Vyasa Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada 2023

(view 2023 offerings by disciples)

Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet, my only shelter in the unremitting storm known as material existence. When I contemplate the utter wreckage of my life before encountering your mercy, I shudder and shake.

During BP – the appalling years before Prabhupāda – I superficially thrived as a Manhattan enjoyer, externally living a privileged, educated life of elitist benefits. Internally, however, I was a desert, an existential wasteland.

Society goaded and pressured me, reassuring: “You’ve scaled the mountain to the pinnacle – now breathe the rarified atmosphere and delight.” Nevertheless, the thought terrified me: “Is this all that be – the one who dies with the most toys and acclaim wins?”

The overpowering cosmic reality seemed “nothingness is.” A nihilistic pseudo-siddhānta reigned supreme: “On this crazy planet, devise your own truth, make your own light, as your brief life fades in and out of the vast darkness, coldness, and indifference of the universe.”

The paribhāsa śūtra guiding whatever Kali-yuga fleeting relationships: “Don’t try to lead me, don’t try to follow me; just walk together with me through the chaos.”

Dispelling the spiritual and material deadliness of such massive inner devastation, you brought me back to the infinitely attractive Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, especially as They combine as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Not only did you give us the consciousness of Them, but also you lavished upon us knowledge of Their pure devotional service, the most precious gem.

Among the six characteristics of pure devotional service that Rūpa Gosvāmī describes, the trait of rareness is stunning. Knowing this, how can we ever dare to think we deserve the opportunity to render even neophyte bhakti – what to speak of a possibility to serve in spotless devotion?

Our material qualifications and achievements cannot even interest Kṛṣṇa, to say nothing of attracting Him to us. Consequently, I seem trapped in a paradox, a spiritual cul-de-sac, no through road ahead.

The standard of pure devotion is so atypical and anomalous it sounds beyond supernatural. Yet nothing else can attract Kṛṣṇa. What to do?

Only your eternal status as a pure devotee can resolve my dilemma. Nothing else will suffice.

If I selflessly serve your lotus feet, the impossible attainment of śuddha-bhakti becomes within reach. Because of you, Kṛṣṇa can agree to notice me and my juvenile attempts at pleasing Him. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura declares the reality of your place in my life: “Kṛṣṇa is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, ‘Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!’ ”

Please establish this fallen soul in your service, which will allow Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Śrī Pañca-tattva to shine )eir grace upon me.

Your hopeful servant,
Devāmṛta Swami