifying association and brilliant injections of higher taste to his heart he became attracted to Krishna and became your disciple. This is the noble result of empowered Vaishnava association who is like kalpa-vriksha - desire fulfilling tree. You are always looking for opportunity to bring more and more conditioned souls to Krishna’s lotus feet. As Srila Prabhupada wrote in Nectar of Instruction: “An empowered person who is actually engaged in the 77 service of the Lord should not be treated as an ordinary human being, for it is stated that unless one is empowered by Kṛṣṇa, one cannot spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world.” [NI. 6]
“Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has given some practical hints to the effect that an uttama-adhikārī Vaiṣṇava can be recognized by his ability to convert many fallen souls to Vaiṣṇavism.” [NI.5]
Therefore I am bowing down at your lotus feet, paying obeisances again and again, begging you for mercy allowing and helping me to follow in your footsteps firmly and like you, to be unstoppable in selfless loving devotional service with focus on one goal only - to satisfy you with all my heart and soul.
I apologize for long writing, especially that in this special day you are receiving hundreds and thousands of letters from all over the world. Nonetheless the more I write about you, contemplating your glories the more beautiful qualities of you are coming to my mind. I feel like incessant stream of your glories is flooding my mind and I have difficulty to stop it. However to respect your time I will end here begging you again for more mercy to remain in the dust of your lotus feet forever.
Your humble and insignificant servant,
Surapala dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances and dandavatas in dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
GURUDEVA, please accept my humble offering in this most auspicious day of your Appearance Day, your Vyasa-puja which is like celebration of New Year…
a New Year because as we know a date of appearance of very unique and special person like pure devotee of the Lord is marked in history as beginning of new era in this material world.
Especially, what an era for disciples! For a conditioned soul who has privilege and good fortune to be a disciple of such an unique and special person as you are - is an extra ordinary opportunity to remember you more, to praise you more, to pray to you more for extra mercy… because pure devotee of the Lord like you is always very merciful to all conditioned souls, what to speak of your merciful lenience towards your disciples. Lord Krishna privileged me to become your disciple because of your compassionate loving care you are able to bestow upon my fallen self. I offer my respectful obeisances in dust of your lotus feet:
OM AJNANA TIMIRANDHASYA
JNANANJANA SALAKAYA
CAKSUR UNMILITAM YENA
TASMAI SRI GURAVE NAMAHA
“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.”
Disciple can only live on the mercy of his spiritual master, there is no other way to sustain the life of the disciple.
mukam karoti vacalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
sri gurum dina-taranam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of all fallen souls, whose mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers, and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
In this way I feel most lucky to have a privilege to be your disciple. Everyday I am thanking Lord Krishna for causeless mercy He bestowed upon such fallen soul as I am by giving me you as my guide and spiritual master. And by your merciful intercession Lord Krishna blessed me with the best facilities I can imagine to make spiritual progress in developing consciousness of Him and awaken my dormant love of Him. First of all He gave me you, who from the very beginning was taking care of me like my own father. I remember in early 80’s when you were visiting New Santipur farm in Poland (where you hid me to protect from a draft to an army) you were bringing from Western Europe for my god-brother Vairocani and I, farmer uniforms, sweaters, warm hats, etc. - making sure that during severe winter time we will not get sick rather be healthy and happily engaged in devotional service.
Sometimes you were also giving me an opportunity to chant my japa in your room in your association. It was giving me feeling that through your ears Lord Krishna is listening to my calling of His names. At that time as 21 years old young puffed-up man, a very neophyte devotee I was very proud of my parentage, education I received and skills (martial art and resoluteness) I developed and cultivated before I joined ISKCON. In this way I was not very humble and not behaving very well according Vaishnava etiquette amongst devotees. One day you called me to your room and gave me reprimand: “Why are you not respecting brahmanas? (You asked me) Do you know that Lord Vishnu is ready to cut off one of His 4 arms to protect His devotee brahamana?” I was shocked and scared! This was a very strong lesson for me. So strong that right after that I was begging Lord Krishna in my prayers to help me improve my behavior and become more humble.
Your classes at that time were a respond for my prayers, because you were talking about the essential details and intricacies of Vaishnava dealings and association. At that time as we all concluded - you were pouring shower of sweet nectar, teaching us how to treat other devotees that Lord Krishna by watching us would derive pleasure. You were pointing out that other devotees are like jewels full of shiny beautiful qualities we can learn from to improve our own character. You were teaching us that we should always remember that devotee of Krishna is very dear to Krishna’s lotus heart and therefore we should learn the art how to appreciate Vaishnava association. How to be very grateful for privilege of living together with other devotees and dealing with them more gently in devotional service daily. You were emphasizing “necessity of being surrounded by devotees, being always wrapped by association of devotees and lovingly embracing them”. So, we took it literary, almost wrestling with each other just to lovingly embrace other devotees. Following your advice help us to remove some barriers blocking us to deal with each other in more loving manner and it melted our hearts. Afterwards it appeared that it was the most blissful time in our co-existence. Also after while you expressed your satisfaction with improvement of my behavior what I accepted as sweet smile of Lord Krishna’s beautiful divine face. This is the sublime result of following advice of pure devotee, empowered representative of God. Since pure devotee loves God and God loves His pure devotee - pure devotee knows the secret how to ignite love in hearts of others where fire of love is not burning yet.
As “Lord Krishna told King Yudisthira that he is conquered by the love of one who has conquered his senses. One who has not conquered his senses cannot conquer the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the secret of devotional Service. To conquer the senses means to engage them constantly in the service of the Lord. This specific qualification of all the Pandava brothers was that they always engaged their senses in the Lord’s service. One who thus engages his senses becomes purified, and with purified senses the devotee can actually render transcendental loving service to the Lord and conquer Him.” [Krishna book ch. 72 “Liberation of King Jarasandha]
Gurudeva, since you conquered your senses by constant focus on performing selfless loving devotional service to Krishna you conquered Unconquerable, the Supreme Lord. Your constant focus on serving Krishna and spreading His glories is expression of your pure mind and loving heart. You constantly think what to do and how to do things that can be more effective in the mission of helping others to become Krishna conscious. Your total absorption with missionary activities of Krishna consciousness is a genuine expression of your pure love of Krishna and your Guru Maharaja who wants to see Lord Krishna’s glories being dynamically and effectively spread all over the world.
As Srila Prabhupada mentioned in [Bg.8.14]: “The special qualification of the pure devotee is that he is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa without deviation and without considering the time or place. There should be no impediments. He should be able to carry out his service anywhere and at any time. Some say that the devotee should remain in holy places like Vṛndāvana or some holy town where the Lord lived, but a pure devotee can live anywhere and create the atmosphere of Vṛndāvana by his devotional service. It was Śrī Advaita who told Lord Caitanya, “Wherever You are, O Lord – there is Vṛndāvana.”
As indicated by the words satatam and nityaśaḥ, which mean “always,” “regularly,” or “every day,” a pure devotee constantly remembers Kṛṣṇa and meditates upon Him. These are qualifications of the pure devotee, for whom the Lord is most easily attainable.”
Since you attained your beloved, the Supreme Lord, when you talk about Him it is like a symphony of pure soul. When you narrate Krishna’s pastimes it is like you are opening a window to spiritual world where listener through your words can see Krishna, His devotees and their loving exchanges with the Lord. In this way wherever you are, you are creating atmosphere of Vrindavana, turning a place into embassy of Vaikuntha full of transcendental bliss. It is quality of the expert servant of the servant of those who serve Srimati Radharani who most expertly is serving Krishna’s lotus feet. Only such expert servant is able to utilize everything whatever exist in Krishna’s creation in His loving service. You Gurudeva are one of those who perfectly well know how to dovetail everything in Krishna’s service.
When Krishna is talking in BG about “a yogi who after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy you are coming to my understanding. Srila Prabhupada to this 6. 41 verse of Bg. explains that by the grace of the Lord such yogis are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities. “And after that, they are given opportunities to live prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families. Those who are born in such families may take advantage of the facilities and try to elevate themselves to full Krishna consciousness”.
Thus from the very young age you were trained in God consciousness and according Western point of view it was high level standard. You were also trained in higher morals that could be praised by Wester society standards as well. This training and education you received developed strong desire in you to constantly look for “the best”. Like Maharaja Pariksit after taking birth was constantly looking for the best of the best - for Krishna he saw in the womb of his mother. Similarly you were constantly looking for “the best”, for “the highest”, for “the topmost”…
Finally Lord Krishna fulfilled deeply rooted in your heart desire by supplying you Transcendental Teachings of Prahlada Maharaja that
gave you a clear perspective of what is “the best” and “the highest”. This topmost transcendental science at once attracted your hankering heart with the best knowledge you were searching for so long. Receiving high education at Yale, one of the topmost materialistic universities in US, you simultaneously were deliberating on different ideas how to help suffering humanity at large. Even academical advisors of Yale requested you if you find such a solution, to please let them know. So, as a big scholar, intellectualist, sophisticated cosmopolitan New Yorker, “ananda” lover who endeavored to experience everything best… now in full ecstasy you studied Srila Prabhupada’s books for 4 consecutive months to understand the secret of solving all problems in human society. Your deliberative intelligence was fully satisfied searching for spiritual perfection and for ultimate solutions to all material problems by embracing science, art and culture of Krishna consciousness and thus you dedicated your entire life on the altar of Srila Prabhupada’s mission to spread Lord Krishna’s glories all over the world. In reciprocation Lord Krishna empowered and entrusted you with special mission to accomplish.
You were teaching to us in early 80’s “when you become free from your own problems, Krishna will give you problems of others”.
Like Prahlada Maharaja when he was dealing with his school-maids or his teachers whose focus was of opposite direction than his or even his demoniac father - it looks like Prahlad was against everyone and everything, all social and political systems dominating in his place. Wherever he faced was just opposition and disapprobation. However despite of atrocities he experienced he was stalwart in his convictions, commitment and devotion in spreading Krishna’s glories. Similarly for 8 years you acted underground facing opposition and danger wherever you went. Just like Prahlada Maharaja who despite of opposition was teaching Bhakti wisdom, you were also spreading Krishna’s glories, teaching us civilized way of living with Krishna in the center.
Even today although world situation is different that it was in 70’s or 80’s nonetheless the conditioned souls still face the same problems and you are there for them without fail rescuing them in many different ways. Risking your physical or emotional comfort, exposing yourself for lack of understanding or appreciation or gratitude you tirelessly and constantly focus on Lord Caitanya’s mission spreading Lord Krishna’s glories and trying to educate everyone on your way.
So, isn’t Lord Krishna’s by arrangement of handing you Transcendental Teaching of Prahlada Maharaja was trying to prepare you for near future sacrifice and dedicated service you performed in Eastern Europe?
Sophistication that assisted you from earliest days of your divine life is still manifesting today through your pure, selfless and loving devotional service you perform at the lotus feet of your Guru Maharaja and Krishna. Standards of your spiritual practices, your divine wisdom, your transcendental behavior and mannerism, your devotional action indicates spiritual sophistication of transcendental perfectionist, spiritual maximizer, spiritual scholar and topmost intellectualist of modern time.
Thus most sophisticated subjects of spiritual perfection are presented by you in profound and unparalleled manner captivating minds of those who are searching for true love and spirituality. When you discuss vital subjects with important persons of this world they are becoming impressed by illuminating knowledge you present. It is amazing how erudite you are and how eloquently you can speak on any subject, keeping focus on conclusion of spiritual wisdom. Your proactive approach reminds me often your Spiritual Grandpa’s initiatives. Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakur was very well know as an expert of using everything properly in service to Krishna. Sometimes, some were not able to understand him properly, just as it was similarly in a case of his dedicated disciple A.C. Bhaktivednta Swami Prabhupada, who also was not understood properly by many on the beginning of his global massive distribution of Krishna’s mercy in the form of Krishna consciousness movement.
Similarly, as your two glories spiritual predecessors you are also very proactive transcendentalist who by pure love of God, out of your compassion to all living entities, is constantly thinking how to rescue conditioned souls and mercifully acts to help them open their hearts for Krishna’s mercy you are sharing with. As your two greatest spiritual predecessors, not touched by misunderstanding of others continued their missionary activities for Krishna’s satisfaction and revolutionized all world by giving Krishna to others - you are doing the same transcendental task of liberating others without being affected by any impediments may occur on the way. Either it was during your undercover missionary activities in Eastern Block of communistic countries in Europe or now during saturation by voidism and extreme impersonalism in human society. Both cases are demanding and require highly elevated expert like you to deal with confused, degraded and bewildered conditioned souls of modern time. To persist on the field of preaching nowadays it also requires enormous enthusiasm and determination which are luminous and integral of your divine personality.
In this way your preaching spirit is perfect and extremely encouraging example of persistence Krishna was recommending Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Thus you are also a spiritual worrier, who by transcendental methods of Bhakti and your words of wisdom, by your gentle behavior with which you treat everyone with loving care and by your perfect example that is very encouraging, you are changing hearts of conditioned souls wherever you go.
One day in Gita Nagari you have asked me: “you know me already for almost 40 years, did I change anything in my spiritual routine? I am doing the same things all the time for all these decades.” Yes Gurudeva, since I know you, you are constantly the same person; full of expertise on any subject that ultimately you lead to present absolute conclusion - the essence of Krishna conscious wisdom. You are totally devoted to your spiritual practices, selflessly and lovingly dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s mission of spreading Krishna’s glories and thus rescue conditioned souls from clutches of Maya. You are an expert in dovetailing proactive strategies in missionary activities, you are an expert in using everything properly in Krishna’s service to satisfy Srila Prabhupada and Krishna and thus benefit conditioned souls wherever you are.
Although I experienced many times your compassionate mercy you bestow upon my fallen self either back in Poland or US in St. Louis or Las Vegas or even Philadelphia or Gita Nagari I will recall the story you described with one conditioned soul from UK who became your disciple. This story is a perfect example how selfless, how compassionate and loving you are, always ready to sacrifice your time, energy and means to rescue conditioned soul and bring him to Krishna’s lotus feet. To attract this soul to Krishna you discovered his passion as photographer and you were willing even to purchase a camera just to let him teach you how to take good pictures. Meantime by your purifying association and brilliant injections of higher taste to his heart he became attracted to Krishna and became your disciple. This is the noble result of empowered Vaishnava association who is like kalpa-vriksha - desire fulfilling tree. You are always looking for opportunity to bring more and more conditioned souls to Krishna’s lotus feet. As Srila Prabhupada wrote in Nectar of Instruction: “An empowered person who is actually engaged in the 77 service of the Lord should not be treated as an ordinary human being, for it is stated that unless one is empowered by Kṛṣṇa, one cannot spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world.” [NI. 6]
“Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has given some practical hints to the effect that an uttama-adhikārī Vaiṣṇava can be recognized by his ability to convert many fallen souls to Vaiṣṇavism.” [NI.5]
Therefore I am bowing down at your lotus feet, paying obeisances again and again, begging you for mercy allowing and helping me to follow in your footsteps firmly and like you, to be unstoppable in selfless loving devotional service with focus on one goal only - to satisfy you with all my heart and soul.
I apologize for long writing, especially that in this special day you are receiving hundreds and thousands of letters from all over the world. Nonetheless the more I write about you, contemplating your glories the more beautiful qualities of you are coming to my mind. I feel like incessant stream of your glories is flooding my mind and I have difficulty to stop it. However to respect your time I will end here begging you again for more mercy to remain in the dust of your lotus feet forever.
Your humble and insignificant servant,
Surapala dasa
Sveta Manjari dd
GURUDEVA
Please accept my humble obeisance, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your lotus feet.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, in his thesis Bhakti-sandarbha (202), has stated that uncontaminated devotional service is the objective of pure Vaiṣṇavas and that one has to execute such service in the association of other devotees. By associating with devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one develops a sense of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus becomes inclined toward the loving service of the Lord. This is the process of approaching the Supreme Lord by gradual appreciation in devotional service.
The past year has been a lot more of association and service. This exposure is only due to your causeless mercy. I wish to show you my gratitude for being my silent associate in this regard.
I wish to show my gratitude by committing and continuing on this path, by offering whatever devotional service is required of me. With your continued support please assist me in ensuring that the service rendered can become pure, so that the service I to ensure that the service is uncontaminated as stated in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.
I ask that you please continue to guide the steps I take in this beautiful and perfect process created by our beloved Srila Prabhupada. Where there is any risk that I may make offenses please stop me.
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Sveta Manjari Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisance, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your lotus feet.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, in his thesis Bhakti-sandarbha (202), has stated that uncontaminated devotional service is the objective of pure Vaiṣṇavas and that one has to execute such service in the association of other devotees. By associating with devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one develops a sense of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus becomes inclined toward the loving service of the Lord. This is the process of approaching the Supreme Lord by gradual appreciation in devotional service.
The past year has been a lot more of association and service. This exposure is only due to your causeless mercy. I wish to show you my gratitude for being my silent associate in this regard.
I wish to show my gratitude by committing and continuing on this path, by offering whatever devotional service is required of me. With your continued support please assist me in ensuring that the service rendered can become pure, so that the service I to ensure that the service is uncontaminated as stated in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.
I ask that you please continue to guide the steps I take in this beautiful and perfect process created by our beloved Srila Prabhupada. Where there is any risk that I may make offenses please stop me.
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Sveta Manjari Devi Dasi
Swarupa sakti devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on your vyasa puja celebration.
As the years go by in Bhakti, I realise that I do not walk on my own, but I walk behind great personalities like yourself.It is indeed glorious that in the future we will look back and think we lived in the times of Devamrita Swami.
I have admired the dedication,enthusiasm, spirit to outreach and travel constantly just so the mission of Lord Caitanya and your spiritual master His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is spread.Your strong desire to please the parampara is a force on its own .This is a constant.
You teach by your own example. You nourish us with your graceful glances and potent realisations of the absolute truth.You raise us to great heights on the Bhakti ladder, giving us an opportunity to contribute to spreading of the Sankirtana movement. This is a constant.
I admire the relationships you have with you God-brothers and sisters.This, even from afar, encourages and inspires many.
I am yet to experience love for Krishna or the Holy name. I am yet to experience the divya jnana necessary to propel me in Bhakti. My real experience is the constant guidance and loving grace you have shown me over the years.
amsho bhagavato 'smy aham
sada daso 'smi sarvatha
tat-kripapakshako nityam
tat-preshthasat karomi svam
"I am a tiny part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and I am always and in every way His eternal servant. As I am always hoping for His mercy and kindness, I offer myself to His most dear servitor, my spiritual master."
'Life as it is, is like that of a sailor, it's as blessed as its cursed. With each rolling wave is an adventure to savour . The warmth of the sun brings cool breezes at best. As my option diminish, my head starts to spin, and everything is finished and the sun doesn't shine anymore.When the sea gets rough, times are rough. Your words have been like a compass to guide me through the wild oceanic tide called the material world.You are the compass, the light, the navigator, the captain, the favourable winds and the reason I am still here.'
May I be blessed to go wherever you go in this life and the next. Thank you for accepting me as your disciple and spiritual daughter. Eternally in your debt.
Your servant
Swarupa Sakti Devi Dasi
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on your vyasa puja celebration.
As the years go by in Bhakti, I realise that I do not walk on my own, but I walk behind great personalities like yourself.It is indeed glorious that in the future we will look back and think we lived in the times of Devamrita Swami.
I have admired the dedication,enthusiasm, spirit to outreach and travel constantly just so the mission of Lord Caitanya and your spiritual master His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is spread.Your strong desire to please the parampara is a force on its own .This is a constant.
You teach by your own example. You nourish us with your graceful glances and potent realisations of the absolute truth.You raise us to great heights on the Bhakti ladder, giving us an opportunity to contribute to spreading of the Sankirtana movement. This is a constant.
I admire the relationships you have with you God-brothers and sisters.This, even from afar, encourages and inspires many.
I am yet to experience love for Krishna or the Holy name. I am yet to experience the divya jnana necessary to propel me in Bhakti. My real experience is the constant guidance and loving grace you have shown me over the years.
amsho bhagavato 'smy aham
sada daso 'smi sarvatha
tat-kripapakshako nityam
tat-preshthasat karomi svam
"I am a tiny part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and I am always and in every way His eternal servant. As I am always hoping for His mercy and kindness, I offer myself to His most dear servitor, my spiritual master."
'Life as it is, is like that of a sailor, it's as blessed as its cursed. With each rolling wave is an adventure to savour . The warmth of the sun brings cool breezes at best. As my option diminish, my head starts to spin, and everything is finished and the sun doesn't shine anymore.When the sea gets rough, times are rough. Your words have been like a compass to guide me through the wild oceanic tide called the material world.You are the compass, the light, the navigator, the captain, the favourable winds and the reason I am still here.'
May I be blessed to go wherever you go in this life and the next. Thank you for accepting me as your disciple and spiritual daughter. Eternally in your debt.
Your servant
Swarupa Sakti Devi Dasi
Syama-Govinda Das
Dearest Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisance’s.
All glories to Srila Prahbupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
It’s come to my attention, that by labelling myself a man of few words, what I’m really saying is that I’m self-absorbed and impersonal. I will start by saying you give me the courage to face and take responsibility for these aspects of my character for which I am constantly humiliated.
Having served you personally this summer, I wasn’t surprised, but still I’m in owe at your example. You are the symbol of first-class man, some of your qualities I valued and experienced during our exchanges were; your sensitivity, generosity, razor sharp intellect and mercy.
I am proud to say that I am your disciple. I wear your example like a company embelin, nay, rather like a soldier’s uniform. You have given me a mission and something tangible to fight for. Whilst my own personal efforts are insignificant here when compared to the efforts of the current team and those who have come before. The contributions that I have made, I have experienced have only manifest themselves by your grace.
Please empower me to serve you and the devotees here at Gita Nagari, with the same determination I had as boy when I would serve my biological Father.
• Dhurva: by supporting his bold engineering genius and assist so that he may be able to rest.
• Parijata: so that she can further lead, care and inspire the devotees. Attract and engage more.
• Snana Yatra: by taking lesson from him in etiquette and punctuality. Please have him depend on me.
• Kesi Madana: by supporting him in his natural propensities as a relish-able Bhagavatam Speaker, his interests and inspiration in ox droving and cow care.
• Agari Krishna: let me be his unalloyed friend and well-wisher, allow me to acknowledge his keen intellect and let me learn from him. Humble me to be able follow him as he is a natural leader.
• Dennis: by appreciating him as a symbol of personalism, perhaps it is he who is the real servant of Govinda?
I have no qualification, other than I simply strive to go the distance by insuring that I follow my vows. How can / could I ever repay you? Is this a debt that I can every fully liquidate?
Perhaps its not a time for words but rather for action. I pray for a grateful heart.
Your aspiring servant and son.
Syama-Govinda Das
All glories to Srila Prahbupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
It’s come to my attention, that by labelling myself a man of few words, what I’m really saying is that I’m self-absorbed and impersonal. I will start by saying you give me the courage to face and take responsibility for these aspects of my character for which I am constantly humiliated.
Having served you personally this summer, I wasn’t surprised, but still I’m in owe at your example. You are the symbol of first-class man, some of your qualities I valued and experienced during our exchanges were; your sensitivity, generosity, razor sharp intellect and mercy.
I am proud to say that I am your disciple. I wear your example like a company embelin, nay, rather like a soldier’s uniform. You have given me a mission and something tangible to fight for. Whilst my own personal efforts are insignificant here when compared to the efforts of the current team and those who have come before. The contributions that I have made, I have experienced have only manifest themselves by your grace.
Please empower me to serve you and the devotees here at Gita Nagari, with the same determination I had as boy when I would serve my biological Father.
• Dhurva: by supporting his bold engineering genius and assist so that he may be able to rest.
• Parijata: so that she can further lead, care and inspire the devotees. Attract and engage more.
• Snana Yatra: by taking lesson from him in etiquette and punctuality. Please have him depend on me.
• Kesi Madana: by supporting him in his natural propensities as a relish-able Bhagavatam Speaker, his interests and inspiration in ox droving and cow care.
• Agari Krishna: let me be his unalloyed friend and well-wisher, allow me to acknowledge his keen intellect and let me learn from him. Humble me to be able follow him as he is a natural leader.
• Dennis: by appreciating him as a symbol of personalism, perhaps it is he who is the real servant of Govinda?
I have no qualification, other than I simply strive to go the distance by insuring that I follow my vows. How can / could I ever repay you? Is this a debt that I can every fully liquidate?
Perhaps its not a time for words but rather for action. I pray for a grateful heart.
Your aspiring servant and son.
Syama-Govinda Das
Syama-gauri
To my dearest Guru Maharaj
Please accept my obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
25 Years ago, a student of Srila Prabhupada’s, an academic leader whose previous scholarly teachers had predicted that he would influence the world, a courageous and loyal spiritual soldier in Prabhupada’s movement, established a style of outreach that has made it easy for so many persons to “come to Krsna consciousness, to grow in Krsna consciousness and to give Krsna consciousness to others”. We are now witnessing the fruits of long, painstaking sacrifice and endurance in western outreach. The global Iskcon network is benefiting multifold from such humble beginnings.
Guru Maharaj we are deeply grateful to you! Yet, whilst rightfully deserving so much praise, you remain a dedicated, humble servant of Srila Prabhupada’s and loving father to many spiritual children. Most of us know and see you in your father, spiritual master hat, forgetting that in Prabhupada’s global family you are a general chosen by your peers. I thank you for giving your entire life to Prabhupada.
Since last Recharge Festival (2017), you have been speaking of building Krsna conscious communities that embrace various levels of bhakti intensity, “we are sympathisers” you said in a class last year. With my immature observation, it seems the outreach projects you have given so much time and energy to over the last 2 decades, are in a time of flourish; Sunday events are filled with inquisitive young people, new projects are being created, existing projects are growing, devotees are maturing under your care and the number of people being introduced to bhakti through book distribution is increasing, therefore more new people are taking up to Krsna consciousness. The evidence is seen at the annual Recharge Festival, a festival that began with 40/50 attendees and has grown to nearly 200 devotees each year since approximately 3 years ago. With a bigger community comprising of individuals at various levels of bhakti, you are teaching us to welcome and nurture everyone that takes up a little or a lot of the bhakti process.
As you have stated in your offering to Prabhupada this year, “It would seem that whether devotees live in their own home, in an ashrama, or in a devotional community, somehow every devotee, regardless of one’s accustomed level of bhakti intensity, should have ready access to the impetus (the inspiration) and the capability (the techniques) for engaging in devotional service morning, noon, and night”
Thank you for being the umbrella that we are all sheltered by and building these communities in which we all have a fair opportunity to engage in devotional service.
Lastly I thank you for never giving up on me. Though I have not assisted you nor your vision in so many years, you have continued to keep this tiny soul in your thoughts. And though I am far from pleasing you through service, I must admit your deep presence in my heart. These may be the words of a toddler bhaktin, but I pray to you, to Srila Prabhupada, to Krsna that you may once again reinvest your kindness in me, that I could be just one of the many who fight in your army, the smallest of soldiers.
In conclusion, I must add that your class presentations are just fire Guru Maharaj, you are on point again and again and again! Presenting Krsna consciousness in the most thoughtful, tangible, and engaging ways.
Your aspiring servant and daughter
Syama-gauri dd
Please accept my obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
25 Years ago, a student of Srila Prabhupada’s, an academic leader whose previous scholarly teachers had predicted that he would influence the world, a courageous and loyal spiritual soldier in Prabhupada’s movement, established a style of outreach that has made it easy for so many persons to “come to Krsna consciousness, to grow in Krsna consciousness and to give Krsna consciousness to others”. We are now witnessing the fruits of long, painstaking sacrifice and endurance in western outreach. The global Iskcon network is benefiting multifold from such humble beginnings.
Guru Maharaj we are deeply grateful to you! Yet, whilst rightfully deserving so much praise, you remain a dedicated, humble servant of Srila Prabhupada’s and loving father to many spiritual children. Most of us know and see you in your father, spiritual master hat, forgetting that in Prabhupada’s global family you are a general chosen by your peers. I thank you for giving your entire life to Prabhupada.
Since last Recharge Festival (2017), you have been speaking of building Krsna conscious communities that embrace various levels of bhakti intensity, “we are sympathisers” you said in a class last year. With my immature observation, it seems the outreach projects you have given so much time and energy to over the last 2 decades, are in a time of flourish; Sunday events are filled with inquisitive young people, new projects are being created, existing projects are growing, devotees are maturing under your care and the number of people being introduced to bhakti through book distribution is increasing, therefore more new people are taking up to Krsna consciousness. The evidence is seen at the annual Recharge Festival, a festival that began with 40/50 attendees and has grown to nearly 200 devotees each year since approximately 3 years ago. With a bigger community comprising of individuals at various levels of bhakti, you are teaching us to welcome and nurture everyone that takes up a little or a lot of the bhakti process.
As you have stated in your offering to Prabhupada this year, “It would seem that whether devotees live in their own home, in an ashrama, or in a devotional community, somehow every devotee, regardless of one’s accustomed level of bhakti intensity, should have ready access to the impetus (the inspiration) and the capability (the techniques) for engaging in devotional service morning, noon, and night”
Thank you for being the umbrella that we are all sheltered by and building these communities in which we all have a fair opportunity to engage in devotional service.
Lastly I thank you for never giving up on me. Though I have not assisted you nor your vision in so many years, you have continued to keep this tiny soul in your thoughts. And though I am far from pleasing you through service, I must admit your deep presence in my heart. These may be the words of a toddler bhaktin, but I pray to you, to Srila Prabhupada, to Krsna that you may once again reinvest your kindness in me, that I could be just one of the many who fight in your army, the smallest of soldiers.
In conclusion, I must add that your class presentations are just fire Guru Maharaj, you are on point again and again and again! Presenting Krsna consciousness in the most thoughtful, tangible, and engaging ways.
Your aspiring servant and daughter
Syama-gauri dd
Tamalavan das
Vyasa Puja---Tamalavan das
Dear Guru Maharaj
All glories To his grace His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
If the question were asked where am I one year on in my spiritual consciousness, my answer has to do with TIME. Time comes so pertinently for me in the Bhagavad Gita initially through Chapter Eleven (The Universal Form). We humans taking Arjuna’s relationship to Krsna as an example, learn from His Divine Grace Swami Prabhupada in the purport to the opening text of Chapter Eleven BG: that Krsna operates not only as Personal friend to Arjuna (and by implication us beings ) but IS ALSO the source of all incarnations (Chapt.10 BG) and Source of ALL the MATERIAL UNIVERSES. In the following texts of Chapt. Eleven Krsna, reveals at Arjuna’s request, his unlimited Universal (Cosmic ) Self. This is a potent showing of the Supreme’s power which has not been seen even by demigods. Arjuna is shaken and wishes to return to the Personality of Godhead form.
This all harks me back to text33 of chapter 10 BG…..”I am also inexhaustible time”….And forward again to the nub of things presently :
Chapt11 text 33BG: quoted----
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said ( sri bhagavan uvaca)
Time (my emphasis) I am (kalah asmi)
the great destroyer of all the worlds (lokan samahartum iha pravrtah
…..the verse continues with the context of the Kurukshetra battle … ”, and I have come to destroy all people. With the exception of you (the Pandavas), all the soldiers on both sides will be slain.”
If there is a more cogent expression of Vedic inter-planetary and cosmogonal physics this it… The Universe, all Worlds, Universal form (so terrifyingly revealed in the texts of chapter Eleven)...and Time I am, the great destroyer of all the worlds…
This precedes the message a highly communicative physics professor(below) conveys to his students and listeners as he describes Einstein’s and other scientist's( rather puny by comparison ) conceptions of the Universe as Time…. (or rather both vast space, AND time inextricably locked together….“Time I am. The destroyer of all the worlds”)
prof. Ian Cox … in a recent talk involving Time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYG4gWOTkzQ
Here the materialist professor describes the inexorable march of time, its one-way progress …. over seemingly endless timeeven suns burn out and become something else. Scientists this last century or so have spent vast effort and treasure to find material confirmation of that which has sat regally in the shastras for all Time.
Time then is clearly on my case (as a conditioned soul). Since 18th December 2017, 4 women have passed away in our family 2 of them just on 50 years of age through cancers. I reflect that since I was 8 or so quite a few such wider family have passed away. This has been not all that heavy although my mother’s passing has been a little painful since her growing dependence led to great attachment. I have however enjoyed my parents and many nearby family members for many decades. Neither could I say there have not been catastrophic situations like say on the nazi-soviet front 1942 to 1945 which so radically impacts German families I am acquainted with; Or indeed father uncles and grandfathers on the fronts of both world wars. Time would have realistically held out a few weeks or days for them in those wars. My father never slept well whilst we had him. He and his brother soldiers had treasured their days. This was just part of the scene growing up. A military family.
Time is Master of all …...Krsna is Time. Vedic knowledge does not mislead …. reality is not kept from us. Material science, its idiom familiar to me, has perhaps made first-world lives easier but The Lord is untroubled in his mastery yet.
In conjunction with these power strokes I have been comforted to find texts such as 13.24BG and the following two;-transcendence of our material body-trap by virtue of that part of ourselves divine enough to reunite us with Godhead.
(especially that meditation can in the individual reveal this ….such would be a great relief. If not Vedic logical power assures us of this !!!!)
And of course, the well known 2:12BG…..; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.
At times the transportation bliss does reach perhaps transcendence.
Tamalavan
Dear Guru Maharaj
All glories To his grace His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
If the question were asked where am I one year on in my spiritual consciousness, my answer has to do with TIME. Time comes so pertinently for me in the Bhagavad Gita initially through Chapter Eleven (The Universal Form). We humans taking Arjuna’s relationship to Krsna as an example, learn from His Divine Grace Swami Prabhupada in the purport to the opening text of Chapter Eleven BG: that Krsna operates not only as Personal friend to Arjuna (and by implication us beings ) but IS ALSO the source of all incarnations (Chapt.10 BG) and Source of ALL the MATERIAL UNIVERSES. In the following texts of Chapt. Eleven Krsna, reveals at Arjuna’s request, his unlimited Universal (Cosmic ) Self. This is a potent showing of the Supreme’s power which has not been seen even by demigods. Arjuna is shaken and wishes to return to the Personality of Godhead form.
This all harks me back to text33 of chapter 10 BG…..”I am also inexhaustible time”….And forward again to the nub of things presently :
Chapt11 text 33BG: quoted----
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said ( sri bhagavan uvaca)
Time (my emphasis) I am (kalah asmi)
the great destroyer of all the worlds (lokan samahartum iha pravrtah
…..the verse continues with the context of the Kurukshetra battle … ”, and I have come to destroy all people. With the exception of you (the Pandavas), all the soldiers on both sides will be slain.”
If there is a more cogent expression of Vedic inter-planetary and cosmogonal physics this it… The Universe, all Worlds, Universal form (so terrifyingly revealed in the texts of chapter Eleven)...and Time I am, the great destroyer of all the worlds…
This precedes the message a highly communicative physics professor(below) conveys to his students and listeners as he describes Einstein’s and other scientist's( rather puny by comparison ) conceptions of the Universe as Time…. (or rather both vast space, AND time inextricably locked together….“Time I am. The destroyer of all the worlds”)
prof. Ian Cox … in a recent talk involving Time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYG4gWOTkzQ
Here the materialist professor describes the inexorable march of time, its one-way progress …. over seemingly endless timeeven suns burn out and become something else. Scientists this last century or so have spent vast effort and treasure to find material confirmation of that which has sat regally in the shastras for all Time.
Time then is clearly on my case (as a conditioned soul). Since 18th December 2017, 4 women have passed away in our family 2 of them just on 50 years of age through cancers. I reflect that since I was 8 or so quite a few such wider family have passed away. This has been not all that heavy although my mother’s passing has been a little painful since her growing dependence led to great attachment. I have however enjoyed my parents and many nearby family members for many decades. Neither could I say there have not been catastrophic situations like say on the nazi-soviet front 1942 to 1945 which so radically impacts German families I am acquainted with; Or indeed father uncles and grandfathers on the fronts of both world wars. Time would have realistically held out a few weeks or days for them in those wars. My father never slept well whilst we had him. He and his brother soldiers had treasured their days. This was just part of the scene growing up. A military family.
Time is Master of all …...Krsna is Time. Vedic knowledge does not mislead …. reality is not kept from us. Material science, its idiom familiar to me, has perhaps made first-world lives easier but The Lord is untroubled in his mastery yet.
In conjunction with these power strokes I have been comforted to find texts such as 13.24BG and the following two;-transcendence of our material body-trap by virtue of that part of ourselves divine enough to reunite us with Godhead.
(especially that meditation can in the individual reveal this ….such would be a great relief. If not Vedic logical power assures us of this !!!!)
And of course, the well known 2:12BG…..; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.
At times the transportation bliss does reach perhaps transcendence.
Tamalavan
Tanisha Narula
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances onto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupad, all glories to You.
Guru Maharaj, You are like a selfless tree. Just as how it provides fruit, shelter, wood and shade, without asking for anything in return, It caters to all needs of a human life. And just like THAT tree, you provide and guide us towards the true essence of living, and that is Krishna Bhakti.
Our ideal father, We are here in this world that is full of miseries, where we fall, and we get up again, with the hope that you are always around us , to tell us what's right and what's wrong. So thank you Guru Maharaj, for always being there for me and my family.
Your lectures are such a delight, because they not only make us laugh and smile, but also how they makes one introspect about oneself and one's life and environment.
We couldn't have asked Krishna for more, for he gave us You, as our spiritual master.
On this auspicious day of Your Vyas Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Govindev, to give you a good long and healthy life, so that you continue to assist Srila Prabhupad's mission of Krishna Consciousness across the world.
Your humble servant
Tanisha
Please accept my humble obeisances onto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupad, all glories to You.
Guru Maharaj, You are like a selfless tree. Just as how it provides fruit, shelter, wood and shade, without asking for anything in return, It caters to all needs of a human life. And just like THAT tree, you provide and guide us towards the true essence of living, and that is Krishna Bhakti.
Our ideal father, We are here in this world that is full of miseries, where we fall, and we get up again, with the hope that you are always around us , to tell us what's right and what's wrong. So thank you Guru Maharaj, for always being there for me and my family.
Your lectures are such a delight, because they not only make us laugh and smile, but also how they makes one introspect about oneself and one's life and environment.
We couldn't have asked Krishna for more, for he gave us You, as our spiritual master.
On this auspicious day of Your Vyas Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Govindev, to give you a good long and healthy life, so that you continue to assist Srila Prabhupad's mission of Krishna Consciousness across the world.
Your humble servant
Tanisha
Tarakeshvara Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your lotus feet!
Thank you for providing this purifying opportunity for me to be grateful and retrospective! May your spotless character always be the fountainhead of my spiritual inspiration and enthusiasm! May your selfless service always be the polestar of my bhakti pursuit and safari!
In the preface of Bhagavad Gita as it is, Prabhupada humbly said that “if even one man becomes a pure devotee of the Lord, we shall consider our attempt a success.”. Undoubtedly, Prabhupada’s attempt has proved success by having dedicated disciples like you and and other great devotees. By incessant travelling and fearless preaching, you have expanded the sankirtan procession of Caitanya Mahaprabhu over all the continents other than the Antarctic. By tactfully and affectionately establishing urban and rural bhakti centres all over the world, you have opened the door wide open for unmotivated devotional service. Indeed, you distribute your mercy more liberally than Krishna. As Krishna, the bestower of mukti, is very strict about giving away bhakti. The loving devotional service is the only way to conquer the unconquerable. We can only get it from His bona fide devotees like you.
In Bhagavad Gita 3.21, the verese says “yad yad acarati sresthas, tat tad evetaro janah, sa yat pramanam kurute, lokas tad anuvartate.” Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. Thank you for setting the example of being a faithful follower of previous acaryas. In the same preface of Bhagavad Gita, Prabhupada himself teaches that “If I have any credit in this connection, it does not belong to me personally, but it is due to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya 108 Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja Prabhupāda. If personally I have any credit in this matter, it is only that I have tried to present Bhagavad-gītā as it is, without any adulteration.” This is the confidential success recipe of our disciplic succession! By devoutly following the instructions of the spiritual master, spiritual success is guaranteed. On this auspicious day of your appearance, I pray that this menial servant can have the fortune to follow your footsteps and execute your instructions regardless of any external or internal conditions!
Your begging servant,
Tarakeshvara Das
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your lotus feet!
Thank you for providing this purifying opportunity for me to be grateful and retrospective! May your spotless character always be the fountainhead of my spiritual inspiration and enthusiasm! May your selfless service always be the polestar of my bhakti pursuit and safari!
In the preface of Bhagavad Gita as it is, Prabhupada humbly said that “if even one man becomes a pure devotee of the Lord, we shall consider our attempt a success.”. Undoubtedly, Prabhupada’s attempt has proved success by having dedicated disciples like you and and other great devotees. By incessant travelling and fearless preaching, you have expanded the sankirtan procession of Caitanya Mahaprabhu over all the continents other than the Antarctic. By tactfully and affectionately establishing urban and rural bhakti centres all over the world, you have opened the door wide open for unmotivated devotional service. Indeed, you distribute your mercy more liberally than Krishna. As Krishna, the bestower of mukti, is very strict about giving away bhakti. The loving devotional service is the only way to conquer the unconquerable. We can only get it from His bona fide devotees like you.
In Bhagavad Gita 3.21, the verese says “yad yad acarati sresthas, tat tad evetaro janah, sa yat pramanam kurute, lokas tad anuvartate.” Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. Thank you for setting the example of being a faithful follower of previous acaryas. In the same preface of Bhagavad Gita, Prabhupada himself teaches that “If I have any credit in this connection, it does not belong to me personally, but it is due to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya 108 Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja Prabhupāda. If personally I have any credit in this matter, it is only that I have tried to present Bhagavad-gītā as it is, without any adulteration.” This is the confidential success recipe of our disciplic succession! By devoutly following the instructions of the spiritual master, spiritual success is guaranteed. On this auspicious day of your appearance, I pray that this menial servant can have the fortune to follow your footsteps and execute your instructions regardless of any external or internal conditions!
Your begging servant,
Tarakeshvara Das
Tarun
Hare Krishna , Dear Gurudav . Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srilla Parbhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day. . I remembered when I met you first time last year in Otaki mid year retreat ,I asked you some questions about self realisation , then in response you said read Bhagvat Gita all the answers are there, and Then after a silent gap you asked me do you chant I said yes. Then you were How many rounds do you chant, then I said 16, after that reply you softly asked me can you maintain your vows for chanting 16round, I proudly said yes, but later I talked to myself, can you really maintain your vows, are sure, I was so bewildered. But Gurudav it was your mercy which enabled me to maintain my Japa. .Your love and compassion towards the humanity really inspired us, you are selflessly spreading the Krishna Consiousness through out all over the world and playing a vital role to Compelete the Sankirtan Mission of Sri Chitenya Mahaprabhu and Srilla Parbhupada . . Gurudav sometime it’s seems really hard to concentrate on Bhakti because of the illusory energy, but as soon as I shuffle my mind and realised the instruction you given to me that ,( Make your human form of life successful by Krishna Conciousness)it always give me motivation to keep my Bhakti alive and fresh. . . Gurudav thank you much for giving me the shelter of Krishna consciousness .Please give me your mercy gurudav so that I can take Krishna consciousness more seriously.i am so grateful to become your servent and praying to always be. . Your humble servent . Tarun
Thakur Saranga Das
Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krishna presthaia bhutale
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
“Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion.”
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your Vyasa puja.
All glories to you.
ācāryere ājñā dila kariyā sammāna
‘ā-caṇḍāla ādi kṛṣṇa-bhakti dio dāna’
With great respect, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested Advaita Ācārya,
“Give Kṛṣṇa consciousness, devotion to Kṛṣṇa, even to the lowest of men [caṇḍālas].”
CC Madhya 15.41
Gurumaharaj through the parampara you have been carrying the incessant flow of that causeless mercy of Patita pavana Gaura Hari and giving it out continuously without any discrimination. With such deep compassion and care.
Although unqualified and undeserving , you have given shelter even to me , handed over to me the sacred beads to chant the Mahamantra, whispered in my right ear the 24 syllables of Gayatri mantra, handed over to me the all beautiful Shalagram form of the Lord Sri Krishna to assist you worship Him everyday.
I have no idea what amount of sheer luck or unimaginable good fortune one have to have in this dark most unfortunate age of Kali yuga to have the association of a pure devotee of the Lord and being awarded all these transcendental benedictions.
Gurudeva, you often say “ to whom much is given, much is expected “ but I feel I'm so wretched, how can I even attempt to ever reciprocate with the unfathomable wealth of your mercy on me?
Shastra says,
Sarva-sadhana mukhya hi
Guru- seva sadadrita
Yaya bhaktir bhagavati
hy anjasa syat sukhabhava
( Satvata – tantra, chapter 4, verse 57 )
“ Of all the activities of sadhana, sravanam, kirtanam, vishnu smaranam, pada-sevanam,arcanam, vandanam, dasyam, sakhyam, atma-nivedanam, the most important is the service of Guru. By serving Guru, devotion to the Supreme personality of Godhead will quickly,easily and happily attained.
Srila Bhakti vinoda thakur writes in Saranagati,
“sakale sammana korite sakati,
deho’ natha! jathajatha
tabe to’ gaibo, hari-nama-sukhe,
aparadha ha ’be hata”
I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease.
Im realizing after over a decade of trying, that no amount of my written words can ever glorify you and your endless mercy even a tiny bit . Still I try, every year, knowing fully well I cant express how happy, lucky, grateful and deeply indebted I feel to have your divine self as my eternal spiritual father, guide, advisor, savior,and my ultimate well wisher.
However the Insurmountable debts to you remains unreimbursed still and keep increasing every day.
Gurumaharaj your words vibrates in my ears and penetrates in my heart...
“ The real game is played in the Vani platform”
On this most auspicious occasion, I beg for your mercy to empower me to serve your transcendental instructions rising above all mundane excuses and dilemmas.
Aspiring to be servant of your servants,
Thakur saranga das
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
“Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion.”
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your Vyasa puja.
All glories to you.
ācāryere ājñā dila kariyā sammāna
‘ā-caṇḍāla ādi kṛṣṇa-bhakti dio dāna’
With great respect, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested Advaita Ācārya,
“Give Kṛṣṇa consciousness, devotion to Kṛṣṇa, even to the lowest of men [caṇḍālas].”
CC Madhya 15.41
Gurumaharaj through the parampara you have been carrying the incessant flow of that causeless mercy of Patita pavana Gaura Hari and giving it out continuously without any discrimination. With such deep compassion and care.
Although unqualified and undeserving , you have given shelter even to me , handed over to me the sacred beads to chant the Mahamantra, whispered in my right ear the 24 syllables of Gayatri mantra, handed over to me the all beautiful Shalagram form of the Lord Sri Krishna to assist you worship Him everyday.
I have no idea what amount of sheer luck or unimaginable good fortune one have to have in this dark most unfortunate age of Kali yuga to have the association of a pure devotee of the Lord and being awarded all these transcendental benedictions.
Gurudeva, you often say “ to whom much is given, much is expected “ but I feel I'm so wretched, how can I even attempt to ever reciprocate with the unfathomable wealth of your mercy on me?
Shastra says,
Sarva-sadhana mukhya hi
Guru- seva sadadrita
Yaya bhaktir bhagavati
hy anjasa syat sukhabhava
( Satvata – tantra, chapter 4, verse 57 )
“ Of all the activities of sadhana, sravanam, kirtanam, vishnu smaranam, pada-sevanam,arcanam, vandanam, dasyam, sakhyam, atma-nivedanam, the most important is the service of Guru. By serving Guru, devotion to the Supreme personality of Godhead will quickly,easily and happily attained.
Srila Bhakti vinoda thakur writes in Saranagati,
“sakale sammana korite sakati,
deho’ natha! jathajatha
tabe to’ gaibo, hari-nama-sukhe,
aparadha ha ’be hata”
I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease.
Im realizing after over a decade of trying, that no amount of my written words can ever glorify you and your endless mercy even a tiny bit . Still I try, every year, knowing fully well I cant express how happy, lucky, grateful and deeply indebted I feel to have your divine self as my eternal spiritual father, guide, advisor, savior,and my ultimate well wisher.
However the Insurmountable debts to you remains unreimbursed still and keep increasing every day.
Gurumaharaj your words vibrates in my ears and penetrates in my heart...
“ The real game is played in the Vani platform”
On this most auspicious occasion, I beg for your mercy to empower me to serve your transcendental instructions rising above all mundane excuses and dilemmas.
Aspiring to be servant of your servants,
Thakur saranga das
Urjjesvari dd
Dear GuruMaharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I recently read an incident where Srila Prabhupada said to his disciples “My Guru Maharaja, he was no ordinary spiritual master, he saved me.”
It makes me think about where I would be now if I hadn’t come in contact with you. Even though I can be somewhat resistant to it, I know that if you weren’t so dedicated to trying to facilitate training, education and standards in our practise of bhakti- especially when we are new, I wouldn’t have much understanding and most likely wouldn’t be here today.
You are able to give glimpses of what it is like to see through your eyes; reminding me what I should be doing with my life.
Thank you for trying to help this stubborn fool,
Aspiring to serve better,
Urjjesvari Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I recently read an incident where Srila Prabhupada said to his disciples “My Guru Maharaja, he was no ordinary spiritual master, he saved me.”
It makes me think about where I would be now if I hadn’t come in contact with you. Even though I can be somewhat resistant to it, I know that if you weren’t so dedicated to trying to facilitate training, education and standards in our practise of bhakti- especially when we are new, I wouldn’t have much understanding and most likely wouldn’t be here today.
You are able to give glimpses of what it is like to see through your eyes; reminding me what I should be doing with my life.
Thank you for trying to help this stubborn fool,
Aspiring to serve better,
Urjjesvari Devi Dasi
Vaishnava Charan Das and Yasomati Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you Gurudeva!
We would like to thank you for the continuous encouragement and guidance you have given us in devotional service Gurudeva. Such unlikely, deficient candidates yet you ceaselessly give us opportunities to serve.
The exalted path of Bhakti may seem utterly unattainable yet you exude a special excited enthusiasm that it is possible through Lord Caitanya.
Your lectures bring the Bhagavatam to life to our dull minds, your words so potent and your writings so artistic and entertaining yet profound and to the point.
You have such a masterful ability to deal with varieties of people and devotees in a personal way.
Your remarkable clarity of speech and action in living a spiritual life in the material world is founded on knowledge and saturated with commitment - nothing hazy or whimsical, an evidence of Krishna’s empowerment.
Please bless us likewise with that ability to live a spiritual life in a material life of complexities, and to take advantage of the Holy Name and the association of the devotees.
Your lowly servants,
Vaishnava Charan Das and Yasomati Dasi
Please accept our humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you Gurudeva!
We would like to thank you for the continuous encouragement and guidance you have given us in devotional service Gurudeva. Such unlikely, deficient candidates yet you ceaselessly give us opportunities to serve.
The exalted path of Bhakti may seem utterly unattainable yet you exude a special excited enthusiasm that it is possible through Lord Caitanya.
Your lectures bring the Bhagavatam to life to our dull minds, your words so potent and your writings so artistic and entertaining yet profound and to the point.
You have such a masterful ability to deal with varieties of people and devotees in a personal way.
Your remarkable clarity of speech and action in living a spiritual life in the material world is founded on knowledge and saturated with commitment - nothing hazy or whimsical, an evidence of Krishna’s empowerment.
Please bless us likewise with that ability to live a spiritual life in a material life of complexities, and to take advantage of the Holy Name and the association of the devotees.
Your lowly servants,
Vaishnava Charan Das and Yasomati Dasi
Vamsi-vilasi Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to your lotus feet.
On this day of your Vyasa-puja I would like to offer you a poem, which I have tried to compose in glorification of you, specifically concerning Prabhupada's Western preaching mission, which you so wonderfully advocate, inspiring many, like myself, to try to engage wholeheartedly in assisting you and the parampara in propogating Krsna Consciousness worldwide.
You have expressed your desire that I make Srila Prabhupada's mission your life and soul, and I am praying that you will be pleased to hear something related to this endeavour. I want to make my life a glorification of you by single-pointedly pursuing your nectarean instruction and, though I am inept and insufficient, I am confident that, if you like, you can bless me to improve.
The Ballad of City Preaching
With books on my arm, I chant your pranama on a busy Cardiff street,
O how will a tiny jiva like me withstand maya's fearsome fleet?
So many people, in her grip, I see in great distress,
Without your mercy, how can I show them true happiness?
'I'm from Swansea, where you from?' I ask as they hurry past,
Person after person I try, until one stops at last.
Enthusiastically I show him a Srimad Bhagavatam,
He claims he's read it before and asks what type of Buddhist I am.
'No time,' 'no thanks,' 'I'm late for work', such mantras fill the air,
Acknowledging my powerlessness I turn to you in prayer.
'On my own I find I can't attract a single soul,
Use me as an instrument in serving Gaura's goal!'
In this mood I try again and much to my surprise,
The people start accepting books, right before my eyes!
Amidst such nice exchanges I can't help but feel assured,
My feeble prayer to you for mercy didn't go unheard.
At the evening programme I have dinner with the guests,
Chatting about their lives and making friends, I try my best.
One man claims to live in the 'subtle realm of Lord Brahma',
He asks me what the relevant Bhagavad Gita verses are.
Others there I find sincere, they seem to be ripe fruits,
I pray they'll take to bhakti and cut out their misery's roots.
Your mercy brings so much to our spiritual family,
I want for everyone to get this opportunity.
My growth in preaching rests on how well I chant and read,
I get my inspiration from you, following your lead.
You demonstrate absorption in the glories of the Lord,
To taste a single drop of that would be my life's reward.
After each exciting day of trying to be a preacher,
I bow my head and thank you for your being the ideal teacher.
To help and guide our lives in Wales, you humbly give your heart,
I pray that you'll empower me to play an active part.
With such an opportunity for service to be had,
I pray to give my life to you and Srila Prabhupada.
Your servant,
Vamsi-vilasi Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to your lotus feet.
On this day of your Vyasa-puja I would like to offer you a poem, which I have tried to compose in glorification of you, specifically concerning Prabhupada's Western preaching mission, which you so wonderfully advocate, inspiring many, like myself, to try to engage wholeheartedly in assisting you and the parampara in propogating Krsna Consciousness worldwide.
You have expressed your desire that I make Srila Prabhupada's mission your life and soul, and I am praying that you will be pleased to hear something related to this endeavour. I want to make my life a glorification of you by single-pointedly pursuing your nectarean instruction and, though I am inept and insufficient, I am confident that, if you like, you can bless me to improve.
The Ballad of City Preaching
With books on my arm, I chant your pranama on a busy Cardiff street,
O how will a tiny jiva like me withstand maya's fearsome fleet?
So many people, in her grip, I see in great distress,
Without your mercy, how can I show them true happiness?
'I'm from Swansea, where you from?' I ask as they hurry past,
Person after person I try, until one stops at last.
Enthusiastically I show him a Srimad Bhagavatam,
He claims he's read it before and asks what type of Buddhist I am.
'No time,' 'no thanks,' 'I'm late for work', such mantras fill the air,
Acknowledging my powerlessness I turn to you in prayer.
'On my own I find I can't attract a single soul,
Use me as an instrument in serving Gaura's goal!'
In this mood I try again and much to my surprise,
The people start accepting books, right before my eyes!
Amidst such nice exchanges I can't help but feel assured,
My feeble prayer to you for mercy didn't go unheard.
At the evening programme I have dinner with the guests,
Chatting about their lives and making friends, I try my best.
One man claims to live in the 'subtle realm of Lord Brahma',
He asks me what the relevant Bhagavad Gita verses are.
Others there I find sincere, they seem to be ripe fruits,
I pray they'll take to bhakti and cut out their misery's roots.
Your mercy brings so much to our spiritual family,
I want for everyone to get this opportunity.
My growth in preaching rests on how well I chant and read,
I get my inspiration from you, following your lead.
You demonstrate absorption in the glories of the Lord,
To taste a single drop of that would be my life's reward.
After each exciting day of trying to be a preacher,
I bow my head and thank you for your being the ideal teacher.
To help and guide our lives in Wales, you humbly give your heart,
I pray that you'll empower me to play an active part.
With such an opportunity for service to be had,
I pray to give my life to you and Srila Prabhupada.
Your servant,
Vamsi-vilasi Dasa
Vanamali Gopala das
Hare Krishna Dear gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Today is a unique opportunity to glorify you and simultaneously for me to understand the valuable jewel given to me by yourself through the parampara - the Hare Krishna mantra.
Without your guidance I wouldn't be able to perform any service for Krishna. I would simply still be acting in my gross self interest (while not realising my true self interest).
It is only through your guidance that I can get some knowledge of Krishna and on how to execute Krishna's service.
I remember a few years ago when I went to Jagannath Puri with some of my family members. All they did was look at the architecture. They didn't know or understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted, danced and walked around there. If it wasn't for you I also would have been a traditional Indian tourist there admiring the architecture yet making many offenses to the dharma and its residents, what to speak of the Supreme Lord.
Thank you for encouraging us to not just settle down in the neophyte stage but to rise beyond and take responsibility in Krishna's service as well as give Krishna to others.
Even though I don't have Krishna or love of Krishna yet through this system you have set up at Bhakti Lounge I am able to also take part in giving Krishna to others.
Thank you for tirelessly raising us like your little children. You go through so many hardships simply to see us flourish in Krishna consciousness.
I can't thank you enough for guiding me through even the simplest mundane affairs like dealing with my parents and marriage etc.
I don't know how you are able to love someone as the spirit soul and their potential to serve Krishna. Certainly, this is the quality of a pure devotee who is "dhīrādhīra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pūjitau".
Thank you for engaging me in your service Gurudev. I beg to remain your eternal servant,
Vanamali Gopal Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Today is a unique opportunity to glorify you and simultaneously for me to understand the valuable jewel given to me by yourself through the parampara - the Hare Krishna mantra.
Without your guidance I wouldn't be able to perform any service for Krishna. I would simply still be acting in my gross self interest (while not realising my true self interest).
It is only through your guidance that I can get some knowledge of Krishna and on how to execute Krishna's service.
I remember a few years ago when I went to Jagannath Puri with some of my family members. All they did was look at the architecture. They didn't know or understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted, danced and walked around there. If it wasn't for you I also would have been a traditional Indian tourist there admiring the architecture yet making many offenses to the dharma and its residents, what to speak of the Supreme Lord.
Thank you for encouraging us to not just settle down in the neophyte stage but to rise beyond and take responsibility in Krishna's service as well as give Krishna to others.
Even though I don't have Krishna or love of Krishna yet through this system you have set up at Bhakti Lounge I am able to also take part in giving Krishna to others.
Thank you for tirelessly raising us like your little children. You go through so many hardships simply to see us flourish in Krishna consciousness.
I can't thank you enough for guiding me through even the simplest mundane affairs like dealing with my parents and marriage etc.
I don't know how you are able to love someone as the spirit soul and their potential to serve Krishna. Certainly, this is the quality of a pure devotee who is "dhīrādhīra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pūjitau".
Thank you for engaging me in your service Gurudev. I beg to remain your eternal servant,
Vanamali Gopal Das
Varangi Radha Devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance in this world!
This year has been a turning point in my spiritual life, as I finally had the chance to cook for you. Cooking may be something simple to many, but to me it has always been an unreachable goal and one that hasn’t come easy. Taking up cooking with enthusiasm and love serves as proof of your power to transform lives and hearts even in the most basic of ways. You have transformed my life in ways that I never thought possible. Every time I remember my humble beginnings, I can’t understand how I am still trying to practice devotional service today and immediately after feeling shame for choosing to turn away from Krishna not once millions of lifetimes ago but on a daily basis, I remember your words and shame quickly transforms into gratitude.
Little by little I have been developing attachment to service by your grace, but cooking was not part of it until I was assigned to cook for you one day a few months ago. You are not only transforming lives by your books, lectures and loft projects, but by encouraging us to do whatever it is we can do, as imperfect as it may be at the beginning, out of love for Krishna.
Gurudeva, you are expert at seeing any tiny potential I may have and turning it into something useful and important for Krishna’s pleasure. Your words are pregnant with truth and serve as an abrupt wakeup call that is impossible to ignore because once one hears the truth, it is difficult to ignore it. You selflessly travel all over the world to fan the spark of love of God in anyone that opens the door to their heart. Without one knowing, your wisdom, devotion and love for Srila Prabhupada quickly settle in one’s heart and soon after that one finds himself speaking, thinking and feeling in ways that were never possible before meeting you. Weeks, months and years later, there are thousands of us being trained as first class servants, just like you did under Srila Prabhupada and are now facilitating the same fate for me.
You encourage me daily to take off the masks I have been accustomed to using so I could temporarily enjoy in this world, and encourage me instead to be my real self. You teach me to be the best cook, the best preacher, the best student, the best translator, the best temple janitor, the best pot washer…you teach me to be the best for Krishna’s pleasure, and this is the greatest goal I could ever dedicate my life to achieving.
Thank you for accepting me and for inspiring me to nurture my enthusiasm for my spiritual life as the only purpose and sole priority in life. Thank you for teaching me how to be happy and to teach others how they can also be happy. Due to the changes you have made in my life, I can faithfully understand the following verse from the Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya 17.80 and which Srila Prabhupada quotes in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 6.7.23 as:
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.”
Thank you for having transformed my life, for currently purifying my heart and for changing the world one bhakta at a time. There is no other army of which I rather be a part.
With gratitude, your aspirant servant,
Varangi Radha Devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance in this world!
This year has been a turning point in my spiritual life, as I finally had the chance to cook for you. Cooking may be something simple to many, but to me it has always been an unreachable goal and one that hasn’t come easy. Taking up cooking with enthusiasm and love serves as proof of your power to transform lives and hearts even in the most basic of ways. You have transformed my life in ways that I never thought possible. Every time I remember my humble beginnings, I can’t understand how I am still trying to practice devotional service today and immediately after feeling shame for choosing to turn away from Krishna not once millions of lifetimes ago but on a daily basis, I remember your words and shame quickly transforms into gratitude.
Little by little I have been developing attachment to service by your grace, but cooking was not part of it until I was assigned to cook for you one day a few months ago. You are not only transforming lives by your books, lectures and loft projects, but by encouraging us to do whatever it is we can do, as imperfect as it may be at the beginning, out of love for Krishna.
Gurudeva, you are expert at seeing any tiny potential I may have and turning it into something useful and important for Krishna’s pleasure. Your words are pregnant with truth and serve as an abrupt wakeup call that is impossible to ignore because once one hears the truth, it is difficult to ignore it. You selflessly travel all over the world to fan the spark of love of God in anyone that opens the door to their heart. Without one knowing, your wisdom, devotion and love for Srila Prabhupada quickly settle in one’s heart and soon after that one finds himself speaking, thinking and feeling in ways that were never possible before meeting you. Weeks, months and years later, there are thousands of us being trained as first class servants, just like you did under Srila Prabhupada and are now facilitating the same fate for me.
You encourage me daily to take off the masks I have been accustomed to using so I could temporarily enjoy in this world, and encourage me instead to be my real self. You teach me to be the best cook, the best preacher, the best student, the best translator, the best temple janitor, the best pot washer…you teach me to be the best for Krishna’s pleasure, and this is the greatest goal I could ever dedicate my life to achieving.
Thank you for accepting me and for inspiring me to nurture my enthusiasm for my spiritual life as the only purpose and sole priority in life. Thank you for teaching me how to be happy and to teach others how they can also be happy. Due to the changes you have made in my life, I can faithfully understand the following verse from the Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya 17.80 and which Srila Prabhupada quotes in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 6.7.23 as:
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.”
Thank you for having transformed my life, for currently purifying my heart and for changing the world one bhakta at a time. There is no other army of which I rather be a part.
With gratitude, your aspirant servant,
Varangi Radha Devi dasi
Venu-madhurya das
My dear Gurudeva, please accept my prostrated obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Your beloved spiritual master and our grandfather Srila Prabhupada!
SB 5.18.11 verse says: "By associating with persons for whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is the all in all, one can hear of His powerful activities and soon come to understand them. The activities of Mukunda are so potent that simply by hearing of them one immediately associates with the Lord. For a person who constantly and very eagerly hears narrations of the Lord’s powerful activities, the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead in the form of sound vibrations, enters within his heart and cleanses it of all contamination. On the other hand, although bathing in the Ganges diminishes bodily contaminations and infections, this process and the process of visiting holy places can cleanse the heart only after a long time. Therefore who is the sane man who will not associate with devotees to quickly perfect his life?"
You are so magnanimous that You allow such foolish disciple to become first a human being and than a sane man, You mercifully and patiently purify my heart year after year of mental concoctions, illusions, impersonalism, material attachments and material desires, all that becomes reality because You are true representative of Guruparampara and empowered servant of Lord Gauranga. You give devotional service opulently, Your instructions are sweet and heavy, but by following them one is relieved of material clutches and can even perceive Krishna, while still on neophyte level in bhakti.
I meditate on Srila Prabhupada's words in purport of SB 4.28.51: "When one becomes serious to follow the mission of the spiritual master, his resolution is tantamount to seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As explained before, this means meeting the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the instruction of the spiritual master. This is technically called vāṇī-sevā. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura states in his Bhagavad-gītā commentary on the verse vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana (Bg. 2.41) that one should serve the words of the spiritual master. The disciple must stick to whatever the spiritual master orders. Simply by following on that line, one sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
You help Srila Prabhupada to distribute Lord Chaitanya's mature juicy mango fruit of prema bhakti all over the world just like Srila Prabhupada wanted it - by establishing and developing protection of cows, approaching youth in Universities and colleges, by encouraging everyone to "love to read, and love to distribute Prabhupada's books", by serving in BBT to produce further literature of acharyas, by writing books - addressing society according to time and circumstances with an attempt to attract them to bhakti, by yukta-vairagya engaging anything possible (technologies etc) in dynamic devotional service to the Lord, and most importantly by attracting and inspiring anyone who You get in touch with to chant and hear Krishna's Holy Names attentively and regularly, You create oasis (Bhakti Lounge, Loft) in the middle of dessert-like Kali Yuga cities, You take care of all Your disciples so lovingly and personally encouraging everyone to continue and deepen the practice to be truly happy in Krishna Consciousness, last but not least You set a great example of how to have loving exchanges with godbrothers and godsisters and ISKCON society at large, how to see best intentions in everyone as a true vaishnava by fulfilling another Prabhupada's desire mentioned in SB 5.13.11 purport: "The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement aims at creating an atmosphere of non-envy. Of course it is not possible for everyone to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, but the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can create an exemplary society wherein there is no envy."
Gurumaharaj, Your transcendental qualities are endless, because You live with Krishna in Your heart always, but I am so small, stupid and limited, therefore I cannot glorify You properly. But please stay merciful to this fallen soul and allow me to remain Your servant life after life...as Narottam das Thakur prays in his bhajan "Gauranga Karuna Koro":
paḍechi bhava tuphāne nāhika nistāra
śrī carana taranī dāne dāse kara pāra
"I am plunged amidst the violent hurricane-stricken waves in the ocean of this material world, from which there is no escape.
Kindly give me the gift of Your divine lotus feet, which are compared to a boat in which Your servant may cross over the ocean of birth and death."
Your useless servant seeking Your mercy,
Venu-madhurya das
SB 5.18.11 verse says: "By associating with persons for whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is the all in all, one can hear of His powerful activities and soon come to understand them. The activities of Mukunda are so potent that simply by hearing of them one immediately associates with the Lord. For a person who constantly and very eagerly hears narrations of the Lord’s powerful activities, the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead in the form of sound vibrations, enters within his heart and cleanses it of all contamination. On the other hand, although bathing in the Ganges diminishes bodily contaminations and infections, this process and the process of visiting holy places can cleanse the heart only after a long time. Therefore who is the sane man who will not associate with devotees to quickly perfect his life?"
You are so magnanimous that You allow such foolish disciple to become first a human being and than a sane man, You mercifully and patiently purify my heart year after year of mental concoctions, illusions, impersonalism, material attachments and material desires, all that becomes reality because You are true representative of Guruparampara and empowered servant of Lord Gauranga. You give devotional service opulently, Your instructions are sweet and heavy, but by following them one is relieved of material clutches and can even perceive Krishna, while still on neophyte level in bhakti.
I meditate on Srila Prabhupada's words in purport of SB 4.28.51: "When one becomes serious to follow the mission of the spiritual master, his resolution is tantamount to seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As explained before, this means meeting the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the instruction of the spiritual master. This is technically called vāṇī-sevā. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura states in his Bhagavad-gītā commentary on the verse vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana (Bg. 2.41) that one should serve the words of the spiritual master. The disciple must stick to whatever the spiritual master orders. Simply by following on that line, one sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
You help Srila Prabhupada to distribute Lord Chaitanya's mature juicy mango fruit of prema bhakti all over the world just like Srila Prabhupada wanted it - by establishing and developing protection of cows, approaching youth in Universities and colleges, by encouraging everyone to "love to read, and love to distribute Prabhupada's books", by serving in BBT to produce further literature of acharyas, by writing books - addressing society according to time and circumstances with an attempt to attract them to bhakti, by yukta-vairagya engaging anything possible (technologies etc) in dynamic devotional service to the Lord, and most importantly by attracting and inspiring anyone who You get in touch with to chant and hear Krishna's Holy Names attentively and regularly, You create oasis (Bhakti Lounge, Loft) in the middle of dessert-like Kali Yuga cities, You take care of all Your disciples so lovingly and personally encouraging everyone to continue and deepen the practice to be truly happy in Krishna Consciousness, last but not least You set a great example of how to have loving exchanges with godbrothers and godsisters and ISKCON society at large, how to see best intentions in everyone as a true vaishnava by fulfilling another Prabhupada's desire mentioned in SB 5.13.11 purport: "The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement aims at creating an atmosphere of non-envy. Of course it is not possible for everyone to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, but the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can create an exemplary society wherein there is no envy."
Gurumaharaj, Your transcendental qualities are endless, because You live with Krishna in Your heart always, but I am so small, stupid and limited, therefore I cannot glorify You properly. But please stay merciful to this fallen soul and allow me to remain Your servant life after life...as Narottam das Thakur prays in his bhajan "Gauranga Karuna Koro":
paḍechi bhava tuphāne nāhika nistāra
śrī carana taranī dāne dāse kara pāra
"I am plunged amidst the violent hurricane-stricken waves in the ocean of this material world, from which there is no escape.
Kindly give me the gift of Your divine lotus feet, which are compared to a boat in which Your servant may cross over the ocean of birth and death."
Your useless servant seeking Your mercy,
Venu-madhurya das
Vibhanshu Sharma
Hare Krishna Devamrita Swami Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja and All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This is my first Vyasa-puja offering to you and I feel so unqualified to write it. I am very grateful that you've accepted me as your aspiring disciple. By the mercy of vaishnavas and association of your disiciples, here in New Dvarka, I got the opportunity to take shelter of a bone fide representative of Krsna. As Prabhupada says in the Bhagavatam that even a moment's association with a pure devotee can change ones life.
My life changed when I first met you in L.A. I remember approaching you after your Sunday feast talk and you gave me the instruction to chant more rounds, as during that time I was chanting only 3-4 rounds inconsistently. Only by your mercy and blessings, I was able to shoot up my chanting to 16 rounds everyday. By the mercy of your disciples, having your personal association, made me realize how I am not this body, with which I used to identify myself with.
By showering your blessings, you broke my false ego, to make me humble. I can only try to please you by following your footsteps and the footsteps of your disciples to please Srila Prabhupada. Praying to Gauranga to keep you in good health, so that you can continue spreading the Sankirtan movement through out the world. I wish you a very happy Vyasa-Puja, may your name spread all over the three worlds
Your Aspiring Servant,
Vibhanshu Sharma
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja and All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This is my first Vyasa-puja offering to you and I feel so unqualified to write it. I am very grateful that you've accepted me as your aspiring disciple. By the mercy of vaishnavas and association of your disiciples, here in New Dvarka, I got the opportunity to take shelter of a bone fide representative of Krsna. As Prabhupada says in the Bhagavatam that even a moment's association with a pure devotee can change ones life.
My life changed when I first met you in L.A. I remember approaching you after your Sunday feast talk and you gave me the instruction to chant more rounds, as during that time I was chanting only 3-4 rounds inconsistently. Only by your mercy and blessings, I was able to shoot up my chanting to 16 rounds everyday. By the mercy of your disciples, having your personal association, made me realize how I am not this body, with which I used to identify myself with.
By showering your blessings, you broke my false ego, to make me humble. I can only try to please you by following your footsteps and the footsteps of your disciples to please Srila Prabhupada. Praying to Gauranga to keep you in good health, so that you can continue spreading the Sankirtan movement through out the world. I wish you a very happy Vyasa-Puja, may your name spread all over the three worlds
Your Aspiring Servant,
Vibhanshu Sharma
Vinita devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Appearance.
As the shining light of a spiritual master, you're helping so many lost souls find their way back to Krishna. With the progression of kali-yuga, it's becoming increasingly more urgent that people come to Krishna Consciousness. Not only are they suffering immensely, drowning in an ocean of materialism, pain and loneliness, they're creating so much future suffering through their absorption in sinful life. There's no conception of vikarma, activities that should not be done. Hence the rapid progression towards an incredibly hellish life.
It's only by association with a spiritual master, a pure devotee of Krishna, that they can be saved. Thank you for being that pure devotee who has saved the lives of so many suffering souls. Helping to teach them what is to be done, and what is not to be done, in order to not only reduce their suffering, but to become attached to the devotional service of the Lord and make progress towards the highest perfection of life - pure love for God.
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
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.
Thank you for investing so much time and energy into Bhakti outreach centres. Places where genuine spiritual knowledge can be given, and much needed mercy can be received.
I'm fortunate to be living in a share house that has opportunities for outreach. With an AirB&B facility that's managed by a devotee, it brings people for both short-term and long-term stays, and provides opportunities to give Prasad, invite people to Bhakti Lounge, have nice preaching conversations with those who are favourable, distribute books, and in one case, to teach the Maha Mantra. So much mercy can be given, and so many people can start their Krishna Consciousness. And it's all because of you.
Thank you for your amazing level of compassion, dedication, and inspiration.
And thank you for saving me.
I pray that I can always have the shelter of your lotus feet, and the association of those who serve you.
Your eternally 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.
As the shining light of a spiritual master, you're helping so many lost souls find their way back to Krishna. With the progression of kali-yuga, it's becoming increasingly more urgent that people come to Krishna Consciousness. Not only are they suffering immensely, drowning in an ocean of materialism, pain and loneliness, they're creating so much future suffering through their absorption in sinful life. There's no conception of vikarma, activities that should not be done. Hence the rapid progression towards an incredibly hellish life.
It's only by association with a spiritual master, a pure devotee of Krishna, that they can be saved. Thank you for being that pure devotee who has saved the lives of so many suffering souls. Helping to teach them what is to be done, and what is not to be done, in order to not only reduce their suffering, but to become attached to the devotional service of the Lord and make progress towards the highest perfection of life - pure love for God.
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
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.
Thank you for investing so much time and energy into Bhakti outreach centres. Places where genuine spiritual knowledge can be given, and much needed mercy can be received.
I'm fortunate to be living in a share house that has opportunities for outreach. With an AirB&B facility that's managed by a devotee, it brings people for both short-term and long-term stays, and provides opportunities to give Prasad, invite people to Bhakti Lounge, have nice preaching conversations with those who are favourable, distribute books, and in one case, to teach the Maha Mantra. So much mercy can be given, and so many people can start their Krishna Consciousness. And it's all because of you.
Thank you for your amazing level of compassion, dedication, and inspiration.
And thank you for saving me.
I pray that I can always have the shelter of your lotus feet, and the association of those who serve you.
Your eternally grateful aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Vinoda Kovida das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most auspicious day.
I feel extremely fortunate to be writing this offering amidst numerous god-brothers in the Auckland brahmachari ashram. And, on top of that, to get the opportunity to personally witness your Vyasa-puja ceremony is certainly a great blessing. Although I know the relationship between guru and disciple is not material, for me, being situated in external vision, this experience is extremely nourishing.
Amidst your innumerable significant contributions to this world, I would like to mention one which I feel is very prominent and signifies you as a topmost devotee and bona fide spiritual master. In the Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada writes of the symptoms of an advanced devotee, saying, “an uttama-adhikari vaishnava can be recognised by his ability to convert many fallen souls to vaishnavism.” (NOI 5 Purport). And also in Chaitanya Charitamrita it is stated: “The spiritual master’s eternal occupation is to expand the service of the Lord by training disciples in a service attitude.” (CC Adi 1.44 purport)
Wherever I go in the ISKCON world, I see a steady flow of souls who are taking shelter of you and sincerely taking up the practices of bhakti. And notably, what I see here in New Zealand is an arrangement for a seamless transition between one being tactfully introduced to Krishna consciousness, to being a practicing devotee, uniquely engaged in the sankirtan movement. So many souls are plugging into Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan movement and thriving in spiritual life due to your inspiration and expert guidance. This, to me, is proof of your exalted position as confirmed by the statements above. Amongst your many contributions to ISKCON and the world, I would like to thank you for your unique ability and commitment to inspire and engage so many souls in the service and expansion of the sankirtan movement.
Today I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for your expertise in patiently guiding me over the past 5 years. I do not always know how you are guiding me or the lessons I am supposed to be learning, but I have seen that by remaining faithful to you, I can make swift progress in spiritual life. One lesson I have been realising more and more is encapsulated nicely in Srila Prabhupada’s purports:
“According to the Vedic instructions tad-vijnanartham as gurum evabhighacchet: to know this science, one must approach a bona fide guru, a spiritual master who will initiate the disciple with the sacred thread so that he may understand the Vedic knowledge… After initiation, one is engaged in study of the shastra, which teaches the student how to gain release from materialistic life and return home, back to Godhead.” (SB 6.5.20 purport)
Since coming in touch with you, I have been realising more and more the necessity of deeply studying the shastras that have been given to us by Srila Prabhupada. As you say, “love to read the books and love to distribute the books”. The more I commit myself to applying this principle, the more I see my spiritual life flourish, and I get a glimpse into the possibilities ahead.
Guru Maharaja, you are my spiritual father, nourishing, maintaining and enlivening my spiritual life. Humbling me and challenging me to grow. You are my connection to Srila Prabhupada, who’s glories I am only beginning to glimpse by your mercy.
On this auspicious day, I pray to be counted as one of the many souls whom you are offering up in the service of Lord Chaitanya. Only by your mercy can my life be worthy of such a noble goal.
Aspiring for your service,
Vinoda Kovida das
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most auspicious day.
I feel extremely fortunate to be writing this offering amidst numerous god-brothers in the Auckland brahmachari ashram. And, on top of that, to get the opportunity to personally witness your Vyasa-puja ceremony is certainly a great blessing. Although I know the relationship between guru and disciple is not material, for me, being situated in external vision, this experience is extremely nourishing.
Amidst your innumerable significant contributions to this world, I would like to mention one which I feel is very prominent and signifies you as a topmost devotee and bona fide spiritual master. In the Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada writes of the symptoms of an advanced devotee, saying, “an uttama-adhikari vaishnava can be recognised by his ability to convert many fallen souls to vaishnavism.” (NOI 5 Purport). And also in Chaitanya Charitamrita it is stated: “The spiritual master’s eternal occupation is to expand the service of the Lord by training disciples in a service attitude.” (CC Adi 1.44 purport)
Wherever I go in the ISKCON world, I see a steady flow of souls who are taking shelter of you and sincerely taking up the practices of bhakti. And notably, what I see here in New Zealand is an arrangement for a seamless transition between one being tactfully introduced to Krishna consciousness, to being a practicing devotee, uniquely engaged in the sankirtan movement. So many souls are plugging into Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan movement and thriving in spiritual life due to your inspiration and expert guidance. This, to me, is proof of your exalted position as confirmed by the statements above. Amongst your many contributions to ISKCON and the world, I would like to thank you for your unique ability and commitment to inspire and engage so many souls in the service and expansion of the sankirtan movement.
Today I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for your expertise in patiently guiding me over the past 5 years. I do not always know how you are guiding me or the lessons I am supposed to be learning, but I have seen that by remaining faithful to you, I can make swift progress in spiritual life. One lesson I have been realising more and more is encapsulated nicely in Srila Prabhupada’s purports:
“According to the Vedic instructions tad-vijnanartham as gurum evabhighacchet: to know this science, one must approach a bona fide guru, a spiritual master who will initiate the disciple with the sacred thread so that he may understand the Vedic knowledge… After initiation, one is engaged in study of the shastra, which teaches the student how to gain release from materialistic life and return home, back to Godhead.” (SB 6.5.20 purport)
Since coming in touch with you, I have been realising more and more the necessity of deeply studying the shastras that have been given to us by Srila Prabhupada. As you say, “love to read the books and love to distribute the books”. The more I commit myself to applying this principle, the more I see my spiritual life flourish, and I get a glimpse into the possibilities ahead.
Guru Maharaja, you are my spiritual father, nourishing, maintaining and enlivening my spiritual life. Humbling me and challenging me to grow. You are my connection to Srila Prabhupada, who’s glories I am only beginning to glimpse by your mercy.
On this auspicious day, I pray to be counted as one of the many souls whom you are offering up in the service of Lord Chaitanya. Only by your mercy can my life be worthy of such a noble goal.
Aspiring for your service,
Vinoda Kovida das
Viracandra Dasa
Nama Om Visnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhu tale Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Prachare purva daksyam ca - Bhakta chare pravinatha - pararthathape karunyam - yasya sarve ca Te namah
Each year I wait for Your appearance day, where I get an opportunity to glorify You, despite of my disqualifications. This day helps me to connect to you by remembering You, by meditating on Your unlimited qualities and compassionate nature.
In Adi Lila 1.58 is mentioned:-
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 Krsna Himself.
I feel your presence every time when I get engaged in your service. Preaching programs such as retreats, boat cruise, Melbourne Uni events and Bhakta Bhavan, give me inspiration and motivate me to serve in the mission of Srila Prabhupada. I am eternally grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to do some menial services and by your mercy, I hope I can continue doing them.
This year, while distributing flyers for Event Happiness, I came across a girl from Malta. I started explaining to her about the event and when she saw your picture, she said: "I know Devamrita Swami, He is an amazing speaker, I have heard his talks on Facebook". I felt really encouraged to keep promoting the event. She then came to the programs, got very inspired by your talks and even stayed in the ashram for some days, before going back to her country.
I really appreciate the way you interfere in the life of your disciples, to look after their personal and devotional life. Initially, I wanted to stay for only one year in the ashram, but you recommended me to do at least two years. At that time I was concerned about my parents but I could not say NO to you. By your mercy, I will always remember those two years because I have learnt a lot, and they were full of wonderful experiences in Krsna Consciousness.
As you know I am moving into the next ashram. I sincerely beg your mercy to keep on serving you and the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
I pray to Krsna to give you good health so you can keep rescuing fallen souls, like me.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Viracandra Dasa
Prachare purva daksyam ca - Bhakta chare pravinatha - pararthathape karunyam - yasya sarve ca Te namah
Each year I wait for Your appearance day, where I get an opportunity to glorify You, despite of my disqualifications. This day helps me to connect to you by remembering You, by meditating on Your unlimited qualities and compassionate nature.
In Adi Lila 1.58 is mentioned:-
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 Krsna Himself.
I feel your presence every time when I get engaged in your service. Preaching programs such as retreats, boat cruise, Melbourne Uni events and Bhakta Bhavan, give me inspiration and motivate me to serve in the mission of Srila Prabhupada. I am eternally grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to do some menial services and by your mercy, I hope I can continue doing them.
This year, while distributing flyers for Event Happiness, I came across a girl from Malta. I started explaining to her about the event and when she saw your picture, she said: "I know Devamrita Swami, He is an amazing speaker, I have heard his talks on Facebook". I felt really encouraged to keep promoting the event. She then came to the programs, got very inspired by your talks and even stayed in the ashram for some days, before going back to her country.
I really appreciate the way you interfere in the life of your disciples, to look after their personal and devotional life. Initially, I wanted to stay for only one year in the ashram, but you recommended me to do at least two years. At that time I was concerned about my parents but I could not say NO to you. By your mercy, I will always remember those two years because I have learnt a lot, and they were full of wonderful experiences in Krsna Consciousness.
As you know I am moving into the next ashram. I sincerely beg your mercy to keep on serving you and the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
I pray to Krsna to give you good health so you can keep rescuing fallen souls, like me.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Viracandra Dasa
Vraja Nari dd
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day.
A guy in his early 20s walked past me at the Warehouse tonight at 8pm tonight. He wore green pyjama pants with a dinosaurs print, a look in his eyes like a beaten dog and obviously uncombed hair.
I assumed that it was the first time that day he left his flat. Probably to get a coke, chips, maybe a video.
The other day I had my lunchbreak when I was serving out Krishna food at the Uni. I overheard the conversations of the students around me. Certainly nothing intelligent or even thoughtful came out their mouths.
The world is full of unfortunate zeros.
Sometimes I wonder if there is a synergy between you having a heap of zeros which are all fully and entirely surrendered to the One. How else could you have become so wonderfully, beautifully powerful?
It seems that you have perfected the art of all that you do.
The list would be endless. Amongst all your outstanding skills and qualities, it seems your speech is most outstanding.
Srila Prabhupada affirms ‘speech is the most important quality of a man.’
Every word is meaningful, beneficial, appropriate, full of realization, compassion and mercy.
Since the last few years have been listening to your classes for about an hour every day. And I can truly say, that whatever you say is ever fresh.
I remember some of your classes in which you were condemning your Yale ‘education’. Calling it your ‘bad karma’, and that you have first-hand experience of having your brain destroyed and being proud of it.
In a class on SB 2.3.1 you say ‘To be admitted to Yale You can’t just have the highest marks
They look for people who will have an impact on the world. Persons who will continue the materialistic propaganda that’s what they are looking for.
They carefully groom you for that purpose and to fulfil that purpose you have to be arrogant. Then their job is well done, then you have successfully completed your university career’.
By the time you were finishing your senior year you were having a lot of doubts, you continue.
During a meeting with your dean you expressed that you weren’t able to see much of a future for yourself in this materialistic society.
Completely ignoring your bright purple bellbottom pants and big Jimi Hendrix hairstyle he responded “You are a Yale man, you will influence the world!”
To our great fortune you have become a Hare Krishna man, and you are influencing the world.
Groomed by Srila Prabhupada to be his eternal, humble servant, you have utilized your potency to impact the world and to continue the spiritual propaganda.
Little do I understand of my immeasurable fortune of having you as my Spiritual Master.
Thank you for saving me from the future I was meant to have and sorry for not being more useful.
Your aspiring servant,
Vraja Nari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day.
A guy in his early 20s walked past me at the Warehouse tonight at 8pm tonight. He wore green pyjama pants with a dinosaurs print, a look in his eyes like a beaten dog and obviously uncombed hair.
I assumed that it was the first time that day he left his flat. Probably to get a coke, chips, maybe a video.
The other day I had my lunchbreak when I was serving out Krishna food at the Uni. I overheard the conversations of the students around me. Certainly nothing intelligent or even thoughtful came out their mouths.
The world is full of unfortunate zeros.
Sometimes I wonder if there is a synergy between you having a heap of zeros which are all fully and entirely surrendered to the One. How else could you have become so wonderfully, beautifully powerful?
It seems that you have perfected the art of all that you do.
The list would be endless. Amongst all your outstanding skills and qualities, it seems your speech is most outstanding.
Srila Prabhupada affirms ‘speech is the most important quality of a man.’
Every word is meaningful, beneficial, appropriate, full of realization, compassion and mercy.
Since the last few years have been listening to your classes for about an hour every day. And I can truly say, that whatever you say is ever fresh.
I remember some of your classes in which you were condemning your Yale ‘education’. Calling it your ‘bad karma’, and that you have first-hand experience of having your brain destroyed and being proud of it.
In a class on SB 2.3.1 you say ‘To be admitted to Yale You can’t just have the highest marks
They look for people who will have an impact on the world. Persons who will continue the materialistic propaganda that’s what they are looking for.
They carefully groom you for that purpose and to fulfil that purpose you have to be arrogant. Then their job is well done, then you have successfully completed your university career’.
By the time you were finishing your senior year you were having a lot of doubts, you continue.
During a meeting with your dean you expressed that you weren’t able to see much of a future for yourself in this materialistic society.
Completely ignoring your bright purple bellbottom pants and big Jimi Hendrix hairstyle he responded “You are a Yale man, you will influence the world!”
To our great fortune you have become a Hare Krishna man, and you are influencing the world.
Groomed by Srila Prabhupada to be his eternal, humble servant, you have utilized your potency to impact the world and to continue the spiritual propaganda.
Little do I understand of my immeasurable fortune of having you as my Spiritual Master.
Thank you for saving me from the future I was meant to have and sorry for not being more useful.
Your aspiring servant,
Vraja Nari dd
Vraja Varuni devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja day and always.
I want to thank you for always trying to help me understand my potential, when self doubt creeps in I remind myself of your belief in my success in bhakti, your continuous encouragement and the faith that you have in me, this is what drives me in my spiritual life. When I am going through a period of strength with my spiritual practices I think of you knowing how happy you would be, similarly when I am going through challenging times I think of you and your faith in me to achieve and this is what pushes me to keep going, desiring to be better and try harder in becoming Krsna conscious.
I cannot thank you enough for always being so kind to me and my family whenever you come to Wales you are so accommodating to us and we are so extremely grateful for your support, guidance and kind encouraging words.
Gratitude is described not only as the quality of feeling thankfulness but also the eagerness, through appreciation, to return the same kindness which was shown. How would I ever be able to return the level of kindness you have shown to me, the patience and tolerance that you always display in your guidance and support and the most unique gift that you have given by accepting me as your disciple.
You show through your actions so much love and compassion by fully giving your time to all of the devotees here in Wales, in this way we get a glimpse into the sublime surrendered service that you have devoted your life to. The selfless sacrifice of the spiritual master can certainly never be surpassed and yet you expertly maintain this most demanding of services constantly preaching throughout the world, inspiring and maintaining heartfelt relationships with all of your spiritual family. Continuously nurturing the life of any dependent can be an arduous task, the kind of task that can only be persistently maintained through deep compassion and a desire to help the other to succeed. Yet somehow you manage to help nurture the bhakti within the hearts of all of your disciples whilst still carrying out many other roles within ISKCON. In this way, through your steadfast commitment you lead the perfect example of how to show gratitude to your dear Guru Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada.
I pray that one day I can understand this level of selflessness and somehow apply this quality to my life and service to you.
You servant,
Vraja Varuni Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja day and always.
I want to thank you for always trying to help me understand my potential, when self doubt creeps in I remind myself of your belief in my success in bhakti, your continuous encouragement and the faith that you have in me, this is what drives me in my spiritual life. When I am going through a period of strength with my spiritual practices I think of you knowing how happy you would be, similarly when I am going through challenging times I think of you and your faith in me to achieve and this is what pushes me to keep going, desiring to be better and try harder in becoming Krsna conscious.
I cannot thank you enough for always being so kind to me and my family whenever you come to Wales you are so accommodating to us and we are so extremely grateful for your support, guidance and kind encouraging words.
Gratitude is described not only as the quality of feeling thankfulness but also the eagerness, through appreciation, to return the same kindness which was shown. How would I ever be able to return the level of kindness you have shown to me, the patience and tolerance that you always display in your guidance and support and the most unique gift that you have given by accepting me as your disciple.
You show through your actions so much love and compassion by fully giving your time to all of the devotees here in Wales, in this way we get a glimpse into the sublime surrendered service that you have devoted your life to. The selfless sacrifice of the spiritual master can certainly never be surpassed and yet you expertly maintain this most demanding of services constantly preaching throughout the world, inspiring and maintaining heartfelt relationships with all of your spiritual family. Continuously nurturing the life of any dependent can be an arduous task, the kind of task that can only be persistently maintained through deep compassion and a desire to help the other to succeed. Yet somehow you manage to help nurture the bhakti within the hearts of all of your disciples whilst still carrying out many other roles within ISKCON. In this way, through your steadfast commitment you lead the perfect example of how to show gratitude to your dear Guru Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada.
I pray that one day I can understand this level of selflessness and somehow apply this quality to my life and service to you.
You servant,
Vraja Varuni Devi Dasi
Vrindavan-Madhurya das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is evident to the experienced eye and to the sensitive soul that you are empowered by superior force. The devotee knows this force to be Daivi prakriti -the internal energy of the Lord. The innocent observer is inperseptibly captivated by your contact and he also is benefited simply to see you.
You are qualified in perfect knowledge and devotion. Your heart melts in love of God and your intelligence is extraordinary. Among the most exalted you are respected.
You are truely bonafide, worthy to take shelter of. Able to deliver those eager souls who are willing to embrace purification. Controlling the senses, giving up all sorts of material desire, chanting with intensity, acquiring knowledge and teaching others- the sure path you direct and demonstrate.
The sincere desciple after diligently fallowing this path and serving you affectionately can be empowered to act as your instrument. This way he correctly applied his independence. Doing everything as an offering to you- knowing that if you accept Krishna will accept. Yet pleasing you seems sufficient for you are worthy of affection.
Affection for family and material associates never amounts to any significance and service rendered to them does not satisfy the heart. Yet menial service to you how ever tiny gives great fulfillment.
After many births, this one has been profected for I am able to engage this body in rendering menial service to you. Sitting at your feet as you chant or take prasad I feel the comfort of surrender and the peaceful condition of humbling myself at your feet. As a spiritual child I am always in danger yet when I hold on to my father's hand I feel all protection.
Your association is keeping me alive. I have heard Srila Prabhupada say in one lecture-"I am travelling everywhere making sure my devotees do not fall down ". Similarly you do the same. Checking up on devotees where ever you go and encouraging us. In your company I feel secure.
Often we think that this life is very long and there are many things I can do here. This way we waste valuable time and embarrass ourselves.
Now I have no other obligations .I simply have some duty to perform in your service and therefore I can find peace.
May you be merciful to remove our illusions. And in this way we can dedicate ourselves to a real life of service rather than the bodily conception.
Your aspiring servant,
Vrindavan Madhurya das
Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is evident to the experienced eye and to the sensitive soul that you are empowered by superior force. The devotee knows this force to be Daivi prakriti -the internal energy of the Lord. The innocent observer is inperseptibly captivated by your contact and he also is benefited simply to see you.
You are qualified in perfect knowledge and devotion. Your heart melts in love of God and your intelligence is extraordinary. Among the most exalted you are respected.
You are truely bonafide, worthy to take shelter of. Able to deliver those eager souls who are willing to embrace purification. Controlling the senses, giving up all sorts of material desire, chanting with intensity, acquiring knowledge and teaching others- the sure path you direct and demonstrate.
The sincere desciple after diligently fallowing this path and serving you affectionately can be empowered to act as your instrument. This way he correctly applied his independence. Doing everything as an offering to you- knowing that if you accept Krishna will accept. Yet pleasing you seems sufficient for you are worthy of affection.
Affection for family and material associates never amounts to any significance and service rendered to them does not satisfy the heart. Yet menial service to you how ever tiny gives great fulfillment.
After many births, this one has been profected for I am able to engage this body in rendering menial service to you. Sitting at your feet as you chant or take prasad I feel the comfort of surrender and the peaceful condition of humbling myself at your feet. As a spiritual child I am always in danger yet when I hold on to my father's hand I feel all protection.
Your association is keeping me alive. I have heard Srila Prabhupada say in one lecture-"I am travelling everywhere making sure my devotees do not fall down ". Similarly you do the same. Checking up on devotees where ever you go and encouraging us. In your company I feel secure.
Often we think that this life is very long and there are many things I can do here. This way we waste valuable time and embarrass ourselves.
Now I have no other obligations .I simply have some duty to perform in your service and therefore I can find peace.
May you be merciful to remove our illusions. And in this way we can dedicate ourselves to a real life of service rather than the bodily conception.
Your aspiring servant,
Vrindavan Madhurya das
Wanzi
To Sri Gurudeva,
All glories to you, Gurudeva, because you always take pleasure from chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra and are expert in giving Krishna to others.
When one is attentive in chanting, he or she is also always attentive in every aspect of life.
Once you arrived early for the Loft Sunday feast preaching. Sitting in one room, suddenly you came out with one particular service in your mind. You looked grave and super focused. As a new devotee, I smiled at you friendly while seeing you walking out of the door. Although absorbed in thought, when you suddenly noticed my smile you looked back and smiled back to me. You didn’t want me to feel being neglected.
A few years have passed since then. But there is always a deep impression in my heart about the attentiveness and care that you invested in that smile. I am very low and insignificant. But you were so kind that you cared to maintain a friendship with me. That was your greatness.
Dear Gurudeva, I read one purport by Srila Prabhupada that can describe your true glories:
“In this Age of Kali, real religious propaganda should induce people to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. This is possible for someone who is especially empowered by Kṛṣṇa. No one can do this without being especially favored by Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments in this regard in his Anubhāṣya, wherein he quotes a verse from the Nārāyaṇa-saḿhitā:
dvāparīyair janair viṣṇuḥ pañcarātrais tu kevalaiḥ
kalau tu nāma-mātreṇa pūjyate bhagavān hariḥ
"In Dvāpara-yuga, devotees of Lord Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa rendered devotional service according to the principles of Pāñcarātra. In this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped simply by the chanting of His holy names." Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura then comments,
"Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Kṛṣṇa. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Kṛṣṇa's effulgence throughout the world. Such an ācārya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa — that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa's potency. Such a personality is kṛṣṇālińgita-vigraha — that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Such a person is above the considerations of the varṇāśrama institution. He is the guru, or spiritual master, for the entire world, a devotee on the topmost platform, the mahā-bhāgavata stage, and a paramahaḿsa-ṭhākura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahaḿsa or ṭhākura." (Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya 25.9 Purport)”
Thank you, Gurudeva, for giving me the Hare Krishna Maha mantra and thank you for the service opportunity to give the Hare Krishna Maha mantra to others.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Your eternal servant,
Wanzi
All glories to you, Gurudeva, because you always take pleasure from chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra and are expert in giving Krishna to others.
When one is attentive in chanting, he or she is also always attentive in every aspect of life.
Once you arrived early for the Loft Sunday feast preaching. Sitting in one room, suddenly you came out with one particular service in your mind. You looked grave and super focused. As a new devotee, I smiled at you friendly while seeing you walking out of the door. Although absorbed in thought, when you suddenly noticed my smile you looked back and smiled back to me. You didn’t want me to feel being neglected.
A few years have passed since then. But there is always a deep impression in my heart about the attentiveness and care that you invested in that smile. I am very low and insignificant. But you were so kind that you cared to maintain a friendship with me. That was your greatness.
Dear Gurudeva, I read one purport by Srila Prabhupada that can describe your true glories:
“In this Age of Kali, real religious propaganda should induce people to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. This is possible for someone who is especially empowered by Kṛṣṇa. No one can do this without being especially favored by Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments in this regard in his Anubhāṣya, wherein he quotes a verse from the Nārāyaṇa-saḿhitā:
dvāparīyair janair viṣṇuḥ pañcarātrais tu kevalaiḥ
kalau tu nāma-mātreṇa pūjyate bhagavān hariḥ
"In Dvāpara-yuga, devotees of Lord Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa rendered devotional service according to the principles of Pāñcarātra. In this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped simply by the chanting of His holy names." Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura then comments,
"Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Kṛṣṇa. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Kṛṣṇa's effulgence throughout the world. Such an ācārya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa — that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa's potency. Such a personality is kṛṣṇālińgita-vigraha — that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Such a person is above the considerations of the varṇāśrama institution. He is the guru, or spiritual master, for the entire world, a devotee on the topmost platform, the mahā-bhāgavata stage, and a paramahaḿsa-ṭhākura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahaḿsa or ṭhākura." (Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya 25.9 Purport)”
Thank you, Gurudeva, for giving me the Hare Krishna Maha mantra and thank you for the service opportunity to give the Hare Krishna Maha mantra to others.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Your eternal servant,
Wanzi
Yamanuja Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances.
This process of bhakti yoga is my salvation.
this process is about loving everyone knowing that they are parts and portion of krsna, with this realisation the actions of loving, caring and providing come along naturally as the waves of the sea come to its shores.
This is the path you chose, this is the path of your master and this is the path you want for us. Thank you very much for such a beautiful example.
Thank you for encouraging me to be conscious of Krsna
thank you for expecting the best in us, with this expectation we have no other option to get better and better.
Thank you for reminding us how much we are worth so that we do not fall into the temptations that the illusory energy is always offering.
Thank you for the time you give to people, time is taking care of, time is compassion, time is love.
Thank you for your gravity, thank you for your sweetness.
thank you for your heaviness, this is like thunder shaking my ignorance and it is my pride as well as a disciple.
Thank you for your transcendental sense of humour and your laughter that dispels bad habits.
the life of the renunciant is not easy, it is the life of the warriors, it is the life of those who give their life to give life. I am very lucky to have you, without your sincere care I would probably be suffering miserably.
thank you for choosing the path of love, the path of example to follow.
This process of bhakti yoga is my salvation.
this process is about loving everyone knowing that they are parts and portion of krsna, with this realisation the actions of loving, caring and providing come along naturally as the waves of the sea come to its shores.
This is the path you chose, this is the path of your master and this is the path you want for us. Thank you very much for such a beautiful example.
Thank you for encouraging me to be conscious of Krsna
thank you for expecting the best in us, with this expectation we have no other option to get better and better.
Thank you for reminding us how much we are worth so that we do not fall into the temptations that the illusory energy is always offering.
Thank you for the time you give to people, time is taking care of, time is compassion, time is love.
Thank you for your gravity, thank you for your sweetness.
thank you for your heaviness, this is like thunder shaking my ignorance and it is my pride as well as a disciple.
Thank you for your transcendental sense of humour and your laughter that dispels bad habits.
the life of the renunciant is not easy, it is the life of the warriors, it is the life of those who give their life to give life. I am very lucky to have you, without your sincere care I would probably be suffering miserably.
thank you for choosing the path of love, the path of example to follow.
Yamuna Jivan Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, we pray to the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vallabha, Gaura Nitai and Jagannath Baladeva, Subhadra for your good health.
Yesterday, I was listening to the Lecture you gave at Auckland where you mentioned your schedule that you had for last week, starting from Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland. And, your feeling was that no matter how much we do, there is so much more potential to do more.
I remember myself working in sales back in India and I thought, travelling job is the most difficult one to do for long term perspective and subsequently, I gave up that job because it is too hard. And, to imagine that you have been doing that for decades after decades show your dedication, commitment, determination to deliver the fallen souls of Kali yuga.
As you were mentioning in the last Srimad Bhagavatam class you gave at Melbourne in September this year, people of Kali yuga don’t know who they are and what they are doing, being masqueraded and slaughtered by unregulated life style, while the apocalyptic twins of impending disaster where one end is the nuclear arsenal and other end human beings intent on ecocide, killing our environment are ready to strike at any time. I believe that, this is the exact reason why you take so much efforts and energy travelling around the world, educating the people of so-called advanced civilization, not squander their human form of life for mere sense gratification, which is available to even animals.
Then you talked about mystic powers that no one in this age has got, including us. But, we have something that is actually better – the Holy Name. Kali Kale Nama rupe Krishna Avatara. The holy name which is non-different from Krishna. Further on, you talked about basing our motivations on the feelings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who on one had is supremely blissful but, other hand is unhappy to see the condition of fallen souls suffering in the clutches of Maya. And, the importance of understanding the feelings of Supreme Lord through proper, Bonafide parampara of Rupa Gosvami, Srila Prabhupad. Thus, I could understand your own feelings of deep faith and commitment to the mission Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupad in spreading the glories of Holy name across the globe.
mukam karoti vachalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-kripa tam aham vande
sri-gurum dina-taranam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
I consider myself to be the most fallen and useless. Somehow, through your mercy I was able to take up the Chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra and follow regulative principles. Somehow, I was able to preach to new people to Bakthi Vriksha classes and motivate new people to take up Krishna consciousness. It is only through your mercy, I am able float in this ocean of bhava-Sindhu, the ocean of nescience and ignorance.
Please, continue to shower your mercy upon me and my family so that we may be able to perfect our lives and help others in this journey of Krishna Consciousness.
Your Humble Servants,
Yamuna Jivan Das, Jahnavi Jivan Dasi, Baktha Venu Gopal and Bhakta Harideva.
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, we pray to the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vallabha, Gaura Nitai and Jagannath Baladeva, Subhadra for your good health.
Yesterday, I was listening to the Lecture you gave at Auckland where you mentioned your schedule that you had for last week, starting from Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland. And, your feeling was that no matter how much we do, there is so much more potential to do more.
I remember myself working in sales back in India and I thought, travelling job is the most difficult one to do for long term perspective and subsequently, I gave up that job because it is too hard. And, to imagine that you have been doing that for decades after decades show your dedication, commitment, determination to deliver the fallen souls of Kali yuga.
As you were mentioning in the last Srimad Bhagavatam class you gave at Melbourne in September this year, people of Kali yuga don’t know who they are and what they are doing, being masqueraded and slaughtered by unregulated life style, while the apocalyptic twins of impending disaster where one end is the nuclear arsenal and other end human beings intent on ecocide, killing our environment are ready to strike at any time. I believe that, this is the exact reason why you take so much efforts and energy travelling around the world, educating the people of so-called advanced civilization, not squander their human form of life for mere sense gratification, which is available to even animals.
Then you talked about mystic powers that no one in this age has got, including us. But, we have something that is actually better – the Holy Name. Kali Kale Nama rupe Krishna Avatara. The holy name which is non-different from Krishna. Further on, you talked about basing our motivations on the feelings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who on one had is supremely blissful but, other hand is unhappy to see the condition of fallen souls suffering in the clutches of Maya. And, the importance of understanding the feelings of Supreme Lord through proper, Bonafide parampara of Rupa Gosvami, Srila Prabhupad. Thus, I could understand your own feelings of deep faith and commitment to the mission Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupad in spreading the glories of Holy name across the globe.
mukam karoti vachalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-kripa tam aham vande
sri-gurum dina-taranam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
I consider myself to be the most fallen and useless. Somehow, through your mercy I was able to take up the Chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra and follow regulative principles. Somehow, I was able to preach to new people to Bakthi Vriksha classes and motivate new people to take up Krishna consciousness. It is only through your mercy, I am able float in this ocean of bhava-Sindhu, the ocean of nescience and ignorance.
Please, continue to shower your mercy upon me and my family so that we may be able to perfect our lives and help others in this journey of Krishna Consciousness.
Your Humble Servants,
Yamuna Jivan Das, Jahnavi Jivan Dasi, Baktha Venu Gopal and Bhakta Harideva.
Yasodeva das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And all glories to you for carrying the torchlight of Prabhupada's glories and passing it on to the next generation of devotees.
A bona fide spiritual master is meant to simply deliver the message of Lord Krishna without any alteration, like a postman delivers the mail. In 2007 in Taupo, New Zealand, you said, "sounds easy, right? Well, just try it..."
I'm trying, Gurudeva, and I'm realizing how difficult it is to represent Krishna exclusively. It seems that self-serving hypocrisy is so common in Kali-yuga - we take it for granted that everything we hear is tainted with ulterior motive. Selfish desire is deeply rooted in conditioned souls like me and it intercepts their shot at pure devotion.
I think that you are different. Prabhupada comments on Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.10 and thus describes your flawless ethical standard:
"Akāmaḥ is one who has no material desire. A living being, naturally being the part and parcel of the supreme whole puruṣaṁ pūrṇam, has as his natural function to serve the Supreme Being, just as the parts and parcels of the body, or the limbs of the body, are naturally meant to serve the complete body. Desireless means, therefore, not to be inert like the stone, but to be conscious of one's actual position and thus desire satisfaction only from the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has explained this desirelessness as bhajanīya-parama-puruṣa-sukha-mātra-sva-sukhatvam in his Sandarbha. This means that one should feel happy only by experiencing the happiness of the Supreme Lord."
In an era when duplicity is the norm, you stand out as a person of honesty and principle. You put aside personal interest and you speak on behalf of Krishna without compromise. You give counsel which is unbiased and therefore satisfying to the mind. Your broad-minded intelligence makes you liberal with praise and encouragement - seeing everything in a holistic relationship with the Lord.
Guru Maharaja, I have a great need for integrity and you fulfill this need with all of the expertise and consistency that I expect from a first-class spiritual master. You instill in me a strong faith that Krishna is the Supreme Person, because He has such excellent devotees. Thank you.
Your servant,
Yasodeva das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And all glories to you for carrying the torchlight of Prabhupada's glories and passing it on to the next generation of devotees.
A bona fide spiritual master is meant to simply deliver the message of Lord Krishna without any alteration, like a postman delivers the mail. In 2007 in Taupo, New Zealand, you said, "sounds easy, right? Well, just try it..."
I'm trying, Gurudeva, and I'm realizing how difficult it is to represent Krishna exclusively. It seems that self-serving hypocrisy is so common in Kali-yuga - we take it for granted that everything we hear is tainted with ulterior motive. Selfish desire is deeply rooted in conditioned souls like me and it intercepts their shot at pure devotion.
I think that you are different. Prabhupada comments on Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.10 and thus describes your flawless ethical standard:
"Akāmaḥ is one who has no material desire. A living being, naturally being the part and parcel of the supreme whole puruṣaṁ pūrṇam, has as his natural function to serve the Supreme Being, just as the parts and parcels of the body, or the limbs of the body, are naturally meant to serve the complete body. Desireless means, therefore, not to be inert like the stone, but to be conscious of one's actual position and thus desire satisfaction only from the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has explained this desirelessness as bhajanīya-parama-puruṣa-sukha-mātra-sva-sukhatvam in his Sandarbha. This means that one should feel happy only by experiencing the happiness of the Supreme Lord."
In an era when duplicity is the norm, you stand out as a person of honesty and principle. You put aside personal interest and you speak on behalf of Krishna without compromise. You give counsel which is unbiased and therefore satisfying to the mind. Your broad-minded intelligence makes you liberal with praise and encouragement - seeing everything in a holistic relationship with the Lord.
Guru Maharaja, I have a great need for integrity and you fulfill this need with all of the expertise and consistency that I expect from a first-class spiritual master. You instill in me a strong faith that Krishna is the Supreme Person, because He has such excellent devotees. Thank you.
Your servant,
Yasodeva das