Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada 2010

(view 2010 offerings by disciples)

Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

The cintāmaṇi of your presence radiates in myriad facets. In this offering I wish to single out your vāṇī manifesting as The Nectar of Devotion. May we never underestimate the capacity of that śāstra to trigger the inner life of mature devotees, who selflessly push ahead in your service with steadiness and determination.

Obviously, the entirety of The Nectar of Devotion requires a mature and ravenous fire of sacrificial sevā—even just to sample a few drops. Nevertheless, the truth must be told: as the dynamic decades of Prabhupāda-sevā go by, somehow, someway, “Nectar of Devotion starts to happen”—of its own accord. Unforced, uncontrived, unimagined, the genuine internal realities begin to beckon.

During the ISKCON years of your physical presence, you, who indeed gave us everything, taught how to stand on the shores of The Nectar of Devotion and wade toward the depths. For example:

So every one of you should read this Nectar of Devotion repeatedly. [23 June 1970)

Every one of you should very carefully read and make progress. [7 September 1976]

So each chapter you should read very carefully. And if you cannot understand, read it repeat- edly. Don’t all of a sudden, reading one or two page, immediately question, “Prabhupāda, what is this? What is this? What is this?” Go on reading, and the answers will automatically come. [23 June 1970]

As by drinking nectarine one can become immortal, similarly, by drinking the nectarine of devo- tion one becomes immortal. Therefore we have named the book Nectar of Devotion. You drink it and become immortal. That’s all. Amṛtam aśnute. [14 February 1971]

Nectar of Devotion is very important book. It is the science of devotional service. If you want to be engaged in devotional service, then you must read the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. And then we shall be able to see God. [18 October 1972]

The Six Gosvāmīns, and if we associate with them . . . this book, Nectar of Devotion, Bhakti- rasāmṛta-sindhu, if you read regularly, try to understand, this means you are associating with Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī directly. And if you act accordingly, then you are serving their lotus feet. [20 October 1972]



As a tiny sādhaka utterly undeserving, whose parched head and heart long for your leading him out of the desert to the eternal oasis of selfless bhakti, I salute thee, my eternal master, for supplying all the spiritual necessities the journey requires for completion. You have done your part. I beg you for the strength and integrity to do mine.

Seeking service as a meager bit of dust on your feet,
Devāmrita Swami