Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
Happy 75th appearance day, dear Gurudeva. You came into the world and into our lives as the sun who dispels darkness. I know that whatever I write here comes only from my tiny intelligence and is not great enough to truly understand or glorify your qualities.
My Gurudeva, your presence in my life was the one thing that was missing. When I first met you, although I was nervous, thinking I would be wasting your time with my questions, you eased my fears and doubts simply by your presence and glance. When I asked the question, “How can I not have the fear of losing Krishna?” in my judgmental mind I had many answers. But you understood my heart; although it was my first time meeting you, you knew everything about me. You asked me whether I had read the Bhagavad Gita, to which I replied “no.” I thought you would be disappointed, but the next second you laughed and eased my fear, saying, “If you don’t have knowledge about Krishna, how can you love Him?”
But I actually got the answer to that question myself. I realised that if I have you, then why should I have this fear — or any fear at all? I realised that you are here carrying the mercy of Krishna — you, whom I know will never leave this fallen soul. Your presence itself made that fear go away.
What surprised me the most was the way you spoke with me, Maharaja — you were so happy. You kept telling me how happy you were, and I thought, “What have I done to deserve this? To deserve you?” What surprised me even more was how you treated me like a child. It was actually funny because I thought I could act all mature and adult-like, thinking that would please you and make me look “all knowledgeable,” but you made me realise my true nature — a child before her ever-loving father.
The next time I met you, you gave me your shelter and accepted me. Thank you so much, Gurudeva. Your lectures are so wonderful to listen to that whatever pastime I hear, I feel like I can completely understand it just by hearing it from you. Your kirtans always bring so much happiness into my life that no matter how bad my day is, your kirtan clears it away.
My dearest Gurudeva, your enthusiasm in spreading Srila Prabhupada’s and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission is never-ending. Thank you for showing me the importance of books, showing me how to distribute the mercy, and most importantly, for showering me with your love and affection and giving me your mercy. It is only by you, Maharaja, that I have this seed of Bhakti in me. I hope that it will continue to grow, so please shower it with your mercy.
I am sorry for being very, very nervous and formal with you the second time I had your darshan. From now on, I will keep revealing my heart to you without any thoughts of fear crossing my mind. I just wish to be able to serve you and make you pleased with whatever I do, so please bless me in that, my dear Maharaja.
Also, if there is one thing that I constantly pray for every single day, it is about you. I wish you always to have good health so that you can continue to serve Srila Prabhupada and catch the drowning souls like me from this material ocean of misery. Only you, Maharaja, are my only shelter and will always be. Thank you for accepting this soul from day one. Thank you for bringing me near to Krishna and Prabhupada. Thank you for being my spiritual father, my eternal master.
Oh Kalpa Vriksha, my only desire is to serve you and only you in whatever ways and whatever form I may get. Please bless me, Gurudeva, and please fulfil this desire of mine.
I hope I can be a daughter who you would be pleased with.
Thank you.
Your aspiring servant,
Aarcha

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 Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Guru Parampara.


After a long gap, my family and I had the fortune to meet Śrīla Gurudeva. He affectionately interacted with Poonam and the children, pleased to hear of her steady chanting. Turning to me, he asked, “Do you read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books?” When I admitted no, he firmly said, “This is your problem,” and urged me to read daily.

Though my mind is restless and my heart is unsteady, Gurudeva still accepts me. Since that day, I have resumed reading the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and strive to make it my lifelong habit, taking his instruction as my heart and soul.

I pray to develop true guru-niṣṭhā, to see you as Kṛṣṇa’s representative, and to serve as his humble instrument.

I am fallen and unqualified, constantly distracted by material desires, yet you still extend your compassion towards me. I have no good qualities to present before you; only my sincerity in wishing to serve you and the mission of our disciplic succession. Without your mercy, I am helpless and lost.

Śrīla Gurudeva, I beg for your continued guidance and blessings. Please help me remain steady in the practice of devotional service, to always remember the holy name, and to serve the Vaiṣṇavas with humility and love. Please allow me to one day become a sincere instrument in your service, pleasing you by my actions and not just by my words.


Eternally aspiring to be your servant,
Aatmeshwar Krishna Dasa and Family

Hare Krishna

My dear and most revered, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj,

Please allow this most unworthy servant to attempt to express a fraction of the gratitude that swells within my heart on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. It is by your boundless mercy that a struggling devotee like me is given a glimpse of the reality beyond the temporary shadows of this material world.

Your divine instructions are like a powerful lighthouse, cutting through the dense fog of modern confusion. I am reminded of a profound lecture you gave on the very essence of our human pursuit: Sustainable Happiness.

In a world chasing ephemeral pleasures, where society is restless despite material progress, you expertly illuminated the profound wisdom of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.18). You taught us that misery comes unsought, and temporary, sense-based happiness arrives just as automatically. But the sustainable happiness—the happiness of the soul—is not a random occurrence of karma. It is, as you emphasized, achieved by conscious endeavor in devotional service.

You shattered the dangerous illusion that more acquisition leads to more happiness. With razor-sharp clarity, you exposed the “merry-go-round of social comparison” as a “deadly destroyer” of peace. You cautioned us against “over-endeavouring for material gains at the cost of spiritual life,” guiding us to live simply and avoid the distress of biting off more than we can chew.

Most importantly, you directed our efforts toward the true goal. Just as Nārada Muni instructs, you have taught us not to be idle but to canalize our energy toward spiritual progress. The beautiful pastime of Bali Mahārāja and Vāmanadeva, which you narrated, remains eternally etched in my mind: if three steps of land for the Lord cannot satisfy, then the entire universe will also fail. This is the revolutionary understanding you have gifted us—that true satisfaction is not a matter of accumulation, but of surrender.

You are the living embodiment of this wisdom. You are our greatest asset, our guide who helps us navigate the complexities of material energy. Through you, we receive the transcendental knowledge of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which alone is the foundation for real peace and everlasting happiness.

My dear Maharaj, thank you for teaching us that the real asset is spiritual wealth. Thank you for showing us how to align our endeavors with spiritual principles, thus allowing us to transcend the dizzying highs and painful lows of material existence. You have given us the formula for a life of purpose, a life centered on devotional service—whether through time, energy, or resources—all offered to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.

On this holy day, I pray for the strength to truly apply these teachings. I pray to be able to use my life in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission and his instructions. May I become a sincere instrument in the hands of Śrīla Prabhupāda.

May you continue to shower your boundless mercy upon us all.

Your Servant
Abhay Govind Dāsa

Hare Krishna

My dear and most revered, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj,

Please allow this most unworthy servant to attempt to express a fraction of the gratitude that swells within my heart on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. It is by your boundless mercy that a struggling devotee like me is given a glimpse of the reality beyond the temporary shadows of this material world.

Your divine instructions are like a powerful lighthouse, cutting through the dense fog of modern confusion. I am reminded of a profound lecture you gave on the very essence of our human pursuit: Sustainable Happiness.

In a world chasing ephemeral pleasures, where society is restless despite material progress, you expertly illuminated the profound wisdom of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.18). You taught us that misery comes unsought, and temporary, sense-based happiness arrives just as automatically. But the sustainable happiness—the happiness of the soul—is not a random occurrence of karma. It is, as you emphasized, achieved by conscious endeavor in devotional service.

You shattered the dangerous illusion that more acquisition leads to more happiness. With razor-sharp clarity, you exposed the “merry-go-round of social comparison” as a “deadly destroyer” of peace. You cautioned us against “over-endeavouring for material gains at the cost of spiritual life,” guiding us to live simply and avoid the distress of biting off more than we can chew.

Most importantly, you directed our efforts toward the true goal. Just as Nārada Muni instructs, you have taught us not to be idle but to canalize our energy toward spiritual progress. The beautiful pastime of Bali Mahārāja and Vāmanadeva, which you narrated, remains eternally etched in my mind: if three steps of land for the Lord cannot satisfy, then the entire universe will also fail. This is the revolutionary understanding you have gifted us—that true satisfaction is not a matter of accumulation, but of surrender.

You are the living embodiment of this wisdom. You are our greatest asset, our guide who helps us navigate the complexities of material energy. Through you, we receive the transcendental knowledge of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which alone is the foundation for real peace and everlasting happiness.

My dear Maharaj, thank you for teaching us that the real asset is spiritual wealth. Thank you for showing us how to align our endeavors with spiritual principles, thus allowing us to transcend the dizzying highs and painful lows of material existence. You have given us the formula for a life of purpose, a life centered on devotional service—whether through time, energy, or resources—all offered to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.

On this holy day, I pray for the strength to truly apply these teachings. I pray to be able to use my life in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission and his instructions. May I become a sincere instrument in the hands of Śrīla Prabhupāda.

May you continue to shower your boundless mercy upon us all.

Your Servant
Abhay Govind Dāsa

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances to you, and all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I have had the great fortune, so great that I have no capacity to understand it, to be your disciple. And for that I thank you. That fortune can not be measured, nor can it be compared to any other form of luck or opportunity in the material or spiritual worlds... Your association has plunged me into an ocean of awe and wonder about the nature of Krsna Conciousness, and pushed me to ask myself: "How deep can this really go?" It is like a constant force pushing me to question myself: "How sincere am I? How much love do I have? And most importantly, how absorbed am I?" You exemplify absorption in Krsna's name, never failing to chant at every opportunity. As soon as I start to think to myself: "I'm doing quite well, I'm actually becoming an advanced soul!", I'm reminded of your spiritually electrifying and contagious absorption in Krsna's holy names, pastimes, qualities, and form. I hope that, through serving you, I can one day taste a drop of that absorption.

On this day, I think of the momentous occasion when I was accepted as your aspiring disciple. You humbly requested that I remember that I am eternally indebted to my siksa guru, and only under that condition could I be accepted as your diksa disciple. This was striking to me for many reasons.

First off, your humility to use this as an opportunity to glorify another devotee is glorious!

Secondly, I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the guru-disciple relationship, specifically that it is not bound by the body to body relationship which we focus so much on. On one platform the siksa and diksa gurus work together to help the disciple come out of his ignorance, but on another level, they are one! Lord Nityananda is simply showering his mercy on us through both personalities.

And finally, I developed a deep and profound appreciation for the transcendental family which I've entered. So many wonderful devotees cooperating to help increase the ocean of love of Krishna, all over the planet. And to see that my diksa and siksa gurus have such a loving relationship after so many years, a relationship of shared appreciation, I felt as though I was one tiny spec of dust, being carried up by two magnanimous devotional giants! Lifting me up back to the spiritual world! What more could I ask for? I've truly recieved the greatest benediction in all of creation.

I have confidence that, although I am duly unqualified, I am sure to one day enter the association of the supreme personality of godhead, only due to my association with you both. I pray that I can continue to serve you and help you fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desires. Please continue to engage me in your service.

Your servant,
Abhinandana Gopa 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,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who blessed us not only with Krsna consciousness but extended his mercy—the very life air—through his merciful, intelligent disciples like Your Holiness.

Being of Indian background, I have always been drawn to the mystic powers in spirituality. I always wished to witness mind-reading or wish-fulfillment without uttering a word.

However, when I heard Srila Prabhupada in one of his lectures explain that spirituality is not a cheap magic trick or some mystic siddhis—that it is beyond such powers—I was at first a little disheartened. Yet I continued to love Srila Prabhupada because of the immense love and sacrifices he made to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

In the back of my mind, I always wanted to see some mystic powers in his disciples, such as Your Holiness.

Once, I was away for nearly two years and didn’t get a chance to see you or serve you personally. While taking darśana in the temple room, I learned that you had been there for the last three days but were leaving that very day, and no personal darśana was available. In the temple room, I saw Bhakti Sāra Prabhu and asked him about you. He mentioned that you were leaving that day and it was already very late. Deep in my heart, I wanted to see you. I prayed to Rādhā-Vallabha: “I wish Gurudev could call me and speak to me.”

As I stepped outside the temple room and was about to leave for home, suddenly I was called by Nanda Prabhu: “Could you please help with Gurudev’s luggage?” I went upstairs, knocked on your door, and when I entered you called me by name and asked how I was, saying that you were wondering about me and my well-being. I was shocked, happy, and bewildered to see that indeed there are mystic powers that truly exist.

A similar thing happened when I was walking with you on the beach. You suddenly went to the Beaconsfield Parade sea bridge, leaned your head down, and called out to a devotee: “What are you doing here? Come and see me after some time.” That devotee was surprised too. While walking, you mentioned that it was as though Krsna wanted you to see where he/she was and what he/she was doing.

Gurudev, you invest your emotions and your sharp intelligence into each and every soul who comes in contact with you. You make sure that either they are fully engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness or, if not, you give them such an unforgettable moment that they are bound to return to Krsna and associate with devotees.

Recently, you blessed one of my very dear godbrother, Śhashi Prabhu, as Rāma Bhūṣaṇa Dāsa. When I heard that, I was shocked again, realizing that you have more than mystic power. Shashi Prabhu is the eldest son in his family; he has two brothers. Being the eldest, he has set many examples in his family to take Krsna consciousness seriously, and not only that, he has tried with others as well. Surprisingly, one devotee called him “Lord Rāma” in his family because of the way he acted for his family and for his Bhakti Vṛikṣha members. This is way before he took formal Shelter of your lotus feet.

When I heard that you gave him the name Rāma Bhusana Dāsa, it again gave me a deep sense of fulfillment that You carefully observe each and every devotee, and when you formally introduce a jīva to Kṛṣṇa, you uncover his or her true hidden nature toward Lord Śrī Hari.

People like me, who have many doubts, much uncertainty, and poor intelligence—who always seek evidence to believe—see you as a truly enlightening Guru, who not only acts according to śāstra but also shows mystic powers beyond mystic siddhis.

You always emphasise chanting, hearing, and serving devotees, but you lead by your own example and prove the quote:
harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

You once mentioned that many people have different amounts of wealth and power; however, we Kṛṣṇa-bhaktas have unlimited wealth—that is, Kṛṣṇa’s names and pastimes. There is no greater wealth nor any that can replace this wealth.

When I complain about, different conditions of my life, you always give one solution -Chanting of the holy name is the only solution to all the problems. Because the holy name is a personality who is aware and conscious of the person who is calling his name. Nama Prabhu – really cares and protects his devotees.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta – Madhya-līlā 19.151: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructs Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī:

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

Translation: “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.”

You have shown your causeless mercy on many fallen souls, including myself.

Among them, I am the most unfortunate one. Even though, by the mercy of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, I came in contact with Śrīla Prabhupāda and his devotees, and by your causeless mercy came to know the real power and meaning of the holy name of Śrī Hari—Kṛṣṇa—I am still suffering due to my past karma -health conditions and I am not able to serve you and the devotees as I should.

I sincerely beg you for your blessings: may I always chant Krsna’s name, follow your instructions, and serve the devotees with my full heart, making this life truly successful.

I pray to Lord Śrī Narasiṁha dev for your health and well-being.

Yours aspiring servants,
Abhishek, Shubhra, Chakradhar, and Murali (daughter whom you named)

Dear Srīla Gurudeva,

All glories to your lotus feet. On this special day of your Vyasa-puja, I feel the challenge of trying to describe even a fraction of your qualities in just a few words. You are decorated with so many wonderful virtues, but the one I want to focus on is your determination.

Year after year, decade after decade, you have been doing the same thing with the same strength and focus, using every ounce of your time, energy and resources to spread Mahaprabhu's mission. Tirelessly and without concern for yourself, you carry on, intent only on bringing satisfaction to your spiritual master. Age does not slow you down. Comfort does not distract you. You just keep marching forward as a fearless soldier in Lord Chaitanya’s army.

The Bhagavad-gītā (9.14) says:

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.”

This verse comes alive in you. Day after day you offer your whole self in service to others, reaching out to pull countless souls from the ocean of material suffering. Completely absorbed in the sastra, you plunge into its depths and emerge with rare jewels of knowledge, shining with fresh meaning for everyone you meet.

Srila Prabhupada explained this spirit of devotion so clearly:

“Devotional service means determination. Dṛḍha-vrataḥ, firm vow. ‘Whatever happens, I shall continue my devotional service.’ That is determination. Not that one day I do, another day I do not. No. Every day, every moment.” (Lecture, Los Angeles, Dec 1968)

I still think back with gratitude, remembering how incredibly fortunate I was as a confused and lost young man to somehow come under your shelter by causeless mercy. You gave me friends, family, service, and a place to belong. And even now, all these years later, you are still here - guiding me, tolerating my many faults and mistakes, and extending the same love and care not only to me but also to our children.

On this Vyasa-puja day, I just want to thank you for your unstoppable determination and for never giving up on me. My only prayer is that I can somehow, someday, develop even a single drop of that same determination, to never waver, to never quit, and to always stay fixed in serving the mission of my spiritual master.

Your aspiring servant,
Aghahanta das

Hare Krishna Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja celebration!

Thank you so much for giving us the gift of Srila Prabhupada's mission by spreading it across the world. You have given so much to us and helped us with our spiritual life in so many different ways,We are eternally grateful and indebted to you. One of my favourite memories of you is when you would speak at seminars in Mary Kehoe and I would go there to listen after my Kishori Girls Youth class.
(From Akarshini)

We have always enjoyed listening to your classes, and the inspirational seminars you have given around Melbourne. We are always excited to go to the temple for any opportunities to have your darshan. One of my fondest memories is being able to serve you breakfast when my mother cooks the sweets. We pray to forever remain serving your lotus feet and be under your shelter.
(From Gopikaa)

Your words always touch our hearts and inspire us to deepen our connection with Krishna. By your example of dedication and compassion, you show us how to live with humility and devotion, keeping Krishna in the centre of our lives. You remind us that real happiness comes from serving the Lord and His devotees. When I first met you, you greeted me with a big smile that motivated me to engage in devotional service.
(From Gaurangi)

We are so fortunate to have your association on this auspicious day.
Please continue to shower your blessings upon us, so that we can serve the Lord and his devotees wonderfully.

Your servants,

Akarshini, Gopikaa and Gaurangi

Dear Gurudeva
Please Accept my Humble Obeicences all Glories to Srila Prabhupada

It feels like I have many more lifetimes of chanting ahead of me to reach the true understanding of what it means to have a bonafide spiritual master in one’s life.
Spending time amidst a genuine wisdom culture is gradually uncovering that golden opportunity. Thank you for arriving on the scene to disrupt my pathetic and puny illusion. Before you appeared I was extremely insecure wandering aimlessly like so many other lost souls, trying to erect a temporary home for happiness with the anticipation that a successful material career would emerge before I got to the age of 30. Looking back I can definitely see that the desire for some material success was just such a big daydream because I had no goals in place to make my fantasy a reality. With no success I tried to create a secure and safe place inside the prison cell with nice things, friends, a partner, parents and pets. All of the above were not able to provide a solution to the deep sadness due to loneliness and a rigid faith that no one really loved or cared about me.

I’d hate to think of what my future would have been like if you had not interrupted my temporary pleasure pastimes, most likely I would have ended up in an asylum or with a family I did not really want, then later at the end of this lifetime, rotting in a retirement village where nobody pays a visit.

If you had not made the effort to land in the lazy land of Kiwi Loka to rearranged my future I would never have understood how to develope real friendships and community with service and cooperation at it’s foundation.
Thank you for giving me a real career opportunity to share KC with others, in some shape or form, and for helping me understand that the reason I probably don’t feel loved is becaiuse I’m not loving enough!

It’s a mystery to me how you manage to undertake the austerity of airport stop overs, flights serving abominable food stuffs, sleeping in so many different beds, having to adjust to different time zones and climatic conditions. Despite it all, most often then not, you look fresh and ready for service on arrival
I wish I had a Fiine education, ability to manage and mastery of sastra, allowing you to teach and offer guidance with so much conviction to benefit the people in general. Unfortunately I was not blessed with a head for economics but feel grateful that you can caste some light on the sustainability issue and the social problems hence from.

Thank you for bringing with you the pure desire to expand the loud chanting of Hare Krsna in every town and village, accompanied with a plan and strategy, backed by your Spiritual Master and the rest of the Parampara.

Praying that I can assist you in connecting others to an authentic source of guidance, not some guru with a Hendrix haircut and a necklace of merigolds, smelling like rose water and chanting Habba Babba.

Thank you for all these years of your shelter Gurudeva, I’m not looking forward to your disappearance and the uncertainty of how I’ll cope without your support. Thank you for sharing this most cherished message of the Bhagavatam, ‘service to Krsna is the everything’ and for the magical herbal potion of the Holy Name to compliment it.

Still trying to be your servant
Akarsini

Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion

The illusory energy is constantly challenging our vision by turning every place into a place of superficiality. On our own, the struggle to keep Krishna centred in our vision can feel impossible.

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.10 states: “My lord, devotees like your good self are verily holy places personified. Because you carry the Personality of Godhead within your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage.”

I immediately see the reality of the above declaration through your association. Landing in different parts of the world, you regularly remind the devotees by your presence and words that our vision should be fixed on Krishna and His pleasure.

I’m again and again reminded of where I need to be looking. What would I do without your regular reminders? I feel very grateful for this privilege. Thank you, gurudeva.

Your servant,
Amani Gaurahari das

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Shrila Prabhupada

I remember coming to an Iskcon temple for the first time, which was in Cardiff (Wales) around 7 years ago. Keshi Nishudana (who was then Bhakta Tobi) invited me to stay for a week & although I knew nothing about Krishna consciousness, I was allowed to stay. I heard that there is a class scheduled every morning, & I liked that idea. Since I was a student, I wanted to learn, especially whilst traveling. Unfortunately I found it hard to relate to the content discussed in the classes. I remember distinctly, the first time I went, Vamshi Vilasi was speaking about how the universe is like an egg with different shells. Someone commented how he appreciates that the Bhagavatam always puts us in a humble position.. I was thinking - “what is going on? Shells of the universe? The universe is an egg?”

A few months later you came to Wales & the monks advised me to come back. I remember waiting at the airport in Berlin.. My plane being delayed.. Asking myself - “why are you even going there again? What will you get out of it?”

Two days later I found myself sitting in the atma cafe - listening to the first lecture I ever heard from you and I was amazed. It seemed like every point you were making was what I was thinking about and contemplating. It felt like you read my mind - and gave a talk in relation to it. After it finished, and you opened for discussion saying “any questions” I was not shy to raise my hand, stand up & ask you:”What is the meaning of life?”
I remember you saying something like:”The goal of life is to make that supreme connection. Imagine you see an amputated arm on the street.. You would think - Oh my god that's horrible! But that same arm on a body appears aesthetic & beautiful.”

Thank you for your clarity and relevance in your speeches. I’m inspired by your sense of urgency to spread & develop Krishna consciousness. I hope one day I can stop drifting & develop the urge to hear the lord's messages. Please shower your mercy upon me.

Just two months ago I became brahmana initiated. One thing that you mentioned in the ceremony really stuck with me.

“Out there people are going crazy. Ten years ago people were speaking about one nation.. European union.. All these ideas are now out of the window. It’s just dog eat dog. We desperately need some intelligence in society. So guess what - YOUR IT. By your behavior, your knowledge you're rescuing the entire planet. You do your part, lord Chaitanya will do his part.”

Please Gurudev help me to keep focused on the goal of developing pure love for god, so that I don’t be distracted chasing after a mirage. Missing the body of water covered by vegetation. These vegetation are my real enemies in the form of lust, greed, anger, illusion, envy & pride. As Akrura prays:

SB 10.40.27-28

notsahe ’haṁ kṛpaṇa-dhīḥ
kāma-karma-hataṁ manaḥ
roddhuṁ pramāthibhiś cākṣair
hriyamāṇam itas tataḥ


so ’haṁ tavāṅghry-upagato ’smy asatāṁ durāpaṁ
tac cāpy ahaṁ bhavad-anugraha īśa manye
puṁso bhaved yarhi saṁsaraṇāpavargas
tvayy abja-nābha sad-upāsanayā matiḥ syāt


My intelligence is so crippled that I cannot find the strength to curb my mind, which is disturbed by material desires and activities and constantly dragged here and there by my obstinate senses.

Being thus fallen, I am approaching Your feet for shelter, O Lord, because although the impure can never attain Your feet, I think it is nevertheless possible by Your mercy. Only when one’s material life has ceased, O lotus-naveled Lord, can one develop consciousness of You by serving Your pure devotees.

The way through the desert is long and there are many dangers in the form of envious snakes, howling owls & dangerous jackals. Humbly submitting myself to your lotus feet, Gurudev. Please protect me.

Your insignificant servant,
Amrita-Tattva Dasa

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my obeisances, all glories to you on your Vyasa Puja.

During your recent visit to wales I witnessed the heartfelt dedication and willingness to sacrifice for you shown by your disciples, which left me awestruck, reflecting on your glories.

How, without thinking twice, Tirtha Kirti Dasa sprinted to Parjanya’s flat from Cardiff bay to retrieve one of the containers we use to deliver your lunch. He arrived at my door exhausted and out of breath with no sign of frustration, annoyance or discontent. My hard heart melted a little bit.

When my brother, Vamsi Vilasi Dasa, expert in many areas and always cool headed was asked to make an evening kitchari, his relaxed demeanour changed as he entered 108% focus mode. Eventually he received a message from Parjanya that you were taking the meal and seemed happy, a wave of relief visibly swept over him as he said, “life is okay again now.” My hard heart melted a little bit more.

I saw one of my friends cry a river of tears over hearing that something had gone wrong in preparing an evening meal for you. I’ve never seen someone want so much to please another that they would be this upset about doing the wrong thing. My heart continued to melt.

Personally, I was unable to resist every opportunity I got to cook for you, no matter how challenging, as if the opportunity might never come again. I also had to be instructed to leave your Bhagavatam class a few hours before my wedding because I should have been organising the event, I’m sorry for walking out while you were speaking!

It’s not possible to materially explain the dynamics at play in these memories I’ve shared. I realise I must have witnessed something spiritual and that the person whom all these devotees are selflessly serving must be incredibly special.

I further realise that tirelessly travelling, lecturing, writing, managing, caring for devotees, glorifying Krishna as well as pushing on and preserving Srila Prabhupada’s mission, all these things I see in you, reflect the magnitude of your love for Srila Prabhupada.

As well as enlivening us to selflessly serve Krishna, like I have mentioned, you guide us with your ever-fresh discourses on Bhakti yoga, so intelligently woven together and expertly delivered.

Through the small efforts I have made in service to you, I have tasted a drop of spiritual happiness, and by your mercy I am now finally making an effort to chant Krishna’s names with attention. This has changed my life and begun to awaken the aspiration within me to one day swim in an ocean of that happiness and actually chant nicely. Please bless me to do so.

Praying to always have such enthusiasm to serve you and to never leave your shelter.

Your aspiring servant,
Anadi Kaisora Dasa

Hare Krsna

I am grateful for the true deepest blessing and fortune I have in life of quality friendships and beautiful dependable connections made, due to the existance of various NZ Bhakti hubs, spurred by your desire and action for Prabhupada.

Thank you
Ananda-candra

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my heartfelt, humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your divine appearance!

Recently, I witnessed the passing of my father-in-law. After observing the transformation he went through over the course of about two weeks, I reflected on the stories from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and on some recent examples of both devotees and non-devotees leaving their bodies.

It became apparent to me that a person who is not Krishna conscious will often experience great fear in their final days—largely due to uncertainty about what is coming and how to face the misery of dying, being unprepared for this inevitable phase of life. The fear and suffering were very tangible and, unfortunately, the modern health system cannot offer a true solution to this misery beyond strong medication.

Alister (my father-in-law) had one great fortune: his daughter has been initiated by you and engaged by you in active service for many years. Because of that blessing, along with his strong attachment to prasada, Alister was able to make some progress in Krishna consciousness during the last two weeks of his life. He especially liked the recording of Srila Prabhupada’s chanting, which played constantly by his bedside. When devotees held a live kirtan in his room, he cried and said, “This is the best way to go.” He also thanked Krishnaloka for all she did for his daughter, indirectly thanking you for everything you have done. These were the last words he was able to speak clearly.

By contrast, a devotee of Krishna has little or no fear, living instead a life of preparation for the “final exam.” Even while still in this world, devotees can transcend its miseries and swim in the ocean of the nectar of devotion.

Bhagavad-gītā 14.20
“When the embodied being is able to transcend these three modes associated with the material body, he can become free from birth, death, old age, and their distresses and can enjoy nectar even in this life.”

I am reflecting on the gift of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy that you have given us—a solution not only to the problem of death but to all our miseries: birth, death, old age, and disease. You have not only given us this knowledge but have dedicated your life to ensuring that we understand the value of this gift, learn how to apply it, grow in Bhakti, and share it with others.

I feel deeply fortunate to have met you and to be learning the science of Bhakti from you. I relish the nectar of the classes and talks you give while travelling, especially the podcast episodes in which you dive deeply into the intricacies of Krishna’s or Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.

I feel truly blessed to have the chance for eternal life, full of bliss and knowledge. Though I have no qualification to receive this mercy, somehow, by your compassion, I am engaged in serving Krishna and His devotees. My sincere desire is always to remain under the shelter of service to your servants.

Your servant,
Ananta-naga das

Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glory to Srila. Prabhupada and all glory to you on this all-auspicious day of your 75 vyas pooja
Our family was fortunate enough to have your mercy last year in Melbourne. You accepted us as your servant and blessed us with Krishna and prabhupada prem
Your effort in caitainya mahaprabh’s mission and your Gurudev’s instructions is matchless . Your lectures keeping us spiritually going strong and bold .Gurudev we seek your association year after year. Please bless all of us in our divine journey so we can complete in this life time . Jai srila Parabhupada jai Gurudev.💐

Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine service.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I offer my deepest gratitude for the shelter I received under your lotus feet last May. This past year has been a journey of transformation, reflection, and growing faith — all made possible by your unwavering guidance and the clarity of your teachings.
Your words pierce through illusion and awaken a sense of urgency and purpose in my heart. You have taught me that Krishna consciousness is not just a philosophy, but a lifestyle of integrity, compassion, and bold spiritual activism. Your example inspires me to live with greater sincerity and courage, even amidst the distractions of the material world.
Though I am still learning and often fall short, your presence gives me hope. You remind me that spiritual progress is possible when we align our lives with the mission of Srila Prabhupada and serve with humility and determination.
I pray to become a worthy servant of your mission — to embody the values you live by, to speak truth with compassion, and to serve the Vaishnavas with a grateful heart.
Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for showing me the path.
Your aspiring servant,
Aparna Dubey

Hare Krishna dearest Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this most auspicious day.

I was recently reflecting on a recent time I walked in Russel Sqaure park. I was chanting japa when one bewildered, downtrodden looking man drenched in a strong unpleasant odour approached me. Cheerfully he said, “Excuse me… you’re a Hare Krishna, right?” I replied, “Yes,” and he continued, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I have recently had an accident. My urine bag has split and I do not know what to do.” I looked him over and suddenly realised what had happened. In that moment, beyond feeling complete compassion and uncertainty about how to respond, I thought this is what would be like without my spiritual master. Spiritually confused, mentally downtrodden, and stinking of someone who could be doing something useful yet is accomplishing very little. It was like a glimpse into the state of a soul without shelter, unsteady, burdened, and wandering.

After this encounter, I walked a few metres and saw a lady on an electric scooter taking her dog for a walk. The dog wanted to chase everything he saw, running, sniffing, exploring, marking his territory, but he was bound by his leash. No matter how far his senses pulled him he was kept close to his owner. I chuckled softly, sensing a connection to the moment before. Just as my own mind wants to chase every distraction, satisfy every sense, and run after illusory things, I am constantly held back to your lotus feet by the leash of your instruction and the tether of your compassion. Both the man and the dog showed me different sides of the same truth, how easy we can be swept away without shelter, yet how sweetly mercy and guidance keep us safe. That realisation humbled me deeply, reminding me that without your shelter I would wander endlessly, lost in the darkness of my own illusions.

That walk was deeply revealing, though it feels modest compared to the path of initiation, a path that never truly ends. On this never ending journey, a curious paradox has opened to me: to fulfil a vow I made to you, I am entirely reliant on you to fulfil it. Vows I have made before were specifically commitments to act through my own effort, but the fulfilment of my initiation vows depends predominantly on you. You giving me the care, the strength, the kindness, the clarity and the opportunity to do it. Isn’t that amazing? I remember, one time I made you kitchari and asked you what you thought it. You replied, “You’re improving.” I sensed there was something else, so I asked if there was anything in particular I should change, and you kindly responded, “A little less on the plate, but you’re improving, so carry on.” You are so, so encouraging Maharaja. That small moment, so simple, became a living example for me of how your mercy works quietly guiding, correcting, and uplifting me, even when I am unaware.
And so Maharaja, after a long day of Sankirtan, filled with both joy and fatigue, I sit here writing this letter to you, humbly acknowledging my helplessness, laughing at my own foolishness, and offering my deepest gratitude, because you have not just selflessly given me shelter at your lotus feet, but you are also keeping a firm grip on the leash so I do not fall astray. Today I beg for your continuous support, plead for your protection, and openly admit that without you, this vow is nothing but words. May I walk steadfast in this vow, strengthened by your loving support.

Hare Krishna!

Your servant,

Aprameya Krsna Das

om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
chakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

Dear Gurudeva,

This year I've been reflecting in particular on your steadiness and consistency in your service to Guru and Gauranga, and by extension, to the community who seek support and inspiration from you around the world.

Gurudeva, one thing we all know about you is that you always show up (literally... on every continent, every year!) and you always give 100%. As you shared about your own journey to commitment: 'if I could work so hard for material pursuits, then why not for spiritual pursuits!?'. This is such a simple but powerful mantra to live by; perhaps one day I will be able to embody it too.

In 'material life', it's actually so easy and tempting to give up when things become difficult, or when the initial motivation fades and one subconsciously can feel that they're chewing the chewed. Krishna Himself contrasts this to matters of the spiritual heart, describing how once someone experiences a higher taste, they become fixed in that. Surely this is evidenced in you. I don't know if or how much I have personally experienced the higher reality - the taste for connecting to the Lord in service - but my inspiration to continue my seva week after week is undoubtedly sustained by the example that is your unwavering dedication.

As always, your genuine care for people you meet always stands out to me. You often discuss the nuances of interacting with various 'kinds' of people from place of genuine, soul-level compassion. This reflects the highly individualised interactions your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, exhibited with everyone he met. Personalism. It is this sense of deep care and patience in interpersonal interactions which is so desperately missing in the world today, and I am grateful to have you as a role model of emotional intelligence and deep kindness amidst so much selfishness around.

I'm wholeheartedly thankful to your disciples and well-wishers around the world who make your talks available online for so many of us to hear while we don't have your personal presence. I am grateful to those who help me connect to your essence simply through their own hearts of devotion which are nurtured by you.

Praying that I will always remain in gratitude for your example.

Hare Krsna

Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Apurva-madhuri dd

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.

I’m truly in awe of your ability to receive the message of Srimad Bhagavatam.
From your first encounter with the words of Prahlada maharaja, you sunk deeply into your seat realising the import of his words.

When I look at your life I see that you have fully assimilated his message - start as soon as you can, the flavour of sense gratification is the same in any species of life, human life is meant for self realisation.

Youthful, fresh out of Yale university, entangled with a multi talented fiancé and residing in Manhattan New York, how could such a message be attractive to you?

Material opulence generally bewilders the conditioned soul, You’re obviously a special personality, here to assist Srila prabhupada in the most divine mission of Lord Gauranga.

Srila prabhupada has explained that his books would save humanity in its darkest hour. Day by day that darkest hour seems closer and closer.

Working at the high school and university, I get front row seats to the spiritual slaughter of children and young adults. They are being shocked deeper and deeper into the bodily conception of life. Gone are the days of one or two news channels on TV. Each individual has their own reality designed for them from the convenience of their cellphone. To retain their attention artificial intelligence creates a personalised algorithm to viciously inflame lust, greed and anger.

As you have explained, politicians in Kali Yuga mobilise people by inciting anger and organise lust with the greed for economic growth.

With the gates to hell opening wide for everyone, how can anyone resist. With no alternative in site I wonder how long basic morality would last until complete lawless hedonism swallows the whole world.

The only hope is Srila prabhupadas books.
Even the greatest product needs a salesman, in my eyes you’re the greatest salesman.
Your greatest sales tactic is your enthusiasm about the product.

I thank you again and again for training us all to take the books seriously right from the beginning of our spiritual life.

Creating extra enthusiasm for us to read, your unlimited lectures explore prabhupadas books and provide us with ever fresh realisations that penetrate into our hearts.

Your most recent Bhagavatam class at Bhakti lounge was so powerful. I could feel the dirt in my heart starting to move, a desire for sincerity starting to bubble up.

You pinpoint the psychology of mixed devotees so perfectly and expose the foolishness of it all. You show the standard of pure devotion and seek to pull everyone up to that exalted status.

Srila prabhupada writes in his purport to CC 1.7.91
“According to revealed scriptures, if a spiritual master can convert even one soul into a perfectly pure devotee, his mission in life is fulfilled. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura always used to say, ‘Even at the expense of all the properties, temples and maṭhas that I have, if I could convert even one person into a pure devotee, my mission would be fulfilled.’ It is very difficult, however, to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, what to speak of developing love of Godhead. Therefore if by the grace of Lord Caitanya and the spiritual master a disciple attains the standard of pure devotional service, the spiritual master is very happy.”

Recently I’ve been realising how your classes, often rich with the brutal truth of material desires, expose your own pure bhakti.
It must be painful for you to watch a foolish person like myself struggling with such insignificant desires. Indeed as Prahlad maharaja says you are truely a sober person who is not subjected to the sufferings of fools and rascals. In fact your far beyond that, I often watch your face while you give class on YouTube, you look so happy to talk about Krishna, your Love supreme.

Seeing the example of pure devotional service in front of us we want to follow you.

In this way year after year your dedication to Srila prabhupada and his books has manifested a miniature spiritual world here in New Zealand. I see before me devotees gradually transform and purify their own hearts.

Before our eyes we also see the beginnings of varnashrama dharma blossoming from your dedication to Srila prabhupadas books - the most amazing spiritual seeds.

My good fortune is beyond belief, by the team work of my Guru and Krishna I’m here. Im very grateful, I have everything, a Krishna conscious wife, devotee friends, mentors, my beads, the books and opportunities for devotional service.

Thank you for being patient with me and encouraging. It must be so frustrating at times to deal with such an unsteady, stupid and independent person - having given so much time care and attention to me.

On this auspicious day of your appearance I beg for the mercy to make my life perfect. I know you would be so pleased to see me eventually attain the stage of pure devotional service. As Srila prabhupada instructed us all, what would please him the most - if we learn to love Krishna.

With everything you have given me, all these transcendental gifts I can see it is fully possible, please bless me with the strength to take advantage of my good fortune.

I pray that I can also share that good fortune with many other unfortunate souls who have not yet attained the shelter of such an exalted spiritual master as your self.

Thank you Gurudeva,
Aspiring to grow up and serve you free from material desires,

Aravinda nabha das.

Hare Krishna!

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and All Vaisnavas!

Nama Om Visnu Padaya Krsna Presteya Bhutale Srimati Devamrita Svamine iti namine.

Dear Guru dev,

Please accept my humble obeisances on your lotus feet.

Happy Appearance Day!

I sincerely thank you for the dedication you put in to spread the message of lord Chaitanya all over the world from youthful age till now and the years ahead. Your determination to spread the Krishna consciousness shows your love to Srila Prabhupad and his teaching. I listen to your lectures through your Youtube chanel during commute to work and every time the background noise will be different that made me interested to check the location of the lectures to my surprise every other class will be in different country or a continent. For someone like me after an international trip it at least takes me few days to recover from jet lag. But my dear Gurudev you are travelling from a country to another country to spread the glories of the lord every three or four days without proper rest or a good meal that to in this age. Words can’t express the kindness and love you have for poor souls like me.
The very first day I met you in 2016 when I expressed my heart you said that Gopa Vrindesh Prabhu will take care of me like a brother. Thank you for showering kindness and blessing to me although I don’t deserve it. As you recently named my son Daruk, my parents and everyone in my family loved the name. My whole family is grateful for that. Please bless and guide us to the service of the lord ships.

Praying to the lotus feet of the lord ships for your good health and wellbeing.

Seeking your prayers and blessings,

Your eternal servant

Arjun, Chippy and Little Daruk.

My dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On this day of your Vyas Puja, I want to thank you from my heart for the mercy you have given me. When you accepted me and gave me the name Ārta Bandhu dāsa, you gave me a direction in life. My name reminds me again and again that I am meant to live as a servant of Krishna, the friend of the distressed, and to carry some of His compassion in my own small way.

You asked me to serve your dear Godbrother, His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu, and this instruction has become my shelter. By serving him with my heart and soul, I feel that I am serving you. It keeps me steady and gives meaning to my life. I pray that I may never lose this opportunity and that I can continue in this service always.

What I value most in you, Gurudeva, is your fearless honesty joined with deep compassion. Your words cut through all the confusion and excuses in my heart and bring me back to what is real. You remind me that Krishna consciousness is not an escape from the world but the truest and most courageous way to live.

On this day, I pray to remain under your shelter, to hold tightly to your instructions, and to serve in a way that will please you. Thank you for guiding me, for accepting me, and for giving me the chance to be your servant.

Your servant,
Ārta Bandhu dāsa

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 !!

Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj !!

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Vyas Puja day.

My Dear Guru Maharaj,

On this auspicious day of your vyasa puja, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this unworthy and fallen soul under your shelter.

Also thank you so much for giving us your unconditional love and blessings.

I am very fortunate that by the endless mercy of Sri-Sri Radha-Govind Dev, I got the opportunity to be in your presence early
this year. Though it was a short time, it remains a very special and unforgettable memory for me.

I felt that Lord Himself sent a pure devotee like you to guide me and inspire me to stay devoted to Srila Prabhupada’s
movement.

Unfortunately, I think that I commit some offences gurudev. I may humbly seek forgiveness at your lotus feet and at the feet of Sri Bhagavan. Your
blessings and kind words keep me on the spiritual path.

Guru Maharaj, Your advice—”to finish tomorrow, what Sadhna left today” was very heart touching to me and has become an
important principle guiding my life.

Guru Maharaj, please shower your mercy and keep me under your lotus feet. I really miss you gurudev, please visit Noida.

Thanks

Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj

Your Servant
Arun Saini

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this special day

Hare Krishna

I just want to glorify you and my godbrothers on this special day. For without you, there is no chance of my being here.

In 2006 my future God-brother Ramadas sold me Bhagavad Gita on Ward St Hamilton. In the moment I had no clue what was about to unfold. I had no idea who this monk was serving, I just saw what looked to me as a humble and materially impoverished man. I wanted to "help him" so I donated and took a book. Little did I know this was the beginning of the end! In a good way!

After this exchange, I opened the Gita, quickly brushed over pictures and read one sentence which was something like: "One must be prepared to surrender everything unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna." I closed the book a millisecond later.

Some years went by without opening this book, it was in a permanent place on my desk. And later on on a shelf. By the time it was late 2009-2010 I had become vegetarian and quit drinking and ended my relationship with a girlfriend. Reading many books - except for Bhagavad Gita!

Fortunately there was a very effulgent well mannered gentleman I worked with at Fonterra at the time. I knew him only as Ravi, (later learned this was Rasa-rasika dasa who now resides in Hawera -Taranaki area in NZ. A very nice devotee.) I wanted to share with him a book called The Essene Gospel of Peace, so he agreed to take it in exchange for Perfect Escape, by none other than Your Grace. This would be the first Vaisnava book I would read in this lifetime.

While reading this book, I was quickly and undeniably exposed for the pseudo spiritualist I was! You totally called me. You then re-told the pastime of Jada Bharata which was such a profound experience. After finishing this book I was starving for more. My mission was now to obtain the Srimad Bhagavatam. And, if possible, meet this Devamrita Swami.

You had mentioned and referenced Srimad Bhagavatam in your book many times. I was sold. I HAD to have it!
I remembered I had the Gita still and also had another "blue colored book" my former flatmate gave to me. This flatmate was the younger brother of another future godbrother of mine, Subhuddi-raya, who I was living with at that time. I was shocked to learn that this blue book was none other than Srimad Bhagavatam! The joy!! So I dived in and relished! But there was one catch. The book was just part of a multi volume set!

This was a mixed emotion. The excitement of MORE to read! But WHERE to find the complete set!? I searched every book store. Second hand book stores. Nowhere to be found! Where would it be?? I then mustered the courage to read Bhagavad Gita (it looked large and heavy readingto my mind!). Ok, at this point there is no going back from this now. I then vowed to buy and read every book written by Prabhupada if I ever came across it. But however, I also wanted nothing to do with these strange devotees!

As this went on for several months, I realized I had to now do the unthinkable... I needed to go to the Hare Krishna temple in Auckland and obtain the Srimad Bhagavatam! Surely there would be a set there! So on we went to Iskcon AKL.

The trip to the temple was most unusual. Torrential rain so bad that the causeway of SH16 was flooded over the entire road and we barely made it to West AKL. We parked outside the temple and stared at the dome. We thought we were going mad, what was this strange place! Attending the Sunday program and eventually finding not a single set of Srimad Bhagavatam. Mission failed. However we discovered a worthy consolation - Halava!

Determined to avoid association with the "Hare Krishna" devotees but still aspiring to learn the teachings of the Vedas, I had signed up for a yoga teacher course in 2011, which turned out to be facilitated by impersonalists. I did find Isopanisad by Prabhupada in their bookstore so I bought it and read it.

Eventually I was convinced to go to The Loft around March 2011. I later learned it was you who headed the Loft centre and that you frequently visted and gave talks there. So I was very excited to meet you and saw there were other interesting book you had also written.

The Loft was like an Oasis. Amazing setting, delicious food and interesting devotees. However, no still Bhagavatam! It was out of print! New sets from India were in production. The pain! The anguish! I had to wait months still! However, I got busy with chanting regularly, while making friends woth the Loft devotees.

A few weeks later I got a call from Bhadrasena prabhu, he miraculously procured the last Bhagavatam set and asked if I was still interested. The happiest day of my life. I bought CC set as well and then started reading!!! Later on that year we moved in with the Loft men to form the famous Garuda Ashram. And the rest is history!

Now I do not want this to come across like a story about myself. But I cannot separate my journey to Krishna Consciousness from you Gurudeva. Every step of the way was paved by you, either directly or indirectly via your servants. I see every interaction, every facility that formed the foundation for my spiritual life, to have come from you.

I am so blessed with many incredible God-brothers and sisters. Its more clear than ever now, especially as my personal circumstances have been somewhat challenging.

I am eternally in debt to you and my godbrothers and sisters for this incredible opportunity. You and your disciples have pulled me out of the thick of Maya, where I would otherwise be forever lost and wondering.

Thank you for everything Gurudeva. May you be inundated with the love and affection of your spiritual children on this special day.

Nitai Gaura Premanande

Your servant
Asrayananda dasa

Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please, accept our respectful obeisances at your lotus feet! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to this all-auspicious day of your appearance.

om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
chakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

Everyone is born in darkness. It's guru business to open the eyes of the disciple with spiritual knowledge. But how is the knowledge transmitted? The disciple should be ready to accept the message of the guru. That means he must surrender completely to his spiritual master.
Guru Maharaj, you showed us how this complete surrender should be done.
You gave us perfect example how one should dedicate his life and soul to his spiritual master, having absolute faith in his Guru Maharaj and Krishna, even to such an extent that he has jeopardized his life. Desiring the mercy of your spiritual master you have travelled in the communist Europe and Russia to preach Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness must be spread all over the world. This is the desire of Lord Chaitanya. For this mission are needed many qualified preachers. In your lectures in Sofia you described very lively how you passed the border of Bulgaria. In this wonderful story we see how bold and selfless preacher you are. Such selfless persons are very rare. They are the most precious jewels of every era. Nobody can preach, nobody can become a spiritual master, without obtaining power from the right source. He has to take the power from his spiritual master. We should always remember that the spiritual master is in the disciplic succession. The original spiritual master is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So, spiritual master also receives his power from the ocean of spiritual quality, from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Guru is very dear servant of Krishna and transmitter of divine love and knowledge. The mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would not be possible without such selfless, loving persons like you Guru Maharaj. Sometimes we remember this "bulgarian border" story and realize that without you we may not even heard about Krishna, what to speak about any spiritual life.
Being a guru is enormous responsibility. Guru has taken the responsibility to save his disciples from the clutches of material existence. This is the eternal qualification of the spiritual master.
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur has sung:

saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities".
The material miseries cannot be stopped by any material means. We have to take shelter of spiritual means. That's why we have to accept spiritual master and we have to offer respectful obeisances to such authorized spiritual master and worship him with everlasting enthusiasm.
Hare Krishna

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Your non-stop endeavor to give Kṛṣṇa to others is truly worshipable. Year after year, without pause, you are always glorifying Lord Krishna and His devotees. Your deep taste for Kṛṣṇa consciousness is contagious simply by your association, myself and many others are inspired to glorify the Supreme Lord Krishna.

Engaged in the topmost welfare work, you are the topmost benefactor of humanity. I pray for your mercy so that I may one day develop a fraction of your taste for giving Kṛṣṇa to others and for relishing Kṛṣṇa-kathā.

Your servant,
Ātmā-Dharma dāsa

His Holiness Devamrta Swami Maharaja!

Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your 75th Vyasa
Puja.

Here I stand, a mercy case An unworthy recipient of your grace A more fallen wretch, you will not find Yet, to me, you have been so very kind

Although I am inept, it is a must to try to say Something to glorify you on this auspicious day For without your guidance, I would be totally lost In the ocean of maya, helplessly tossed

You answered me once, “Don’t expect maya to reveal her plan” Yet, still thinking I am somewhat of a wise man I continue to fall headlong into mayas many traps To break free, I am in great need of your verbal slaps

You answered me once, “Simply an hallucination” when I did ask What if I think I’m doing good at this japa task Not taking your words seriously, I am still a slave to my minds ranting I still foolishly think “Hey, this is good chanting”

You answered me once “Why are you pouring water when trying to light a fire” In answer to a doubt in my mind when, from you, I started to inquire Although I didn’t get the whole question out, it was very clear That the answer you gave is what I needed to hear

You answered me once “Make attentive chanting your number one goal” Yet I don’t heed your sage advice, and thus poor chanting takes its toll I am amazed that, somehow or other, I am still here But only by the mercy of devotees like you, that’s very clear

There have been many more questions you have answered me just once But although your words of wisdom are for my benefit, I’m such a dunce I “heard” your answers, but I remain unwilling to act upon them to this day For I am far too proud, too arrogant, too conceited, to obey Yet, I see before me, your disciples, both initiated and aspiring, your well-wishers too Who have taken far more advantage of the instructions given by you The Parampara message, unchanged, to them you have brought And I am so grateful for being surrounded by those who you have taught

So, I must somehow or other, get a little dust from all their feet For that dust has been impregnated with your mercy, sweet Throughout the whole world that mercy has been spread I must surely sprinkle some of that mercy dust upon my head

Your fallen servant
Ayodhyadeva Rama Das

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet

All glories to Srila Prabhupada 🤲

You teach us that the beginning of our baby steps towards Prema, towards the spiritual world, is to think at every moment of our day 'how is what I'm doing, what I'm saying, a source of pleasure to Krsna'?

This is may be brushed off as cute or something for the new recruits but you carefully caution us against our arrogant dismissive spirit.

"Don't take it to be a small thing.

This is a common mistake by devotees.

To consider ..'Is this the best thing for Krsna?'

If in the core of your heart , your asking that question in a sincere and humble way, that is the beginning of your residence in the spiritual world.

It begins like that.

So don't minimise such steps forward.

Every moment of the day, you ask yourself, 'how is what I'm doing or saying, is this the best thing that can be done for Krsna's pleasure ?'

'Or is this for my pleasure ?'

This is all you have to do to make your first step into the spiritual world.

Over the years, as the years of your life in devotional service go by, if you keep it up this mood will thicken.

Eventually it reaches the stage of Bhava preliminary love of God and then Prema.

You have to start somewhere... Your relationship with Krsna through service has to begin somewhere.

So don't belittle the small steps you make in the beginning, they are so important.

Krsna is watching to see the development of this feeling in you, of dedication to his service, for his pleasure, you keep that up as the years go by.

Don't think :

'I did that when I was a young devotee now it is time for me. What about me ..?

...I've done enough for Krsna, what about me?'

No , Don't allow that to happen to you.

We want to combine the freshness and enthusiasm of young devotees and the maturity and wisdom of the older devotees....

For the older devotees every day should continue to be a discovery in Krsna's service, discovering newer and newer things about Krsna, how to please Krsna, discovering newer and newer things how to relate to Krsna's devotees.

As you become an older devotee , you should become more and more expert in dealing with all kinds of persons.

..... Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture (7.13.33)


On another occasion you beautifully described :

"The pure devotee has no way of perceiving happiness and pleasure except by way of Krsna's happiness and pleasure."

You have left no room in your being to accommodate a 'suit yourself' side project.

Your exclusive project is Prabhupada's service.

Your tireless travels to share the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu show us what kind of immeasurable taste you have.

Literally speaking the pastimes of Mahaprabhu today, you are then taken somewhere else and you then tell the same pastimes with more relish and enthusiasm to then joyfully tell them again elsewhere.

You are always smiling enjoying something otherworldly as your mesmerized audiences are blessed to hear and witness.

For the Bhagavatottama they perceive ever fresh discovery in the very same pastimes as Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.1 states.

Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O best of devotees, most fortunate Parīkṣit, you have inquired very nicely, for although constantly hearing the pastimes of the Lord, you are perceiving His activities to be newer and newer.
....

You kindly caution us :

"But sometimes our older devotees get a little weary of saying the same thing again and again.

You have to understand that's the way this world is.

Out of compassion, you say the same thing again and again. Just like Krsna does.

Sometimes when I'm talking to persons about chanting, I say 'alright make a gradual plan for increasing your chanting, pick a number that you won't fall back on and do that for a while, What would you like to increase by one a week or two a week? sometimes I think how many times have I said this before? Haha '

But it's a great honour to say that, it's a great privilege to be able to introduce someone to the chanting of the Holy name.

Let's us hope we can say the same thing millions of times a day.

That would be very wonderful.

You have to understand how subtle the material energy is to stop the preaching, get older devotees to stop preaching.

It's just the same thing asking people to chant, asking people to get a book.

That's a great victory for Maya.

Sometimes sankirtan devotees they can run into this neurosis.

Is this all I'm going to be doing all my life.

It's a danger to see things as repetitive.

We should pray to Krsna.

'Oh If I could just say this with full Krsna Consciousness 24 hours a day. Then Krsna will allow you to see the spiritual world in your activities.' "

Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture (7.13.33)

Your vigour for serving Srila Prabhupada is unbelievable.

He never personally instructed you via spoken word, letter or darshan however you take his every word as your life and soul.

You shared how you were actually on a book production marathon not for two months but for 3 years.

The Caitanya Caritamrta marathon pace continued but with a skeleton crew reduced down by Prabhupada to only 10 devotees!

Noting the production manager was loosing steam you then learnt all his services while perfectly doing your own!

When he fatefully left the desperate need for a replacement was immediately fulfilled by you, along with your cherished hope to have an even closer connection with Srila Prabhupada.

This was 1977 and Srila Prabhupada's final month's on this planet meant his communication was very minimal.

However your well deserved desire was fulfilled beyond your imagination.

Why ? because you took his instructions to preach as your life and soul.

You heard he said that anyone who wants the special dust of his lotus feet will preach in Communist countries or Muslim countries.

So desiring to keep the intensity of your service going for Srila Prabhupada, you organised the production and smuggling of Srila Prabhupada's books in the Soviet Block.

This loyalty and dedication was reciprocated with you by Srila Prabhupada by ways that are inconceivable to us, but you hint at in this meeting with the followers of Bhakti Caru Swami your God brother and dear friend.

"I heard... that Prabhupada had said that anyone who wants the special dust of my lotus feet they'll go preach in Muslim countries or communist countries.

I said that's it ! I've got to do something to try to deepen my relationship with Prabhupada.

Because I missed his physical presence, I missed his physical presence!

How am I going to get him more in my heart.

I've got to try to do something that'll attract his attention.

So thats how I began my 8 years underground in the former Soviet block.

And by my doing that,

Much to my shock, and I have to confess to you , it was a shock to me, the appearance of Prabhupada in my heart. I wasn't expecting that. I thought I had blown it, I missed, Im left behind, Im just unfortunate.

I was shocked to find out, I got more than I could have ever predicted, through my heart
I got more instruction, more experience, more than I could have ever conceived of.

So I know the sincere disciples have inconceivable wonders ahead of you."

(Glorification of HH Bhakti Caru Swami part 1)

As Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Isvara Puri in Gaya :

nyāsin dayālo tava pāda sangamāt

krtārthatā me'dya babhūva durlabhā

srī-krsnapādabja-madhūnmadā ca sā

yathā tarisyāmi dūranta-samsrtim

"O merciful Sannyasi ! By association with your feet , I have today attained fulfillment of madness at the sweet lotus feet of Krsna, by which I can cross insurmountable samsara."

(Murāri Gupta Kadacā 15.19)

Please bless me with utter sincerity, total non duplicity, so I can one fortunate day be able to say this prayer to you, for your happiness, without any other motive.

In sincere gratitude for your inexplicable Vaisnava character, unmatched example and profound teachings.

Your fallen servant
Bāla Gopāla dāsa

My Dear Gurudeva and Spiritual Father,

Please accept my respectful and humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your global sankirtan mission, all glories to your appearance day.

In a recent Radhastami class, you declared that surrendering to Gauranga Mahaprabhu equals shelter at the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. When Srimati Radharani is pleased, Sri Krishna is pleased. To explain this confidential knowledge and the secret to success in Bhakti, you quoted from Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati:

“As much as you surrender to the lotus feet of Gauranga you will find yourself safely situated in the service of Radha Govinda. Don't try to approach Radha Govinda directly. If you do, there may be some difficulties. But the lotus feet of Gauranga will take you there safely.”

This is the secret sauce that is bubbling in the heart of Bhakti Lounge - service to Gauranga through book distribution, prasadam distribution, hosting workshops to give Krishna’s knowledge to others, and cultivating them. Due to the mercy that you are passing down from the parampara, unlimited service is emanating from your instructions and pure desire to expand this most sublime Krishna consciousness movement, flooding Bhakti Lounge and your sincere followers with opportunities for purification and with love of God.

You further quoted from Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati:

“When a person accruing piles of pure acts attains bhakti to the lotus feet of Gauranga, a sweet ocean from the lotus feet of Radha suddenly enters his heart.”

“To the degree that a fortunate and 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.”

Although I am so unfortunate that I have so many impurities accumulated in my heart, the only fortune that I have is devotional service. This is some inconceivable wealth that I have no ability to obtain or generate on my own, but is kindly being given by you, my spiritual father.

Thank you for presenting this tangible truth that service to Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the key to spiritual success by your illuminating teachings and extraordinary example. My human form of life has become meaningful with this firm understanding, and the proper attitude and means to serve you serving Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

You have taught me so much dear Gurudeva - to be a real human, to chant, to read, to cook sumptuous for Krishna and His dear devotees, to distribute books, personalism with Krishna and His dear devotees, being attentive to Krishna’s pleasure, maintaining health for service, etc. - all for Krishna’s pleasure. Whatever I do now has a direct relationship with you. What would I become without you? I can hardly imagine a life without service to an exalted Vaisnava like you. I’m unfortunate but at the same time, most fortunate because of you. You make me fortunate.

Please bless me with determination, patience and enthusiasm, and continue to guide and rectify me so I may completely align my interest with yours to serve you in a most pleasing way.

My deepest gratitude to you dear Gurudeva. All glories to you and your appearance. May the Lord grant you good health and vigour so you can continue to enthuse and inspire many more conditioned souls during your manifested time on this earth.

Eternally aspiring to be your reliable and faithful instrument to your glorious mission.

Your insignificant servant of your servants, your spiritual son,

Balarāma Ācaryā dasa

Dearest Guru Mahārāja,


Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!


On this most auspicious day of your appearance, I reflect deeply on the great fortune of having been accepted by you as your disciple. Just one year ago, I wrote to you as “Bhakta Daniel, aspiring disciple.” Today, by your causeless mercy, I write as Balarāma-bhāva, bound by sacred vows and eternally sheltered at your lotus feet.

Guru Mahārāja, your guidance has transformed my life in ways I never imagined possible. You have shown me that spiritual life is not an abstract concept but a lived reality expressed through discipline, compassion, and unwavering devotion. By your instructions, I have found direction in my work, strength in my family responsibilities, and joy in serving the community of devotees.

I feel especially grateful for the opportunity to serve in the outreach mission in State College, where the holy names resound in the streets through our ecstatic harināmas. Each time we chant before the public, I remember your words, and I pray that even one person who hears may be touched by the mercy flowing through your service to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. It is only by your empowerment and Sri Krishna’s mercy that we can hope to reach even a single soul.

I know that I am unqualified and full of shortcomings, yet you still extended your mercy to me. For this I am forever indebted. I pray never to take lightly the vows I made before you and the Vaisnavas. Please bless me that I may always remain steady in chanting the holy names, eager in service, and humble before all devotees.

On this divine day, I offer you my gratitude, my service, and my heart, praying always to remain your servant.


Your servant,

Balarāma-bhāva

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the auspicious day of Vyasa Puja.

When it is spiritual master’s Vyasa Puja celebration day, I am always thinking what is the spiritual master’s position? What is the relationship between spiritual master and disciple? Actually, I can’t understand very well about the two questions till today. Because the dirty in my heart and mind are not removed, I don’t have the spiritual vision to see clearly. But every time I meet you, I feel my mind peaceful and have no other distraction. It is just like a baby protected by father without any fear and anxiety.

How to practically understand the spiritual master is the representative of Lord Krishna? You always ask disciples about their chanting quality, which is taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, “Trnad api sunicena tarorapi sahisnuna, amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih[C.C Adi 17.31], Kirtaniyah sada harih, “Always chanting the glories of the Lord.” Not just treat spiritual master as the Lord, but truly accept and surrender the teaching of the spiritual master descending from the parampara, from the authoritative source Krishna. You have demonstrated as a role model for all devotees and served Srila Prabhupada, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teaching for over 50 years.

Srila Prabhupada told us, both vapu and vani service to spiritual master are important. You just met Srila Prabhupada for few times, but you have been serving your Guru Maharaja’s instruction persistently with strong determination. I can feel Srila Prabhupada’s presence from your teaching and behaviour. That is the real eternal relationship between spiritual master and disciple.
“aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam
adarsanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah”
You have saved me and so many other souls by your fearlessness and total submission to Lord Krishna. Your compassion on all living entities like deep ocean, let the lonely and fallen soul find a warm shelter with absolute truth.

I keep praying to be an useful tool in your preaching mission. Wish you have good health and enjoy long life to serve your spiritual master. Please bless us to make progress in Krishna Consciousness practicing. I will follow you forever and try my best to be a qualified disciple. Happy Birthday!

Your sincere and insignificant servant,
Bandhu Radhika devi dasi

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

My Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance day!!

In the material world, this day is celebrated more on the basis of the relationship that we hold with person whose birthday it is, be it mother, father, brother, sister or a friend. But I am here to celebrate this occasion based on a relationship which goes beyond these material bond, basing on transcendental platform.

However, I must admit, this transcendental platform is not something that I was looking for, when I came to this country, Australia. I was here to live an Australian dream, in a way which will make me happy to the fullest. But I clearly remember that fateful day back in 2008, where one of my shiksha guru’s took me for a retreat that you were the keynote speaker. It was there where you really asked us to probe inside us on what is the definition of real happiness, based on Bhagavat Gita As it is.

The rebellious myself, who was thinking that I am from a nation which has all the ancient cultural knowledge, started breaking apart. It paved a path that was presented by you gurudev, lit from self-illumination, analysing our inner selves over and over again based on the instruction of Lord Krishna, and not driven by the illusion of external world around us. Over the period of all this time, I am still striving to understand the transcendental platform that you are presenting.

As Srila Prabhupada said, a guru lives through his instructions. Time and time again, it is the remembrance of your instructions that is somehow keeping me going, despite my continuous failures. Especially, your instruction to continue on this path of Bhakti Yoga, doesn’t matter how many masks you have to put on! I will continue the Spiritual path Gurudev, as you define it as, Bhakti Laboratory, where we do not follow blindly but instead apply this wisdom practically in our daily lives and see for ourselves.

So, on this special day, I beg at your lotus feet so that I manage to survive my material mind and keep developing my faith in your instructions, which keeping guiding me at all times and be useful to you.

Your insignificant disciple
Bhaagvata das

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As the decades have passed it has become clearer and clearer to me the difference between devotees in our movement who are very advanced and those who are still on the long road of cleansing their hearts. The gap is huge—at least for myself the distance from you seems further and further away. As I work on myself continually just to try to make 1% advancement in Krishna consciousness, and while working with similar devotees who have been around for decades, it is surprising to me whether any of us will actually become fully Krishna conscious or advanced.

When being in your presence and being around such advanced devotees like yourself it becomes apparent how the rest of us are pretty crazy, like headless chickens trying to develop and maintain some semblance of love for Krishna. What hope is there for us?

For me, my only solace is to see, illuminated at deeper and deeper magnitudes every year, how advanced and Krishna conscious you are—and without that connection to you, what is the hope for me? Myself, with a crazy mind and still revising and trying to apply Chapter 2 of Bhagavad-gita...

In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna explains, mahatmanas tu mam partha. This is an actual description of a genuine advanced devotee of the Lord: one who is always chanting My glories, always bowing down before Me, serving Me with great determination and faith, Krishna says.

Actually, to be consistent day after day, month after month, year after year, decade after decade is not so easy. In fact, devotees who maintain such dedication, and are so consistent while at the same time avoiding attention and noisy commotions, yet continuing to spread Krishna consciousness effectively, are very rare. But I have witnessed for over 20 years that you fit that description. How fortunate I am. By serving you I may reap some advancement in Krishna consciousness.

To have the association of such a devotee as you is the rarest thing, even in our Krishna conscious society. I humbly pray that somehow or other I may be able to maintain your association and serve you to some capacity, as this is the only means for attaining Krishna—only through the mercy of such devotees as you.

Please forgive me for my offences and craziness while trying to serve you and your servants.

Your servant and disciple,
Bhadrasena das

O Divine Master, my eternal well-wisher, I offer my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this sacred day of Vyāsa Pūjā.

Today, I offer my devotion to you, the vessel of grace who connects me to the eternal wisdom of the Supreme Lord, Śrī Krishna. The love shared between Guru and disciple, as revealed through the wisdom of the sacred scriptures, is not a bond of this material world; it is the transcendental conduit of grace itself. This relationship is not merely a human exchange of affection, but the eternal mechanism established for the soul's liberation, which I worship and glorify on this auspicious occasion.

The very nature of your love, my dear spiritual master, is defined by your transcendental position as the most confidential servant of the Lord. The scriptures confirm that the spiritual master is non-different from Krishna (guru kṛṣṇa-rūpa hana), a truth that illuminates the selfless, compassionate essence of your affection. Your love is the pure, unconditional, causeless kṛpā of Krishna, delivered directly to the fallen soul, acting as the external manifestation of the caitya-guru, who guides me both from within and without. This compassion is the light of knowledge (jñānāñjana-śalākayā) that dispels the dense darkness of my ignorance (oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya), an act of a merciful physician curing me of the material disease by imparting the truth of pure devotional service (bhakti). Your greatest gift of love is the transmission of the highest knowledge—the science of pure love of Godhead (prema). Through your constant instruction, you guide me to follow the mandate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the direct orders of the Lord as presented in the Bhagavad-gītā.

In return for your boundless affection and divine intervention, I, your eternal servant, have only one acceptable offering: the love expressed through complete surrender and unwavering service. My devotion begins with the foundational prayer of surrender, following the example of Arjuna, who declared, "I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me" (śiṣyas te 'haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam, BG 2.7). This humble recognition of dependence (praṇipāta) is the essential act of opening the heart, allowing your boundless grace to enter. My true worship, however, is the execution of your mandate, the performance of service (sevā) with full sincerity of body, mind, and words, as taught in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Furthermore, I offer the eternal promise to remain connected to you through the bond of your instructions (vāṇī-sevā). This vow to follow your orders is the disciple's most vital offering, ensuring the Guru's transcendental presence remains as the guiding force in my life forever.

Therefore, O Master of my life, please accept this offering of my surrendered heart, which represents my deepest gratitude for the immense, non-material gift of the devotional path. By the strength of your sublime love and unbreakable connection to the entire disciplic succession (paramparā), may I be empowered to progress faithfully on the path of bhakti and ultimately achieve the perfection of pure love for Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Krishna.

Your eternal servant,
Bhagavat Katha dasa

Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Year after year, I am struck by how unqualified I am, yet how mercifully you continue to extend your shelter. Just as you have done for so many disciples across the world, you have taken someone like me — restless, distracted, and often weak — and given me hope that I can still be useful in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.

When I met you in Brisbane earlier this year, you instructed me to “make my life simple.” Those words were not casual; they were a lifeline. In the weeks that followed, I began to strip away unnecessary complications, and I discovered how much space that created for chanting, for family harmony, and for service. What once felt like a heavy burden of obligations has become lighter, because your instruction gave me clarity.

In line with your instruction to make our lives simple, we left our big house on a big plot of land in Brisbane, and moved back to Melbourne in a 2 bedroom apartment, near the Melbourne Mahaprabhu mandir, amongst the devotees, where we belonged. This has immensely helped us in simplifying our life.

Maharāj, I see that your every word is meant to connect us to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s heart. You tirelessly travel, preach, and write, not for your own sake, but to ensure that we, your disciples, never forget our real purpose. I pray that I may always remember your instruction, live simply, and serve sincerely.

Please bless me that I may never drift away from your guidance, and that I may one day bring you some small satisfaction through steady service.

Your insignificant servants,
Bhajnamrit Das, Sweta, Srisa and Shriram

Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for your tireless efforts to turn so many souls to Krishna. How amazing it is to be in the company of your devotees—a beautiful blossom of a community you've spent countless hours inspiring, coaching, and guiding.

Your speaking prowess is unmatched. I am always in awe of how clearly and concisely you speak; even with the worst sound system, your voice is crystal clear. We all know of your profound knowledge of the śāstra, but what makes you so special is your ability to convey it with such energy, passion, and enthusiasm. You are always trying new and profound ways to keep us interested and help us to truly dive deeper. We are so fortunate to have your association.

Please, bless me with the strength, wisdom, and courage to continue serving you and your devotees. Whatever I can do for you, I pray that I may be able to do.

Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Caleb

Hare Krsna Gurudeva!

Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.

Thank you Gurudeva for taking birth to assist Srila Prabhupada in spreading this wonderful mission, Thank you for appearing in my life. For I can confidently say if you hadn’t I do not believe I would still be living and breathing in this body. It has been over 2 years now since you have allowed me to hear your instructions and to stay in your ashram.

Upon reading a Purport from Third Canto, Chapter 24, Text 13 I am slowly realising how you have helped me. Quote “Whenever there is a question of birth, there must be a father. The first birth is made possible by the actual father, and the second birth is made possible by the spiritual master.” Not being raised by my father in this life certainly caused me a lot of suffering. Many material men stepped in to fill the part but only left a deeper hole. I had to fight for my own protection for a long time tirelessly. Waiting for someone to finally relieve this burden of supporting myself I often did stupid things to forget momentarily how lonely I was and how unsafe I felt being protected by my own ability. I sometimes think back to my suffering as a child, who only wanted proper protection and how within a short time you have given me protection. A jiva naturally seeks protection from God, and in my childlike innocence, I had prayed for a father who could care for me.

Looking back now I see that it was only time separating us. Not only do you look after me materially by the ashram but you also are doing many things to protect me spiritually. I only pray to you on this auspicious day of your appearance that you may accept me again and again as your servant so that we can never be separated. I pray that I am able to accept your association through your Vani and never let myself get in the way of your mission.


You have so kindly encouraged me to Hear and Chant, Dance harder in kirtan and offer my life for Lord Chaitanya. So much more than anyone has ever done for me. You have even decided to initiate this little girl so that she may be able to connect to the Parampara and have so many grandfathers, and great Great GREAT Grandfathers! When you told me I would be initiated this year my heart melted. Yet again you show your compassion. You are allowing me the chance to finally Chant the Maha Mantra and begin my Bhakti Career.

Gurudeva I only wish that I can try to pay you back day by day, by thinking of your desires, chanting attentive rounds, and reading with more attention so that I can arm myself to go out and preach this wonderful cult of Lord Chaitanya. It is our great family business and I hope to make you proud by my endeavour. I hope that as my heart becomes less and less contaminated that I can give it to you again and again. I look forward to the many adventures I get to go on in your service and I thank you from the bottom of my hard heart for becoming my spiritual Father.

Your Aspiring Daughter.
Gabrielle

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

I came to Krishna consciousness full of pride thinking myself to be the topmost spiritualist. I came heavily under the influence of Mayavadi philosophy. I came with a heart of stone.

When I first came to studio 108 I experienced a love so deep and unfathomable during the kirtan. I sat with senior devotees and greatly enjoyed their company.

This was the beginning of an amazing journey of friendship and purification. I started reading prabhupada’s books immediately and questioning the philosophy that was formerly taught to me.

In the Bhagavad Gita 9.29 Krishna says “I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in me, and I am also a friend to him”.

Although I came to Krishna consciousness with envy and pride, you showed me compassion, encouragement and chastisement. You showed me examples of how to build a real relationship and friendship with Krishna and as I followed your instructions, I began to rebuild my relationship with Krishna.

I found true friendship through studio 108 and the CVA. Both of which have come about through your influence.

Your story, your mood and your disciples have deeply inspired me and I pray that I can follow in your footsteps in spreading Krishna consciousness fearlessly.

Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Joseph

Hare Krishna my dear Gurudev,

All glories to your tremendous Kirtan and your sincere devotion to our beloved Srila Prabhupad.

Please accept my most humble obeisances.

Gurudev, I still remember vividly the day you arrived in Adelaide after several years. You were received by Adi Purush Prabhu and Satananda Prabhu. By Krishna’s causeless mercy, I happened to be present at the temple that day, completely unaware of your name or your divine position. Somehow, I was blessed with the fortune of serving you by carrying your bag to your room.

The next day, Adi Purush Prabhu kindly introduced our family to you. At that time, my wife was already chanting sixteen rounds, but I was not. Before leaving, I humbly asked if I could touch your lotus feet, and you firmly instructed me to first chant sixteen rounds. In my fallen condition, I felt upset then and continued neglecting your instruction.

Years passed, and when you visited Adelaide again, my wife was already under your shelter. During one of your sessions, a pada-puja was organised for your disciples and their families. By your causeless mercy, I received the opportunity to perform that sacred seva. In that moment, I realised how fallen I was and how boundless your compassion is. I was reminded of the line from Guru-vandana:
“Śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu adhama janāra bandhu” — You are an ocean of mercy and the friend of the fallen souls.

Thank you, Gurudev, for granting me your shelter and accepting me as your spiritual son. Now, I eagerly await the day of my initiation. When I think back to that first chastisement, I now see it as the loving correction of a father to his ignorant child.

Thank you for blessing me far beyond my imagination and for accepting me despite my countless shortcomings. Gurudev, please never let go of the hand of this foolish son of yours.

Your eternal servant and spiritual son,
Bhakta Raghavendra

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.

I’ve seen many devotees, including myself, find shelter in the process of bhakti because of your patient guidance and the systems of devotee care you have established. Without that, it would have been far more difficult to start the bhakti process and keep endeavouring on this path.

When I face challenges, I often reflect on the struggles that I know you have encountered on your own path. A common misconception is thinking that spirituality means a life free from problems, thank you for clarifying these misconceptions.

While the mind sometimes longs for a smooth life free of obstacles, you teach us that trials are not interruptions but part of moving toward Krishna. You expertly train us to take shelter of Krishna and think: whether good or bad, how can I use whatever comes to deepen my Krishna consciousness? With that outlook, challenges become opportunities to come closer to devotees and Krishna.

Thank you for making the principles of Krishna consciousness so clear and accessible. Hearing & chanting is the constant in a devotees’ life no matter what strikes. You are an example of that.

Please bless me that I can hear the holy name and chant with feelings for Krishna.

Your servant,
Bhakti-lata dd

nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine

pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ


Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The glory of a great personality is difficult to fathom and is mostly hidden. But we must endeavour to meditate on the glorious qualities and activities of the spiritual master. This is recommended by our acaryas (dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam).

Human misery shows no discrimination and mercy. It affects not only physically and mentally ill patients, but also those who are considered “normal” and “healthy”. Pain and misery are unnecessary and can be avoided if people choose to take charge of their actions under guidance. Empowering people to realise that they determine the outcome of their own lives by conscious choices is not easy. Spiritual master trains us to turn each negative experience into a stepping stone towards spiritual progress. It is mentioned in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.7.6:

anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje
lokasyājānato vidvāṁś cakre sātvata-saṁhitām

“The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.”

Most people desire to lead a life of fulfilment and achievement. But the daily grind is such that it sucks all the energy and enthusiasm and leaves them fully exhausted like a guinea pig after a long meaningless run on a wheel that leads nowhere. Obligation of a human being is to find the real human mission and not to get entrapped in the perpetual cycle of finding flickering happiness.

Understanding the mission of the spiritual master and the mission of the parampara is the life and soul of the disciple. In his temporary bewilderment, Arjuna asked Krishna na hi prajānāmi tava pravṛttim, I do not know what Your mission is (Bhagavad-gītā 11.31). Once the mission is understood a disciple tries to please the guru according to his capacity. A sincere disciple tries to tune into the being of the spiritual master. One striking example mentioned in Śrī Caitanya Caritāmrita is of Nakula Brahmacarī.

gauḍa-deśera loka nistārite mana haila
nakula-hṛdaye prabhu ‘āveśa’ karila

“Desiring to deliver all the people of Bengal, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu entered the heart of Nakula Brahmacārī.” (Caitanya Caritāmrita Antya Līla 2.17)

“The Caitanya-caritāmṛta states that in the Age of Kali the only spiritual function is to broadcast the holy name of the Lord, but this function can be performed only by one who is actually empowered by Lord Kṛṣṇa. The process by which a devotee is thus empowered is called āveśa, or sometimes it is called śakty-āveśa.” (Caitanya Caritāmrita Ādi Līla 10.59 Purport).

Gurudeva, in one of your lectures I have heard “dependency on guidance is a normal factor of the material existence… By formally connecting to the guru parampara you become eligible as a committed enrolled student to receive the benefits of the bhakti academy.” I desire to give up my childish attachment to fruitive activities and speculation. I desire to maturely take shelter of spiritual guidance given by guru, sadhu, sastra and Krishna and be directly guided in the oneness.

śrutasya puṁsāṁ sucira-śramasya
nanv añjasā sūribhir īḍito 'rthaḥ
tat-tad-guṇānuśravaṇaṁ mukunda-
pādāravindaṁ hṛdayeṣu yeṣām

“Persons who hear from a spiritual master with great labor and for a long time must hear from the mouths of pure devotees about the character and activities of pure devotees. Pure devotees always think within their hearts of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, who awards His devotees liberation.” (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.13.4)

Gurudeva, I feel that by your mercy I am able to put my one foot out of the swamp of material world. I am trying to stand up with a stick made of weak sense of redemption. While I stumble and crawl, I beg your mercy to be able to make steady progress towards the goal of assisting the parampara.



Aspiring to be your humble servant
Bhakti-sara Dasa

Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krsna-presthaya bhutale, Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta, pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
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 2025.

My Dear Guru Maharaj. Out of your causeless mercy you have given me the shelter in your Lotus feet. With your blessings and mercy I am trying to serve Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev in Noida and progressing further in my Spiritual Life. Thanks for everything Guru Maharaj.

Happy Vyasa Puja day Guru Maharaj

Thanks

Your humble servant

Bharat Kaushik, ISKCON Noida

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On this day of your Vyasa-puja, I reflect on the immeasurable gift of having your guidance in my life. You show us what it means to live with integrity in Krishna consciousness, never compromising, yet always encouraging with compassion.

Your words awaken truths that the heart often tries to avoid. You don’t just give information — you give transformation. You show us how material life cannot satisfy the soul, and how real happiness comes only in service to Krishna and His devotees.

I am grateful for the way you challenge us to go deeper, to not settle for superficial practice, and to cultivate genuine dependence on Krishna. Your life is a living example of dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, and I aspire to serve even a fraction of that vision.

On this sacred occasion, I pray for the intelligence to follow your instructions more faithfully, the humility to accept correction, and the sincerity to contribute to your mission with my life and energy. Please bless me to always stay connected to your shelter and to never forget the purpose of human life.

Your servant,
Bhauma Lila Das

Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on the most auspicious day of your appearance

mantra-guru āra yata śikṣā-guru-gaṇa
tāṅhāra caraṇa āge kariye vandana
CC-Adi-Lila -1.35

CC-Adi-Lila - Text 1.58 jīve sākṣāt nāhi tāte guru caittya-rūpe
śikṣā-guru haya kṛṣṇa-mahānta-svarūpe
"Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself."

I’ve recently been listening to your wonderful talks on the C.C and i really relish your enthusiasm and vigour in talking about Krishna’s Lila’s and Mahaprabhu’s teachings. I have a mental fist pump in the air whenever i see an uploaded video or podcast. It happens that i have began reading the C.C again and I’ve been meditating on how important you are in my spiritual advancement and life in general.
You make all of this possible for me and so many of us, you give us guiding instructions and while i like to think that i have listened and executed your instructions, how true is this? I feel that I’m missing the finer details, the fine print is where the detail can be found so I’m making particular effort and attention to listen to the finer points you make, both in your lectures and in Darshan.

You are very deliberate in your language and teachings so as a son i need to pay more attention to your nectar words. I so much look forward to hearing and seeing you. When you visit Cardiff i relish it so much, to be in your presence is blissful and nourishes my soul. You’re the water that quenches my thirst. Your guidance is what i live for.

Your energy and drive to spread Srila Prabhupadas mission and bring people closer to Krishna is inspiring, traveling the world, completely devoted to your spiritual masters instructions even just thinking about it now makes me so pleased that i can call you my spiritual teacher, the one to guide me in this material hell. You’re so kind in your actions and words, I’m not sure how I’ve managed to deserve this opportunity and with each year that passes my grip onto your coat-tails grows ever stronger, gurudeva I’m not letting go.

Thank you for for giving yourself to all those souls searching for Krishna, without you and your efforts I wouldn’t have Krishna in my life.
For this my gratitude is eternal.

Yours always,
Your humble servant,
Bhauma Vrindavan Das

Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.

As this auspicious day comes around I reflect on your service to Srila Prabhupada, 'What would please Krishna the most?' Is the compass that moves you. I see this in the details you meticulously and thoughtfully apply to every aspect of your service. You keep up to date with current trends in the world so you can connect with and relate to people with the purpose of guiding them to Krishna. This is one of the many reasons your western outreach has been so successful, you make Krishna consciousness relevant and accessible to those who may otherwise see bhakti yoga as just 'another religion' rather than the very thing they have been searching for their whole life. You skilfully discern the difference between principles and details of this great science and apply these to break down obstacles that may deter others from taking steps to re-establish their relationship with Krishna.

You know the western mindset, how to engage our tendencies. As a traveller I stumbled across one of your western outreach centres catered to sharing the principles of Krishna Consciousness. From those early years you encouraged me to give my youthful energies to the dynamic service of Lord Chaitanya, my senses needed engagement, taste and purification. For young ladies coming to Krishna consciousness you stress this is an equal opportunities society, "Learn everything" you say, how to give class, distribute books, manage, cook, lead kirtan and of course all this coming from a strong foundation embedded in reading Srila Prabhupada's books and chanting Hare Krishna. This is your caring nature, giving the best opportunities to whoever will take them, casting a wide net of mercy. We may take your outreach centres for granted here in New Zealand, but this is quite a unique opportunity. Of course outreach in the wild west has its challenges, but you never stop, your constant traveling, managing, GBC, mentoring, giving classes and so many things that I do not know about. I'm so grateful for the service opportunities you have given me. I feel like the small squirrel that was trying to help build the mighty bridge to Lanka, my service is insignificant, but still appreciated. Life in Krishna consciousness is an adventure with you and I pray to be able to serve you in years to come.

Your grateful servant, Bhava Sandhi dd

Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Recently while reading your book Hiding In Unnatural Happiness, one thing that struck me was how many verses from sastra, you have so expertly quoted in the book. In the 100 pages of your small, innocent looking bride book for people from a non-traditional background, I counted you quote more than 60 slokas.

I thought it was amazing, how you could so ingeniously write a bridge book for a completely brand-new person in the West, discussing current topics like economics, human psychology, sociology, politics, humanity’s impact on the environment, and at the same time quote more than 60 verses in 100 pages, in a way that the audience can take it. And in a way that doesn’t make the book feel religious. The more I think about it, the more I’m amazed at your expertise!

Previously before, becoming a devotee, I would either watch cricket, soccer or tennis matches on TV, eagerly waiting and seeing how one of the star players would hit the ball or score a goal. Now while I was reading your book, I was having a similar feeling of watching a sports game, with you as the star player. As I turned the pages, I would eagerly read and marvel at what sloka from sastra you would so expertly quote next. And how you would connect it with the topic of the chapter and explain it so nicely for an audience, that most devotees have difficulty doing outreach to.

Unless one has an immensely deep understanding & realization of the verses of sastra, how else would it be possible for them to present & explain so many verses, to a completely brand-new person in the West. As stated in the 11th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ, “The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions.” (SB 11.3.21)

Reading your book, further increased my conviction of the relevance of the sastras in today’s world and also how they actually have all the answers & solutions to today’s problems in the world.

Just like it is said that Caitanya Caritamrita is non-different to Srimad Bhagavatam, due to the great number of Bhagavatam verses quoted in it. I realized that because of the great number of verses you quote, actually your book is also non-different from Bhagavad Gita & Srimad Bhagavatam. Just like when we go out on the streets to distribute books, we often take off the dhoti & kurta and wear cargo pants and a hoodie, as undercover monks to more easily talk to people & sell our books. I similarly find your book to be a cool looking, undercover Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam personified, in the dress of cargo pants and a hoodie. On the outside looking very cool and innocent, but on the inside simply pure Bhagavad Gita & Srimad Bhagavatam.

Thank you, Gurudev, for being such an inspiration for all of us around the world. You are our spiritual hero.

Your very grateful servant,
Bhava-vibhusana das

Dear Gurudeva ,

Please accept my most grateful and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.

Many decades of overflooding the universe for love of Krishna

Spreading below and beyond the vast Oceans to take up Sankirtan book distribution, going to deeper lengths of urban preaching at universities and temples

Serving Srila prabhupada for over 50 years as a Monk, author, spiritual father and Spiritual guide

Enthusiasticly Calling out the Names of Krishna Krishna! Both Chanting and Singing loudly, softening the hearts of your disciples and well wishes, and encouraging everyone to Hear and Chant Krishnas holy names

Even upon complexities in life or when we are feeling low or loosing taste, you are always encouraging us to continue and never give up, we are part and parcel of Krishna and Krishnas servants meant to be in union for the divines pleasure

Here are some nectar drops
That remind us from the Spiritual perspective, your personal and profound realizations

We are neglecting our internal wealth our non material wealth because we are identifying with the body and the mind as the self and that crucial mistake sends out life spinning completely in the wrong direction


A wisdom culture is our greatest need


Your words are touchstones like the spiritual world passed down from the higher authorities
Giving us Hope in a world that struggles and strives in the wrong direction

We continue to keep within your association by hearing and applying the process of bhakti yoga

Freshening the atmosphere with your wisdom, knowledge and compassion you penetrate through the false ego of I and mine, and reestablish love for Krishna

Travelling and crossing the Globe, to please the will of Srila prabhupada, we all pray and and eagerly await for your association to enlighten and instruct us the real purpose and meaning of life to engage oneself in Krishnas devotional service

The teachings of lord Caitanya explain

As a king punishes a criminal by having him dunked in a river, raised up again for breath, and then dunked in the water. Material nature punishes and rewards the individual living entity in just the same way.
When he is punished, he is dunked in the water of material miseries, and when he is rewarded, he is taken out of it for sometime. Elevation to higher planets or higher status of life on this planet is never permanent. One must again come down to be submerged in the water. All this is constantly going on in this material existence : sometimes one is elevated to higher planetary systems, and sometimes one is thrown into the hellish condition of material life.

May we take shelter of Krishna
And his devotees, and not make the mistake of being submerged and dunked by material miseries, but Authentically serve Krishna favourably with love and devotion.

Your servant,
Bhuribhoja dasa

All Glories to Shri Shri Guru and Gauranga

Respected Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you.

Guru Maharaj, we wait for this day the whole year. We are so happy to celebrate your wonderful 75th appearance day. I pray to Krishna to bestow upon you good health and a very long life so that you can continue to shower your mercy upon suffering living entities like me.

Dear Gurudev, every year on your Vyasa Puja day, I usually reflect on how fallen I am and how undeserving I am of your mercy, Guru Maharaj. What can I say in your glorification? My words will fall short in every respect. It is only by your mercy that I am your disciple. I don’t have the qualification to be so.

Please, Guru Maharaj, forgive me for my offences which I have committed at your lotus feet. Kindly give me the strength to eliminate these anarthas from my heart.

May you have a very long and healthy life.

Your Servant,
Bhuwan Mangal dd.

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious day for all of us,

As a new aspiring devotee, I had asked you what the mood of your disciples should be and you said to “always be humble and eager to be in the association of pure devotees”
I pray that you give me the strength to always follow your instructions in spite of worldly circumstances.

SB 1.18.13

tulayāma lavenāpi
na svargaṁ nāpunar-bhavam
bhagavat-saṅgi-saṅgasya
martyānāṁ kim utāśiṣaḥ

The value of a moment’s association with the devotee of the Lord
cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or
liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions
in the form of material prosperity, which are for those who are
meant for death.
Thank you Gurudeva, for giving me not just a moment’s
association but so much of your personal time to guide me and
answer my queries even though they weren’t spiritual.

Guru mukha padma vakya
Cittete koriya aikya
Ara na koriho mana asa

Oh Gurudeva, my only wish is to have my consciousness purified
by the words emanating from your lotus mouth,
I plead to my heart that I always cling to your instructions and the
words coming out of your lotus mouth.
Gurudev, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for always seeing the best in me and showering me with your blessings despite my countless flaws.
Your ability to present Krishna consciousness as you’ve heard from Srila Prabhupada in a contemporary sense attracts the hearts of everyone who hears you.

Please bestow your mercy upon me so that I continue to hear you and purify myself so that I can be of service to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Srila Prabhupada and the guru parampara.

Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.


All glory to Srila Prabhupada and all glory to you Gurudev on this all-auspicious day of your vyasa pooja.

I writing my offerings based on my physical interaction with you Guru Maharaj. Pls forgive me if I make any mistakes.

You always stress a lot on chanting, all through out my service of driving you Gurudev to various programs I have seen you always chanting. Once the class is over you start chanting, all through out the drive you keep chanting. Once when i was driving you in the early morning hours to the temple, I did jump a signal and I did panic, but when I saw you Gurudev chanting with 100% focus, I experienced how deep is your chanting.

When ever I used to drive you through in Darlinghurst, you used to see the people around siting in the pubs drinking and chatting. I could see a lot of compassion in your eyes Guru Maharaj. You never used to miss in asking the welfare of myself and family during my services. I do experience your compassion for me and all others devotees and to be devotees. I am sure all the people you have see with your compassion will become a devotee soon this birth or next.

Guru Dev you have always stresses in many classes and lectures to be grateful to others who have helped us. Gurudev you have always greeted me and thanked me for the my most minuscule service I do for you guru dev.

Gurudev I also remember a incident happened which showed me how tolerant you are.

Gurudev, I have always been mesmerized by your kirtans. especially the ones in the Sydney Temple, you take us to Vikunta for that time. It is so mesmerizing that we forget all our problems and are completely in bliss.

Acharya is the one who practice what he preaches, and you are a prefect example for an acharya


Jaya Gurudev and Gauranga

With lot of love and gratitude

Hare Krishna

Your servant
Bilvavana 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 Guru Mahārāja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to You on this auspicious day.

Beginning from our earliest association with your glorious self, prasādam has been a constant aspect of our interactions. As aspiring disciples we would take darśana and bring laddus to serve you, of which you would graciously accept a few and then distribute the rest. After we started preparing your lunch prasādam, the period during which we serve you has become an avenue for us to receive your nectarean instructions and realisations. In particular, during recent lunch services you have made a point of carefully guiding Charan and Kṛṣṇa Priya.

From these experiences we have realised the expert way in which you engage us fallen souls in the service of Kṛṣṇa. By identifying our areas of familiarity or expertise, be it cooking or any other activity, you use that to form a devotional seed which we may grow through continuous engagement in said activity. As this seed is based on our own inherent skills, nourishing it becomes a natural path and we progress efficiently in devotional service. For our Prasād family, the path that you have forged for us is inextricably linked to prasādam – it is in our name itself. Through your causeless mercy, we have been able to serve both yourself and the devotee congregation in this way for many years, and you have encouraged and supported us throughout.

In this regard, a key realisation I have had is that despite appearing grave externally, you are in actuality soft-hearted and approachable. Over the years, I have persistently made many requests, whether it be asking you to attend the deity welcoming ceremony at our house despite its distance from the temple or being personally present for your 2013 Vyāsa-pūjā celebration in Melbourne. You have never rejected these requests despite any difficulties they may cause you, always opting to cultivate our enthusiasm and thereby increase our drive in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In particular, I remember that one time I requested you to attend a program in my home and you did not reject, simply giving me a half-eaten laddu. At that time we had not even taken shelter, and yet you showered us with unconditional affection. You have always taken care of us like your own children, and it is by grace of this boundless magnanimity that we are able to celebrate your 75th Vyāsa-pūjā in your personal presence here in Melbourne.

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 blessings so we can continue to serve your lotus feet and the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas, for it is only through your and their mercy that we may even dream of approaching Kṛṣṇa.

Your most fallen of servants,

Bimala Prasād Dāsa, Lalitā Prasād Devī Dāsī,
Bhakta Charan and Bhaktin Kṛṣṇa Priya

Dear Devamrita Swami Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this most auspicious appearance day, all glories to your divine service.

I am eternally grateful and in debt to you for the continuation by your mercy, of the establishment, maintenance, and momentum in western preaching in Melbourne, Australia. If it was not for M108 and your disciples’ genuine love and care, I would still be disconnected, drifting, lost, seeking my meaning and happiness in sense enjoyment, at my own spiritual demise. If it was not for the insignificant services I am permitted to partake in and regular association, there would be no hope for me; for this I am grateful, as it is your mood and instructions your disciples carry on where I am fortunate to receive some mercy.

It is always a wonderful opportunity to hear from you when you come to Melbourne, with many devotees looking forward to such occasions, your lectures are full of in-depth details of the beautiful pastimes of Krishna and packed with philosophical potency that I find is delivered in such a way that a fool such as myself is able to hear and learn.

You travel the world, going from place to place, serving Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission selflessly, absorbed in bhakti, as a true well wisher of souls that are deeply entangled in maya, in this most difficult age of Kali. You have taken it upon yourself, from what appears to me as the hardest of all tasks, to deliver such souls. This speaks volumes of your character and compassion towards the living entities who are most forgetful, myself being one.

I am very grateful to still have the opportunity again this year to hear from you and indirectly continue to serve you through your disciples. The last time you came to Melbourne I had the fortunate opportunity of playing the kartals in your ecstatic kirtan after your lecture. Even though I could barely keep up and play nicely, this was still a top kirtan moment for me that made me very happy and buzzing to be a part of.

When I asked you last how I can deepen my practice you gave me some, what seems simple, instructions around chanting such as having a specific time to chant, specific spot, clean and organised environment and ideally all 16 at once as well as with other devotees. Then you mentioned for me to learn the science of Krishna consciousness. (Later regretting that I didn’t have a follow-up question as to what you meant by that?) Since then I have been trying hard to do so and seeing some improvement but honestly I’m not 100% satisfied with my chanting efforts as my mind still wanders like sand in the desert blown by the wind. Recently, in my endeavours to understand the science of Krishna consciousness partaking and serving during August’s festivals, I do feel that has made an impact on my desire for chanting and reading and I am continuing to try improve my chanting each day as I wish to have a stronger connection with Krishna.

If I may, I humbly pray for your mercy, and by Krishna’s will, may I have even a small chance to be of service to Lord Caitanya’s mission under the shelter of your lotus feet, I would consider myself most fortunate.

Your Aspiring servant
Braden Ippolito

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

Earlier this year, I had a realization that you and all your activities completely belong to Srila Prabhupada, not to yourself. Without ever seeking recognition, you have been selflessly serving Prabhupada as one of his foremost men. For 50 plus years, you have stretched yourself in every possible way to fulfill his desires and instructions.

I remember in one Bhagavatam class, you mentioned how much you hated going out on books but at the same time you were determined to love book distribution, because that activity was pleasing to Prabhupada. Today, 50 plus years, you are one of the stalwarts of book distribution and continue to inspire devotees to read Prabhupada books and distribute it to others.

Back in the 80’s, risking your life to please Prabhupada, you went to the communist countries to spread Krishna Consciousness. You once mentioned that one of the significant reasons for the fall of the Soviet Union was the spreading of Krishna Consciousness. You went as Prabhupada representative to plant the seeds of a spiritual revolution. 40 plus years later, you are still travelling to communist countries, creating spiritual disruption.

On his final world tour, Prabhupada wanted to visit Gita Nagari farm. But he returned from London and couldn’t make it there. Years later, you became the GBC for Gita Nagari and personally took up the farm project. And now, 50 years later, you have turned it into a vibrant success story to fulfill the vision of Prabhupada.

You know what is most dear to Prabhupada. In your own words you said, heart of Prabhupada is BBT. You are dedicated to BBT, working in BBT from your early days and now serving as the President of BBT Australia and a trustee of BBT. For the pleasure of Prabhupada, for the last 10 years or so, you have arranged a team of devotees and have been working tirelessly with them, carefully translating from Sanskrit to English, to produce a gold standard rendition of Jaiva Dharma & Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu. And even your own books have always been printed under BBT.

Gurudeva, you are fully surrendered to the desires of Prabhupada and yet remain very humble and practical. One time, a senior devotee was complaining to you about the current generation of devotees. You just gave a simple reply to him, “Prabhupada did not get everything he wanted from us, why do you think, you will get everything you expect from these devotees”. You keep all negativity out and are just focused on doing your service.

From the services that I am aware of, your responsibilities range from doing outreach, writing books, dedication to BBT, publishing books, farm projects, being GBC for multiple zones, dealing with disciples and managerial issues. Despite all this, when someone once asked you “Are you Prabhupada disciple”, you immediately replied “I am trying to become one”. Hearing the reply, I was in awe of your humility.

You know us and our nature better than we do. At one point, I was thinking whether I should be a brahmachari or become a householder. I myself wasn’t sure if I could live in the brahmachari Ashram, but I was thinking to be a brahmachari would be a more Krishna Conscious thing to do. So, I thought, I will ask you, and I prepared all my arguments for why I should not be a householder.

In my darshan, I asked you, I am thinking about becoming a brahmachari. And as soon as I said that, you replied, “I don’t see you as a brahmachari”. And that was the end of the conversation. After the darshan, I wasn’t very happy, because I did not get to use any of the arguments I had prepared.

So, I thought, I will ask you again, but this time, I will not be so direct. In my next darshan, a few months later, I asked you the same question again, but I said it very indirectly. And as soon as I said what I said, without a blink of an eye, you replied “I don’t see you as a brahmachari”. So, then I asked you, why don’t you see me as a brahmachari? You said, because you are attached to living in a comfortable house, you are attached to driving a nice car, you are attached to this, you are attached to that, you named a few things. And then you asked me, is that true? I thought for a few seconds and replied, yes. You then said, “I was just testing you.” This is how far my Brahmachari life went.

SBM 7.4.31-32, explains the qualities of Prahlada Maharaja: “He was completely cultured as a qualified brāhmaṇa, having very good character and being determined to understand the Absolute Truth. He had full control of his senses and mind. Like the Supersoul, he was kind to every living entity and was the best friend of everyone. To respectable persons he acted exactly like a menial servant, to the poor he was like a father, to his equals he was attached like a sympathetic brother, and he considered his teachers, spiritual masters and older Godbrothers to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He was completely free from unnatural pride that might have arisen from his good education, riches, beauty, aristocracy and son.”

Reading this, I was thinking these are exactly your qualities as well and as Prahalad Maharaja is absorbed in his meditation of Krishna, you are fully absorbed in your service to Prabhupada and Sankirtan mission.

Thank you Gurudeva, for holding my hand, rescuing me, helping me to progress in Krishna Consciousness and giving me the opportunities to serve. I hope that your hands always remain on my head so that I don’t again go away and misuse this human life.

Seeking your guidance and shelter

Your Servant
Brahmakund dasa

Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krsna-presthaya bhutale, Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta, pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah

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 75th Vyasa Puja.

Guru Maharaj, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21, it is written:
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
“Therefore, any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation.”
I am eternally indebted you Guru Maharaj for not only accepting me as your disciple but also maintaining me in Krishna consciousness, correcting me and engaging me knowing my draw backs.

Guru Maharaj, in today’s corporate world, people say the best way of business is a deal between business to business. They call it B to B. But when I meditate on your life, I see another kind of B to B—a journey far more extraordinary: the journey from the Bible to the Bhagavad-gita. Yor are also doing B to B by taking Krishna’s business to other business houses, universities, countries, communities etc.

Guru Maharaj, from your early years, guided by the encouragement of your pious mother, you cultivated deep God-consciousness. She inspired you to read spiritual books, visit church, offer prayers, and even lecture at a young age. That sacred upbringing became the fertile ground upon which the Lord sowed the seed of bhakti. I bow down to such an exemplary mother in full gratitude.
Today, I even feel gratitude to Jesus, who shaped up your youthful heart with devotion and piety, preparing you to embrace the supreme gift of Krishna consciousness. Thus, Jesus gave Srila Prabhupada a priceless jewel, a gem that sparkles in every corner of the world. You now travel across all major continents, tirelessly spreading the effulgence of this jewel-like personality, truly manifesting what is the real B to B.

Guru Maharaj, your pranam mantra glorifies you as “dakṣyam” —expert—and this is perfectly justified. You are truly expert in guiding people of all statuses, backgrounds, and cultures into Krishna consciousness, each through a uniquely personal and tailor-made approach, suited exactly to their heart and situation. You are proving the Yale dean’s prophecy ‘you are a Yale graduate, who will influence the world’. You have been influencing the word for more than fifty years with your profound knowledge of scriptures, your unique way of delivery with a pinch of your famous laughter and wit.

Guru Maharaj, I become so overwhelmed in my few limited management services. But Guru Maharaj, inspite of your mammoth management responsibilities in ISKCON, your saintliness remains as uncontaminated as the clear Ganges water coming from Gangotri or Gomukh on top of the Himalayas. I pray at your lotus feet that I can follow your guidance sincerely to be able to manage both my sadhana and services meticulously.

Indeed, the guru takes the pain of the disciple’s struggle personally. Guru Maharaj, you leave no stone unturned to satisfy the seeker’s doubts. You never offer speculation, but always the pure message of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Caitanya-caritamrita.

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.8, it is written:
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.”

Guru Maharaj, I have a small fear, that, what will happen to ISKCON after the disciples of Srila Prabhupada no longer walk on Earth. I know you and your fellow GBCs are working on securing ISKCON’s future in the safest and most capable hands. We need your guidance, Guru Maharaj. Hence, I pray for your long and healthy life, so you can deliver more souls. We pray that you continue to steer the boat of this ISKCON movement for many more years to come with great strength.

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.7.30, it is written:
guru-śuśrūṣayā bhaktyā sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca
“One must accept the bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with great devotion and faith. Whatever one has in one’s possession should be offered to the spiritual master…”

Guru Maharaj, on this special occasion of your 75th Vyasa Puja day, please bless me so I can come to this stage of purity where I am able to follow each and every instruction of yours, with great devotion and faith.

Happy 75th Vyasa Puja, Guru Maharaj!
Your humble servant,
Buddhimanta Dasa

This is my first time writing an offering, and to be honest, it’s a late one. I wasn’t even sure if it would still be accepted for the 2025 offerings. I had no real intention of writing one—despite Brahmakunda’s many gentle promptings. I just didn’t feel ready… or perhaps I didn’t feel inspired. When the submission date passed, I actually felt relieved—“Ah, I missed it, Now I don’t have to write anything!” =P

Two weeks later, I met Satyavak, who was really upset for missing the deadline. His was an honest mistake—he thought he still had more time. But I, on the other hand, used a missed deadline as an excuse not to write. Seeing how disappointed he was stirred something in me. It made me check whether, by some chance, offerings were still being accepted. And so here I am, writing this, in the off chance that it can still be included. Once I finish this, I’ll let Satyavak know that his disappointment somehow inspired me to write mine. And that perhaps he too, could submit a late offering like me.

I hesitated to write because, truthfully, I don’t know you very well personally, and I wasn’t sure what to say. But I’ll just share what’s in my heart.

Your followers are deeply sincere in their practice of Krishna Consciousness. Their humility, steadiness, and devotion continually inspire me.

Your initiative with The Loft in Auckland is where my Bhakti journey began. I would never have imagined myself walking into a Hindu temple, hence I understand the concept of the Loft as a halfway house to reach the western audience. To me, The Loft holds a special place in my heart because, in many ways, it saved my life. For that, I want to thank you and your followers who continue to run outreach centres like The Loft and Bhakti Lounge in Wellington—to reach and uplift people like me.

I’ve travelled quite a bit around the world, and I know it’s not as glamorous as people think. Seeing how you travel endlessly—not for yourself, but for others, for Krishna—despite the discomfort, the delays, the fatigue, the jet lag, and you’ve been doing this for decades… it deeply moves me. If Krishna Consciousness weren’t the real thing, no one would sustain such a sacrifice. For that, I bow down before you in awe and gratitude, offering my humble obeisances.

During one of my darshans with you, I mentioned my plan to move to Melbourne—to be closer to my daughter and to expand my business so I could use the profits to support the spreading of Sri Caitanya’s movement. I thought you’d be pleased with that plan. But you gently told me to focus on my bhakti. For that, I am truly grateful. Because it showed me that you care for me—not for what I can do or offer—but simply for my spiritual growth. That touched my heart deeply.

Because I found Krishna Consciousness through The Loft, which was your initiative, and through the association of your followers, I naturally felt drawn to be your follower too. I’m sorry it has taken me a while to make that decision. For a long time, I told myself that I didn’t want my spiritual master to take on the karma of my sins—that they were mine to bear. Perhaps that was just another excuse not to surrender. But over time, I realised that I couldn’t stay stuck there forever—that true progress meant learning to trust and accept a spiritual master’s shelter.

I’ve heard it said that accepting a spiritual master means total surrender to His instructions. I wondered if I could truly do that, since my desire to be my own master has always been strong. But when I see how much you’ve dedicated your life to Krishna—and when I look at your disciples, so sincere and grounded—I understand that a teacher’s greatness is reflected in his students. As Krishna’s representative, you embody what I aspire to become: humble, steady, and deeply surrendered.

So, even though it’s taken me some time, I want to finally say it with sincerity:
I will surrender to you.

Please accept this offering from my heart.

Your aspiring servant,
Caleb

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!

Like an expert gardener, you help us learn what conditions we need to grow, to thrive in Bhakti. You teach us to water the root, not the leaves. You warn us about diseases and pests and how to recognise them when they inevitably stop by for a visit. You show us how to tell which plants are weeds, and how to pull them out by the roots.

Without your association, I would still be stuck deep in the muck of maya. Thank you for traveling all over the world countless times to share Krsna with the world. Thank you for continuously tolerating such austere conditions while traveling so we can all benefit from hearing from you.

Thank you for your nourishing classes and uplifting kirtans. Just a few moments in your association and we are all joyful and satisfied. Thank you for teaching us to become expert gardeners just like you.

You say over and over that we have such a short life and all we have to do is simply stick to this process for a few decades. Please help me to always remember to weed my garden so my Bhakti creeper can have a chance to grow. Please help me to make my life an offering at your lotus feet.

Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Cancala-Laksmi devi dasi

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhūtale
śrīmate devamṛta-swāmin iti nāmine

pracāre pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ 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 most auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā day.

In Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Adi 1.46), Śrīla Prabhupāda explains:

“The spiritual master 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 transcendental service.”

As my spiritual father, you have cared for me in every phase of my life. You have shown me how to move forward despite weakness, how to remain steady when distracted, and how to take shelter when lost. Especially, you have taught me the importance of reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, not only by instruction but by your living example. For this gift, I am endlessly grateful.

When Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that at initiation the guru accepts the burden of his disciples’ karma, I cannot imagine the weight you carry. Out of causeless mercy, you continue to initiate disciples year after year, purely to fulfill Śrīla Prabhupāda’s order and to extend his mission. We can never repay this, even in millions of lifetimes. Our only hope is to follow your instructions faithfully and please you by helping spread the glories of the holy name through saṅkīrtana.

I have realized that when a spiritual master gives an instruction, it is not only a duty—it is also a blessing. By your empowerment, success is already assured. All that remains is for me to execute your words with faith.

To conclude this offering, I would like to share a small conversation between Lord Rāma and Śabarī, which has filled me with inspiration and instilled the right attitude to serve:

“My guru, Matanga rishi, had told me of Your arrival. For the last thirteen years, I have been waiting for this day. Although he had said that You would come, he did not say when. O Rama, for thirteen years, I have been expecting You to come any day, at any time. For thirteen years, I have washed this hermitage every day and kept it spotlessly clean for Your pleasure. Each day, I have fetched the best of flowers and made exquisitely beautiful garlands for You. Each day, I have gathered these fruits and berries, knowing that it would be my only chance to feed You with my own hands. Each day for thirteen years, at sunset, I would lie down on the floor with the words of my guru ringing in my ears: ‘You wait here, Rama will come! Serve Him with great love and then return to me.’ The only thing that has kept me inspired to keep on waiting, without a clue of how long the wait would last, was the thought that when the day finally comes, it will be all worth it. O Rama, the moment I had the first glimpse at your lotus face, I knew it was worth the wait. I now know why Matanga rishi chose to ask me to stay back when he took all his disciples along with him to the higher realms. The special benediction of the spiritual master comes in the form of divine grace.”

Dear Gurudeva, please bless me with the patience to keep serving even when the results are unseen, the faith to hold on tightly to your instructions, and the steadiness to never let go of this rare gift of your shelter. May I, like Śabarī, never lose the hope that every moment of preparation, every small act of service, will be made worthwhile by the ultimate joy of pleasing you.

Your servants,

Candaneśvara Das
Suvarńa Radhikā Dasi
Narottam and Sudāmā

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Śrīla Prabhupāda taught us to use technology appropriately, in the spirit of yukta-vairāgya. For example, he used the tape recorder technology to help write his books. Similarly, you also teach by example how to use technology in whatever way possible to assist in Prabhupāda’s mission.

In this offering, I would like to offer to you a humble attempt to engage the Large Language Model (LLM) in Kṛṣṇa’s service by making the content of Prabhupāda’s books more accessible for reference and research for both yourself and the broader devotee community.

I often struggle to remember exactly where a verse or purport is. I remember the general concept of the verse, but I don't remember the exact wording or where to find it.

Traditional search, such as in the Vedabase, relies on knowing the exact keywords to find the appropriate verse. However, that's not helpful when I'm looking for something more vaguely defined.

ChatGPT can help recall verses from a vague description, but it often hallucinates, and comes back with a convincing response that sounds correct and authoritative, but, upon closer inspection, is untrue. That is, it makes up verses that don't actually exist in the book.

For example, when I ask ChatGPT 5:

<blockquote>In which verse in the Bhagavatam does Aditi learn about whom to distribute prasad to?</blockquote>
It answers (GPT-5):
<blockquote>That’s in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.16.53. When Lord Viṣṇu appears before Aditi after she performs the payo-vrata, she asks Him about distributing food remnants. He instructs her:

“The remnants of food offered to Viṣṇu are to be distributed to all living beings, regardless of status, including demigods, saints, ordinary human beings, friends, relatives, even to all living entities in general. Such distribution makes one most fortunate and is the proper way of honoring prasāda.”</blockquote>

The chapter is correct, but the verse reference is wrong. Verse 53 is about satisfying the spiritual master, not about prasad. ChatGPT, in fact, made up a verse that does not actually exist anywhere.

To solve these problems, I would like to present to you the <a href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/09d526e1-8762-4a1b-897c-d4cafccafa53"><strong>Bhaktivedanta NotebookLM</strong></a>. It gives devotees a way to ask questions based upon Prabhupāda’s books, without having the LLM fabricate the response. We can start with a vague memory, ask the question, and receive a full answer with proper references. I find it useful for: preparing for a class, researching a specific topic, or when trying to recall a certain pastime.

In answer to the same question above, the Bhaktivedanta NotebookLM answers correctly:

<blockquote>The instruction regarding whom Aditi should distribute prasādam to is found in the section of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhagavatam) describing the payo-vrata ceremony, which was taught to her by Kaśyapa Muni.

The most comprehensive verse detailing the distribution of the remnants of food (viṣṇu-prasāda) is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (SB) <strong>8.16.56</strong>.

In this context, Aditi learns that after feeding the brāhmaṇas (mentioned in <strong>SB 8.16.43</strong> and <strong>SB 8.16.54</strong>), the viṣṇu-prasāda should be distributed widely:

* <strong>SB 8.16.56</strong> states that one should distribute viṣṇu-prasāda to <strong>everyone, including the poor man (dīna), the blind man (andha), the nondevotee (kṛpaṇa), and the non-brāhmaṇa (ādiṣu).</strong>

* The philosophy behind this broad distribution is that the performer of the yajña (ritualistic ceremony) knows that Lord Viṣṇu is very pleased when everyone is sumptuously fed with viṣṇu-prasāda. The performer should then take prasāda with friends and relatives.

Additionally, an earlier verse in the same chapter gives initial instructions on distribution to devotees:

* <strong>SB 8.16.41</strong> specifies that the offered prasāda should first be offered to His devotee (a Vaiṣṇava), or one may take some oneself.</blockquote>
The system works by first performing a semantic search across the full corpus of Prabhupāda’s books. Semantic search finds references that are similar in meaning to the search question without knowing the exact words. Then the Large Language Model (Google Gemini, in this case) filters and summarises what it finds, presenting the essence of the answer, and always giving the references so we can go to the original source. The engine never invents content, because every answer is bound to the source text. The overall system is based on the RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) framework for using a LLM.

Using the panel on the left, you can narrow down the books from which the AI draws for its answers. So, you might, for example, want an answer only from the Bhagavatam, so you would uncheck all the books except for the relevant Cantos.

A useful feature is multilingual search. Even though the source books are in English, we can ask a question in any language and receive the answer in that language, still tied to the original English reference. I might ask a question in German, and the answer comes back in German. This opens the door for devotees in many different countries to make use of the system.

There are a few practical limitations. A Google account is required to sign in, and there is a cap of 50 questions per day for each user. But within that space, I've found it works reliably and consistently.

My prayer is that this offering is useful in your mission and pleasing to you, and that it supports the community of devotees in staying firmly anchored in śāstra while spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness around the world.

The <a href="https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/09d526e1-8762-4a1b-897c-d4cafccafa53"><strong>Bhaktivedanta NotebookLM</strong></a> is accessible to everyone by clicking on the link.

Your servant,
Caṇḍīdāsa dāsa

Hare Krishna respected Devamrita Swami Maharaj,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your humble service in spreading the Krishna Consciousness.

On this blessed day of your Vyasa-puja, we express our deepest gratitude to you for spreading Krishna Consciousness throughout the world. Personally, we feel greatly inspired by listening to your lectures and seeing your dedication in service to Srila Prabhupada. In March this year, we visited Melbourne to attend the concert by HG Jahnavi Harrison Mataji. At that time, we were greatly fortunate to have your association during the morning Srimad-Bhagavatam class at the Temple. We recall your profound realizations and instructions on the significance of cow protection and buying Ahimsa Mother Cow Dairy Milk.

Thank you for kindly encouraging and blessing devotees in Canberra to take Krishna Consciousness seriously and devote our lives for our own eternal benefit, to unwind from the quagmire of materialistic existence by engaging in service to Lord Krishna.

We humbly request you to please come to Canberra more often and conduct preaching programs here. It would be our fortune to assist with the preaching programs when you are here.

Thanking you, we humbly seek your blessings on the advancement of Krishna
Consciousness.

Your servants,
Chandan Yatra Das, Subhadra Devi Dasi, Shyam

Dear Gurudev please accept my humble obeisances at dust of your lotus feet.
All Glorious to you!
All Glorious to Srila Prabhupada!

At that beautiful day of your appearance I would like to deeply express my gratitude for your glorious service to Srila Prabhupada and all humanity!
I am so fortunate that I happen to be in right time and place and by mercy of Srila Prabhupada you accepted me as your disciple.
Your mercy keeps me going and gives me strength to continue to walk on this beautiful spiritual path of bhakti.
Thank you so much for the all your support and kindness during the journey home.
I hope that one day by your mercy I will get there.

Your spiritual daughter
Charumukhi dd

Namah Om Vishnu padaya Krsna-presthaya bhutale, Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta, pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah

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 2025.

Dear Guru Maharaj on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, I would like to let you know that I have completed my Bhakti Sastri this year. It was quite difficult for me to become a Bhakti Sastri graduate, but with your guidance and inspiration I could complete it. So my Bhakti Sastri is my offering to you.
I was born in darkness of ignorance. I was blind and having no real vision of life. But your compassion and causeless mercy helped me to come out of this ignorance. When our material eyes are covered up with painful disease, Kaviraj (Ayurvedic Doctor) advices patient to put some Padma - Madhu in eye, so that all the impurities could be cleaned. Similarly you are an expert Doctor. You showed me the path to the real light and and still helping me to clean my heart through your words of wisdom. This is like Padma - Madhu for me.
Vedic Scriptures says that Guru doesn't belong to this material world. He comes down from Spiritual World to pull back fallen soul like me. My this time is indebted to you. In this lifetime I cannot repay you. However, I am hereby bound myself to do whatever you order me to do and follow your command.
Thanks Guru Maharaj for everything you gave me. I am very fortunate that I am in such a rich Guru Parampara.
My sincere prayers in Lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya to keep you happy and healthy so that fallen soul like me could be saved. Happy Vyasa Puja day Guru Maharaj.

Hari Bol

Thanks

Your humble servant

Chintamani Dham Devi Dasi

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.
Happy Vyasapuja Srila gurudev.
All glories to Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I offer my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. My dear Gurudeva, on this very auspicious day of your appearance, I want to thank you so much for accepting this fallen soul as your disciple. I am totally unworthy and unqualified. You are so merciful to shower your mercy upon a fallen soul like me. I am seeking your blessings so that I can continue on the journey of my Krishna consciousness sincerely and serve you by following your instructions to make my home a Krishna conscious home. It is not possible without your blessings. As Srila Prabhupada quotes in the purport to verse SB 8.15.28: By the pleasure of the spiritual master, one can attain extraordinary power, especially in spiritual advancement. The blessings of the spiritual master are more powerful than one's personal endeavors for such advancement. I cannot make progress without your blessings, Gurudeva. Please keep showing me the path to progress in Bhakti.
Brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja.
I feel very fortunate to have come into Krishna consciousness after so many lifetimes, and to have gotten this chance. With Krishna's plan and mercy, I came into contact with devotees and joined the Bhakti Vriksha in 2019. After a couple of months, I joined the BV, and it was a retreat in Hare Krishna Valley where I had my first darshan of you in the retreat. It was a great fortune to see you personally and receive your inconceivable mercy. It was a kind of experience I had for the first time in my life, and it is still unforgettable. At that time, I didn't know who the guru was or why we need a guru in our life. But after the 3-day retreat finished, I was feeling, 'Why do we have to go back? May it keep going like this only.' Cant wait to attend your next retreat. Before that, from my college time, I used to say to my parents, 'Why do people follow a guru? Why don't they worship the Lord only when the guru also follows the Lord? I will never follow any guru. I will worship only the Lord.' Partly, I was so foolish. Partly, it was because I didn't know whom to follow. My belief was like that because of so many gurus in India, which I never trusted. But I didn't know that Krishna has always had the best plans for us. I am very, very fortunate to have the shadow of your mercy. After coming into KC, I came to know that we cannot progress in Bhakti without a bona fide spiritual master. Thank you once again for accepting me as your disciple. Bless me so that I can serve the Lord under your direction, and may Krishna bless me so that I can serve you. I am not qualified to chant the glories of your Gurudeva. I am filled with anartha. You are so merciful, Maharaj. You take care of all your devotees and make a personal connection. You are so humble. During your lectures and classes, the mind cannot lose focus for a moment. It's always so connecting. Your kirtan makes one feel Krishna's presence. The day before meeting you for initiation, I was so nervous. You asked me which books I had read, and I forgot everything. But you were so calm, taking and giving guidance like a father. I felt so blessed. Please bless me so that I can follow your instructions. I told you I read and keep forgetting. I will keep hearing and keep reading as per your instructions. Srila Prabhupada was quoting Vishwanath Chakravarty Thakur that a disciple should take the order of the spiritual master as his life and soul. We have to keep our connection with the spiritual master. By carrying out the spiritual master's instructions, his vani, one will always be connected with the spiritual master. Please shower your divine mercy upon me so that I can follow your instructions without fail and serve you by following your instructions seriously. May Lord Krishna keep you healthy. During initiation, I was thinking, 'Hey Krishna, please do not give my karma to Guru Maharaj.' I was thinking like this. Your good health is very much important for all of us, for our whole congregation.
Thank You, dear Gurudeva, for trying to put Krishna in a center of our life. At this auspicious Day of Your Vyasa-puja am praying for mercy that I always remain at Your lotus feet and Maya do not swipe me away, please kindly never let me go.
Your minimal servant
Chitra rani Devi dasi.

Dear Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your lotus feet.

Thank you so much for all that you do for us. I don't know when will be able to realise the good fortune I have received and take my spiritual life more seriously.

In one of your recent lectures, you were mentioning that we are powerless, even to forget Krishna we need His help. I am finally getting to realise how powerless I am and how much help do I need to continue on in this spiritual journey. On this very special day of your appearance, I pray for the strength to able to carry out the instructions given by yourself.

I feel I am undeserving, but at the same time I know Lord Caitanya's mercy is available for all, making me a deserving candidate. Thank you for creating a wonderful community of devotees around me which I feel like are a fence to protect me for my wild mind.

I pray to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai to keep you in good health so you can continue your service to your dear spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.

Your aspiring servant &amp; daughter
Citta Mohini devi dasi

Dear Guru Maharaja.

Please accept my humble obediences.

I am grateful for all the opportunities I have in my life to practice devotional service in the association of devotees that I genuinely love. I would like to thank you for your kind words of encouragement and guidance over the years. You always emphasize the importance of our relationships with other devotees and I feel this to be the most valuable thing I have in my life. You make the point that association with devotees is not a material skill but a spiritual one. So if I have any spiritual assets this is the one I am most grateful for, and am sure it is in large part to your good will towards me.

My main regret is that despite being in Krsna Consciousness for 10 years, I am still prone to falling from the proper standard of spiritual practice and have not developed a real taste for the holy name. I would therefore like to humbly pray ay your lotus feet, for the genuine and sustained realization that I am a helpless fallen jiva that needs to constantly and sincerely beg Krsna for His help. Please petition Krsna on my behalf that I may become blessed with this humble attitude and become imbued with this state of consciousness. It is the only time I truly feel safe and satisfied in life. All my other mental states are a complete waste of time that lead to entanglement and frustration. Yet I am unable to give them up on my own. I therefore beg for you to read this offering and consider my request. I will sincerely try to be a better disciple.

Your aspiring servant,
Daityari-hari dasa

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda
All glories to your divine appearance day.

SB 11.20.17 says,

nṛ-deham ādyaṁ su-labhaṁ su-durlabhaṁ
plavaṁ su-kalpaṁ guru-karṇadhāram
mayānukūlena nabhasvateritaṁ
pumān bhavābdhiṁ na taret sa ātma-hā

“The human body, which can award all benefits in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat, having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favourable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilise his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.”

This past year has taught me a lot about not taking devotee association for granted. After missing a wonderful opportunity to have a Guru, I condemned my misfortune and regretted my laziness in the spiritual life. My spiritual life was shaken for some time, and I used to feel, Do I even deserve to have a Guru? This incident in my life made me realise the treasure of having a spiritual master. By the blessings and guidance of devotees and my helpless plea to you of not being able to see anyone else as my spiritual master, helped me to detangle myself from the web of regrets, and I was again able to see the significance of Guru tattva.

One senior Mataji told me that Guru is the external manifestation of the Supersoul. I realised this in my past few interactions with you. I remembered having a question in my heart, and I was scared to ask, but somehow you knew and answered it in Bhagavatam class, and just after answering, you looked at me, and I was surprised by this interaction. At that moment, I realised that maybe this is Kṛṣṇa’s guidance for me. I remember asking for your shelter, and you asked me heaps of questions. For a moment, I got scared that you might reject me, but later, when I thought over it, I felt blessed by how you were trying to establish a more personal connection with me before accepting me as your disciple.

Currently, I am on this journey to know more about you by hearing from your disciples, by hearing your lectures and reading about you. I have heard about your glories from various devotees, about your compassionate nature, your personal connection and reciprocation with each of your disciples.

The way you sincerely follow Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions as your life and soul and your love for chanting the holy names of the Lord is impeccable. I heard you speaking in one of your lectures about how, when you came to know that Śrīla Prabhupāda is most pleased when the devotees preach in the communist countries, without even thinking twice, you went there to preach. When I read ‘The Salted Bread’ and the struggle the devotees went through in the Soviet Union shook me to the core and made me wonder about your journey and the struggles you must have faced in preaching Krishna consciousness there. This made me think about your Guru Niṣṭhā and your dedication and sincerity in serving the instructions of your spiritual master without even thinking about your own life. I was touched by the degree of selflessness required to go beyond our fears, and I could appreciate the mercy and power of Guru Paramparā, which made me see my fallen condition and how far I am from trying to become a useful instrument in Lord Caitanya’s Saṅkīrtana movement.

On this day, I pray to Śri Śri Radha Ballabha, Śri Śri Gaura Nitai and Śri Śri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Shubhadra Maa that May they bless you with good health, so that you continue to spread the glories of this Saṅkīrtana movement and help many souls find their way back to the divine shelter of Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa.

Your aspiring servant
Dakshita

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you,

Thinking of your life I can see that you are certainly a Maha-bhagavata devotee of Krsna. There is no doubt about this when one considers this in light of sastric evidence.

Although you don't cheaply display the symptoms of rolling on the ground with tears in your eyes; there is other evidence that we can consult in this regard. That is the symptoms of one established in the stage of bhava-bhakti.

For the last eighteen years I've been witnessing your peerless bhakti, which gives revelation to what I've read about the uttama-bhaktas. Jnana &amp; vijnana comes alive in your sanga. Thank you for doing this for us all. What a gift to this depraved age, your saintly example. I know my life would have no hope without it.

When the curtain closes on this life you've lead all the rsis &amp; devatas will give their standing ovation with the sounds of "Sadhu, sadhu. Well done, well done." Nothing to lament. No loss. Only gain. Perfect!

I am extremely grateful for what you've done in living such a life.

Your servant,
Damodara Krsna dasa.

By 15.3-4
The real form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world. No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation is. But with determination one must cut down this strongly rooted tree with the weapon of detachment. Thereafter, one must seek that place from which, having gone, one never returns, and there surrender to that Supreme Personality of Godhead from whom everything began and from whom everything has extended since time immemorial.
CC Adi 9.29
Not considering who asked for it and who did not, nor who was fit and who unfit to receive it, Caitanya Mahāprabhu distributed the fruit of devotional


I am only a child in this movement, and after my efforts of cutting down this tree with detachment I will always fall short but I am fortunate enough with your assistance to flip this tree in it’s proper form with the fruit of your devotional service and guidance.

Nama Om Visnu Padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami Iti namine

I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimati 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,


Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.1 states:


“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Then, O King, religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength and memory will all diminish day by day because of the powerful influence of the Age of Kali.”


The purport goes on further to explain how the quality of mercy is diminishing:


“Kṣamā, tolerance or forgiveness, is diminishing as well, because there is no practical method by which people can purify themselves and thus become free of envy. Unless one is purified by chanting the holy names of the Lord in an authorized program of spiritual improvement, the mind will be overwhelmed by anger, envy and all sorts of small-mindedness. Thus dayā, mercy, is also decreasing. All living beings are eternally connected by their common participation in the divine existence of God. When this existential oneness is obscured through atheism and agnosticism, people are not inclined to be merciful to one another; they cannot recognize their self-interest in promoting the welfare of other living beings. In fact, people are no longer even merciful to themselves: they systematically destroy themselves through liquor, drugs, tobacco, meat-eating, sexual promiscuity and whatever other cheap gratificatory processes are available to them.”


It’s certainly very disturbing having a ring side seat to this diabolical spectacle of the devolution of humanity, in which ironically, we’re told by the so called “experts” humanity is at the peak of its development. By the merciful grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the guru-paramapara there is a shining light of hope directing humanity towards Vrindavan and Sanatana dharma, the eternal function of the soul.



Lord Caitanya’s appearance has clearly demonstrated “Absolute is sentient” and cleared the pathway of the damaging confusion caused by impersonalism and voidism. His appearance has also made obsolete the ‘kaitava dharma’ realities of the Abrahamic religions and atheistic reductionist science. Your selfless efforts to follow in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada to spread the divine fruits from the tree of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu around the world actually makes you the greatest devotee!


This is confirmed by Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad Gita 18.68-69:


“For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.”


By the grace of your personal efforts and the grace of the worldwide Vaisnava network may humanity come to realise the vision of Srila Prabhupada as stated in his introduction to Bhagavad Gita:


“In this present day, people are very much eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion and one occupation. Therefore, ekaṁ śāstraṁ devakī-putra-gītam: let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world – Bhagavad-gītā. Eko devo devakī-putra eva: let there be one God for the whole world – Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Eko mantras tasya nāmāni: and one hymn, one mantra, one prayer – the chanting of His name: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Karmāpy ekaṁ tasya devasya sevā: and let there be one work only – the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”


Your aspiring servant,
Dandakaranya das

Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to your divine self! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I have recently been meditating on what I perceive to be your systematic dismantling of our hopes for fulfillment in this material world.
As someone who is transitioning to an ISKCON-independent life, these presentations can be bewildering: “I am trying to get into this whole grhastha, world- embracing thing, but my Guru Maharaja is saying how the world is becoming more and more unstable, threats coming from all sides and the hopes of living with the same comforts as our parents - only a dream”. It seems bewildering, “this material world really wont fulfill me?.. “but actually this is your inconceivable mercy on us. This is the medicine we need to progress from the prakrta Bhakta platform.This is not our natural place, and we should not take shelter of the presentations of the material world. As recounted by you, (I believe you were even personally present) Srila Prabhupada authoritatively exclaimed “If you are optimistic for material life, you are no better than an animal!” We have to become disgusted with this material world and I’m so grateful that you present this reality in such an entertaining way. Concepts like the arrival fallacy, the hedonic treadmill and emotional forecasting are all concepts that let us know what is really going on here. These are the mechanics that make the material world spin. As the Isopanisad mantra 11 tells us: “Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessings of immortality” .

Thank you for bringing us to the real position of peace and happiness. As you once told my sister, a blonde and bubbly California beach girl: “I hope you stay young forever, or find real happiness. “What a dose of mercy you gave her! Thank you for constantly giving me these doses. How will I ever be able to repay you for opening the door to real happiness.

Your grateful servant,
Dasya-prema das

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you.

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th canto chapter 1 text 25, Srila Prabhupada explains how the Lord’s potency acts in both the spiritual and material worlds, yogamaya and mahamaya. Although this potency is one, in the material world, mahamaya deprives the conditioned souls more and more of devotional service.

“When the conditioned soul becomes liberated, however, he thinks himself an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. Jīvera 'svarūpa' haya-kṛṣṇera 'nitya-dāsa.' (CC Madhya 20.108). When he comes to that position, the same potency, acting as yogamāyā, increasingly helps him become purified and devote his energy to the service of the Lord.”

He then states in chapter 2, Prayers by the Demigods, text 8;
“When a pure devotee always fears material association, his real position of bhakti is manifested, and he naturally becomes uninterested in material enjoyment. When the six sons of Marīci are killed by such fear and one is freed from material contamination, within the womb of bhakti the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears. Thus the seventh pregnancy of Devakī signifies the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After the six sons Kāma, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Mātsarya are killed, the Śeṣa incarnation creates a suitable situation for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, when one awakens his natural Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Lord Kṛṣṇa appears. This is the explanation given by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura.”

Then in text 18 it is said;
“Thereafter, accompanied by plenary expansions, the fully opulent Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is all-auspicious for the entire universe, was transferred from the mind of Vasudeva to the mind of Devakī. Devakī, having thus been initiated by Vasudeva, became beautiful by carrying Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original consciousness for everyone, the cause of all causes, within the core of her heart, just as the east becomes beautiful by carrying the rising moon.”

It has become evidently clear to me that through your tireless, selfless, life long endeavour to please your spiritual master, through diksha initiation from Srila Prabhupada, by the overwhelming compassion that you possess, and by the mercy of the parampara, the supreme father of all living entities, Sri Krishna, is now firmly situated within the core of your heart, being deeply pleased with you.
It appears that yogamaya is now directing your every movement, and mahamaya is now a distant spec on the horizon, and therefore, just as Devaki became beautiful like the east carrying the rising moon, you too have a similar glowing effulgence.

This life is certainly to short to reciprocate with you for agreeing to give me shelter, so I humbly request that you allow me to attempt to serve you birth after birth, and bless me that I never turn away from your loving protection.

Your aspiring servant

Dasyamrita Das.

Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you.

Today I would like to make an attempt at expressing some gratitude and appreciation for what you’ve done for not only me, but the Krishna consciousness movement in general. Even though it’s not possible to fully acknowledge everything you do, still I can speak from my personal experience and what I’ve noticed during my time serving as an aspiring bhakta.

It’s not common that a person will give so much of themselves for others, yet you travel constantly and make yourself available, always encouraging and guiding devotees around the world. Your Srimad Bhagavatam classes have been rated the best in ISKCON and personally I find great solace in hearing you speak. Consistently you remain relevant and on the ball, always in touch with the social and personal issues that affect us in the world today. You make it possible for fallen souls of Kali yuga, like myself, to approach the process of bhakti yoga and begin endeavouring to find happiness in pleasing Krishna and His devotees. Your knowledge of this process and all the intricacies associated with it, then making it accessible for everyday people, is just one of your specialties.

As devotees regularly sing in the morning:

“sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala bhakati-sadma,
vandon mui savadhana mate”

The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the abode of pure devotional service. I bow down to his lotus feet with great care and attention.

Sometimes I wonder if there is more to this than simply bowing down and repeating pranam mantras, is there a way to properly show this great care and attention? The best I can come up with is to perform my service in a way that is pleasing to you and associate with devotees in a way that is keeping up with the standards you have set, even when I feel I’m falling short I try to do this.

When I first decided to take shelter of your Holliness, it wasn’t just that you were a great speaker, able to initiate transformation in the hearts of others, or that you had so obviously had a firm handle on Krishna conscious philosophy and Prabhupada’s teachings. The thing that really gave me the confidence to submit myself at your lotus feet was this family, this family of God brothers and God sisters, that made it so easy to begin to transit away from a miserable self-centred life to a life of giving to others and serving. Even though it’s a work in progress, I’ve never doubted that I made the right the decision. The longer I stick around the more obvious it is that I’m on the right team.

So, thank you Gurudeva for making it possible for someone like me to get a glimpse into the transcendental world, the world of living for others and serving to please Krishna.

Your aspiring servant,
Dayal Nitai Das.

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances on the day of your Vyasa Puja.

What I appreciate most about you Is your leading the way in what you advise others to do to sustain and progress in Krsna Consciousness, namely reading the books and chanting Hare Krsna, as well as giving them to others.

Everyday you show up to set this example showing the powerful simplicity and efficacy of what Srila Prabhupada gave us. And the importance of applying those teachings to ourselves daily and the importance of self evaluation on the journey.

You enable others to access the same and realise a deeper meaning to their lives beyond the hedonistic treadmill which brings no peace to the world.

Your ability to be personal with others and give your time wherever possible in a relatable way leaves lasting impact and hope.

Thank you Guru Maharaja for being a servant and instilling that urgent need in us all by your lectures and by your actions.

Your aspiring servant.
Dayalu Gaura Dasa

Oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

I offer my humble obeisances unto you, Gurudev, who has bestowed upon me the shelter of his lotus feet.

By hearing the realisation of the prbhu who have served you, the importance of chanting for you have gave me the instructions to chant attentively.

Thank you for being my spiritual father, through your teachings and loving guidance, I have found hope and purpose in this spiritual journey.

Thank you, Gurudev, for giving me the opportunity to take shelter in your lotus feet. You have accepted me despite my countless imperfections and shown me the path to true surrender.

I humbly pray to you, Gurudev, to grant me the strength and determination to deepen my surrender at your lotus feet. May I always remember your teachings and serve you with devotion, loyalty, and sincerity.

Your servant,

Deepak

Haribol Gurudeva,

Dandavats. Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Please accept my humble offering on the occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā.

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

I was born into the darkness of ignorance, and by your mercy, you have given me the eyes to see the truth. What is there in this world more valuable than that? What greater fortune can there be than being drawn to the shelter of a pure devotee?

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 19.151
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.

This year especially, I really got to experience the quiet power of your compassion. Not just in your lectures or travels, but in the subtle ways you see people’s potential and take the time to really understand and instruct on what will bring them closer to Krsna—even when they don’t see it themselves. It reminds me of the mood of Prahlāda Mahārāja:

“nāivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaraṇyās
tvad-vīrya-gāyana-mahāmṛta-magna-cittaḥ
śoce tato vimukha-cetasa indriyārtha
māyā-sukhāya bharam udvahato vimūḍhān”
(SB 7.9.43)

“O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them..”

This is your mood. Even in your own spiritual fulfillment, you tirelessly try look to expand Krsna’s message.

Your aspiring servant,
Deva Darshana Das

Hare Krishna dear gurudev. Please most accept my respectful and humble obiesances.All glories to Srila Prabhupad. All glories to you Srila gurudev on this most auspicious occasion of your vyas puja.

Thank you so much for accepting me gurudev. Thank you so much for enlightening my counsciousness towards bhakti life as well as grastha life. After coming to krishna counsciousness I was so blissful and happy. Within my heart, I was feeling that I have achieved the goal of my life, now I dont need anyone.

I was not paying much attention to my family life. Then you initiated me on 8 December 2024. After the initiation, I asked you "how I can serve you gurudev" your instructions were " serve at the temple" and "look after your family"

The 2nd instruction I didn't realise as instruction. I was physically present among my family doing what a wife and mother supposed to do but not with my heart. I would usually talk to other devotees in the temple regarding visiting vrindavan or just want to serve the lordships. Then I was reminded by other devotees about the 2nd instruction you gave me.

When I realised, I cried that gurudev wants me to look after my family by staying with them, growing together in bhakti with them. It took me some time to work upon the 2nd instruction. Still struggling, I feel vulnerable gurudev, I am not capable of anything. I am fully dependent upon you. I beg for your mercy so the whole family becomes krishna counscious.

Thank you for your guidance and blessings in every aspect of my life,whether its first Srimad Bhagwatam class or bhakti life or family life.

Thank you so much Srila Gurudev
Ys
Devaki sakhi devi dasi &amp; family

nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine

Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to your divine grace. Thank you for your causeless mercy by which I can chant the holy name of the lord everyday. You are the light in this dark Iron Age of Kali and my only hope to return home back to God head.

I am one of the most fallen persons, but I am trying my best to please the Vaishanvas and the Guru Parampara. The hand-signed Bhagavada Gita which you gave me in Sydney is the most valuable asset I possess. I got answers to the questions I had from the very childhood without even asking just by attending and listening to your class in
Sydney.

I am falling short of words in describing how grateful I am to you for showing your causeless mercy on such a such a fallen person as me.

Your Servant,

Devika Rani

Jaya Guru Maharaja Devamrita Swami Vyasa Puja ki jai,
All Glories All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Guru Tattva, Guru Parampara ki jai,
All Glories to Śri Śri Radha-Gopinatha ki jai.

My humble and sincere obeisances and gratitude at an atom of dust at your lotus feet.

Dear beloved Gurudeva,
Ocean of merciful grace,
Your wisdom in Bhakti lights my spiritual space.

You teach the path of Pure Bhakti,
To serve Lord Kṛṣṇa,
The Eternal Merciful Grace.

Your words inspire,
My stony heart, it melts,
The taste of Prema, truly felt.

By your merciful grace,
Chanting reading serving arise,
To reach the spiritual skies.

Dear Gurudeva, please guide me true,
Your merciful grace flow like Yamuna streams,
Fulfilling my spiritual dreams.

Behold Bhakti! Dhaumya-Rsi Das,
Your insignificant servant,
Here to serve your merciful grace.

Namo om visnu pradaya
Krsna prastaya bhutale
Srimati Devamrta svamin iti namine

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma
Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
🪷💐🐝🎶🐚🎂🫶🙏

namaḥ oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrī-śrī-devāmṛta-svāmin iti nāmine

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine

namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe



Dear Maharaj,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

On this sacred day, I am reminded of the beautiful līlā of Śrī Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī at Pānihāti. Raghunātha Dāsa had twice received darśana of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu but without the permission of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. When he came to Pānihāti, Nityānanda Prabhu, who was acting in his eternal role as spiritual master, lovingly chastised him, calling him a "thief" for approaching Mahāprabhu without His blessings.

Out of His boundless mercy, Nityānanda Prabhu then placed His lotus feet on the head of Raghunātha dāsa and arranged the famous cīḍā-dadhi mahotsava — the feast of chipped rice and yogurt. By this līlā, the Lord showed the eternal principle that one cannot approach Caitanya Mahāprabhu, nor Kṛṣṇa, without first taking full shelter of the spiritual master and receiving his blessings.

Maharaj, in my own small way, I realize that without your shelter and instructions, I am helpless. Just as Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī could only reach Caitanya Mahāprabhu through the mercy of Nityānanda Prabhu, similarly, my only hope of ever approaching Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govind Dev is by clinging to your lotus feet. Your guidance, realizations, and sacrifices in spreading Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s message around the world are my greatest inspiration.

On this Vyāsa-pūjā, I pray for the intelligence to never act independently, to never bypass the shelter of guru, and to always remember that your mercy is my only bridge to Śrīla Prabhupāda and to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govind Dev

Please bless me that I may become a sincere instrument in your service and assist, in whatever small way, in your mission of distributing pure devotional service.

Your insignificant servant

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

Dearest Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my most revered obeisances on Your lotus feet. What a glorious day. This Vyasa Puja day of Yours is so uplifting. My happiness knows no bound, and I find renewed enthusiasm and delight to meditate upon Your glories Gurumaharaj. To extol Your glories is a herculean task. An insignificant being like me, with my limited capacity, find it hard to even attempt. Where should I start Gurudeva? How can I try to understand my incalculable good fortune of being connected with a representative of Srila Vyasadeva and Srila Prabhupada, of Your stature?
The most appropriate question would rather be, what did I do to deserve such fortune? Srila Prabhupada professed to his followers that He created their qualifications. I can only ascribe the fortune of Your presence in my life, to be Your causeless mercy.
Why would it not be? Being Karuna Sindhu, You extend Your compassion to each and everyone without discrimination.
When I saw You walking for the first time, I had an epiphany that only You can be the captain of my ship and how true has this been. As far as my memory jog, I remember my first interactions with You. I was comfortably sitting in the lap of maya, well cushioned in the lethargy of so called happiness in my own world. I was at the very peak of my youth pursuing all the glitters and glamour this world could offer. Being a medical student, I would often rationalise everything and had no place for sentiments. I presented myself in front of You thinking You can never convince me to find any value in Bhakti.
In your own unique humour and instructions, I could feel the laser sharp words penetrating my deepest illusion. “Welcome to the spiritual laboratory. You can sign up today and experience real happiness in the next moment without being an emotional fool. You can try to treat the body, but where is the technology and vaccine to treat the soul? How can you find permanent solution of death. How long can you cure the body or how much can you extend the lifespan for? In case you do not know the death rate in this world is 100%. What happens after that?”
I had never heard anyone talking like this before. Your words created an avalanche in my mind and it was enough for me to surrender straightaway.
Almost two decades now, I carry these instructions of Yours as the crown jewel on my head. Witnessing Your wonderful resolve to carry the torchlight message of Krsna consciousness in the same mood as Your spiritual master, has deepen my faith to greater limits. A disciple is made through service to the spiritual master, and it is the duty of the disciple to credit everything he has in devotional life to the mercy of the spiritual master. Through the submission of a disciple to the instructions of a spiritual master, they are never apart.
You never fail to pass on glorifications to Your predecessors just as a viceroy who accepts on behalf of the king, but ultimately all contributions go to the king.
I still remember the conversation I had couple of years back while driving you from the airport, I childishly asked about Your feelings and how You function when Srila Prabhupada is not visible to Your eyes. Very gravely, You mentioned that Srila Prabhupada’s books are more merciful than Srila Prabhupada as the books never left You. That same night, in my dreams I was flicking through pages and I read an extract that Srila Prabhupada wrote: He lives forever in His divine instructions and the follower lives with Him. That dream seemed so vivid and real.
Since then, Gurumaharaj, when I think of spiritual life, I think of You. At all points, in my service, You are my inspiration and meditation. When contemplating any kind of devotional activity, a disciple always draws guidance and motivation from the example of the Spiritual master. Your example stands out in everything I try to offer to Krsna. I want to chant because of Your enthusiasm; I want to read Srila Prabhupada books because of Your faith in His words. I give out my heart to You because I can see Your love for Srila Prabhupada. I aspire to develop a devotional mood because You are saturated in this consciousness of bhakti. I am because You are Gurudeva. Your presence is the root of my devotion. A realisation that has come to me over the years and my ever-growing attraction and love to You Gurudeva.
Despite my imperfections, You never fail to shower Your love on me and my family. I now meditate constantly on Your instructions. There is a strange phenomenon that has been happening to me. I can only develop the conviction that there is an empowerment which follows Your instructions. Otherwise, there is no explanation of being able to serve the devotees, the mission with all my flaws and weaknesses.
Thank you Gurumaharaj. I would forever cherish the hug, which I received from You. Please forgive my baby steps. I am still struggling with my own mind and senses. I pray on this day for the longevity of Your physical presence and Your perfect health so You are able to carry out the mission of Srila Prabhupada and spread the love of Caitanya Mahaprabhu far and wide. I would like to seek Your blessings so I can renew my commitment to You, develop sincerity and become increasingly enthusiastic in pleasing You the best possible way.

Happy Vyasa Puja Gurumaharaj.
We love you.
Your Servants,
Dhira Siromani Dasa
Ramani Siromani
Sudevi Kisori

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
Dearest Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my most revered obeisances on Your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to Your divine appearance day

What a glorious day. This Vyasa Puja day of Yours is so uplifting. My happiness knows no bound, and I find renewed enthusiasm and delight to meditate upon Your glories Gurumaharaj. To extol Your glories is a herculean task. An insignificant being like me, with my limited capacity, find it hard to even attempt. Where should I start Gurudeva? How can I try to understand my incalculable good fortune of being connected with a representative of Srila Vyasadeva and Srila Prabhupada, of Your stature?

The most appropriate question would rather be, what did I do to deserve such fortune? Srila Prabhupada professed to his followers that He created their qualifications. I can only ascribe the fortune of Your presence in my life, to be Your causeless mercy. Why would it not be? Being Karuna Sindhu, You extend Your compassion to each and everyone without discrimination.

When I saw You walking for the first time, I had an epiphany that only You can be the captain of my ship and how true has this been. As far as my memory jog, I remember my first interactions with You. I was comfortably sitting in the lap of maya, well cushioned in the lethargy of so called happiness in my own world. I was at the very peak of my youth pursuing all the glitters and glamour this world could offer. Being a medical student, I would often rationalise everything and had no place for sentiments. I presented myself in front of You thinking You can never convince me to find any value in Bhakti.

In your own unique humour and instructions, I could feel the laser sharp words penetrating my deepest illusion. “Welcome to the spiritual laboratory. You can sign up today and experience real happiness in the next moment without being an emotional fool. You can try to treat the body, but where is the technology and vaccine to treat the soul? How can you find permanent solution of death. How long can you cure the body or how much can you extend the lifespan for? In case you do not know the death rate in this world is 100%. What happens after that?”

I had never heard anyone talking like this before. Your words created an avalanche in my mind and it was enough for me to surrender straightaway.

Almost two decades now, I carry these instructions of Yours as the crown jewel on my head. Witnessing Your wonderful resolve to carry the torchlight message of Krsna consciousness in the same mood as Your spiritual master, has deepen my faith to greater limits. A disciple is made through service to the spiritual master, and it is the duty of the disciple to credit everything he has in devotional life to the mercy of the spiritual master. Through the submission of a disciple to the instructions of a spiritual master, they are never apart. You never fail to pass on glorifications to Your predecessors just as a viceroy who accepts on behalf of the king, but ultimately all contributions go to the king.

I still remember the conversation I had couple of years back while driving you from the airport, I childishly asked about Your feelings and how You function when Srila Prabhupada is not visible to Your eyes. Very gravely, You mentioned that Srila Prabhupada’s books are more merciful than Srila Prabhupada as the books never left You. That same night, in my dreams I was flicking through pages and I read an extract that Srila Prabhupada wrote: He lives forever in His divine instructions and the follower lives with Him. That dream seemed so vivid and real.

Since then, Gurumaharaj, when I think of spiritual life, I think of You. At all points, in my service, You are my inspiration and meditation. When contemplating any kind of devotional activity, a disciple always draws guidance and motivation from the example of the Spiritual master. Your example stands out in everything I try to offer to Krsna. I want to chant because of Your enthusiasm; I want to read Srila Prabhupada books because of Your faith in His words. I give out my heart to You because I can see Your love for Srila Prabhupada. I aspire to develop a devotional mood because You are saturated in this consciousness of bhakti. I am because You are Gurudeva. Your presence is the root of my devotion. A realisation that has come to me over the years and my ever-growing attraction and love to You Gurudeva. Despite my imperfections, You never fail to shower Your love on me and my family. I now meditate constantly on Your instructions. There is a strange phenomenon that has been happening to me. I can only develop the conviction that there is an empowerment which follows Your instructions. Otherwise, there is no explanation of being able to serve the devotees, the mission with all my flaws and weaknesses.

Thank you Gurumaharaj. I would forever cherish the hug, which I received from You. Please forgive my baby steps. I am still struggling with my own mind and senses. I pray on this day for the longevity of Your physical presence and Your perfect health so You are able to carry out the mission of Srila Prabhupada and spread the love of Caitanya Mahaprabhu far and wide. I would like to seek Your blessings so I can renew my commitment to You, develop sincerity and become increasingly enthusiastic in pleasing You the best possible way.

Happy Vyasa Puja Gurumaharaj.
We love you.
Your servants
Dhīra Śiromani Dāsa
Ramani Śiromani
Sudevi Kisori

Hare Krsna Gurudev

Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious appearance day

This year I have been wondering about what keeps you going so strong and stronger and stronger in KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS year after year, decade after decade. I especially wonder about how you are able to face many varieties of challenges be it health, management, devotees having problems and many more. Not only that in addition to these how you are able to have such transcendental patience and kind heart to work with larger numbers of devotees especially in leadership positions.

We have only a tiny experience of traveling and it feels so exhausting. I wonder how do you travel so much and keep doing it over and over year round. To my minuscule brain it seems a gigantic task for someone to do. Dvija Pitambar Prabhu also shared how tiring your travels are on his visit to New Dwarka with you this August. Even. for a young monk like him its tiring. Not only that still Your kirtans get more and more energetic and powerful. Your lectures become more and more absorbing.

It gives me a small hint on how Srila Prabhupada was traveling and distributing Krishna consciousness all over the world at an advanced age of 70 years.

I am remembering statement of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami "I have now become too old and disturbed by invalidity. While writing, my hands tremble. I cannot remember anything, nor can I see or hear properly. Still, I write, and this is a great wonder".

I guess just like Kaviraj Gosvami was blessed by Madana Mohana to write Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta and Srila Prsabhupada by his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada, in the same way you are empowered by your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to distribute Krishna consciousness despite any impediments in your way. I have to admit that I am thrilled to get a glimpse of your transcendental service at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada wrote (in a Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 28 August, 1973:)
"Bhaktivinode Thakura used to say all difficult tasks he had to execute for Krishna were considered as great pleasure for him."

I guess for a pure devotee even the difficulties in executing Krishna consciousness become a source of transcendental pleasure.

On this auspicious day of your appearance, my heart filled with gratitude for your kindness in giving us opportunities for devotional service, I pray that we may remain engaged at your lotus feet beyond any impediments in our way. I especially beg for spiritual strength and intelligence to continue distributing Srila Prabhupada's books increasingly and in newer and newer ways.

Special thanks for kindly blessing us, myself and my wife Vamsi Lalita Devi Dasi at Iskcon Laguna initiations on your recent visit here to continue distributing Srila Prabhupada's books for the rest of our lives. You are our transcendental inspiration and strength Guru Maharaj. Thanks for being such an inspiring spiritual master.

You servant

Dhira-Lalita Dasa

Jai Srila Gurudev

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 Prabhupada

Dear Sri Gurudev

On this your appearance day my meditation is on how extraordinary your life has been fully dedicated in the service of Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
From earnestly reading and studying his books fully understanding the real meaning of the many pastimes of Sri Krishna and how we can practically learn and develop our love of not only Krishna but his devotees, solving each and every problem we may face in this material world.
To helping Srila Prabhupada not only publish but distribute his books meeting deadlines that no one thought was humanly possible.
But more than this to serve the mission you went to places where simply speaking about Sri Krishna was banned, with harsh punishment if caught; just to bring the knowledge to everyone in every village, town and country.
Listening to your lectures especially when engaging with the people who are seeking real knowledge, nurturing and encouraging this mood was prevalent when I first met your disciples. Each one reflected and continue to reflect your mood of serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission to bring love of Krishna in the form of hearing, chanting and most importantly service.
Reflecting on those early days and seeing how dedicated your disciples were, and to those who came to Krishna consciousness at that time who became so enthusiastic that they continue to dedicate their lives in service.
It reminded me of how tolerant and patient you must be especially when disciples like myself struggle and continually fail in even the basics of bhakti. But still I look and remain inspired by those who I met in my early days, and those new disciples who are so inspired to serve whole heartedly the mission of sharing love of Krishna.
May you eternally continue to inspire and remain enthusiastic in serving your own Guru Maharaj Srila Prabhupada, a shining light in a world where distress is more prevalent than happiness.
Thank you for those wonderful disciples who are helping you whole heartedly and with unconditional love, and for giving me so many priceless and happy memories.
Your somewhat hapless but still somehow thinking of Sri Krishna and his devotees and hearing from you the many glories that devotional life brings.
And pray one day I will finally live up to the name you gave me.

Yours Humble
Dhirabhakta Das

Dear Gurudev Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad. All glories to you.

On this day of your Vyasa puja, I like to express my hearfelt gratitude for accepting me as your disciple. I feel uplifted whenever in listen to your classes or attend your classes or events.

I am thankful for your guidance and your support, both spiritually and practically, as it has been a blessing. Your kindness made a real difference in my life. I am genuinely grateful for that.

May the supreme Lord bestow upon you good health, strength, and endless enthusiasm so that you continue spreading Krishna consciousness throughout the world.

I seek your blessings at your lotus feet to grow in devotion, knowledge and service to the Lord. I feel privileged to have you as my spiritual master.
Thank you for connecting me to the devotional service to Krishna.

Your insignificant servant
Dhirendra

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja.

By your causeless mercy, I have the opportunity to offer these words. Simply being able to write to you makes me feel most fortunate. When I reflect upon my devotional life, I see how you have always been present from the very beginning—through the compassionate actions of your disciples such as Deva Darshana Prabhu, through your writing, especially Hiding in Unnatural Happiness (the first Krishna conscious book I ever read), and through so many other ways. Time and again, you have been a pivotal figure in my life, encouraging me to continue rendering service to Sri Krishna.

This past year has been especially challenging, as I experienced a fall-down and left the Ashram. Yet, by your mercy, I continue to feel your association. During your most recent visit to Los Angeles, you kindly gave me the opportunity for a fresh start. It was as if you understood the pain and shame I carried and, out of compassion, encouraged me to rise again in devotional service. Speaking with you made me feel valued, uplifted, and enlivened. You fanned the spark of devotion that had almost gone out. Although I am still childish and immature, and often bewildered by the complexities of material existence, I know with certainty that true fulfillment comes when I set aside selfish concerns and dedicate myself to serving others.

I have continued serving at the University Meditation Club, where I feel particularly called to help carry the responsibility of sharing Krishna consciousness. In truth, I know this is where I am most useful and most needed. My lifelong desire has been to uplift others, and now I realize that the greatest service I can render is to assist in the mission to teach people about Krishna. Though I am inexperienced, I push forward out of gratitude, desiring to make you and the senior Vaisnavas proud. For now, this means striving to remain steady in my sadhana and to kindly serve those who are seeking Krishna.

I am grateful to report that I have kept my word to you by practicing gratitude and appreciation for the devotees daily. Although sometimes mechanical, it has become a practice that I cherish at the end of the day, and it has gradually transformed my heart. More importantly, by your mercy, I have increased my chanting from 4–6 rounds back to the proper standard of 16 rounds daily of the Maha-mantra. This has given me strength and renewed determination.

Last year, I was so foolish and bewildered that I took shelter of you and yet acted in a way that did you a disservice. I pray you may kindly forgive my offenses. I have learned from this mistake and am treading with greater caution now. You have given me a new life, and for that, I remain eternally and voluntarily indebted at your lotus feet.

On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and prayers to become a servant of your servants. Please bless me with the strength to remain steady in my sadhana and useful in your service.

Your servant,

Diana Sanchez

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.

How can I, like a shallow pool, reflect the depth of the ocean of your divine qualities? Kindly forgive my inadequacies.

You are a highly exalted soul, traveling to sow the seeds of bhakti in the hearts of conditioned souls. Radiating personalism, knowledge, and humility, anyone who meets you is touched.

How can I express how grateful I am that my insignificant life has been touched by you? I was casting a desperate prayer out over the ocean from Coromandel Bay on the eve of my 24th birthday, but I could never have imagined my good fortune—that two weeks later, I would meet an extraordinary person, a pure servant of the Lord, like you. It doesn’t even happen in the movies. And then, your words—tender with compassion, strong with conviction—penetrated to the core of my being.

I do not know how much my inner world has developed since you planted that seed over 25 years ago. It may be stunted due to offenses or dehydrated due to my own neglect. But today, I am meditating on how carefully you have always tried to protect it in me.

With personalized instructions, you have guided me, staking me with every word so I would not grow sideways. You have also picked me up and re-staked me several times when my spiritual life was in peril. By putting me in the association of my god-family, you sheltered me from vicious internal and external forces. Then, you arranged that I have a Krishna conscious husband and son.

Carrying out the work of the transcendental gardener Himself, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, you tirelessly care for uncountable people—incessantly traveling the world to sow and cultivate the seeds of bhakti in the hearts of whoever will take it. Recently, you showed such care towards Gopinath's father. It didn’t matter that he is elderly and somewhat set in his ways—you were still enthusiastic for him to make whatever advancement he could.

Thank you from the depths of my heart for all you have done for me, although I am describing only a drop of it.

I pray that I can one day overcome laziness and serve you with full dedication.

Holding on to your lotus feet, your servant,
Dina Dayala Devi dasi

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this divine day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

This year, I am really appreciating your tolerance and guidance as I grow both spiritually and materially. You are most merciful to this fallen daughter. My devotional service can be clumsy and fraught with offenses and inattention. I am contaminated by the facet of maya that whispers—sometimes screams—that changing my external circumstances will bring happiness and help me outrun purification. Yet still, you patiently encourage me and allow me to come crawling back.

Your encouragement touches every aspect of my life—devotee and family relationships, cooking, sankirtana, sadhana, health, and so much more. Over time, instructions that once seemed simple become multifaceted, like holding a diamond up to the light and discovering new angles of brilliance.

You have given me a process of daily transformation—what could be more exciting than that! You have also given me access to the means of unlocking my own heart, and the hearts of others.

As Srila Prabhupada says in the Introduction to the Bhagavad-gītā:
“There is complete facility for the small complete units, namely the living entities, to realize the complete, and all sorts of incompleteness are experienced due to incomplete knowledge of the complete. So Bhagavad-gītā contains the complete knowledge of Vedic wisdom.”

You travel worldwide on this completion mission, distributing access to completeness wherever you go on behalf of your spiritual master. My life was completely incomplete without you, but now, by your mercy, I too have access to the completion process. How better to repay you, then, but to give that completion process to others?

I fondly remember my second darshan with you in the backyard of our ashram in West Philadelphia. "Backyard" is a euphemism; it was more like a concrete slab surrounded by a chain-link fence with a few sprigs of grass poking through. I hardly understood what a guru was, but even then I could see your willingness to undergo austerity just to give us children– your “motley crew”– the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. You sat in the blazing sun on a simple chair, giving me your full attention despite noisy dogs barking on either side. My heart was deeply softened by your care in that moment as I asked you questions about God.

In the Bhagavad-gītā (2.53, Purport), Srila Prabhupada writes:
“In Krsna consciousness, one comes directly into communion with Krsna, and thus all directions from Krsna may be understood in that transcendental state. One is sure to achieve results by such activities and attain conclusive knowledge.”

He then qualifies this direct communion by stating:
“One has only to carry out the orders of Krsna or His representative, the spiritual master.”

In this light, my prayer for this year is not only to hear your instructions but to meditate on them, act upon them, and take shelter of them. I aspire to take them more seriously every year. I want to learn to care for myself as you have instructed, achieve personal victory in chanting, and expand prasadam distribution and knowledge of bhagavat-katha.

Praying to repay you in some lifetime...

Your servant,
Dina-palika devi dasi

Dearest Gurudev,
On this special day of Vyasa-puja, we offer our heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet. You guide us with such care and make Krishna consciousness feel real and practical in our daily lives. Through your words and example, we feel inspired to grow, to serve, and to stay steady on this path.

Through your books, lectures, and personal example, you make spiritual life real and practical for us. You show us how to face the modern world with Krishna at the center, just as Srila Prabhupada taught. Your dedication reminds us that this movement is alive because of disciples like you who carry his mission forward.

We pray for your blessings so that we can remain connected to your teachings, serve sincerely, and always remember Krishna. Thank you for showing us what it means to live with devotion, compassion, and courage.

Your grateful servants,
Dinodhari Das
Satyadhari Dasi
Krishna Das

Dearest Devamrita Swami,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hearing all the beautiful Vyasapuja offerings by your sweet devotees, I felt I knew you a little better. I've heard you get to know someone better through their beloved -devotees have given me that example to understand how we reach Sri Krsna through Sri Radha (and Lord Chaitanya in Kali Yuga). Through your devotees love, I have been able to better understand a bit of what you do for us all.

In the 4.5 short years of knowing you, I have observed your sincere dedication to serving your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Your intense sincerity in this mission has allowed you to be intuitive and open to the needs of the different audiences you preach to, encouraging us where you may see we are strong, and gently reminding us of ways we can grow as individuals and a community, when your clear vision discerns areas for improvement.

Your selfless service to your Guru is palpable in every action and in the legacy of your life. I hope I can draw inspiration from how to serve you by witnessing how devotedly you serve your Guru. I have a long way to go and may never live up to my target of how to be a faithful devotee, but with your mercy, I hope I can follow your instructions and Srila Prabhupada's instructions, and do my tiny part in this amazing Sankirtan movement.

I hope you have had a beautifully Krsna conscious Vyasapuja. I thank you very much for choosing to spend it with your amazing devotees in Melbourne. Because of them I had your wonderful association on this special day.

Your aspiring servant,
Disni

Dearest Gurudeva
My most deepest and most affectionate obeisances to you on this so auspicious day!

Hare Krishna !
I feel somewhat embarrassed and limited in what to offer you this year. My words of most deepest gratitude, don’t seem to really imbibe the highest sincerity of which I would really wish to express.

Recently I have deeply reflected on how you remain available to me in letters, since 2017, you have always encouraged me to write you. You have always allowed me to express my heart to you, and I feel no matter where you are you are there.

I had the most fortunate opportunity to have a conversation on zoom with a dear saintly Vaisnavi, a Srila Prabupada disciple, just after your visit this summer, 2025 to Wales Cardiff.
I was reflecting to her your presence, and my thoughts. I’ll always remember how clearly she said:

Divya, you have been given the holy name, which is extraordinary, you have a spiritual master and that is extraordinary. The care you receive is extraordinary. It’s very special.

I’m grateful for the compassion and humility of my spiritual
Master - You dearest Gurudeva
The ability to have been given Krsna in the form of the holy name
An eternal friend and someone who cares
To try and become deep and not a superficial entity
To realise the depths of the bodily platform and how this limits us to see our sprit soul.

The selfless determination fortitude and humility I see in you every year, and how you navigate the ever complexity of the human race. How dull and dire we really are without Krishna Consciousness, !

The enthusiasm blissful smile you afford us with such high spec intelligence of expert sastric knowledge is beyond - extraordinary!
How blissful and magnificent you are in what you continually so selflessly give. The sweetest of Bhakti so magical.

I pray to be yours ever more in service, it never ever feels enough. I pray to take shelter at your lotus feet eternally. I thank you so very much.
Forever.
Ys aspiring Divya Vrindavan Devi Dasi

nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale&nbsp;
srimate devamrita swami iti namine.&nbsp;
pracare purva daksyam ca&nbsp;
bhaktacara pravinata&nbsp;
pararthatapi karunyam&nbsp;
yasya sarva ca te namah&nbsp;

Dearest Guru maharaj ji,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your divine appearance.

On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, I wish to express my deep heart-felt gratitude to you for accepting me as your disciple. I am truly indebted to your causeless mercy which you have bestowed upon me. In spite of my shortcomings and contamination of millions of lifetimes, you mercifully accepted me as your disciple yesterday just day before your 75th Vyasa Puja ceremony in Melbourne in your personal presence which is the greatest gift I ever had in life.
Gurudeva, on this special day of your appearance, I pray that I may someday be blessed with a drop of your loving enthusiasm to hear about Krsna and to serve Srila Prabhupada. You always relish and enjoy every single moment in Krishna Consciousness and seeing your effulgence I felt Krishna’s presence and hoping to get same love for Krishna one day by your mercy.
Your insignificant servant
Dola Krīdã devi dasi

Hare Krishna Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.

Having now returned to India after 15 years in the west, it feels like I’ve come back home after an extended vacation, it has been a reunion of sorts with many aspects with an eastern bent, that I grew up with – culture, lifestyle, customs and family. However, there is one significant aspect that I bring back that I never had earlier, when I set foot in the west as a young 25-year-old.

Ironically, despite having been born and raised till the age of 25, in the land of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, l never understood what the purpose of life is, until I met the devotees at the Loft in the summer of 2011. It feels surreal that I had the opportunity to connect with Mahaprabhu, and his staunch followers, in a remote country like New Zealand that is so far away from the rest of the world, let alone India.

Gurudeva, you’ve taken to heart Prabhupada’s statement – “Krishna is for everyone”, not just for persons born in the land of Bharat bhumi. With strong, consistent determination you’ve waged a war against maya in her strong foothold – the west, where bringing people to Bhakti is a herculean task. You’ve worked relentlessly over several decades to set up a unique model that is conducive for young westerners to come to bhakti.

Through the Loft, you’ve shown for the world to see, and for future generations to take inspiration from, that Krishna consciousness can be successfully offered to persons from all backgrounds. Through the optimum adjustment of “Time – Place – Circumstance”, you’ve facilitated for the highest gift in existence to be available in a manner that is palatable, to persons from a culture that is quite opposite to the east, demonstrating that Bhakti is above all demographical, cultural, social, economic, political and religious considerations.

As I settle back in India, I pray that I can use what I’ve learnt from my experience in the Loft to serve in Lord Chaitanya’s mission. I look up to and draw strength from your qualities of strong quiet determination, and consistency, in your endeavours to please your Guru maharaja.

Thank you Gurudeva, for “making it easy”, for me to take up Bhakti.

Your insignificant servant,
Duranta-sakti Das

Hare Krishna dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

All glories to you and your divine appearance day!

You are glorious by your own merit, and my glorification neither expands nor diminishes your glories—just as a king’s glory does not increase when he is praised by a fool. Yet I take this opportunity to glorify you, Gurudev, by expressing my reflections on your divine qualities, for such glorification of pure devotees purifies both those who speak it and those who hear it.

While travelling with you, I came across a devotee who has been associating with a lot of disciples of your holiness. In one of my conversation with him, he pointed out “I have met and associated with different devotees. But all of the disciples of Devamrita Swami seem to have a special class. They are all very steady in their sadhana and services.” If he is true in his observation then it holds true that a fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

You are always encouraging devotees to have a strong sadhana—dedicated time for chanting, regular reading of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and encouraging devotees to distribute books to assist in Lord Caitanya’s mission.

In one lecture, taking up the role of servant of servants, you addressed devotees with folded hands, “I beg you, please! Consider me as your servant and accept my request, try to have a dedicated space and dedicated time for chanting Hare Krishna. Will you do that please?”

While asking devotees to set aside a dedicated time for chanting, you yourself follow the same standard. You plan your flights, phone calls and other engagements in such a way that you can chant as first thing in the morning without any distractions. One time I came to you to ask for something that I considered important, but you stopped me before I said anything, “I am on my last round. I will talk after finishing my chanting.”

You always emphasise the company culture—“Love to read and love to distribute!”

While travelling with you, I had the opportunity to observe your greatest mystic power. Across the globe, you have created devotees and communities that come from all different backgrounds that previously had no connection to the Vedic culture. These devotees, because of your love, encouragement and support, are dedicated to book distribution and urban outreach, despite all challenges. The magic ingredient that created these communities and continues to maintain them is the principle of company-culture—reading books and distributing books. It’s very refreshing to witness that this simple process, as given by Śrīla Prabhupāda, still works and it was not a phase that devotees went through in early days of ISKCON.

One time you asked me what services am I engaged in. While listing different services, I mentioned “…and I go for book distribution.” I could see your eyes widen “you are doing book distribution? Where do you go?” Even though devotional service is absolute, you seem to be very pleased with the book distribution efforts of devotees for the benefit it awards to the distributors and those who receive the transcendental literatures.

On this auspicious day, I seek your blessings for continued reading and distribution of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.

Being your <i>manda</i> disciple, I have all the anarthas possible in kali-yuga. I therefore seek to be chastised and trained by you and your sincere followers so that one day I may please the parampara.

Aspiring to be your servant,

Dvija Pītāmbara Dāsa

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj!

Please accept my humble obesiances

All glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

My dear Guru Maharaj

I have been associated with ISKCON since a long. But I am progressing in my spiritual life just by following the path set by you. So many devotees wishes to see and serve their spiritual master physically, and so do I. But with the example of Srila Prabhupada and yourself, I could understand that just seeing and serving the spiritual master physically is not enough. I can be remain connected with you by following your words. In Bhakti Bhava you have wrote that you met Srila Prabhupada very few times and there was merely a conversation between you and Srila Prabhupada. When one of the devotee introduced you to Srila Prabhupada, He just said Hmmm. And just for that Hmmm you dedicated your whole life in the Lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada. Your this example encourages me to take shelter of yourself.
I am rendering few services here in ISKCON Noida (India). Whenever any senior authority asks me to do some service, I do just try to serve in the mood of yourself. Your disciples are all around the world and I am one of them. I think, this is the duty of all we God brothers and sisters that whenever we got and opportunity to serve, we should try to serve in the best way considering the way you serve Srila Prabhupada. Please bless me so that I could be able to understand the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada and serve ISKCON. Please forgive me for the offences, I would have been committed into your Lotus feet.

My sincere prayers for your good health Guru Maharaj.

Thanks

Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj

Your humble servant

Ekant Dham Das

Nama Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine

Pracare purva-daksyam ca,
Bhaktacara-pravinta Pararthatapi Karunyam,
Yasya sarve ca te namah

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this wonderful day!

This year, as I was thinking about what to write in honour of my kind master and came across this verse :

yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāśante mahātmanaḥ

"Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed."

The most secret of all Vedic knowledge is unmotivated and uninterrupted loving devotional service to Lord Krishna. This is exemplified by your dedication to serve your Spiritual Master unconditionally, thereby continuing the glorious work of the Parampara.

I am fortunate to have such a personality as my spiritual master. Your enthusiasm and efforts to relieve the sufferings of the living entities in this world by bringing them to the Lotus Feet of your Spiritual Master are so glorious.

Your enthusiasm in kirtans is so infectious as just by your changing of volume of singing, it makes me go jump up and down, while my mind says I cannot do that.

Recently I was in London, I heard about your preaching glories at Studio108 and grooming devotees from Muslim background.

This year, I request to bless and guide me so that I do not remain a minimum devotee. Hopefully by remembering and listening from you, I develop the mood of helping others to preach the glories of the Lord.

Thank you for fanning the spark of bhakti in everyone’s heart who hears from you.

Thank you for all your hard work in preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

May you always remain close to Srila Prabhupada and the Panca-tattva.

Aspiring to be your useful disciple,
Ekatma Gaura Dasa.

My Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda
All glories to your lotus feet.


In Bhagavad-gītā 2.7, it is stated that "in order to solve the perplexities of life and to understand the science of the solution, one must approach a spiritual master who is in disciplic succession."

I am extremely grateful that you have given this fallen soul your divine shelter and a chance to perfect life by connecting to the paramparā. Your energy, instructions, and kīrtana keep my soul alive in this material existence.

Thank you for reminding me through your lectures that I need to deserve first in order to desire and then aspire. I often forget that truth, being influenced by my conditioning, but through your lectures I try to remember and follow, even if imperfectly.

Also, when you share your stories of book distribution, it encourages me to keep on trying to follow instructions properly and sincerely, even when I feel unqualified or discouraged.

I am a fallen soul who is full of faults and shortcomings, and I know I cannot progress in bhakti without your blessings and mercy.

Please bless me so that I can sincerely follow Śrīla Prabhupāda's instructions. There is nothing else I want to desire but just to follow the instructions and use this body—however limited it may be—as much as I can in the service of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

Listening to your kīrtanas gives food to the soul. They awaken something deep within me and give me a glimpse of real spiritual happiness. It encourages me to devote my time to learning musical instruments so that I can use my energy in rendering service through saṅkīrtana. This desire to serve in this way has only arisen by your mercy, Mahārāj.

Please bless me so that I may continue on this path—learning, improving, and serving—always under your shelter and guidance. Let me never forget that any ability or desire to serve is only due to your mercy and the grace of the paramparā.

Your aspiring servant,

Esha Kundra

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

Thank you for continuing to travel, inspire and preach. People like you are the life and soul of the Krishna consciousness movement. You move from place to place to rally the troops, call for action and bring others into the ever expanding army of Lord Caitanya.

HH Bhakti Tirtha swami wrote a collection of books entitled the “spiritual warrior” series.
You are one such person whose life has been dedicated to fighting for the spiritual cause.
This service cannot be appreciated enough. It is the very sum and substance of ISKCON.
A devotee sanga is not a temple, it's not a building, but rather it's a place where sincere and serious practitioners come together to hear and chant about Krishna. And such sangas can only continue to grow under the inspiration and guidance of people such as you.

The bhakti lata bija is a very tender creeper which needs to be continuously nurtured and carefully protected. When the mad elephant of vaisnava aparadhas enters that garden, the lion-like spiritual master is the only way one can be saved from such a mad elephant.

You are helping to fortify us sastrically as you continue to work with the BBT in having major publications such as Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu produced. This significant landmark work for ISKCON will help fortify and clarify our understanding of the science of bhakti yoga.

HG Krpamoya prabhu recently said in a podcast that very few are successful in reaching the western audience in their outreach. He said the only two that he knows that have had noteworthy success in that area are Kalakantha prabhu and You. Thank you for putting in the hard work to reach the otherwise spiritually bankrupt western audience.

Your life is a wonderful example of taste for hearing and chanting. Whether it be for japa, outreach, kirtan, reading Srila Prabhupada's books or giving Srimad bhagavatam class. Just seeing the enthusiasm you have from any one of these activities is so nourishing to one's own bhakti.

I’ve had the great fortune to serve you on many occasions. One thing that has stuck with me is the incredible level of absorption, tranquility and peacefulness you experience while reading Prabhupada's books or chanting japa. You're at home, happy to be with Prabhupada or Krishna. Happy to be in their association.

Thank you for being so encouraging to everyone, regardless of their service.

You have one simple request. ”Be progressive”. Wherever we may be, that's ok. As you say “You have to start somewhere”. The main thing is now from that point, come closer to Krishna. Take the next step.

Devotees may go through intense periods in their bhakti journey. Even extremely intense periods. They may need to get back on their feet. Again you show your merciful mood while at the same time encouraging progressiveness when you said “It may even take you a whole year to recover. But, recover.”

You recently re-emphasised the basics of bhakti to the brahmacaris pointing out the importance of the morning program and taking prasad together.
“As much as possible taking prasad together and hearing and chanting together are essential bhakti activities”

As you have said so many times “By hearing, hearing, hearing, gradually things begin to sink in.”

You're a very practical spiritual master. You’ve given so much facility, guidance and personal input for outreach and engagement in devotional service. You have done this through centers such as the loft and bhakti lounge and through offering so many opportunities for service. So many, many devotional service opportunities such as cooking, speaking, kirtan, cultivating, mentoring, managing, financing, building, accounting, gardening, social media. The list goes on. There's something everyone can do.

Thank you for repeated opportunities to serve you personally. This has been the best practical education I’ve had in life as to how one should actually be 1) a human being and 2) a devotee of Krishna.

Thank you for the opportunities to learn new skills. I’ve had such a vast array of services in my bhakti career. The latest being learning more about accounting and management.

Every year I think what more can I do or give?

The answer is simple, we need to increase the quality and quantity of our offerings, of our devotional service.

As Srila Prabhupada said about the instructions of this spiritual master. He was always thinking “How to do? How to do? How to do?”

Recently we’ve been getting even more of your mercy via the On the way to Krishna Podcasts and of course the continued presence of access to your classes via Youtube - Classes at LA or Gitanagari - we can keep hearing from you in that way.

Your steadiness is priceless. When the material world throws curve balls - Eg: Covid, and the lockdowns, we can rely on you to keep the ship on course.

Recently you spoke about the 6 offenses to devotees and how we should really try to increase our appreciation of devotee association.

The main thing that endears all of us to you no doubt is how much you genuinely care for our well being - on all levels. Our physical health, our emotional well being, our intellectual growth and, most importantly, our Krsna consciousness.

Thank you for being a selfless, steady, determined, dynamic and caring spiritual master.

We are very grateful for your compassion upon us.

May Krishna allow us to continue to serve and assist you with re-doubled enthusiasm.

“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?”
(Srimad Bhagavatam.7.9.28)

Your servant,

Gadai Gauranga dasa

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On this special occasion, I am so grateful that you have given me shelter. As you know, I was always sceptical about taking initiation, but as soon as you initiated me, my whole life changed.

Taking your shelter has given me direction and purpose in my life, and I am forever grateful.

On this day, I humbly offer my thanks, appreciation and commitment to you and your mission. May your blessings continue to inspire and uplift us on this spiritual journey.

Gangarama Gauranga Das

Dear Gurudeva,

I offer you my respectful obeisances on this glorious occasion of your vyāsa-puja,
All glories to Shrīla Prabhupāda !

I admire your chastity to Prabhupada's teachings. Whenever I hear your lectures, especially about Krishna-līlā, I realize that you are simply repeating Prabhupada's words from his Krishna book. Your dear disciple Bhadrasena Prabhu, once taught me the importance to listen to Prabhupada's lectures and read his books. He then said that when we hear from you, Gurudeva, and notice that you simply repeat Prabhupada's message, we will see the alignment and gain faith and confidence in you.

For conditioned souls, like myself, it is very tempting to change things, to add "our touch". But the problem is that what originally seems like an insignificant change gradually invites more and more modifications, which eventually leads to a completely different information being relayed.
Prabhupada has taught us Bhagavad-Gītā As it is, because so many persons try to interpret it as they think it is, according to their personal motivations. This materialistic tendency simply leads to adulteration, confusion, division and conflicts, because it artificially attempts to bring down transcendental subject matters, which are eternally pure, to a mundane level, under the grip of the three modes of material nature.

So the false ego always wants to make himself known, by interpreting, changing, twisting, etc... However, in your rendition of Prabhupada's teachings, your chastity, humility and simplicity, make us feel very safe as disciples following you. It requires great faith and sense-control to keep simply repeating another's persons words, for as long as you did Gurudeva. But as we know, Prabhupada is not an ordinary person, he is a nitya-siddha, and that's why you have chosen to surrender to his teachings and propagate them all over the world.
You have faith that Prabhupada's words are perfect, because he, as well, humbly repeated the words of his spiritual master, all the way back to Krishna's words in the Bhagavad-Gītā.
This is the paramparā system. Because Krishna's words are perfect and complete, for all eternity, there is no need to change them, to reactualize them, they are spiritual, and therefore not subject to the deterioration of time and space.

On the other hand, the way we present the teachings of Bhagavad-Gītā may need some adjustments, according to time, place and circumstances. Without touching the principles, a preacher must be sensitive to his audience, and think about how to deliver his message in the most effective way. This ability to transmit spiritual truths in a different form, without adulterating their essence, is the symptom of an ācārya. Prabhupāda did that with his western audience and was criticized by his neophyte godbrothers. Bhakti Tirtha Swami was in a similar situation with his "institute for applied spiritual technology." Similarly, you created "the Loft", which originally raised some doubts within ISKCON.
Nevertheless, you did not back off, simply to suit the opinion of others, who misunderstood your intentions. Today the Loft has shown to be a very successful "preaching machine", many communities in the world became inspired by such remarkable victory, and try to emulate its model.

You were successful in your attempts to make Prabhupada's teachings more accessible to your contemporaries, because of your firm faith, dedication and loyalty to Prabhupada's teachings.

There are so many "gurus" in this material world, who have, are, and will continue to water down spiritual truths, in order to gain cheap adoration from the innocent public, even at the cost of misleading them. You, however, Gurudeva, regardless of the opinion of the common men, regardless of your personal gain, will continue sharing the truth that can cure the suffering conditionned souls, even at the cost of being criticized, misunderstood and undergoing mental and physical suffering.
This is the austerity of a true devotee of the Lord. Lord Jesus Christ was ready to be crucified in order to share the message of the Lord, Haridas Thakura was beaten in twenty-two marketplaces for loudly chanting and preaching the holy name of the Lord. Despite such apparent austerity, they didn't budge an inch from their resolution to preach the message of the Lord. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura said "Whatever suffering I endure in your service my Lord, is my greatest happiness."

Thank you for sacrificing so much of your personal comforts for the sake of others Gurudeva, thank you for giving us the unadulterated truth, regardless of your personal gain, I am eternally grateful for your dedication to following Shrila Prabhupada's teachings and sharing them with the world. I hope and pray to be able to always stay engaged in your service, under the shelter of your lotus feet, and assist you in this monumental task of freeing the suffering souls from material entanglement.

Your aspiring servant,

Gangeya Dasa.

Dear Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances&nbsp;
All glories to Srila Prabhupada&nbsp;


All glories to your Divine Grace on this most auspicious day of Sri Vyasa Puja


In a letter to the New Dvaraka community on Aug 14th, 1976 Srila Prabhupada stated,


'If you feel at all indebted to me then you should preach vigorously like me. That is the proper way to repay me. Of course, no one can repay the debt to the spiritual master, but the spiritual master is very much pleased by such an attitude by the disciple.&nbsp;

In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru nandana [Bg. 2.41], "Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one." Our only business is to be fixed up in devotional service by pleasing the spiritual master. Those who are not fixed up they have various lines of action (eka means 'one' and bahu means 'many').

The real ocean of mercy is Krsna and it is the duty of the spiritual master to tell his disciple to come to the ocean and be happy. The spiritual master's duty is to lead the disciple to this ocean. I am trying my best and if you try to follow surely you will benefit.'


The material understanding of debt holds a vastly negative connotation. Debt is a sign of failure.&nbsp;

But debt for a disciple is something so much deeper. Spiritual debt to the spiritual master is a sign of good fortune and mercy.&nbsp;

Gurudeva, today i pray to always remain in debt to you. In fact may my debt to you compound eternally so that i may have continued and never-ending motivation and inspiration to hear your divine instructions which are my North Star, guiding me towards the ocean of Krsna.&nbsp;

I have never been happier to be in debt, and may that debt always be owed to your lotus feet. May my repayments of devotional service unto the Lord and Srila Prabhupada never end. May my life be a stretch of one-pointed focus on devotional service unto the Lord, fueled on by your guidance.

Aspiring to be a servant&nbsp;
Gaura Bhumi devi dasi

Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for showing us how to expertly manage our time, words and actions in such a way as to optimise all aspects of our life in service to Srila Prabhupada.
You teach us not only by your words but also by your own personal actions and interactions with both new and old practitioners.
Each year you show us how to approach spiritual life with increased enthusiasm, determination and most importantly of all free from any material motivations.
Thank you for making the sublime process of bhakti yoga so accessible to us all and for pushing forward the glories of Lord Gauranga.

Praying in some small way to follow in your footsteps

Your servant
Gaura Kishore dasa

Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your transcendental service.

On this sacred occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I offer my heart in prayer and supplication. Kindly bestow your causeless mercy upon me and my family. I beg for your blessings that we may remain steadfast in the mode of goodness, and by your grace, be guided back to the eternal shelter of Lord Krishna’s lotus feet.

You are most dear to the Supreme Lord, and thus I approach you with deep reverence, knowing that your prayers carry the potency to awaken our dormant Krishna consciousness. Please bless me to become a worthy servant, able to protect and nourish my family in devotional life. May I fulfill my duties as a husband to Gokulesvari and a father to Nitai with sincerity, compassion, and spiritual strength.

Though I am entangled in ignorance and pulled by the modes of nature, I remain hopeful. Your mercy is my only beacon. I aspire for a life beyond the dualities of this material world, a life of service, joy, and eternal bliss in the association of devotees and the Lord.

Thank you for being the guiding light in our lives. Your presence is deeply missed, and we pray for the opportunity to serve you and please you again, by following your instructions and offering our lives in devotion.

Your fallen son,
Struggling but hopeful,
Begging for your mercy and guidance.

Dearest Gurudev,

Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We want to thank you for keeping us engaged in Krishna Consciousness. All around us we see that, having forgotten their relationship with Sri Krishna, the whole world is entangled in so many problems by trying to lord it over material nature.

We look forward to your association and are always ready to serve you in your endeavors to spread Krishna Consciousness.

Wising you a very happy Vyasa Puja celebration, and may you have many more!

Your humble servants,
Gaura Prema das, Nitai Prema dd &amp; Krishna Prema das

nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine

pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah

Dear Gurudev
Please accept our humble obeisance at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasapuja celebration Gurudev, I reflect on your unique ability to touch and transform by awakening the sleeping souls by your penetrating wit and wisdom, pouring your deep realization delivered in just appealing to the audience hears and sweet and ecstatic kirtan that invoke the divine presence, purification and lead one to the path of Bhakti ultimately in earnest way.

We are studying the Canto 7 of Bhagavatam wherein Prahlad Maharaj speaks profound wisdom upon appearance of Lord as Narasimha Dev in a most ferocious form who killed his father Hiranyakashipu, the greatest demon in the Universe in a most astonishing way of ripping his body through his nails and wearing his intestine as his garland.

While greatest demigods were hesitant to come forward to pacify the Lord Narasimha, little boy Prahlad speaks profound pacifying words.

Prahlad Maharaj said “My Lord, who are never conquered by anyone, I am certainly not afraid of Your ferocious mouth and tongue, Your eyes bright like the sun or Your frowning eyebrows. I do not fear Your sharp, pinching teeth, Your garland of intestines, Your mane soaked with blood, or Your high, wedgelike ears. Nor do I fear Your tumultuous roaring, which makes elephants flee to distant places, or Your nails, which are meant to kill Your enemies.”


However, he makes the even more profound statement on what he is afraid of that “O most powerful, insurmountable Lord, who are kind to the fallen souls, I have been put into the association of demons as a result of my activities, and therefore I am very much afraid of my condition of life within this material world. When will that moment come when You will call me to the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are the ultimate goal for liberation from conditional life?”

While ordinary soul deep in ignorance thinks that everything is ok, not realizing the dangers that await at every moment and every step of our life, here we see Prahlad Maharaj who by his devotion captured the attention of the Supreme Lord and still in his deep humility and his deep personal realization states he is much afraid of material existence and seek the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.

In that purport Srila Prabhupada in his most compassionate way states “The Lord is extremely anxious to deliver the conditioned souls, and therefore He instructs all of us to return home, back to Godhead (sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja). Thus Prahlāda Mahārāja expected that the Lord, by His kindness, would call him again to the shelter of His lotus feet. In other words, everyone should be eager to return home, back to Godhead, taking shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord and thus being fully trained in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”

Elsewhere in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.28.32 it is said “A yogī should meditate on the most benevolent smile of Lord Śrī Hari, a smile which, for all those who bow to Him, dries away the ocean of tears caused by intense grief”
Srila Prabhupada, in his purport elaborates “The entire universe is full of miseries, and therefore the inhabitants of this material universe are always shedding tears out of intense grief. There is a great ocean of water made from such tears, but for one who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ocean of tears is at once dried up. One need only see the charming smile of the Supreme Lord. In other words, the bereavement of material existence immediately subsides when one sees the charming smile of the Lord.”

Both the problem is expounded well and the real solution is given to encourage the fallen souls to seek shelter of the Lord and make a permanent solution.

In the Mukunda mala Stotra 32 the author gives the transcendental medicine to cure the disease “O mind, please drink the transcendental medicine of Śrī Kṛṣṇa's glories. It is the perfect medicine for curing the disease of bewilderment, for inspiring sages to engage their minds in meditation, and for tormenting the mighty Daitya demons. It alone is the medicine for restoring the three worlds to life and for bestowing unlimited blessings on the Supreme Lord's devotees. Indeed, it is the only medicine that can destroy one's fear of material existence and lead one to the attainment of the supreme good.”


In your classic book "Bhakti Bhava" – Emotional Dynamics of a devotee you most wonderfully state the practical application of the solution and its result..

"No better activities exist than what we're doing in Krishna Consciousness.The richness of rendering service to Krishna is not about money or possessions, it's about the opulences of the heart.No matter what you do, if you heart is not satisfied, you won't think your life is worth much. How to be a proper egotist? Simply identifying as Krishna's servant. When this perfect and true egotistical feeling sufficiently intensifies, it will force you to dance in ecstasy"

The kṛṣṇa-śakti inconceivable energy that brings about all these changes comes through only by the one who is empowered by the Supreme Lord to spread Krishna Consciousness

We are extremely fortunate to have come in contact with you and came under your shelter to practice Krishna Consciousness under your guidance. You are our deepest inspiration to tread the path of Bhakti in humility, sensitivity, hope and confidence.

On this auspicious day we beg for that true egotist feeling to dance in ecstasy, to share this nectar to near and dear, friends and foe and far and wide as much our purity allows.

Your aspiring servants
Gauramandals das and Vraja mandala devi dasi, Sanjitha and Shruti.

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On his way to enter Vṛndāvana, in beautiful prayers, Akrura, considering the fallen nature of a conditioned soul - which he identified as in that moment-, expresses his hope to see the Supreme Lord Krsna and be cleared from all impurities by His touch. He says :

"After all, even a fallen soul like me can have the chance to behold the infallible Supreme Lord, for one of the conditioned souls being swept along in the river of time may sometimes reach the shore" (SB 10.38.5).

One should know that the material world offers no prospect of true goodness. But yet, one should not despair, because Krsna's mercy is boundless and there are ample opportunities to obtain it if we so want it. Srila Prabhupada confirmed it in the following way :

"One should continue to hope against hope that some way or other he will be able to approach the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord" (Nectar of Devotion 18)

During your last visit in Wales, I asked you how to prepare oneself to enter the dhama. You replied that a marathon would do.

So here we are, on the last day of our fifth (and penultimate) marathon for the year 2025, literally knocking on Heavens' door as we are only days away from departing to Vṛndāvana.

Our efforts this year have been herculean. Somehow, our mission to build a beautiful temple in Wales for the Lord is now approaching completion, and we are getting our reward for that enterprise ahead of time. Indeed, what better remuneration for our service than obtaining a darshan of the Lord in the dhama? But how have we become so fortunate ?

Currently, my consciousness is tormented by countless material desires and maya is bewitching me to think that I will equally get unlimited ways to fulfill them, leading me to make bad decisions and then to suffer. You often remind us though, that the only person able to fulfill all of His desires in full is Krsna Himself.

Just like Akrura, I must shun away all thoughts of inability that may arise in my contaminated heart. In fact, by your kindness, you qualify me to go to Vṛndāvana. By engaging me in your devotional service for the last 9 years, you have made me dearer to Krsna, although I have on my end no attraction for Him. By your causeless mercy and by following your clear and pure instruction, I will soon be able to see my Lord.

When in Vṛndāvana, I will cherish the memories of our association there. Especially, my mind remembers fondly our visit of Javat, guided by BB Govinda Maharaja, and our journey walking the soft and sandy path to Ter Kadamba, that Srimati Radharani and other gopis used to tread on their way to Nandagoan. By meditating upon our time together, I will beg the Lord, his realm, His activities, pastimes, associates, etc. to keep me fixed in your service. Because there are no safer place in the whole three world than at your lotus feet.

Please offer me your blessings, on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.

Your hopeful servant,

Gauranga&nbsp;Gopala&nbsp;das

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.

On this most auspicious occasion, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to you, Gurudeva. Your compassion knows no bounds—especially for those who show even the slightest desire to know Kṛṣṇa. Out of your limitless mercy, you personally reach out, take them by the hand, and gently guide them from darkness into the light of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And even after bringing them to that light, you never leave them alone. You continue to protect, nourish, and uplift them through your ever-flowing kindness and precious personal association.
Your love and care for each devotee is so personal and deep. You constantly encourage and guide us, helping us engage more and more in devotional service—the real wealth of our lives.

I remember in one of your lectures you said, “The greatest fortune in life is to have a devotee guide who lovingly corrects and trains us in bhakti.” Gurudeva, I truly feel blessed beyond words that, by your mercy, I have come into the shelter of such a wonderful community of devotees—trained and inspired by you—who are full of compassion and always ready to help me in my spiritual journey.
From the bottom of my heart, I remain forever grateful to you, and I pray to serve you as your humble servant.

When I moved to New Zealand, one of my śikṣā-gurus told me something which I always remember:

Don’t worry too much about understanding the depths of śāstra. Just keep doing what your spiritual master asks you to do, and in time, Kṛṣṇa will give you all understanding, according to your desire to serve him.

I try to live by those words—holding your instructions close to my heart and applying them in both my spiritual and material life. By doing so, I feel a growing sense of joy, strength, and clarity. I don’t know how much intelligence I have, but I know for sure that simply following your words gives me the power to continue this spiritual path with the support and love of the devotee community. For this, I am eternally indebted to you.

In particular, your personal encouragement in prasādam distribution has been a great blessing. You shared so many ideas with us and inspired us to take part in this most merciful service. By your grace, I have been able to engage in it successfully and experience great joy in serving others through prasādam.

Deep within my heart, I carry the strong desire to surrender fully to your lotus feet—by serving you and devotees with all sincerity. Please always keep me close to your feet, as your humble servant, so I can continue to serve in ways that please you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and Śrī Gaurāṅga.

Your eternally grateful servant,
Gauranga Mohan Dās

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, Gurudev

Today, we celebrated your Vyasa Puja at the Los Angeles temple. Hearing from many senior devotees about how you risked everything by traveling to countries opposed to spirituality to fulfill your spiritual master’s mission was deeply inspiring and moving.

Gurudev, your visits to the Los Angeles temple are always filled with spiritual bliss and ecstasy, whether through your classes, outreach programs, or initiation ceremonies.

Despite your busy schedule, you always take the time to offer my daughter guidance in such a perfect manner that she can deeply reflect and meditate upon it, while also caring for our family’s well-being.

Thank you for all you have given to us, Gurudev. Every time I engage in deity service, I think of your causeless mercy upon me, and I am deeply grateful and forever indebted to you.

On this auspicious Vyasa Puja day, I humbly pray to Lord Krishna to bless you with a long life of health, peace, and lots of strength to uplift many fallen souls like myself.


Your insignificant servant,
Gaurangachandra Das

Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhu-tale srimate devamrita swamin iti namine

Pracare purva-daksyam&nbsp;ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah

Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.

You are my spiritual master, my shelter, and my guide in life.

Gurudeva, your words during classes and personal darshan touch the hearts of devotees all over the world. They inspire and transform lives.

When you first came to Adelaide, Gauraranya Prabhu was cleaning your room, and by his mercy, I was also allowed to help. That was the first time I had your darshan. I could hardly look at you because of your effulgent aura. You seemed like a person from Goloka, sent here to serve Srila Prabhupada with full dedication.

During one of your personal darshans, I came with my devotee friend. We were standing at the door, and you kindly invited us in. You asked us like a caring father how we were, what we were doing in Adelaide, about our work shifts, when we were taking prasadam, our sleeping times, and our chanting rounds. I was so overwhelmed by your kindness that I was calling you “Prabhu,” and the devotee frined next to me reminded me to say “Maharaj.” I didn’t even realize what I was saying because I was lost for words in your presence.

Your compassion and the way you make people feel comfortable is like an artist painting with perfect colors.

Gurudeva, you are my glorious master and my shelter.

kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya

“One may be a brāhmaṇa, a śūdra, or even a sannyāsī, but if he is well-versed in the science of Krishna, he is fit to be a spiritual master.” (Cc. Madhya 8.128)

A spiritual master is not qualified by birth but by deep knowledge and realization of Krishna.


Gurudeva, you are that pure Vaiṣṇava, fully knowledgeable in the science of Krishna consciousness.

The personal care and attention you give to people always amazes and inspires me. In one recent lecture I heard, a devotee asked you how, after studying at Yale University, the corporate lifestyle did not affect you. Your answer was so inspiring. You said that for one whole year you did not read the news or anything outside of Srila Prabhupada’s books, and later, only for planning purposes, you read some other material. You always take challenges to spread Bhakti and to serve others. You are the ideal follower of Srila Prabhupada, taking hardships for all of us so that we may associate with devotees and practice devotional service.

Gurudeva, you are my glorious master and my shelter.

You are one of the greatest innovators in ISKCON, creating new ways to preach to the present generation and providing training and support for all of us. You make the complex philosophical points to the contemporary language used by the people and also you give the instructions how it can be applied in the practical life,Your actions speak even louder than your words. Like establishing loft programs, Mantra lounge, and also university lectures like the event of Happiness.
Your dear disciple, HG Sevya Bhagavan Prabhuji following your footsteps he travels monthly once to Adelaide, during the visit he inspires us with book distribution, classes and also cooking for the youth program. We boys from Adelaide are eternally indebted to you Gurudeva. Prabhuji invests all his energy in service and inspires us with his genuine care and attention to detail.

Gurudeva, you are my glorious master and my shelter.

You are also one of the greatest advocates of book distribution in the world. During your recent visit to London, you personally went on book distribution for the monthly sankirtan festival, which inspired me so much. In Melbourne, you said that chanting all 16 rounds at one time gives the strength and energy needed to distribute books.

Gurudeva, you are the most merciful father who gave me Krishna in my life. I am eternally indebted to you. In your conversation with the Adelaide devotees, you emphasized the two qualities of gratitude and appreciation. Your gratitude and appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON are impeccable.

Gurudeva, you are my glorious master and my shelter.

You are one of the most precious jewels produced by Srila Prabhupada.

We are eagerly waiting for your retreat and also to visit Adelaide Gurudeva.

Gurudeva, you are my glorious master and my shelter.

Aspiring to be your servant ,
Giri Govardhana Das

Hare Krishna Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

As a representative of Srila Prabhupada and the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu you tirelessly preach to conditioned souls all over the globe, and are constantly meditating on finding new ways of presenting the philosophy to the wild west, and you touch the hearts of people from so many diverse backgrounds. Recently when I brought a group of girls from the Studio to meet you they were so moved by the fatherly affection and care you showed them. When you preach in classes, you anticipate the doubts people are holding in their hearts and bring them to light by expressing them directly in a disarming way. In this way you destroy the darkness of ignorance by revealing the obstacles in our own hearts. By your humility you get us to see how our vision of the world and reaction to reversals differs so dramatically from how exalted personalities from the Bhagavatam would react, but at the same time you uplift us by saying that this level of consciousness is not out of our reach; just by hearing about and contemplating the pastimes of these exalted devotees we can purify our own hearts.

There are many times when your kindness has touched my heart. When I was pregnant with Gaurahari you told me not to be in anxiety and gave us the instruction to do a marathon reading of Caitanya Caritamrta; due to your mercy Gaurahari heard the whole CC in the womb. When we recently came for darshan and Gaurahari was having a tantrum, you were not fazed and mercifully tolerated the noise and still gave us so much of your time and mercy. Thank you so much.

I was reflecting recently on one memory I had of you coming to the ashram in Philadelphia and leading kirtan; during the kirtan I kept meditating on how the spiritual master is the external representation of the Supersoul and my mind was totally absorbed in gratitude of how I was able to be in your presence. On thinking about this recently I realised that every devotee is a manifestation of Krishna’s energy and mercy in our lives, and how grateful we should be for that. Only by the association of devotees can we make any spiritual advancement.

Gaurahari loves me to narrate him stories from the Krishna book, and recently I had been absorbed in narrating the pastime of Krishna killing Dhenukasura to him. I remembered that each demon is affiliated with an anartha and upon researching I found that, as you know, Dhenukasura represents ignorance of knowledge of the soul through gross materialistic intelligence, or jackass-like foolishness. I felt that this really described me. At the same time, in my reading of Srimad Bhagavatam I came across the purport in 4.4.13 which says: “Offenses are generally committed by persons who falsely identify with the impermanent body. King Dakṣa was deeply engrossed in a misconception because he identified the body with the soul. He offended the lotus feet of Lord Śiva because he thought that his body, being the father of the body of Satī, was superior to Lord Śiva’s. Generally, less intelligent men misidentify in that way, and they act in the bodily concept of life. Thus they are subject to commit more and more offenses at the lotus feet of great souls.” I was reflecting how this lack of knowledge that we are not this body causes us to make offences. I appreciate how you have always urged your disciples to read Srila Prabhupada’s books seriously and get higher knowledge, and then realise that knowledge through engaging in devotional service. As you know, it is explained that this ass demon is killed by Balarāma who is the original spiritual master, and thus “our donkey-like propensities are destroyed by the bonafide spiritual master” while at the same time these contaminations must be cast out through “great endeavour on the part of the devotee.” But it is only through taking shelter of the bonafide spiritual master that we get the strength to overcome our anarthas and see the inner transformation through. Please help me to change in the way that I need to in order to come closer to the lotus feet of Guru and Gauranga; it is only by catching onto your lotus feet that I have any strength at all. Further, I pray that I can in some way serve those who are serving you.

Gurudev, you have complete mastery over your mind and senses, and I bow down continuously at your lotus feet and beg for shelter there, as my mind and senses are constantly tossing me around violently. You said recently that the bonafide spiritual master is one who only speaks what Krishna says, and that is both very easy and very difficult to do. I have observed that this is exactly what you do, while making it applicable to us in the wild west today.

I feel so grateful for your guidance and presence in my life, and I trust your authority and know that you are my true well-wisher. I pray for more guidance and the ability to hear you properly and the capacity to change and purify myself in a progressive way. I pray that whatever I do may be pleasing to you and that I may assist you in your mission of helping others. Ever since I was a young child I’ve wanted to help others, but I didn’t know how to actually help others until I met you and your kind disciples who showed me how to access compassion for others’ suffering and be free of my own.

In Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya Lila 16.237 purport, Prabhupada writes: "He must swim over the ocean (of material existence) very patiently and intelligently under the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or His representative. Then, one day, he will reach the shore and return home, back to Godhead.” In a recent class you said (I’m paraphrasing) that after a lifetime of cleaning our hearts than the tiny spark can dance with the fire again. I pray that by your shelter and guidance I can return to my true position as a tiny spark within the Krishna fire.

Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Gita Govinda dasi

Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this special day of your appearance.

I often wonder—when you came to New Zealand,
Did you already see thriving temples, outreach centers, a retreat, a farm?
Prasadam outlets, university programs, mass book distribution,
Brahmacari ashrams, ashrams for single men and women,
And a stable grhastha community?

Did you hope the devotees drawn to Krishna
Would be nourished in head and heart,
Looked after, happy, well-trained, attached to hearing and chanting?

In my short time here, I’ve seen some of your plan unfold,
Your expertise guiding everything.
Through that, so many like me have come to Krishna consciousness
And been inspired to give it to others.

As projects grew, you guided with—
Expert judgment, keen spiritual insight, deep foresight, and care.
Answering questions, holding meetings, suggesting courses,
Sponsoring initiatives, offering encouragement,
Sharing practical strategies, giving educational books, clarifying philosophy,
Ensuring everything is done for the best for Krishna.

As you said in Auckland, what we see in New Zealand is just a part
Of your service. You oversee so much more—
Projects and responsibilities, disciples, communities.
Such is your unfathomable empowerment
In assisting Srila Prabhupada and the parampara.

Not all who came to Srila Prabhupada were hippies—
Some were educated.
You went to an elite boarding school in New Hampshire,
Among some of the wealthiest children,
Then on to Yale, one of the USA’s most prestigious universities.
Yet, despite growing up in New York City—
“The greatest place on earth,” as you joke—
You walked away from it all,
When you came upon Srila Prabhupada’s mission
And gave your life to serving him.

In 1972, Srila Prabhupada wrote:
"My Spiritual Master knew it that alone I could not do this great work.
Therefore He has sent you to help me,
As my affectionate disciples."

Last year, in Central Park, NY, one devotee shared where you grew up.
It was close to where we were harinam.
Walking those streets, lined with high-rises,
I felt deep appreciation for what you renounced
To serve Srila Prabhupada,
And gratitude that I have the chance to be associated with you,
A pure devotee of the Lord.

May I never take your association lightly.
May I always remember and cherish this gift.
I humbly pray I may assist you
In any small way, I can in this transcendental master plan.

Your servant,
Gokul lila dd

Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.

I pray to Lord Krishna for your good health and may you continue to save the fallen conditioned souls around the world by giving them Krishna consciousness.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, canto1, chapter 16, verse 4, Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport:

“The Age of Kali means mismanagement and quarrel. And the root cause of all mismanagement and quarrel is that worthless men with the modes of lower-class men, who have no higher ambition in life, come to the helm of the state management. Such men at the post of a king are sure to first hurt the cow and the brahminical culture, thereby pushing all society towards hell.”

Dear Gurudeva, as you travel around the world, in your lectures, you are constantly highlighting the plight of the current society and condemning the world leaders for their self-aggrandizement policies. The ‘skin disease’ as you call it that has turned people against each other. Any sane person who hears your talks will have no difficulty accepting the highest truth presented in Srila Prabhupada’s books.

You are tirelessly working on establishing cow protection and brahminical culture. In your talks, you bring out the dark reality of the dairy industry in Australia and New Zealand, well supported by statistics and videos. I personally witnessed some of that cruelty on cows, calves and bulls when I booked a holiday accommodation at a farm, not realising it was a dairy farm and spent a few days there witnessing first hand the cruelty imposed on cows, calves and bulls. At your last visit to Melbourne temple, you urged everyone including the temple management, whilst presenting a statistic from overnight research conducted by Gopa Vrndesh prabhu (true to your presentation style) to buy cruelty free milk.

I often hear you say at the initiation lectures that ‘we are creating the real brahmanas”. Without any discrimination, you are pushing forward Srila Prabhupada’s mission to create real brahmanas, trying all different strategies to reach out to the humanity, be it loft programs for the western crowd or farm retreats and youth programs for the Indian crowd.

In Canto 1, chapter 1, verse 8, the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya say to Suta Goswami:
“And because you are submissive, your spiritual masters have endowed you with all the favours bestowed upon a gentle disciple”

Your surrender to the mission of your spiritual master has empowered you to influence the world. Anyone who meets you can immediately understand that you are a great personality. They can experience your compassion and want to render some service to you.

Recently I was feeling overwhelmed by the services I was doing for a small outreach program. After cooking for the program, I would drive for almost 50 minutes in peak hour traffic to pick up guests and bring them to the venue as there was no direct public transport from their home to the venue. My mind was telling me I was doing too much, and I don’t need to give so much of myself to others, especially when they don’t care to reciprocate. At that moment the Supersoul in my heart brought up a memory of what I had heard you say in a talk that during the days of Iron curtain you and perhaps another devotee drove to a distant town simply because you heard a person was spotted there wearing a Lord Shiva t-shirt! I suddenly felt very enthused, and my tiredness dissipated. I chuckled to myself for complaining about driving down a few suburbs to pick up confirmed guests.

I beg you on this auspicious day of your Vyasapuja to please bless me to always remain engaged in your service by assisting your disciples who are working very hard to please you by carrying out your instructions.

Your servant
Gokula Sundari dd.

Namo om Vishnu padaya Krishna prestaya bhutale Shrimate Devamrita-swamin iti namine

Pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata Pararthathapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you Gurumaharaj.

Please accept my respectable obeisances at your lotus feet on your divine appearance day.

Hare Krishna Dear Gurumaharaj,
A Very happy krishna conscious birthday to you.

Your travelling is very intensive and is inspiring to me Guru Maharaj, You are taking a lot of efforts to spread Lord Chaitanyas message to every nook and corner of this world and encouraging us to take up this Krishna consciousness very seriously.

You travels from country to country just to liberate the fallen souls who are too much materially engaged for sense gratification.

Wherever your divine presence is there that place becomes auspicious. One small example from my life which happened recently Guru Maharaj, I have some misunderstanding happened with one god brother and we weren't talking each other for couple of months. I was praying to the lordship to re-establish the connection between us. On the day of Vyasapuja day in Melbourne because of your mercy we talked each other and I was so happy Guru Maharaj.

In one of the recent lectures( if I heard properly and remembered it correctly) you mentioned that first deserve then desire and aspire to become a Krishna bhakta. I am praying at your lotus feet that please accept my as one of your disciples wherever you are for life after life Guru Maharaj.

Begging at your lotus feet for blessings and mercy on me, to continue my Krishna conscious life and to be continuing in the association of the devotees, serving the devotees and try me best to spread the glories of Srila Prabupad.

All glories to Srila Prabupad and all glories to you Guru Maharaj.

Your insignificant servant,
Goloka-Vāsī Dāsa

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you and your selfless services to Srila Prabhupada.

I am deeply grateful to you for your wonderful classes. They consistently provide answers to the many questions I hold in my heart, helping me deepen my understanding of the scriptures. The examples you share are always so relatable and easy to grasp, making complex concepts simple to follow. Your kirtans are truly ecstatic and fill my heart with deep sense of devotion and joy.

I pray that you may bless me to develop the same deep love and appreciation for the holy name of the lord, and that I may be able to serve you with more sincerity and devotion in the future. I am eternally grateful for accepting me as your disciple, and feel incredibly fortunate to have a guru like you. Thank you for engaging me in the service of the lord and for guiding me on this path of devotion.


Your aspiring disciple,
Golokeśa Das

Dearest Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to you!

On this most sacred occasion of your Vyāsa Pūjā, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for your causeless mercy and guidance. Whatever little advancement we have made in spiritual life is solely by your compassion and the blessings we have received from you.

Guru Mahārāja, your instructions and your personal example show us how to live by the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda in every circumstance. Your guidance gives us strength to continue despite our many shortcomings. Especially this year, we feel most indebted, for it is only by your causeless mercy and the blessings of senior Vaiṣṇavas that we were granted the great fortune of receiving brahminical initiation. By this rare and sacred gift, we have been allowed to render some service to the beautiful forms of Śrī Śrī Rādhā Kuñja Bihārī. We know well that such service is far beyond our qualification, yet by your mercy it has become possible. For this, we remain forever indebted at your lotus feet.

Gurudeva, your words, your life, and your example constantly remind us that bhakti is not mere theory but living practice, not convenience but surrender, not ritual but heartfelt devotion. By your instructions, we pray to deepen our sincerity, to strengthen our sādhanā, and to always remain sheltered in service to the Vaiṣṇavas.

We have nothing of value to offer you, Guru Mahārāja, except our humble prayers to remain your servants’ servants forever.

Your insignificant aspiring servants,
Gopa Bhav Das,
Shakhi Bhav Dasi,
Jisnu, and Sudama

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

All glories to your divine appearance day.

I always marvel at how you are engaged in such diverse services in the service of your beloved spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda. As a GBC you manage your zones by inspiring and guiding managers and devotees in various yātrās. At the same time, your heart is deeply invested in non-traditional outreach for those who do not inherit Vedic culture. To this end, you have established dynamic outreach centres across the world that are especially appealing to that audience. You showed how to attract people from various cultural backgrounds long before yoga and Āyurveda retreats became a trend in ISKCON. Yet, you accomplished this profound task solely on the strength of your complete faith in the process bestowed by Śrīla Prabhupāda—reading and distributing his books.

As an author, your unique and thought-provoking writings have attracted countless people, inspiring them to reflect on the futility of a life consumed by daily grind and to turn their thoughts toward something higher. As a visionary and strategist, you have conceived successful farm projects that focus on food production, and to guide devotees in this service you have personally invested time in studying farming and food sustainability. You are equally vocal about the importance of cow protection and the consumption of ahiṁsā milk. Recently you encouraged devotees to consume ahiṁsā ghee rather than reclining on the comfort of ghee sourced from unprotected cows, or resorting to oil, which Śrīla Prabhupāda discouraged in his time.

As a BBT director, you tirelessly ensure that the ācāryas’ commentaries are published with uncompromising standards—presenting accurate translations and purports of the highest quality. In one of your lectures, you mentioned: “Devotees usually think that we can just go to Loi Bazar and buy any translation of the ācāryas’ books and they will all be accurate for deep study. This is not true, and that is why Śrīla Prabhupāda established the BBT.” You consistently encourage reading BBT books for this very reason.

While performing all these services for the pleasure of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Kṛṣṇa, you also make yourself accessible to your disciples and followers for guidance and support. In Melbourne, we are most fortunate that you visit multiple times a year, making yourself available to all of us through your lectures and personal darśanas. I see this as undeserved mercy bestowed upon us, for which I feel deeply grateful.

Although I am filled with many anarthas and pitiable qualities, I pray that I may serve your mission with body, mind, and words throughout my life.

Your servant,
Gopa-Vṛndeśa Dāsa

Dear Gurudeva.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for your guidance and presence over all of the years, through the ups and downs you have always remained a steady guiding light and I can see myself slowly but surely heading to where I should be going. I pray that I can bring more people along for the journey.

Your servant,

Gopala Guru dasa

Hare Krishna, dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories unto you

Seeking inspiration for this offering, I went back and read some of the offerings of my spiritual brothers and sisters from previous years. It was wonderful to dive into their stories, all centered around you as the main character.

I remember the great festival in Ukraine. The journey to get there was one thing, but the real journey began upon arrival—lectures, kirtans, seminars…
The kirtan evenings were my favorite, especially when it was your turn to lead. So much ecstasy, so much dancing. I was playing the flute, and in my heart I really wanted to join the dancers, yet at the same time it was so blissful to keep playing. I simply couldn’t choose.

Dear Gurudev, the mood of your kirtana is truly out of this world.
Every time you come to Bulgaria, the whole atmosphere is uplifted, as if we are transported to another realm.

Thank you for being the inspiration for the devotional service of my whole family.
Thank you for being the best spiritual father !

Wishing you great Vyasa Puja.

Your servant,
Gopi-gitamrita devi dasi

Dear Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.

Thank you for inspiring me and guiding me in my Devotional service. Thank you for encouraging me and instructing me in such a way that is so much in line with my nature and level of Krishna consciousness. I'm extremely pleased to have such an exalted spiritual master with such an amazing track record of service experience.

In the Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila it says that 'it is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.' And 'By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions that will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and the next'.

In the course of your service you have given your wealth, intelligence and words and performed the topmost welfare work for humanity at large by selflessly giving Krishna Consciousness to others. Benefiting bewildered souls like myself in this life and the next.

Thank you for being a living example of someone who acts in accordance with these two above mentioned verses.

Your servant,
'The quietest man in Wales'.

Hare Krishna Dearest GuruMaharaj,

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
gurudev!

kṛpā-bindu diyā, koro' ei dāse,
tṛṇāpekhā ati hīna
sakala sahane, bala diyā koro',
nija-māne spṛhā-hīna

“Gurudeva, O spiritual master! Give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations.”

Mercy is a word very commonly used amongst devotes, but I wonder if I have got the true understanding of it and how precious it is.

According to dictionary meaning of “Mercy” is: "Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm."

Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura describes “the spiritual master as that great devotee who has been given special access to the ocean of Krishna’s mercy. Just as a cloud may rain on a blazing wild forest fire, the Vaishnava spiritual master can pour water from the ocean of mercy on the burning heart of the conditioned soul”

When I reflect on my life, I wonder all that I’m made up of is your mercy and nothing else. If not for your love, care, guidance, I would have gone deep down into my material life. You patiently tolerate my shortcomings and constantly engage me in devotional service. No matter how much ever I try to run away from you, you always give me an opportunity to serve you and the supreme lord.

You take so much of austerities and trouble in your travels just so you can give us your mercy in the form of personal association and guidance. In one of your lectures, you mentioned how while travelling to a particular country which is austere and has strict rules at the airport, you were sick and you had to collect your 40 kg of baggage on your own. You came out of the airport hoping that devotees will be waiting for you. As you were sick you wanted to use the restroom. You waited and waited, and 40 minutes passed, and no one arrived. To use the restroom, you had to go across the road, climb down two floors of steps. You carried all your heavy baggage amidst your sickness climbed down two floors, used the restroom, climbed back up carrying your 40 kg baggage. Devotees arrived at the airport apologising that they were waiting for you in the other airport. When asked if everything was ok, you never mentioned anything to them. You go through all this, because you wanted to give mercy to fallen souls like me. When I heard you narrating this incident, I realised how I’m taking you for granted, taking your mercy for granted and taking my life for granted.

“Mercy means we are receiving something we don’t deserve.”

You have mercifully blessed me materially and spiritually with everything that is needed to progressively march forward in my spiritual journey, way beyond what I deserve.

Dear Guru Maharaj, I’m so caught up with my mind that I fail to see them and my heart is filled with dissatisfaction, regrets, envy and complaints. As years pass by, I can see that I still have a long way to go. Even though I’m not able to appreciate your mercy please always be merciful to me.

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"

You mercifully engage me and my prabhu in preaching service. If not for this service, we don’t know how we will sustain our Krishna consciousness. As a loving father you exactly know the strength and weakness nature of each of your child. You mercifully, lovingly and patiently engage them in devotional service accordingly.

Srila Prabhupada in his morning walk says “So they have become. But when he becomes street dog? That means he has to depend on good master. Big apartment for dog means he belongs to the master. So, he has to find out a good master. But if he fails to find out a good master, then he's street dog. Dog's life is good, provided he gets a good master. So therefore, we have decided to become dog of Kṛṣṇa, (laughter) the best master. And the master says, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ (BG 18.66): "I will give you protection." So why not become dog of Kṛṣṇa? Therefore, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings, vaiṣṇava ṭhākura, tomāra kukura, boliyā jānaha more (from Śaraṇāgati): "O Vaiṣṇava, please accept me as your dog." Because to become Kṛṣṇa's dog, one has to become the dog of a Vaiṣṇava. Then he will be admitted as Kṛṣṇa's dog. Vaiṣṇava ṭhākura, tomāra kukura, boliyā jānaha more.”

I’m a dog of a glorious master but I still have the mentality of a street dog. I’m wandering everywhere with my mind; my heart is filled with things that is blocking my bhakti.

Oh, Merciful master, no matter how much ever I wander, with the leash of your mercy please bring me under your control and engage me in the service of your lotus feet.

On this most auspicious day I seek your blessings to continue in the journey of my Krishna consciousness with full enthusiasm. Let my heart be filled with gratitude, with deep humility, devotion. Let me serve the holy name and Vaishnavas without duplicity, let your words go deeper in my heart and purify my consciousness and let me not wander with my mind like a street dog.
On this most auspicious day I pray to Lord Narashima dev to bless you with good health, so you can continue to preach around the world and touch the lives of many other fallen souls by giving them your causeless mercy and help them turn towards the Supreme Lord.

aspiring to be your humble servant,
Gopipremamrita devi dasi

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. On this most blessed day, I would try to glorify you just as a candle would try to lit up the sunshine. Your merciful glance upon an undeserving person like myself is itself the highest blessing I ever received.
I don't have any good qualities, am being chased by Maya very now and then, but please always grant me the shelter of your lotus feet.

Yours sincerely,
Goshtendra Nanda Das

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 dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your divine service on this most auspicious occasion of your 75th Vyasa Puja.

Although I feel unqualified to glorify you, I write this offering as my duty.
Gurudev, your love and care are truly unparalleled. Tirelessly, you travel the world not for personal gain, but to uplift and awaken the dormant Krishna consciousness in others. This selfless spirit reminds me of King Rantideva from the Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto Nine, as you recently described so vividly in your lecture in Adelaide. Like him, you remain unconcerned with material accumulation or comfort, instead living to serve others with deep compassion and pure devotion.
Your life is a living example of uttama-bhakti—always focused on relieving the suffering of others, even at great personal inconvenience. You have saved countless souls and extended your personal guidance to me, for which I am eternally grateful.

Sadly, I must admit I have not followed your instructions with the sincerity and dedication they deserve. Still, I sincerely pray for the strength and determination to follow your guidance with my heart and soul.

On this sacred day, I humbly pray to Sri Sri Radha-Vallabha to bless you with a long, healthy, and vibrant life so you may continue your divine mission of rescuing fallen souls like myself.

Your disobedient servant,
Govinda Darsana Dasa

Dear most Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

Celebrating your 75th Vyasa puja today, makes it the most glorious day. Best thing that has happened in my life is your compassion to give me

1. Shelter at your lotus feet,

2. Opportunity serve Guru Parampara in the sankirtan mission

Leading by example, you are showing us how to be a real disciple. With tolerance and patience, you are guiding us and showing us the path forward to Krishna. With your body, mind and words fully dedicated to serving your Guru, you shine as a bright star in Prabhupada’s family.

You are selflessly and tirelessly carrying forward Prabhupada’s legacy, inspiring and enthusing countless souls in Bhakti lifestyle. And in spite of all your achievements you remain totally humble, expecting no glory or recognition.

Guru Maharaja, through your personal, loving, and caring dealings, you melt even the hardest of hearts. Just hearing you speak once made it clear to me that I needed to take shelter of your guidance and instructions.

Thank you so much for transforming my dull life into one of meaning and purpose. May Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy always be upon you, empowering you to continue rescuing conditioned souls like me and bringing them to Krishna’s shelter.

I pray and hope that one day I will be able to serve you better.


Your Servant

Govinda kund devi dasi

--

nama om visnu padaya Krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrta-svamin iti namine

pracare 'purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namaha


Dear Gurudev, in this anniversary of your appearance in this world, I honer you and give you my humble obeisances, all of my love and appreciation, that you are deeply absorbed in serving Krishna more than 50 years and fulfill with dedication the desire of your Guru.
Just like your spiritual master, who left Vrindavana to bring unalloyed, pure devotional love all over the world, you - out of your own compassion, and at the expense of your own comfort - tirelessly travel, meet so many people and give opportunity to all of us to purify our&nbsp; consciousness through your classes and sweetest kirtans.
By bringing the light of shastra for us, showing us the way to Krishna you are making us so joyful, and our life so easy.

I prayed to Srila Praphupada to send me
a spiritual master like you and I am so&nbsp; grateful to him that he send one of his perfect followers, who is showing me what it means to be a disciple.

I follow the path of bhakti, but I don't have any strength... I'm weak ...I need your strength. I am fickle and undisciplined, my mind is fluttering, but I already have a shelter, now I must do my part to satisfy you and I will try to do everything I can from my side to be a good deciple,
looking forward to the day when I can serve you nicely.

Dear Gurudev, you are my only protection even when you are far away. I don't have any other protection.
It is such a great feeling to be dependent on you.
You give me so many ways to connect with you.
My mind is not my friend and maybe it won't be easy giving my life to you and to the mission but it is worth every difficulty and every obstacle, because no matter
where I may go, I always have on my mind
your lotus feet, your instructions
and your example to navigate me.

Dear Gurudev, I am so proud of you and i hope some day to be worthy of such a spiritual master like you.

Thank you for your shelter! Thank you for the beautiful name you gave me!
Thank you for traveling to Bulgaria every year for us, I know that it is a big renunsiation and I don't take it for granted.


"...Actually the meaning of the words of the&nbsp;Bhagavad-gītā&nbsp;or&nbsp;Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam&nbsp;are revealed to one strictly following the orders of the spiritual master. They are also revealed to one who has equal faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, being faithful to both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master is the secret of success in spiritual life...."
(CC Madhya 9.98, Purport)


I will always remember the strong emphasis that you put on reading of Srila Prabhupada's books and distributing them.&nbsp;
I know there will be so many challenges and obstacles in spiritual life, but I also know that by your mercy and your strength I will overcome them.. I will fight!
I wish one day you will be satisfied with my own progress and the progress of all your disciples.

I pray that you will always be in good health, that I can serve you in a manner most pleasing to you and learn how to love Krishna.

Trying to be your servant,
Goṣṭheśvarī Devī Dāsī

Hare Krishna dear Gurumaharaj,

I greet you with much love on the day of your appearance.

I can never be sufficiently grateful for the fatherly care I have received from you.
Every year I eagerly await the opportunity to serve you when you are so kind as to visit Nava Vraja-Dhama.

Thank you for allowing me to enter Krishna's family.

I hope to serve you many more times.
I pray to Krishna that He will give you many more happy and healthy years.


Your grateful servant, spiritual daughter
Gunamālā Devī Dāsī

Dear Gurudeva, Hare Krishna

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.

As time goes by, it is natural for a human being to go through different phases in dealing with the psycho-physical nature of the body. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet you in the early phase of my young adult life. I am even more grateful that you accepted me as your disciple nearly ten years ago.

As you know, I am now entering a different phase of life, and I feel deeply thankful for your direct guidance, corrections, and profound instructions, which I will forever carry with me. Thank you for being my spiritual father, for I truly feel like an indebted son.

I hope and pray that Krishna gives me exactly what I need to fulfill the mission of pleasing you, just as you are pleasing your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Although weak and full of faults, amidst the obstacles of life, my heart desires to forever hold on to your guidance and follow you to that transcendental abode beyond this material nature.

Your insignificant servant,
Hari Bhakta dasa

Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.

Thank you so much for inspiring me in sankirtan and thank you for making my parents devotees so that I can be raised in Krishna consciousness.

I remember once on sankirtana in London I wasn’t distributing any books but then you told me that you knew I could and that you would watch me. After that I distributed some books and introduced some people to you and hopefully by your mercy they become devotees.

Your humble servant,

Haridev Das

Hare Krishna dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.

Today is the auspicious day of your appearance - "Happy 75th Vyasa puja to my dear spiritual father!".

Ever since you came into my life, everything is upside down. My animalistic tendencies have started slowly changing to the beginning of human life, my ill fortunes turned into good fortunes, my energy's course is being channelled and finally my thoughts &amp; actions too - bit by a bit.

Despite repeating the same words that 'my human life would be a waste without you', it is not an exaggeration or a verbal ornament, I'm genuinely confident that my life would have been upside down - the other way without you, Gurudev!

In Bhagavad Gita, 9.22, Krishna says:
ananyāś cintayanto māṁ
ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ
yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham

"But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have."

My meditation is that - you are displaying 'yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham' in every moment of my life. I see that you the one who is protecting and providing everything that I lack in my insignificant efforts to serve! By means of service, I see that you are providing 99.99% where I lack and mercifully accept my tiny share of 0.01% in the form of desire (that too, mixed) and in-turn manifest in such a way that many new souls are getting attracted to Krishna and appreciating Krishna Conscious philosophy.

By this, my conclusion is that - as long as I see your hand and as long as I understand that I'm not the doer, I know this sloka applies to me and your protection is 'ON'.

Another meditation is that - Krishna is the FIRE and you are the OIL whose energy emanates the fire to dissipate all darkness all over the world. There are many powerful, empowered wicks in this glorious movement, but if I get an opportunity to be a tiny burnt wick which caters flickering of some light to someone even for a brief period of time, I consider this life as a great success. The reason for this begging is that I have never been of any real value all through my life until I met you. Knowing I cannot repay that debt, I want to try fulfilling your desires in some form.

Gurudev, please continue to hold, empower, discharge your desires to your beloved Srila Prabhupada and in this process kindly give me an opportunity to be your instrument and please do not discard me yet. The day you discard &amp; disown me is the day my life will again go upside down, like a lifeless stone that sinks into the water.

On this day, I pray to Lord Narasimha dev to give you immense physical strength that you continue preaching and transforming many more animals to start their human journey and let you remain as the endless OIL which goes on dissipating darkness of many, many fallen souls in this dark world for all ages and let the FIRE of Krishna spread all over this world.

With love &amp; gratitude from your spiritual son,
Harinamamrita das

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to you, my Gurudev!

Happy Birthday!

On this special occasion I pray to Krishna for your good health and wish you all the best.

Thank you very much for accepting me - such a fallen soul. I am always feeling not qualified and not deserved. This is totally due to your mercy, that I have a chance to learn the art of devotion from you, and be picked up from the ocean of misery. For so many years I forgot about this purpose of life. I am forever indebted to you. I hope I will never be lost again. Please kindly allow me to follow you, by holding your trouser leg I can have a chance to escape from this prison, hoping one day I can be lucky enough to revive my original identity. I will you’re your advice, work hard and to strengthen myself.

Thank you for causeless mercy.

Hare Krishna.

Your minimal servant,

Haylia Esther

Dear Gurudeva,

With folded hands and a heart full of gratitude,
I bow at your lotus feet on this sacred day of your auspicious appearance.
All glories to you and Srila Prabhupada.

Many admire Krishna’s beauty,
and aspire for His eternal abode,
yet how rare are those
who open their ears with humility
and bear His words with steadfast hearts.

In you, Gurudeva,
who have taught us to hear with surrender—
to carry Krishna’s words not lightly,
but deep within, as our only true shelter.

Many delight in the sweetness of bhakti
when life flows gently like a river,
yet how few embrace the storm
and still call His name with love,

as their only anchor.

But rarer still are those who love Him
for His sake alone,
finding in sorrow itself
the sweetest service.

In you, Gurudeva,
who have shown us how to stand firm in trial,
how to serve when joy is absent,
and how to see even suffering
as Krishna’s hidden embrace.

Gurudeva,
you have lived this truth before our eyes.
You have shown us what it means
to serve without bargain,
to love without demand,
and to give all.

Who is that soul who seeks nothing,
stripped of self,
clothed only in surrender?
Such a servant gives up all,
yet sees himself as unworthy,
while in truth he becomes richer,
stronger, and freer
than any bound by this world.

Gurudeva, for more than five decades
you have walked before us,
showing by your life
what it means to be real in bhakti.
By your example,
we glimpse the treasure
of serving Krishna purely,
in joy and in trial alike.

On this day, I pray for your blessing:
may I, by your mercy,
learn to love and serve the Lord
without condition,
without fear,
and without end.

Your aspiring servant,
Hriman Krsna dasa

GM homage 2025

Dear GM,

Pamho.AgtSP. All glories to your lotus feet.

I would like to express how thankful I am to have you as my Spiritual Master and guide.

I've been very concerned about the current world situation, in particularly politics and it's influence on people around me.
Along side experiencing great impotence not feeling qualified to help restore humanity or even more my spiritual Sadhana.
I'm immersed in the world of sustanance for my family and find myself grappling for time to practice my vows. As I constantly contemplate how to better apply myself I find myself seeking your guidance by default. I gravitate towards your lectures and podcasts. I meditate on your life examples and I admire your selfless and surrendered service to Lord Chaitanya's mission. Unwavering and impeccable.
Exasperated about my situation I reflect on your life and see glimmers of hope. More than that I feel relief that someone is doing something. Not to say, other devotees are not doing something but I feel convinced your efforts have great impact on the world today. And I wish to follow in your footsteps. As I write I realise I have all the chance and responsibility to do that, so as to honour you in the best way possible. But how to start?
Ah, yes! I can hear you. "Bask in the glories of the holy names, Indranila". "Submerge yourself in the nectar of Lord Chaitanya's pastimes and chant and dance in the kirtan".
All things I fall short on time to do.

So for now, I direct my attention to your lotus feet. In great awe and reverence. With humility and gratitude. I cannot thank you enough for being in the fore front of this battle. As Srila Prabhupada's soldier. Taking up arms, namely sharing the whole names and delivering the message of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Fighting for all of us and them. For its the only way to save humanity. To help them develop God consciousness and to help them understand we're not this body and that nothing belongs to us.
I pray that I may soon be able to join you in this battle. To become another soldier, fighting in the battlefield. Where I can see you and Srila Prabhupada both standing.
Hoping not to be an outsider for too long.
Your servant always,
Indranila dd

Dearest Gurudeva,
please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you and to your lotus feet on this beautiful day.

This is my favorite time of the year: meditating on you and on your divine qualities, writing about you, glorifying you...I feel so fortunate! Before I came to Krishna-consciousness and before I got to know you, I couldn't even imagine that it is possible to feel this amount of unconditional love. This year (sadly) I didn't have so much time in your association, only 2 minutes in Budapest, but it was enough to fill me with gratitude, inspiration and enthusiasm: this is one of the qualities of pure devotees like you, even one second in their presence, even one glance, even one word, and they can change your life.

Thank you dear Gurudev for showing us how to be a perfect disciple, the perfect servant. Your dedication to Srila Prabhupada is beyond my imagination, and I'm always amazed by your example. I love you so much I can't even describe it.

This year has been very tough for me, but you keep me going and I will always be thankful for you. Always in your debt. I just hope somehow someday I can serve you and pay you back what you've given me, but I know it's impossible. But I'll keep trying to at least not to let you down.

Please keep me always in your service.
Your insignificant servant:
Isa Sanga Devi Dasi (Hungary)

Hare Krishna gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

On this auspicious day we acknowledge you for being expert at relationships. Its not easy or automatic to be able to reciprocate with so many people. You have people wanting things from you around the clock. You have your life in order, attending to your sadhana and going beyond the minimum, you have a packed itinerary which can be easy to make mistakes with but you catch all your planes like you were somehow immune to the 4 human frailties. On top of all that you seem to relate to everyone appropriately according to the relationship. Most would at some point experience "compassion burnout" - a phenomena experienced by many in the caring professions and parents, but mystically you handle all relationships with grace and have time and energy to preach, write books and even attend to managing an international society in multiple countries.

This year has been ecstatic for us. During our meeting with you in North Brisbane, you gave us great hope. You said to us regarding 16 rounds, to Muchukunda "give your children the gift of a father who chants 16 rounds" and to Isvari "I feel for the mums. I know that it's tough. It can be done and it will take something but the person you'll have to become will be very pleasing to me"

Thank you for your guidance.
Your servants

Isvari Kesavi Dasi and Muchukunda Das

Hare Krishna, dear Gurudeva. Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.

We are eternally indebted to you. You bind us with your care and affection for us. Your every word, gesture and action are meant for our wellbeing. You know us more than we could know ourselves and you use this knowledge not to exploit and belittle us, but to guide us towards Krishna. We are adamant to rott in the material world, but you are adamant to bring us back to the lotus feet of Krishna. We always scheme how to enjoy our senses, but you are always alert to our foolishness and mercifully correct us. We are proud with our broken pieces of glass, but you are humble possessing diamonds and perls. We always think of ourselves first, but you are always putting Krishna in the center. There are no more arrogant and foolish disciples than us, and yet you lovingly and mercifully guide us to become pure devotees. There is no Krishna for us without you.

trying to be your servants,
isvara candra dasa and chandrika devi dasi

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day! All glories to you! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Your unfathomable expertise in presenting Krishna Consciousness to every type of audience in a way that makes it most accessible and natural to take an interest in has been glorified countless times and will always be a prime topic for your disciples to contemplate.

As I was recently memorising one famous prayer of Prithu Maharaj when the Lord appeared in his sacrificial arena I got thrilled by how beautifully he describes that phenomenon of Krishna Consciousness being shared by pure devotees through speaking. In Śrimad Bhagavatam 4.20.24 he first proclaims that he doesn’t want any other benediction up to the point of liberation (na kāmaye nātha tad apy ahaṁ kvacin) unless the nectarean beverage of the lotus feet of the Lord is available (na yatra yuṣmac-caraṇāmbujāsavaḥ).

But fallen souls like me might then wonder - sounds very nice and poetic, but how should souls rotting down here in this material world ever get in touch with that sublime beverage? Maharaja Prithu then reveals a place where such nectar is carefully hidden, yet paradoxically at the same time easily accessible even for conditioned souls in this world. mahattamāntar-hṛdayān: That nectar is to be found in the core of the hearts of the Lord’s pure devotees where they continuously cherish it. In there they very carefully protect the intimacy of their relationship with the Love Supreme, Sri Krishna. Those who actually get to taste that divine nectar of Krishna’s lotus feet would never cheaply expose-, breaking trust in that most intimate, treasured relationship.

Yet seeing so many souls in this world foolishly suffering, especially in this Kali-yuga wherein the Lord’s illusory potency makes a most hellish, self-destructive lifestyle appear as perfectly normal and indeed advanced and sophisticated, having made themselves bereft of tasting that nectar naturally available in one’s eternal relationship with Krishna, pure soft-hearted souls like yourself feel a great urge to induce as many of those souls to once again turn towards that nectar. mukha-cyuto: Therefore from that reservoir of nectar in the hearts of the devotee droplets come out through the mouth, entering through the ears the hearts of the sincere hearer, giving them relief from the otherwise insurmountable disease of avidya which blocks their vision to their real self and Supreme Self.

Yet while it is natural for someone like you to want to share such nectar with others, that does not mean that no austerities would be required to do so in the best way. From the very days of your starting your active participation in sankirtan, going out 7 days a week, you eagerly endeavoured to please Srila Prahupada amidst any kind of difficulties and inconveniences. Just recently you revealed how much conscious effort you put into speaking to today’s university students in a way as to bypass their doubtful minds and draw their flickering attention towards the eternal message of Krishna.

vidhatsva karṇāyutam eṣa me varaḥ: Understanding submissive hearing from pure devotees to be the perfect scientific method for accessing the transcendental nectar emanating from Krishna’s lotus feet, Prithu Maharaja asks the Lord to give him the benediction of millions of ears. In this way, knowing the inexhaustible nature of the reservoir, he is expressing that the limitation is with the hearer’s receptivity.

It is up to fallen souls like myself to allow your perfect instructions imparted in parampara truly enter into and occupy our hearts to take full advantage of them. Many times you explain that the great mercy of Krishna towards the conditioned souls is that He has strewn contact points with His pure devotees all over the universes. Guru Maharaj you are one such very amazing, unique transcendental contact point. I am immeasurably fortunate and eternally indebted for that contact, yet at the same time unfortunate for not having been able to reciprocate in any way even close to appropriately.

Praying that Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha may be pleased to keep you in good health and thus bless us and many more souls on earth who get to see or hear you, I am begging for your blessings so that They may somehow enable me to be of assistance in your divine service to Srila Prabhupada.

Your unworthy servant,
Isvaresvara Das

“It was not your crying and prayers; it was the prayers of your spiritual master that turned the key of mercy. For decades, your spiritual master has been begging, crying, and screaming on your behalf to the Supreme Lord—even more loudly and feelingly than you have cried. Your spiritual master’s begging has sent me here to free you. You did not know how to beg, but fortunately for you, the begging of your spiritual master has moved me to intervene. The cries of your spiritual master have saved you.”
—The Beggar II, Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj


Dear Gurudeva, Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most divine day of your appearance.

On this day I would like to acknowledge and glorify the tremendous service and responsibility you have taken on to perpetuate Prabhupadas mission and his ISKCON. You are of such calibre that you could retire and live a simple life of relishing the Maha Mantra. Yet following in the mood of your Father and Spiritual Master you take on so much responsibility and austerity to keep his mission going and inspiring everyone else to do the same. Like you said recently when you came to Wellington. You have come to join us in the trenches to inspire us in spreading Lord Chaitanyas mercy.

Every year I am realising more and more the greatness of this mercy you are sharing with us and giving us the opportunity to be apart of. And every year my gratitude for you is increasing more and more.

Before I met you I was completely lost. I had ruined myself. Now by your mercy I am able to be apart of the Sankirtan movement and help similar people in need. Your presence in my life makes me see the great opportunity I have, and inspires me to take advantage of this human form of life to assist you and the parampara in spreading love of godhead in the world.

Your classes bath my intelligence and remind me that there is no happiness in this material world. They inspire me to engage in devotional service and when I do I am fully satisfied. How many millions of births have I suffered in this material world alone? Now finally by some great fortune I have found you and you have blessed me with such mercy that a sinful and low person as I can assist in serving the greatest and most divine personalities in existence. It is by your mercy that I can engage in such services as Bhakti Lounge Cultivation, New Kulina Gram seva, Book distribution and chanting Hare Krishna. This pleasure is what I have been searching the material world for in the most abominable ways for so many millions of life times unable to find it. And you give it to me for free. You are truely an ocean of unlimited mercy.

You are so expert that you can seek out the ignorance and anarthas In my heart and remove them with your loving words. Every class I hear of yours leaves me wanting Krishna more and more. And I find myself letting go of my stubborn desires because the love you show me is so much more satisfying than any hallucinations I have of material satisfaction.

You are a perfect example of one who shows a conditioned soul how much Krishna loves him. By your love I am able to understand how Krishna loves me.

The people of the world are so fourtnate to have you walking among them, showing them the path back home.

And I am so fortunate to be able to offer some service to you.

I hope that one day I can become as good of a disciple to you as you are of Prabhupada.

And I hope that one day you will be proud of me the way Prabhupada is proud of you.

Your insignificant aspiring disciple.
Jack

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my most respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.

Here is a little waiata (Māori song) I present to you.

~Your Waiata~
Tāku Rangatira wairua aroha
E to ahua ngā rā maha
he tino nui o mahi
he pono ko nga tipua
waiatatia ou kororia

My beloved spiritual master
Your radiance is that of a thousand suns
Your activities are so vast that surely
The demigods sing of your glories

E te rangatira o nga whakaaro
E haruru ana tona reo i nga rangi
whiti koe i to rama
O te matauranga
ki tenei wairua ngaro
whakaatu koe ki ahau
Krishna Krishna
kua ora ahau

Oh master of the senses
Whose voice ripples through the heavens
You shine your torchlight of knowledge
On to this lost soul
You show me Krishna Krishna
Now I feel whole

Your aspiring servant,

Jade

Hare Krishna Dear Gurudeva,


Please accept my humble and respectful obeisance's unto you on this day of your vyasapuja.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories unto you on this auspicious day.

Dear gurudeva, I wish to sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude for giving your shelter and guidance to an insignificant soul like me. It is still fresh in my memory the very first time that I met you in Hare Krishna valley in 2004. At that time, I was unaware of spiritual seekers, seen or heard from any saintly persons, and was ignorantly engrossed, filled with passion and blissfully in the lap of the material nature aspiring to fulfil material desires, status and mundane occupations in this material world. Right at that time in my life, a moment of your valuable association in the midst of like minded devotees influenced me with your cheersishable interactions and laid a pavement to the path of my spiritual journey.

You as a spiritual father, mentor, great philosopher and guide have awakened this conditioned soul from the dream state of consciousness to awaken state to realise the importance of this rare human form of life. You are a merciful personification in my life by connecting me to the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Your heart is filled with compassion and love for all fallen souls. Through your teachings of bhakti yoga you inspire whoever comes in contact with you regardless of material conditionings and circumstances in coming closer to Krishna. In this connection, I contemplate on verse from SB 1.18.13

tulayāma lavenāpi
na svargaṁ nāpunar-bhavam
bhagavat-saṅgi-saṅgasya
martyānāṁ kim utāśiṣaḥ

The value of a moment’s association with the devotee of the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which are for those who are meant for death. In the purport Srila Prabhupada writes that a bhāgavata-saṅgī, is one who is always in the association with the Lord’s name, form, qualities, etc. Such association is always desirable; it is worshipable, it is praiseworthy, and one may accept it as the highest goal of life. And I, being one among such conditioned souls, feel so fortunate to receive your incredible mercy.

Gurudeva, when I hear the glories of how you have been introduced as a bhakta in Krishna consciousness, I get goosebumps. Srila Prabhupada says:“If you want to know me, read my books.” and what your lecture will do for three minutes, but if one reads a page of my book, his life may be transformed- you are an apt example of this instruction. Even before being introduced to Krishna Consciousness you followed Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and what to speak of one page who read all his books straight 6 months four hours and received Srila Prabhupada’s unlimited mercy. When I hear your first service after joining the ashram in the temple is sweeping the floor, it demonstrates your humility and service attitude despite achieving high academic qualifications. When I hear your inspiring successful sankirtan glories after years of failure but due to health issues you had to accept Srila Prabhupada books editing service with a great disappointment of leaving book distribution service exemplifies your gratitude and gratefulness to Srila Prabhupada. When I hear the glories of your iron curtain preaching activities in communist countries shows your complete surrender and sacrifice to Srila Prabhupada mission of preaching.

As it says in SB 8.7.44

tapyante loka-tāpena
sādhavaḥ prāyaśo janāḥ
paramārādhanaṁ tad dhi
puruṣasyākhilātmanaḥ

You are accepting voluntary suffering to uplift the degraded people in this human form of life and uplifting them to accept the Supreme Lord as their worshippable object which demonstrates your quality of compassion to bring the lost children back to the Supreme father’s divine lap.


"Books are the basis, purity is the force, utility is the principle and preaching is the essence".

You are always observed in applying all these principles by cent percent serving Srila Prabhupada in his mood of preaching and twenty-four hours engaging in services of Krishna. I see you are very practical in your approach in following the Bhakti path and by your example you not only show and talk, but you also walk the path which is very exemplary and glorious. You have sacrificed your prospective youth, valuable time, and a highly demanding corporate career and instead you imbibed the mood of Srila Prabhupada teachings and preaching's and carrying forward his mission of spreading Krishna consciousness to please him and Lord Sri Krishna. You are not only setting an example of a guru but also showing all your disciples how we should follow the footsteps of previous acharyas.


I was reading through Srila Prabhupada transcripts on who is a spiritual master and in one lecture BG 13.3, Bombay, September 26,1973 mentioning that a spiritual master is Krishna coming out as instructor guru or initiating guru as an external representation of the Lord. And internally Krishna is a Caitya-guru who is situated within your heart. Kṛishṇa is ready to help you, help us, every one of us, in two ways: by the external guru and internal guru. So we should take advantage of two gurus and make our life successful. This is Kṛiṣhṇa consciousness movement. Gurudeva, by your kind mercy, I could experience this in a few instances in my life to understand what Srila Prabhupada was referring to as the significance of a Guru’s presence in my life.

Whenever I had any particular desires or difficulties whether it is purely material or spiritual desire, I would deeply contemplate it and hesitant to express thinking of not to waste your time but magically somehow Krishna as Caitya guru connected my internal heart feelings to you and you reciprocate. I was astonished to experience how you fulfill all my desires even without expressing much to you.

Gurudeva, feeling fortunate that I'm blessed by your mercy, introduced me to Srila Prabhupada moment, His divine books and the beautiful Sri Sri Radha Vallabha temple and engaging me in the services. Thank you for tolerating my services, especially cooking prasadam to you, you always bless me, you correct me, you engage me, you inspire me and you empower me to share Srila Prabhupada teachings. On this special day, I meditate on this verse SB 3.7.19 as I feel that some divine strength is pushing me to be a part of managing and arranging your live Vyasapuja celebrations for my purification and all the troublesome to heart is mitigated.


yat-sevayā bhagavataḥ
kūṭa-sthasya madhu-dviṣaḥ
rati-rāso bhavet tīvraḥ
pādayor vyasanārdanaḥ


By serving the feet of the spiritual master, one is enabled to develop transcendental ecstasy in the service of the Personality of Godhead, who is the unchangeable enemy of the Madhu demon and whose service vanquishes one’s material distresses.

By serving you in the mood of the servant of the servants, I offer my sincere prayers to the Lordships that I develop the taste to chant the holy name and aspire to receive an iota of mercy so my commitment to continue to study daily and assimilate the nectar of Srimad bhagavatam,and dive deep into the ocean of Mahaprabhu mercy and continue to assist as a menial servant and instrument in your preaching efforts.

I know nothing but sincerely desire to be a worthy disciple of you so I would be one of those instruments of you to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada in a way that most pleases you. Without your mercy, I can’t imagine where I would be and how I would handle any situation in my life. I’m eternally indebted to you for showering your special blessings. I pray to the Lordships for your good health so you may uplift many more misguided souls from the clutches of this material bondage.


Your humble servant,

Jahnavi Jivan dd

Dear Gurudeva,

On this occasion of your Vysa Puja, as a disciple this an opportunity to reflect, introspect and assess my contribution as a disciple of yours.

So let me start with saying the Melbourne congregation is seeing an exponential growth in recent times with the influx of scores of people taking up to Bhakti. This growth is leading to a period of churn and transition and its a stated fact that we have outgrown our physical resources to sustain this growth.

Our next generation is starting to ask questions around our ideas to scale up, our future footprint and most importantly our role in wider community.

Gurudev, I need your guidance during this period of transition, in terms of my role in this Melbourne chapter and mostly importantly how can sustainable growth be achieved for the next generation.

I continue playing a small role in growing the outreach and need your blessings.

Your Servant
Jaisacinandana Das

Dear Guru Maharaja,


Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your Lotus feet.
All glories to You on this most auspicious&nbsp;occasion of Your Divine appearance&nbsp;in this world!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.


Srila Prabhupada writes in " Teachings of Lord Caitanya",
"Out of the millions and trillions of living entities on land, human beings are very few.
Out of that small number of human beings, most are totally ignorant of the spiritual science, are unclean in their habits, and have no faith in the existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

In short, most human beings live like animals.
Therefore these can be deducted from the number of human beings that constitute civilized&nbsp;human society.
We can hardly find any human beings who believe in the Vedic scriptures and the existence of God, or even in proper behavior."

Gurudeva, You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva far and wide, despite all obstacles and inconveniences.

Your firm conviction in His transcendental message, Your unwavering determination and inconceivable compassion for all the conditioned souls in this age of darkness, is the reason that we're all here today, aspiring to catch a drop of Your causeless mercy upon our heads.

We came to You looking&nbsp;for broken pieces of glass, but You bestowed upon us a priceless gem.

&nbsp;As the years go by, and as we endeavour to follow Your instructions and guidance, we are faced with our countless shortcomings and anarthas.

We feel humbled and helpless.

&nbsp;As we look back at our life before taking up the Bhakti process, we see how incredibly fortunate we are to be where we are, despite the long road ahead.

A few months ago I had the good fortune to visit Gita Nagari farm in Pennsylvania, a farm project that is so close to Your Lotus-like heart.

"Gita Nagari" means "Place of the Bhagavad Gita" or "Song of God".

Upon further research it said : " it refers to a spiritual intentional community founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1974.
It is known for being a certified organic farm and sanctuary, emphasizing sustainable living, protecting cows, and sharing the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.&nbsp; The farm provides a space for individuals to experience a simple lifestyle focused on high thinking and devotion, engaging in agricultural practices and devotional service.

Furthermore, this farm is the first USDA - certified slaughter - free dairy in North America, protecting cows and cultivating organic produce."

While being there, i felt myself transported to a higher realm, inspired by Your daily dose of transcendental wisdom, beautiful kirtans, cow cuddling, harvesting freshly grown produce, devotional interactions &amp; - activities preparing for the Panihati festival, delicious prasadam and the beautiful calling of the many peacocks throughout the days and nights.


While visiting Radhadesh recently in my " home country" Belgium, I had the good fortune to assist my dear friend Malati with dressing the most merciful residing Deities&nbsp;there and assisting with pujari seva.

My gratitude and joy knew no bounds.

It made me reflect on Your words of wisdom in Your book : " Bhakti Bhava", " The emotional dynamics of a devotee."

" No better activities exist than what we're doing in Krishna consciousness. The richness of rendering service to Krishna is not about money or possessions,&nbsp;it's about the opulences of the heart.&nbsp;
No matter what you do, if your heart is not satisfied, you won't think your life is worth much.&nbsp; How to be a proper egotist?&nbsp; Simply identify as Krishna's servant.&nbsp; When this perfect and true egotistical feeling sufficiently intensifies, it will force you to dance in ecstacy."


Dearest Gurudeva, I want to give up searching for broken pieces of glass and follow in Your footsteps&nbsp;

I pray that I may become a useful instrument in Your hands.
Please make me dance Oh make me dance.



Your aspiring spiritual daughter and servant,

Janesvari devi dasi

Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, Gurudev!

This year I have been meditating deeply on two verses.

The first is from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (SB 11.10.6), which describes the qualities of a true disciple:
The servant or disciple of the spiritual master should be free from false prestige, never considering himself to be the doer. He should be active and never lazy and should give up all sense of proprietorship over the objects of the senses, including his wife, children, home and society. He should be endowed with feelings of loving friendship toward the spiritual master and should never become deviated or bewildered. The servant or disciple should always desire advancement in spiritual understanding, should not envy anyone and should always avoid useless conversation.

When I meditate on this verse, I immediately see how abundantly you embody these qualities in your life and service to Srila Prabhupada. In your lectures and in your dealings with devotees, these qualities shine so clearly.

On the other hand, I feel ashamed, realizing how little I reflect any of these qualifications. Still, your instruction that simply by hearing, these qualities gradually develop gives me hope, Gurudev. That is my only shelter.

The second verse is from the Bhagavad-gītā (BG 16.13–15), describing the mentality of the demoniac:
The demoniac person thinks: “So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him, and my other enemies will also be killed. I am the lord of everything. I am the enjoyer. I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.” In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance.

So often, when I reflect on this verse, I feel it is describing me. It serves as a mirror, reminding me of the need to remain vigilant and humble.

I also vividly remember a darshan with you, when I stood before you as a failed son, admitting how much I had failed on your instructions. Like a caring father, you consoled me and gave me renewed enthusiasm. That moment transformed my perspective on service. Gurudev please bestow your mercy on us, so we can serve atleast a tiny bit. I also witnessed how expertly you encouraged not only me, but also Radhastami and Hemanth in that same darshan. Truly you are an expert physician of the heart, knowing exactly how to deal with everyone.

Gurudev, you are very expert in guiding us. You always emphasize the importance of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and chanting with attention and care. By constantly bringing us back to these essential practices, you protect us from distraction and keep us fixed on the real goal of life. With your guidance and blessings I would like to improve quality of my sādhana.

Gurudev, you always stress the importance of gratitude and guidance, and you reveal their depth through your own powerful example. You not only speak about them but also live them, inspiring us to follow. Sadly, I do not possess even an iota of those qualities, but I wish to begin by cultivating gratitude—thanking you, my mentors, and all the devotees who kindly tolerate me and help me on this path of bhakti.

Gurudev, this year has been especially challenging for me. Yet, only by your mercy and vani through your lectures have I been able to carry on. As you often remind us, it is the undeserving who receive the greatest mercy. With that faith, I beg to receive your causeless mercy, though I remain utterly unworthy.

On this most auspicious day I Pray to Lord Narashimadev to bestow you with good health for you to continue with your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada.

Your aspiring servant,
Janmastami Das

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the mercy of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and glorify my spiritual master, for by his mercy all desires are fulfilled."

As I reflect on this past year, I feel immense gratitude for the mercy and personal care you have bestowed on me and my family.

In March, while I was in Sydney, by Krishna’s arrangement our paths crossed again. You kindly blessed me with your personal darshan, and in that meeting you spoke at length with me about my plans and aspirations as a family man. What amazed me most was the details you recalled, despite having so many disciples. That personal touch moved me deeply and showed me how much you genuinely care for each person who comes to you.

Soon after, we had the good fortune to be at Gita Nagri, where my wife Sukeshi received initiation from you. In just seven short days, you gave us your darshan three times. Each interaction left me feeling both cared for and challenged to grow. I will never forget when you chastised me for not bringing my father to meet you it was such a simple moment, yet it revealed how merciful and personal you are, caring not only for the disciple but also for their loved ones.
Your lectures at Gita Nagri were awe-inspiring. They were not only intellectually rich but also so relevant and practical. They struck my heart and reminded me that Krishna consciousness is urgent it’s something to live fully right now, not someday later. And then, watching your other disciples serve tirelessly at Gita Nagri cooking, cleaning, caring for the deities and the devotees that gave me a living example of what your training and guidance can produce. Their dedication showed me how surrender to guru blossoms into a culture of devotion that inspires everyone around.

I was also struck by the diversity of your disciples. This unity is not superficial, it comes from the way you present the science of Krishna consciousness with such depth, clarity, and relevance that it resonates with everyone, regardless of their culture, background, age, or personal journey.

This harmony is a living testament to the power of the process of Krishna consciousness itself. When practiced under the guidance of a pure devotee, it purifies the heart, awakens love for Krishna, and naturally brings about cooperation and joy among devotees. Seeing this in action gave me great hope and deeper appreciation for both your leadership and the timeless process that Srila Prabhupada has given us.

I want to thank you for "On the Way to Krishna" podcast. Your calm, steady voice and deep meditations on Krishna’s pastimes nourish me so much. Even when the heart feels stone-cold, your words penetrate and awaken life. Listening to you there feels like being guided personally, even from afar.

Gurudev, I am so grateful for all the mercy you have given me and my family in such a short time. I pray to become more sincere and attentive, so that I may carry your instructions into action and one day be among those who truly reflect your teachings. Please bless me to keep growing under your shelter and to serve in a way that pleases you.

Your aspiring servant,
Jayadvaita Das

Hare Krishna respected Guru Maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glory to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Maharaj, I am currently reading your book Searching for Vedic India. I cannot describe the delight I feel when reading it. I feel like I'm getting to know you again. Studying this book leads me to a holistic understanding of the Vedas and Srila Prabhupada's message. This book is also an example of a very careful preaching. I am very happy that I am trying to follow the real sages, you Guru Maharaj and Srila Prabhupada. I thank Lord Krishna for sending you as my Guru. Guru Maharaj, I ask for your blessings so that I can become a worthy disciple.
Your student: Jitamitra das.

Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

“The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service”

"Your Lotus Feet"

Your lotus feet have traversed the road less travelled, followed the thorny path, for the pleasure of your spiritual master, solely to spread Krishna Consciousness. I can only imagine the risks, challenges and torments you have endured for our benefit. All saintly persons have suffered for the higher cause. You are no exception. Māyā would not be doing her job if you did not suffer… and I know she does her job very well. Yet you continue the fight undeterred, providing the shelter of your lotus feet to every part of the globe, whether people appreciate you or not.

I pray that I may always hold on tight to your lotus feet.

"Our Spiritual Master"

I remember the moment I took you into my heart as my spiritual master. Listening to a class by Śrīla Prabhupada I realised your message and tone was sober and exactly in line with your glorious spiritual master. The potency was there, you were preaching the Absolute Truth and it penetrated the dirty layers surrounding my heart. You deliver perfect information from the perfect source.

I pray that I may one day please you.

"The ONLY way"

So many false starts. So many excuses I made. Such baggage I carry. Yet you had more faith than I had in myself. So expertly you encourage without setting us up to fail. Your words are self-fulfilling.

I pray that you can trust me eternally.

"Attain pure devotional service"

Full, undivided commitment and surrender to what Krishna wants. Unwavering despite personal inconvenience or consideration for selfish desires – your desires are aligned with Krishna’s desire to bring us back to Him. You persevere to bring Prabhupada’s words to life for ‘kiwis’. Reach out to the locals… well looking at the Loft, us ‘kiwis’ are in the minority. But it is noted by many how many non-Indians we have in the Auckland devotee community compared to other places around the western world. That is because of your vision, compassion, determination and care.

I pray that I may try to follow in your footsteps by making your vision, my vision. Your commitment, my commitment. Your words, my life and soul.

Your servant
Jiva-sakti dd

Nama Om Vishnu-Padaya
Krishna-Presthaya Bhu Tale
Srimate Devamrita
Svamin Iti Namine
Dear Guru Maharaj

Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this wonderful celebration of your vyasa puja!
For the past couple of years I have gone thru tremendous ups and downs. I was/am unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I haven't had much face to face association with you Guru Maharaj, however your guidance through the recorded/live zoom classes, have been instructive and nourishing for my spiritual life and is continuing to be.
I feel very fortunate and blessed to be in your association, amongst your disciples and well-wishers. This has definitely kept me going.

Gurudeva, through your lectures you are constantly emphasising this message on our consciousness, not to slacken in our devotional endeavors, lest we would be caught up in this endless cycle.

I’m too small and insignificant to appreciate your magnificent self but I’m unlimitedly grateful to you for accepting me as your disciple.

On this very auspicious day of your Vyasapuja, I beg at your lotus feet to give me the strength and intelligence to enthusiastically pursue my Krishna Conscious life and continue performing devotional service. Please always keep me in the association of devotees.

Your eternal aspiring servant,

Kaam Sarovar DD

Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obesciences
All glories to Srila Prabhupada


To those outside the fold, many aspects of devotional service seem mysterious. But, perhaps the most incomprehensible is that of guru-bhakti. As part of his program to rehabilitate us from our timeless amnesia, Srila Prabhupada instructed us to daily recite the Gurvastakam, which includes the following statement:
<i>
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair

uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ

kintu prabhor yaḥ priya Eva tasya

vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
</i>
We are instructed here by Viśvanātha Cakravarti to honor the spiritual master as much as we honor the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Can he actually be serious? The conditioned soul, if he is fortunate, has just started to accept that the worship of God is a necessity. But to such a neophyte vision, God is far away. He does not walk next to us or speak our language. He is something that we discuss to feel pious, or cared for, or to fulfill some other psychological need. The spiritual master, on the other hand, is readily apparent even to the most green of new bhaktas. We see him eating lunch. He gets tired after a long day. Sometimes he may forget a verse or misstate something. What is so different about the spiritual master that he is to be honored on an equal level as Kṛṣṇa?

Considering this, I have been meditating on a line from the other major prayer to the Guru that Srila Prabhupada, our transcendental doctor, prescribed:
<i>
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koriyā aikya
</i>
One can find so many people speaking one or another philosophy. They implore us to implement their solutions to fix our society, our relationships, our broken selves. They tell us that they have the answers to our prayers. What makes the guru different than all of these would-be-saviors? The huskters and charlatans certainly have a <i>mukha</i> — but a <i>mukha-padma</i>? What is it about the spiritual master that sets him apart, elevated above the common riff-raff, by the appellation of possessing a lotus mouth?

You once told me the way to become a pure devotee was to “perfectly follow someone who is perfectly following.” A concise statement of the principle of guru-paramparā. And it is this quality that solves our mystery — anyone who speaks only in the line of his own guru, the predecessor <i>ācāryas</i>, and the <i>śāstras</i> is qualified to be addressed as possessing a <i>mukha-padma</i>. The charlatans and huskters, those who give advice and speak so-called knowledge based on their limited experience and madman-logic, speak only with a <i>mukha-sarpavan</i> — a snake-like mouth, which contains only venom.

In stark contrast to these scammers, a person such as yourself, who possesses a mukha-padma, may give <i>vākya</i> — transcendental instruction. Anyone who takes this into their <i>citta</i> is saved from being forced to again repeat the cycle of birth and death. Sometimes, those who are familiar with the Vedic culture to one degree or another ask a <i>sādhu</i> to bestow some special blessing upon them. But the special mercy of the spiritual master can be claimed by the disciple at any time, if he only listens to his instructions — simply following, with no short-cuts or free rides.

I have experienced personally the potency of your instructions. Purification follows for all who follow them. Many years ago, during a <i>darśana</i> where I was complaining of an uncontrolled mind, you gave me a simple instruction — make a scientific study of sex life. It had been years since you gave me that instruction. But the words of the spiritual master are transcendental — they do not deteriorate with time. Once I took this instruction seriously, studying this sovereign source of suffering based on the words of guru, <i>sādhu</i> and <i>śāstra</i>, there was no question of pursuing engagement in such a miserable activity, and so simply by taking advantage of your words I have been able to happily and eagerly choose a life where my only responsibility is to serve Kṛṣṇa. It is said that just as Garuḍa is the enemy of snakes and impersonalism is the enemy of devotion, lust is the enemy of the soul. Such an adversary seems insurmountable, but even just seven words of the spiritual master are a potent enough weapon to take into battle.

During your visit to Gita-Nagari earlier this year, we talked at length about a few aspects of scientific preaching. You have continually encouraged me to write in a way to defeat those who preach materialism in the guise of science. To expose their nonsense theories for what they are and to show the mirage of authority the scientists have constructed around themselves. Many feel that a “softer” approach to preaching, in science and elsewhere, is necessary. That if we take the hard stance, we will simply be rejected as fundamentalists, fanatics, or backwards dark-agers. However, on the morning walk of May 12, 1972, Srila Prabhupada gives his viewpoint:

“The more we kick on Darwin's face, the more [we become] advanced in spiritual consciousness. He has killed the whole civilization, rascal.”

You are one of the generals in Srila Prabhupada’s army to save civilization. In that role, I am asking that you please enlist me, to kick on the face not only Darwin, but also Einstein, Hawking, Dawkins, Krauss, Sagan and all others fools who profess themselves to be wise but actually only hiss with a <i>mukha-sarpavan</i>. Please allow me to assist you in stopping the venom of these nonsense-theorists from spreading.

Guru Maharaja, as I take up your instruction to join this fight, please empower me to follow in your footsteps by likewise only speaking with a <i>mukha-padma</i>, never deviating, even slightly, from the conclusions found in Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Your servant,
Kala-Svarupa Dasa

Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaja!

I would like to greet you on the occassion of your Appearance Day.

I am very grateful that I can serve you each year when you visit.
I hope I, we shall have the opportunity to continue doing this for many years, and in this way, take part in your mission.

I would like to wish you enduring strength and good health in the future, as well.


Your humble servant,
Kamaláksa dása

Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyasa Puja day.

I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful life of Devotional Service that you have given me.

You saved me from a Kuruksetra like situation. Ignorant of my real self-interest you guided me towards serving the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha.

I like how Srila Prabhupada describes the verse:

"tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śabde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam."

He says that the bona fide spiritual master is one who has bathed in the ocean of Vedic literature and is freed from all material desires just as one who bathes feels refreshed.

I can understand how much you have bathed in the ocean of Vedic literature by how you have dedicated your existence to Srila Prabhupada’s books. We can see that you are free of material desires because you have no desires other than carrying out your spiritual master's orders.

As the bona fide spiritual master representing the Guru Parampara, you have fully realised the import of the sastras and thus you are able to impart it to others in a unique way.

“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)”

This is my great fortune as your disciple. Just by hearing you speak the path to pure devotional service is open.

“The neophyte devotee becomes practically enriched with the transcendental qualities of the pure devotee, which means attraction for the Personality of Godhead’s name, fame, qualities, pastimes, etc. Infection of the qualities of the pure devotee means to imbibe the taste of pure devotion always in the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead.” (SB 1.5.25 Purport)

Let this type of infection overtake me!

“If, by the grace of the Lord and the great-souled devotees of the Lord, a living being becomes fortunate enough to associate with the unadulterated devotees of the Lord and gets a chance to hear the unadulterated glories of the Lord, certainly the flow of devotional service takes place like the flow of a river.” (SB 1.5.28, Purport)

Let me be swept away!

Guru Maharaja, having your transcendental association is my greatest wealth. All obstacles in my path of devotional service cease to exist when I have your guidance and instructions. In fact the opportunities for devotional service increase!

I beg for the opportunity to go on hearing from you!!

Please let me always remain at your lotus feet eager to hear and ready to carry out your instructions.

your spiritual son,
Kamsari Sena dasa

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

In a war torn world,
I find shelter, happiness and peace in my Krishna conscious practice.

In a conflict ridden world,
I find connections with devotees sweet and nourishing.

In a world full of destructive, addictive habits,
I find hope in seeing young and old people taking to the path of devotion.

I feel deeply grateful to you,
for dedicating your life
to carrying forward
the legacy Srila Prabhupada left us.

I pray for the ability
to make a small contribution
to bring this wonderful gift
to the next generation.
They will need it.

“One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Kṛṣṇa consciousness] can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?” BG 2.66

With love and gratitude,
Your servant, Karuna-purna dasi

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 Mahārāja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you, his dedicated servant and representative.

On this special day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I want to express my gratitude for everything you have given me — your shelter, guidance, and your incredible example of surrender to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.

Gurudeva, when I think about your life, I see a fearless warrior for Lord Caitanya’s saṅkīrtana movement. You have given your every step, every breath, and every thought to spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda described his books as the “law books for the next 10,000 years,” and you have fully embraced that instruction, showing us how urgent and important this mission truly is.

I’m so inspired when I hear stories of your early days doing book distribution — walking for hours, often in difficult weather, with no certainty that anyone would even take a book. It was endless walking, and sometimes the body and mind must have been exhausted. But still, you kept going — driven by your faith, your compassion, and your conviction that Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books are the greatest gift for humanity.

Recently, I’ve been able to experience a small taste of that. When I go out on book distribution, sometimes it feels like I’ve been walking forever — person after person, step after step. There are rejections, cold responses, and sometimes even harsh words. In those moments, it’s easy to wonder, “Why am I doing this?”

But then, suddenly, someone’s heart opens. They take a book. Even if it’s just one, in that moment, it feels like everything was worth it. There’s so much joy — because that one book could change a person’s entire life. Even years later, they might read a single line from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words and begin their journey back to Kṛṣṇa.

That one book is like a bridge between this material world and the spiritual world. To think that somehow, by your mercy and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s grace, I get to play a small part in that is deeply humbling and fills me with gratitude.
You often remind us that book distribution is not just about numbers or external results — it’s about transforming our own hearts. Every rejection is a chance to develop humility and patience. Every interaction is a test of our determination. And every success is a reminder that Kṛṣṇa is the one doing everything. We are just instruments.

Gurudeva, I pray that I can one day develop even a fraction of your determination and compassion. When I see how tirelessly you travel, preach, and inspire devotees all over the world, I realize that every single thing you do is for the pleasure of Śrīla Prabhupāda and for the upliftment of others.
On this auspicious day, I offer my heart at your lotus feet. Please bless me to overcome laziness, fear, and selfishness, so that I can go out and distribute books with joy and sincerity. May I always remember that each step, each word, and each book offered is a small service in the great mission of Lord Caitanya.

Thank you, Maharāja, for guiding us, for never compromising, and for giving us the chance to be part of this transcendental movement. Whatever service I do is only by your mercy, and I pray it may bring you some happiness.

To end, I offer this prayer, which always reminds me of your role in my spiritual life:

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

“By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives the mercy of Kṛṣṇa. Without the mercy of the spiritual master, there is no way to advance. Therefore, I bow down to the lotus feet of my spiritual master three times a day, meditating upon and glorifying him.”

Your insignificant servants,
Kārunyāmṛta Dāsa and Lāvaṇyāmṛta Dasi
Achintya Nitai, Agrani Gaura and Achyuta Hari

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day. Please accept my humble attempts to glorify you, despite the fact that I can not truly understand the depths of your glories with my limited vision.

As I have been relief teaching recently, you have often come to my mind. Although my temporary job title is a school teacher, I have been reflecting on how you are actually the real teacher, compassionately giving a real education to so many fortunate students like myself. You are the perfect spiritual teacher. I am simply your aspiring student. What makes you the perfect teacher?

A perfect teacher gives perfect instructions

You manage to penetrate to the core of my heart with perfect instructions which always inspire me to try and increase the quantity and quality of my service to your lotus feet. You follow the instructions of your spiritual master so perfectly and I aspire to some day do the same. Thank you for always giving me the perfect instructions at the perfect time to guide me, alongside so much reassurance and encouragement.

A perfect teacher practices what they preach

Everything you do is for our benefit. You lead by example so nicely and live completely according to sastra. Your whole life is focused on giving Krishna to others. It is no wonder you are always so blissful, enthusiastic and enlivening to be around. You are so deeply caring, expert at preaching and you chant in kirtan with heart stirring devotion. You also set such a divine example of how to care for the body and mind so that it can be the best instrument for Krishna’s service. By observing your selfless example I am inspired to follow your lead and serve you better.

A perfect teacher is caring and personal

A good teacher personally knows their students' individual needs and teaches them accordingly. I marvel at the way you know us all so well and are able to touch our hearts in such personal, caring ways. Although I am a triplet, you have really helped me understand who I am as an individual. You have encouraged me to peacefully serve Krishna in my own unique 'Karuṇā-mayī style.' This has been a huge help for me. Thank you. Thank you for accepting me as I am, pushing me to grow in Bhakti, acknowledging any advancement that I have made by your mercy, and helping me understand how to be satisfied by simply trying my best to chant Hare Krishna and serve you.

A perfect teacher creates favourable learning environments

Since your last Vyasa Puja, I want to deeply thank you for the opportunity to be in Nandini ashrama and go to the Holy Dham. These environments have been the perfect spaces for me to learn and grow in Bhakti. I am so grateful for the ashrama training I have received so far from Krishna Loka. You personally trained her to become such an exalted, caring and merciful devotee so that she can now expertly train us. This ashrama experience has really helped me. Being on the roster and in good association has given me the "Seva will save ya!" realisation many times. You encouraged me to go to the Holy Dham and told me "It will be very good for you!" and it truly was. By your mercy I felt so recharged and inspired in my spiritual life. I grew deeper appreciation for the sacrifice you and the acaryas have taken on over time so that fallen souls like me get the chance to receive Krishna's mercy.

A perfect teacher sets a clear success criteria, a clear goal and equips students to pass the final exam

Through your engaging, nectarian classes you fill our ears and hearts with the clear knowledge that we need to apply to our lives to be successful in Bhakti. You highlight how if we simply chant and hear with attention and stick to the process in good association that success will come. You always remind us to keep the goal in mind and in this way you mercifully prepare us for the final exam at the end of life. By following your instructions and staying under the shelter of your lotus feet I have faith that I could pass this exam one day.

In a recent darshana you made many analogies about my role as a teacher to help me see Bhakti as my real occupation and take it more seriously. This was just the mercy I needed. Thank you.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to you for being the perfect teacher and giving me everything I need. Thank you for cutting so many anarthas in my heart, giving me this simple, perfect life, such wonderful sangha, and the opportunity to try and please you and Gauranga by trying to give Krishna to others. All glories to your lotus feet.

I pray with your blessings to always take deep shelter of chanting, hearing and selfless service and keep them the number one priority. I pray to always arrange my lifestyle in such a way that giving Krishna to others is in the centre. I really want to help suffering young students through Bhakti and I want to do more for you Gurudeva. Out of my gratitude, please help me become a better student and expand my service to you in this coming year!

Your grateful and indebted servant and student,
Karuṇā-mayī Devi Dasi

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the saviour of all conditioned souls, our forever well-wishing founder arcarya!
All glories to you, who as a sincere follower of Srila Prabhupada took up his mission to rescue the suffering, confused and lost conditioned souls of this world.
All glories to you who saved also me and brought me under the umbrella of Srila Prabhupada’s care.
All glories to you, Gurudeva, on the most auspicious day of your appearance.

‘A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.’

You are that sober person embodying and living all the instructions of Srila Rupa Goswami. You fill every moment of your existence with service. Every one of your breaths is to continue your service, every morsel you eat is to keep your body and soul together for service and every word you speak is is in relation to Krishna and His unlimited service uplifting and inspiring everyone to also dive into the unlimited ocean of devotional service to Krishna.

You never tire from your service and commitment to the mission of Srila Prabhupada despite so many challenges. You tolerate those challenges, be it the health of your body, be it government restrictions, be it ungrateful or envious disciples or being internet-ed. You can truly tolerate all those challenges because you are completely free from false ego, having killed it through full absorption in the devotional service, having fully realised your position as dasadasanudasa. You are not just suppressing any negative emotions, you are truly tolerant and unaffected by the onslaughts of material nature, understanding that nothing from this material world whatsoever can affect your relationship to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, taking full shelter of that relationship.

I am one of those envious and ungrateful disciples and beg you on this day for your mercy. My false ego is torturing me, I am envious, ungrateful and degraded. Please forgive me any offenses I have committed, consciously or unconsciously, and please bless me with strength and fortitude to continue my helpless attempts in trying to serve you and Srila Prabhupada.

Your aspiring servant

Kasi Priya das

Dearest Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to You..

Happy Vyasapuja…
In one of your lecture, you mention business of a disciple is how to glorify one’s spiritual master and parampara and how in this way Krsna is glorified. How much ever glorification is offered to You, Gurudeva it is like a miniscule and not even enough of a description. Yet I am writing this for my own purification and also to develop a drop of gratitude for everything you offered me.
Srila Prabhupada writes in SB 1.14.11 purport, material world is full of undesirables and due to modes, living entity cannot understand or see it. He compares it to forest fire which causes inconceivable calamities, which cannot be extinguished due to human efforts and done only by Lord’s mercy, who sends clouds to pour water. Similarly to encounter any kind of undesirables is above human plans but such a situation can be resolved when Lord sends his spiritual emissary to save fallen souls. Thank you Gurudeva, for holding unto me and bringing me to kc.
In the beginning of this year, when my parents had personal darsan in Mayapur, your association created a powerful positive impact on them. You were encouraging them to take up to bhakti and at the same explained how current society trending on. You blessed us, to become spiritually wealthy family. All the way in darsan, my father was silent and you became concerned if my father misunderstood You for stating the realities. But my father expressed, You are true Sadhu and appreciated for your practical approach and wisdom. He was happy to be in your divine association. Again this entire episode revealed your sensitivity towards every individual who comes into your association.
One of Your qualities that is very endearing is How you enthuse everyone, through personal interactions, through your example and definitely a lot in your lectures. Although I am still in learning phase how to cook for you, you appreciated my humble efforts in spite of all my shortcomings. I am sincerely praying and wishing I have many opportunities to cook for you, as I watch through my senior and fellow god sisters, how cooking for you is meditation and complete absorption. Another time in March, during your visit in Vrindavan, you were thanking me and I didn’t understand why you were thanking me? When clarified with my god sister, she explained me how book distribution service is so pleasing to you and he is encouraging us to continue this service to Srila Prabhupada.
In your travels, You went out on book distribution, setting us a standard what it means to be devotee decade after decade. Our only business is to serve Krsna and Srila Prabhupada especially through Sankirtan. Thank you Gurudeva, for teaching me to remain focus on service and building this bhakti muscle.
Your lectures are powerhouses filled with practical application of sastra and you make it so easy to understand and help us contemplate. Three such examples, in beginning of the year, you often quoted example all universes are like mustard seeds and you were asking would anyone really worry if one mustard seed is lost from 25kg mustard seed bag. Such insignificant is my existence yet if You wouldn’t have hold onto me and given shelter at your feet, how would I ever know who is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Srila Prabhupada, and what is this mercy that is being distributed? I admit I still lack any understanding yet bright hope exists as you are my captain and under your shelter one day I will appreciate this greatest opportunity to be part of sankirtan.
In a seminar at Noida, you were encouraging devotees how to see Lord Caitanya mahaprabhu’s mercy, to have service is his mercy, to chant Holy names is his mercy, to associate with devotees is his mercy, to study books is his mercy and even to have a desire to serve in any capacity is his mercy. These words gave me a lot of encouragement, even though I hardly can offer service to you, I too have all the chance like anyone else to count on blessings you bestowed.
Another verse SB 2.2.3, captivated me the most, you teach us how to meditate on each verse of SB again and again, take the essence from each verse. You mentioned how you are thinking about this verse for last 50 years. Santana Goswami in famous prayer to Srimad Bhagavatam writes each verse in Srimad Bhagavatam showers pure love of Krsna, and I never understood how does it work? But after hearing these particular lectures on this verse, you made me think do I deeply take these verses into my heart anytime? Do I really read enough and contemplate enough? You urged us to adopt to a simple living and not to be deviated from main goal of self-realization in the world of names along with making me understand each verse is special.

You are expert in dealing with devotees often it is like a razor’s edge for me and its not easy at all but your instruction to my god brother, really helped me that pray to Lord Caitanya to teach, how to deal with vaisnavas. Thank you Gurudeva for always making us understand we are simply mercy candidates.
In preface of Teachings of Lord Caitanya book, Srila Prabhupada writes how human society will have field of activities for pure soul just following Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, otherwise conditioned soul being engrossed in material body is simply increasing the pages of history by all kind of material activities. Thank you Gurudeva, for always urging us to read Srila Prabhupada books and just one word, one line or one paragragh can shift entire consciousness. Due to my lack of own sincerity, I often fail to appreciate the Srila Prabhupada’s books. Today I beg your blessings to develop a taste for reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada books.
Your services to Srila Prabhupada and especially to BBT are exemplary once again, how you oversee the production of various books and wanted all to be out in market with gold standard. This project which runs for years and years and you mentioned all hard struggles, to maintain the enthusiasm of the production line, to bring out best.
Whether being a GBC or front line sankirtan warrior or Guru or Loving father or preaching behind iron curtain and many other roles you play and constant travels and switching on different hats Who would understand the depth of Your dedication to Srila Prabhupada and tolerance in enduring all kinds of climates and situations, is something impossible to comprehend and outside anyone’s intellectual capacity.
Lately I have been thinking about how important is to close all accounts, although it can be a life time process. Dhrtarastra, although so caught up in deep illusion because of vidura’s good guidance was able to achieve salvation by closing all accounts in material world( SB 1.13.41). Vidura urged his brother to act fast as kali yuga is soon approaching, as he feared his instructions wouldn’t have any effect in kali yuga. Gurudeva, you are even more merciful than Vidura, as you always urging us to have personal victory even in this darkest times, as you have impeccable faith in chanting Holy names. On this auspicious occasion of Your 75th Vyasapuja, I seek your blessings to have this personal victory, as lack any good qualities or strength on my own.

Ekaki amara nahi paya bala hari nama sankirtane
tumi krpa kori sraddha bindu diya deho krsna nama dhane

Praying for Your Good health.
Aspiring to be a servant,
Kasturika devi dasi.

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to you on this sacred day of your Vyasa Puja.

Thank you for accepting me as your disciple and connecting me to the parampara. I don’t think that I am worthy of being your disciple, but you are very kind and merciful and I am greatful to you for giving me an opportunity to come closer to Krishna and get a start in spiritual life.

I hope that me and Anadi Kaiśora dasa can cook some nice meals for you next time you are in Wales.

Your disciple,
Katha-mayi devi dasi

Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances &amp; thank you always for initiating me Devamrita Swami!
I love the Hare Krishna movement, &amp; am so grateful of it. Seva is our heartbeat &amp; can never get enough of His words...the whole Bhakti yoga practice is so beauiful📿.
Continued prayers always to your wonderful &amp; admirable classes and travels❣️
Birthday blessings: Jai Sri Krishna🙏🏽
Much sincerely, Kathā-ruci

Hare Krishna dearest Gurudeva
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories unto Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto your divine appearance.

On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, we reflect on your life, your example, and your boundless compassion. We came to you with no qualification, fallen and without shelter. At that time we had only just begun to learn from the Bhagavad-gītā what it means to live as true human beings. Yet you did not reject us. Instead, like a loving father, you accepted us, encouraged us to take shelter of the devotees around us, and patiently guided us step by step—helping us develop steadiness of mind, steadiness in daily practice, and deeper roots in faith.

Now, with two little children, we realize more and more how your patience and compassion sustain us. Just as you bore with us when we were struggling to find our way, we pray for the strength to cultivate that same patience in our role as parents. Day by day we see how far we still must go in developing the divine qualities and applying them in a way that truly pleases Śrī Kṛṣṇa. We beg your mercy that we may guide our children by example, planting in their hearts the seed of faith and attraction to the holy name.

Gurudeva, your own life is an adventure in Kṛṣṇa’s service. You travel tirelessly to spread the glories of the holy name, enduring so many hardships to uplift souls who are lost in material existence. By your own strength of faith, you show us how to depend completely on the instructions of your spiritual master and on the shelter of Kṛṣṇa. In your humility, courage, and unwavering devotion, we find the living example of the teachings of our ācāryas.

The scriptures describe the position of the guru so beautifully:

“O my Lord, transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science could not fully express the indebtedness of the disciple who has received even a moment’s shelter at the feet of a bona fide spiritual master. For he can deliver the disciple from the path of repeated birth and death.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.17.27)

And again:

“The spiritual master is the captain of the ship to cross this great ocean of material existence, and Kṛṣṇa is the favorable wind. The instructions of the spiritual master are our compass and safety.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.20.17, purport)

In truth, Gurudeva, you are that captain who has kept us afloat when we would have otherwise drowned in the waves of māyā. You have steadied our course and given us direction. Without your mercy, there is no hope.

On this day, we offer our hearts in gratitude and prayer. Please allow us to remain always as your insignificant servants, carrying your instructions in our hearts and trying in our small way to serve your mission. May we never forget your kindness, and may our children, too, be blessed by your shelter.

Your fortunate servants and children, honoured by your fatherhood and love,

Kathamrta DD and Sankarsana Rama Das

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Apologies for my late submission. I sent in a simple offering on behalf of our family on the deadline but felt my offering and meditation were incomplete. This morning, the first day of Kartika, I wish to offer you my lamp of devotion.

Recently, while reading Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, I was absorbed in the story of Gajendra Mokṣa. The depth of the narrative drew me into quiet reflection, and instinctively, I turned back to see the title of the canto — “Withdrawal of Cosmic Creations.” I contemplated how you had named it — that your fingerprints, your devotion, and your spiritual insight are woven throughout the Bhāgavatam’s English rendition.

As I contemplated the title, its layers began to unfold. It speaks of the Lord’s supreme control, withdrawing and recreating the universe in His perfect rhythm. It reminds us of the impermanence of all material existence, how everything ultimately returns to Him. It mirrors the inner withdrawal of illusion, as the Lord dismantles false identities to reveal the soul’s true nature. And finally, it celebrates His sheltering mercy, protecting the surrendered soul even amidst cosmic dissolution.

This understanding naturally led me to reflect on your own service. You once described your editorial work as “standing silently behind Śrīla Prabhupāda’s voice — not overshadowing, not softening, but illuminating.” You taught that one should “edit not with intelligence but with humility,” and that language must serve devotion, never dominate it. These words now echo in my heart as guiding truths, illuminating the path of both study and surrender.

I sat in reflection, humbled by the realization that my spiritual master played such a pivotal role in shaping this sacred text. Because of your service, I feel a living, personal connection to the entire lineage of the Bhāgavatam — from Vyāsadeva to Śrīla Prabhupāda. The fact that I can trace even a line of connection to its authorship through you is profoundly humbling. Deep within, it feels almost unfathomable that someone like me — a simple woman — not only knows a great soul who has had such direct service to the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, but is also considered by him worthy to be called his disciple and treated with the love and care of a cherished daughter.

Yet, in truth, I am inworthy of being called a disciple or a daughter. Though I embrace and accept these affectionate terms with my heart, the more I understand how unworthy I am, the more I see how munificent and charitable you have been toward me. This realization melts my heart. The more I allow this paradox — of my unworthiness and your generosity — to flow through me, the more my bhakti is nourished by its waters. I pray and hope, against hope, that one day those waters become the pralaya that completely separates me from my false ego and carries me back home.

Your service to the Bhāgavatam feels to me like a sacred metaphorical pralaya: a pralaya of effort, in which countless hours of painstaking work dissolved distraction and ego in service of the text; a pralaya of humility, where your personal identity receded so Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mood could shine fully; and a pralaya of mercy, whose transformative waves continue to dissolve ignorance and awaken devotion in readers around the world.

You once humbly said:

“My prayer is that if one person reads a single title and feels moved to turn toward Kṛṣṇa, that will be my perfection.”

Gurudeva, I pray that my reflection may be a small whisper of Kṛṣṇa’s answer to that prayer. I pray to be that fortunate soul, moved inward by the grace of your words. Yet I also know I am not alone — that Kṛṣṇa is answering your prayer in magnitude through millions of souls whose hearts have been stirred by your quiet, invisible service.

Your prayer continues to bear fruit in many hearts, and I am eternally grateful to be among them. Thank you for showing us that true intelligence is humility, that service is often hiding behind the scenes, and that the weight of a few words— offered with devotion — can awaken the soul.

With deepest gratitude, reverence, and affection,

Your aspiring servant,

Kathamrta Devi Dasi

Dearest Srila Gurudeva,

Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you, Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.

Just over a year ago, by the mercy of Krishna, I became a father. It has been quite a transition, to say the least. As I reflect on the start of this wonderful new chapter of my life, I am acutely aware of so many shortcomings in the performance of my responsibilities and in my interactions with those who are dearest to me, what to speak of with those who I am less inclined towards. Constantly afflicted with the misgivings of my lower nature, I must struggle hard to be decent, self-controlled, and benevolent (what to speak of loving or kind). Yet, I have hope Gurudeva that by following your example and your instructions, I can gradually become free from the bondage of selfishness.

As Krishna describes in Bhagavad-gita, He is the father of the entire universe, its support, and the origin of everything. As stated in Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi-lila 1.46), Krishna’s mercy manifestation is the form of the acarya, the transcendental professor of spiritual science. The acarya accepts the role of the spiritual father of his disciples and along with the Vedas as their mother, gives them a new birth and guides them in their maturation to the platform of devotional service. Srila Prabhupada states in his purport that only out of immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master.

Although my mind is full of confusion and doubts, I can say with absolute clarity that having you as my spiritual father is the greatest compassion I will ever receive. By observing your perfect dedication to the mission of your spiritual master, while always giving the highest level of care and consideration to others, I can get a glimpse into the qualities of a real, loving, and transcendental father. You are expert at providing wisdom and guidance that is perfectly tailored to the needs of the individual, and you never miss an opportunity to genuinely encourage others on the bhakti path. You are never harsh, selfish, angry, or careless in your interactions, rather you always bring out the best qualities in others and meet them where they are.

There is nothing more valuable than having your example to follow Gurudeva, and though I may constantly stumble, fall, and succumb to distractions, I simply pray that your loving, gentle, and uplifting instructions will be written in the core of my heart such that I may never forget them. On this day of your auspicious appearance, I pray that by remembering your example of transcendental personalism, loving kindness, and determination in devotional service, I may also become the kind of father that you would be pleased with.

Your eternally aspiring servant,

Kesi-mardana dasa

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.

The last few years have been a test of my sincerity and attachment to bhakti practice, and I don’t know how well I have passed that test, though I remain trying to push forward through this wobbling jelly of material life, holding on to my chanting beads and pushing my ears to hear about Krishna, and trying to keep up with my basic service responsibilites and as much outreach as possible. If I were more transcendental I would see it clearly for what it is - the bodily and mental platform changing with age and the soul and intelligence still fighting to try and be Krishna conscious in a foreign situation. The reliable groove I had found in how to “work” my attempts at a Krishna conscious life in the past couple of decades, became no longer accessible due to different bodily and mental circumstances. Like having the rug pulled out from under your feet, or losing your footing on what you thought was a well worn path, only to find yourself seemingly sliding down a bank, seemingly further and further away from the path. In blindest moments when I was sure I was not making any progress in the right direction anymore, thankfully I could rely on the support and sound vibration of my husband reassuring me I’m doing my best, and the bracing, sobering, realistic, transcendence-beckoning sound vibration of your answers to my questions. “Get used to it” (the material body being an impediment) “Do your best, Krishna knows our heart and how we are trying”.

At this middle age, hormonal changes strip the material mind of a lady of any “feel good” chemicals, resilience to stress, clear memory, to name a few. In short the mind becomes a markedly more unrecognisable and uncomfortable landscape and the body starts to pile up with new mid life problems - extra, hard to shift weight for eating and exercising the same as the past, question marks over cholesterol levels and heart function, weak digestion, swelling limbs…suddenly doctors visits become a litany of issues when there were once virtually none, or minimal and occasional, for decades.

There are some upsides - a growing sense of independence from the more debilitating and obscuring levels of emotional obligations to seemingly everyone and everything - I guess necessary for the reproductive phase of the body to keep you properly dedicated to the nest and all it’s goings on (not suggesting any encouragement to leave Krishna centred marriages of course) So that part can be helpful in Krishna’s service I think as it translates into a new focus, (when you have the energy to focus), without so much emotional distraction. And apparently things do settle down more gradually as you go through this mid life phase.

But again this is all bodily and mental, and of course will be subject to more change over the coming decades too as older age infiltrates the currently functional with dysfunction. We can’t rely on the facilities of the body and mind and their pluses and minuses at different points. So “get used to it” as you said is really the name of the game, and amp up the attempts at hearing, chanting, remembering and serving in all circumstances as far as possible….until perhaps one day we are physically and mentally rendered unable, but by then we have done our best and Krishna takes over when we can’t use this bodily and mental instrument effectively anymore.

So this is my small meditation on the second half of life in bhakti, life after the orange light. I do miss the younger days of flinging myself into service, much more energy to try and do whatever you want in Krishna’s service as much as possible and the absorption and exhilaration that brought…It looks mystical now to see these young ones just day in day out applying their energy with minimal need for recovery. And then even physically older devotees who can still do so much day after day. Anyway it is all a matter of personal capacity and for the spiders and monkeys of Lord Rama’s pastimes to shed illumination on - capacity is individual and Krishna sees what we are giving according to our own, not someone else’s. Please correct me if I am wrong in my analysis and please show me if I am eligible, if there is another way to access more energy from the spiritual platform that I am totally missing. Certainly I need to be more pinpointed in my hearing and chanting focus at least.

Some words that you apparently said very early on when I was 22, newly living in the ladies ashram - you mentioned to the leaders that I was trying to be a devotee (and therefore should be protected from attending a certain envious person’s yoga classes who the devotees all knew). I was shocked at the time when I heard that I was “trying to be a devotee” - as being newly minted, chanting 16 rounds for a few months, reading Prabhupada’s books and wolfing down prasadam, I had thought I surely was a devotee, not just trying to be one. Now I realise that I really am just trying to be a devotee - in those new days you have no idea of the depth and breadth of bhakti and how much purification is needed.

I so much appreciate everything you have given me, and I hope to hang on to it well through all the turbulence of the material platform. Please help me to be an all weather practitioner, not just when things are easier. Please help me to use distress to come closer to Krishna. I am very grateful for your decades of teaching, classes, guidance, association, example, kindness and generosity. I am grateful for the all the service opportunities and focuses you have given me, what would I do without them? I also love the Recharge Festivals - they are a trip to the spiritual world, such a kind gift that you have given us for so many years now. Please help me to be a sincere bhakti practitioner throughout my days and to try to give Krishna to others as much as possible. I pray that I can chant and hear with more depth. 



your grateful spiritual daughter and aspiring servant,
Khadiravan devi dasi

Hare Krishna Gurudev
Dandvat pranam
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Wishing you very Happy Krishna Conscious Birthday

I am blessed to have you in my life. You have given me recognition by giving your shelter. Just how a child looks at his father, I lookup to you. You have completed a vacant space of a father in my life. Please help me to grow in bhakti so that I can serve Sri Sri Radha Vallabha and Srila Prabhupada.
I am eternally indebted with you mercy and accepting me as your disciple.

Yours Servant

Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja celebration!

As you continue to change the world and the spiritual direction of countless individuals' paths with your accurate , relevant and tireless preaching , the marvellous observable phenomenon of your mass scale book distribution has no limitation and can be glorified to no end.

Your limbs with which you distribute can travel far and wide and you strategically place them in many towns and villages to catch the conditioned souls in the net of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabbhu's sankirtan yajna.

One such example of your tireless book distribution , Gurudev , was in New Zealands holiest of places , Bethlehem.
You had a limb placed there in the parking lot of the central shopping district.

One boy was stopped and he was given an SSR and a HIUH to which he was explained both about the articles on self sustainable happiness in your book and Prabhupada's transcribed classes and teachings in SSR.

Just as this exchange was taking place , a car pulled up next space over and out jumps a lady who passes by and takes a look at the books in this boy's hands and to her amazement she screams,
"OMG !! That book needs to be in everybody's lives and read daily !!"

She stops and asks how many HIUH do we have ?
She then proceeds to explain that she first saw HIUH in a hair salon on the waiting magazine table and picked it up as the 'Buddhist' colours and design of the book captured her attention.

Immediate absorption and thrill took over.
She couldn't put your book down....

Taking it with her from the salon, she photocopied articles from it , made excerpts to give to and discuss with her "spiritual" friends.
Returning the book to the salon the next visit she demanded the salon owners immediately reveal where, how and why this book appeared on their magazine table, of all places.
Answers didn't come despite pressing the entire community of shops around the salon if they saw anything or anyone on their CCTV who could lead to cracking this transcendental mystery.
She and her friends had dinner parties centred around discussing your book.
Each night would be based on different themes presented in your articles.
The week ending in a quiz night.
Every one wanted more.
They discussed , thread bare , every point in every article and were impressed by your personal details in the "about the author" section.

Using the website address, they all had questions .
But she had run into more of your limbs, in other parts of Bay of Plenty over the preceding months and purchased more HIUH and more questions were answered.
Also searching for SVI and PE.
This day she purchased another four copies of HIUH to distribute to her growing spiritual family.
She was given more information and others of Prabhupada's books.

Having these pockets of thriving spiritual families discussing your books all over the country, all over the world, it is easy to observe how your book distribution is expanding vigorously, Gurudev.

Needless to say this boy was so inspired by this lady's enthusiasm, he purchased SSR and HIUH and an extra copy for his friends also.

Thanking you unlimitedly , Gurudev , on this day of your appearance , for the opportunity to associate with your limbs and witness/ participate in your national, nay , international Sankirtan Yajna.

Your aspiring servant of your servants
Khela tirtha dasa

nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. On this sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I reflect with gratitude on the inconceivable mercy you bestow upon this unworthy servant.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.7.6) states:
<i>anarthopasamam sākṣād
bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje
lokasyājānato vidvāṁś
cakre sātvata-saṁhitām
"The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service to the Supreme Lord. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth."</i>

Just like Śrīla Vyāsadeva, you have taken it upon yourself to enlighten a world lost in ignorance. Although most people do not even realize they are suffering, still you dedicate your time, energy, and heart to preaching the glories of the Lord and distributing transcendental knowledge. You travel tirelessly, speak profusely, and serve selflessly - not for your own benefit, but for ours. As a Yale graduate, you could have easily chosen a comfortable life, but instead, you embraced the burdens of others so they might have a chance to reconnect with Kṛṣṇa. This is the true heart of a Vaishnava – <i>para duḥkha duḥkhī</i> - one who sacrifices personal comfort to uplift the fallen.

Your service to the devotees and the world at large is a shining example of the qualities we all strive to cultivate—humility, patience, and selfless giving. Over the past 15 years, I’ve been fortunate to attend the student retreats you’ve conducted in Melbourne. While our organizing team has continually changed and adapted our services suiting our situation, your schedule during these retreats has remained remarkably consistent over these years, oblivious to your increasing age and health challenges. This unwavering dedication speaks volumes about your selfless giving; despite any personal inconveniences you may face.

One of the most remarkable qualities I have come to admire in you, Gurudev, is your unparalleled ability to nurture and deepen the relationships you have with devotees. In a Śrīmad Bhāgavatam class in Melbourne a few months back, you gave an extraordinary presentation for devotees on dealing with their differences and preserving relationships. You have an extraordinary gift for seeing the hearts of every individual, understanding their unique struggles, and providing guidance that is both compassionate and tailored to their personal journey. Your genuine care and attention make every devotee feel cherished and supported, irrespective of their circumstances.

I am eternally grateful for the immense blessings you have showered upon me. Your grace continues to shape my life, guiding me through various challenges, always having the bigger picture of service to Krsna at the centre of everything I do. On this special occasion of your 75th Vyāsa-pūjā, we feel fortunate to have your personal association in Melbourne amongst your disciples and well-wishers. I pray for your continued blessings and guidance, to have the strength to serve you and the devotees in a way that is pleasing to you. May I always remain humble, receptive to your teachings, and ever committed to following in your footsteps.

You aspiring servants
Kirtiman Krsna dasa, Priyamvada Madhavi devi dasi. Priti &amp; Daama

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srīla Prabhupāda. And all glories to you on this wonderful and auspicious day of your appearance.

This year I am writing my offering during the end of our pre-india trip sankirtan marathon. Everyone has been working tirelessly in order to reach this year's book distribution and laksmi targets, so that the development of the new temple in Cardiff can be completed.

It's a very exciting time and I feel very fortunate to have a full-time engagement in devotional service especially before going to the dhāma.

One of your many wonderful qualities I am meditating on and appreciating is your ability and expertise to associate with devotees so nicely. In the purport to SB 5.18.9 Prabhupāda explains:
‘The material world is full of envious persons, but if one frees himself of envy, he becomes liberal in his social dealings and can think of others’ welfare.’

When I think of the way you carefully and lovingly interact with devotees this statement by Srila Prabhupāda comes into my mind. As you explain yourself- associating with devotees is not a material ability but we have to beg Krishna to be able to associate with devotees nicely. You go on to further explain in your classes (with great relish) that devotee association is a Vaisnava sport. Whenever you come to Wales, we can see that you are a living example of this and you always leave the devotees feeling enthused and enlivened by this quality.
Furthermore I have noted in recent classes you have been repeating the point about being careful in devotee association and the 6 types of offenses to Vaishnavas, including not receiving a Vaisnava well or not being happy to be in the presence of a Vaishnava. Your attention to this detail and repeated emphasis highlights your care for devotees and understanding of how dear devotees are to Krishna.

I have not even been able to scratch the surface, in this offering, of your wonderful qualities, character and exemplary behaviour, however I sincerely pray that I may one day follow in your footsteps and develop the ability to associate with devotees liberally, being filled with gratitude and being free from envy- all for your and Krishna's pleasure.

I pray that my efforts to be an instrument in the Sankirtan mission are pleasing to you. And I pray that I may hold tightly to your instructions and guidance so that I may pass over any obstacles on the path of devotional service with ease by your Mercy.

Thank you dear Gurudeva,
Forever in your debt,

Your insignificant servant,
Koladvīpa-pati das

Dear Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances,
I have recently taken (within the last week or so), to seriously advancing in my bhakti by seriously honoring my sadhana of minimum 4 rounds of japa, along with at least 1 verse reading of Shrila prabhupadas books, which on several accounts you have highlighted the great importance of reading Srilla prabhupadas books understanding the philosophy and deepening ones connection with Krishna through the reading of his pastimes and wonderful activities. I ask for your mercy to continue to consistently practice my sadhana even though it is below the minimum standard. I ask for your forgiveness for any offenses I have knowingly or unknowingly committed in my ignorance. I have long accepted you as my spiritual master in my heart as I finally take on this journey to qualify myself for the krishna conscious academy.

During my reading of bhagavad Gita I have found myself relating to arjuna, having being brought up in a krishna conscious environment I have found myself obtaining valuable information such as the dharmic principals their importance and the need to strive to be virtuous and simple in one's dealings. Yet the confusion or not quite understanding how all the puzzle pieces fit together I am like a child with valuable gems that have been handed to someone who doesn't realize their value or how to utilize them. Gurudev please continue to be the beam of light that pushes the darkness of ignorance out of my heart like the sun drives the fog away, daylight peircing the illusory energy that blinds one to the absolute truth. I selfishly pray that I can obtain more of your personal association whilst your are personally present in this world. I pray to the supreme lord that you lead a long and prosperous life so that I can benefit. I foolishly ask more and more of you but the more I take to your lotus feet the more clearly I can see the value in the gems that were placed on my lap.

Happy 75th vyasa puja Maharaj!
Hare Krishna,
Sincerely,
Your aspiring servant,
Krisha Prasad (daughter of Madhavi Lata DD)

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeicances,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On your recent visit I have been contemplating that I am actually only really peaceful and satisfied in your presence.
So many desires and crazy thoughts go through my mind every day and I only realize that the fire of material existence is burning within my heart when it temporarily gets somewhat extinguished when you kindly allow me to be with you.

For so many decades you've been traveling the globe just to help conditioned souls like myself to get out of the clutches of Kali Yuga. Wherever you go, you give everything you have. You give so much time, care, attention and love to everyone that comes to you.

Even though your body is aging, you tirelessly go on preaching Krishna consciousness, go for late night preaching events for devotees and guests, travel the world without stopping, take on so many austerities just to please Krishna and rescue the Kali Yuga damsels.

When you are with us, everything changes and everyone is so enlivened. When you give classes in Wellington and being in your presence I am getting some small realisation how much I'm out of sink with reality and how much I'm dreaming that I can make this world of chaos and problems into a nice place.

I am hoping that I may one day, get a drop of your determination, enthusiasm and patience to execute your instructions as you are serving the instructions of Srila Prabhupada.
Whatever external changes I may go through in the near and distant future I'm praying to you, dear Gurudev that I can keep Krishnas pleasure and your instructions in the center of my life without being distracted by material circumstances and obligations. My mind is very fickle and I easily get distracted, but I'm hoping that by your mercy and trying to follow your instructions I may be able to become a little more like you - being firmly fixed on devotional service.

Your aspiring servant
Krishna Gopinath das

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my very humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this most special occasion of your appearance!

As I continue to grow in my bhakti and follow your instruction, I can’t help but be so grateful for the short time myself and my husband, Mukunda Mukha have had under your shelter. It has been the most calm and steady time in our 18 year long marriage. We always had a good relationship, but we were still in this material world with material desires and emotions. But chanting the Holy Name and living for service has brought us much closer and happy.

I’m sure you remember my hesitations when we first started coming around The Loft. I was scared my enthusiastic husband was going to leave me behind for Krishna and that was very confronting for me. But you put my worries at ease when you looked at me and told me that progressing on the path of Krishna Consciousness would make him a better person and a better husband. You told me that my husband and I could walk together as partners in enlightenment, keeping Krishna in the center.

Well, you know how it all turned out- I eventually relaxed and now here we are, Krishna Mukha and Mukunda Mukha on this path together. I meditate on that vision of walking together in enlightenment and keeping Krishna in the center often. Earlier this year, we were so fortunate to be in Vrindavan and we completed Govardhan parikrama alongside some of our god-family. I just kept meditating on Giriraj in the center and walking around him with my husband- although a very literal translation of what you told me early on, it made me reflect on how we are actually living every day. This is your mercy that I have realized this, a reflection I’m very grateful to have.

On last December 31st, 2024, in front of our spiritual family, you welcomed my husband and I into a new life dedicated to Krishna- one where we can serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission and your mission of outreach, bringing others closer to Krishna. I actually think I went to another planet when I bowed down and offered my humble obeisances after you passed me my beads and shared my name- Krishna Mukha. Now, as the ‘in your face’ Mukha family, although we have maintained our material jobs, our real job is serving you, Srila Prabhupada, the devotees and those we meet along the way. It is truly the best life I could have in this material place and I thank you for all the blessings and instruction you’ve bestowed upon us along the way. I only regret not finding you and Krishna sooner.

Mukunda Mukha and I love that are darshans with you are always full of laughter and joy- we have even been told that your laughter emanates from your cabin in the woods in Otaki when we are having darshan with you. However, with all the laughter and joy, does come seriousness- We hope we can continue to serve you in a pleasing way, so our laughter with you can continue. We are both forever indebted to you and hope we can stay under the shelter of your lotus feet.

Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Krishna Mukha

My dearest Gurudeva, to you I bow,
Accept my obeisances here and now.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet,
Who has accomplished marvelous feats.

To awaken the soul’s dormant love is your mission
And Srila Prabhupada’s pure ambition.
You live surrendered, nothing else matters.
Your heart is softer than fresh-churned butter.

On this auspicious, sacred day,
Your Vyāsa-pūjā, I humbly pray.
With torch of knowledge, shining bright,
You open my darkened eyes to light.

So rare it is, this gift sublime,
To meet a soul so pure, divine.
How could I ever deserve to see,
Such mercy flowing down to me?

You cross the world’s consuming fire,
Extinguish pain and false desire.
You teach bhakti service, purest art,
And plant devotion in the heart.

Your heart of mercy feels their cries,
The souls bewildered by Maya’s ties.
Conditioned souls with smiles untrue,
In Maya’s net, they have no clue.

From you flows prema’s boundless sea,
That drowns the hearts in ecstasy.
Like cooling clouds of mercy’s rain,
You free lost souls from Maya’s chain.

You reach their hearts to lift them high
Where only bliss and love reside.
Through you, Lord Krishna’s grace appears,
To break their chains and dry their tears.

Though travel wears and trials demand,
You cross the seas and every land.
For souls who wander, lost, deceived,
Your mercy shines, their hearts relieved.

O Gurudeva, close and dear,
In Rādhā’s service you appear.
You guide us to Her holy feet,
Where love and bhakti’s joy complete.

With kindness deep and steady care,
You teach us how the soul can dare
To rise above this fleeting strife,
And taste the nectar of true life.

Though vast your wisdom, deep your grace,
Humility crowns your radiant face.
You walk as a servant, never proud,
Yet lift our hearts above the cloud.

When Krishna’s pastimes fill your voice,
The souls awaken, hearts rejoice.
You lift us high from worldly load,
To Vrindavan’s sweet, eternal abode.

We close our eyes, yet clearly see,
The dance, the love, the ecstasy.
Transported far beyond this realm,
We drink the nectar of the holy name.

O Gurudeva, pure and wise,
Through you, bhakti blessings multiply.
Your mercy is my only way—
Please guide me home, I humbly pray.

Grant me the strength to carry on,
When hope feels weak, when faith seems gone.
Please give me wisdom, firm and true,
To face my faults and work them through.

Please give me the courage to embrace,
My faults, my pride, my selfish ways.
Help me to serve and not despair,
To see Krishna’s hand everywhere.

Bless me with taste for holy names,
That cleanse the heart from all false claims.
And may true humility grow in me,
A servant’s mood eternally.

At your lotus feet I bow once more,
Begging your blessings forevermore.
With love I remain, both now and then,
Your humble servant, again and again.

Krishna-mayi devi dasi

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you for being a representative of Krishna.

Somehow, not due to my own merit, I was so fortunate to meet you and take shelter of you, a bonafide spiritual master. I had been trudging around in the material wonderland, never knowing which way to turn or what to do. I felt such a relief when I came upon the devotees; especially you. I had read in the Bhagavad-gita that to know God you have to go through a spiritual master, so I was earnestly hoping to find one.

Krishna’s system is perfect in re-connecting the conditioned souls back to Him.
1. Take shelter of a bonafide spiritual master.
2. Accept initiation from the spiritual master &amp; receive instruction.
3. Serve the spiritual master with Faith &amp; Confidence.

In the Bhakti rasamrita sindhu, Chapter 7,
Evidence regarding devotional principles
Srila Prabhupada begins the chapter:
Accepting the shelter of a bonafide spiritual master
“In the Eleventh canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, third chapter, verse 21, Prabuddha tells Maharaj Nimi, “My dear King, please know for certain that in the material world there is no happiness. It is simply a mistake to think that there is happiness here, because this place is full of nothing but miserable conditions. Any person who is seriously desirous of achieving real happiness must seek out a bonafide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of a spiritual master is that he must have realized the conclusion of the scriptures by deliberation and arguments and thus be able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, are to be understood as bonafide spiritual masters. Everyone should try to find such a bonafide spiritual master in order to fulfill his mission of life, which is to transfer himself to the plane of spiritual bliss”.

I really can’t fathom how someone as unqualified as me could be blessed to meet a spiritual master of your caliber who is extraordinarily qualified, knowledgeable, spiritually accomplished and committed to his disciples spiritual welfare.

All glories to you, Gurudeva. You are truly a glorious person, a shining example of a devotee, dedicated to devotional service and Srila Prabhupada's mission.
In the Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada quotes from BRS 1.3.1.
“Love of Godhead is compared to the sunshine, and this shining makes the devotee's heart more and more lovely. The heart of such a devotee is situated in a transcendental position, beyond, even the mode of goodness”.

I am eternally grateful and seek your blessings to cultivate the devotion necessary to serve you and Srila Prabhupada’s mission more effectively, more wholeheartedly and more sincerely.

Your servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On your recent visit to Wellington, after many months of travelling the US, UK and Europe. It really felt like we hadn’t seen you for quite a while.
I was sitting with the other devotees awaiting your arrival to give class at Bhakti Lounge. You walked in, offered your obeisances and sat down. Ive heard you say so many times that “Vani is more important than the Vapu, however if you can get the personal association of your Guru then you should jump on it.”
In that moment the realisation hit me as I was thinking I hadn’t seen you for months. There had been so much physical distance between us yet I felt like there had been none at all.
That moment was a tiny glimpse into what its like to be connected through my service as you are always with me in your instructions. There seemed to be no difference between the Vani and Vapu. I thought to myself, ‘this is mystical’.

Later in that same class you revealed that some devotees have named you the Pied Piper, putting everyone under your spell. You said “whatever it is, I'm praying to Krsna how I'm going to touch their head and their heart.”
Gurudeva, you have definitely done this for me. Like you have said “that for us to be engaged in devotional service and chanting Hare Krsna is a Miracle. One may call it a miracle, mystical or being put under a spell. I would just put in down to your Mercy. I feel so grateful and blessed to have had so much of my short time in Bhakti spent in your personal presence. Right from the beginning through till today, you’ve touched my head and heart.
For both my wife and I you have worn so many hats. From Marriage councillor, wedding planner, mentor, career advisor, father, spiritual teacher, friend, task master, herbalist, travel guide, CEO and Guru. Just to name a few. You definitely didn’t need to but for some reason you have and that means so much.

I relish every moment I get in your personal presence, but by doing so in service, I can also relish at every moment. Please allow me to always stay connected through your instructions and never lose sight of my mission.

Your grateful servant,
Krsna Prasada das

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj

Dandavat Pranam
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to your most auspicious Vyasa Puja

On this most auspicious day I am reminded of the guru Pooja prayers and the causeless Mercy of the endowed spiritual master and their Unlimited kindness that they bestow on the disciple.

Each year I understand more and more the intentions of Abrahamic conception of the spiritual master i e Jesus and Muhammad. And it is their misunderstanding of Guru tattwa that exalts Bhakti and gives the surrendered soul proper understanding of the qualitative Oneness of divinity that the spiritual master has. I say this and I realize that I am nowhere close to being an ideal disciple but I can say that I have God brothers and God sisters who inspire me to be better.

However i hope one day you may look at me and be proud of what I have accomplish due to the grace of Lord Chaitanya along with your causeless mercy.

Your Aspiring Servant
Krsnadeva Das,

Hare Krishna dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of Vyasa-puja.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that we receive direct transcendental knowledge through the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-Vaisnava sampradaya.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that you deliver us from the blazing fire of material existence, as expressed in the beautiful Guruvastakam Prayers of Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that you enliven our hearts with Krishna-katha, purifying us from impersonal and voidist concepts.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that you have the strength to give us Krishna: “Krishna se tomar, Krishna dite paro, tomara śakati āche.” This is an extremely rare mercy, as Krishna appears only once in a day of Brahma—8.64 billion years.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that you enlighten us with the highest philosophy of serving Sri Sri Radha-Krishna through the mercy of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda Prabhu.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that you educate us that the highest form of worship of Krishna is loving service in separation, exemplified by the mood of the Six Goswamis. This truth is so relevant in outreach, for to truly love Krishna we must step out of our comfort zone and help other conditioned souls to love Him.

Our great fortune in taking shelter of you, Gurudev, is that you guide us to take shelter of the holy name—Nama Prabhu—the very essence of bhakti.

Yet, despite having received such priceless wealth from you, alas, my mind still chases after so-called material happiness just as Dhruva Maharaj laments after having darshan of Krishna in Madhuvan that a poor man seeks broken grains of husked rice even after being blessed by an emperor.

My realization is that this body is a ticking time bomb. Therefore on this most auspicious day, I pray to you that I may take my bhakti-life seriously—that I may gain the taste to serve the Vaisnavas, to chant the holy name attentively, to take deep shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s books, and to assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada by helping others on their Krishna conscious journey.

Please forgive any offenses I have committed to you, and kindly let me know how Prema Lahari, Gopa-kumara, and I may serve you.

Your servant,

Krishnagraja Das

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 the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your appearance day!

Firstly, we would like to apologise for not being in touch as much as we would like.

On your Vyasa-puja day, we pause to take stock of the mercy that has come to us through your words and example. Your teaching is powerful, your words are enlightening to the souls and your kirtans are uplifting.

In your lectures, you often say that Bhakti is a like a laboratory experiment, follow the process and experience the fruit of bhakti yoga.
You always emphasize to measure success not by career speed or the weight of possessions, but by the steadiness of our chanting, the softness of our heart, and the readiness to serve.

Thanks to technology, it has become easier to keep in touch with kirtans, lectures and online darshans too.

Whilst family life comes with so much rewards, joy and provides a strong sense of belonging, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Life with 2 little kids and work certainly does not leave us with too much time in our hands. We have had to cut down on the number of home programs attendance and temple visits, which make us feel a bit disappointed.

We undoubtedly feel that parenting is underestimated and admire devotees who seem to have everything under control and a good balance in their devotional and family life.

We always embrace your instruction to keep Krishna at the centre of our household. On the bright side, we regularly do kirtan at home with our little boys. They love to sing Narsimha Dev prayers, pick flowers from the garden to offer Gaura Nitai and say Good night to them before bed.
We try to chant with attention, read a little every day, serve our deities, and keep good company.

Please allow us to offer our family life as a service, and to raise our children with affection, healthy boundaries, and a growing taste for the holy name.

Guru Maharaj, you carry Srila Prabhupada’s mission with such gravity and warmth.
Thank you for showing your mercy on fallen souls like us.

On this Vyasa puja day we place our insignificant devotional attempts, our time and our family at your lotus feet.
We pray that we can always follow your instructions and that we can become steady in our devotional service.

And as always, we pray for your good health so that you can continue to guide fallen souls like us.

Aspiring to be your servants,
Krsnamrita das, Rasamrita devi dasi, Balaram &amp; Harinama

Dear Guru Maharaja,

My respectful pranamas,
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Jaya Sri Sri Gaura Nitai!

Earlier this year, you suggested I participate in a newly formed forum called Speaking about Varnashrama.

This was right up my alley, so I decided to follow the discussions and participate where possible. Thank you very much for this suggestion which formed the genesis of quite a journey of introspection and contemplation..
Below is a copy of my recent analysis on this subject that I wish to present:

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Varnashrama dharma is a topic that is a complex one and needs to be treated in the context of the broader theology of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and its practical application in the modern era.

During the physical presence of our dear Srila Prabhupada, the topic of Varnashrama dharma was, as time went on, more and more a subject of discussion between him and his disciples. These discussions were centered around a) how society was organized during Vedic times, and b) the merits of such a system being implemented in the modern world. A point to note for some significant consideration is that when Srila Prabhupada talked about Varnashrama he would rarely draw a distinction between the different types of Varnashrama – that is; naturally occurring, Vedic, and Daiva. Thus, it is left to his disciples and grand disciples to try to delineate the nuances between them. Indeed, they are important ones. So when we refer to Varnashrama dharma we can be talking about any of those types – but what they look like in the world can be very, very different. I will return to this point later.

As Srila Prabhupada’s time in the West went on, he became increasingly focused on the necessity of Varnashrama dharma. This was largely due to two significant reasons. Firstly, he was concerned about the number of devotees who were unable to maintain the level of Krsna bhakti practice that they had originally committed to, and secondly, Srila Prabhupada made many comments and intimations that the modern economic system on which society was structured would fail catastrophically in the future. His prediction was that there would be about 50 years before the wheels really started falling off in Western Civilization – and here we are, about 50 years later.

Thus, our founder Acharya, espoused a saner, more sustainable way of life, rooted in a mainly agrarian economic model, which was familiar to him based on his cultural background. Prabhupada also saw through the current global economic system and knew that a currency that was not backed by, and on par with the gold price corrupts the entire economic system (ŚB 1.17.39) and will eventually collapse.

Half a century later, while I am learning from some of the sharpest macroeconomic analysts in the game, they are confirming the very thing that Srila Prabhupada warned us of all those years ago – history has shown that all fiat currencies eventually fail. We can see this is now occurring at an increasing rate as the value of our dollars, be it NZD or USD is getting weaker and weaker – the purchasing power is diminishing. The USD has lost at least 90% of it’s purchasing power since the early 1970’s. The Gold price confirms this as it takes more and more money to buy the same quantity of gold, even though the physical labour and endeavour to extract gold from the ground remains relatively similar over time – evidence of currency collapse. So everyone is becoming poorer, imperceptibly. Unfortunately, they don’t tell us this on TV.

Srila Prabhupada taught us that real wealth comes from the land. His focus on simple living, high thinking in a land-centric way, with God in the centre of our activities and endeavours was real wisdom. He also knew that when the time comes for governments to tackle financial implosions, what do they do? If all else fails, they take their countries to war (Morning Walk conversation, November 29th 1975, Delhi). It’s difficult to conclude that from Srila Prabhupada’s predictions to where we are now in the world and what is unravelling in front of us, that we should go on living the exact same type of lifestyle we have been for the last few decades. We need to come off autopilot. Things are going to change. Undoubtedly, the 2030’s and 2040’s are going to be quite different to this current decade. Denial is certainly not the best approach in these circumstances.

That said, implementing a social system where we all work in cooperative arrangements according to the different divisions of Varna and Ashrama with Krsna at the centre, utilising the wealth provided by the land for our essential maintenance, sounds ideal, but is not at all an easy transition.

Why?

In the West, we hail from a culture that is individualistic, factory-like, impersonal, achievement-oriented, and with an overt dependence on centralised governments and bureaucracies. Even modest levels of self-sufficiency in our day-to-day lives can be very foreign to most of us. This is to name a few characteristics. Actually, we can unconsciously bring in these subtle imbalances to the society of devotees, even if we think we are doing perfectly in our bhakti.
So, when we talk about Varnashrama Dharma in the society of devotees, are we really ready to look at our own culture that we create, and be able to critique it and identify imbalances and unhealthy aspects therein? Often in the society of devotees we are so busy looking at all the pitfalls of the broader secular society, that we may be overlooking the internal barriers that prevent us from moving forward collectively as a Krsna conscious society. A broader vision may bring much progress here.

The challenge for all of us is that if we don’t dare to do this, we are unlikely to be able to have the courage to lead the way in implementing Varnashrama Dharma in the current era successfully.

Firstly, as we know, Varnashrama dharma is not a spiritual thing, it is a material system, but it is Krsna’s system. Of course, if we are identifying as fully liberated bhaktas on the paramahamsa platform, then Varnashrama dharma is not exactly what we need, we are already in the Spiritual World. For most of us though, in the human form of life, our psychophysical nature needs to be engaged accordingly. If we are good at being humans first and foremost, we can be good at Varnashrama dharma.

Now, I briefly mentioned the different types of Varnsarhama dharma – firstly, there is naturally occurring. By nature’s design there is always going to be skilled workers and artists, business people and farmers, government agents and armed defenders, thinkers and philosophers. In Vedic times these natural divisions occurring, as well as the four stages of life (ashrama) were strictly organized in a way that would elevate the individual jiva over many lifetimes. There were strict rules under the Vedic system that would be cumbersome if not completely impractical to emulate in this day and age. Furthermore, we may not have the luxury of several lifetimes to move from Sudra, to Vaisya, to Ksatriya to Brhamana, Lord Caitanya’s program provides an elevator upwards to Divinity, and fast!

One example to illustrate the incongruity of Vedic varnashrama in today’s world; Sannyasis were forbidden to go over the water in the Vedic model. In today’s society of devotees, if that were to be strictly implemented, the entire sannyasa ministry would need to be restructured in its mission and orientation – thus defeating the purpose of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission to share the teachings of Krsna bhakti far and wide. Just one small example of many possibilities of incongruent purposes.
Daiva Varnashrama, however, is brilliant in that it engages the nature of the individual accordingly but provides flexibility to focus on Krsna bhakti seva as the prime consideration above and beyond the strict and antiquated rules and regulations of the Vedic era.
Furthermore, in the spirit of Daiva Varnashrama, we develop the necessary astuteness and awareness to be able to adjust things according to time, place and circumstance, that is, by the recognised and qualified leaders of the society. Thus in the current social context, being able as devotees to come together and work together systematically in the cooperative mentality of Varnashrama dharma, sooner or later, we need to overcome cultural imbalances that may pervade the society at large. Several of these imbalances are listed below:

Spiritual bypassing – this is common in spiritual organizations where practitioners may, though quite unconsciously, bypass dealing with their material needs (the human experience) by prematurely transcending these needs in the name of spirituality, thus neglecting specific duties and responsibilities that need to be carried out.

Another example we have currently is the overemphasis on the Brahmanical varna over the others in the society of devotees, although perhaps that is gradually changing over time. Although we know that Srila Prabhupada emphasised the need to attract brahmanas at the head of society, for the other varnas, a differing set of values and cultures may need to be embraced in the society for those different varnas to flourish. Then the predominant culture in the society would more equally facilitate people with varying natures.
Another conflict may arise in terms of prescribed allowances for worldly enjoyments in different varnas. For example, in Vedic varnashrama, there was an allowance for Ksatriyas to kill certain animals and eat them – but would we want to allow or even encourage this in a society of Vaishnavas today? A Daiva varnashrama society would look different from the Vedic model (the former having more flexibility, less rigidity than the latter) in this regard, so careful consideration would be needed as to how to broaden the devotee culture without watering down the required standards. Compounding these issues is the fact that we don’t seem to have any modern-day dharma sastra in our philosophical canon.

Now turning to something that can occur in our society at times, in various sanga’s – a vision that reinforces an ‘Us and them’ mentality. That is, we are the saved ones, and everyone else needs saving. But are we able to save everyone? Or do we ourselves also need a little saving?

Earlier on, I was alluding to macro-scale crises such as war and financial collapse. Although we hope these scenarios won’t play out, we fear that the Vaishnava devotee community would lack sufficient resources to be able to weather these crises alone (compared to say the Amish people for example), and we would likely need to work more closely with favourable elements of the broader society to build collaborative and progressive projects. In other words, the world's problems are becoming so large and systemic, it is moving beyond the capacity of the Gaudiaya Vaishnava line to single-handedly solve or bring resolutions to the world ourselves. Yes, ultimately, our salvation depends on our commitment to our devoted and pure calling on the names of the Lord, but there are also other theistic traditions as well, where the names of God are called upon. Reducing a sectarian approach to Krsna bhakti and embracing a more non-sectarian one, we may open doors to be able to work with others in the broader society who are favourable to devotees or who themselves practise sincerely another theistic tradition.

Another angle for consideration is that suppose we are forced by circumstance into a more land-centric approach in the coming years. In that case, we also need to be mindful that for those who are accustomed to city life, living rurally can be quite challenging. In the city, we have so much to distract us from whatever is going on in our internal world. In the city, if you don’t particularly gel with a certain person, or people, it's easier to, well, avoid them. But in a small group in the country, we are faced with having to deal with ourselves and others, warts and all, more overtly. Being able to be grounded and sensitive to the nature of our human condition – and the unique condition of others - is a prerequisite for being able to work cooperatively together as aspiring Vaishnavas. In essence, being more sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others is paramount in our goal of implementing Varnashrama dharma. We cannot do this and retain an ideology that the mission, or the institution, is more important than the individual.

There are other salient points as well that I could go into, however I have listed a few subjects that warrant some further consideration. It seems like there is a considerable amount of work to do in our social fabric to bring things forward. Especially if we want to start to see pilot projects that have any resemblance to the divine Daiva Varnashrama system manifesting. Ones where we are less dependent on the extremely problematic paradigm of the current Western system and more self-sufficient – not necessarily as an insular society – but a platform with which others can join – and find their place. What is the foundation of such a successful enterprise? Love and trust between the participants. That is what I feel Srila Prabhupada showed us in his dealings with others during his time on this planet, to a very, very high, exemplary level.

If we are not able to create the level of love and trust amongst the devotees that would create the foundation for Daiva Varnashrama dharma, then all the talk about making it happen remains in the sphere of wishful thinking.

On this note, I pray to be able to imbibe what I “preach” here. I sincerely hope that I can be some positive influence in the paradigm changes and shifts that undoubtedly need to go on in the broader society of devotees. May we rapidly progress on this blessed project we have been asked to strive for by our beloved founder acharya, Srila Prabhuapda.

Hopefully these reflections and opinions will be of some service to this great challenge and task we have in front of us. If we are courageous and sincere, surely the grace will descend more and more from Sri Krsna, down through Sri Guru Parampara.

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Sincere best wishes on your appearance day, Guru Maharaja, and thank you for giving your life and soul to this glorious mission.

Yours in service
Krsnananda dasa

nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā.
We live in a world beset by the threefold miseries. It is a world where without proper guidance, one is simply tossed by the waves of illusion.
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam confirms the essential nature of your role, stating:
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam
SB11.3.21
Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.

Gurudeva, without your shelter, we would surely drown in this ocean of material miseries. We humbly beg you to please continue keeping us under your divine guidance—both through your personal association and your nectarean lectures, so that we may ever remain fixed on your divine instructions.

We vividly recall the time when we first spoke about moving to Brisbane. You had mentioned that you usually wouldn't frequent the city. Yet, to our immense fortune, you not only started visiting but began showering your mercy upon us! Those few days of your personal presence are truly electrifying; they inject a spiritual energy that sustains and guides us long after your departure. We thank you for consistently showing such great mercy on us. We genuinely feel your presence and guidance illuminating every aspect of our lives.

We remember a specific online class for the Melbourne devotees a few years ago on the occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā. In that class, you shared your primary birthday wish: that all your disciples should sincerely chant and execute their sādhana, especially as you advance in age. This instruction has deeply resonated with Bhuvanapāvana, who makes a constant effort to recollect and follow that critical guidance.


 
It is said,
athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi
jānāti tattvaṁ bhagavan-mahimno na cānya eko ’pi ciraṁ vicinvan
SB 10.14.29
"My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years."
The Guru is the transparent via media for the Lord's mercy (prasāda-leśa). By your causeless compassion, a significant milestone blessed in our lives this year: we were able to purchase a home near our ISKCON Brisbane temple just before your kind visit. Moving closer has opened up more opportunities for us to render practical service to Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we sincerely pray to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva to bless you with many more years of vibrant health and the strength to continue your tireless work of distributing the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and be the sincere servant in Srila Prabhupada Mission.

Thank you, Gurudeva, for everything.

Yours ever humble and aspiring servants,
Kulapāvana dāsa
Bhuvanapāvana devī dāsī
Yamunā and Sachit

Dear Srila Gurudev,

nama om vishu padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah

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, selfness and compassion.
Happy Vyasa Puja!

Thank you so much for allowing me the chance to serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha and Their devotees. I’m really grateful for all the guidance you’ve given me because I wouldn’t be on this path of krsna consciousness without your help.

I know I still have a lot to learn and grow in, but your classes, writings, and instructions have made krsna consciousness so much clearer for me. Your encouragement and support have strengthened my faith in krsna and Srila Prabhupada, and they’ve also helped me grow in my own life along the way.

On this special day, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and also renew my commitment to you. Your guidance has helped me understand krsna consciousness on a much deeper level, and I truly want to keep striving to be a sincere student of yours and of Srila Prabhupada.

The way you teach—whether through your online classes, lectures, or our one-on-one conversations—has opened doors I never thought I could walk through. Honestly, I never believed I could seriously try to live as a committed devotee, but because of your care and encouragement, I’ve found a path to face the challenges in my life with more faith and determination.

There have been many times when I doubted myself and my efforts, but your steady guidance and kindness always helped me rise above those uncertainties. For that, I feel so grateful, and I carry that gratitude with me as I keep working toward my krsna consciousness goals.

Since my last Vyasa Puja offering, I set a goal for myself to read Srila Prabhupada’s books every day, and by your mercy I’ve been steadily reading at least one verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam daily. This is a commitment I want to carry forward and keep building upon.

I’ve also been blessed with the opportunity to serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha in the area of technology—working on the website, festival campaigns, donation setup, and other digital services for ISKCON Sydney. Along with that, I’m assisting with the transcription of your lectures under the guidance of Vinoda Govinda Das, which has been both humbling and inspiring. I’ve also had the opportunity to offer some input in setting up and managing your website, so it can better serve your disciples and devotees.

More recently, I have also taken up the service of supporting the Hornsby hall program here in Sydney, under the guidance of Srisankirtan Narottam Prabhu. I sincerely ask for your blessings so that I can serve the community with sincerity and dedication, and at the same time continue to grow in my krsna consciousness.

I also want to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt prayers to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha, and all the devotees for your continued good health. Please continue to bless me with your guidance so that I, along with others, may do our small part in helping to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s vision and mission.

Hare Krsna,
Your servant and student ,
Kumara Sanandana Das.
Sep 2025.

Nama Om Vishnu Padaya
Krishna presthaya buthale
Srimathae Devamrita swami ithinamine
Prachare Purva dakshamcha
Bhakti chara pravinatha
Parararthapi Karunyam
Yasya sarva chate namah

Dear Gurudeva,
With my insignificant intelligence and unsteady mind, I feel completely unqualified to glorify you. No words of mine can ever do justice in describing your unlimited qualities and boundless compassion. Still, as it is the sacred duty of a disciple to offer glorification on Vyasa-puja day, I will humbly try, begging for your mercy.

Srila Gurudeva, I offer my deepest gratitude to you for so mercifully accepting me as your disciple. For countless lifetimes, I have wandered aimlessly in the material world. Now, by your causeless mercy, you have appeared in my life like a shining light, guiding me back to the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet.
During the initiation ceremony, you explained how harinama initiation is a significant milestone in one's spiritual journey, and that the spiritual master takes on the karmic reactions of the disciple. You even said the spiritual master is willing to suffer in hellish conditions just to deliver Krishna consciousness to his disciples. I am speechless when I reflect on the depth of that sacrifice. It is beyond my comprehension, and I wonder how I could ever repay even a fraction of your kindness.
I know I am fallen and full of faults, but I sincerely pray for the strength and sincerity to follow your instructions. I especially wish to cultivate a Krishna-centered family, as you have instructed. Please bless me that I may become a worthy disciple, dedicated to your mission, and always striving to serve you and Srila Prabhupada with devotion and integrity.

Your insignificant and ever-grateful servant,
Kuñja- Sukha Devī Dāsī

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, a stalwart follower of Srila Prabhupada!

Due to my great misfortune in the past, for years I could not comprehend the spoken lectures of Srila Prabhupada. But recently, I surely must have been favored by the mercy of the devotees because I have entered a new era of hearing, where the spoken words of Srila Prabhupada are now as clear as day to me. As I listen, I notice how every point made by Srila Prabhupada has been perfectly transmitted through you. Thus, what I refer to here as my “misfortune in the past” was actually nullified and reversed because of my meeting you, a bonafide representative of the disciplic succession. Being under your shelter, hearing from you, following your guidance - I consider these the most precious gems of my life and undoubtedly my greatest fortune.

Alongside this new era of hearing is the season of motherhood. And even for this you give the perfect example. As you said to us, it’s not location of where the child is being raised that creates the greatest depth but rather the happiness of the parents that transmits inspiration for Bhakti. After your recent visit to Los Angeles, I feel I was experiencing as the child in this exact scenario. Your natural excitement for greeting Rukmini Dwarkadish in the mornings, your glorifying the fortune of a child who grows up directly across the street from the Deities and from regular classes and kirtans in the temple - you injected some new enthusiasm in me for the endless spiritual possibilities of living on Watseka Avenue. Even accompanying you on your exercise/japa walks gave me newfound appreciation for these few blocks of what I normally view as dry suburban jungle - not exactly appreciation for the suburbs themselves but rather how you turn everything into a service to Krishna and that’s exciting! The atmosphere seems to be penetrated with a different substance when you are here.

Our prayer is that through this season, we continue to be able to serve you in some way and keep trying to expand non-traditional outreach in LA. Just as rulers, monarchs and business proprietor’s expand their empires through family life and pass on the legacy to their children, in the same way we pray that this soul will help us expand our service to your lotus feet. After all, we are in the business of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so anything is possible! Why not? Through your example of serving and leading the way in ever-expansive and dynamic service to Mahaprabhu and to the mission of Srila Prabhupada, you give me the courage and confidence to see it in this way.

Humbly bowing down in the dust of your lotus feet,


Your miniscule servant,
Kunja-mandana devi dasi

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humblest obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your service. All glories to your continued guidance and mercy.

It is with great pleasure that I send this message, not only in celebration of your 75th Vyasa Puja but also as a chance to reflect on the tremendous glories this past year has brought. Within this year alone, you have cared for me in my lowest lows and guided me toward my highest highs, while I entrained toward your steady equipoise. After falling ill to quadrennial cluster headaches in December, I was out of commission for a month and battling to maintain consistent sadhana and hope to sustain. The cure was not the zinc, the hospital visits, the highly specialized oils, nor the extra strength melatonin, but rather the outpouring of well wishes and love that I felt from the devotees and yourself. Thank you for reaching out personally to check on me and remind me that there is still light that comes from dark times. With this change of perspective, I was able to focus on the positives of being physically forced into less screen time, being driven deeper into Srimad Bhagavatam reading, being inspired to reinvigorate the muscle of writing dramas, and ultimately being led further into my love for gardening on Sri Sri Radha Damodara’s land.

Through the intense physical and mental toll, you encouraged me to expand my definition of fun. While the headaches were only temporary, you taught me that the lessons that I was learning from all of this would last me a lifetime. And sure enough, during this period of being so adverse to external stimuli of artificial lighting, loud non-transcendental sounds, and intense screens, I grew to fully realize the importance of beginning the day with chanting, no matter the circumstance. I grew to fully feel in my heart the magnitude of socializing with devotees and caring about them, and allowing them to care about me. These values will go beyond this material lifetime.

Your direction of bringing Krishna Conscious dramas into the world is constantly sticking with me and encouraging me on a daily basis, since expanding to Los Angeles. It is my desire to serve you however I can, deepening my chanting, perpetually falling in love with Krishna day after day, and rendering sincere loving devotional service with each breath and each step. By your grace, I will not waste this life. It is because of your empowerment that I am able to act (all puns intended). Your Vyasa Puja is a gift to us all. Thank you.

Your humble servant,
Kṛṣṇa-sūrya Das

Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.

On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance, I offer my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. I feel so grateful for the association I receive through your classes all over the world. Somehow, they always connect to what is happening in my life, and it feels like the Supreme Personality of Godhead is guiding me through your words.

Gurudeva, you are known for your generosity and compassion to all conditioned souls. On this special day, I beg for your mercy that the study and reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books becomes the dearmost desire in my heart and that all material desires are replaced. I pray to develop a strong and steady taste for chanting the holy names and to keep that practice strong each day.

I also pray that Lord Narasimhadeva may always protects you in your travels just as he protected Prahlad Maharaj, keeping you safe and giving you strength as you carry Srila Prabhupada’s mission everywhere.

Thank you, Gurudev, for your kindness. May your blessings be upon us all as we strive to serve Krishna with devotion and humility.

Your aspiring daughter,
Lavanga-lata devi dasi

Dear Śrī Guru Mahārāja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja.

On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance, I offer my heartfelt prayers and gratitude.

By your causeless mercy, the path of bhakti has been revealed, and by your
instructions and example, I find shelter from the distractions of this material world.

I pray that I may one day serve you sincerely, free from selfish motives, and become a worthy recipient of your compassion.

On your birthday, I beg for your continued guidance and blessings so that my life may be engaged in the service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, and in fulfilling your mission of spreading the holy names.

May your lotus feet always remain the only refuge for my restless heart.

I hope to be showered with even a drop of your mercy, for that alone is my true wealth.

With folded hands and great humility, I wish you a most blessed and joyous Vyāsa-pūjā.

Your servant Lila Katha devi dasi

Hare Krishna Gurudeva. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you, beloved Spiritual Master.
It is with respect that I present this humble offering of gratitude on the occasion of your Seventy-fifth Vyasa-Puja celebration. Thank you Gurudeva for all that you are and all that you continue to do for so many including this insignificant disciple.
How can I begin to describe the positive impact that your mercy and kindness have upon this soul? You see my propensities clearly and when the situations and circumstances of life in this material world seem unbearable, it is your gentle yet firm instruction and encouragement that keeps me slowly and steadily making advancement on the path of Bhakti. It is your steadfast example and good orderly direction that keeps me striving to return home, back to Godhead.
How fortunate I am to have the opportunity to serve such a gracious spiritual master. I can never repay the debt that I owe for the way in which you have rescued me from the wilderness of ignorance that is this material world. I pray that my service will continue to be pleasing to you, and therefore, will in some small way contribute to Srila Prabhupada’s mission to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the world.
I remember you every time that I hear these words that were written by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur in the Sri Gurvastikam prayer :
“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 obeisances unto the lotus feet of my a spiritual master.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you! His Holiness Devamrita Swami Ki Jai!
Your humble servant and sister – Lila-Kishori Devi dasi

Hare Krishna Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your auspicious Vyasa Puja!

Gurudeva, I am really happy that I had the good fortune of meeting you. Before I met you and your disciples, there was no one in my life who could give me the answers I was looking for. I wanted to know, “What is real happiness?”, “Why are we here in the first place?” and “Where can I find real knowledge and real meaning?” Hearing you speak, I finally have the opportunity to gradually begin to understand the answers to these questions.

Gurudeva, thank you for putting me in touch with the process of Bhakti Yoga. Krsna Consciousness is so refreshing and fulfilling compared to my life before. I really like reading with devotees, hearing from them, joining in with kirtan, and of course taking prasadam! Sometimes if things seem complicated or difficult, I think that is just because of my incomplete understanding or application of Bhakti, as well as anarthas and aparadhas.

I am really grateful that you have given me the opportunity to associate with devotees. This is the one thing that always uplifts me, and gives me direction and hope when life seems difficult.

One of the things that I really admire about you is your expertise and sensitivity in interacting with devotees and people in general. It was eye opening to hear from you about the six offences to devotees, especially the last two! I would really like to follow in your footsteps and try to improve the way I interact with devotees and people in general. I think if I improve on this, it would be pleasing to you and Krsna.

Gurudeva, I am trying my best to take care of my body and mind so that I can do some devotional service. I am trying to improve the quality of my Japa, and to read more every day, and to somehow give Krsna Consciousness to others.

I am very amazed about how selfless you are, by constantly travelling to different places, just to inspire, instruct, and encourage devotees and people in general to progress in their spiritual lives. Thank you for sacrificing your personal comfort to travel the world, to offer some real help to people.

Gurudeva, I am really grateful to you for giving me initiation and my new name. I am hoping to become qualified to have it.

Here is a small poem that I made for you.

Dear Gurudeva,
You are a shining star in the sky
Lighting the way for those passing by.
We are suffering here on the wheel of samsara,
But you are connecting us to Parampara.
You’re giving us a chance for devotional service,
There’s surely no way that I deserve this.
You have such a kind and generous heart,
Helping fallen souls at least make a start
At spiritual life.
Oh what strife!
Struggling to get out of illusion
You pull me above all kinds of confusion
Just by your words.
They are a sword of spiritual knowledge,
Far, far greater than anything I learned in college.
Dear Gurudeva, I am grateful to you,
For all your kindness and guiding me through
the material ocean of sense gratification,
One day to cross over, beyond lamentation.
Thank you Gurudeva, for showing the way:
“Chant Hare Krishna, come what may.”


Thank you Gurudeva for inspiring me and instructing me to begin my Krishna Consciousness journey.

Aspiring to serve your servants,
Lilotsava Dasi

Dear Srila Gurudev, please accept my humble obeisances on this most wonderful occasion. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to travel to different countries and ashrams. During that time, I really took the chance to reflect on Krishna Consciousness and how seriously I want to apply it in my life. Growing up in a devotee family is such a blessing, but I’ve also seen how easily gurukulis can sometimes drift away. I once asked you in a class about going astray, and you explained how powerful association is. That point has stayed in my mind and kept me from falling into bad association. I feel it’s one of the main reasons I’ve been able to stay connected and inspired, and it has helped me go deeper into Srila Prabhupada’s books.

As I think over these past years, I can see the important role you’ve played in my life and the strong effect it has had on me. Even when you’re in the background and not so directly involved, your presence has helped me stay steady and fixed in my spiritual life. At times I’ve had doubts about who I should accept as my guru, but those very doubts have made me appreciate you even more. Your personal relationships with your disciples and your straightforwardness are qualities that really stand out to me.

I am deeply grateful to you for being a steady guide, always correcting, encouraging, and dedicating your life to helping souls like me come closer to Krishna. By your mercy, I hope to keep progressing and one day reach the ultimate goal of going back home, back to Goloka Vrindavan.

Your aspiring servant,
Madhava Das

Dear Guru Maharaj,
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

Today on the occasion of Your 75th Vyasa puja, we wish to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for all that You have done in connecting us lowly beings to Krishna. Though and I fallen and least qualified, You have kindly overlooked my shortcomings and have entrusted with a level of service that is close to Krishna. Thank you for Your guidance and support in empowering me to serve Their Lordships here in Canberra yatra in whatever little way possible. Every day, as I spend the required time in doing my service, I feel a deep connection to You and the Parampara and whatever challenges that come become insignificant. Getting Your mercy and being able to please You is far above and beyond all the difficulties that come along the way. I have been confronted with extremely difficult situations and there have been times where I have thought “Oh Krishna how am I going to get through this”. I turn to chanting Krishna’s names, controlling my senses, reading sastra and engaging in thoughts of Krishna as much as possible. That gives me relief, and I get strength to face each day. I feel Your Divine blessings and empowerment and do not feel alone and singled out. Through You I can feel the entire Parampara that empowers me to move on.
I am very blessed to have very sincere and good-natured god brothers and sisters, both initiated and aspiring, here in Canberra. It gives me great joy to help mentor and guide them to engage in service to Guru and Krishna.
I feel blessed to stay under Your shelter in serving Krishna and appreciate Your instructions on transcendental knowledge, as well as the wisdom to manage temple affairs. I am very humbled by the trust that You have bestowed upon me and will strive to abide by Your instructions in carrying out my services. This trust between Yourself and the disciple is the divine bond that keeps us connected to Krishna. Otherwise, we are utterly lost in this ocean of material suffering.
This year we were fortunate enough, through some work-related engagement to visit Your hometown, New York. I was able to visit the Matchless Gift storefront and Tomkins square park to connect with Srila Prabhupada’s Lila in the beginning days of ISKCON. As we were walking and driving past this vast concrete jungle, I was recollecting Your early days pastimes shared in lectures. That gave me a lot of happiness. Without Guru and Krishna’s presence, everything else seemed zero, despite the glitter. This divine experience will remain in my memory for years to come and will inspire me to serve Guru and Krishna with enthusiasm, vigour and a sense of gratitude for all that You, Srila Prabhupada and the Guru Parampara have done for us.
Thank you, Srila Gurudev. Have a blessed appearance day this year and many years to come. May Lord Krishna bless You with good health and may You continue to inspire and guide us fallen souls.
Hare Krishna. Haribol !!

Your servants,
Madhava Seva, Tulasi Seva and Saandhni.

My dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda and you on this most glorious day of your divine appearance!

I am realising that what you are doing is beyond my comprehension. What to speak of one day being able to properly assist you in your service to Mahāprabhu. As time goes on, all I can see is that I lack most qualities a decent disciple should have — determination, steadiness, surrender, humility, and courage even. I feel so weak and overcome by my mind. I am so sorry you have had to spend so much time to fix me up during your recent visit.

I am completely in awe of your surrender and dedication over the years to Śrīla Prabhupāda. Your intensity to serve him is not only steady but seems to increase every day. You are unstoppable and perfectly surrendered to him. I would like to one day experience such surrender to my guru. Right now I am just like a child gazing at the night sky, wondering: will I ever get to touch the stars?

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 Adi 1.58). Your appearance in this world is the causeless mercy of Kṛṣṇa upon me.

As you explained in last year’s Vyāsa-pūjā lecture, ‘the spiritual master may appear ordinary, but a disciple should never see him as ordinary. Śāstra teaches that seeing without knowledge is not seeing at all. The proper way to see a saintly person is through the ears — otherwise, something may be right before our eyes, yet we do not see’ (Vyāsa Pūja Address HH Devamrita Maharaja 16th Nov, 2024).

Thank you for always emphasising this for us all and for making two hours of reading a day part of the company culture. You told me, “You have to know how to be busy in Kṛṣṇa’s service in all aspects; hearing and chanting is also part of being busy. So if you just take that instruction to your heart, knowing that’s what I want of you, that should be sufficient.” You said, “What’s the use of me? I just take the prasād you offer and don’t see that you make spiritual advancement.” I replied, “No Gurudeva, it’s not you, it’s me,” and you said, “I think it’s me. I appreciate so much your sacrifice and endeavour. I take it very personally, as it is, so I try to reciprocate by urging you to taste the nectar of hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa. Do it out of duty, and then the taste develops from doing it.”

I am so indebted to you for caring for me so deeply and giving me the best of everything — the best service opportunities, the best saṅga, the best prasād, the best books, the best kīrtans and classes, and above all, the best mantra.
Your very existence in this world is living proof of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s causeless mercy. You are the king of Western outreach, weaving bhakti into forms young people can relate to — a club scene transformed into a bhakti hub. How did you come up with such a genius idea? Let me guess, Mahaprabhu is fully controlling your mind and senses and using you as a perfect instrument to achieve his purposes. That’s all I can conclude.

I cannot thank you enough for always being there for me. You never forget any detail I share— even things I told you 11 years ago. You are so attentive to me just as a parent is attentive to their child. Last year at your Vyāsa-pūjā address you said, “The more you want to take shelter of the guru, the more Kṛṣṇa pays attention to you. This is Kṛṣṇa’s system.” Those words struck my heart.

Yet I am left wondering, Gurudeva — how can I truly take shelter of you? How can I sincerely do it? You have said it is by taking the instructions to heart, but I feel so far from truly offering my heart.

Please help me to deepen my faith in Kṛṣṇa and to let go of these petty weaknesses of heart. Please, Gurudeva, guide me to become worthy of your mercy and one day become a true disciple.

I pray that I can serve you birth after birth just for your pleasure without any other motivation and aspiration.

Begging at your lotus feet for surrender
Madhava mohini dd

Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.

This year's been really purifying,
Amplifying, intensifying, crucifying, and somehow satisfying.
Leaving the ashram's sweet shelter
Has clarified for me where I am — in a pool of my own gut-welter.

Changing ashrams feels like getting hit by a train,
Or getting electrocuted in the brain.
And without taking proper shelter of Śrīla Prabhupāda's books,
Me, my mind, and I turn into sense-gratifying crooks.

Suddenly I'm hit with a sense of deep responsibility
I have to take this life seriously and really, it's up to me.
No one's there teaching how to walk
Now it's time I talk my own talk.

So many BIG decisions to make
How does one know which risks to take.
I pray to you for courage and intelligence
To do what's best for our Bhakti, to grow with elegance.

Your endless kindness keeps me afloat,
Your month-long visit here was like a lifeboat —
A reminder of what my mission is, external of location, caste, or creed:
To always chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, making that my life’s deed.

When you were here, you told us both:
“Anxiety? That’s normal. You need to learn how to stay afloat.
You have to learn to ride the waves —
Don’t go into this expecting easy days.”

In your classes, you emphasised: “In the beginning, it's tough.
The mind’s discouragements are rough.
The modes have you pinned against the wall —
It's your number one victory to throw back the ball.

To chant our way out of a trying situation,
Take shelter of the holy name even amidst severe devastation.
One victory — get on the scoreboard.
Don’t settle for the mental ward.

Soon to be married, I pray to stay connected to your service.
I have faith this āśrama will help me enhance my God-given purpose.
Amidst the waves, the ups and downs,
The process is perfect — your mercy it grounds.

Connect to your service, I feel your mercy flow
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 100,150, let's go!
If my efforts make you smile, I know there's success
Although your pleasure is deep, how can I measure it with a simple geste.

I pray to once again cook with the soldiers at the Bhakti lounge
A unique place where lost souls go to be found
Carefully crafted by your divine hand, an incredibly special place
Full of devotees who are experts in bhakti, embrace.

I'm looking for happiness in a world where there is none
I'm looking for shelter from things that are void and done
My material desires are plenty and ever-increasing
And my optimistic bhakti outlook seems to be decreasing.

I'm grateful for your servant Dasya Prema Das
Who really deserves quite an applause
He’s kind, gracious and keeps me in line,
A steady guide through challenges, divine.

Dearest Gurudeva, On this auspicious day of your appearance
I pray to you for sincerity, determination and adherence
For strength, wisdom and humility
Most important balance, service and responsibility.

I pray to serve you this year, with unflinching trust,
Transitioning smoothly into the gṛhasta ashram, just,
Guided by mercy, my heart won’t combust,
With your guidance as my anchor, in faith I entrust.

Your servant and daughter
Madhupāna-līlā devi dasi

Nama Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine

Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah

Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

It's often difficult to find the words when writing an offering. There is no way to properly pay homage or even try to repay the great fortune a disciple has received. It's amazing to hear that even Krsna Himself says that he cannot repay the service of the Gopis. We can only appreciate the depth of this feeling of not being able to repay.

Srila Prabhupada writes in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.47, "Knowledge of Kṛṣṇa is such a great gift that it is impossible to repay the benefactor. Therefore Pṛthu Mahārāja requested the Kumāras to be satisfied by their own benevolent activities in delivering souls from the clutches of māyā. The King saw that there was no other way to satisfy them for their exalted activities. The word vinoda-pātram can be divided into two words, vinā and uda-pātram, or can be understood as one 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. The best friend and benefactor of all people is one who awakens humanity to its original Kṛṣṇa consciousness."

How can one endeavour to repay that which is unable to be repaid? Normally this paradox would be difficult to solve but as you mentioned in a recent podcast, Devotees relish these paradoxes.

In your Vyasa puja offering to Srila Prabhupada, you showed how a disciple addresses this concern. You followed in the footsteps of Sanatana Gosvami in trying to convey the very same sentiment to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You were able to convey the hellish condition of material life, something we still struggle with. We still believe in the freedom of gold handcuffs in the ultimate maximum security prison. This reminds us that the mercy of Guru is to open our eyes to the truth, just as Krsna had to open Arjun's eyes to the real problem on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Similarly, I will never be able to repay you for saving me. You took the karma of this fallen soul and changed the trajectory of my life. You destroyed one fallen empire and with the dust and rubble, rebuilt another.

But I do know with all my heart that you can make the impossible possible, you come from a line of fearless souls descending into the murky depths of the material world to save us.

So while I may never be able to repay you, I will never stop trying

Your Servant,
Madhurānanda 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 namah

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.

Having received initiation from you feels like the greatest blessing of my life. You have guided me since the start of my spiritual journey, when I was lost and fallen. Your words have shaped me as a person and profoundly inspired me to get closer to Krsna. I feel so honored to have your merciful glance and be under your shelter.

I cannot fully express the depth of my appreciation, since everything meanigful in my spiritual life has your divine hand behind it. My vartma-pradarśaka-guru, Deva Darshan Prabhu, being an instrument of your outreach mission, opened my eyes to the spiritual science of Krsna Consciousness and brought me into this wonderful movement. Even my husband came into my life via one of your disciples, Vraja Kumuda Prabhu.

I have a great desire in my heart to serve your mission sincerely. And as I walk forward in this path of devotion, I promise to keep Krsna at the center of my marriage and daily life, and to deepen my study of our philosophy – as you instructed.

Thank you for everything, Gurudeva. Please always keep me under your shelter.

With love, your aspiring servant,
Madhurya Mukhi.

My Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisance.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Wish u a very happy Krishna consciousness birthday. Today is such a auspicious day for us. i am so fortunate to have you as my spritual master who is so merciful to such useless soul who is not a good child. Sometime i feel there is invisible thread by which your mercy flow to me. Sometime i got chance to serve even I don't deserve and have no qualification towards that seva i know its just your mercy and prayers that work for me.


Last time when we meet with you , you mercifully said to me " you didnt bring anything for me no cakes " and I told i thought You are on strict diet but you said by your big laugh " no i can eat sometimes "and now i am waiting to serve you. Even last time when u visited India you only mail us to meet but we are so unfortunate stuck with material responsibility and was not able to come Gev. Now hankering for your darshan.

Your aspiring servant,
Madhurya dham devi dasi

Dearest Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances at Your divine lotus feet. All glories to his Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada! All glories unto your divine feet as you are an ocean of auspicious qualities.

nama om vishnu-padaya Krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita-svamin iti namine

pracäre purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacära-pravinäta
pararthatäpi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah

All glories to You on this very auspicious 75th Vyasa Puja day. On this beautiful memorable day, I pray to our beloved Lord Krishna for Your good health and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.

I am very indebted to Lord Krishna for allowing such a wonderful spiritual pure hearted Guru to come into my life. I feel so fortunate and blessed when You graciously accepted me and my husband as Your disciples. You have come from the spiritual world to take us back to Godhead. You are ready to take the sins of others for our benefit. Thank You so much Gurudev for Your love, kindness, and mercy.

Only by your sweet loving grace I am in Krishna consciousness and trying to do some service. Whenever my mind thinks of you, it immediately becomes full of joy even in the midst of all kinds of stress, frustration and disappointment. You are my spiritual father. Your valuable guidance has given me great courage and enthusiasm to manage my spiritual life. Whatever little spiritual progress I have made is simply made possible by Your mercy.

This year I feel especially blessed as I got Your beautiful association during our trip two trips to Gita Nagari, for the retreat and Janmastami. Most evenings You blessed us with Your melodious kirtan and nectarean Bhagavatham classes. Listening to Your discourses feel like hearing the Bhagavatham verses come to life. Celebrating Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja in Your divine presence was memorable and beautiful.

You have touched the hearts of so many fallen souls. Your instructions are your real loving grace. Without your loving grace, one cannot make any spiritual advancement. I have no place more secure than your lotus feet. You are my only shelter and savior.

As part of this auspicious 75th Appearance Day, we are sponsoring the Radha Kalachandji Dham Sunday Feast Festival on Sept 28th. Over 500 devotees and congregation members are expected to be there on that Sunday.

Praying to get more personal association. Please bless me and my family so that we continue to serve your mission in the mood of the servant of the servant of the servant.

I beg for Your forgiveness for any offences I have committed during this offering.

Sincerely,
Your humble servant and disciple,
Madhurya-sindhu devi dasi
Dallas, Texas.
Sep 26, 2025

Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaintanya’s sankirtana movement!

One of my favourite devotional services is accompanying guests to meet you after your talks at The Loft. I love how encouraging you are with each person, it reminds me of the first time I met you. You saw potential in me to grow in Krishna consciousness and that gave me so much confidence in the process.

In the most recent Loft darshan, you asked me how long we have known each other and I quickly calculated in my head that it has been 16 years! That was a bit of a shock to me…I have been practicing for many years now and it seems as though I’m still very far from where I would like to be in terms of developing full absorption in Krishna and his service.

You told the guests, “I have taught her, and she can teach you, she is my assistant.” I felt simultaneously honoured to have such an exalted devotee as my spiritual teacher and a deep sense of responsibility to share with others what you have given me.

Recently I was reading the pastime of Sudama Brahmana visiting Krishna and I marked this verse that was spoken by Sandipani Muni to Krishna and Sudama when he found them after the storm, “This is indeed 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.” I want to offer my life in service to Krishna at every moment, not just as a sentimental promise made in one point in time and later forgotten but as a constant internal mood. Please bless me so that this can become a reality.

Today I went into a church for shelter with my children as we were confronted with a windy storm outside. The nice Christian lady was asking me about how I started being a “Hare Krishna” since I had mentioned I was brought up Catholic. I told her briefly and added that we have much in common, we are also monotheistic, worshipping the same God. Internally, I felt grateful to have been given this opportunity to know Krishna more intimately. And I owe that to you for starting The Loft. What a wonderful process bhakti is. I feel so fortunate. I can chant and dance for Krishna eternally.

Thank you for sacrificing your life and travelling incessantly around the globe to inspire all of us with you talks and example of full dedication.

Your servant,
Madhuryamrita devi dasi

Dear gurudeva,
I offer my respectful obeisance unto your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you!

This material world is full of suffering and problems comes automatically without us seeking for them! Without your mercy that you selflessly established the Loft and the Bhakti lounge so that the general public and get to know Krishna and take up Krishna consciousness easily. It is my great fortune to come in contact with devotees there and get your darshan although I was falsely proud and think myself very spiritual. I remember when I first met you in the Loft you only said one sentence: “without your consciousness purified by knowledge how can you tell what is intuition?” You are so potent only by that 10 mins darshan I take up reading and chanting seriously. Now I can not even imagine what will the life be like without your mercy, and I become more and more pessimistic towards material life as well as being more and more compassionate towards those people living in such unconscious condition.

Now by your causeless mercy I am living in the ashram and always doing services, and I can feel you transcendental quality more and more vivid. Selflessness and kindness towards others is not easy for me but by thinking of your instructions only we can purify my demonic tendencies for wanting some “Me time” and enjoying separate from Krishna.

Dearest guru maharaja! Please always giving me the privilege to engage in your transcendental loving service as this is the only way we can trying to repay our debt for you!

Your lowly aspiring servant, Maggie Zhang

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your merciful lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In his sublime Sri Caitanya Caritamrita (Mad 25.265), Krishnadas Kaviraja writes:

kṛṣṇa-tattva, bhakti-tattva, prema-tattva sāra
bhāva-tattva, rasa-tattva, līlā-tattva āra

"Kṛṣṇa consciousness means understanding the truth of Kṛṣṇa, the truth of devotional service, the truth of love of Godhead, the truth of emotional ecstasy, the truth of transcendental mellows and the truth of the pastimes of the Lord."

He says Krishna consciousness means understanding "the truth."

That truth is not vague or ambiguous - it is clear and specific - and has six categories, which a Krishna conscious person understands.

One who is not Krishna conscious, but aspires to be, can also understand this truth by the grace of such a Krishna conscious person.

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." Gita 4.34

The relationship then between guru and disciple is much more than an official, sentimental, or social entity. It is one of education, training and guidance in the truth, the truth of Krishna consciousness.

In today's post-truth era of "alternative facts," even the relative truth is in shreds.

How fortunate are we, then, to be able to hear the immaculate Absolute Truth, perfectly presented for each students' understanding in "one-room school house style," from one who has actually seen it?

Begging to understand what Krishna consciousness means,

Your humble servant,
Mahavan das

Hare Krishna, dear Guru Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances on the day of Your Vyasa-puja! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

"I was born in the darkness of ignorance, but my spiritual master opened my eyes with the tourchligh of knowledge. In great respect I offer my obeisances to his Lotus feet."

Many times I heard this verse from You, and every time I understood that these are not merely words... This is the voice of the heart, infinitely grateful heart, which, on its own example, demonstrates humility beating in unison with the instructions of the spiritual master and the desires of Krishna.
Seeing devotees desiring at least for a few minutes to get personal association with spiritual master, I understand that I was incredible lucky to be near my guru Maharaja for a long time.&nbsp; And not just be near, but to experience the entire palette of paints of transcendental intervention in my meaningless life. I carefully treasure the moments of loving anger of my spiritual master, which has fallen upon me, only you and no one else&nbsp; can crush this slippery feeling of superiority over others. Sometimes I was lucky to have my guru Maharaja physically beat the dope out of me, that I could wake up and remember the etiquette of proper communication with the devotees. In moments when my false ego was preparing for the feast of self-esteem, my eternal defender, my dear spiritual master demonstrated incredible skills of the spiritual warrior destroying pride and vanity without actually hurting me. Sometimes there were moments, memories of which caused extreme moisture in my eyes - my faith tolerated incredible pressure from ignorance and emptiness and alienation were already ready to celebrate victory, you gave me your embrace showing incredible sensitivity and love.
The last personal meeting with Your Divine Grace that occurred in the Maipur dhama even further deepened my connection with you. After a long separation, I thought I could not feel the love and care. The difficulties and challenges are awaiting us at every step in the material world and I am no exception, it was the feeling that my heart stopped, I lost the battle and breathing of Hare Krishna maha-mantra lost the former power on me. How will my dear guru-maharaja awaken me to life? How&nbsp; will He show love to this loser? - these and similar questions have been rooted in my mind. Even as I stepped onto the sacred Earth of the Dhama, I felt no inspiration. But the miracle happened when willing to serve You, I did a something causing Your transcendental discontent of me - You even had to apologize for Your neophyte student before Niranjana Maharaja. I admit I was almost ashamed of myself because You made a resuscitation at that moment and in my heart a Ray of hope that no longer lost, the battle we can lose but the battle is not finished yet.
Dear guru Maharaj in this sacred day for me, as always will stand in front of You with extended handd asking for mercy, the only thing I can offer to You is my dependence on You, I still need Your support and blessings, pour on me at least a drop of mercy from the ocean of pure devotion of Your heart and let me feel the divine taste of pure ignition maha-mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Your insignificant disciple,
Mahimarnava dasa.

Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to you on your auspicious appearance day!
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!

O Gurudev, you are the greatest cloud of mercy, kāruṇya‑ghana ghanatvam prāptasya kalyāṇa‑guṇārṇavasya
Vande guroḥ śrī‑caraṇa‑ āravindam a dense cloud heavy with compassion, surcharged with the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s grace. You are not an ordinary cloud, but a rain‑filled monsoon cloud of compassion that cannot remain still. Just as a heavy cloud becomes restless to pour its waters, your heart is surcharged with mercy and shower it upon the fallen souls. You do not discriminate, but with equal sweetness you bless everyone —whether it is pure or impure, dry or receptive—bringing them the cool shade of your lotus feet. Without your mercy, there is no hope for me. I simply beg for your blessings so that I may develop the sincere desire to take shelter at your and Krishna’s lotus feet, because by taking shelter of the spiritual master one becomes purified and You are the mercy representative of Krishna and by your mercy alone I may receive His benediction. I am entangled in so many impurities, but if you kindly drag me into the shade of your lotus feet, then my heart will be cleansed and I can make some advancement in Krishna Consciousness.
The urges of the tongue, the belly, the genitals, the mind, anger, and speech are always pushing me away from you and Krishna. If I can learn to tolerate and control them, then my life will be successful—but how ? if you kindly shower your kripa drishti upon me, Just like how Satyavrata Muni asking Kṛṣṇa kṛpā-dṛṣṭi-vṛṣṭyā dinaṃ batānu gṛhaneśa mama ājñaṃ evam akṣi-dṛṣṭyā. By showering Your glance of mercy upon me, deliver this poor ignorant fool who
is immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows.
Dear Gurudev Please protect me from the six kinds of faults that destroying my devotion as Rupa Goswami says: overeating, over-endeavoring, unnecessary talk, neglecting regulative principles, attachment to material things, and association with non-devotees. These weaknesses are deep within my heart, and without your guidance and the Kṛṣṇa-kathā emanating from your lotus mouth, I will surely remain defeated. Please shower your mercy so that I may continuously hear, read, and chant only about Krishna only , Then these faults will be replaced with the six good qualities: enthusiasm for service, determination, patience, confidence in the process of bhakti, following the ācāryas, and giving up bad association. By these qualities one can make steady progress and remain safe at the lotus feet of krishna . Above all, please give me the association of devotees, because without the company of devotees I cannot survive anymore Only by opening the heart in confidence, and hearing and chanting together does bhakti grow.
I have so many material desires, and only one tiny spiritual desire—to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books throughout my whole life. Please, Gurudeva, expand this tiny desire and fill my heart with it, so that all material desires will be driven away. By devotee association the creeper of devotion becomes nourished, I don’t want to spend even my little bit time without devotee and therefore I beg for this greatest gift from you Gurudev .

Alone I have no strength to chant or perform Sankirtan. My mind is disturbed and i i know that the holy name of Krishna is the greatest treasure, non-different from Krishna Himself. When it is received from the spiritual master and chanted with sincerity, it acts like a touchstone, purifying everything and awakening love of God. But Without your mercy, my chanting is dry and mechanical. Please bless me so that I may chant with taste and determination, taking the holy name as my real wealth and most important the the principle I have read in Srila prabhupada’s books may not remain merely knowledge in my mind, but become the very life of my existence.

My dear master, Krishna belongs to you. You have the power to give Him. I am a beggar with nothing of my own, and therefore I am running behind you, please engage me in Krishna’s and Srila prabhupada’s service Without your causeless mercy, I have no shelter, no protection, and no hope. I am simply dependent upon you, as a child depends completely on the parent. I want nothing but your lotus feet, and I pray that I may remain always as your fool, always begging for your mercy. If you are pleased, then all perfection is possible. Without your mercy, I am lost, but with your mercy, my life can become successful in devotional service.
Thank you Gurudev for everything you have done for me and apologies for that i have done bad.

You servent
Manakrt Das

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.

Although so much time has passed since I first met you, I still remember the meeting that changed my life forever; then all the subsequent meetings; all the time you spent trying to help me. Having taken so long to make the positive changes that you urged me to make, my journey to Krsna consciousness could be described as a “slow burn” as I stubbornly held fast to my self-destructive ways. But you never gave up on rescuing me from that miserable life and for that I am so deeply grateful. I’m grateful for your patient persistence. Your personal, caring, fatherly cultivation cut deep to the core of my heart. You showed me that my karmic past did not have to define me nor determine my future.

Years later, you once thanked me for my meagre service! But I could only stammer in response: “Thank YOU Gurudeva. Thank you for engaging me in service to the Lord. I can only do anything because you are bonafide.” Only because of your genuine selflessness can your disciples be empowered to engage in devotional service, inspired to share and give it to others and to remain convinced that bhakti is the only worthwhile lifelong endeavour. Anyone who meets you and speaks with you for only a few minutes can sense that you want nothing except for them to make spiritual progress. Having no personal, selfish motive, your compassionate, resolute aim is to save suffering souls from the cycle of birth and death and to bring them to Krishna consciousness. And you do this in the most creative, out-of-the box ways which never cease to amaze me. You seem to only become sharper with age; your lectures continue to reveal clear perception of the nescience which pervades society, while you present the Krishna conscious solution in transformative ways, suitable for your audience. It’s so rare to encounter a pure soul like you–and those of us who do are most fortunate.

Thank you for helping me in all challenging situations, in different phases of life. At the time of my initiation, my daughter was only a baby, less than a year old. You knew that mothers have it difficult; to maintain the chanting of 16 rounds a day would be challenging while raising a young child. You knew there would be interruptions to my daily chanting. But you were so encouraging and practical at the same time. That day you told me how to maintain my chanting; that if the baby were to interrupt my chanting, indeed I could attend to the child then return to my chanting. This way, it would be possible to complete 16 rounds a day. I felt motivated by your words and determined to keep my vow. Your insight, transformed into spiritual pragmatism, demonstrates your deep care and ability to reflect on each individual’s personal circumstances and give instructions to help them progress no matter what their situation. I am eternally grateful for your personal help to navigate all the challenging situations I’ve faced in my life so that I could always attempt to perform devotional service. Thank you for making me feel happy and secure in the shelter of Krsna consciousness under your guidance. Thank you for caring so much for me, for everything you have given me including a better family situation in which to grow in Krishna consciousness. I am so grateful to you for cultivating so many exemplary disciples from whose association I continue to benefit significantly; in their absence I would be nothing and my spiritual flame would be extinguished so easily.


You often emphasise to householders the importance of engaging in whatever service we can do, now not later, in whatever capacity we have, despite the demand of household life, rather than imagining we can engage in devotional service sometime in the future. As time rapidly passes, and as I feel more and more bound by the responsibilities of work, I know I need to be doing more to truly please you–now–and not wait till some illusory time in the future when I will supposedly have more time. So on this day, I do humbly pray for your mercy. Although I can never repay my debt to you for completely changing the course of my life, I pray for the strength and capacity to attempt to reciprocate with you and take up at least some of the many opportunities you give us to contribute to your spiritual outreach mission.

Your aspiring servant,
Manada devi dasi

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to His Divine Grace and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.

Year after year, you continue to excavate the layers of dirt from the hearts of countless souls across the globe, with your real-time wisdom and deep understanding of this modern-day Kaliyuga. If this is what Kaliyuga looks like 5000 years in, it is sobering to imagine what lies ahead. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, you stand as the epitome of preaching with precision, perfectly aligned with time, place, and circumstance.

Your lectures and classes are not just teachings; they are constant source of support and guidance. They remind us how frightening, unpredictable, and draining this world has become, and how urgent it is to take shelter of Krishna.

Despite the harshness of this age, you tirelessly plant, inspire, and nourish devotion in the hearts of those shaped by this Kali Yuga environment. You guide us through this smog of material desires and habits, gently correcting our course when we begin to drift.

Thank you, Gurudeva, for not only showing us the path, but also giving us a plan. When the darkness of Kaliyuga bewilder our minds, your words are like the shining moon which remind us of who we are and what we truly came here to find.

Aspiring to be Your servant,
Mandraghosh Das

Dearest Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to your auspicious appearance day
<i>Nama Om Visnu Padaya Krsna-presthaya Bhutala Srimate Devamrta Swami Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca Bhaktacara-pravinata Pararthatapi karunyam Yasya sarve ca te namah </i>
Dearest Guru Maharaj, I remember reading in the Bhagavad Gita again and again when Srila Prabhupada explains:
<i>"All Vedic literatures advise us to approach a bona fide spiritual master to get free from the perplexities of life, which happen without our desire. They are like a forest fire that somehow blazes without being set by anyone. ... The Vedic wisdom therefore advises that in order to solve the perplexities of life and to understand the science of the solution, one must approach a spiritual master who is in the disciplic succession. A person with a bona fide spiritual master is supposed to know everything. One should not, therefore, remain in material perplexities but should approach a spiritual master."</i>
On your most auspicious appearance day, I meditate on how true this statement is in my life and how through your profound mercy, no matter what the perplexity, every time I approach you for direction, these clouds drift away.
As you said in your class at Atlanta temple – <i>Bhave asmin kllisyamananam</i>
Material world has a way where things become complicated whether you want it or not.
Time and again, while I notice that complexities bubble up in my life, I am convinced Guru Maharaj that through your expert guidance and uncompromising Krishna conscious care, no perplexity is insurmountable.
I remember, a few years ago, sitting by your lotus feet, I was completely convinced that I have some very practical limiting and difficult circumstances to deal with. And after describing it all, I remember half doubtfully asking you
“Is it true that if I was more Krishna conscious these problems would just go away?”

I thought that these were just practical matters... Like brick-and-mortar issues. Surely, they can’t disappear.

But you Guru Maharaj answered ...

<i>Yes, they do. </i>

That took me back further in time, when in my 20s I had asked you about some other problems I was struggling with, and you had said

<i>“There are no material impediments and devotional service.”</i>

At that you suggested I read “Salted Bread” to open my mind to the power of devotional service.

Your uncompromising stand on Dharma is very clear. A pattern that has repeated itself so many times. No matter how big the problem I present, your instruction is always

<i>Read more of Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita and chant more Hare Krishna </i>

In my foolishness I remember asking you.... "Well, that's it, just keep chanting more and more Hare Krishna throughout my life? "

You looked at me and asked <i>" Why, do you think there's something wrong with it? You seem to have some doubts."</i>
Through your repeated consistent solution, the message has started to slowly get home.
When questioned how you can see the audience when your eyes are closed, you had said to an auditorium filled with people at the topmost business school, you see consciousness. Many were bewildered but over the years I wonder – do you see consciousness even when you are not in the city. I am bewildered by how you always know the exact time your disciple needs help, even though they may not have said a word about it and you are not even in the city. It's almost like you can hear the prayers and respond in person – knowing what they need at what time.
Your empowerment is as strong as your uncompromising stand about the right way to move forward. No matter what I desire to do in the service on Krishna, however outrageous or unrealistic the world may think it is, you always encourage me to move forward making me dependent on Krishna.
Recently when you were asking about some veggies I grew, I said that I would like to someday grow food at a little farm. Instead of laughing it over, you encouraged me in so many ways to pursue what I aspire to serve Krishna with. When I said I don't know how women can run a farm or any machine required to grow food, half doubting myself, you said, "most farmers are women” and gave me some statistics.
I felt so confident in that moment realizing that I gather confidence from the confidence that I see you have in me. Thank you for making me believe that I can do anything for Krishna's service.... There are no impediments, and there are no limits. Thank you so much for teaching me how to dream of Krishna’s service. I look at my god sisters and brothers, and I’m just filled with awe of how mission conscious they are. How everyone's always thinking about some new and creative way to serve Krishna. Thank you for creating such a wonderland of service in everyone's heart.
On your most auspicious appearance day, I humbly pray for your blessings that I can increase my capacity to serve you, Srila Prabhupada and your devotees. Please help me overcome the impediments in my heart that hold me back and please give me the courage so I can be daring in Krishna’s service. You had told me,<i> “Carry Krishna in your heart and give Krishna to others.”</i>
So please give me intelligence and determination to fulfil that.

Your servant
Mangal-arti dd

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I wish to begin by offering my gratitude for your guidance, protection, and wisdom throughout the years I have had the fortune of being in your association. At the age of thirty-two, I shudder to think where I would be in this difficult age of Kali without your mercy. By your grace, we find ourselves sheltered in the safety of the sankirtan movement. What a blessing beyond measure!

I am gradually learning to more deeply appreciate what you are offering to us—both as your disciples and as a spiritual community. Your keen and compassionate nature, empowered by your inner connection with the Supersoul, allows you to see where we stand and to prescribe the medicine most needed for our material diseases. As I listen—and relisten—to your classes, I often feel personally addressed, yet simultaneously encouraged to rise above my shortcomings. A few ever-relevant instructions that come to mind are:

- On envy – Rather than offering indirect appreciation, why not directly praise others? Open your mouth and speak it.

- On book distribution – Keep it central to your life, and watch how clarity of mind, enthusiasm, and realizations of Lord Chaitanya’s mercy will flow, along with humility gained from seeing our helplessness on the streets.

- On outreach – Strive to become a true sadhu, someone who can offer real spiritual shelter to those who come to our centers. The potency of our preaching rests upon the potency of our practice.

- On hearing and chanting – Do not grow slack with time. These practices alone hold the power to solve every problem in life.

In recent years, I have seen how following these instructions has transformed my outreach. By verbally appreciating others for the qualities I long to develop myself, hearts soften and people see me as a friend, not a rival. Keeping book distribution in my life creates an overflow of ecstasy into cultivation. An inspired devotee naturally inspires others. Regular hearing and chanting, invested in with sincerity, accumulate over time and yield a depth of realization that can touch the head, heart, and soul of anyone who asks questions. Whatever little good I have been able to do in service is fully due to your advice and guidance. On my own, I could achieve nothing.

You are the embodiment of a true sankirtan devotee—immersed in the mellows of devotional service while extending mercy to uplift others. The mission entrusted by Srila Prabhupada rests firmly in your heart and manifests through your tireless actions. You build communities through book distribution, outreach, strong practices of hearing and chanting, and by providing resources—such as the soon to be released BBT edition of Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu—that nourish us all. We can see in our own lives how your grace has lifted us from the tragic addiction to illusion, transforming us into instruments who can help others.

I pray to commit more meaningfully to your instructions and turn away from selfishness. I pray to become a more effective instrument in your hands.

Still, I feel limited—by my mortal body, my lack of intelligence, and my inability to harmoniously associate with devotees. I beg for your blessings to overcome these shortcomings. To serve you better, I must not only work harder and smarter, but also learn to cooperate with your other disciples. Alone, one can do little, but together in service to you, our efforts multiply. I beg for your mercy and help.

Your servant,
Manobhirama Dasa

Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

Happy VP day to you.

Thank you for visiting Hungary this year, Gurudeva, as well, despite your advanced age.

We hope you left Hungary in good health and spirit. Thank you for bringing quite a few non-Hungarian-born disciples of yours with you, a bit like 20 years ago or so. They added spice and joy to us, your Hungary-based team, and new friendships were also formed. As far as I am concerned, Lila-Madhurya mataji's cooking skills, lots of experience for cooking for you and her willingness to do so in often very challenging and/or tiring situations were a relief, great help.

After all what else can we do for you other than trying to look after your body?? By trying to nourish you with healthy meals and give you a bit of bodily convenience and no drama?? We are so far away from your spiritual level -- I am so far away from you on that level. And, as the years go by, I am even declining in my spiritual willpower. As such the gap is just getting bigger and bigger. When I was young, at least my willingness and willpower was there... Anyway, by a group effort, you could go to your next station in Europe in a seemingly good mood; when you left your Budapest (rented) apartment, you were laughing with us. Thank you, Gurudeva, for overlooking our mistakes, and my offenses.

Gurudeva, on a personal level, I would like to thank you very much for calling me in to your (and the boys') apartment for "mini-darshans", e.g. discussing your schedule and the like. I could ask important questions, as well. It was so kind and personal. Without going into details, they indeed helped me a lot, and served many purposes at the same time. In sum your actions were (are) like Lord Krishna's actions.

For the possible reader of this Vyasa-Puja offering of mine, please allow me to say that your schedule became very busy this year, as well, despite my plans, and no travel to the Ukraine; no Ukraine Festival could be held under the circumstances. Instead you were called to long meetings by HHSRSM to the Budapest Temple. Prior to that you gave initiation at the farm on the only full day you had there. In sum your timetable fast became a timetable not advisable to a person of your age. But your Godbrother called, so you went; always. In a zone where you are not even GBC. All glories to your efforts, Gurudeva!

Thank you for taking your health and diet very seriously, Gurudeva. Thus you are indeed giving everyone the hope that we can see you this part of the world for many more years to come. We need you.


Trying to be your servant,
Mantramálá dd.

Hare Krishna my dear Maharaja.

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

What an honor to write to you again

I hope you are in very good health and have the best possible time for your anniversary.
I always keep you in mind in my daily life, and I wish to be a good disciple.
I offer my daily service.

Your humble servant. Mathura Dhama devi dasi

Dear His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Happy appearance day, Maharaj!

It is my misfortune that I cannot attend in person to avail of Maharaj’s mercy and blessings on this auspicious day.

I am engaged in seva this weekend at Govinda Valley, Otford, NSW.

Having said that, Maharaj’s mercy and blessings transcend geographical borders because, after several years, there’s been a major breakthrough here at Govinda Valley to further improve organizational governance! Thank you Maharaj!

By HDG Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, his ISKCON is growing exponentially globally.

In this growing global institution, it is easy for a sadhaka to feel lost among the ocean of devotees.

Srila Prabhupada’s temples then become important to serve like an oasis in a desert for a sadhaka to have the invaluable association of a local community of devotees.

Even then, there is the risk of a sadhaka diluting the appreciation of Srila Prabhupada’s sacrifices because - Srila Prabhupada is not physically present.

While Srila Prabhupada’s vani is very important, vapu gives additional inspiration.

We are fortunate that Srila Prabhupada’s wonderful disciples, like your good self Maharaj, who are giving that inspiration.

Through Maharaj closely following Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission, we get the privilege, through Maharaj, to get a glimpse of what life as a devotee was during Srila Prabhupada’s manifest lila era.

Maharaj is displaying many of the wonderful Vaishnava qualities that we only read about how Srila Prabhupada displayed towards his disciples.

Through Maharaj, we are receiving personal care, personal attention, guidance in spiritual advancement, guidance in governing Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, etc.

Please - keep on guiding us. Through your guidance - help us deepen our connection to HDG Srila Prabhupada and his mission.

Your servant
Mathura Manohara Dasa

Dearest Guru Mahārāj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to your divine service.

Vyāsa-pūjā is not merely a ceremony or a ritual—it is an offering of gratitude to the spiritual master
when we honor Vyāsa-pūjā, we are honoring the principle of guru, the transparent via medium who connects the conditioned soul to Krishna.
Guru Mahārāja, in your life and teachings I see this principle manifesting perfectly. You take the timeless wisdom of Vyāsadeva and Śrīla Prabhupāda, and you deliver it to us in words we can understand and in practices we can follow. Without your mercy, I would have no access to this treasure of bhakti, nor the strength to continue on the spiritual path.
You are the one who removes the darkness of ignorance by giving the torchlight of knowledge.
On this auspicious day, I pray for your continued blessings so that I may serve your mission with sincerity, without deviation, and without forgetfulness. Please allow me to become an instrument in your hands, so that your offering to Śrīla Prabhupāda may be fulfilled through the lives of your disciples.

Your aspiring servant,
Mathurapuri&nbsp;Devi&nbsp;Dasi

Gurudeva's Vyasapuja Prayer

Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances. I met you in Hong Kong in October 2023. At that time, I didn’t know the event also included your Vyasapuja. By the mercy of Balarama Prabhu and Bandhu Radhika Mataji, I was guided and involved in the preparations for your Vyasapuja ceremony.

I am a somewhat careless person, often overlooking details. But while helping prepare for your Vyasapuja, I saw how your disciples meticulously attended to every detail, carefully decorating your Vyasa seat with each flower. During the prayer offerings, your disciples shared memories of their time with you. Even though you are far away across the ocean, you strive to care for your disciples in China. They feel a parental love from you, and I observed their deep dependence and obeisances for you.

I am a fallen soul. I know our four regulative principles, yet I still indulge myself. Your disciples, inheriting your merciful nature, gave this fallen soul the chance to offer a garland to you. My connection with you began with offering that garland, began with your mercifully granting me a private audience, giving me the opportunity to move closer to becoming a devotee.

As your Vyasapuja approaches each year, I always feel a sense of guilt – that my daily spiritual practices are not good enough, that things I've done have actually gone against your instructions. After taking shelter, I sometimes become a little lax, feeling I have a chance to catch my breath. The scriptures teach that only one who fully surrenders to the guru, with complete faith, can become his disciple. I find that my feeling of guilt towards you can transform into a motivation to adjust and improve my spiritual practice. This shows that I am attached to you and do not regard the guru as an ordinary devotee.

Your Vyasapuja, for your Chinese disciples, is not only an opportunity to honor you and reaffirm our purpose in coming to Bhakti Yoga, but it also signals that your annual visit to China is soon approaching. The autumn and winter in China are not cold and bleak to us; they are a warm season of welcoming you and tasting the fruits of devotion. The closer the date of your arrival gets, the more urgent my desire for spiritual progress becomes. I resume reading, studying the Srimad-Bhagavatam which you teach all devotees should read. I follow the four regulative principles, strive to perform my daily practices sincerely, and often contemplate the relationship between my work and my service to Krishna.

Gurudeva, your Vyasapuja is a very important festival for me. It provides an opportunity to reflect on whether I am sincerely following your teachings and how I should pursue spiritual advancement. You once told me about the importance of being an example, and I am beginning to understand this more and more. Initially, I could not grasp profound philosophy, nor did I feel particular affinity for Deity worship. But I could feel your mercy and kindness, the wisdom in your lectures, and how you practice what you preach. As a beloved disciple of Srila Prabhupada and an outstanding representative of Lord Krishna, you stand before me as a shining example to follow, inspiring me to become a person who contributes positively to society. Vyasapuja is your birthday, symbolizing your appearance. For me, however, the moment I met you was my new birth.

I offer you my obeisances and love. I hope I may have the opportunity to be like a blade of grass, surrendering at your lotus feet. Wishing you good health!

Your humble servant,
Meng Chao

Namah Om Vishnu padaya Krishna preshthaya bhutale, Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine. Prachare poorva daksham ca bhakta cara praveenta, prarthtaapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah!!


Hare Krishna dear gurudev!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and guru parampara!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Happy 75th vyasa pooja dear gurudev.

sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam


Revered by all scriptures and saintly authorities, the spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord Himself, for he is the Lord’s most confidential servant. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, the true representative of Śrī Hari.
By the mercy of the spiritual master, one attains the grace of the Supreme Lord; without his blessings, progress is impossible. Therefore, meditating upon him and glorifying his virtues at dawn, noon, and dusk, I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

How fortunate I am that I got this opportunity to glorify my spiritual master who is full of transcendental qualities. Gurudev, First of all Please accept the deep gratitude at your lotus feet. Where do I begin? You always answer to my prayers, often without me even realising.”. Be it the desire to become an instrument to assist you in book distribution or to worship GaurNitai at home. Dear Gurudev, you have kindly fulfilled this transcendental desire of your completely undeserving daughter. I was totally surprised — right after we installed Gaura Nitai at home, Jagannatha Prabhuji called and said we’ll be doing monthly book distributions from now on.. Dear Father, allowing me to have the Deities of Gaura-Nitai in my home and worship them was completely unbelievable for this sinful daughter. But Your causeless mercy is infinitely greater than all my impurities. Gurudev, You arranged the service. I remember that before initiation You said I should engage in direct service in the temple; then I began serving in the kitchen. Now, when I expressed a desire to distribute books — though I was unable to do so myself — You once again arranged for this service.
Then you arranged with the help of Yashodamayi mataji for us to make desserts for you. You reciprocate so quickly. Dear father, Your instruction to do kirtan everyday to please GaurNitai has been so impactful. When I am not able to hear the holyname during japa then there is one more opportunity to hear the holyname during kirtan and this is so pleasing to ears and heart dear gurudev. I am begging for the day when I do kirtan to genuinely please GaurNitai.
Dear Father, I have also realised that since Gaura‑Nitai came into our home, and since book distribution began, there has been such deep purification for me who is wholly sinful. How potent and purifying it is to aspire to serve my dear Gurudev. I remember in one lecture, when You explained Srila Prabhupada’s words so beautifully: “First deserve, then desire — never aspire.”
Dear Gurudev, All glories to our śikṣā‑gurus who reintroduced the Sādhanā card — this made our Bhagavad Gītā group so regular in sādhanā and enabled us to hear so many lectures I had never heard before. This has helped me receive new realizations of Your qualities, dearmost Gurudev. I beg to Gaur‑Nitai and Srimati Rādhā Rāṇī that I may just compose a garland of these qualities and offer it to You, dear Father. There are countless qualities in my dear spiritual master. To keep the time and word limits in mind, I want to highlight some that have recently stirred my heart.
Recently I heard your lecture in which you said: “We are working day and night to help people who have no idea — they don’t even think about what will happen after death. So helping them in this way is the most charitable thing. Also, You said they might not take this thought seriously during this life, but that appreciation gets accumulated as spiritual assets for the next life... so we are working not just for this life.” That was so inspiring, Gurudev.
Sometimes I feel bad, “Oh — this person is not changing or not following KC now.” But this point clicked for me, Gurudev, for the first time — even though I’ve heard it many times before. How deep and touching this is. Thank You so much, Gurudev, for this realization.
Dear gurudev, I have heard you narrate many real stories in your classes to illustrate conditioned souls are suffering. And there was one story you shared about a woman and her little child she had lost her husband. It wasn't the story itself that moved me, but rather how you remembered the minute details of the sufferer's condition and the profound pain you felt for them. I realized that this compassion is boundless and causeless. Otherwise, we wouldn't pay such close attention to the details of others' stories. How compassionate is my Gurudev, who listens to all problems, even the smallest details, with such care and empathy.
Dear gurudev, Your love for Krishna is so profound. I recall you once saying, "We are proud to be biased towards Krishna because it indicates the symptom of love." Your love for Krishna brings immense joy to the heart, Gurudev. When You favor Krishna by saying, “We want to be treated in specific ways, and when it comes to spiritual life, Krishna is compassionate; He should accept all, anyway,” it deeply resonates. Thank You, Gurudev, for illuminating these truths and guiding us with your unwavering love and compassion.
Dear father, When you mentioned that we should develop the confidence that Krishna knows how to handle our material desires and take care of our hearts, it touched me deeply. Thank you so much for such meaningful instructions. Every day, I struggle to have strong faith that everything is fine and that Krishna is looking after my heart. Sometimes, when I fall into darkness, I suffer for a while. But that suffering brings me back to the shelter of your lotus feet, and from there, I regain my confidence. This happens to me from time to time. But, dear Gurudev, by your causeless mercy and instructions, I have started to recognize my mistake of inattentive chanting. And now, I see that this habit is slowly reducing, day by day. Earlier, I used to feel that if I chanted attentively, everything in life would go well, and that would make me happy. But now, dear Gurudev, I understand something deeper: even if things don’t go well materially, Lord Gauranga helps me see that real happiness lies in serving the devotees and Him—in the way that the devotees approve and guide me to do. I also remember one of your powerful statements from a lecture: that tolerating is the key for purification. Thank you so much, Gurudev, for such deep and transformative instructions.
I am especially grateful for your guidance that in every situation—whether in confusion, sadness, or happiness—we should chant the Hare Krishna mantra. I have personally experienced that chanting and hearing with attention truly helps me to see things more clearly. Thank you again for this profound and life-giving instruction
Dear father, how much care and compassion you have in your heart for all conditioned souls! I still remember you saying in a lecture: “If you want to let it go, but your heart is not able to do so, then go and beg GaurNitai.” This is what They are for. That instruction has deeply moved me.
I have realized that receiving Their mercy through you, my spiritual father, is quick and lasting. This shows me that I am unable to approach GauraNitai without my dear father’s mercy.
Dear gurudev, In a recent lecture, You mentioned that devotees always appreciate the activities of other devotees. This is the devotee's life—they understand that it is Krishna who is acting through Vaishnavas in whatever they do. I beg for Your mercy, dear Gurudev, that I may genuinely appreciate the association of devotees and their glories from the heart, to please You and Gauranga.
Dear gurudev, I pray to Lord Narasimha to take care of Your health so that You can travel comfortably and continue delivering more and more souls, thereby pleasing Śrīla Prabhupāda and Gaura-Nitāi.
I beg for your mercy, dear Father, that I may serve You with even a tiny drop of the unlimited dedication you have for Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. May I follow your instructions with unwavering dedication to grow spiritually and develop love for whatever devotional service I am entrusted with.



Your aspiring servant
Merudevi Devidasi

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories unto you on this auspicious day!

From the first time I heard you speak you have always known exactly what I have needed to hear. I had been wanting to come to The Loft for a while, but I was afraid I would be judged for being a meat eater and I wasn’t ready to give up. On that night you spoke about eating in an ethical way and becoming vegetarian. It was not necessarily the message I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear.

When Krishna Mukha and I took Darshan with you I was very enthusiastic and you could clearly see that she was not. You told me to be patient with her and explained to her how becoming Krishna Conscious would make me become a better husband and only help our relationship. Those words put her mind at ease and allowed us to start walking this path together.

I am so thankful that we had those and so many other opportunities to have your association and your guidance.

Prior to finding Krishna Consciousness and meeting you I had reached full exhaustion with material life. I had tried all the things that this world tells you will make you happy, but yet none of those things gave me what I was looking for.
You have truly opened my eyes from darkness of ignorance and don’t know how I can ever repay you for that.

When I think of how you have served Srila Prabhupada and helped to advance his mission I hope and pray I can even do one small drop of what you have accomplished.

I have so much faith in you and in your guidance and Krishna Mukha and I want nothing more than to serve you and your mission.


Your Aspiring Servant,

Mukunda Mukha Das

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 wonderful celebration of your vyasa puja!

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja

Recently in a lecture at the Wellington Bhakti Lounge you commented that one of your God brothers called you the Pied Piper. You play your tune, the Krsna tune, and we are all drawn to follow you. You play your spiritual music and we are captivated by every note!! This is such an accurate description of you Guru Maharaja.

In that same lecture you also explained how you have to be super light on your feet when talking to new people. In a University lecture you need to be one step ahead of the students' doubts and have an answer for their questions even before they ask them. Like you are sparing with them, sparing with them totally unknown to them.

This is truly amazing Guru Maharaja. The way you so tirelessly and thoughtfully give Krsna to others is so awe inspiring. And it's not just a ‘Willie Nillie’ thing. Every word you say has meaning and purpose. My Mum just asked me “does your Swami say Umm and Ahh a lot when he is speaking in a lecture”. And I told her that you never say that, every word you say is so precise and so powerful. There are no filler words or mistakes!!

I remember swimming with you many years back, at a pool in Palmerston North. I swam behind you and got to touch your feet while you were kicking the water. You swam up and down continuously, so many lengths. After sometime me and some of the other boys there started goofing around, jumping and splashing while you were swimming to the other end of the pool. Then when you swam back to our end of the pool you said “I am twice as old as you guys and I don't waste Krsna’s time. We are exercising now so keep swimming”. You are always so careful to not waste a moment in Krsna’s service.

Thank you for always setting the perfect example for us Guru Maharaja. Even though I don't fully take advantage of this I am confident that I will.

Once again Guru Maharaja, thank you for your guidance, direction and patience.

Your servant, disciple and spiritual son,

Muni-cari dasa.

HH Devamrita Maharaja Ki Jaya!!

Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your holy appearance in this unholy world!

I am very grateful for this opportunity to offer a few words in your glorification. I don’t have the required qualification to be constantly conscious of your divine glories. Hence, this time of the year, coming up to the Vyas Puja celebration, is really nice since it allows a focused reflection on your jewel-like qualities and your service to Guru and Gauranga.

In your annual offering to Srila Prabhupada, you expressed eternal gratitude and indebtedness for saving you from the Maharaurava planet. Your words come from deep humility, characteristic of exalted devotees. For me, however, these words are my reality. Many times, you have referred to me as a “Mumbai enjoyer” and said that you have saved me from the depths of Mumbai degradation. The sumandah that I am-I am only starting to come to grips with it now. Had you not picked me up from the trash can, what would have become of me? A few years back, you said that you shudder to think what my life would have been without bhakti. Now, I also shudder to think.

Even though, according to Maharaja Rahugana, it is not at all wonderful that by the association of a great devotee, one can attain devotional service, I find the influence of your association indeed wonderful. I was not only very attached to my lifestyle but also encouraged others to follow my ways. By your mercy, I am now engaged in plotting ways to attract them to the Loft. Though at nightfall, I am haunted by my degraded Mumbai enjoyer mentality, on waking up, I find solace in my sadhana and Loft services. This turnaround has been possible only by your mercy. My debt to you is eternal, Gurudeva.

Listening to classes from your recent tour has been very enlivening and it is obvious that you are experiencing another reality. You covered a variety of topics: Krishna’s forest pastimes, glories of sankirtan and glorious devotional service of Bhaktivinoda Thakur and Srila Prabhupada to name a few. Through your public speeches, personal interactions, writings, and behaviour, either directly or indirectly, you are always expounding the gold standard of bhakti – devotional service in the mood of Vraja, devoid of any trace of personal motivation. You work very hard “burning the candle on both sides” as you say yourself, to inspire, enthuse, intervene, guide and direct, whatever it takes to ensure laser-like focus on Lord Caitanya’s mission. This is no mean task; given the distractions of Kali yuga; but it doesn’t restrict a fired-up sankirtan general as yourself. At multiple occasions, you mentioned BBT’s perseverant effort in the production of Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, and other books such as Jaiva dharma and Danakeli Cintamani that are on the way. Out of your compassion and concern that devotees have access to bona fide and accurate philosophical presentations and not succumb to Loi bazaar renditions of these treasures, you have enthused and organized these undertakings. We are eagerly awaiting their arrival.

You are a cintamani; at the Loft, I try to prod people to take little steps on the bhakti path; yet many times to no avail. But one darsan with you, and they suddenly gain a newfound clarity, determination, and enthusiasm to take the next step in bhakti. Your compassion, being spiritual, is inconceivable. Your care for fledglings on the bhakti journey does not waver with their tantrums; you enthusiastically and unfailingly prod them onward on the path of pure devotional service. With my imperfect vision, I cannot see the different ways in which the illusory energy distracts me. But you not only pre-empt; you also engineer perfect arrangements to keep me inspired and aligned with what is best for me – service to Lord Caitanya’s mission. Thank you for not giving up on me and keeping me under your ever-so-kind and affectionate watch. I pray to be cleansed of my impurities, so that one day I may receive the actual benefit of your association.

I would also like to express my deep gratitude to you for encouraging Madhava Mohini and me in our friendship. She serves you selflessly with all her heart and as she relates some of your interactions with her, I feel privileged to get an insight into how selfless service pleases you. It is by your mercy that I have her association, so that I can be inspired in how to become a proper instrument in the sankirtan movement. Although I don’t have the qualification, I beg for a little of your mercy, so that I may also become a responsible and selfless servant, available for use as you may need, in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada eternally.

Your insignificant servant,
Munjaranya dd

I wanted to write something poetic or something of meditation, but my current school duty has been absorbing.

I see sincere souls within academia who are trying their best to do good, but without the foundational philosophy of bhāgavata-dharma, they are grasping for straws. Indeed, they cannot understand the ontological arrangement of existence without a foundation to stand on. They also do not understand the power of philosophy, and they think all philosophies are more-or-less benign, questioning the validity or need for objective truth. Then again, who am I to judge or teach? Nimai Pandita is the Supreme Logician &amp; Scholar, and I am a tiny part trying to become a servant of His servant of His servant. I am also not free of material desires. Within SB 6.4.31 Dakṣa explains that all philosophers with impure material desires delude themselves and do not come to the correct conclusion, because of their material desires.

I simply want to thank you for your compassionate mercy by connecting me with guru paramparā, Krishna’s perfect system of unavoidable personalism. Please engage me in your service. Please, when I pray &amp; I chant, receive my sincerity and pass it on to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

Hare Krishna Gurudev

Please accept my humble obeisances

As sastra says,” Only pure devotees mercy can give one Krishna bhakti”. We are those fortunate souls who got your mercy. As pure devotee can change deserted land to furtile land, same way your presence changed the mood and enthusiasm of Adelaide congregation. Gurudev we are the first fortunate souls who got your mercy and unfortunate souls who still commit mistakes out of ignorance. When we wanted to take shelter at your lotus feet we planned to visit New Zealand because we read in Google that your office is in NZ. We know no one, don’t have a visa or no clue whether you will be there always or not. Our ignorance didn’t let us think that you are parivrajakacrya a travelling sannyasi, travelling all over the world to deliver fallen souls like us. You know we are so ignorant materially and spiritually, out of pure causeless mercy you visited Adelaide for the first time in our 5 years after our migration, how fortunate we are. No one to guide the process exactly, we sat infront of you and begged your mercy, as a compassionate father you accepted us. Again not knowing whom to approach we asked you can you give us your pranam mantra. You laughed and gave the first part of mantra and said I don’t know the second part because I don’t do it for myself, our first mistake.

Immediately after next day of our shelter no one to ask for permission, we thought, Gurudev is ours lets go again and sit Infront of him to get more mercy. We knocked your door you said, “ Yes Come in”. First thing you said ,”You don’t like visitors without permission , we apologized for our mistake you accepted it and guided us. Second mistake. We realized the mistake we made but don’t know how to correct and whom to approach. After that we never entered your room. After one and half year you realized our condition and on the breakfast table you said ,” Ok other than Aranya family am I meeting any one today”. Gurudev, You disciplined us as a strict father so we learn things in right way and the same time as an affectionate mother shows the path to approach you.

Fortunate we, you blessed us by staying in our humble residence. In your presence we have strict rules in the house , No one should walk pass your room with fast foot steps, we run till your room and then walk slowly. Every one should walk like cats without sound. No one should use wifi because full wifi capacity should be for you as you have GBC meetings Zoom calls with devotees..

I noticed and got disturb that the doors are making creeky sound when you are present , I asked my prabhu,”Why they are the doors making sound when Gurudev is present”, he said the doors are in ecstasy, its right but something else also happening. After carefully observation I realized doors are the same with sound , it’s loud because we are trying to maintain pin drop silence.

While serving lunch we always try to cover multi cuisine, oriental, continental, south Indian, north Indian etc so that if you don’t like something atleast you would have alternative to eat. First time I felt you didnt eat lunch properly (I thought so because you didn’t ask any item twice). I stepped forward and asked,” Gurudev I feel you didn’t eat properly what can I make for dinner”. You said, “What do you mean, I didn’t eat properly I devour everything you gave, I better change your name to JaganaMath- too much feeding”.



With our own concoctions we were trying to serve you, for some reason I felt I am not doing my best. I remember Sri Yashoda Mataji saying if you have any doubts ask Gurudev he will tell what he wants. I collected enough courage and came forward and asked you, “ Gurudev how can I serve you better”. With pouring compassion in your eyes you said, “Be a better Krishna Conscious Person”. My intelligence has taken me to only serve you at Annamaya and pranamaya stage but you always guided us to experience the Annadamaya stage. Gurudev, I realized that only goal and desire you have for us is to be better Krishna conscious person.

Aspiring to be a Better Krishna conscious person at your lotus feet.

Your servant

Naimisharanya Devi Dasi.

Dear Gurudeva, please, accept my humble obeisances.All glories to Srila Prabhupada.All glories to You on this special day of Your appearance. Thank You so much for carrying the shining torch of best knowledge to souls from different countries and continents.My heart is filled with great love and respect for You. Your knowledge, Your wisdom, Your performance, Your love, kindness and patience are my guides on the path of devotional service.Thank You very much again and again for changing my life. Your servant and daughter Nanda gehini Devi Dasi .

Hare Krishna Gurudeva,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.

Ive been thinking recently how I have the tendency to chant your pranam Mantra without giving proper thought on its meaning and what my mood when offering my obeisances to you should be. In this offering I intend to make an effort to dive a little deeper, however I do accept that my realisations of this are limited.

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

'Pracare' - I'm baffled by the endless austerities you undergo while travelling and preaching; the lack of consistency in your routine, encountering fatigue &amp; jetlag, tolerating materialistic environments, denying your own comfort, tolerating unpredictable circumstances, sacrificing your own health requirements and much more.

'Daksyam': You have the unique ability to change the course of every soul you encounter - it is a soul's greatest fortune to receive your mercy, your ability to preach only according to what Krishna wants you to preach, and the topmost skill of dedicating all your intelligence - mind, body and words to please your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.

'Bhaktacara': You showcase the qualities of an advanced pure devotee, lead and inspire by example, encourage your disciples and others to embody the spirit of devotion and remind us of the proper mood to have when executing devotional service.

'Pravinata': You are expert - The essence of the expertise of a devotee is that he can do anything for Krsna. The best expertise is to surrender to Krsna."

'Prarathat': You embody the quality of sacrifice - You show us by your example, how much Krishna reciprocates with His devotees according to their level of surrender. "When one is fully engaged in devotional service, one realizes that all one's desires are satisfied. Thus one does not have any material desire anymore. One only desires to serve guru and Krsna."

'Karunyam': You execute whatever it takes to touch the hearts of as many souls as possible - the first few opportunities Krishna graced me with your association, I felt like you had known me my entire life, this baffled me yet, I felt comforted knowing that somehow or other, God had heard my prayers. During these first few exchanges, I knew that my life had changed and that finally you could truly help me understand myself and the world around me. I didn't realize, and still do not realise the depth of that.

'Yasya-sarve': Everything you do is for Prabhupada and Krishna, nothing is outside of that. You use your time so wisely, knowing that Krishna is personally present with you at every step. "A devotee, who in words, deeds, and mind is always surrendered to Krsna and who executes Krsna's desire to the best of his ability is considered to be faultless."

Obeisances unto you dearest Gurudeva: please help me follow your instructions with my heart and soul, how to make Krishna smile (something I asked you during one of my first darshans with you), how to chant with more attention and care, and increase my desire to hear from you more.

Realizing how far I have on this journey is a sweet feeling; just like a child, who relies on their mother or father to see the world in its proper prospective, and to accept that if I can simply follow you, depend on you, everything will be alright (and so much more).

Never truly being able to understand your glories Gurudeva, but somehow or other having this opportunity to mediate upon you and only some of glories, is in itself a blessing, thank you so much.

Please bless Mandraghosh prabhu &amp; myself to make you proud somehow or other....

Aspiring to serve you and be a faithful servant, Nanda-Patni devi dasi

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances on this glorious day.

Who in the world could lead the way you do? When I think of all the amazing communities you inspire within ISKCON and (of which i only know of a fraction)all the diverse personalities. I think this person is not of this world and then my mind is completely blown when I think of the absolute personalizim you offer to anyone who shows a sincere interest in bhakti and also to those wanting to progress in bhakti. It feels like your classes are perfectly tailored to your audience and somehow mysticaly they are full of trancendental diamonds that are ready and waiting for all of your students to take. You truly are the master of the one room school house.

Keeping all this in mind it is beyond doubt you are the bonified trans-via medium of the Parampara if only I could become qualified to sample a portion of drop of the mercy you are floating in i know my lips would curl and I'd spite at the thought of mundane worldly pleaseure. But I am unqualified and cannot raise myself out from the modes of nature therefore in the words of Srlia Bhaktivinod Thakur

Gurudev!
kripa-bindu diya, koro’ ei dase,
trinapekha ati hina
sakala sahane, bala diya koro’,
nija-mane spriha-hina

Please give to this servant just one drop of mercy
I am lower than a blade of grass give me all help
Give me strength, let me be as you are without desires or aspirations for this material world.

Gurudev you have dedicated your life to saving the conditioned fallen souls of this wretched world therefore my claim is justified please guide me out of the clutches of Maya, you are the most dear to Lord Krishna as Krishna confirms in the 18 chp verses 68- 69

For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to me.

There is no servant more dear to me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.

Guru Maharaj I am praying to you on this most auspicious day that I can also become 100% engaged in my spiritual masters service and realize my complete dependence on your mercy and fill this shell with the Bhakti Shakti.

I earnestly pray to always remain in your service and the service of your servants eternally.

Your grateful servant
Nandisvara Das

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine service.

On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, I bow at your lotus feet with gratitude. You embody the mission of Srila Prabhupada so perfectly — carrying his message across the world with depth, compassion, and fearless conviction.

Through your teachings and example, you show how spiritual life is not a part of life but life itself. You guide us to cut through distractions and compromises, and to focus our hearts on Krishna with honesty and courage.

What inspires me most is your clarity and uncompromising presentation of Krishna consciousness, delivered with such care for the conditioned souls. You remind us that devotional service is not simply ritual, but transformation — of heart, mind, and daily action.

I am deeply grateful for your guidance, for the time you spend shaping our lives, and for always pointing us back to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet. Please bless me so I may develop sincerity, steadiness, and humility in serving this great mission, and never lose sight of the real goal — to serve Guru and Krishna with love.

On this sacred occasion, I pray for your good health and strength, so you may continue to enlighten countless souls and lead them back home, back to Godhead.

Your aspiring servant,
Nara Lila Devi Dasi

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur-unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humblest of obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your auspicious Vyasa Puja!

Over the past few years, many new young devotees have naturally out of curiosity asked me the question, “How did you know Devamrita Swami was your Guru?”. I reflect thoroughly each time before answering this question as it makes me deeply internally reflect to give the most genuine answer – an answer quite frankly that has deepened and transformed over time. Above and beyond the qualities you undoubtedly display of a bona fide spiritual master, you also have consistently with the upmost love, inspired, motivated and challenged me to progress in my Bhakti and push forward in supporting Chaitanya Mahaprabhus Sankirtan mission; protecting me from sleeping on the lap of maya.

You often mention in your classes about the ruthless, dire and diabolical nature of this material world. A world that takes no prisoners and serves up a harsh experience. However, I have one great fortune, a fortune I never did anything to deserve, just pure mercy – that fortune is having your shelter. A shelter which protects me time and time again against this ruthless world.

A protection which you have so kindly given me through your cutting spiritual wisdom. Wisdom that cuts my ignorance to help me realize there is no resting place for me here in this world, and that I am meant for another.

A protection which is given through your expert, thoughtful and precise way of knowing how to motivate me and light the fire in my Bhakti. Whether it be during a darshan or hearing your life giving classes.

I was recently listening to your final lecture at the Recharge festival last year and you shared a pastime from your youth where your school head teacher suggested you to re-take a school year due to your grades. In that moment your mobilized yourself fully as a matter of urgency to study hard for 3 months which resulted in you topping the class and surprising the academic staff. You then when onto explain that many people work unfathomably hard for material desire, and we should also be working hard in serving Krishna.

I have observed how for decades you have meticulously crafted your life so it is optimized purely for the service and pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. I have seen how you don’t waste a moment of your day, a word from your mouth or a chance to bask in the association of devotees. What to speak of all the tirelessly dedicated decades of service that have gone by, not to mention the harsh 8 years behind the iron curtain – which many of us will never truly understand the divine risks you took.

Your protection again is displayed in your undeviating, determined and compassionate hustle for Guru and Krishna. A lesson to me on the duty we have to hustle hard for the Lord – this our protection.

My glorification of you will never be enough because I do not have the spiritual vision to fully comprehend the extent and depth of your mercy, however, I am eternally grateful for the guidance you lovingly give, which lights the fire of bhakti inspiration in my heart.

Your servant forever,
Narasimha Nama das

Dear Guru Maharaja

Please accept my humble, respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Who can truly equate your glories into written words, for you are constantly and consistently engaged, cent percent, in Krsna conscious activity every moment of every day.
Whether you are preaching in an urban outreach centre, whether performing duties to the GBC, engaged in ecstatic kirtan for an inhouse program, flying from one location to another to speak about Krsna consciousness at a temple. You are a shining example of what it means to always be engaged in one of the 9 processes of devotional service.

As you repeat for us all to remember, "we make it easy. To come to Krsna consciousness, to grow in Krsna consciousness, to give Krsna consciousness to others" I am consistently fortunate enough to witness this every day, and attempt to practice this, with all of the service opportunities and outreach potential at the Loft, in Auckland. Whether it is behind the scenes cleanliness, bhoga management, being friendly at reception, cooking in the heart of the kitchen, or helping financially, to give our time to a preaching centre you have so nicely overseen and helped to manifest is the epitome of my life at this point in time. I am reminded daily that only by your arrangement and expert foresight that such a place exists, and this only strengthens my resolve to give it everything I have to keep it flourishing in whatever way I can.

You have so mercifully allowed me to become a disciple of your Holiness in this lifetime, and for that I can never fully repay you, but I will try my best with the time I have available.
Only by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhus mercy, and the Panca Tattva, opening the storehouse of love of Godhead, could I have ever hoped to be in a position where I can use my time in a way that is satisfying to the soul, and in service to such a kind, expert, fatherly and merciful Spiritual Master such as yourself.

This year in my endeavours to follow the teachings of the Nectar Of Instruction, and Nectar of Devotion, I have tried to focus my energy on relationships with devotees, and guests alike.
To have the time and capacity to engage in loving exchanges, gifts, prasadam, and to reveal our mind, is full of so much potency and ecstasy. This focus has been due to the kindness you have expressed towards me with your forgiveness, and your love, towards your disciples. I simply pray, and see, that if I can serve my seniors, your senior disciples with these exchanges, if I can serve to make their lives easier, then surely I can aspire to please you in turn, reminding myself to be dasa, anudasa.

You are a shining example of my aspirations, to develop qualities that follow in your footsteps. To develop my tolerance for the modes of nature, to develop my gratitude for the Holy Name, to learn the definition of humility.

Everytime you visit the loft I am always reminded of how personal you are, in your interactions with the various devotees, your surveying of the premises, your interest in the well being of guests and disciples alike.

Thank you for you developing the Yatra in New Zealand over so many years, and helping it to flourish into what it is today. Having a GodFamily who are so caring, and constantly trying to improve in their outreach capacities is enlivening, and I feel very content to help in some small way to expand the preaching efforts here and assist people in solidifying their connection to the Holy Name.

Thank you for always making the effort to give us your personal association, Vapu, each year at the Recharge Retreat in Otaki, for an entire week at least. We are so very lucky to have an opportunity like this, and it reflects how much you care about your disciples to arrange a guest each year, to give us so many classes and so much of your direct time to help us understand the books, and the topics that are full of nectar.

Thank you for your example in every possible way, dearest Gurudeva.

I pray that these words have have some benefit in some way, I pray that if you see me fit, I may develop some of these qualities I aspire to manifest that I see within you, I pray that I may stay fit to be engaged in active devotional service at your lotus feet, I pray that I may develop some taste for the Holy Name so I may continue to serve at your lotus feet with renewed vigour, I pray that I may always be connected to outreach and continue increasing in some way to assist your mission, I pray that I may take shelter at your lotus feet and never lose sight of the ultimate aim in life. I pray for simply a drop of your potency, knowing that with it, the entire world could become Krsna Conscious. I pray my heart may become softer, and that I can take your teachings and mood into my heart.
I offer all the results of my services to you, as without you the opportunities, nor results, would exist.

Please allow me to serve you in the way you desire and best see fit, in this world and the next.

Thank you for being a great example of how to be a disciple, in how you dedicate your life to service of your Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Forever aspiring to serve you better, and with more sincerity.
Narayana Rsi dasa.

Namo om Vishnu padaya Krishna preshthaye bhutle,
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine, pracharpurva daksham cha Bhakt chara pravnita pratapi Karuna yasya sarve cha te namah.

Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most respectful and humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine service on this most auspicious occasion of your 75th Vyasa Puja.
On this sacred day, I reflect on the great fortune I have received in coming into your merciful association. Though my time in your service has been brief, your presence has completely transformed my life. I can recall your merciful glance, your ever-blissful and impartial smile, and your boundless compassion that uplifts all who come near you.
You have redirected my life 180 degrees—from being absorbed in material pursuits to sincerely trying to live as a practicing devotee of Lord Krishna.

Without your mercy, I would not even have understood the true goal of life, let alone aspired for it. Through your vani—your daily instructions and teachings—I find the strength to keep walking this path, despite my many shortcomings.

It is only by your kindness that I have been admitted into the school of Krishna consciousness. Yet, I must honestly admit: I struggle to live up to the behavior of a true devotee. While I may externally appear to follow spiritual practices, I lack the internal qualities that actually defines a Vaishnava. I am full of shortcomings, yet you continue to uplift me with your words and example, giving me the courage to try again and again—to never give up.

Recently, you spoke in a lecture about the qualities of a devotee as described in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 32, Verses 41 and 42.

SB 3.32.41
titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām
ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ
SB 3.32.42
mayy ananyena bhāvena bhaktiṁ kurvanti ye dṛḍhām
mat-kṛte tyakta-karmāṇas tyakta-svajana-bāndhavāḥ

“The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living beings. He has no enemies. He is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime. Such devotees engage in unalloyed devotional service unto Me, giving up all other engagements and even worldly relations, accepting Me as the ultimate goal of life.”

These verses rings an alarming bell to me, and I now take them as the guiding principle of my personal spiritual sadhna.

As a humble offering at your lotus feet, I take one of these qualities—titikṣā, or tolerance—as my specific goal for this year.

I aspire to practice tolerance in the face of discomfort, criticism, misunderstandings, and inner restlessness. Whether dealing with others or with my own mind, I will strive to pause, remember your teachings, and respond with patience and humility rather than react impulsively.

To support this, I will:
1. Reflect daily on moments where tolerance was tested.
2. Note in a journal one instance each day where I tried—or failed—to be tolerant.
3. Recite SB 3.32.41 regularly to remind myself of the goal.
4. Pray sincerely for your blessings to internalize this quality over time.

I know I am far from the standard of a true devotee, but I pray that by following and concentrating on one goal at a time and following your instructions, I may one day become a servant who truly pleases you and Srila Prabhupada.

Please continue to guide me and bless me with the strength to stay on this path, even when I stumble.

Your unworthy servant,
Nava - Tarunya Devi Dasi

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day of your appearance. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Gurudeva, I don't know where to start. You've done a lot for me and more than I realise. I really don't understand the depth of the wealth that I have received but I'm praying to one day understand what Bhakti is really about.

Even though I don't understand what I'm doing, somehow you managed to keep me here! You've made it so easy for us to engage in devotional service. So much so that staying around is easier than leaving. Thank you for opening doors for me and for so many other people who would ordinarily not have that chance to get in contact with Krishna and not just get in contact but receive full opportunity to take up the process, grow in Bhakti and give Bhakti to others.

The structure of Bhakti lounge is just as simple as it is ingenious. Prasad, Kirtan. Engaging the tongue by tasting and chanting as a means to purify all the senses. Just as stated in Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu 1.2.234. Then there's philosophy classes for those who are interested and service opportunities that are so attractive that we often don't have to ask people to help. They come to us asking to help! How brilliant. Nobody knows what they're getting into. Neither did I. But we're transcendentally cheating them for their benefit. How magnanimous. Trying to help people who don't want to be helped and finding means of helping them without them knowing. That's the pinnacle of selflessness.

And amazingly I'm also engaged in doing these things. Because you set this center up and you're teaching us how to do it by your example. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this.

Gurudeva, I know what I'm doing is not much and I would like to do much more, much better. I know there's not limit to Krishna's service so I would like to ask your blessings that my capacity for service, my eagerness to serve, my taste for hearing and chanting will all increase more and more. In this way I attempt to repay my debt to you.

Your aspiring servant,
Nava-gauri dd

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.


Dear Gurudev,

I have been thinking deeply about the last time we were able to serve you. We had come to serve you lunch that day, after honouring prasadam, you had to go back upstairs and speak with Aniruddha Prabhu. I remember how I waited on the couch, chanting with my boys before you called us upstairs to speak with us. To my complete disbelief Gurudev, you apologised for making us wait. I was in awe of your humility to be apologising to your own disciple, I made me realise just how grounded you are. After travelling all over the world and spreading Krishna’s name, not a speck of ego is able to mark the dedication and humility you feel in the service of Prabhupada’s mission. Thank you for giving me the privilege to serve you. please allow me to serve over and over til the end of this life and in the next.

Navadvipa Vasi Das &amp; Family

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada 🙇‍♀️

Thank you Gurudev for accepting this menial soul as your daughter. I (Nidhivana) want to express my gratitude to you for giving me the opportunity to serve you dinner prasadam. Please bless me so that I continue to learn and get more and more opportunities in future to serve you.

Gurudev, once you wrote very special blessings for me when I was going through tough times. I always got hesitant to thank you personally, so please forgive me. Through this offering, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for those encouraging instructions. Those blessings are very special to me and always give me strength in tough times. Gurudev, I am not very good at expressing myself. But, I would like to thank you for always keeping me and my family in your blessings. Please continue to keep us at your lotus feet so we get more and more closer to Krishna.

On the occasion of your Vyasa puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha for your good health, so you continue to spread the glories of Sri Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana movement all over the world.

Your aspiring servants,
Bhadravana das, kusumavana devi dasi, Kumudavana das, Nidhivana devi dasi, Radhika and Naabhi

Hare Krishna Gurudev Ji
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories To Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

Gurudev Ji

I offer my humble obeisance's to your Holiness Lotus Feet. This is the most auspicious day for every disciple who is blessed and given shelter under your lotus feet. I am one among those fortunate conditioned souls blessed by your mercy to expediate in my spiritual expedition, and sincerely thank you for helping me in this pursuit of achieving The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Consciousness.

On this auspicious day , I offer my prayers to Sri Sri Nrsinga Dev to bless you with excellent health and energy to continue Srila Prabhupada's legacy of spreading Krishna Consciousness.

Your eternal servant
Nilachala Chandra Dasa

Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupāda!
I am hoping to appreciate and glorify you as best I can on this special day of your Vyasa Puja!
A few years ago, I attended your Vyas Puja in Noida temple, hearing your glorification from the devotees' mouths, really attracted me. I wanted to know more about you, and then I got the opportunity to hear you in one of the energy classes organized by Bhaktivendanta Academy for bhakti sastri students. Earlier this year, my family and I had the opportunity to meet you personally, and it was a life-changing event for me. It felt as if my lost life found a direction. Discipline is the first milestone to becoming a disciple, and I am lacking this. You know every fault of mine still, you accepted this tiny, insignificant soul and provided me with the shelter of your lotus feet.
The very next morning at Sri Sri Rādhā-Govinda Dev Temple, you sat on the vyāsāsana. While hearing you read from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and deliver the greatest knowledge for the benefit of everyone, I felt overwhelmed to be connected with you in a tiny way. I am very grateful to you for being a part of my life.
When I am at home, I often try to listen to your talks, classes, and podcasts. Every day, I feel like I am struggling against the foggy cloud of ignorance that envelops my mind and consciousness. But when I hear your voice , your words help me to see more clearly. Your words dispel my ignorance, uncertainty, and misgivings, and guide me forward while pointing out unseen hazards on the path ahead. Hearing you speak, I find it easier to understand how I can apply the knowledge to understand Srila Prabhupāda’s books and start to figure out what I am supposed to do in life. That is, trying to realise who I am, in relation to Krsna, as well as how to do that, by the positive processes of devotional service.
To my limited perception, you seem so captivated when remembering, speaking about, and relishing the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Krishna. In fact, going deeper into the pastimes. I noticed that you often speak in the present tense. This makes it feel like you are really present in those lilas and makes it so wonderful to hear.
Another thing that I appreciate is your expertise and dedication in giving Krishna Consciousness to others. I feel amazed when you present Krishna Consciousness so skillfully, perfectly, and lucidly to all manner of audiences. The more I make small attempts to try to tell others about Krishna, the more I realise it’s not as easy as you make it look, and I appreciate your efforts even more.
I feel grateful too for the association of your disciples and well-wishers. I think that they are all the best people, because they are very kind, intelligent, and merciful.

Aspiring to serve you in some way,
Nirmal

nama om vishnu padaya Krishna prasthaya bhutale
srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine

pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinta
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Happy Vyasa Puja Gurudeva! On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I am taking this opportunity to offer my humble words of appreciation and gratitude for your boundless mercy upon this fallen soul.

On this blessed Vyasa Puja day so rare,
I offer my humble obeisances with a heartfelt prayer.
O Gurudeva, you’re so merciful, compassionate and wise,
Your wisdom and knowledge dispel the darkest skies.

By your causeless mercy and blessings, I try to stay true,
Serving in the Temple’s Member Services and remembering always you.
O Gurudeva, your mercy has carried me through,
In moments of darkness, I always run to you.

When troubles surround and my heart in pain wants to scream,
You come with a smile the same night in my dream.
Your presence uplifts, and your glance makes me whole,
Your faith in the Supreme Lord awakens my soul.

I try to follow what you always say,
To chant the Holy names and read sastras each day.
Each morning, I share Srila Prabhupada’s quotes divine,
To kindle love for Sri Krishna in each heart and mind.

Even this little service I try to do,
Feels meaningful only because of you.
O Gurudeva, you’re so patient, merciful and kind,
Your strength and humor uplift my wild mind.

You preach with such fire, with courage and cheer,
Carrying Srila Prabhupada’s mission so dear and clear.
Through your service and your fearless speech,
You live the example you lovingly preach.

You love books, read and distribute with fire,
Awakening fallen souls with pure spiritual desire.
I beg for the strength to always remain,
a servant of Srila Prabhupada’s mission, through joy and pain.

With deep gratitude, these prayers I extend,
To follow your footsteps until my life’s end.
Please shower your mercy on all that I do,
So, I may stay always surrendered unto you.

And now, O Gurudeva, with tears in my eyes,
I beg for your shelter, so my soul may rise.
By your blessings and mercy, I make this plea,
Please grant me your shelter and accept me.

Dear Gurudeva, please keep showering your love and mercy upon me and my family.

Hare Krishna!

Your daughter,
Nisha Abrol

Hare Krishna, Gurudeva.
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.

I am grateful for every chance to meditate on your glories.
It is time to go inside the heart-cave and reflect on the fathomless depth of your kindness.
I would like to feel like a child on Christmas, full with joy and anticipation.
Without time constraint or dependency on locale, your mercy is a matchless gift.

You made travelling your life, and it is not what it seems.
After my flight from Germany to New Zealand this week, I reflect on the rigours you endure. What you do takes so much heart!
You come just to be with us.
You travel to personally encourage devotees and give strength.
You are personal; I desire to be personal.

I cannot begin to understand how responsible your post is, all in relation to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desire for Lord Chaitanya’s movement to expand!
To this end, you inspire and shape preaching projects.
Everything is, of course, made up of individuals and their efforts.
Your presence harmonises everything.
You are the sum and substance of what we can contribute.
You are practical and well-rounded; I pray to follow in your wake.

How else can I make this message relevant and appealing? How else will I ever be able to inspire others?
I simply beg for your mercy!
Remembering your glories is enough to make me want to leap forward, extend myself, go beyond the comfort zone.
I beg to be able follow in your footsteps, and serve your great example. I ask the boon of a compassionate heart that can touch others’ core and plant the Bhakti seed.
I wish to become capable of rendering help, despite of circumstances.

Your benevolent glance and words of encouragement breathe life into our hearts.
These cities and their mentalities mercilessly pound on us.
You give us a strong rhythm as you tirelessly beat the only drum that can be played here - the sankirtan drum.
You encourage us to step up, march on to the beat:
‘Reality is the way. Krishna is the way.
Love is the language.’

You speak it as you appeal.
Even if the topics are involved and complex, you cut to what actually matters for us.
Even when you enter arenas where hearts are cold, you speak with the warmth of genuine concern.
Even if we strive for something else, you speak the essence, from the divine realm of Krishna.
Thus we are able to hear and hear, and hear.
Everything becomes simple and clear.
It is not a rendition. It is realisation.
We digest. We become healthy.

You are unassuming. You speak with such absorption, so much taste.
I am intrigued by this quest of yours you tell of, trying to find the solution to all problems.
I fancy a similar quest, but have sought with my head only.
For my heart, even one step forward into surrender is an ocean to cross.
Can it really be hearing and chanting about Krishna?
Your example gives me hope.
Please help me ground the intellect with a humble heart.
Please help me relax the tense, simplify the complex.
Please help me to nurture and protect the seed of truth - in my own heart.

Why isn’t it always time to meditate on your glories?
Isn’t this joy of glorification always available?
Isn’t that what you encourage?
I pray to become that person, to have enough heart.
So that my obeisances at your feet will be joyful.

You see me straining sometimes.
Days go by without me contemplating my good fortune.
I do my own thing, but I can’t. I am made of your mercy!
After a while I give in, embracing the compassion that streams down through your mentorship system.
I beg you to please accept whatever I bring forth.

What Is there to be proud of? Why claim independence?
All the strength in my heart comes from you.
All I really have, is this service you gave me. It is a simple fact.
And if I simply try my best, the service opportunities extend.
The service mood expands.
Then I will hear you. Then I will remember you.
Your message always nurtures what is true in my heart, if the effort is genuine.
And so others can be helped.

Please allow me to take shelter of your instructions more and more.
Please allow me to trust in yourself, trust in Bhakti, trust in the holy names.
Trust in Krishna’s mercy.
Be aware of your glories!

Aspiring to serve you with my whole heart purely,
Nitāi-jīvana dāsa

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This Vyasapuja is a great opportunity to reflect on the purpose of life, Krsna, the spiritual master, and my relationship to them. I vaguely remember one verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam.

āyur harati vai puṁsām
udyann astaṁ ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-kṣaṇo nītaḥ
uttama-śloka-vārtayā

“Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilises the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.”

I clearly remember the first time Gopa Vrndesh Prabhu formally introduced me to you. It was 2017, just after my first book marathon. You encouraged me in my Krsna consciousness and the distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books. Now, nearly ten years later, you are still exactly the same person. You are travelling the world, taking care of congregations, preaching to new people, sharing the Srimad-Bhavagatam and encouraging its distribution.
In all honesty, that last decade has been a rollercoaster ride. Yet, every time I see you, it appears you are still exactly the same. It is as if time does not affect you. Perhaps this is what Śaunaka Rsi meant by saying that the Sun decreases the duration of life for everyone, except for those who utilise their time discussing the topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead. Prabhupada writes in the purport:

“As a highly potent drug injected intravenously acts at once on the whole body, the transcendental topics of the Lord injected through the ear by the pure devotee of the Lord can act very efficiently.”

I have first-hand experience of this. Not intravenous drugs, but the transcendental topics from your mouth. Thank you for taking the time and energy to share the glories of the lord with me.
Prabhupada, in poetic liberty, translated uttama-slokah as 'the all-good Personality of Godhead.’ When Bhrigu Muni kicked Lord Vishnu, Lord Vishnu reacted with only forgiveness, humility, and honour. Yet, Srila Sukadeva Goswami goes on to describe that Krsna is even more superexcellent than Vishnu. After all, even Mahavishnu had to steal the children of a brahmin to see the Supreme Lord, Krsna himself.
Miraculously, the spiritual master embodies this all-good disposition of the Lord and carries it in the darkest places of the material world. I was fortunate enough to witness this with my own eyes and to have met one of such a spiritual master. Without personal ambition and desire, you have been travelling relentlessly to share this message of Krsna, the all-good personality, with even the most unfortunate people.
Despite a considerable generational gap, you really understand the modern world and the position that young people find themselves in. I am understating; you seem to be able to relate to everyone. I loved the perfect escape, hiding in unnatural happiness, and my long-time favourite, Search for Vedic India. I am looking forward to many more to come, and since no glorification of yours seems complete without also referring to Prahlad Maharaja, or as you say, the gold standard of a devotee:

naiṣāṁ matis tāvad urukramāṅghriṁ
spṛśaty anarthāpagamo yad-arthaḥ
mahīyasāṁ pāda-rajo-’bhiṣekaṁ
niṣkiñcanānāṁ na vṛṇīta yāvat

“Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava completely freed from material contamination, persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His uncommon activities. Only by becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious and taking shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord in this way can one be freed from material contamination.”

Over the past year, I have celebrated many achievements. I got a wife, I got a house, I published a book, my business quadrupled, and I was able to study and significantly expand my skills. Yet, none of these achievements have any value whatsoever if they do not bring pleasure to the Vaisnavas, and what is the use of any of it, anyway, without being able to smear the body in the dust of the lotus feet of a devotee.
Please keep chastising me for my mistakes, please remind me to serve the devotees, and please help me to develop compassion like yours before the Sun reduce my body to ashes.
Your servant,
Nrikesari das

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I was fortunate to first take your association in summer last year, where you gave a series of studio108 talks and darshan with new CVA devotees. I remember your transcendental sense of humour displayed during a bramachari sanga, where the topic was association with woman and you joked about my extra-inclusive approach by dancing with girls at studio108.

In January this year, I met with you in New Zealand. During this darshan, you gave me almost an hour of your valuable time. I recall how personal you were, asking me details about my background and family, which you recalled 6 months later when we met in London. At points during that conversation, there would occasionally be a transcendental silence, where you would just sit with eyes closed for some moments, basking in pure consciousness. In those moments I felt this is someone I can trust completely.

That was the first time I thought, perhaps this is my guru. However, taking shelter of your lotus feet was very much a practical decision, due to some of the following factors.

Your brainchild of studio108 and the contemporary Vedic ashram have been the basis of my entry into Krishna consciousness. I can’t imagine a system to bring new devotees in without these facilities. The more I listen to your talks, the more I understand that you are expert in the psychology of the Western mind. The way in which you analyse the state of the world, picking apart people’s motivations and activities to expose the ridiculousness of material life; all with such good humour; this really captures my mind. I loved reading your book “hiding in unnatural happiness”.

Studio108 holds a special place in my heart, you could say as my original temple. Just this evening, I had a conversation with Abhinandana Gopa Das in which he has entrusted me with the service of managing studio108, as he moves toward other important services. I pray that by your mercy, I can maintain the standard he has set and inject fresh enthusiasm into the project; and love, and care into all the people that come through the studio, which saved me when I first came 2 years ago.

I am also managing the CVA here in London now. The residents are constantly changing, but there is a base crew of seasoned Bhakta’s who are all amazing devotees. Your godbrother, His Holiness Keshava Bharati Maharaj, told me one word to live by during my time here in the ashram: CARE. I also pray for your mercy that I can learn embody this care, and learn not to put myself but to put Krishna at the centre.

Another instruction left by His Holiness Keshava Bharati Maharaj was to develop my taste for sankirtan, which I am always reminded is the basis of any strong devotee; and of course for reading Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Thank you for taking me as your formal disciple, just a few months ago. I am not qualified, but am forever indebted. So on this auspicious day, I commit to you guru maharaja to try my best in improving all services to Krishna, particularly in these areas; care for studio108 and the CVA, taste for sankirtan, and regulation in attentive reading and chanting. I am serving under the guidance of your disciple Abhinandana Gopa Das, who has expertly guided my thus far into Krishna consciousness. Aprameya Krishna Das has also played a big role in encouraging me and making me feel at home.

Your servant,
Ojasvī Krsna Das

Dear Guru-Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. On this most auspicious day of your appearance, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for everything you have done and continue to do for me. Your existence is a profound inspiration, as you are blissfully engaged in pure devotional service, finding happiness in Bhakti alone. This is the state I aspire to attain.

Your sharp intelligence illuminates the darkness of ignorance, guiding me on the path, while your compassionate heart understands and forgives my mistakes and weaknesses. You balance the role of a strict teacher with empathy, adapting your methods to convey the teachings of Bhagavatam to contemporary minds while preserving the core principles of our founder Acharya, Srila Prabhupada.

Your example demonstrates how a devotee can be both erudite and faithful, a rare combination in a world where materialism often pits intellect against sentiment. As Srimad Bhagavatam teaches, Krishna bestows His devotees with the essence of all good qualities, making them strong, compassionate, knowledgeable, and faithful. Clearly, you have pleased Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, and their mercy has endowed you with remarkable qualities that attract us all to Krishna.

I admire your sense of humor, which makes the teachings of Bhagavatam relatable and shows that spiritual life is vibrant and alive. Your unique approach to sharing Bhagavatam's wisdom, rooted in personal realization, is a blessing for us. It is our good fortune to have you as our Teacher and Spiritual Father. Following your instructions, we will find safety and, by your mercy, attain the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the Acharyas.

I pray that you keep me under your shelter.

Your humble servant,
Pandava Bandhava Dasa

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeseness at your lotus feet.

All glory to you on this very auspicious day of your appearance. All glory to Srila Prabhupada.

Your glory is inconceivable to me. As the time goes by, your magnificence accumulates and expands. I can tap only in a microscopic part of it. The Loft project in Auckland truly amazes me — a community of strongly minded individuals staying and working together for years and decades. In this age of conflicts such consistency is fascinating. Clearly the secret is you being the uniting root of this work.

One Sunday I was sitting in the Loft, biting into paneer pakora so expertly cooked by Acyuta Bhava devi dasi. Kirtan was playing on the background, warm light was slightly dimmed, association of Dina Dayala devi dasi and humming sounds of tireless devotees trying to give Krishna to others — I remained speechless for quite some time. As usual my mind was rushing with endless thoughts and desires, but I could see that it was not significant there, I need to look deeper. Thank you for inspiring the devotees to make these “sensory spiritual gifts” so refined and powerful.

I bath again and again in the compassion and care of my god family. I am trying to learn this intricate art of Bhakti. And I am most fortunate to have you as my teacher and guide.

I bow down at your lotus feet and beg for strength to destroy my pride and illusion, to become a little bit more austere, truthful, merciful, and clean. And most importantly to hear, to hear, to hear the names of Krishna during japa.

I pray for understanding how I can inline my life according to your desires and for the strength to stay tuned in.

guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya

Your disciple and beggar,
Parā-dharma devi dasi

Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances to your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, beloved servant of Radha and Krishna!

Every year you come, you have blessed all of us with deeper and deeper insights about bhakti yoga - the art of eternal love. I’m very grateful for many reciprocations, guidance, and blessings from you as the external representative of the Supersoul, and I’m very grateful for your gracious compassion, that I continue to be guided by sadhus, sastras and Krishna from within.

This year, I have understood more the importance and significance of Guru Parampara, our disciplic succession. I have come to learned that I can try to follow Krishna’s instructions reading His books, but without contact with a guru, without being enrolled officially in the bhakti academy, the real concrete connection with Krishna is never ebtablished. I learned that, yes, anyone can try to follow Krishna’s instructions via the books Srila Prabhupada has kindly given to us and get spiritual benefits, but I have no power, on my own, to connect directly with Krishna, or to please Krishna directly like the spirit souls in the spiritual worlds, without the power and connection with the parampara. The best thing I can do, in my effort to please Krishna, is to assist the Guru in his service to Srila Prabhupada, in assisting Srila Prabhupada in his service to his guru, Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvari Thakura, so on and so forth. And that is my real connection with Krishna. My service for you is my service for Him.

As Srila Prabhupada said, “we simply follow the predecessors’ instruction. That’s all. Our movement is very easy, because we haven’t got to manufacture something. We simple repeat the words and the instruction given by the predecessor. Krishna instructed Brahma, Brahma instructed Narada, Narada instructed Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva instructed Madhvacharya, and in this way, then Madhavendra Puri, Isvara Puri, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, then the six Goswamis, then Srinivas Acharya, Kaviraj Goswami, Narottama das Thakur, Visvanath Chakravarti, Jagannath das Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora das Babaji, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and then we are doing the same thing. There is no different. That is the specific procedure of the Krishna consciousness movement… We simply have to take instructions from guru, and if we execute that to our heart and soul, that is success. That is practical. I have no personal qualification. I simply just try to satisfy my guru. That’s all.”

Last year I pray for the desire for pure devotional service, and that I will be allowed and inspired to serve your heart. Krishna has so kindly fulfilled that desire, as you have vigorously inspired me in my service for the BBT, serving Srila Prabhupada’s heart, and affirmed that the BBT is also your heart. And you have boldly confirmed, this is the fastest way for me to please Krishna. When will I realize my fortune to have such a service?

I have learned from you, that engaging in pure devotional service doesn’t just simply include mental gymnastic exercises, trying to think and act in Krishna consciousness nicely. That is nice and important, but ultimately, what brings the real change, is the transformation of consciousness, becoming Krishna consciousness, by serving and following the spiritual master’s instructions, by engaging in sadhana practices, engaging in devotional service according to the spiritual master’s guidance. You have boldly shaken my illusions and strengthen my faith in the holy names, that, truly, the holy name, when being chanted without offenses, with utmost attention, can solve all problems, because the holy name is the most purifying agent in all the three worlds. That is what will bring real and impactful change to our consciousness, which will impact our thinking and acting in this world. You have inspired us to have faith in the holy names and ever strive for the next level of chanting japa.

This year, you allow me to have a glimpse of your pure, free of envy, heart. I was allowed to see how you see every single one of us, each of us, as spirit souls, parts and parcels of Krishna. When I see a devotee, I see their setbacks, their imperfections, I see their coverings and identify their coverings to be themselves. On the other hand, you are really seeing us from the beautiful spiritual identity that shines through each of us, beyond our conditionings. You are kind and loving, despite our faults and conditionings. I pray to have that vision, to have a heart free of envy, so I can see and relate to the devotees and everyone around me, and appreciate them from their soul self level, how they are trying their best to please Krishna, and forsake their faults and material conditionings, understanding that Krishna’s mercy, Mahaprabhu’s mercy, is so much more powerful than their conditionings, or my own conditionings.

It was clear to me that at whatever spiritual realization levels, or whether one has got their conditionings removed or not, especially as one is sincerely desiring to serve and please Krishna, we are equally loved by you. That is the vision of the uttama adhikari devotee. Externally your dealings may appear differently according to different visions or perceptions, but your love is spiritual by nature, and thus there is no diminution in anyway, it is equally distributed without any loss or lack, there is no need to compare myself to others. There is no need to feel envious when I perceive with my material vision that you love them more. Radhanath Maharaja once said that the spiritual master’s care and attention and time spent for others bring about spiritual benefits for us also. I’m still grasping that. Spiritual love, just like the different rasas the living entities have with Krishna, there appears to be a hierarchy, one is more or less than the other, but they are all love in perfection, with perfect reciprocation from Krishna. That is the love you share with us.

I have come to learn, that your reciprocation or the symptoms of whether you are pleased with me or not, doesn’t depend on whether you glance at me, smile at me, and whether you answer my questions or give me attention and recognition. The result as you are pleased, is more realizations of bhakti, more attachment and taste for chanting and hearing about Krishna. I need to constantly ask myself, am I hankering after your smile, your approval, your recognition, or am I hankering after understanding Krishna and reestablishing my relationship with Him? Am I hankering to serve, or am I hankering to get? Your so-called chastisement, gross or subtle, is the highest form of your mercy, as you shake off the layers of nescience that I take shelter of, so that I can gradually realize who I am. That is your best gift as my spiritual master.

Dearest Gurudeva, it is inconceivable how much blessings you have bestowed upon me. Many insights I have been given, though incomplete and imperfect, I’m offering them back to you because none of them belongs to me. I pray the many insights I have learned from your associations will become my realizations, and I will be able to share that with many many others as a service to you. I pray I will be able to share your mercy to others, instead of trying to get it for myself. I pray this year will help me become fixed in devotional service for Krishna, and that by my best effort, I’m able to assist you in your services to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to the assemble devotees, all glories to all your sincere disciples!

Thank you, Gurudeva!

your servant,
Paramesvari devi dasi

Hare Krishna dear Maharaj 🙏

Happy Vyas Puja 😇🙏. I am feeling so blessed to have gotten your association in this life, Maharaj. It is all due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.

Maharaj, I would like to share one incident with you. When I was doing my Bhakti Shastri course at the Bhaktivedanta Academy in ISKCON Noida, we students got an opportunity to glorify the senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada during our energy sessions. You were one of the disciples I wanted to glorify that day, but someone else was assigned that service. It was during our session that I learned you would be coming to Noida very soon.

I was very enthusiastic to meet you in person. The moment you arrived at the temple, I went to take your blessings and offered you some flowers. After accepting them, you left for your service engagements. That same evening, you were scheduled to lead a session at the temple on the topic, "What Shri Gauranga Means to Your Life?"

I was on my way to attend your session and had just reached the entrance of my colony when I received a call from a Prabhuji asking me to serve as the MC. I was overjoyed! I felt I was finally getting the chance to glorify you, and it showed me how Krishna fulfills all the desires of His devotees. I know I am not worthy of standing among the Vaishnavas, but I was so happy and felt I would receive your blessings.

While reading the script, I saw it mentioned that you had studied at the prestigious Yale University. However, when you began the session, you told everyone that the announcer had said you studied at "prestigious Yale University," but you clarified, "It's not prestigious; it has not given me Krishna." The lesson is that nothing is more prestigious than Krishna. We are in the most prestigious institution—ISKCON—and we must feel blessed.

We are eternally grateful to Srila Prabhupada for giving us Krishna, for giving us the opportunity to know Him, and for giving us inspiring disciples like you who are spreading love for Krishna.

One thing I appreciate most about you, Maharaj, is your broad smile and, of course, your kirtans.

Please bless us, Maharaj, so that we can become more serious and sincere in our bhakti. May we be able to follow your instructions in life and uphold them with dedication.

Thank you.

Your insignificant servant,
Pratima Tah

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine service.

On this most auspicious occasion of your 75th Appearance Day, my heart is filled with deep gratitude and reverence for your divine presence in our lives. You are tirelessly preaching Krishna consciousness all over the world, mercifully guiding thousands of souls on the path of bhakti.

It has always been my heartfelt desire that whenever you come to India, you may bless our home by your sacred presence. This year, in February, when you visited Noida, that long-cherished dream came true. By your causeless mercy, you came to our house, performed kirtan, and sanctified our home with your divine lotus feet. It was one of the most cherished moments of my life.

During your visit, I had the fortune to ask you how I can progress in devotional service. With great compassion, you instructed me to chant the holy names sincerely before Prema Avataar Gaura-Nitai, to engage in Vaishnava seva, and to always stay in the association of devotees. You assured me that by doing so, I will surely receive the mercy of Guru and Gauranga. Your instructions gave me strength, clarity, and direction.

Despite having thousands of disciples across the globe, your memory and concern for each one of us is extraordinary. Whenever we meet, you always ask about my daughters, Tanisha and Deewanshi. You remember them and show so much affection, which deeply touches my heart. When I requested you to bless them so they too may take shelter of Krishna consciousness, you mercifully said, “I shower my blessings upon them.”

Though I may not be able to communicate with you often, I always feel connected. Many times, I find that the answers to my inner questions come through your responses to others, as if you're directly speaking to my heart. Such is your divine presence in my life — subtle, yet powerful and ever-guiding.

Guru Maharaj, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and glorification at your lotus feet. Your presence is a true blessing for this world, and especially for my life. On your 75th Appearance Day, I pray to always serve your mission with sincerity and dedication. May I follow your instructions faithfully and remain under your shelter birth after birth.

Your aspiring servant,

Prem Madhuyay Devi Dasi 🙏


---

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances, sastric injunction are to worship the spiritual master as one will worship the Lord himself. Actually Krishna is more pleased when we worship His devotess, than when we worship Him directly. As we can find this statement in the Bhagavadgeta. To really completely glorify Krishna, and the spiritual master are impossible because they are in their own way unlimited. As it is everything else in connection with unlimited Krishna, in their own respectful category unlimited. So in this regard I beg the mercy and blessings from our dear Gurudev Devamrita Swami to somehow or other try to be instrument in Divine will of their Lordships Sri Sri Guara Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Sri Jagannath, Sri Baladeva, and Sri Subhadra and all glorious guru Parampara and to spread the mission of spreading the holy names of the Lord, everywhere and anytime. My last wish is: I beg to somehow or other to get the unlimited blissful jewel or love of God, Krishna Prema and in this way my heart be able to be in-tune with sublime functions of the supreme touchstone Lord Sri Krishna.

All Glories to You My Dear Gurudeva Devamrita Swami.


Your insignificant fallen try to be servant Prema Sankirtan Das.

Dear Gurudeva
I offer my obeisances unto you,
You remind us of the boy who's blue.
You know Krishna consciousness is there in our hearts,
Your goal is to remind us of the art
Of serving Krishna with love and devotion
Bringing us to the Bhakti ocean
From deep in the fire of envy and blame,
With your oceanic compassion you put out the flame.
You open the heart of everyone you meet,
You bring us closer to Krishna’s lotus feet so sweet.

Gurudeva your words are always carefully considered,
Your message, always carefully delivered.
With a mix of education on material miseries
Alongside beneficial spiritual activities
And unveiling the fantastic mysteries
From deep in the ocean
Of the nectar of devotion

How many times have I heard you speak
On this verse about the cowherd boys at the peak
Of their play, but it doesn’t get old,
It’s fresh and you relish it like liquid gold
In past classes you’ve focussed on bakibakanuja
The vengeful snake demon aghasura
At the point when he dies his bright light soul
Enters Krishna’s body “becoming one with the whole”.
At another time you spoke about Krishna’s “confusion”
How to save the boys and kill the demon?

And yet another time you concentrated on the the lunches,
Prepared with love by the boys' mothers.
The boys were so absorbed in play
That if a demon didn’t come they’d play all day
And forget to eat. So aghasura came to interrupt
The play to facilitate honouring the lunch.
But this time Brahma came, and a year went by
Before the lunch was honoured, that’s a very long time.
My memory is hazy but I think you said
Yoga maya preserved it so it could still be had.

And this time you relish descriptions of the play,
They curse their echoes that come back again.
They sit like ducks or with peacocks they dance,
Or make faces at monkeys or glide like the swans.
And you pass out more details, more facts you know
Like - the cow moves faster than the buffalo

I am simply amazed at the depth of your vision
You read and share the Bhagavatam with relish and absorption.
As you tell us so kindly time and again
Reading is the reward - don’t deny your pay!

Your every instruction is loaded with care
And though a moment of your association is rare,
It fills me up and inspires me to try,
With all my might to reach for the spiritual sky.

You care for your disciples as a loving parent,
Responsible for us as we ride different currents
Of our lives, you remain the constant guide.
It can’t be easy - you’ve said more than one time.
Now I’m entering the current of parenthood.
To care for just one soul - a big challenge we took.
But I never knew the love a parent feels
For their child, now it’s becoming real.
It’s love that makes this challenge worth taking
Love that soothes my arms when they’re aching
With tiredness as I hold my big little darling
Who once again needed night long comforting.
Gurudeva how big is your heart, I can only imagine
To love and care for so many children?
Not that you dress us or change our nappies,
Much deeper than that you take care that we're happy
And well situated for spiritual progress
You ensure we’re not just making a mess.
You fill us with inspiration to improve
Both our sadhana and efforts to serve.

For now, one child is enough for me,
Maybe later, two or three.
But you’ve got hundreds of us, I don’t even know
The extent to which your heart goes.
Your love for Krishna is so deep and profound
It allows you to love all His parts that you’ve found.
Despite the numbers you give personal care
To all your disciples, here or there.
I’m so lowly and you’re so high up
Yet you still make the effort to keep in touch.
Krishnagraja sent you a photo at your request,
Of our little boy and me, smiling our best.
I felt so touched that you’re interested in
How our little world is unfolding.
Thanks to your care I’m trying very hard
Not to get too lost in baby land.
We go to the loft around once a week
To do a little service at your hub for outreach.

I hope and pray to mould our family
To keep Krishna in the centre clearly.
Gurudeva please help us to make this hope a reality,
Your aspiring servant, Premalahari dd

Dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to your selfless services

I am grateful for all the opportunities you have given me to serve and learn under your shelter. Despite my shortcomings, you have always been patient and merciful.

Please know that I am always endeavoring to mold myself in such a way that one day I may fully and sincerely follow your instructions. For now, I offer whatever little service I am able to render.

Your words and example continue to inspire and uplift me, even when my mind is disturbed. Especially, your acknowledgement of the ever changes times and how much we need to move towards a self-sustainable future. I am deeply thankful for your unwavering dedication in guiding us according to Srila Prabhupada's vision of establishing a vibrant community that joyfully shares the glories of Shri Krishna.

Please forgive me for my conscious and unconscious offenses. I beg for your blessings so that I may continue to serve you better.


Your spiritual daughter,
Prema-lata 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.

Whenever you grace us with your presence in Wales, I notice that the atmosphere is especially surcharged with spiritual excitement and inspiration. Earlier this year, when you last visited, you miraculously allowed me to receive first Initiation. You gave me the name Prema-sāgara Dasa. I pray that I can one day, under your loving guidance, live up to this name by becoming a servant of the ocean of Love of God.

After the initiation ceremony, my father awkwardly tried to give you a hug as you left the temple. You gave him your garland. For just over a year my father has been listening to Srila Prabhupada's lectures every day and systematically reading all through all his books, so I would like to thank you for being merciful to him.

The incomprehensible bravery you have shown in Krishna's service is a clear example of preaching Krishna Consciousness at the top most caliber. In a recent group darshana, I asked you how I can be brave to take on services that give one more accountability and responsibility. I gave the example of managing the sunday feast servout, which is practically nothing compared to the risks that you have taken to spread Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Sankirtan movement. You laughed and explained, in such a compassionate way, that we should never hold back in Krishna's service. We should use our intelligence and prepare as much as we can for any service we've been awarded. In this way one becomes happy. You said that Krishna can expand ones service at any moment. One could go from managing the Sunday feast to serving prasadam to 5000 people. I will never forget these encouraging words.

Quite regularly, when I return to the Ashrama from demanding or intense days of service, I listen to recordings of your lectures. I find them to be like a soothing balm for my soul, which relieves me of all fatigue and makes me feel happy and safe. The way you describe &amp; explain Srila Prabhupada's writing enchants me to increase the intensity of my spiritual practice. You have instilled, through your constant reminders, a strong foundational understanding in me that Srila Prabhupada's books are life's daily nessecity. Any neglect of reading or studying his books causes one spiritual malnutrition, and eventually, if one neglects the process of hearing from the founder acharya, the complete halting of ones spiritual progress.

Thank you for all the time, advice and instructions you have given me. I was certainly headed for shipwreck in this miserable ocean of birth and death. My human form of life should have been, according to my karma, completely wasted in a pathetic attempt at material success in the music industry. In our first darshana, after inquiring about my background, you asked "what is your goal?". No one had ever asked me that question in such a striking, soul penetrating way. I wasn't sure how to answer at first but eventually I decided that my goal was "to perfect my life". You told me "Yes.. that's the goal of the human form of life. Congratulations, you have a very exciting Bhakti career ahead of you". I know you weren't referring any kind of career success that I may have been hankering for previously. The kind that includes material wealth, adoration, position, prestige and so on. You were reminding me that if I wholeheartedly attempt to follow in your footsteps, then, by the protection of that pure association, then I can re-establish my relationship with the ultimate well wisher of every living entity, Sri Krishna, and thus 'perfect my life'.

They say one can judge a tree by it's fruit. Here in Wales, I can see that all of your disciples are extremely serious about their Krishna Consciousness. Those devotees, who I am now fortunate to call God brothers, have guided me through every step of my spiritual journey thus far. I feel safely situated under their guidance.

I pray that, one day, I can become a qualified disciple and please your holiness, as well as Srila Prabhupada &amp; our guru-parampara.

Your servant
Prema-sāgara Dasa

My dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On this auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I pray to Lord Krishna for your good health. I also take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for kindly accepting me as your disciple. Though I have no qualification, please bless me so that I may be of some service in your compassionate mission.

I sincerely hope to get more time to read our sacred books and discipline my life better. It is only by your mercy that I am able to chant daily. I pray that I can improve the quality of my chanting and absorb myself more deeply in reading.

I truly feel the great mercy I have received through your guidance. Because of you, I feel safe and my life has meaning under your shelter.

I am also happy to share that this year we celebrated Jagannath Ji Ratha Yatra and made a new chariot. Around 400 devotees participated. By your grace, Madhurya dham was able to serve in the garland service and also I take part in our weekly preaching programs whenever possible.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your causeless mercy.

Your aspiring servant,
Prem Dham Das

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto your lotus feet on the auspicious day of your appearance!

Thank you for this opportunity to purify myself. It is a rare and priceless gift, and even though painful in all ways, I’m not sure how I deserve this chance, and I am trying to be very grateful.

Thank you for bringing together all these great souls, these flowerlike devotees, that are my godfamily. Being in kirtan with them and hearing them speak on spiritual knowledge has really saved me, especially this year, and I’m so grateful to have had regular opportunities to be in their presence despite my background. Thank you for understanding and accepting me despite all of my faults. You are very merciful and compassionate.

Your recorded kirtans this year have really saved me from going into the whirlpool. Your purity in chanting is so that it cuts through any thoughts not aligned with Lord Krishna’s mission and His plan for us. Hearing your kirtan helps me to feel determined to carry on, because you sound so determined and convinced in your kirtans in fending off the illusory energy and calling out to Krishna. Hearing all of these kirtans during this time has helped me to understand and appreciate more so what a great soul you are. Surely celestial musicians and their wives are singing in chorus about your pure reputation, just as they did for Emperor Svayambhuva Manu!

This year, I have found myself in a hellish situation, in agony and isolated from devotees, separated from everything and everyone I had held dear, and unable to live functionally due to my past misdeeds and offences, lacking in action because of overwhelm and urgency to try to go deeply into sadhana. I am very sorry for all of these misdeeds and offences. For months it has felt as though I am drowning and trying to gasp for breath above the surface.

For some time, I have been unable to access your most recent talks posted online and keep in spiritual touch with devotees in that way due to my condition. I have always wondered why I’ve always recorded your every kirtan, your every word on my phone, which I’d much rather be without. Now I have understand why - it was for this season in spiritual life.

When I have been alone, sometimes for weeks at a time, you have been there for me every step of the way. Your talks are perfect, every pause, every nuance. Every single time I hear you speak you address exactly what I’m going through and thinking about on any given day at that particular time, and give the perfect remedy, chastisement, consolation, or profound instruction. You are an expert physician! Without your help I would be lost again to the material energy. I am indebted to you. Thank you for helping me to cross the ocean of material suffering. I pray that by your mercy I may be able to make it to the other side.

And when you aren’t speaking direct philosophy, you speak on the most wonderful pastimes of the Lord and have me laughing heartily even though at times the circumstances are purely miserable. I am very grateful for your association. And through this time, though the silence, by your mercy and by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy I am having some small realisation that we are never really alone.

Thank you for always helping me to overcome the symptoms, challenges and fears one step at a time and come closer again to serving you in the association of devotees. Thank you endlessly for saving me from Kumbhipaka and from being devoured by the wrath of the illusory energy. Although I know there must still be quite some time to go, this winter season is a very small price to pay for everything I have done in the past. I very much hope that I can be a devotee always moving forward.

I am very grateful that I have been rendered helpless so that I can take shelter of you, and realise to a small extent that life is nothing without Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement. Thank you for giving me the beautiful Hare Krishna maha mantra.

I have to thank your disciples, Nanda-patni devi dasi, Bhaktin Maggie, Rasesvari devi dasi and Sruti-cari devi dasi for their local personal support as the results of my past sinful activities have slowly begun to release me from their grip, despite their service capacity already being full as it is. And my sweet devotee sister Zoe, whose service attitude is very humbling. I hope by your mercy she may be able to join the sankirtana movement, and I hope I may finally be able to join too. And always grateful for the assistance of my dear mentor Khadiravan devi dasi and dear Krishnaloka devi dasi, who are always inspirations.

Please keep me always at your lotus feet. Please don’t abandon me. You are all that I have. Begging for your mercy so that I may be able to join my family again and see the beautiful faces of Sri Sri Pancha Tatvva and worship and serve them.

Praying I can serve you and care for and serve your devotees. If you so desire, please help me to develop some taste and desire to hear the Hare Krishna maha mantra so that I can get myself permanently together so that I may be able to help others and glorify you as you so deserve.


To quote the beautiful prayer by Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura:

“The lotus feet of our spiritual master is the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service.

I bow down to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence.

By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.

My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.

Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.

He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge.

He is my lord birth after birth.

From him ecstatic prema emanates.

By him ignorance is destroyed.

The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor and lord and master of all the devotees.

O master, please be merciful unto us, please give us the shade of your lotus feet.

Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.

We take shelter of your lotus feet.”

Thank you to your dear spiritual master Srila Prabhupada for sending such an exalted spiritual master as you to help us. You are always following his instructions and desires for the Krishna Consciousness movement. I feel very honoured to be able to take shelter of such a pure disciple of Srila Prabhupada.


Eternally trying to be your servant,

Your daughter,
Purnananda devi dasi

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On this most auspicious day of your appearance, I offer my deepest gratitude at your lotus feet.

Your unwavering compassion and guidance illuminate the path of bhakti for conditioned souls like myself. By your mercy, we find shelter, direction, and strength to continue on this journey.

I pray that Sri Gauranga keeps you in good health and that your vani keeps touching the hearts of many fallen souls who need mercy and direction in this material world.

Wishing you a blissful Vyasa Puja.

Your servant

Pushpanjali Devi Dasi

DEAR GURU MAHARAJ,
Hare Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your 75th Vyas Puja.
After my long stay in India I am happy to be back to dear Radha Gopinath and their devotees. While staying in Mumbai I realised the India where I was born and brought up has completely changed. India the land of ancient Vedic culture , but Sanskriti has lost the value of traditional life. People are more focus on material advancement than spiritual advancement. People are living life in false conception of happiness which is taking them in to the material entanglement. People don’t believe in God or transcendental knowledge of Veda or guidelines of Shastra. I feel that we are missing our own culture that we do not take very much care to understand Bhagavad Gita As It Is and following path of Krishna consciousness.
In one of your quotes you said just seeing anything related to Krishna makes people or devotee to remember Krishna I had beautiful experience of it in Mumbai , I was wearing Vaishnava Tilak on forehead , kanthi mala around my neck and japa bead bag in hand surprisingly catching attention wherever I go and people used to greet me by saying Hare Krishna , Radhe Radhe or Jai Shree Krishna. I thank you for empowering me to give Krishna this easy way as this is your personal instruction to me to give Krishna to every one
In one of your lecture on Spiritual strength you remind all of us about order of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (C.C Adi 17.124-126) “Jare Dekho Tare Kaho Krishna Upadesh “ instructing devotees to preach Krishna’s teaching to every one they meet. You mentioned that this order of Mahaprabhu still exists and he has given power of attorney to all of us to become guru ‘Amara Ajnaya Guru hana Tara ei Desa’. I think having this rare human body we have great responsibility to spread the importance of Krishna consciousness to everyone we meet and fulfill mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
I am in ISKCON nearly 15 years now thinking how fortunate I am, finding this spiritual path of Krishna consciousness understand real goal of life. One thing I realised when you put Krishna in the centre of your life and identify yourself as servant of Krishna and have desire to serve Krishna sincerely, consciousness start to change your life .
Self-realisation is very important and only possible through guidance from spiritual master. You give me that opportunity by accepting me as your disciple. I am thankful to you Guru Maharaj for Your kind attention and guidance. Your lectures always solve the questions come to the mind and encouraging me to stay in the Krishna consciousness all the time.
I always admired how you devoted your life to sharing the teaching of your guru Srila Prabhupada , distributing his books and serving Krishna by traveling around the world giving spiritual guidance and solutions to contemporary social issues.

I pray LORD NARSIMHA to protect you always and pray Sri RADHA GOPINATH to keep you in good health so you can serve SRILA PRABHUPADA many more years through your preaching all over the world and help fallen souls to take KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS and go back home.
I hope to see you soon and take your darshan
Your humble servant;
Radha Madhupati Devi Dasi
VYAS PUJA September 2025 OFFERING

Dearest Gurumaharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day.

On this day, I am meditating on your instructions from the teachings of Lord Kapiladeva from the third canto srimad Bhagavatam. You taught us that we are NOT the International society for anartha nivrithi. Naturally, as aspiring devotees, we want to get rid of our material anarthas. But the higher principle is to develop attachment to hear and chant in the association of Sadhus.

Thank you Gurudev for opening my darkened eyes and teaching me the ultimate goal of human life.

Praying for your good health so many more fortunate souls like me can become Krishna conscious in this life.

Your grateful servant
Radha Mohan das

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion.

Finding myself in the throes of the intensive care department at Palmerston North Hospital recently, not knowing if another loved one was going to live or die, brought me back to other moments when I have been with loved ones as they passed on.

Nothing like the cold, hard reality of death to rattle even the coolest and calmest of people. Death waits for no-one. When our time is up, no amount of wealth, love or medical intervention will save us.

It has been quite some time since I’ve walked the corridors of a hospital. Over this lifetime I have been a frequent flyer of hospitals, both for myself and for other family members.

The true realities of life in the material world are clearly visible wherever you look. The struggles people are facing are etched into their faces. Some have physical ailments that inhibit their movement. Some look so sick, yet they still cling to their cigarette outside the front of the hospital, donning a hospital gown while hooked up to intravenous medication. It looks like utter madness.

I remember about 20 years ago when a pedestrian who was crossing the road outside of Bhakti Lounge was hit by a motorcycle. You happened to be visiting Wellington at that time, and you said to me: “Just see, the curtains of Maya have been ripped open. It all feels so raw and real right now. But just wait and see how long it is before the curtains of Maya close again.”

It makes me reflect on how much we, as humanity, get it wrong in life. We look for happiness where it doesn’t exist, we chase mirages that elude us, we believe the hype of Maya. Driven by cosmic insufficiency we think, if we just do this, if we just do that - then we will be happy. The lies the world sells us, we buy it hook, line and sinker.

You, dear Gurudeva, are our trusted physician and expert specialist. You diagnose and treat what truly ails us: our misidentification with the body and mind, the fever of material entanglement and our lost relationship with Krsna.

You hook us up with the best medicine of all - devotional service and the holy name.

You recently told me: “It all comes from the holy name. On our own, we have nothing.”

It never ceases to amaze me how powerful and insightful you are. In just a few words, you broaden our mind, change our perspective and touch our hearts.

My favourite thing is listening to your lectures - whether they are to devotees or newcomers, either way, I’m always deeply impacted and inspired.

On your recent trip to Wellington, you were explaining that thinking in terms of I and mine is a criminal mentality. That we should reflect on who is the real proprietor and that devotional service is real happiness. By your grace, living and serving in connection to the land is helping me to understand we really don’t own anything and that a selfish life is a miserable life.

I’m so grateful to you. Thank you for taking me under your wing, for guiding and teaching me. For being patient with me. You see through my feisty nature and encourage me to dive deeper. I would be lost without you.

I pray on this most auspicious of all days, to please allow me to always take the medicine. To cling to the holy name for dear life, like my life depends on it. Because it does! Please bestow your mercy on me so I can become an ideal patient that always follows the doctors orders with a joyful heart and a surrendered soul.

Your spiritual daughter and indebted servant,

Radha Prasada devi dasi

Dearest Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this special day of your appearance!

I am very fortunate and grateful to be in your association 3 times this year in Mayapur, Gita Nagari, and Atlanta.

You have always been inspirational. You keep your composure with grace, elegance, patience, and compassion through different time zones, your finesse communication with variety of souls from different places, different culture, and intelligence.

You have set such high exemplary standards for us, fallen souls. Tirelessly sacrificing your life for us. Always forever indebted to you and Srila Prabhupada.

Everyday I strive to be better servant to follow the footsteps of guru parampara, it's not easy but your example have made it easier for me.

I am always forever grateful for your tireless service.

Your servant,
Radha Sarana dd

Dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.

I am so overjoyed that I had the blessing of seeing you again this year in Sofia, Bulgaria. Although your visit was short, that precious time spent in your presence is unforgettable and invaluable and It continues to nourish my soul for the remainder of the year.

I am especially thankful that you met my husband. We both feel extremely fortunate that you gave us the chance to serve you by cooking lunch for you. When you learned that my husband had studied to be a chef, you kindly allowed him the honor of preparing a meal for you. Even though the food was far from perfect and had many flaws, you accepted our humble offering with so much kindness and mercy. We will cherish that moment forever and pray to receive this rare opportunity again, hopefully next year.

Hearing your morning Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes in the Sofia temple was also a profound highlight of our time with you. Each word was a perfect medicine for our materially diseased mind. You always offer endless inspirations on the art of bhakti-yoga—on how to become better human beings and proper selfless devotees.

Though I now live far from you physically, your words and your unwavering dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission remain close to my heart throughout the year. They guide me and give me strength as I continue on this path.

As a small offering in your service, I’ve begun organizing monthly bush walks where people can receive prasādam, hear kīrtan, and associate with devotees in a peaceful natural setting. It’s a modest effort, hopefully made with sincerity, and I pray that it may please you. My heart desires to do more in your service.

I am still working to balance my household life, and at times it is difficult to cooperate with my husband. I hope that as time goes on, we can become more aligned in our service to you.

May your mercy continue to shower upon me and my husband, and may I remain ever more engaged in the service of your lotus feet.

On this sacred occasion, I pray to be able to serve you with more sincerity, and to progress in my devotion with the inspiration you provide.

Please bless me, Gurudeva, that I may continue to grow in humility, understanding of Krishna consciousness and in my commitment to the mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda.

With deep respect and gratitude,
Radhananda devi dasi

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Gauranga!
All glories to you, dear Gurudev!

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhūtale
śrīmate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ


"I offer my respectful obeisances unto you Gurudev, you are 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 Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."

Hare Krishna to you, Gurudev! Our Prayers to Sree Sree RadhaGopinath for your good health and for your long service in serving Srila Prabhupada, spreading Krishna consciousness and uplifting countless souls like myself.


Gurudev, I am forever grateful to you for mercifully accepting me as your spiritual daughter. This is a gift I can never repay.

You always make us feel close to you—through your lectures, darshans, the guidance of shiksha gurus, the association of devotees, and even through our prayers. Whenever I feel low, I take shelter in the faith that by your mercy, you will surely take us back to Krishna. Even a short moment of your association transforms my consciousness.

Your qualities inspire me deeply, and I pray to imbibe even a fraction of them. Some of your instructions and examples that remain in my heart are:
* You remind us to just keep chanting the Mahamantra, no matter the situation, and it will carry us through.
* Srila Prabhupada’s teaching which you quoted: “First deserve, then desire, never aspire.” It makes me reflect on how important it is to cultivate qualities and service rather than simply wish for results.
* Your firm devotion to Srila Prabhupada and Guru Parampara—when someone told you Prabhupada’s words are impractical in this time, you simply replied, “Sorry, I cannot help you, I follow what Srila Prabhupada says.” That conviction is so powerful.
* The way you narrate scriptural pastimes with such relish makes me aspire to also read, remember and share shastra.
* Your kirtans are always uplifting and soothing.
* The way you explain Krishna consciousness in a contemporary and practical way makes it easier for us to connect it to our daily lives and helps me share Krishna consciousness, even indirectly, with my colleagues and friends.
* You always stress the importance of devotee association and guidance. By your mercy I have association, but often my intelligence is not sharp enough to even know how to ask properly for guidance. Please bless me in this.
* Your determination to attend mangala arati daily in the West, despite challenges, is so inspiring. We can understand it wouldn’t have been easy at all.
* You mentioned about your initial days of book distribution how your luck was and how you were determined to love it, it shows how much determination you have when it comes to please Srila prabhupad and Krishna
* Your consciousness about health, your desire to protect cows and promote ahimsa products, and your punctuality and cleanliness—all these qualities set such a high standard I wish to follow.

* The instruction that I always remember is Shut all your plan making factory and go by Krishna's plan is my favourite. Kindly shed your mercy to do that.



Gurudev, you are the force behind me to help me chant my rounds, to read sastras, serve vaishnavas and serve Sree Radhagopinath regardless of what goes in my mind.

By your mercy, I am trying to serve in small ways—preparing prasadam for Bhakti Vriksha conducted at our place, book distribution as a family and with god family, and children’s classes in Bhakti Manjari conducted by my Shiksha Gurus. But I struggle to stay consistent, disciplined, organised, and punctual in both my sadhana and service. Praying for your mercy so I can improve my sadhana and service attitude.

By your mercy, my husband Janmastami Das and Hemanth are trying to improve their bhakti seva to please you. Hemanth is attending classes, reading Srimad Bhagavatam, chanting 12 rounds, and doing services with us. I humbly seek your blessings that he finds a mentor, offer his service sincerely, take guidance properly and serve the Lord from heart as Lord desires.

By your mercy, we recently bought the same unit house we were staying since we moved to Australia, we have been hosting Bhakti Vriksha classes for nearly 5 years now and this house was really good for us as it is in a main suburb, easy reach, accessible to people wishing to attend Bhakti classes. Praying for your blessing so we use the house and everything in the service of the Lord.

As a family, we pray for your mercy so we may overcome our anarthas, karmic obstacles, and offenses, align our desires with Krishna’s will, and develop true Vaishnava qualities. so our lives please you and Krishna.

Praying always to humbly serve at your lotus feet.

Always a humble servant and a pleasing daughter.
Radhastamidevidasi

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupad.

Glorious are your activities on this planet — you take up no other role than tactfully lifting us up. Anyone who meets you, whether directly or through your writings and speeches, is raised by your presence. Sometimes as a śāsana, sometimes with a quip, and in every direction you give there is a subtle hint to remain steadfast in the aim of devotional service.

"Bhakta Achara Pravinata" is a fitting phrase for your pranama mantra — an expert sense of where to push and, equally, where to flex. It takes an equipoised personality to have carried out this mission, and your role in my life has been deeply fitting.

Your love for Chaitanya is contagious; your devotion to Nityananda inspires widespread devotion. Your full submission to Srila Prabhupad is evident in the many roles you have taken to ensure the smooth flourishing of the Krishna Consciousness movement.

Your ways are orthodox yet eclectic — a fitting demonstration of the bheda-abheda philosophy embodied in a saint like yourself. Please allow me to shed tears for the sake of Gaura for a few more decades, if it be possible.

Humbly,
Radika Prasad Das

Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my heartfelt obeisances at your lotus feet, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I have been reading and relishing Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita. Many times I think of you, and how perfectly you fit into the parampara, in particular with your emphasis and service around publishing and distributing books. When Srila Prabhupada left Jhansi he took up editing work - you also have done editing as a service many times. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote hundreds of books amongst a busy life, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura preferred book printing over temple building and Srila Prabhupada was always writing, often putting all his money to printing his magazine and books. You have written wonderful books and articles, served on the BBT and you travel the world preaching and inspiring devotees to engage in sankirtana in whatever capacity they have.

I can only hope one day there may be a biography written on your life as I love hearing of your activities.
Your childhood - how you told your mother that you and your brother were too cold so you could get out of carol singing. How your punishment was shining the chrome bumper of your father's car.
In your youth you were the one who knew all the parties, a jazz lover socialite. The Yale student searching for the real solution to the world's problems.
Then tasting the nectarean words of Srila Prabhupada, reading his books 3-6 hours a day. Avoiding the devotees, then plucking up the courage to have an in person encounter because you so desperately wanted the next Srimad Bhagavatam volume, only to be surprised when the devotee didn't stop you on your walk by! And then proceeding to give today's equivalent of $20,000 to a devotee for a temple you'd never even seen! How when you did go to the temple, you smelt the incense from blocks away and were a bit apprehensive, but then all your worries disappeared when you were welcomed warmly by a devotee at the door.
Then your early days of book distribution, and how one day Krishna ‘turned on the tap’ and you went from being the "hard luck kid" to a recognized distributor. How you were taken to a police station while out distributing only for the officer to say he wanted a book, and he had to pretend to chastise you. Then behind the iron curtain you went - risking your life for your spiritual masters' desire, with full faith in Krishna. It was here you saw Krishna cover over an officer's eyes so she wouldn't notice you. You share the story of the day when you realized you could no longer do full time book distribution due to your health, and this led to the opportunity in the BBT where you got to read and file away all of Srila Prabhupada's letters. And you were in the famous Caitanya Caritamrita marathon in which Srila Prabhupada said that all involved in this would go back to Godhead!

Gurudeva, your amazing recounts continue, this doesn't even make a dent! And even now, you are 75 and you still travel the world, give electric classes, record podcasts, preach at universities and other outreach events, care for disciples and devotees so deeply, have many projects on the move, look after your health, relish hearing and chanting and more. I am amazed by you.

I have you to thank for all that is good in my life. You are an expert master and a kind father. Thank you so much for saving me from a hellish existence.

Your aspiring servant,
Rādhikā-bhāva devi dasi

Hare krishna dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Dear Gurudev, this is my first attempt to open up my heart in the form of vyasapooja offering. If i commit any mistake, i beg your forgiveness.

On this auspicious occasion of your divine appearance day i pray to Lord Krishna to keep
You healthy so you can keep preaching the message of Lord Caitanya in every corner of this world as you always do. Your enthusiasm in Harinaam kirtans is the first thing i admire the most. The way you chant the name of KRISHNA in Guru pooja kirtan always gives me goosebumps. I always try to sing in that mood but always failed to bring that mood of crying for the lord. I always aspire for that love and devotion you have for Lord Caitanya,Shri dham Mayapur which is non different from shri Vrindavan dham. Please please keep me under the shelter of your lotus feet. In this lifetime I want to experience even the tinge of that love you have for lord Caitanya. I beg for your mercy.

Aspiring to be your sincere servant
Raga bhakti devi dasi

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

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you Gurudev.

Please accept my humble obeisances

Wishing you happy 75th Vyasa Puja

In Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.10 we hear that in this iron Age of Kali men almost always are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed. But in your presence today, we feel exactly the opposite, we feel peaceful, energetic, enlightened, very fortunate, focused and above all blissful.

On this very auspicious day, I am getting an opportunity to read an offering whilst you are personally present here. In a lecture by HH SB Keshav Swami, he mentioned that success in spiritual life comes by pleasing the spiritual master yet I feel I have not even started walking on this path. I find myself to be extremely shameful and low to even come here and read an offering in front of you. Who am I to glorify you.

You are like Krishna in the Rajya Suya sacrifice. Krishna was and is the best amongst men (Purushottama) and was offered the highest seat in the sacrifice similarly you (who are the representative of Srila Prabhupada, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprahu and Lord Krishna) are the best amognst men and women in today’s day and age hence you are sitting on the highest seat and Who am I? I am like Duryodhana, who could never realise the magnanimity and greatness of Krishna even when Krishna was personally present in front of him.

In Bhagavad Gita 4.34, Krishna mentions that a disciple must try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. I am certain I am not doing this correctly. Its like the example Srila Prabhupada gave mercy of Krishna is like the sun light which is available everywhere but its up to us whether we close our curtains or not. Similarly, your mercy comes in the form of your instructions but I am not sure if I am seriously following them?

Generally in spiritual life each individual has to do the heavy lifting for themselves, but I feel in my spiritual life, you do the heavy lifting for me and I hardly do anything. When Krishna was lifting the Govardhan hill, all the Brajvasis were relaxed and didn’t have to do much. Similarly, in my life you protect me from the Syamantaka clouds of the different dangers of this world, different dangers that maya can present and the different dangers that our own mind can present.

Materially you support me like the famous story told by HDG Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Maharaj. A woman was travelling through the forest with log woods on her back and when those logs fell down she uttered Krishna. Krishna factually appears and says, dear lady you summoned me, what can I do for you. The lady says please keep the logs again on my back. Similarly I keep on telling you please keep the logs again on my back however, you being a kind father, guide and well wisher explain to me what is best for me. You do help me fulfill my material desire but they have spiritual end results. Just like Maharaja Dhruva, he wanted a kingdom but then he ended up having the darshan of the beautiful form of Lord Vishnu.

Similarly, I am so grateful to you for all the blessings you have given me in my life. Starting from my PR. I remember when I was unable to pass the English test, you had instructed me in a personal darshan to pray daily to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and it will come through. Interestingly the english test that I was not able to pass in the initial attempts I was able to pass with flying colours and subsequently was able to serve Sri Sri Radha Valabha, Iskcon Melboure Temple and all the Vaishnavas. I was looking for broken glass (PR) but got the diamond in the form of valuable service to yourself, Sri Sri Radha Valabha and all the Melbourne Dhama vasis.

Similary, when I desired to get married, when I got your blessings I happened to e-meet my wife and thats how now I am able to serve synergistically with her in different services which I never thought I could have ever done in my life. Just to clarify my wife is also a diamond 🙂

I remember that HG Dvija Pitambara Prabhu was reminiscing some pastimes while he was serving you, he mentioned that how hectic your schedule was. You were on a very diffciult diet, only eating what doctors recommend you. Being a stakeholder on different projects, supporting them in various capacities whilst taking care of your disciples may look effortless but we learnt that how much effort it can take. Amidst all of that, I remember a few years back when I had sent an email because I was in a dilemma, you had replied back within seconds. The guidance that you gave me actually helped me a lot. I have had countless personal darshans where I have discussed many problems and you have always patiently heard each one of them, given me all your rapt attention and provided my with the best solution that can help me.

Your kirtans are mindblowing and full of energy, your classes are amazing and I love when you laugh. You may some times use humour to pass on a strong message and give instructions based on one’s ability to follow those instructions just like how a mother would feed the right food to the child.

Maharaj I feel that I should start becoming more serious in my spirital life hence I have written 7 prayers.

1. I rememeber Dvija Pitambara Prabhu mentioning that the most important instruction of a spiritual master is to attentively and offenselessly chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. I pray on this auspicious day to you that next year when I am ready for initiation I am also ready to attentively and offenselesly chant the sweet names of Krishna.
2. I remember HG GopaVrndesh Prabhu mentioning that when confused in life rememeber Athatoh Brahma jijnasa which means to enquire about the Absolute. My prayer is that when confused, I remember this and think in this direction.
3. I remember in one of your classes you mentioned six subtle offences towards Vaishnava’s such as to be angry, envious, to not be joyful when we crossing paths with a Vaishnava etc. I pray to you that I never make such offences.
4. My wife tells me that I waste a lot of time, I pray that whenever I have free time in my hand I don’t waste it but read Srila Prabhupada’s books.
5. The secret of success in spiritual life is in satisfying the spiritual master and thereby getting his sincere blessings. I would pray to you to give me the intelligence and spiritual strength that I am able to follow your instructions, become a good disciple and able to satisfy you.
6. I would like to pray that I try and fully understand our Sambhanda - I am your humble servant or kinkara and you are my spiritual master, my saviour and my spiritual father. The Abhidehya - process of serving you and becoming a good disciple and Prayojana - process of serving you, Srila Prabhupada’s mission and the entire Vaishnava community.
7. Finally taking inspiration from HG GopaVrndesh Prabhu, I have slightly tweaked a sanskrit verse from Mukunda Mala as a prayer offering to you Srila Gurudeva.

mad janma phalam idam gurudeva

mad Prarthaniya mad anugraha esa eva

Tvat Britya britya paricaraka britya britya

brityasya britya iti mam smara lokanatha


Oh Dear Guru deva, my life will be successful only if you consider my one prayer, my one request. I sincerely beg that you please consider me to your servant’s servant’s servant’s servant’s servant’s servant’s servant.

Aspiring to be your kinkara

Yhs

Rahul and Vrinda Kumari Devi Dasi

Dearest Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories Srila Prabhupad!

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to come under your shelter in my spiritual life. I deeply admire and wonder at your own deep faith and intense desire to please Srila Prabhupada. And as part of that you don't mind giving your valuable time to devotees and new comers to inspire them to greater heights in their Krishna consciousness.
And I myself was a recipient of that kindness and mercy, though I do not have any merits to deserve that. You were kind enough to give me and my mother some of your time during your previous visit. From that meeting, I just wanted to glorify three of the many wonderful qualities you possess:
1. You are a keen and astute listener. You put the effort in to understand the situation of the person. Though your life is far away from some of the contaminations and conditionings we have, you listen and ask questions very keenly and take genuine interest in uplifting our consciousness.
2. You keep us honest by asking questions that provoke us to think and question our innermost desires. I have felt that I can never get away with any pretense or facades in your presence. You tend to see through such superficialities and bring out our core (mis)conceptions and desires.
3. When I asked you for shelter, you only said, "I would be happy to assist you in whatever way possible in your journey to Lord Krishna". I found this incredibly deep on many levels. When the world outside is screaming and demanding attention and recognition for the smallest favours, here you were just wanting to be unassuming while doing the greatest para-upakar or welfare activity in helping us cross the ocean of material existence. This incident will stay with me.

Maharaj, I would really like to thank you for being in our lives. We would like to seek your blessings on this most auspicious day of your vyasapuja and hope to serve in some way. Thank you.

Your aspiring servant,
Raji

Dear Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this sacred and joyous occasion of your Vyasa Puja.

Thank you for always guiding me even from birth.

Your guidance is etched across my life. You have always guided and inspired me. Answering my questions flawlessly. Always relieving my curiosity with wisdom and guidance.

Thank you for that and for much more wisdom you have bestowed to me
Thankyou, your servant Ramai

Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you on this sacred day of Vyasa Puja.
On this auspicious occasion, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and deep reverence to you, who so mercifully guide us on the path of Krishna consciousness.
I still vividly remember the first time I met and heard you—at the farm retreat, surrounded by so many new devotees. In my arrogance, mixed with overconfidence and ignorance, I asked you a question. Your reply immediately cut through my pride and illusion. Initially I thought, “That’s it! I am never attending these retreats again, and certainly not meeting you again.” But Krishna had other plans.
At the second retreat, I even thought you might be “dangerous” for the peace of my life. My wife complained about me not helping at home and then you quoted text from the scriptures advising her how the husband can be controlled. Thankfully, she did not fully agree with you at that time! Yet, despite all these reactions, here I am today, having taken a life-after-life commitment to serve you. I seek your blessings to be able to fulfill this commitment, for I am truly helpless without your mercy.
Recently, while hearing your lectures online on the Bhikshu Gita, one point you made struck me deeply—that we drop our determination selectively when it comes to spiritual practice. If someone asks me to get up at 4:00 a.m. to make more money, I’ll do it without hesitation, but if someone asks me to rise at 4:00 a.m. to chant, I immediately find a thousand excuses. Teachings like these help me recognize that true change must come from within and that I must stop blaming externals if I wish to progress.
You have taken the immense burden of uplifting fallen souls like myself—tirelessly preaching the glories of the Holy Name and showing us how to live a life cantered on service, humility, and devotion. Though I am full of faults and shortcomings, you continue to encourage and inspire me to rise above my limitations.
On this blessed day, I pray for the strength to serve you with sincerity and determination. May I become a worthy disciple, always remembering your teachings and striving to please you through my actions. Please bless me that I may never forget your mercy and may always remain under your shelter.
Thank you for everything, Gurudeva. I am eternally indebted to you.
Your servant,
Rambhusana Dasa - Melbourne

Om ajña-timirāṇḍhasya jñāna-jñāna-śalakāyāṃ cakṣuḥ
unmīlitam énaṃ tasmāi śrī-gurave namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet, dear Gurudev. You are compassion personified. Even though our family faced many difficulties from January this year, your lectures and darśan have been our only relief from all distress. This year, we had the fortune to visit Śrīdhām Mayapur, fulfilling our spiritual aspiration to visit India. By your mercy, we have also started hosting the Bhaktivriksha program at our place.
I also wonder how you travel tirelessly and preach with such dedication. I am deeply grateful to you and humbly pray for your mercy, so that I can focus more on my chanting, improve its quality, and serve you and Śrīla Prabhupāda with sincerity.
Yet, sometimes I feel that I am not progressing as I wish in my spiritual life. At those moments, hearing your lectures and receiving your guidance on seeing Krishna through the ears inspires and motivates me again.
As stated in the Nectar of Devotion, the spiritual master sows the seeds of bhakti in the heart of his disciple. O Gurudev, out of your boundless compassion, you have planted the seed of devotion in my heart and nurtured it through your instructions. Still, I struggle to progress, but your mercy keeps me steadfast on the path of bhakti.
On this auspicious day, I pray to Śrī Śrī Radhavallabha to shower you with good health, so that even more souls may come to Krishna consciousness through your mercy.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Rangini Dasi,
Anirudh,
Prajna

Hare Krishna dearest Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this very auspicious day of your appearance!
Thinking about my fortune of having such a spiritual master as you, and being allowed the opportunity to glorify you, is so blissful! Thank you dearly for this opportunity.

Your service as Guru is quite beyond my level of realisation, but taking some time to reflect on such a service you’ve taken up has been so enlightening and enlivening. When reflecting, I noticed I’ve always been drawn to the pastime of Nalakuvara and Manigriva. Especially when I first landed in the association of devotees and was still recovering from the parties, I felt like a duck amongst swans. Reading about these personalities who were lost in intoxication felt somewhat familiar—like I was reading about my own journey of transformation. Meditating on that pastime is very illuminating to the depths of the spiritual master’s kind compassion. Both Nalakuvara and Manigriva were delivered by Krsna but “under the all-blissful desire of the great sage Narada,” as Prabhupada explains in Krsna book. Krsna knew that Narada Muni was His great devotee and He simply wanted to fulfill His devotee’s prophecy.

It’s a humbling reflection that one’s own transformation can only truly bloom with the loving glance and care of such a spiritual master. Narada Muni had every right to curse such abominable persons, and the pastime could’ve ended there. Yet he was so merciful that he contemplated how to arrange the situation in such a way that they would see Krsna directly and gain His causeless mercy. It makes me think about how much you must contemplate all the lost jivas who are rolling around in turmoil and suffering. How you design your life in every way just so that you can be a functional and thriving servant of the servant. How much you must do behind the scenes to plan and scheme how to help us, how to get through to us. You could be reading about Krsna the whole day, yet you keep your finger on the pulse and read about anything and everything that will help you to preach and break through to the conditioned soul. You are so expert in urban preaching—dealing with all the Nalakuvaras and Manigrivas and the Jagais and Madhais. I can only imagine that your efforts of care aren’t always taken well. You willingly took on the austerity of dealing with the wild Westerners, and some even turn around and spit on your care. But you always push things on and exponentially give more. Thank you so dearly for your labour of love.

Prabhupada explains in the same chapter of Krsna book: “If someone is able, by chance, to see face to face a great saintly person like Nārada, who is always serene and merciful to everyone, then immediately that conditioned soul becomes liberated.” To think of how many darshans I get to have with you… what a blissful life you have blessed me with.

I’ve been meditating on your instruction to embrace the flood of devotional service—to not run away but to jump in and call out to Gaura-Nitai for strength. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for such instructions. Not only do I feel resuscitated by such loving guidance, but those instructions have developed my increasing attachment to you as a genuine spiritual master in line with the guru-parampara. In one lecture I was listening to recently, you said, “Our only hope is devotional service. The genuine Guru instructs in that way.” Which makes me think that I am absolutely hopeless without your shelter. How would I have any devotional service without your mercy? You’ve completely interrupted my whole material sojourn and opened the tap of devotional service. We are completely flooded by the opportunities to serve your mission! What an amazing life and blessing—to be running behind you and chasing your big plans for Prabhupada. I am praying on this auspicious day that I can take up your desire to be fully engaged in devotional service and thrive in the waves of the sankirtana movement.

I’ve also been reflecting on something I heard in a lecture where it was said that “the greatest gift a person can give is their faith.” You have given me everything I could possibly need to swim in the nectar. You’ve given me devotee association, prasadam, lectures, absolutely rocking kirtans, guidance, a strong example of hearing and chanting as our nourishment, a loving and supportive community—and yet when the floodgates open, I so quickly resort to hesitation. But you have also gifted your faith. I pray that one day I can be the disciple that you envision: to grow and be a disciple who chooses to dive deep and do anything needed to serve your mission. To think of pleasing you makes the sinking, gulping, and flailing around in the water all worth it. Your genuine care, affection, and spiritual guidance are so deeply moving that as the years go on, I’m noticing more and more that I am starting to value what you see rather than what my mind is dictating. It’s only by your desire, so I thank you dearly.

I will never be able to repay what you have gifted me. But I pray on this auspicious day that I can invest all my energies and endeavour in such a way that you may feel it was all worth the while to pick me up and dust me off from the streets of Kali-yuga. Please accept any small service I may offer. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to try.

Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Rasesvari devi dasi

Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to your divine appearance day.

It is our great fortune to celebrate your auspicious appearance day in Melbourne this year, and thank you for bestowing upon us the opportunity to glorify you for our own purification and advancement.

In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.151, it says:

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

The living entity wanders through different planets in different forms and bodies. 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.

Attaining a human birth in the evolutionary cycle is exceptionally rare. But to attain the shelter of the lotus feet of a personality like you, Gurudev — to have the privilege of hearing and receiving instructions from you, and to call upon you as my spiritual master — that is an unfathomable rarity.

You once said that in book distribution it is not the desire or endeavour of the distributor that determines the sale. Rather, it is only when Kṛṣṇa desires to reciprocate with the compassion of His pure devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda, upon the fallen souls that a book is distributed. In the same way, I am certain that whatever tinge or fraction of Kṛṣṇa’s presence or mercy I may perceive is purely because the Lord is reciprocating with your compassion in giving me shelter.

Your classes are the sustenance of my life. They give me so much enthusiasm to continue pushing ahead in my bhakti path. You are an expert in removing the false veil of attraction to the material energy. In those moments when I lack the strength to continue and feel the overwhelming temptation of māyā, your words become my solace and my last line of defence. Many times I have had doubts in my mind, and by your mysticism — whether in a recent class or an older one from many years ago — you articulate my thoughts perfectly and answer my doubts.

Your intense appreciation and glorification of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Caitanya-caritāmṛta give me firm conviction to make them the foundation of my life and awakens in me the desire that one day I may also develop the same appreciation. Your instruction to everyone is always to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, to dive deep into the nectar of Bhaktivedanta purports and make our lives perfect by reading and chanting. My foolish mind could never accept such a simple solution to all of life’s problems — how can simply reading be the solution? But through your lifelong immersion in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, you have seen the coveted destination. It is no longer just ink on the page for you: every word, every page, every book is a window into the spiritual oasis of Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma and Māyāpura Dhāma. It is not theoretical knowledge for you but practical reality — seeing the form of the Lord through śāstra.

Amongst all your exalted qualities, the foremost for me is the great personal connection you have with all your disciples. Despite your never-ending international engagements and having to constantly interact with so many people, you remember countless details from the lives of your disciples. When speaking with you, you bring up details from our lives that we ourselves have forgotten about. And those times when I have sent you an email, expecting a response would take a week or longer because of your busy schedule, you reply within less than 48 hours to my amazement. This is a testimony to how caring and loving you are to all your disciples — that we are not just names on a list, but that you have a personal connection with each of us. Gurudev, I sincerely pray that you can instil this quality of deep personalism in the depths of my impersonal heart. For indeed this is the quality that attracts the Supreme Lord.

Gurudev, you are the greatest treasure in my life, and the personality that I wholeheartedly trust and have full faith in. When I find no solace in this world, you provide shelter for me. When I am in complete confusion, you give direction. When I am in total darkness, you remove it with the shining light of your words. And when I’m plunged into the depths of Kali-yuga, you extend your hands to pull me up.

To bring this shameful Kali-yuga reject back home, back to Godhead, a true ambassador from the spiritual domain is required. You are that first-class captain of my voyage. Please take command of my life and give shelter to this insignificant fool. I sincerely pray that one day I can be an instrument in your service to Lord Caitanya’s mission.

Your aspiring servant,
Rasikendra Dāsa

Nescient and forlorn, trudging along,
Banished into samsara, draped in skin n bone,
Vikarmas long forgotten, vitanda the prevailing tone,
Fuelled by irshya and matsarya, petty accomplishments overblown.
Blinders on, lusting over that I haven’t got,
Sheltered by the mirage of that which is not.
Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah,
Confidently illusioned, hankering after ignoble pratistha.
Para-dukha-sukhi &amp; para-sukha-dukhi,
While vehemently in denial of my eternal identity.
Chewing the chewed, cheating and repeating;
Such lowest of the lows, even pashugnats shall pity.
A tattvadarshi, a Godliness exemplar,
‘Causeless mercy’ personified, adept in bhaktacara,
Crusader of the Karunavatar, in dispelling darkness savant by far.
Transcendentally evaluating, beyond my planets and stars,
Your holiness dispensed to me the ‘HARE’, ‘KRISHNA’ and ‘RAMA.’
In Sravanam, Kirtanam &amp; Vishno Smaranam,
Holiness! Please help me persevere,
Arcanam, vandanam,..,ultimately in Atma Nivedanam,
I hanker for your mercy, it’s only but fair.

Please accept my prostrated humble obeisances.
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Sri Sri Panca-tattva.
All glories to your Lotus feet.

Material existence is but a function of one’s material consciousness. (BG 5.29
bhoktaram yajna-tapasam…rcchati). One in avidya misdirects his/her actions based on the illusioned conception of reality. ‘To be in this world but not of this world,’ although frequently heard of, is a rare feat, seldom achieved by advanced souls. You however, reassure me that ‘nothing is impossible.’
‘Whatever action a great man performs common men follow, and whatever standards he sets through exemplary acts, the world follows.’ (BG3.21) The perverted desire to be the ‘saviour’, ‘the messiah’, ‘the big shot’ is but a reflection of envy of God. Occasionally however, when one sincerely desires to affect change, the Lord from within manifests Himself without, through the Spiritual master. After millions of births, recycling through species/sub-species have I finally come at this crucial crossover. Yet, envy is so deep-rooted that despite the causeless mercy, a conditioned soul fabricates causeless excuses and causeless diversions which ultimately holds him back from attaining that crossover. Upon deeper introspection however, it’s understood that there is this dearth of urgency for sharanagati. Beyond this, the dearth of transcendental knowledge about Krishna, the parama purusha. Beyond this, is lack of faith in the instructions of the Guru. And beyond, is lack of depth in relationship with Guru. How can one possibly care for someone or someone’s transcendental instructions if one doesn’t really know much about the person. It’s quintessential thus, to develop this relationship based on knowledge and experience. I really am beginning to get my head around the depth in the phrase ‘bhaktacara pravinata.’ It’s anything but simple, especially in this age of hypocrisy and quarrel. Yet, just your very example reassures someone that ‘nothing is impossible.’
It’s interesting how, through covert tactics, the jiva tries to blend into this sickening ocean of janma-mrityu-jara-vyadhi as if nothing ever happened and nothing will ever happen. Yet, the words of Guru, Sadhu and Shastra comes down as a thunderbolt that illumines the dark and gloomy horizon cloud cast by typical Indian monsoon clouds. Such is the causeless mercy of a saintly person that he/she can’t endure the suffering of a bewildered soul. What’s this suffering? Seperation from Krishna! Interestingly, you have emphasized over and over again that ‘if you can’t see Krishna in the holy name, then you can’t see Krishna at all.’ Other times you extend your compassionate expertise in delivering the medicine based on time, place and circumstances. This goes to show that ‘the Hare Krishnas’ are neither fanatics nor sentimentalists. ‘We do what we have to’ to deliver the fallen souls. This is not a mundane skillset, it’s a transcendental yet pragmatic approach only for the pleasure of Mahaprabhu.
I am an undeserving person who by mercy of your faithful servants happened to chance upon your Lotus feet. And although I am far from qualified from receiving your mercy, you lifted me up. To say the least, you gave me a direction out of this ocean of nescience. I have made many mistakes in the process, including negating everything about me instead of adding Krishna. It’s a chance for introspection and thorough reflection. This vyasa-puja shall be a meditation on ‘what does it mean to be qualified to receive the mercy?’ and ‘how can one be qualified?’. ‘Or is it even possible at all?’

Your aspiring yet undeserving servant,
Rāsotsava 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 Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious 75th day
of your appearance.

With no qualifications to be even in the shadow of an exalted personality as yourself, I am daring to use my senses to share the experiences I have had with you my beloved
Guru Maharaj.

I have had significant positive changes in my life since your divine intervention. Factually, I owe this life to you Guru Maharaj. Right from getting back on my feet after a prolonged seemingly irreversible and painful health condition, ability to bow down at your divine lotus feet, regaining strength to fight the battles without anyone being physically around, ability to use the faculty of intelligence to delineate between genuine and superficial connections, getting saved at numerous occasions from falling prey to materialistic traps to trying to let the transcendental sound of scriptures touch my senses. Everything is attributable to your divine presence, Maharaj. I have a never- ending list of blessings that your good self has showered without ever making me realise even a dint of it.

As a result of your causeless mercy, I have started to make an attempt to take baby steps towards following your instructions in small insignificant ways. Even if it amounts to talking to walls while fulfilling your divine instructions Guru Maharaj, I feel highly blessed as it has an indirect bearing on my overall spiritual advancement and character. The more I read and talk about your instructions and scriptures, more it serves as a reminder for me to make an endeavour to implement the teachings in my life. But my concern is that with the pace that I am progressing, even the scholars will feel challenged to coin a new term to match my sluggishness. Maharaj, I beg at your lotus feet to please allow me to develop genuine taste for the holy name and scriptures. I do not want to fall under one of the six categories listed in Bhagavad Gita for remembering Krishna. Please shower your mercy that I remember the Lordships wholeheartedly in every situation and circumstance without attaching any condition or desire. Please allow me to be your strength in fulfilling your mission just like you have been for your esteemed Guru Maharaj.

Gurudev, I often share the silliest questions with you, which I feel are nothing but an offense disregarding the sanctity of a spiritual master. But without getting deterred, I continue to reach out to you because I know in the deepest recesses of my heart that I would never be judged for the quality of my questions and even if I get chastising of any nature, it will be nothing but a true blessing because it will come in the form of a genuine insight and perspective. I can never regret making myself vulnerable in front of you Maharaj because despite all hankerings, I cannot deny the fact that this is the purest connection that a wretched soul like me can ever seek.

Finally, just like a small crackling jumping jack firework, with your blessings and permission, I am daring to make a small little endeavour to say few words in your glorification in the form of a poem:

“All glories all glories to my beloved spiritual master with divine powers of moulding the conditioned souls like a caster

Shelter at his lotus feet is my ultimate refuge just like the rain swelling to a great deluge

Served my soul with his divine intervention at a point of indirection and surge of disconnection

His persistent efforts to touch the wretched hearts and souls coaxes one to reinvigorate life’s ultimate goals

Sailing in the luxury of his divine audience Often makes me question my worth in deep conscience

Regardless, I yearn to remain spoilt with his unconditional caring with an unsaid promise to engage my senses in a proper bearing

Long live my beloved spiritual master With a genuine prayer for him to continue to thrive faster.”

Thank you so much Guru Maharaj!

Your insignificant disciple
Ratna Mukhi Devi Dasi

75th Vyasa Puja of

HH Devamrita Swami Maharaj


ॐ अज्ञान-तिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जन-शलाकया।
चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नम:।।


Respected Gurudev,

On this auspicious occasion of your 75th Vyasa Puja,
I offer my heartfelt obeisances at your lotus feet.

As a dedicated soldier in Srila Prabhupada’s army,
you have been tirelessly spreading his message and teachings across the globe for nearly five decades.

Through your unwavering service, countless lives have been transformed—
from materialism to spiritual awakening—enabling many to understand the true purpose of life.

Despite possessing such profound wisdom and spiritual depth,
your humility and simplicity deeply attract and inspire the hearts of many.

When my family and I had the fortune of meeting you in Noida this year,
we were truly touched by your gentle, approachable, and compassionate nature.

Gurudev, we humbly seek your blessings for our spiritual journey.
Your guidance is the greatest treasure, and we aspire to transform our lives
under your shelter and direction.

With folded hands and a grateful heart,
I lay my humble obeisances at your divine feet.


Jai Guru Maharaj Ji!

Servent of your servents
Ravi Goel
Indirapuram Ghaziabad

Nama om Vishnu-padaya
Krishna-pressthaya bhu tale
Srimate Devamrita
Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Parathatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah


Hare Krishna Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your lotus feet.


On a hospital bed – I was barely able to move due to sudden health challenge, which put my life upside down. This health challenge – I believe it was a special mercy from Krishna really changed my life… in a good way! Ordinary people think that the health challenge is a bad thing, but I think THIS health challenge is one of the most amazing things in my life because I could personally experiment your teachings while I was in the hospital.

The following things, I experienced while fighting against health challenge in the hospital.


“Chant like a child”
We should call out to the Lord and His energy with genuine, heartfelt sincerity, as a small child would cry for its mother.

I was admitted to Intensive Care Unit for a few days due to very tough health challenge and I was stuck on the bed 24/7. What I could only do was thinking about Krishna and chanting His name like little child. I never thought I would be in this situation – I could not do anything and dependent on Krishna.


“Camaraderie and Community”
We should foster camaraderie and community through shared devotional services like kirtan and eating prasadam. Devotees often experience a welcoming, family-like atmosphere as they connect with like-minded people and work together, creating a supportive network.

While I was in the hospital, I thought I would not get much camaraderie. Again Krishna’s special mercy happened. I was astonished by so many devotees visiting me, messaging me and calling me. Some devotees delivered prasadam, read books for me and helped me and my wife. I never realised that we have such a strong camaraderie and community.


“Karoshi No More!”
Karoshi: Japanese term for death from overwork
Adapt sane work-life balance. We need to balance our life and harmonise with Krishna through hearing, chanting, remembering and serving Krishna. It encompasses an inner state of peace and clarity found by accepting the present situation, letting go of material attachments, and embracing a life of balance.

I had a strong belief of “My health is good and my body is very strong”. So I often pushed myself beyond its capacity and did not considered work-life balance. The strong belief was smashed by Krisna’s special mercy so I could realise the balanced life is very important for us.


I was discharged from the hospital after 9 days treatment and you sent me such a heartwarming message. Gurudeva, you are so personal and caring for your disciples. You have so many disciples all over the world but still taking care of each devotee personally and closely – Thank you!

Thousand times thank you is even not enough to express my appreciation to you but only what the only thing I can do is thank you for teaching us, caring for us, developing a strong community and allowing us to serve you.
Begging to humbly serve you and your disciples,

Your servant of your servant
Rudrarama Pandit das

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet on this auspicious day of Your Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your transcendental adventures all over the world!

nama om vishnu-padaya Krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita-svamin iti namine

pracäre purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacära-pravinäta
pararthatäpi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah

On reflecting back on this year, it has been another wonderful year of spiritual milestones.

At the beginning of the year, my daughter, Sunita and I went on a Father-Daughter trip. Among other places, we had the fortune to go on a pilgrimage to Jagannath Puri. This happened purely on the impulsive motivation of my daughter, who is a pure hearted devotee. This was the first time in Jagannath Puri for both of us. We were a little apprehensive, but my daughter’s prayers to Lord Jagannath was answered and we had a most amazing experience. Soon after we arrived, we came across an ISKCON devotee (Jagdish Prabhu) who turned out to be the most wonderful and inspirational guide. We were moved when hearing his stories and realizations. We had multiple darshans of the Lord during our stay.

We are praying to You and Krishna to give us another opportunity to go to Jagannath Puri and Vrndavan. Krishna willing, I will get the opportunity for another pilgrimage next year; this time with my wife, Madhurya. Please give us this opportunity.

This year was also extra special because we got Your personal association in Gita Nagari, not once, but twice. It was such a blissful experience being in Gita Nagari doing what we can, to serve You as well as Radha Damodar and the devotees. We are eternally grateful to You for these opportunities to serve. On our first trip, our daughter was with us. And when we had our personal darshan with You, she joined us. We are so grateful for your kind words to her encouraging and prodding her on her spiritual progress.

When we were in Your personal darshan, you also brought up my small role in the BTG revival campaign. I have contributed some effort there, but I wish I could involve myself more.

You also brought up that you had received a letter from the Dallas Temple President inviting you to grace Radha Kalachandji Dham with your presence. Let me add my voice to sincerely beg you to include Dallas in your plans for next year.

Our 2nd trip to Gita Nagari was very special since it was during the occasion of Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja. The Gita Nagari Janmastami experience in Your presence is so unique.

On this Vyasa Puja day, I again reflect on how fallen I am and how undeserving I am of Your mercy that You shower on us. Because of your mercy I have been able to personally serve Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji, even though I am not worthy of it. I am so grateful for all the love and kindness that You have shown my wife and me.

I again beg for Your mercy so that I can chant with all my heart and be motivated to do more service, so that I can make some spiritual advancement.

All glories to You, Gurudev, on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day. We pray to Radha Kalachandji for Your good health, so that You can continue Your tireless worldwide preaching mission, as Your loving service to Srila Prabhupada, for many more decades.

As an ignorant devotee, I must have committed many offences in writing this offering. I beg Your forgiveness for any offences I may have committed.

Your insignificant aspiring servant,
Rupamrita-sindhu das
Dallas, Texas
Sep 26, 2025

Namo om Vishnu padayaya Krishna pastalya bhutakle Shrimate devamrita-swamin iti namine

Pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata Pararthathapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you Gurudev.
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your divine service.
Seventeen years ago, when I had the great fortune of living at the Loft as a brahmacarini, I experienced many wonderful things that continue to shape my understanding of life and the world. The environment you created, your deep compassion, and your fearless preaching spirit left a profound impression on my heart. Under your guidance, I felt I was truly part of Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan army—fearless, willing to take risks, and doing our best to serve the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
I remember my first return to New Zealand after moving to Australia. I came for the end-of-year retreat, and at Wellington airport, something unusual happened. A security dog became very interested in my bag, prompting the staff to pull me aside. At the time, I recalled that a backpacker had recently used that bag, and I hadn’t cleaned it before reusing it. The security officer asked me to open everything. My belongings were mostly saris, books, devotional items, and my japa bag.
He paused and asked, “Are you Hare Krishna?”
I said yes. He immediately turned to the others and said, “Let her go.” Curious, I asked him how he knew about the Hare Krishnas. He replied, “They’re good people. I always see them singing and dancing happily on the streets.”
That moment stayed with me. Even in a stressful situation, it reminded me of the powerful impact your preaching has had in New Zealand. The public recognizes the joyful, sincere presence of the devotees—and that is directly due to your tireless efforts to spread Krishna consciousness with love and authenticity.
Guru Maharaja, I also want to express my deep appreciation for your personal care and concern. In 2009, in Buenos Aires, you gently asked me about my future and whether I had considered marriage. At the time, I was so focused on preaching that I hadn’t thought about it. You told me,
“Think about it—explore the idea, because I won’t always be here to look after you.”
Those words have stayed with me for years, revealing the depth of your care. Later, after I was married, you lovingly asked my husband, Jai Saci Nandana Prabhu,
“Are you looking after my daughter?”
This showed me again how much you genuinely care—not only for our spiritual lives but also for our well-being in every aspect. Even when life doesn’t go exactly as planned, I have never doubted that your guidance is always offered with the deepest intent to uplift and protect me spiritually.
You also teach us with such natural humor and affection. I fondly remember once serving you a large portion of salad, and you looked at me and said,
“Do you think I’m a rabbit?”
Another time, while serving prasadam to you and Aniruddha Prabhu, you spoke about how the consciousness of the cook affects the food. You asked who the cook was, and I said it was me. Then, turning to Aniruddha Prabhu, you asked,
“Are you sure you want to eat?”
—and both of you laughed. These simple moments remain etched in my heart, showing how light-hearted and compassionate your leadership truly is.
Although I still have so much to learn and grow, I am deeply grateful for the knowledge and values I’ve received under your shelter. Life’s challenges have only strengthened my realization of how different my worldview has become since becoming a devotee. The wisdom, association, and shelter we receive in this movement are rare and transformative—and you are a living example of those gifts in action.
Each year, my gratitude deepens—for your teachings, your kindness, and your unwavering service to Srila Prabhupada. Your life is a powerful example of how to serve with humility, joy, and dedication. You have shown us what it means to truly follow the path of bhakti, and I pray to always remain under your guidance and try, in some small way, to reflect the values you embody.
Your eternal servant,
Sammohini devi dasi

Dear Guru Mahārāj,

Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you, the most merciful servant of Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.

As Viswanath Chakravarthi thakur writes,

&gt; saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam

“The spiritual master is the ocean of mercy who delivers the suffering souls from the blazing fire of material existence.”

This verse perfectly describes your mercy upon me. Why because, Whatever I am today is only because of your compassion and guidance. Without your shelter, I would have drifted endlessly in the ocean of material life, lost in illusion and forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa. Because that was the nature of my association. Hailing from a Smartha brahmana family background, who generally don't have a clue why they do what they do, you somehow saved me from drowning into that mentality. I like the way you put it - Don't be a Smartha brahmana but be a Smarter brahmana...

Guru Krishna prasade pai bhakti lata bheej... you often quote this in your lectures and say that bringing a person to Krishna Consciousness is a team work between Krishna and Guru. By Grace of Krishna, you get a Guru and by the Mercy of Guru you get Krishna. by Kṛṣṇa’s causeless grace, you reached out and pulled me back to the path of bhakti. I am grateful to you for that.

You have given me what no one else could — true spiritual awakening, the strength to continue in devotional service, and the inspiration to mold my life around the instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda. I have tried various methods in the past including meditation, the Saibaba cult, art of living, but only through you, I have understood that real happiness lies only in serving Guru and Gaurāṅga.

Although I rarely have the fortune of your physical association, I constantly feel your presence through your instructions and voice. When I listen to your podcasts, your voice sounds so personal and intimate — as though you are speaking directly to my heart. With headphones on, it feels like a sacred dialogue — as if you are sitting right beside me, gently guiding me back toward Kṛṣṇa.

By following your instructions — to read Bhagavad Gita, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, to associate deeply with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, and to hear with sincerity — I feel your living association. Truly, your words are non-different from your presence.

Guru Mahārāj, you have taught me that spiritual life is not about proximity, but purity of purpose — to follow the instructions of the spiritual master with unwavering faith. You have taught me that devotion is not a sentiment but a steady practice of surrender.

On this auspicious day of your Vyāsa Pūjā, I offer my heart in gratitude and prayer. Please bless me with the determination to serve you faithfully, to chant the holy names with devotion, and to always remember your mercy. Let me never be ungrateful, and never lose sight of your lotus feet, which are my only shelter.

Dear Guru Mahārāj, please continue to guide me from within my heart, as you always do. My only prayer daily is, May I become a servant worthy of your compassion, a true follower of your instructions, and a sincere instrument in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.

With deep gratitude, love, and surrender,
I remain your aspiring servant,

Hare Krishna

Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

It's the auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja again. Another opportunity for us disciples to reflect and glorify the magnanimous qualities of our most revered Gurudev. While my god siblings are the most qualified in glorifying you as they are always engaged in Krsna Consciousness and in following in your footsteps in devotional practice, I still find it hard to do so, due to my various shortcomings and offences. So I am taking the opportunity of using the words of our previous Acaryas to glorify you.


In Vrndavane Bhajana Section 17, Srila Prabhupada writes:

(1)
<i>vaiṣṇava nā dekhiyā bole vaiṣṇava niṣkriya
vaiṣṇava prabhur sevāya sadāi sakriya</i>

Those who do not see the real Vaisnavas say that a Vaisnava is inactive. In reality, the Vaisnava is always active in the service of the Lord.

(2)
<i>prāṇa hīna kaniṣṭha sei sevā nāhi kore
pratiṣṭhāra tore thāke nirjaner ghore</i>

The lifeless kanistha-adhikaris (low class devotees) don't perform any service. For reputation, they stay in their lonely place.

Consequently, on a similar topic, Srila Bhaktisidhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada in Vaisnava Ke?
(What Kind of Devotee are You?) writes:


<i>dusta mana, tumi kisera vaisnava?
pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare
tava hari-nama kevala kaitava</i>

"My dear mind, What Kind of Devotee Are You? Simply for cheap adoration you sit in a solitary place and pretend to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, but this is all cheating." Thus Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura advocated that every devotee, under the guidance of an expert spiritual master, preach the bhakti cult, Krsna consciousness, all over the world.”

Just by reading these two individual expressions from the two most important Acaryas in our Bramha-Gaudiya-Madhava sampradaya, we can ascertain that our lineage is not about practicing Bhakti in a secluded place. In fact, it's a lineage that emphasizes action based practice with a special focus on preaching. This is further confirmed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who says:

<i>yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa</i>

Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land. (CC Madhya 7.128)


Your tireless traveling and preaching at an age when most people seek retirement and ease is clear evidence of your unwavering loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, his International Society for Krsna Consciousness, and our sampradaya. In this way, you stand as both a perfect disciple of the parampara and a perfect guide and master, giving us the living example of these teachings. These are not mere sentimental conclusions, but truths clearly demonstrated through your life, your character, and your teachings, all aligned with the instructions of our Acaryas and Sriman Mahaprabhu.

Hence on this most auspicious day, I take the opportunity to bow down to your lotus feet and invoke with reverence:

<i>Nama Om Visnu Padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami Iti namine</i>

I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimati Devamrta Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

<i>Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah</i>

Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.

Your servant,
Sattva-tanu das

Hare Kṛṣṇa Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this most glorious day of your 75th Vyasapuja celebration!

Gurudeva, my dear spiritual father, master and guide- when I begin to consider your glories I think of how deeply proud Srila Prabhupada must be to have you as his disciple.

Upon arrival in Wellington recently you were giving us insight into why people, especially youth (18-30 years old), are so devastated these days. You shared the challenges we must face in outreach due to such outer-uncertainty and inner-chaos.

Then you compassionately glanced upon us and shared- "So I'm here to be in the trenches with you! We can take it as an opportunity for more service...We have to increase our efforts...it's a challenge. We can't give up- we're Lord Caitanya's servants."

This really penetrated my heart as I looked up at you and considered how you have been in the deep trenches of kali yuga as Srila Prabhupada's dear soldier day after day, year after year and decade after decade.

Lord Caitanya had told Narada Muni of His mission to bring Harinama Sankirtana to this world and how He would send His "senapati-bhakta" (military commander devotee) who would lead Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana army and spread Krishna consciousness around the world.

As a dearmost and dedicated servant of that senapati-bhakta- Srila Prabhupada, you tirelessly push on his mission, fighting ignorance, saving conditioned souls from the battlefield of illusion, laying your heart on the line and shedding blood, sweat and tears- giving every fibre of your being to serving in Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana army.

Your divine spiritual determination and personal example perfectly show us and encourage us how to never give up and how to always try to increase our efforts to please Krishna and expand the Sankirtana movement. Thank you for setting this gold standard for us to follow Gurudeva- just by thinking of your example I gain renewed strength and enthusiasm every day.

When you said "So I'm here to be in the trenches with you," my mind flashed back to a deep impression from the final few days of last year's summer book marathon.
I distinctly remember walking alone around a carpark for hours and hours, under the blazing hot sun, being rejected so much, body aching, meeting crazy people and then I was face to face with a man who rolled down his truck window to speak to me. With half a chicken bone in his hand, cigarette smoke billowing out the window and a box of liquor in his passenger seat I pulled out a Bhagavad Gita and placed it in his left hand.

I started to explain the changing bodies picture to him. In that moment I suddenly felt you there with me and heard you reveal to me: "You are in the trenches, face to face with people in the depths of kali yuga and you are fighting for Lord Caitanya!! You get to be Lord Caitanya's soldier...WE GET TO BE LORD CAITANYA'S SOLDIERS!!" I felt you standing there behind me and behind you was Srila Prabhupada and behind him Srila Bhaksiddhanta Maharaja and so on- all the way back to Lord Caitanya- with His lotus glance upon us all. You once told me that "to be a servant of Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the most glorious position in the universe- even the demigods are longing for such an opportunity. "

Even now just writing this brings such emotion, as I recall how you gifted me this realisation of my inconceivably great fortune to have the opportunity to be a servant in Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana army. In that moment, I felt overwhelmed that not so long ago I was just like him- a poor creature being abliterated in the hands of kali yuga, helpless and annihilated by maya's bullets. But somehow now, there I was on the other side of the window, holding such sacred literature, living by and sharing this profound wisdom and getting to do this divine service- exactly that work which the great Vaisnava Acaryas and Six Goswamis were engaged in- distributing these transcendental books. Not only on marathons, but now you have blessed with me the opportunity to dedicate my full energy day after day to giving Krishna to others in this way.

This is all your special mercy Gurudeva. I do not how how to adequately thank you in words for saving my life and giving me this most rare and glorious opportunity, so I simply pray that my dedication to serving you and the Sankirtana movement can express my gratitude to you increasingly.

To be honest, I do not understand the depth of what we are doing on Sankirtana, but by seeing your example and hearing from you I gain glimpses and humbly pray for more. You recently shared how Srila Prabhupada told one disciple that if they just go out every day, one day they will see Krishna on the street. You closed your eyes, paused and soberly said to me- "one day you'll realise you've got Krishna in your hand and you're passing Krishna on to someone else." Gurudeva- thank you for always, always, always keeping reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada's books as the basis and always tirelessly helping us to focus and re-focus on this mission.

Gurudeva, you are an emblem of dedication to serving the Saṅkīrtana movement and my source of divine inspiration. You somehow always mystically know the perfect timing to mercifully message me or reach out to encourage, inspire or instruct me in this service. The Srimad Bhagavatam (7.12.1) explains how the student should have "an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master." You explained that this means "firm friendship in the mission." As we spoke on Lord Nrsinghadeva's appearance day this year about preaching, Prahlada Maharaja's mood, Prabhupada's desires &amp; my new chapter towards a fulltime life of outreach- I could feel how this intimate bond with you deepens more and more year after year. Since that darshan, every time I offer obeisances now I feel the weight of your blessings from your transcendental lotus feet on my head- the weight of responsibility to overcome any impediments to becoming the most effective instrument for your mission, the weight of responsibility for carrying your orders and expanding the Sankirtana movement. You give us so much Gurudeva, how can we not feel obliged to give that on to others?

I can sense how just like you dedicate everything to Srila Prabhupada and are thus completely nourished &amp; connected to him, the more we as disciples dedicate ourselves to you, especially by giving Krishna to others, the more we are intimately bound in transcendental affection &amp; association with you- tied in love to your lotus feet.

You have expertly shared with us of the inner make-up of an urban preacher and the necessity for feeling a deep emotional calling in a missionary spirit that "my spiritual master and Lord Caitanya have sent me here for Their mission." You so perfectly demonstrate this complete emotional conviction and investment of heart in your service to Srila Prabhupada- particularly carrying the weight of transcendental responsibility for saving, ressucitating, caring for and guiding those in the wild west. It is getting so wild now Gurudeva and sometimes as I try to push on in my outreach services I just feel overwhelmed at the degradation of those we are trying to help. I am just in utter awe of how you navigate this all so expertly- preaching, teaching, outreaching- all in ever-fresh dynamic ways decade after decade. I just always think how much Srila Prabhupada must be so proud of you as he watches you serve with such divine finesse and deep care- sacrificing your whole being to continue his mission, especially in the devastated Western countries. You are a true hero Gurudeva!

All glories unto you!! Thank you so much for being so kind upon me- giving me such intimate care, association, instruction, encouragement, support and blessings. I pray to always have the divine opportunity to be a useful instrument in your hands, to assist you in your glorious service to Srila Prabhupada's mission and Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana movement.

Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Saumya-mayī devi dasi.

Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances

Sometimes people ask me why I became a Hindu. Even some Indian devotees assume that I want to ‘become’ an Indian because I wear a sari and have an Indian husband. I am always happy to answer that I have chosen Krsna consciousness because of its incredible philosophy rather than its external cultural appearances (also that I married my husband because he is a devotee).

The first experience of Krsna consciousness was actually rather awkward for me. Walking into a Sunday Feast at Gaura Yoga, the smell of incense was overpowering, bright saris were unfamiliar, repetitive singing and dancing were too exuberant. I was keen to escape. Then there was the feast which tasted amazing and philosophical conversations were intriguing. I went to bed that night after reading the Science of self-realisation and feeling satisfied with Srila Prabhupada’s wisdom. I returned to Gaura Yoga the next day wanting more, then you came to visit soon after.

Meeting you was the anchor that lead me taking up the bhakti process. Your presentations were fascinating, impactful and stimulating to my curiosity. Your humour even while discussing serious topics was endearing. In private conversations, you were genuinely interested about my life and showed gentle care towards me. I had never met a person so authentic, respectful, educated, genuine, and kind like you until then - even to this day.

Twenty plus years have passed and many changes - communities, family, service- have happened since my first meeting with you but your shelter has remained the same, if not deeper and sweeter. Sometimes these changes have brought doubts and struggle much bigger than my capabilities. Yet due to your merciful guidance and presence in my life, I am able to somehow stay on this Bhakti path.

Gurudeva, my greatest fortune is having your shelter. Thank you for being my spiritual master and father.

Your grateful servant and spiritual daughter,
Sevamrita devi dasi

Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Gurudeva, when I look back at my past and compare with now, I see how much you have transformed me through your teachings, which are perfectly aligned with Srila Prabhupada’s. By your mercy, a small particle of faith in devotional service and a slight attraction to the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, and the Pancha Tattva has awakened in my heart. I do not know if I have sincerely followed your instructions, but whatever little faith and attraction I have is simply the result of your association. It is exactly as Srimad Bhagavatam (3.25.25) describes:

“satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyati
In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge, one gradually advances on the path of liberation, and thereafter devotion, attraction, and real service begin.”

For more than five decades you have tirelessly carried the mood and compassion of Vasudeva Datta and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, delivering the mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu all over the world. You preach vigorously, awakening dormant devotion in the hearts of all who come in contact with you.

Every word you speak is full of clarity, realization, and perfectly aligned with the mood and mission of our parampara, beginning with Lord Brahma who instructed Narada Muni to speak Srimad Bhagavatam (2.7.52):

“Please describe the science of Godhead with determination, in a way that helps human beings develop transcendental devotional service unto Lord Hari, the Supersoul of all beings and the source of all energies.”

Through your eloquent speeches, you ignite the fire of devotion in so many souls. Whatever the subject—whether it is Krishna Lila or Gaura Lila, happiness, climate change, political struggles, or the illusions of material life—you present it expertly and win hearts with your words. You are my true inspiration to preach the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Although I am a third-class disciple and often fail to understand your heart, still, by your mercy, I pray to act on your instructions and serve selflessly, following in your footsteps in whatever way pleases you.

You embody the mood of the Siksastakam verse 4: “mama janmani janmanīśvare bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi”—“Life after life, let me have causeless devotion to You.” I remember one day after lunch, you asked Sevamrita Mataji about trends in South Korea and how to attract people there to Krishna consciousness. Then you humbly said, “This life I could not make it to these countries (like Korea and Japan), maybe next life I will.” Gurudeva, you risked your life to spread Krishna consciousness in the communist Soviet bloc, facing dangers just to please Srila Prabhupada. Even now, you travel constantly, with the sky as your home. That is true ecstatic love.

As the demigods prayed in Srimad Bhagavatam (10.2.35), without the Lord’s appearance, no one could understand transcendence. Similarly, Gurudeva, you appeared among us to show us what pure love of Godhead looks like. Your every action is for Krishna’s pleasure, never your own comfort. Once when I asked why you hadn’t eaten enough, you replied, “Whatever helps me to keep serving Krishna.” Even your eating is only an act of service.

On this auspicious occasion of your Sri Vyasa Puja, I beg for one benediction: if you think I deserve, please give me realisation that Krishna and Krishna’s holy name are non-different, and please give me genuine taste for chanting the holy name in that consciousness. Also, kindly correct me, uplift me, and engage me in your service in whatever way pleases you.

Your obedient servant,
Sevya Bhagavān dāsa

Dear most Gurudeva.

It’s the time of the year my mind and heart fill up with spiritual emotions, gratitude, joy and humility while taking a couple of weeks to reflect and meditate in attempt to glorify you.

I am amazed how you keep your loving offerings to Srila Prabhupada concise even though you have such deep emotions and realizations for Srila Prabhupada. You know the art of expressing yourself in few words and your communication skills will take a life time if not more for me to follow and learn.

The following verse reminds me your love for Srila Prabhupada.

bruyuḥ snigdhasya siṣyasya guravo guhyam apy uta. “A disciple who has actual love for his spiritual master is endowed, by the blessings of the spiritual master, with all confidential knowledge.” Srila Sridhara Svami has commented that the word snigdhasya means prema-vataḥ. The word prema-vataḥ indicates that one has great love for his spiritual master.


Gurudeva being raised and trained by you I feel fortunate. You are personal, responsive, sensitive, loving, kind, broad minded, approachable, humorous, and trust worthy.

I feel like a child that comes from a home where one is so loved, protected and cared for.

You lovingly empower us by your words such as:
"what’s the plan?“
"I never asked you to do all that."
"why don’t you ask." "go for it!"
"You are no business man."
"Be a magnet for Krishna.“

I’m in awe to see how you are not limited Gurudev. You are ever fresh and relevant. Your brilliance shines through your classes with the examples you give when you present philosophy, kirtans, exemplary interactions and loyalty to your God brothers, the way you honor Prasad , the way offer worship on the altar, sadhana, going to Mangal Arati , the way you dress and take care of your health.

The example you set being fired up to spread lord Caitanya's mercy around the globe to non-desi audience as well as the pious souls that come to you from Bharath while training everyone in out reach is so brilliant.

You also show us how to work hard and how to take breaks. Watching your overall lifestyle is like being around a celebrity, very attractive.

You are a man of essence. Your sutra like words of wisdom always helped me when needed to cut through politics, rituals, and times of low self esteem etc.

I am able to, by your training, serve in any yatra because you have taught us not to get stuck in traffic jams and focus on good japa, reading the books, taking care for health and reaching out to others.
How amazing is that? How fortunate I am to be guided by a pure, strict and loving spiritual father?

You train us in basic etiquette and how to respect and be a team player for a greater cause. You compassionately emphasize not to control, get involved, correct or manage unless it’s my service. Oh what a relief that is.

You are so expert nana shastranaika Nipunau. Like Narada muni You can perfectly present Bhakti even to a 5 yr old. Your classes are so attractive even a 5 yr old, Dhanya, was excited to sit in your 2 hour classes. You kindly showed her so much love and encouragement which is etched in her mind for life.

My wife is encouraged and touched by how much shelter and care you are showing her.

You are empowered to know and encourage everybody from brahmacharis, grhasthas, women, men, young, and old.

My favorite thing is to witness how much you are in touch with the super soul. When our questions hit your ears your eyes become animated/ sparkling. You know exactly what to say to help us. Sometimes, as disciples, we expect you to cater to all kinds of expectations and illusions but within a second you put us in our place. No matter how macho one may appear to be, in front of you every one of us becomes like a puppy dog.

In our wider ISKCON society it’s hard for devotees to get along with each other. Not every disciple keeps their basic initiation vows. Despite all this, in the leadership position, you take all that headache for Prabhupada and expertly joyfully handle and manage devotees and resources.

One of my favorite and lifetime instructions of yours is to Chant through crisis and experience personal victory which we will never forget.

Absorbed in Caitanya Caritamrita you have the best Vaisnava etiquette and you train us to do the same. Without which we remain Kanisthas and fight a lot.

You know so many details of Prabhupada's instructions/letters. Therefore you have such confidence in guiding us as to what’s most important and what Prabhupada really said.

Deeply rooted in Prabhupada's books, you have inherited this mood of taking on so many inconveniences for the sake of helping others.

You come down to madhyama platform, and out of compassion look for needles in the hay stack.

One wave of your fingers can destroy all obstacles and - which we take them so seriously.
Once I asked how you read the same books over and over for 5 decades. You responded, “Don’t listen to your mind just push ahead and read."

There are so many amazing devotees, but you are totally empowered by Srila Prabhupada. You are given special vision to guide and train devotees.

Begging for your blessings so we once again can do something for your pleasure in New Dwaraka dham.



Yhs

Shastra Krit das

Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

I have had the wonderful blessing of regularly associating with your deciples and have been completely taken away by the quality of such ladies and gentlemen. Such qualities are practically non existing in life outside this community. It is my conclusion therefore that these qualities are the fruits of your instructions. And that this community is only due to your determination in serving your spiritual master's desire. Each one of your deciples seems to be so expertly placed in a service befitting their nature.

Please grant me the benediction that I may be of some assistance to you in helping to develop this community of yours.


Your aspiring servant

Shaun