Homages to His Holiness Devamrita Maharaja
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Jana Mohini devi dasi
My dear Srila Gurudeva!
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
Dear Srila Gurudeva!
Please accept my congratulations on this day of your appearance!
Every year I notice more and more that if I do not approach your lotus feet I am able neither to chant nor to speak nor to do anything good.
Once in your class in Divnomorsk you said that a disciple should address the lotus feet of his Guru and at that moment I thought you were hinting that I always look at your eyes during darsanas which is not in accordance with etiquette. But I could not understand how it is possible to speak with feet. And soon I got the chance to realize that.
We chanted at the harinam party and I tried to portray something with my unmelodious voice but it was unsuccessful. There was no life in my voice and no heart as you often say. People just passed by because they felt falsity, they felt lacking of the soul in the voice.
I had been trying to make myself out but finally understood that I can not portray something that I do not have and then I decided to appeal to your lotus feet for help. I closed my eyes and imagined your lotus feet. I started to ask you to sing through me so that your strength, your love to Krishna reflected in my voice and that people could hear it. And it happened!
I could feel my voice started to change and I received what I asked for that I didn’t have before.
I opened my eyes and saw people standing around and listening. Many passer-bys slowed their steps and stopped. I understood how wonder-working Sri Guru’s mercy is!
pangum langayate girim
yat-kripa tam aham vande
Sri-Gurum dina-taranam
I am bowing down before you, my spiritual master! Savior of the fallen souls, by your mercy even a dumb man can become an eloquent speaker and a lame man can climb to the mountain peaks. So wonderful is Sri Guru’s mercy!
Therefore on this wonderful day I’d like to thank you for your mercy toward this fallen soul even though you know very well about all my negative qualities.
I’d like to wish you to always inspire devotees with your divine kirtans, with your strong voice full of love and devotion to Krishna. Please, be careful, take care of yourself and your health.
Let your disciples become more and more worthy continuers of your mercy and let them please you with their successes in devotional service and never ever give you pain. Your smile is proof of our success!
Always trying to become your sincere and useful disciple,
Jana Mohini dd
Janesvari devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to HDG Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your divine lotus feet, on this most auspicious celebration of your appearance day.
"The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can obtain pure devotional service.
I bow down to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence.
Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires." (Sri Guru-vandana)
In my humble attempt to glorify you, dear Gurudev, on your Vyasa Puja day,
I like to reflect on a few of your unlimited qualities.
"You have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
What better 'father' than you could we wish for?
Because of your completely surrendered selfless service, your unlimited compassion and your dedication to Guru and Krsna, do we -as your aspiring sons and daughters- have a chance to make advancement in devotional service.
Even without any qualification on our behalf, you kindly enable us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.
Please bestow your blessings upon me and engage me in your pure loving devotional service eternally.
Your aspiring servant,
Janesvari devi dasi
following also is a little poem...
D for Dynamicly, the Sanatan Dharma you represent,
E for Expertly, our false Ego you bend.
V for Vaisnava, pure and true,
A for Austerities and KC Activities you do.
M for Many Miles you travel the globe,
R for Radharani, Who's lotus feet are your hope.
I for Intelligence, which you always use,
T for Tolerance, without excuse.
A for Authority, you show us the way,
S for you Swim, in exstatic love night and day.
W for Wisdom and Willingness to serve,
A for your Arrows that hit the right nerve.
M for Maya, against whom we unite,
I for I'm eager to stay by your side.
Please accept this humble attempt to glorify you, Gurudev.
Your aspiring servant,
Janesvari dd
Bhaktine Jessie
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the purport of Srimad Bhagavatam, (1.2.6) Srila Prabhupada states "The relation [between Krishna and the living entities] is one of the servant and the served. It is transcendental and is completely distinct from our experience in material existence."
Reading this reminded me of you because your relations with your disciples and spiritual dependents are extraordinary, according to material conceptions. The satisfaction one recieves from pleasing you is somehow very different to any material happiness. You have no wish of material gain but, it seems, you just want to please your spiritual master. You are constantly thinking of the spiritual welfare of others, and out of compassion you try to protect people from the worst type of fear, with the result that, while in your presence, one may feel completely safe from the onslaughts of material nature.
These types of relationships are unheard of in our material experience. We have experience of being a servant or master of some sort in the material world, but like everything in Krishna consciousness, the reality of a situation is very different from what it appears to be from a materialistic view. Your servants and aspiring servants are very lucky to have a spiritual master possessing such pure qualities.
Your power is so wonderful that you can destroy stubborn ignorance, deep attachments and worries with a few potent words. Your chanting of the Maha-mantra can transform those who hear it, and my limited experience of this has deepened my faith in Krishna. Hearing you speak the truth with care and conviction is purifying and illuminating. Some people ignore your advice, challenging you offensively. I am ashamed to have acted in this way, but you are forgiving and tolerant, repeating the same message patiently.
I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the fruits of your devotional service in the form of Gaura Yoga and the Loft, where people who may not be looking for Krishna enjoy prasadam and learn to chant Hare Krishna - this is the beauty of these places, we get to watch these people chant and dance blissfully with their arms in the air, and gradually take to the process of Krishna consciousness. I am constantly reminded of how, by your service to Srila Prabhupada, I was also helped to discover Krishna and so was my Mum.
And now, by your causeless mercy I am here, slowly trying to follow you on the path to perfection. You have saved me from impersonalism and misery and I thank you very much. I pray to become a sturdy instrument, and be used by you in this merciful mission to transform the darkness of nescience into the light of Krishna consciousness.
From your aspiring servant,
Jessie
Bhakta Jo
Please accept my most humble obeiscances.
I write to you with sincere love, affection and gratitude.
Unconditional love is the essence of life - both in giving and receiving. When a child is able to show unconditional love, thoughtfulness, wisdom, knowledge and complete devotion to Krisna it can only be because the Father has guided and modelled such exemplary practices - just as you have, with the beautiful devotees who inspire and encourage me every day. As a father you instinctively know how to respond to, encourage and guide towards the only fullfilling journey that this life has to offer. When our beautiful daughter became unsure of continuing this Krisna Consciousness path we, as parents, became most anxious. You knew how to respond to her misgivings in a loving and assertive way and the result was renewed enthusiasm and comittment from her. As a result of her renewed love my husband and I too received many opportunities to take part in devotional service and have been blessed a thousand fold! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Hare Krisna!
Sincere affection is modelled by your devotees every day. If you are the eyes, ears, lips, arms and feet of our beloved Krisna then our beautiful "Angel Devotees" are an extension of you. I have experienced their continuing 'showers of affection ' as I strive to live a life of devotion for Krisna but they give all credit to you! Surely we are truely blessed to be under your guidance and care.I have, and am continually striving to, put into action your messages of practicing devotional service - practices which you consistently model and foster in your devotees. The blessings, protection and guidance which have been lavished upon me leave me feeling totally humbled but with a missionary zeal to give even more for Krisna. I have never experienced such overwhelming love as I have now with Krisna in my life. At times I feel my heart will tuely burst with such joy.
I am, and shall always be, eternally grateful to you for the guidance you provide either face-to-face or via the 'tapes' of your programmes. I dwell on every word as I would a precious pearl and listen to your teachings over and over and over again! I long for the day when I may approach you to be my guru-maharaja but in the mean time I shall steadfastedly put into practice the devotional service which will enable me to love my Dearest Krisna even more.
Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life.
Your humble servant,
Jo Hickman (Wellington ashram)
Karuna-purna devi dasi
Dear Guru-maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisance's at your soft lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Although I always fail to properly glorify you, I will make an attempt to touch upon your divine, immeasurable glories. While I, by your causeless mercy, had the honor to travel in Europe with you, I got to experience a bit more of your transcendental qualities.
I am struck with amazement to see your deep dedication to Srila Prabhupada and his mission to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. As you told us that your motto was in the early days, when introducing Krishna Consciousness to Eastern Europe: “I might live or I might die, but Krishna Consciousness must go on!” This shows your endless selflessness and compassion for humanity at large, and I wish that I had only a drop of that pure feeling.
I admire your determination to constantly travel from place to place, performing great austerities, only for the purpose of serving others. You do not consider your own bodily comfort, and you always emphasize that we should perform sacrifice, while teaching by example.
Within your heart there is a fire of desire to serve Lord Krishna in pure love. By your desire, thousands of other sparks are lit within the hearts of the conditioned souls. It is incredible to experience your ever-fresh inspiration and ability to shower it over others, in form of rock-concert-like kirtans, knowledge-packed lectures or merely by your transcendental glances. Whatever you do, you do with great attention and expertise. You do not let one single moment pass, without being engaged in Krishnas service. It is not at all surprising that you are so dear to everyone, because your mercy is never-ending.
Tirelessly you travel in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada, empowered by Krishna to distribute tons and tons of fruits of love of God. I cannot understand why I got the rare opportunity to meet you and serve you. Verily, this must be Krishnas causeless mercy.
Sitting at your beautiful lotus feet, or trying to carry out your order, is the perfection of my life, although I feel greatly unqualified to do so.
It is only by your causeless mercy that I have the privilege to be your spiritual daughter, and I pray that I one day will become qualified to serve you. There is no way I can ever do enough in your service, because you are an ocean of mercy, constantly pouring nectar upon your servants. For me, trying to reach up to your lotus feet is like the dwarf trying to reach for the moon (as Ragunath Das Goswami express himself in his prayer to Lord Nityananda Prabhu).
I am always deeply grateful for your mercy and tolerance upon me. And I am sincerely terrified when I think of my dark future, if I would not have been taken under the shelter of your adorable lotus feet.
“O lord and master! When will this devotee be blessed by obtaining your mercy? I am low, fallen, and devoid of all strength and intelligence. Please make me your beloved servant.” (Gurudeva, from Saranagati)
Your aspiring servant,
Karuna-purna
Khadiravan devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this glorious day of your appearance,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Some years ago when I was quite new, (although I still am, I realise more and more) I had a dream about you. You were standing in the centre of the room, surrounded by mountains of baggage – suitcases, shoulder bags, everything. A group of us stood around you, watching you as you began to calmly, ungrudgingly, willingly pick up bag after bag and load it somewhere on your sacred frame for careful carriage. As you continued adding to your load, as one of your spectators I launched a feeble speech. "I thought we were supposed to help you carry those!" You replied with your pure stare, "ridiculous!" I heard you say in my mind. "Why say it now? You should have already been doing it" was the message I received and felt out of guilt.
There are some of your disciples who are helping you, a lot. They are beacon lights for those of us who trail behind, fighting our wars with our own sense gratification. Hoping we could catch up like a small child to its father and be a valiant soldier following in your footsteps, assisting in your fight to reclaim the wounded.
I can see more and more by your grace the horrible condition Kali yuga leaves us in, the shattered messes we are to deal with as we stumble in the door of a mercy outpost, thinking ourselves quite fine, intelligent and world-wise, interesting to say the least. Nine years down the track and I'm realizing how far from the standard I am. Even attaining the material mode of goodness is a sizeable battle. Understanding the weaknesses of the female body – once the "puffed-up conceptions of womanly life" wash off a little, and the distance there is to go to act with intelligence in such a form. How to sacrifice without counter-productive martyrdom? – "the female tendency for self-immolation" as you artfully phrased it. What's more, it's all up to me – the ball is in my court – "everything is based on desire", I have to want to do it. You can't do it for me, nor can anyone else.
I remember when you used to visit me at my work when I first started Krsna consciousness and you said to me "Don't waste your life, use your brains." I couldn't really understand at all what you meant then, because I thought I was already doing that by chanting and going to the Loft. But I think now I'm beginning to understand a little. How easily I could bypass this golden opportunity to make something of this life for your pleasure. I achieved nothing in material life, frittered my time away in meaningless, endless social interactions. I'm poised to do the same in spiritual life if I don't bite the bullet and pull myself together for the ultimate challenge. I'm eternally grateful that you reveal these internal enemies to me Gurudeva. Who else can tell us exactly what we need to hear. Only one who is the mercy incarnation of our best friend, Sri Krsna.
Please give me the strength to continue fighting to become of assistance to you. It is a most worthy mission, my only worthy mission. As you said in your Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada last year, "A life without a sublime mission is no life at all". Actually on reflection, without the desire to please you I would just rather roll up in a ball and hide from this hell of a place, escape into the void. (with just my little bit of sense gratification to keep me going of course.) Thank you for giving me a real reason to continue living. It is taking me a long time to wake up to the life of positive action based on Krsna conscious desire, as I hide from the horrors of life based on selfish desire. You are so patient with me. Thank you for shedding so much blood to give me the best, give me as much absorption and depth as I can take. Never catering to my sense gratification, indulging my illusions. – saying "hey, you're ok… it's ok if you wanna stay here, it's not that bad!!" No…you always hold the bar high and higher – here is where life is. Not down where you think it is! Not changing Krsna's message to suit the super-selfish sense gratificatory times we live in. Pounding on our heads with instructions for freedom.
You undertake so many difficulties to please your spiritual master. You had this debilitating accident this year but still you kept travelling and preaching unfazed. Please bless me with the strength of character to take up some difficulty for your pleasure, and the intelligence to always remember the need for that, and to not just "follow the ways of life" dictated by the modes.
"When Brahmā was first created, he could not apply his creative energy to arrange the cosmic situation. At first there was only sound, vibrating the word tapa, which indicates the acceptance of hardships for spiritual realization. Refraining from sensual enjoyment, one should voluntarily accept all sorts of difficulties for spiritual realization. This is called tapasya. An enjoyer of the senses can never realize God, godliness or the science of theistic knowledge. " CC Adi 1.50 purport (excerpt)
That's a real kick in the face for all the suit-yourself laziness that composes my material heritage. A relishable outcry in this sea of sense gratification. Reassuring us yes, it is ok to sacrifice for Guru and Krsna's pleasure – even within the devotee community there is campaigning against too much "artificial" sacrifice, not enough "being for real".
A life without a sublime mission is no life at all.
Finally, thank you for your stunning example of fighting to remain relevant in outreach always, and teaching us to do the same. And at the same time, demanding the internal discipline in ourselves and in our community required in the bhakti tradition Srila Prabhupada has passed down.
As Sanatana Gosvami said to Haridas Thakura:
āpane ācare keha, nā kare pracāra
pracāra karena keha, nā karena ācāra
"Some behave very well but do not preach the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, whereas others preach but do not behave properly.
'ācāra', 'pracāra',——nāmera karaha 'dui' kāry
tumi——sarva-guru, tumi jagatera ārya
"You simultaneously perform both duties in relation to the holy name by your personal behavior and by your preaching. Therefore you are the spiritual master of the entire world, for you are the most advanced devotee in the world."
CC Antya 4.102-103
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport that here Santana Gosvami clearly defines the bona fide spiritual master of the world.
I feel so proud to have such a glorious, spiritual master, who dispels illusion with every word and action, fearless in the face of māyā's heaviest preaching – cutting through the solid conviction of the bewildered conditioned souls. We become emboldened just trailing in your footsteps.
I lament that my offering was not more a joyous/desperate outpouring of a heart steeped in sacrifice at your lotus feet.
I will try my best to make this year in your service a deeper sacrifice, come closer to being the devotee you see I should be.
I pray that my obligation and gratitude to you (combined with your loving kicks and jump starts) push me to the limits of this precious opportunity to render some service in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to become your servant,
Khadiravan devi dasi
Khela-tirtha dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Strila Prabhupada
There is undoubtedly no end to the glories of a vaisnava and it would be fiiting to pray for more mouths and hands to sing and write all the glories that would best describe you and your activities,in this offering,on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Gurudev,I daily think about you....alot.Somedays more than others and to think about you means thinking about preaching.Your very fibre is preaching,thats what you do,thats what you live your life for.And thats why we are here.
To hear about your preaching history and triumphant results,many of which are ISKCON pioneering feats,is so enlivening and awe inspiring and these feats inspire other devotees all over the world to preach vigourously too.
In this effort to aid others to come to KC, ,spanding 3 decades,you have cultivated many from scratch.You've been a transcendental spark plug that shocks new life into stagnent centres in different parts of the world and you are not only a Spiritual Master of many but also a manager,sankirtan General,administrative wizz,a psychiatric counciller and a father too.
You are engaging many western/European youth in Lord Caitanya's sankirtan mission which is why Srila Prabhupada originally came west.Converting westeners to KC takes tremendous surrender,intense focus,loving compassion and unbroken empowerment and persistence to do this.
On the one hand its quite amazing that you've managed to hold the attention of us,your disciples,aspirents and followers,here in NZ for over 20 years.
You are so attractive.
Then on the other hand it is natural that someone as Krsna Concious as you,and you being a touch stone,any one coming in contact with you is enthralled by everything that you say,think and do at all times ,in all places and in all circumstances.
Why is it you worth taking shelter of?
Theres a few pertinent reasons,but the main reason I can truly say,that is the most relevent for me, is explained in the 5th verse of the Nectar of instruction where it describes the 3 kinds of devotees.Besides being advanced in undeviated devotional service and a pure devotee ,you are one who is 'anya nindadi sunya' completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others.
sunya="completely devoid of"
When searching my own contaminated conciousness I find so many means and ways of critisizing others that impedes devotional service.
So it is quite incredible ,in comparrison,that a heart is and can be"sunya"completely devoid of attacking and bringing down other living entities which is the nature of envy.
Gurudev, you posses this kind of heart,sunya, and this why we are able to ,with full faith,take shelter of you.
Bhaktivinode Thakur sings in the mood of a disciple,begging his Guru to invest him with the power to honour all living beings properly
"sakale samana korite sakate
deho natha yathayatha"
In that same mood ,taking into consideration your continual exhibition of your heart being devoid of the tendancy to critisize others,I beg the same of you,Gurudev,on this day,that my heart can be devoid of the propensity to critisize others then "tabe to gaibo harinama sukhe aparadha habe hata" one can chant the Holy names in extacy and only then will all my offenses cease.
To Preach and acheive the results you have,Gurudev,means that you have genuine love for the living entities.
Tolerating so much inconvenience,disciple space outs,rocks of impersonalism,ungratefulness and envy being hurled at you,lack of appreciation,even by your own godfamily and more. Still you push on Srila Prabhupada's movement and continue to give shelter to those who are sincere and needy.
Still to this day,Gurudev,I cant adequately express in words how much you mean to me.
Hoping that this insignificant life of mine can be a speck of dust at your lotus feet in this offering on this most auspicious day of your appearance
Forever your needy son and meagre aspiring servant,
Khela-tirtha dasa
Kishor Murti dasa
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhatachara pravinata
pararthathapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namo namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust at your lotus feet.
Now again is this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja manifest along with an opportunity to make a written offering to you.
My real desire is to make my whole lifetime a suitable offering to Guru and Gauranga not only some words written once a year. My own experience is that it is so easy to say one thing and do another. I dont want that kind of life.
Please let me enter into your particular mood of service to Srila Prabhupada and actually assist your service to him.
Please forgive me for the lack of spiritual spark that so many of my Godsiblings possess. They are so cutting edge, just like their spiritual father, and Grandfather, yet I feel slow and weighed down compared to them. But they are a source of inspiration, not envy.
Please tolerate my flickering mind and please forgive my offenses to you.
I pray to become more strong in my new ashram situation so that I can do something useful to assist you.
Your humble servant,
Kishor Murti dasa
Krishnaloka devi dasi
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every year when I meditate on how to glorify you one main point shines through – your selfless ability to reach out to so many people, you are very loyal to those under your shelter.
SB 11.17.27pp
"The spiritual master is not an enjoyer of facilities offered by his disciples. He is like a parent. Without the attentive service of his parents, a child cannot grow to manhood; similarly without the spiritual master one cannot rise to the plane of transcendental service"
You are such a selfless, caring spiritual father; patiently helping those under your shelter grow in Krsna consciousness, teaching us by your perfect example and instructions.
The spiritual master is also called Acarya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science".
You are undoubtedly a transcendental professor. So learned and expert in presenting Krsna consciousness. You know Srila Prabhupada's books.
Guru Maharaja, one day I want to become expert in preaching and to dynamically and compassionately reach out to others - only by your mercy.
your servant & daughter,
Krsnaloka devi dasi
Krishna Prasada das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Another year has passed and the effects of Kali Yuga are getting stronger by the day. By your mercy only do I have the strength needed to surpass these effects.
I often think how fortunate we are to have the Gaura Yoga Centre. How you have designed it with such expertise and intelligence to function the way it does. So many Kali Yuga refugees being transformed into not only human beings but great Vaisnavas. Thankyou for making it possible to have the opportunity to associate with and try to serve such great souls.
Thankyou Gurudeva for my initiation this year, for actually allowing me to be part of such a great family of devotees under your care and guidance. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to show us by his example, how to act as devotees. He showed us the way by taking a Spiritual Master himself. Without a bonafide Spiritual Master one cannot make any advancement. You mentioned at the initiation that you are formally giving us Krsna's holy names. Please let me take advantage of this and try to relish and chant the holy names always.
The only way to please Krsna is by following your instruction and by pleasing you. So how can I please Krsna without your instruction? Please give me the intelligence and strength to serve you properly and always remember that any Spiritual advancement or ability I have is all coming from you.
I hope to someday serve you the same way you have that intense desire to serve Srila Prabhupada.
Your sorry excuse for a servant,
Krsna Prasada das
Lavanya-sar devi dasi
Dear Guru MaharajPlease accept my humble obeisances.
On this day of your Vyasa-puja I am offering with love and devotion the garland of my realizations, that ‘matured’ by your mercy. Please accept it. For the last year I have been trying to comply with an elevated position of your disciple. I learned your wonderful qualities. In Mayapur you were giving class about Bhakti Tirtha Swami. It contained so much love and humanity that I “fell sick” with the same desire to enter the same loving and pure relationship. I made my first steps in this direction and for the first time in my life I made some friends, ‘cause all that you call with the name Lavanua-sar dd is but a reflection of your mercy.
You called me to coordinate you traveling arounf Russia and your care inspired me to search for those who need this care. I’ve made my first steps in this direction and my relationships with my mother has become better. Because all that you call with the name Lavanua-sar dd is but a reflection of your mercy.
In Angarsk you gave me much more love than I deserve and I understood that I want to deserve it. I started to search directions where to put my first steps and I felt a strong desre to purely chant the holy name to ba capable of giving love to others. Suddenly I have become more serious in spiritual practice.
When you flew to Angarsk I was observing you and absorbed that tolerance and humility you demonstrated in those uncomfortable situations. Now when I am experiencing discomfort or problems I compare it with your example and understand how insignificant my problems , so I easily tolerate them. Because all that you call with the name Lavanua-sar dd is but a reflection of your mercy.
And now here in Krinitsa I understand that if it is not your mercy I would have never become happy here. Every meeting with you makes my life better in quality.
No words in this world will not be sufficient to convey the significance of your mercy in the life of your disciple. Thank you!
If you are pleased with my service then please allow me to serve you forever.
ys, Lavanya-sar dd
Mahavan das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your merciful lotus feet.
I seems you never tire in your constant efforts to encourage us deeper and deeper into the ecstatic ever increasing ocean of bhakti.
For example, you have explained that our mission statement at the Gaura Yoga Center should be "we make it easy," meaning we should make it easy for people to come to Krishna consciousness, grow in Krishna consciousness in a balanced organic way and distribute Krishna consciousness to others.
After some years of trying to serve this instruction, I'm realizing more than ever the huge sacrifice you've made and continue to make to give us this opportunity - an opportunity to purify ourselves in the fastest possible way and organically develop the qualifications to represent the disciplic succession – an opportunity to actually swim and sport in the ecstatic ever increasing ocean of bhakti.
Although not always pleasing to our material senses and conceptions, you explain and demonstrate that to become effective tools in the hands of the parampara – to actually swim and sport in the ecstatic bhakti ocean - we need to understand that in the material world, Krishna consciousness is "the art of the possible," and to learn this art is what is actually needed to fulfill the purport of your mission statement.
"Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then told Sanātana Gosvāmī about proper renunciation according to a particular situation, and the Lord forbade dry renunciation and speculative knowledge in all respects."
PURPORT (excerpt)
To broadcast the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one has to learn the possibility of renunciation in terms of country, time and candidate. A candidate for Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the Western countries should be taught about the renunciation of material existence, but one would teach candidates from a country like India in a different way. The teacher (ācārya) has to consider time, candidate and country. He must avoid the principle of niyamāgraha—that is, he should not try to perform the impossible. What is possible in one country may not be possible in another. The ācārya's duty is to accept the essence of devotional service. There may be a little change here and there as far as yukta-vairāgya (proper renunciation) is concerned. Dry renunciation is forbidden by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and we have also learned this from our spiritual master, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Gosvāmī Mahārāja. The essence of devotional service must be taken into consideration, and not the outward paraphernalia. (Cc. Madhya 23.105)
Your example of personal sacrifice in this regard is what inspires us to carry on this sublime yet externally and internally challenging legacy of the disciplic succession, because although it would certainly be easy to "make it difficult" it is indeed very difficult to make it easy, and without your personal example and guidance, neophytes like my self would quickly become bewildered and discouraged and thus flee the battlefield – all in the name of devotional service of course - as Arjuna wanted to before the battle of Kuruksetra.
"Arjuna said: O Janārdana, O Keśava, why do You want to engage me in this ghastly warfare, if You think that intelligence is better than fruitive work?"
PURPORT (excerpt)
Sometimes Kṛṣṇa consciousness is misunderstood to be inertia, and one with such a misunderstanding often withdraws to a secluded place to become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious by chanting the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa…Arjuna also thought of Kṛṣṇa consciousness or buddhi-yoga, or intelligence in spiritual advancement of knowledge, as something like retirement from active life and the practice of penance and austerity at a secluded place. In other words, he wanted to skillfully avoid the fighting by using Kṛṣṇa consciousness as an excuse. But as a sincere student, he placed the matter before his master and questioned Kṛṣṇa as to his best course of action. (Bg. 3.1)
I'm praying that I can also, with an open hart, always question you as to the best course of action and accept your instructions to "make it easy" for others without getting caught up in the seemingly endless array of distractions, irrelevancies, impossibilities and less-than-essentialism that so heavily plagues Kali Yuga-ites likes myself.
Today I'm begging for the spiritual strength to humbly carry this weighty instruction, and as the years go by and as my protests about the ever-increasing depth of the bhakti ocean issue forth, please kindly ignore them all as Lord Krishna did with His intimate friend Arjuna, and continue to remind me:
"Things that are very difficult to do become easy to execute if one somehow or other simply remembers Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. But if one does not remember Him, even easy things become very difficult. To this Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu I offer my respectful obeisances." (Cc . Ādi 14.1)
(Struggling to be) your faithful son,
Mahavan das
Mangal Vaisnava das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you.
Dear Gurudev, How can I ever repay you for everything you have given me. To have revealed how to repel the blazing fire of material existence, for that mercy alone I am forever indebted to you.
Dear Gurudev, How can I ever repay you for the words that left your lips. It changed my whole life. Chanting the Holy Names, dancing in ecstasy, singing and feasting. I can only relish these wonderful activities when I am trying to meditate on your soft lotus feet and your instructions.
Dear Gurudev, How can I ever repay you for allowing this heavily conditioned wretch to serve and worship Their Lordships Radha-Giridhari. Dress them, bathe them. For this most ecstatic service, from the core of my heart I weep in appreciation for this most wonderful service you have allowed to perform.
Dear Gurudev, How can I ever repay you for way I have witnessed you reveal and relish the unlimited pastimes of the Supreme Lord and with such eagerness to hear and chant. I am in awe of your mercy to give and keep giving in such an ever-fresh mood. The way you present these most relishable pastimes leaves me in no doubt that you are tasting these rasas at first hand.
Dear Gurudev, How can I ever repay you for bestowing the most wonderful benediction of chanting the Holy Names and receiving Krishna. I've only made advancement in chanting because of your kindness, patience and care and expert guidance. For these benedictions, you have saved me from the ocean of material existence by reaching into that ocean and giving me your hand of kindness.
Please allow me to serve you here and never ever go back to that ocean of misery.
I bow down to my dear dear Gurudev on your very auspicious appearance day.
Your servant,
Mangal Vaisnava dasa
Mantramala devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj,Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Divine Lotus Feet.
Another year passed and a month ago I was puzzled about what the content of my offering should be for your Vyasa-Puja this year. I wanted to avoid repeating myself. As usual you came to my help. At the Ukraine Festival you lent me your Caitanya Caritamrita, Part One. On the airplane back to Hungary I looked at the table of contents and decided to read Chapter 12 of Madhya-Lila entitled The Cleansing of the Gundica Temple. I thought I would read this chapter because it is so inspirational to read about the humble, dedicated and practical service of Lord Caitanya and His devotees. I may also catch the fire! I’m in so much need to catch the fire of devotional service! I have dried up over the years due to my offenses. So I started to read.
Soon I reached Text 25: “I shall not meet the King at the request of all the devotees, but I shall do so if Damodara will give his permission”. And I read the purport with special attention to this section: “It so happened that while the Lord was talking to His disciples at that time, the devotee Damodara Pandita was present. This Damodara Pandita was a very faithful devotee and a staunch lover of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Whenever there was anything that might touch or taint the character of the Lord, Damodara Pandita would immediately point it out, not even considering the exalted position of the Lord. It is sometimes said that fools rush in where angels dare not, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to point out Damodara Pandita’s foolishness in coming forward to criticize the Lord. Thus the Lord indirectly hinted that if Damodara Pandita would give Him permission, He would go to see the King. There was deep meaning in this statement, for it is a warning that Damodara should not dare criticize the Lord any more, for it was not befitting his position as a devotee. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was considered the guide and spiritual master of all the devotees living with Him. Damodara Pandita was one of them, and the Lord rendered Damodara Pandita a special favour by warning him to avoid criticizing Him any further. A devotee or a disciple should never attempt to criticize the Lord or His representative, the spiritual master.”
I wish I had internalised this text and purport when I was reading Caitanya Caritamrita before. Or rather, I wish I had reached a better devotional standing. Now it’s too late, the damage has been done: I have criticized you Guru Maharaj recently, not even only once, while, unlike Damodara Pandita, I’m not a faithful devotee. What is my position then?
Still, you overlooked my sinful actions so that Lord Krishna cannot take offence. Thus you are giving me another chance. This is the mercy of the Vaishnava.
I’m not sure I can utilize the chance to my advantage i.e. I will advance in Krishna Consciousness.
In one sense it doesn’t matter: I have found what I was looking for, who I was looking for. I have found the saintly goals, saintly activities and the saintly, heroic persons of Krishna Consciousness. As such my life is already successful even if I am unable to finish my business this lifetime and go back home, back to Godhead. I’m on the right path, finally!
I often think about the various aspects of your heroism. Let me name a few on this auspicious day of Your Vyasa-Puja:
I was very fortunate to hear an evening discussion of yours on the internet where you surrendered to the demand of the Perth audience and talked about your Eastern European adventures of spreading Krishna Consciousness. Being a child of communist Hungary I could certainly strongly identify with your desperation and loud cry on the Scandinavian ferry travelling to communist Poland. I would have done the same if I were you. Please forgive me, but I envision a young, naïve American boy who had to grow up extremely quickly to be able to face the morbid and ludicrous life behind the Iron Curtain. Only huge compassion can make someone return there year after year after year on this secret and most dangerous mission of spreading Krishna Consciousness. [Of course, the place would have been fine for decadence: women and wine.]
I wish you had written your memoirs for the sake of everyone but at the same time I wish you hadn’t: your memories are so painful as you said at that evening class.
I notice you never talk with me about those Eastern European years (unfortunately). Partly because they are painful. Partly because you don’t want me to look at you with big eyes. That is your utmost humbleness. Once you started to say something, but seeing the change in me you immediately stopped.
I also find heroic that you were able to live in a remote farm community in America for many years after your European years and used your time there to guide and counsel the devotees. It appears to me that you didn’t demand attention, position and “medals” after your sacrificial service in Eastern Europe but did what was needed to be done right there and at the time. I wish you had written your memoirs about this chapter of your life, as well. Those were turbulent times but your heroism is that you came out clean, unshaken and deep in your Krishna Consciousness – unlike many others.
The mid-90s found you in New Zealand and Australia. I first met Guru Maharaj in Sydney where I was based between 1995 and early 2000. In Sydney your patience appealed to me: your patience with ISKCON. And that you were the siksa guru of everyone. You very kindly shared your deepest realisations at classes, darshans and meetings: you always worked for everyone’s benefit because you wanted everyone to increase his/her Krishna Consciousness – no matter the person’s friendly or unfriendly disposition toward you.
I have been living in New Zealand from February 2000. New Zealand is different from most of Australia because you have more influence here. You have entire communities here where you are the spiritual master of everyone in the organisation. You are like Srila Prabhupada when he was on Earth: you are our father and ever well-wisher. You gave us a spiritual family with many sisters and brothers. And you teach us so nicely: like the Lord, you are more pleased if we serve each other nicely than you directly.
Your heroism is just as strong as on the battlefield of Eastern Europe but took a different form: how heroic it is to tolerate our many e-mails and darshans including our little problems which we, spoilt Western or Westernised disciples see enormous and insurmountable!
Begging for Your Mercy and Association,
Mantramala devi dasi
Bhakta Manish
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance
I cannot begin to thank you for your kindness, strength and mercy. By your grace, some of my deepest problems have been dealt with and I feel a new sense of hope in my spiritual life.
By your mercy, I have a set direction I can dedicate my life too.
Through your advice and instruction, I have taken on teaching as both my profession and my main service for Bhaktivendanta Manor and for the Pandava Sena. Through this service, I am always learning more and absorbing myself in serving others.
You have the amazing ability to perfectly explain even the most complicated subject matters in an exciting and absorbing way, enlivening all those that hear. From your words, the spiritual world becomes an amazing place of adventure and excitement. I pray I am always able to hear such sweet words from your grace. Truly, you are an expert sales man for Krishna Consciousness!
I pray that I am always able to please you through your instructions.
Thank you so much for keeping Srila Prabhupada and Gauranga Mahaprabhu's teachings alive and well
Your aspiring servant
Manish Gadhvi
Bhakta Matt
Please accept my humble obeisance’s.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Before you manifested your mercy, I was blinded by so much ignorance that I could not see how much misery was being inflicted upon me. It is only by your mercy that the futility of material existence is being revealed to me.
Cakhudāna dilo yei, janme janme prabhu sei. Divya-jñāna hṛde prokāśito; you are opening my darkened eyes and filling my heart with transcendental knowledge, you are my Lord birth after birth. In a purport Srila Prabhupada says:
“A jokers activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Krsna consciousness becomes a laughing stock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt.” (SB 4.22.47)
Regardless of how long you allow me to serve you, never will such a time come where I can repay you for the rare jewel you have given me. I am most fortunate to have met you and you have displayed your causeless mercy by giving me the privilege of serving you. But due to my pride and envy I am making it very difficult for Krsna to use me as an instrument, if I only had more humility and devotion I could be of more assistance to you. I am sorry that I cannot please you in this way, for I owe you my life, you saved me.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Matt
Muni-cari das
pracare purve-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 your Vyasa puja.
Hare Krsna
It is hard to believe that a year has past since I last meditated on writing my Vyasa puja offering to you. The same feeling is present though, that is the feeling of complete inadequacy to describe all that you mean to me! Reading what you write to your spiritual master verses what I write to mine highlights this.
I am writing this in NZ, having just arrived here from a 5 and a half year stay at the Melbourne temple in Australia. All the devotees in Melbourne speak so highly of you and comment how lucky I am to have you as my spiritual master (a point I hope I don't take for granted). Now here in NZ I am immersed in the ocean of your disciples. My God brothers and sisters endeavor so much to please you, I pray for even a drop of their sincerity.
Listening to the classes you gave in Melbourne on the 10th canto left me awe struck. You were able to describe a super 'lofty' subject matter in such a way that I could relate to it or at least understand it in some way. This is a skill that very few seem to possess and we are very dependant on you for this. Prabhupada explains the importance of the spiritual master through out his books and so often it appears that he is just describing your character alone.
My observation has been that people in general seem to be lacking one thing, that is, genuine friendship. By genuine I mean someone who will listen, not judge. Someone who is happy to see them and enquires about their well being and their life in general. Someone who has their best interests at heart.
Crossways restaurant bought me in contact with so many people just like this. You teach us, your disciples, that this special friend should be a devotee. Once again you have shown us the example which we are endeavoring to follow.
I pray for chastity to your instructions and guidance. If I can only remember what you want and that I am representing you, then hopefully I will become steady one day.
Thank you for inspiring all of us Guru Maharaja by the example you set serving your Gurudeva, ISKCON's founder acarya.
So once again I finish with my simple prayer that one day I may be more like you, and less like me. That is, more selfless and less selfish.
Your bumbling servant and spiritual child,
Muni-cari dasa
Nalakuvara das
Pracare purva- daksyam ca Bhaktacara pravinata Parathatapi karunyamYasya sarve ca te Hamah
Dear Guru-Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“Most important is how the man in Krsna consciousness speaks; for speech is the most important quality of any man.” BG 2.54
Guru-Maharaja, your speech is full of wonderful qualities. Not only is your speech always in relation to Lord Krsna but is always thoughtful, sensitive, timely and powerful.
You know just what to say and when to say it. Some people like to say they were rescued by you. I prefer to say I’m being rescued. And it is your speech that is and has always being rescuing me.
Once at New Varshan, when I was making a come back, I had the good fortune of having your darshan. You only made one remark, “well it’s good to see you’re still hanging around.” You knew I was half in the door, looking back and forth so you packed an instruction in a sensitive message. What you really said was, “since you’re hanging around why don’t you get it into it?”
On another detox, when I looked rather ill, you strode up to me and mocked, “so I thought the body was meant to be an instrument for pleasure?” At the time it was like a thunderbolt. Later when I was reflecting I realised you were helping me to see how stupid I was being and that instead I should use my body for Krishna’s pleasure.
Ever since then you have been taming me with your delightful words.
Initially, they always cause me to double over and gasp for breath, but soon after when their anti-venom properties start to circulate, they quickly become an impetus for making spiritual advancement.
Guru-Maharaja, I love your words. They capture my heart, scoop my mind out of the gutter and dunk it in a pool of purifying nectar. I’m forever in debt to you for preaching to me.
Always hoping to remain your servant and son,
Nalakuvara dasa
Bhaktine Natasha
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you Gurudeva
The most dearest father I have ever had, so giving, loving and affectionate to me and to all.
Gurudeva you have been so merciful to me words can not express my gratitude and appreciation to some one so self realized and pure as you.
And I'm sure you would of herd and read the most sweetest words from the most sweetest.
So I wright this to the best of the knowledge that I have been given.
I know you are dear to Krsna and anyone dear to Krsna as you are, tells me you are not an ordinary person.
You are my saviour my goal in life, but yet I have an unsteady mind due to the constant need in trying to enjoy the stool over and over again. Little intelligence due to the lack of reading and not absorbing the mind,heart and body in serving, thinking, acting for Krsna.
I cant see clearly that, this is it I have been shown the truth and nothing but the truth.
I am but a failure who only thinks of herself so self fish am I, that I just want and want more sense gratification.
When Krsna has given so much already let me give my mind, body and heart to Krsna.
I have been given a choice and yet Krsna continues to give just see how kind he is to a rascal like me.
Now I ask please please shower your mercy upon me pour it on me like a waterfall.
I know I don't deserve your mercy but my life is nothing without your mercy, I need your blessings so I can understand how to live a Krsna conscious life.
And to understand that Krsna is my shelter, all my senses belong to him.
This body is meant for Krsnas devotional service.
My mind constantly flickers like a light switch when it is off my ego is filling up let me only see the light and raise my arms and say Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare It doesn't matter if you no nothing but if you have the holy name I feel your life is a success.
But is it, you need knowledge, you need a guru, you need guidance, you need association, you need intelligence, you need mercy you need so much in such little time.
I just turned 27yrs old I came in contact with you when I was 16yrs old where has the time gone. The years went so fast, so little time.
Let me not waste any more time on my selfless self, let me be your servant, let my mind be fully absorbed in pleasing Krsna.
Please Gurudeva kind words I say thank you for caring, thank you for all you have done for me.
Don't let me ever take it for granted let me relish and absorb in being a servant of the servant of the servant.
Your aspiring servant
Natasha or Tash as you know me as Gurudeva.
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Bhakta Nick
please accept my most humble and reverant obeisances
all glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada!
Is it really possible? Can a person such as myself really overcome the might and prowess of the illusory energy? What hope is there for a fool who only desires the satisfaction of his pride? Could I really make a substantial change in consciousness? My fear is borne of ignorance, no doubt, and a lack of faith. Your Mercy and the Mercy of Lord Caitanya is far more powerful than my feeble attempts at pessimistic introspection. But then, it is only by Your Mercy that I can be saved. This is most serious. I absolutely must receive Your Blessings in order to learn true devotion to Krishna. I will endure, Maharaj, through any sort of material anguish if that is required to earn Your Favor. I will constantly strive to know the position of the self, to render service, to understand the essential Vedic wisdom; I will struggle indefinitely. I will not surrender to the whims of desire or the influence of false ego, or the material modes. I will persist in Your Name. I will take shelter in Krishna's Name. I will continue with such ambition only to please You, Gurudeva. And if I should fail and be cast back into the hellish planets, then I pray that You might be pleased with my attempt. For my service unto You is eternal and it is, therefore, the foundation upon which my life will be built. Please accept me as Your servant.
All glories to You on the auspicious day of Your appearance!
your aspiring servant,
Nick Toney
Bhaktine Nina
Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am honored to be able to be in your association, thank you so much for having faith in me.
If it was not for your mercy I would surely still be doing the same degrading acts I have been doing throughout my many life time’s. Even though the first time I ever met you I was pretty messed up, you could still see I was a spirit soul, even though I could not. You patiently waited for the fog in my head to thin out, for this I owe you my life. Something you said in a lecture once has stuck in my mind, when you once spoke of lusty men & woman using each other for sense gratification. This used to be my life & soul, to have a man to show me attention, but now by your divine knowledge you have smashed this conception I had of life & made me see not only the most important thing in life, but actually the only thing in life is Krsna Consciousness.
I want to serve you for the rest of my life, I want to help other fallen souls out of this ignorance of thinking ones self to be the body, the only way I will ever be able to do this is if I surrender to you completely. So please guide me in how to fall at your lotus feet & follow you instructions.
On this very auspicious day please forgive me that I have not glorified you enough in this offering to you for all the offences I have committed against you.
Thank you for taking the time to read my lowly offering.
Your aspiring servant Nina
Bhaktine Noelle
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please accept my humble obeisances
It is now three years since the first time I consciously encountered You in this incarnation, which is obviously all by Your design. That encounter has changed my life, and, I know, the lives of so many others who have had the privilege of meeting You in Your physical form.
I am the very worst of devotees, lacking in Bhakti, bound by material problems and duties, unable to attend Temple as I, and certainly as You, would wish; and yet through it all You have always shown such compassion and understanding - far more than I could ever deserve. You have filled me with resolve to chant my rounds, no matter what latest form of material disaster is crashing down around me – and they invariably do!
Through all the ups and downs, there is the photo of Your noble, smiling face on my little altar, watching me stumble along. Sometimes, when I snap and snarl at circumstances, I sense a frown crossing Your features – but Your words and deeds are always so compassionate, despite the high standards that You set. So often I feel I can never live up to Your example.
You have also provided me with something else I have never had – a Family of godbrothers & sisters, all far advanced beyond my level, to inspire and watch over me. For once in this life, I feel that I belong somewhere.
I have only to check out Your website before I get on with the day’s duties at my computer, to see where You are and what You are involved in, to gain a sense of perspective again. To know that You are flying off somewhere, involved and hands-on at every turn, makes my own life somehow easier and more bearable, as I am sure it does everyone else’s.
These are so few, and such humble words on the occasion of Your Vyasa Puja, yet I know You will accept them as being from my heart.
Thank You for providing not merely the electronic link to us all; but also the spiritual and transcendental link that holds us all together, like beads on Your japamala.
Please bless me not once, but constantly, because without Your blessings, I will surely fall.
Please accept my humblest obeisances,
Your aspiring disciple,
Noelle
Prema Sankirtan das
In the S.B 7.12.1 Narada muni told King Yudhistira
brahmacari guru kule
vasan danto guror hitam
acaran dasavan nico
gurau sudrdha sauhrdah
" A student should practice completely controlling his senses. he should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm fiendship for the spiritual master. with a great vow, the brahmacari should live at the guru kula only for the benefit of the guru."
My dear Gurudev ,this statement is my lifelong mission at your lotus feet.
Please give mercy so i can understand your auspicious qualities more and more and simultaneously understand my position as an insignificant servant of the servant of your servants.
Let me forever be engaged in your divine service.
your eternally indepted aspiring servant
Prema sankirtan dasa
Prema Vardhana das
Dear Guru Maharaja
This year, especially during your Omsk visit, I noticed how precisely your senior disciples, who have known you such a long time, have described you in the second part of your pranama-mantra. At the meeting with local businessmen you revealed your apurva-pracar – unique talent of preaching to the most difficult and proud members of society. You demonstrated your exemplary Vaisnava behavior in very delicate situations. And you showed your karunyah by giving to others the opportunities to render any little service to Krishna even though it means inconvenience for you.
We often read about qualities of a Vaisnava in books and hear about them from classes, but for a student in Krishna Consciousness it becomes much easier, and in fact only possible to truly advance, if he sees an example of the practical embodiment of these qualities in his teacher. This is what makes the University of Krishna Consciousness different from usual universities, where teachers seldom live up to what they teach and as a result their students do not undergo a real transformation of character. Such acquired knowledge only multiplies the harmful effects of the graduates’ activities because, as it is said “knowledge in the heart of a bad man is like a sword in the hand of a madman”.
Genuine spiritual education is meant to foster ideal qualities in the human being. Truthfulness, cleanliness, austerity, mercy, humility, and freedom from material desire are transcendental qualities because they have their origin in Sri Krishna. But fallen souls have no way of associating with Krishna directly. The scriptures therefore say, sarva maha-guna-gana vaisnava-sarire: in this world, all the best qualities are embodied by the Vaisnavas, Krishna’s pure devotees. (Madhya 22.76)
As a spiritual master you are instilling these qualities in your disciples through your example, association and instruction. The disciples of a Vaisnava guru thus become ‘qualified’ and can then impart these spiritual qualities to the next generation in turn. And this is the meaning of disciplic succession.
Therefore, as Srila Prabhupada says in CC Madya 24.330 “The bona fide spiritual master who accepts disciples from all over the world is also worshiped all over the world because of his qualities. The people of the world worship him just as they worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All these honors are offered to him because he strictly follows the brahminical principles and teaches these principles to his disciples. Such a person is called an acarya because he knows the principles of devotional service, he behaves in that way himself, and he teaches his disciples to follow in his footsteps”.
On this day I’d like to express my gratitude to my spiritual master for this support, for allowing me to see and learn these qualities: apurva-pracarah (unprecedented preaching), bhakta-acarah (exemplary vaisnava behavior) and parartha-karunyah (compassion to all).
Your servant,
Prema Vardhana das
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