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Vyasa Puja Offerings 2026
(View Devamrita Swami's 2026 offering to Srila Prabhupada)
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Aatmeshwara Krishna Das
Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Guru-paramparā.
Here are some highlights of the year 2026.
Following your divine instructions, I have started reading the Fifth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I am striving to make daily book reading my lifelong habit, and I hold your instruction as my heart and soul.
By your mercy, Poonam has been serving consistently at the Wyndham Hare Krishna Centre, preparing breakfast every Sunday morning for the last year. She has also kept a steady discipline of completing her chanting during Brahma-muhūrta before starting her day. Although she does not read Śrīla Prabhupāda's books directly, she actively chooses to discuss spiritual topics and their practical application.
We are also deeply grateful for your continuous encouragement of Gaura Sundara over the past year. It has inspired him to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa regularly and to memorise key verses from the Bhagavad-gītā.
I pray to develop true guru-niṣṭhā, to see you as Kṛṣṇa's representative, and to become your humble instrument. Without your mercy, I am helpless and lost.
Śrīla Gurudeva, I beg for your continued guidance and blessings. Please help me remain steady in devotional service, always remember the holy name, and serve the Vaiṣṇavas with humility and love. May I one day become a sincere instrument in your service, pleasing you by my actions and not just by my words.
Your servant,
Aatmeshwar Kṛṣṇa Dāsa & Family
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Guru-paramparā.
Here are some highlights of the year 2026.
Following your divine instructions, I have started reading the Fifth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I am striving to make daily book reading my lifelong habit, and I hold your instruction as my heart and soul.
By your mercy, Poonam has been serving consistently at the Wyndham Hare Krishna Centre, preparing breakfast every Sunday morning for the last year. She has also kept a steady discipline of completing her chanting during Brahma-muhūrta before starting her day. Although she does not read Śrīla Prabhupāda's books directly, she actively chooses to discuss spiritual topics and their practical application.
We are also deeply grateful for your continuous encouragement of Gaura Sundara over the past year. It has inspired him to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa regularly and to memorise key verses from the Bhagavad-gītā.
I pray to develop true guru-niṣṭhā, to see you as Kṛṣṇa's representative, and to become your humble instrument. Without your mercy, I am helpless and lost.
Śrīla Gurudeva, I beg for your continued guidance and blessings. Please help me remain steady in devotional service, always remember the holy name, and serve the Vaiṣṇavas with humility and love. May I one day become a sincere instrument in your service, pleasing you by my actions and not just by my words.
Your servant,
Aatmeshwar Kṛṣṇa Dāsa & Family
Akarsini
Dear Gurudeva
Please Accept My Humble Obeicences
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Washing up on the welcoming shores of the Auckland Loft a Guru was not something I expected to find there and it was not something I was looking for. Family and school taught me yoga and incense sticks were weird and eastern mysticism was superstition was the devils invention.
I did not take much time in your association to detect that you were a true religious person which made me feel safe, although I never expected a saintly person to be so intense, being the timid wreck that I was it felt like you were yelling at me most if the time with no filters on the truth.
As the years race past the realities of this age become much brighter and can see this kind of heaviness is often required to penetrate such a dense and dull headed being such as myself. Sometimes I look around the room at he audience while you are giving outreach talks and notice a few alert guests grasping the content of your presentation and many others appear to be staring into outer space like zombies, looking at something on the wall or ceiling and occasionally nodding off or sometimes actually asleep.
You are everything I’m not. Determined, patient, strategic, intelligent, full of compassion, and so much more. Plus you are always right. Trying to uplift the the society from the quick sand of Kali Yuga seems an impossible task, like trying to talk to room of dodo birds. I could never do that.
Thank you for arranging organised loving in-reach and out-reach to aid one’s progression in Bhakti.
From the Loft I made tracks to Wellington and rapidly appeared on your worry list. All beaten up by the bad ocean of uncontrolled sensual pleasure I got all bandaged up by your loving assistants. Regardless of the mountain of plans you hold in your hands to save the world you kindly arranged practical help for this damaged appliance that was dumped on your doorstep.
Thank you for being a real friend and shelter, trying to give guidance is not such an easy thing to do.
Wishing I could be as fearless like you, organised, enthusiastic and up-to-date.
Trying to b your servant
Akarsini
Please Accept My Humble Obeicences
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Washing up on the welcoming shores of the Auckland Loft a Guru was not something I expected to find there and it was not something I was looking for. Family and school taught me yoga and incense sticks were weird and eastern mysticism was superstition was the devils invention.
I did not take much time in your association to detect that you were a true religious person which made me feel safe, although I never expected a saintly person to be so intense, being the timid wreck that I was it felt like you were yelling at me most if the time with no filters on the truth.
As the years race past the realities of this age become much brighter and can see this kind of heaviness is often required to penetrate such a dense and dull headed being such as myself. Sometimes I look around the room at he audience while you are giving outreach talks and notice a few alert guests grasping the content of your presentation and many others appear to be staring into outer space like zombies, looking at something on the wall or ceiling and occasionally nodding off or sometimes actually asleep.
You are everything I’m not. Determined, patient, strategic, intelligent, full of compassion, and so much more. Plus you are always right. Trying to uplift the the society from the quick sand of Kali Yuga seems an impossible task, like trying to talk to room of dodo birds. I could never do that.
Thank you for arranging organised loving in-reach and out-reach to aid one’s progression in Bhakti.
From the Loft I made tracks to Wellington and rapidly appeared on your worry list. All beaten up by the bad ocean of uncontrolled sensual pleasure I got all bandaged up by your loving assistants. Regardless of the mountain of plans you hold in your hands to save the world you kindly arranged practical help for this damaged appliance that was dumped on your doorstep.
Thank you for being a real friend and shelter, trying to give guidance is not such an easy thing to do.
Wishing I could be as fearless like you, organised, enthusiastic and up-to-date.
Trying to b your servant
Akarsini
Alexandra
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humble Obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
From the very first encounter I've had with you, I felt something within me awaken. Your words, presence and association have brought a depth of meaning and transformation in my life that I am deeply grateful for.
You embody the qualities of a true leader that the world needs. I am so grateful that you generously share what you have learned and experience with those who are in need. The light and compassion you share have a ripple effect, touching lives in many ways.
From the depths of my heart, thank you for sharing your wisdom, knowledge, compassion and kindness. I am eternally grateful and inspired.
Your servant,
Alexandra.
Please accept my humble Obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
From the very first encounter I've had with you, I felt something within me awaken. Your words, presence and association have brought a depth of meaning and transformation in my life that I am deeply grateful for.
You embody the qualities of a true leader that the world needs. I am so grateful that you generously share what you have learned and experience with those who are in need. The light and compassion you share have a ripple effect, touching lives in many ways.
From the depths of my heart, thank you for sharing your wisdom, knowledge, compassion and kindness. I am eternally grateful and inspired.
Your servant,
Alexandra.
Amrita-Tattva Dasa
Dear Gurudev,
please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Shrila Prabhupada,
“There is no certainty when the last breath will come and put an abrupt halt to all one’s material plans; therefore it is wise to always practice chanting from very childhood—The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” Kevalastakam (4)
The first time we met I was 22, which is not quite my childhood. But early enough. It seems like the older materialistic people get, the more rigid they are. So I'm trying my best to invest in the holy name, by your order, to attain real success.
We just spent a weekend away with all the devotees on the countryside around Swansea, its nice to recharge spiritually. Sometimes chanting feels like a potent ambrosia surcharged with nectar, vibrating, sparking with energy. Other days it is very humbling, especially when trying to chant extended number of rounds.. when will the taste come? Chanting like I swallowed a bumble bee - humming between my jaws.
The miracle of Bhakti is how it engages you throughout the whole day - the whole life. Its not just “I’m spiritual 15 min a day”.
In the morning I just like to get straight into the chanting - if possible all 16 rounds in one go as soon as possible. Since the chanting gives true life - vidya vadhu jivanam. It helps us to make the right decision - with clarity.
Day after day I’m striving
dreaming of arriving
In the world lost in thoughts
people passing, cars passing
Falling asleep in the ashrama
feeling protected - ashrama means shelter
I feel cared for, looked after
Krsna understands
Flashback to my time in Berlin
I was always feeling lost
Taking pills to study, no sleep at night
running to relax, opposite the effect
Like a stranger in a big city
alienated - confused - lonely although surrounded by people
I always wanted to play melancholic music on the piano when I grew up, I used to sing this song
“All around me are familiar faces
Worn-out places, worn-out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
And their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow ..”
now I can understand how the Bhagavatam confirms..
prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya
kalāv asmin yuge janāḥ
mandāḥ sumanda-matayo
manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ
O learned one, in this iron Age of Kali men almost always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.
My dear spiritual master, I was no one special, I wasn’t a great scholar, nor very creative. Just an average kind of person that got saved by the onslaught of Kali yuga. By seeing krishna out of all the zeros in my life there emerges a one - all of us have a unique ability to serve krsna. You named me Amrita Tattva, so let me try to teach the nectarean truth. Please empower me.
Thank you for saving me from the scorching heat of the forest fire of material existence. I’ve been crushed by the waves of material existence, thinking it to be the waves of happiness. The impulses of ecstasy. Drops of JOY. - Though it was only the electric shocks someone gave me at a psychological experiment. Pathetic, pale, putrid, polluted.
Please help me to continue devotional service for good - until the end of my life & forever ahaituky apratihatā yayātmā suprasīdati. Let me never fall down again into the Waves of maya, even in times of high tide. May my hands be stuck with super glue & bound by ropes with strong knots to your lotus feet, so I’ll never get swept away again. Holding on - Holding on to your instructions… cause they are the only boat that can save me.
Your insignificant servant,
Amrita-Tattva Dasa
please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Shrila Prabhupada,
“There is no certainty when the last breath will come and put an abrupt halt to all one’s material plans; therefore it is wise to always practice chanting from very childhood—The holy name of Sri Hari alone is everything.” Kevalastakam (4)
The first time we met I was 22, which is not quite my childhood. But early enough. It seems like the older materialistic people get, the more rigid they are. So I'm trying my best to invest in the holy name, by your order, to attain real success.
We just spent a weekend away with all the devotees on the countryside around Swansea, its nice to recharge spiritually. Sometimes chanting feels like a potent ambrosia surcharged with nectar, vibrating, sparking with energy. Other days it is very humbling, especially when trying to chant extended number of rounds.. when will the taste come? Chanting like I swallowed a bumble bee - humming between my jaws.
The miracle of Bhakti is how it engages you throughout the whole day - the whole life. Its not just “I’m spiritual 15 min a day”.
In the morning I just like to get straight into the chanting - if possible all 16 rounds in one go as soon as possible. Since the chanting gives true life - vidya vadhu jivanam. It helps us to make the right decision - with clarity.
Day after day I’m striving
dreaming of arriving
In the world lost in thoughts
people passing, cars passing
Falling asleep in the ashrama
feeling protected - ashrama means shelter
I feel cared for, looked after
Krsna understands
Flashback to my time in Berlin
I was always feeling lost
Taking pills to study, no sleep at night
running to relax, opposite the effect
Like a stranger in a big city
alienated - confused - lonely although surrounded by people
I always wanted to play melancholic music on the piano when I grew up, I used to sing this song
“All around me are familiar faces
Worn-out places, worn-out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
And their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow ..”
now I can understand how the Bhagavatam confirms..
prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya
kalāv asmin yuge janāḥ
mandāḥ sumanda-matayo
manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ
O learned one, in this iron Age of Kali men almost always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.
My dear spiritual master, I was no one special, I wasn’t a great scholar, nor very creative. Just an average kind of person that got saved by the onslaught of Kali yuga. By seeing krishna out of all the zeros in my life there emerges a one - all of us have a unique ability to serve krsna. You named me Amrita Tattva, so let me try to teach the nectarean truth. Please empower me.
Thank you for saving me from the scorching heat of the forest fire of material existence. I’ve been crushed by the waves of material existence, thinking it to be the waves of happiness. The impulses of ecstasy. Drops of JOY. - Though it was only the electric shocks someone gave me at a psychological experiment. Pathetic, pale, putrid, polluted.
Please help me to continue devotional service for good - until the end of my life & forever ahaituky apratihatā yayātmā suprasīdati. Let me never fall down again into the Waves of maya, even in times of high tide. May my hands be stuck with super glue & bound by ropes with strong knots to your lotus feet, so I’ll never get swept away again. Holding on - Holding on to your instructions… cause they are the only boat that can save me.
Your insignificant servant,
Amrita-Tattva Dasa
Anadi Kaisora dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja,
As the years go by in Bhakti and the freshness fades I’m left clinging to the withered up revelation that I need to work on my spiritual vision. Meanwhile, I look up to you, who continues, year after year, to offer such beautifully inspired enthusiastic service to Srila Prabhupada.
The material energy contaminates our heart so easily, we may even think we’ve struck gold before realising how much filth we’ve been caught up in. Meanwhile, I look up to you, who purifies that which you come in contact with. The things you touch, the places you visit and the people who encounter you are blessed by those encounters. By your full surrender to the sankirtan mission and by the offering of your soft heart in devotional service to Lord Caitanya you are a via-medium between this realm and the spiritual world.
The world is full of such misery, confusion and quarrel, and for want of Krishna consciousness we so easily place our faith in other things, which only let us down. Meanwhile I look up to you, whose glance is visibly impregnated with Krishna vision, looking compassionately upon the denizens of Kali Yuga, and offering your hand to lift them out of that suffering.
Everyone performs activities to serve themselves, even many activities which externally look like devotional service or some form of “seva” are largely self-motivated. Realising this has left me with questions about my own intentions and the intentions of some who I’ve been influenced by recently. But my mind takes great solace in the fact that I have absolutely no doubts about you, I am under the wing of a selfless servant of Krishna.
I am sorry, because recently it dawned on me that I lost track of the source of my spiritual nourishment. By slipping into prioritising other people and relationships, I undermined my connection with you and Tarakanatha. My recourse is to take inspiration from you by appreciating how exclusively you have sold out to Srila Prabhupada’s mission with an unshakable foundation in Bhakti. Please bless me to swim strongly against the materialistic current by attending as much of morning programme as possible (before travelling to work), endeavour to chant my rounds without offence and read Srila Prabhupada’s books every day with my wife, so that I can progress in my spiritual life.
Only Rādhe Syam know how much service you’ve rendered and the number of hearts you’ve turned back towards them. But from where I sit I can see the tip of the ice berg, and it’s awe inspiring.
Your increasingly unqualified yet still aspiring servant,
Anadi Kaisora dasa
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja,
As the years go by in Bhakti and the freshness fades I’m left clinging to the withered up revelation that I need to work on my spiritual vision. Meanwhile, I look up to you, who continues, year after year, to offer such beautifully inspired enthusiastic service to Srila Prabhupada.
The material energy contaminates our heart so easily, we may even think we’ve struck gold before realising how much filth we’ve been caught up in. Meanwhile, I look up to you, who purifies that which you come in contact with. The things you touch, the places you visit and the people who encounter you are blessed by those encounters. By your full surrender to the sankirtan mission and by the offering of your soft heart in devotional service to Lord Caitanya you are a via-medium between this realm and the spiritual world.
The world is full of such misery, confusion and quarrel, and for want of Krishna consciousness we so easily place our faith in other things, which only let us down. Meanwhile I look up to you, whose glance is visibly impregnated with Krishna vision, looking compassionately upon the denizens of Kali Yuga, and offering your hand to lift them out of that suffering.
Everyone performs activities to serve themselves, even many activities which externally look like devotional service or some form of “seva” are largely self-motivated. Realising this has left me with questions about my own intentions and the intentions of some who I’ve been influenced by recently. But my mind takes great solace in the fact that I have absolutely no doubts about you, I am under the wing of a selfless servant of Krishna.
I am sorry, because recently it dawned on me that I lost track of the source of my spiritual nourishment. By slipping into prioritising other people and relationships, I undermined my connection with you and Tarakanatha. My recourse is to take inspiration from you by appreciating how exclusively you have sold out to Srila Prabhupada’s mission with an unshakable foundation in Bhakti. Please bless me to swim strongly against the materialistic current by attending as much of morning programme as possible (before travelling to work), endeavour to chant my rounds without offence and read Srila Prabhupada’s books every day with my wife, so that I can progress in my spiritual life.
Only Rādhe Syam know how much service you’ve rendered and the number of hearts you’ve turned back towards them. But from where I sit I can see the tip of the ice berg, and it’s awe inspiring.
Your increasingly unqualified yet still aspiring servant,
Anadi Kaisora dasa
Ananda-candra
Hare Krsna!
Wishing you a full cup and more of all that inspires you in Bhakti this year.
Thank you for the various plug ins, services and team opportunities available in Wellington, which form everlasting connections transforming frowns into smiles that move with vibrancy.
With fortune and gratitude,
Ananda-candra
Wishing you a full cup and more of all that inspires you in Bhakti this year.
Thank you for the various plug ins, services and team opportunities available in Wellington, which form everlasting connections transforming frowns into smiles that move with vibrancy.
With fortune and gratitude,
Ananda-candra
Ananta-naga das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my sincere, humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you!
You are a rare example of a bona fide spiritual master who is fully immersed in the service of Krishna. Your mind is absorbed in the pastimes of Krishna, your words are always glorifying Krishna, and your actions are constantly creating arrangements to bring others into Krishna's service.
Various Vedic texts confirm that an individual is extraordinarily fortunate to meet a bona fide spiritual master, and that serving such a person opens the door to rapid spiritual advancement. On the contrary, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam warns:
“The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord’s pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body. And the person who has never experienced the aroma of the tulasī leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body, although breathing.“ (SB 2.3.23)
Looking at my work colleagues—who do not have devotional service in their lives, and some of whom have been in the same place for 30 or 40 years doing the same old thing—I am vividly reminded of my own fortune. I deeply desire to share this fortune with them, though it is not always easy. Sometimes it truly feels as though I am surrounded by "dead bodies"—they are moving about and breathing, yet there is no Krishna in their lives.
I constantly meditate on my inconceivable good fortune in meeting you and being engaged by you in devotional service. Without your mercy, I too would be one of these walking "dead bodies," living without any chance of spiritual emancipation.
One of my colleagues was born in India, yet he had never read the Bhagavad-gita and instead resorted to "reading comics to kill time." On his last day with the company, he received a copy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is as a gift and promised to read it. I sincerely hope that by your and Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, he can begin making spiritual progress in this lifetime.
Through these experiences, I realize that devotional service is an immense privilege. Although no material qualification is required to begin devotional service, meeting you has given me firm faith in this sublime process.
Lord Brahma prays:
“My dear Lord, I therefore pray to be so fortunate that in this life as Lord Brahmā or in another life, wherever I take my birth, I may be counted as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even among the animal species, I can engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet.” (SB 10.14.30)
I wholeheartedly share Lord Brahma’s sentiment. I pray that I will always remain engaged in devotional service at your lotus feet and continue to assist your mission to the best of my ability.
Your insignificant servant,
Ananta-naga das
Please accept my sincere, humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you!
You are a rare example of a bona fide spiritual master who is fully immersed in the service of Krishna. Your mind is absorbed in the pastimes of Krishna, your words are always glorifying Krishna, and your actions are constantly creating arrangements to bring others into Krishna's service.
Various Vedic texts confirm that an individual is extraordinarily fortunate to meet a bona fide spiritual master, and that serving such a person opens the door to rapid spiritual advancement. On the contrary, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam warns:
“The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord’s pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body. And the person who has never experienced the aroma of the tulasī leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body, although breathing.“ (SB 2.3.23)
Looking at my work colleagues—who do not have devotional service in their lives, and some of whom have been in the same place for 30 or 40 years doing the same old thing—I am vividly reminded of my own fortune. I deeply desire to share this fortune with them, though it is not always easy. Sometimes it truly feels as though I am surrounded by "dead bodies"—they are moving about and breathing, yet there is no Krishna in their lives.
I constantly meditate on my inconceivable good fortune in meeting you and being engaged by you in devotional service. Without your mercy, I too would be one of these walking "dead bodies," living without any chance of spiritual emancipation.
One of my colleagues was born in India, yet he had never read the Bhagavad-gita and instead resorted to "reading comics to kill time." On his last day with the company, he received a copy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is as a gift and promised to read it. I sincerely hope that by your and Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, he can begin making spiritual progress in this lifetime.
Through these experiences, I realize that devotional service is an immense privilege. Although no material qualification is required to begin devotional service, meeting you has given me firm faith in this sublime process.
Lord Brahma prays:
“My dear Lord, I therefore pray to be so fortunate that in this life as Lord Brahmā or in another life, wherever I take my birth, I may be counted as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even among the animal species, I can engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet.” (SB 10.14.30)
I wholeheartedly share Lord Brahma’s sentiment. I pray that I will always remain engaged in devotional service at your lotus feet and continue to assist your mission to the best of my ability.
Your insignificant servant,
Ananta-naga das
Ananya-bhakti devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance.
On this day, I give thanks to Srila Prabhupada and Radha Damodara, because without their mercy and blessings you wouldn't have appeared in my life. I also thank you for your causelesss mercy and for taking me under your shelter and providing guidance and unconditional care like a loving father. And I thank you the most for continuing to care for and accept me even when I don't deserve it.
This speaks highly of your qualifications and qualities, of which you have many. I am always particularly inspired by and grateful for your ability to preach in a way that is most effective for that particular individual or culture. If it wasnt for your innovative and unconventional approach to preaching in New Zealand, I dont know if I would have ever taken to the path of bhakti. I've wondered how it was that I had never met a devotee before moving to New Zealand, especially when there was a temple where i had lived for many years and preaching outreach in my university. Later I learned that they would go on harinama in the very street where I would often spend my weekends in bars and nightclubs. But I know that Krishna arranged it this way, because I wouldn't have even given those devotees a chance if I knew what they were about. Krishna had to trick me into being a devotee, and he used you to do that. For that I will forever be grateful and indebted to you.
I ask for your forgiveness for all of the ways that I fall short as your disciple and pray that you will never give up on me. I pray to aspire to be a daughter that you can be proud of and to one day be of service to you and your preaching mission.
Your aspiring servant and daughter,
Ananya-bhakti devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance.
On this day, I give thanks to Srila Prabhupada and Radha Damodara, because without their mercy and blessings you wouldn't have appeared in my life. I also thank you for your causelesss mercy and for taking me under your shelter and providing guidance and unconditional care like a loving father. And I thank you the most for continuing to care for and accept me even when I don't deserve it.
This speaks highly of your qualifications and qualities, of which you have many. I am always particularly inspired by and grateful for your ability to preach in a way that is most effective for that particular individual or culture. If it wasnt for your innovative and unconventional approach to preaching in New Zealand, I dont know if I would have ever taken to the path of bhakti. I've wondered how it was that I had never met a devotee before moving to New Zealand, especially when there was a temple where i had lived for many years and preaching outreach in my university. Later I learned that they would go on harinama in the very street where I would often spend my weekends in bars and nightclubs. But I know that Krishna arranged it this way, because I wouldn't have even given those devotees a chance if I knew what they were about. Krishna had to trick me into being a devotee, and he used you to do that. For that I will forever be grateful and indebted to you.
I ask for your forgiveness for all of the ways that I fall short as your disciple and pray that you will never give up on me. I pray to aspire to be a daughter that you can be proud of and to one day be of service to you and your preaching mission.
Your aspiring servant and daughter,
Ananya-bhakti devi dasi
Andrew Traveller
Dear Devamrita Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Our encounters over the years remind me of a bedraggled, bewildered and beaten-up buffoon before a radiant, realised and resplendent ṛṣi. They have served to reinforce my total dependence, indebtedness and deep appreciation of you, dear Mahārāja - your wisdom, mercy and love beyond measure.
I recall one heart-wrenchingly tender episode. After months spent in the wilderness, by the mercy of Guru and Gauranga, I had found my way back to Gaura Yoga (present day Bhakti Lounge) – a true āśrama sheltering and awakening the sleeping souls. If the sense of relief from entering the soothing shelter of such a bhakti-infused atmosphere were not enough, I saw you walking down the hallway. You saw me, stopped. Without reservation, you spontaneously gave me a warm, affectionate hug. “Welcome back”.
What did I do to deserve this? I could not understand the cause, the care - so alien in Kali-yuga. What could possibly warrant such genuine care?
The answer, of course, is nothing on my part. The action, purely spiritual and unmotivated, stemmed entirely from you - a pure-hearted, sawn-like and causelessly-merciful emissary of divine grace.
How fortunate I am. How fortunate we are.
As Srila Prabhupada said on a morning walk in Māyāpur on 17 March 1976, “The mercy may be causeless, but the mercy is the cause.”
That’s it. Through that one gesture, a simple hug, you exemplified this quote, this mercy.
When you multiply one such gesture by a lifetime of selfless service, your impact is without measure.
For me, it is you, with the help of your disciples, that reawakened me to the path home, back to Kṛṣṇa. You are the cause of any spiritual progress I might make.
jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā haite
"My dear brothers! It is through the grace of our spiritual master that we can cross over this material existence and attain Kṛṣṇa."
I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto you.
As I strive, seemingly with futility like a fallen fool, to deepen my sadhana, sevā and śaraṇāgati, I begin to glimpse the real futility of material enjoyment: the striving for sense gratification, material relationships, accumulation and reputation.
As Kṛṣṇa concludes in the Bhagavad Gita:
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."
It is only through your association, mercy and guidance that I can attempt to strive to return home, to return to my true relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
As I dive deeper, the more I appreciate the depth and breadth of bhakti. And by extension, I appreciate more and more the depth and breadth of your bhakti; your intimate relationship with Kṛṣṇa through guru-paramparā; your immense kindness, mercy and śakti; and the skilfulness and sophistication of your service.
Now based in Europe, I can step back and reflect on my journey in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness - where I come from and where I want to go.
When I do so, I miss you. I miss the devotees in New Zealand.
But I realise that longing is also appreciation. Appreciation of how you have powerfully advanced the flood of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s saṅkīrtana mission - the boundless outpouring of causeless mercy, inundating the world with the holy name and awakening the dormant love of Kṛṣṇa in every heart.
It is my desire to contribute to that mission under your guidance.
All I can do is throw myself at your feet, beg to serve you, beg for you to accept me, and beg for forgiveness for my inadequacy.
Please accept me as your servant.
Andy.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Our encounters over the years remind me of a bedraggled, bewildered and beaten-up buffoon before a radiant, realised and resplendent ṛṣi. They have served to reinforce my total dependence, indebtedness and deep appreciation of you, dear Mahārāja - your wisdom, mercy and love beyond measure.
I recall one heart-wrenchingly tender episode. After months spent in the wilderness, by the mercy of Guru and Gauranga, I had found my way back to Gaura Yoga (present day Bhakti Lounge) – a true āśrama sheltering and awakening the sleeping souls. If the sense of relief from entering the soothing shelter of such a bhakti-infused atmosphere were not enough, I saw you walking down the hallway. You saw me, stopped. Without reservation, you spontaneously gave me a warm, affectionate hug. “Welcome back”.
What did I do to deserve this? I could not understand the cause, the care - so alien in Kali-yuga. What could possibly warrant such genuine care?
The answer, of course, is nothing on my part. The action, purely spiritual and unmotivated, stemmed entirely from you - a pure-hearted, sawn-like and causelessly-merciful emissary of divine grace.
How fortunate I am. How fortunate we are.
As Srila Prabhupada said on a morning walk in Māyāpur on 17 March 1976, “The mercy may be causeless, but the mercy is the cause.”
That’s it. Through that one gesture, a simple hug, you exemplified this quote, this mercy.
When you multiply one such gesture by a lifetime of selfless service, your impact is without measure.
For me, it is you, with the help of your disciples, that reawakened me to the path home, back to Kṛṣṇa. You are the cause of any spiritual progress I might make.
jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā haite
"My dear brothers! It is through the grace of our spiritual master that we can cross over this material existence and attain Kṛṣṇa."
I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto you.
As I strive, seemingly with futility like a fallen fool, to deepen my sadhana, sevā and śaraṇāgati, I begin to glimpse the real futility of material enjoyment: the striving for sense gratification, material relationships, accumulation and reputation.
As Kṛṣṇa concludes in the Bhagavad Gita:
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."
It is only through your association, mercy and guidance that I can attempt to strive to return home, to return to my true relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
As I dive deeper, the more I appreciate the depth and breadth of bhakti. And by extension, I appreciate more and more the depth and breadth of your bhakti; your intimate relationship with Kṛṣṇa through guru-paramparā; your immense kindness, mercy and śakti; and the skilfulness and sophistication of your service.
Now based in Europe, I can step back and reflect on my journey in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness - where I come from and where I want to go.
When I do so, I miss you. I miss the devotees in New Zealand.
But I realise that longing is also appreciation. Appreciation of how you have powerfully advanced the flood of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s saṅkīrtana mission - the boundless outpouring of causeless mercy, inundating the world with the holy name and awakening the dormant love of Kṛṣṇa in every heart.
It is my desire to contribute to that mission under your guidance.
All I can do is throw myself at your feet, beg to serve you, beg for you to accept me, and beg for forgiveness for my inadequacy.
Please accept me as your servant.
Andy.
Aprameya Krsna Das
Hare Krishna dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this occasion, I am yet again humbled for the opportunity to offer a some words of glorification and appreciation to you. I always find writing these offerings quite challenging. Throughout the year, we receive so much through your guidance, instructions and example, yet when the opportunity comes to express our gratitude, it is surprisingly difficult to know where to begin, let alone do justice to the qualities we wish to glorify.
This year, however, while reading Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, I read a passage that seemed very fitting for this occasion. Within Volume 2, Chapter 7 of the Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, there are six very beautiful verses, where Srila Sanatana Goswami describes qualities of a great Vaishnava that immediately reminded me of you.
Gopa Kumara, now known as Sarupa, has reached Goloka Vrindavan and is sharing his experiences of Krishna and His pastimes with a brahmana from Mathura. In texts 9–10, Sarupa reveals that Srimati Radharani Herself had instructed him to meet this brahmana, enlighten him, console him, and help him attain Krishna’s mercy. What I find particularly wonderful is Sarupa’s response. In text 11, he explains that he immediately and joyfully fulfilled Her instruction, without even considering the happiness he would miss from Krishna’s personal association.
Then, in text 12, Sarupa sees that although the brahmana has heard so much, the treasure of pure love has still not awakened within his heart. And so, he simply places his hand upon the brahmana’s head. In text 13, we hear that, by the mercy of this great soul, everything Sarupa himself had experienced suddenly becomes revealed within the brahmana’s heart, as though he had experienced it himself.
And then comes text 14, which explicitly glorifies the extraordinary power of association with a great Vaishnava.
mahat-sangama-mahatmyam
evaitat paramadbhutam
krtartho yena vipro ’sau
sadyo ’bhut tat-svarupa-vat
“Such are the most amazing glories of contact with a great saint. By that contact, this brahmana suddenly achieved perfection, realizing his eternal identity.”
Sarupa exhibits so many wonderful qualities within these verses: his eagerness to fulfil the instruction of Srimati Radharani, his willingness to forgo his own happiness for the benefit of another, and, above all, his extraordinary ability to awaken devotion within another’s heart. However, what struck me most about these verses is how wonderfully they describe the very qualities that you exemplify. Your determination to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s mission by making Krishna consciousness accessible to Western audiences, your willingness to sacrifice personal comforts by travelling on your own, around the world, to meet, inspire and cultivate devotees and congregations, and your ability to bring out the best in those you associate with.
Through the conversations and interactions I have had with you, I particularly appreciate this last quality. You don’t simply come down to someone’s level and meet them where they are. Rather, through your compassion, you have a remarkable ability to bring them up towards yours, encouraging them to think beyond their present limitations and take their spiritual lives more seriously.
And perhaps this is why I often find that some of the most significant developments in my spiritual life take place after you leave. It’s only then that I begin to recognise how much your association has influenced me, often awakening a deeper appreciation, inspiration and realisation within my service and sadhana. Through your example and association, we have the opportunity to witness some of the most remarkable qualities of a great Vaishnava firsthand. It brings to life why Srila Sanatana Goswami describes mahat-sangama, the association of a great soul, as paramadbhutam, supremely amazing. It truly is.
I can only aspire to continue following in your mood of service by following your numerous instructions you have given me, dedicating myself to your mission to the best of my ability, and endeavouring to extend to others even a fraction of the mercy you have so generously given us.
Your servant,
Aprameya Krsna Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this occasion, I am yet again humbled for the opportunity to offer a some words of glorification and appreciation to you. I always find writing these offerings quite challenging. Throughout the year, we receive so much through your guidance, instructions and example, yet when the opportunity comes to express our gratitude, it is surprisingly difficult to know where to begin, let alone do justice to the qualities we wish to glorify.
This year, however, while reading Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, I read a passage that seemed very fitting for this occasion. Within Volume 2, Chapter 7 of the Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta, there are six very beautiful verses, where Srila Sanatana Goswami describes qualities of a great Vaishnava that immediately reminded me of you.
Gopa Kumara, now known as Sarupa, has reached Goloka Vrindavan and is sharing his experiences of Krishna and His pastimes with a brahmana from Mathura. In texts 9–10, Sarupa reveals that Srimati Radharani Herself had instructed him to meet this brahmana, enlighten him, console him, and help him attain Krishna’s mercy. What I find particularly wonderful is Sarupa’s response. In text 11, he explains that he immediately and joyfully fulfilled Her instruction, without even considering the happiness he would miss from Krishna’s personal association.
Then, in text 12, Sarupa sees that although the brahmana has heard so much, the treasure of pure love has still not awakened within his heart. And so, he simply places his hand upon the brahmana’s head. In text 13, we hear that, by the mercy of this great soul, everything Sarupa himself had experienced suddenly becomes revealed within the brahmana’s heart, as though he had experienced it himself.
And then comes text 14, which explicitly glorifies the extraordinary power of association with a great Vaishnava.
mahat-sangama-mahatmyam
evaitat paramadbhutam
krtartho yena vipro ’sau
sadyo ’bhut tat-svarupa-vat
“Such are the most amazing glories of contact with a great saint. By that contact, this brahmana suddenly achieved perfection, realizing his eternal identity.”
Sarupa exhibits so many wonderful qualities within these verses: his eagerness to fulfil the instruction of Srimati Radharani, his willingness to forgo his own happiness for the benefit of another, and, above all, his extraordinary ability to awaken devotion within another’s heart. However, what struck me most about these verses is how wonderfully they describe the very qualities that you exemplify. Your determination to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s mission by making Krishna consciousness accessible to Western audiences, your willingness to sacrifice personal comforts by travelling on your own, around the world, to meet, inspire and cultivate devotees and congregations, and your ability to bring out the best in those you associate with.
Through the conversations and interactions I have had with you, I particularly appreciate this last quality. You don’t simply come down to someone’s level and meet them where they are. Rather, through your compassion, you have a remarkable ability to bring them up towards yours, encouraging them to think beyond their present limitations and take their spiritual lives more seriously.
And perhaps this is why I often find that some of the most significant developments in my spiritual life take place after you leave. It’s only then that I begin to recognise how much your association has influenced me, often awakening a deeper appreciation, inspiration and realisation within my service and sadhana. Through your example and association, we have the opportunity to witness some of the most remarkable qualities of a great Vaishnava firsthand. It brings to life why Srila Sanatana Goswami describes mahat-sangama, the association of a great soul, as paramadbhutam, supremely amazing. It truly is.
I can only aspire to continue following in your mood of service by following your numerous instructions you have given me, dedicating myself to your mission to the best of my ability, and endeavouring to extend to others even a fraction of the mercy you have so generously given us.
Your servant,
Aprameya Krsna Das
Aravinda Nabha 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.
Recently I have thought a lot about Srila prabhupadas mission sung every morning in his pranam mantra. Your relationship with this mission is also reflected in your own pranam mantra. Both mantras share the same emphasis on the deliverance of the western world.
I always knew what we had in north island was special, your outreach centres are unique opportunities for western persons to feel at home while developing their relationship with Krishna and his devotees.
Located Far south of your nearest out reach centre I find myself appreciating your brilliance with deeper perspective.
As I encounter lost souls who appear ripe for the adventure of Krishna consciousness, I wonder how will we help them? Where is the facility to befriend them, educate them, feed them, and ultimately engage them in the service of the panchatattva.
Having made a small attempt at having our own home programs, I lie awake at night thinking how much work you have done to create a functional outreach centre. It’s not just making devotees (an extraordinary feat in of itself) but it’s training cooks, musicians, managers, speakers , cultivators, book distributors and so on. Then there is the growth and development of each individual who comes through the centre. You’ve developed ashrams, mentors, festivals and connection to the broader ISKCON world.
Feeling myself to be on some sort of exile from a devotional paradise, I’m realising my own dependency on your outreach centres. It’s not just those coming who receive lord Caitanya’s mercy, but it’s also those who are involved in the distribution of that mercy.
You have always told us the more you give Krishna, the more you get Krishna. I often think back to my ashram life - kitchari from a flask on queen st and repeated rejection person after person on a cold winters day. All that austerity was quickly vanquished after cooking a feast at the loft or talking with guests and seeing their faith develop.
I’m grateful for your educating me in the science of krishna consciousness and additionally your patience and understanding of my own imperfections and lack of spirituality maturity.
On this auspicious day of your appearance I pray for the intelligence and enthusiasm to remain always in a spirit out reach whatever my activities may be for maintaining this grhasta ashram.
Your servant
Aravinda nabha das.
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Recently I have thought a lot about Srila prabhupadas mission sung every morning in his pranam mantra. Your relationship with this mission is also reflected in your own pranam mantra. Both mantras share the same emphasis on the deliverance of the western world.
I always knew what we had in north island was special, your outreach centres are unique opportunities for western persons to feel at home while developing their relationship with Krishna and his devotees.
Located Far south of your nearest out reach centre I find myself appreciating your brilliance with deeper perspective.
As I encounter lost souls who appear ripe for the adventure of Krishna consciousness, I wonder how will we help them? Where is the facility to befriend them, educate them, feed them, and ultimately engage them in the service of the panchatattva.
Having made a small attempt at having our own home programs, I lie awake at night thinking how much work you have done to create a functional outreach centre. It’s not just making devotees (an extraordinary feat in of itself) but it’s training cooks, musicians, managers, speakers , cultivators, book distributors and so on. Then there is the growth and development of each individual who comes through the centre. You’ve developed ashrams, mentors, festivals and connection to the broader ISKCON world.
Feeling myself to be on some sort of exile from a devotional paradise, I’m realising my own dependency on your outreach centres. It’s not just those coming who receive lord Caitanya’s mercy, but it’s also those who are involved in the distribution of that mercy.
You have always told us the more you give Krishna, the more you get Krishna. I often think back to my ashram life - kitchari from a flask on queen st and repeated rejection person after person on a cold winters day. All that austerity was quickly vanquished after cooking a feast at the loft or talking with guests and seeing their faith develop.
I’m grateful for your educating me in the science of krishna consciousness and additionally your patience and understanding of my own imperfections and lack of spirituality maturity.
On this auspicious day of your appearance I pray for the intelligence and enthusiasm to remain always in a spirit out reach whatever my activities may be for maintaining this grhasta ashram.
Your servant
Aravinda nabha das.
Ārta Bandhu dāsa
My dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every year when your Vyas Puja comes around, I find myself thinking about what your presence in my life really means to me. There are many things I could write, but what comes to my heart most strongly is gratitude.
You accepted me as your disciple and gave me the name Ārta Bandhu dāsa. Over time, I have come to understand that a spiritual name is not simply something we are given. It is something we have to grow into. I still have a long way to go, but I hope that by your mercy I can gradually become worthy of the name you gave me.
The instruction you gave me to serve your Godbrother, His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu, has remained very close to my heart. I am continuing to serve him with my heart and soul, and I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity. There are many moments when I think about how this service is directly connected to your desire for me. That thought gives me strength and makes the service feel even more meaningful.
Through this service, I have also learned that spiritual life is not always about doing something extraordinary. Sometimes it is simply about being there, taking responsibility, helping when needed, and continuing with sincerity even when nobody is watching. I am grateful that your instruction has given me an opportunity to learn this.
Gurudeva, I know I have many shortcomings. I do not always have the steadiness, seriousness or humility that I should have. But I am grateful that you gave me shelter and a direction to follow. I pray that I never take that shelter for granted.
On your Vyasa Puja, I simply want to thank you for accepting me, for giving me your instruction, and for allowing me to serve. I pray that I can continue to carry out your desire with sincerity and that, wherever I may be, my actions will always remain connected to your service.
May I continue to serve your Godbrother with love and dedication, and may I become a better servant of Krishna and of your mission.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for everything.
Your servant,
Ārta Bandhu dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every year when your Vyas Puja comes around, I find myself thinking about what your presence in my life really means to me. There are many things I could write, but what comes to my heart most strongly is gratitude.
You accepted me as your disciple and gave me the name Ārta Bandhu dāsa. Over time, I have come to understand that a spiritual name is not simply something we are given. It is something we have to grow into. I still have a long way to go, but I hope that by your mercy I can gradually become worthy of the name you gave me.
The instruction you gave me to serve your Godbrother, His Grace Deena Bandhu Prabhu, has remained very close to my heart. I am continuing to serve him with my heart and soul, and I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity. There are many moments when I think about how this service is directly connected to your desire for me. That thought gives me strength and makes the service feel even more meaningful.
Through this service, I have also learned that spiritual life is not always about doing something extraordinary. Sometimes it is simply about being there, taking responsibility, helping when needed, and continuing with sincerity even when nobody is watching. I am grateful that your instruction has given me an opportunity to learn this.
Gurudeva, I know I have many shortcomings. I do not always have the steadiness, seriousness or humility that I should have. But I am grateful that you gave me shelter and a direction to follow. I pray that I never take that shelter for granted.
On your Vyasa Puja, I simply want to thank you for accepting me, for giving me your instruction, and for allowing me to serve. I pray that I can continue to carry out your desire with sincerity and that, wherever I may be, my actions will always remain connected to your service.
May I continue to serve your Godbrother with love and dedication, and may I become a better servant of Krishna and of your mission.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for everything.
Your servant,
Ārta Bandhu dāsa
Asrayananda dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day
Thinking about how to express in my limited consciousness, to glorify your activities. I cant help but feel like a child who, with all the best intentions, attempt to glorify their parents, while having a very limited comprehension of their parents activities. I feel, as a child in this sense.
What i can comprehend is your qualities of dedication and the relentless consistency you bring to Lord Caitanya's mission. The energy you bring which creates and inspires devotees for a lifetime. The energy that create communities and farm projects. Preaching centres and support networks created by your desire and inspiration with support of some fortunate souls engaged in your service.
You always inspire me to really keep a level headed and authentic approach to Bhakti. The essence being to chant our rounds nicely and the prescribed amount. And to share Krishna with others. Of course the rest of our devotional activities are great, but you always remind us of the importance of our japa.
This is probably why I am still here. As my own karma has not exactly facilitated a very peaceful or supportive environment for my spiritual life. But I take shelter always of your teachings especially "everything begins and ends with chanting Hare Krishna", a mahavakya of yours that is etched deep into my consciousness.
I feel like im always in a battlefield and its not easy, but I am not afraid because I know as long keep chanting, everything will eventually pass and I will still.be here.
I have very long way to go to be a worthy and useful disciple. But I will be patient, trying to use your relentless preaching example to be relentless myself in chanting and to overcome my life challenges.
Thank you again for your incredible example and dedication. It is inspiring and life-giving. I am very grateful for all you have done and continue to do.
Thank your
Your servant
Asrayananda dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day
Thinking about how to express in my limited consciousness, to glorify your activities. I cant help but feel like a child who, with all the best intentions, attempt to glorify their parents, while having a very limited comprehension of their parents activities. I feel, as a child in this sense.
What i can comprehend is your qualities of dedication and the relentless consistency you bring to Lord Caitanya's mission. The energy you bring which creates and inspires devotees for a lifetime. The energy that create communities and farm projects. Preaching centres and support networks created by your desire and inspiration with support of some fortunate souls engaged in your service.
You always inspire me to really keep a level headed and authentic approach to Bhakti. The essence being to chant our rounds nicely and the prescribed amount. And to share Krishna with others. Of course the rest of our devotional activities are great, but you always remind us of the importance of our japa.
This is probably why I am still here. As my own karma has not exactly facilitated a very peaceful or supportive environment for my spiritual life. But I take shelter always of your teachings especially "everything begins and ends with chanting Hare Krishna", a mahavakya of yours that is etched deep into my consciousness.
I feel like im always in a battlefield and its not easy, but I am not afraid because I know as long keep chanting, everything will eventually pass and I will still.be here.
I have very long way to go to be a worthy and useful disciple. But I will be patient, trying to use your relentless preaching example to be relentless myself in chanting and to overcome my life challenges.
Thank you again for your incredible example and dedication. It is inspiring and life-giving. I am very grateful for all you have done and continue to do.
Thank your
Your servant
Asrayananda dasa
Atma Prasad Das and Ganga Prasad Devi Dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotos feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Guru Maharaj, there is not even a single day without thinking of your lotos feet and the moments we have had with you during your visits in Sofia. We remember your words which are deeply engraved in our minds and we regularly discuss and remind to each other your instructions for our devotional activities and family affairs. Your words imbued with the depth of the Vedic knowledge touch our hearts and transforms our materially inclined minds. Your personal presence, your merciful glance and smile make us feel like disobedient children before their father who never impels but educate by his love and authority. You are the best spiritual master because you manifest all these qualities. By personal example you teach us everything about spiritual life. You show us how important is to perform devotional service strictly following the instructions of the spiritual master. In shastra it is said:
Yasya deve para bhaktir
Yatha deve tatha gurau
Tasyaite kathita hy arthah
Prakasante mahatmanah
“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”
(Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23)
You teach us that we also become the best personal example for others. But to do that we should learn to follow the example of the spiritual master. In the Nectar of Instruction Srila Rupa Goswami also stresses the importance of following the example given us by the acarya (…sato vrtteh).
We are infinitely grateful and indebted to you for taking the time to visit Sofia every year. These are the happiest days of the year and even as we see you off at the airport, we are already eagerly looking forward to next year and our next meeting.
On this most auspicious day we humbly beg for your blessings to be able to serve you by the way you want. Please forgive us all the offenses we may have committed and give us spiritual intelligence to carry out your instructions.
Your humble servants
Atma Prasad Das and Ganga Prasad Devi Dasi
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotos feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Guru Maharaj, there is not even a single day without thinking of your lotos feet and the moments we have had with you during your visits in Sofia. We remember your words which are deeply engraved in our minds and we regularly discuss and remind to each other your instructions for our devotional activities and family affairs. Your words imbued with the depth of the Vedic knowledge touch our hearts and transforms our materially inclined minds. Your personal presence, your merciful glance and smile make us feel like disobedient children before their father who never impels but educate by his love and authority. You are the best spiritual master because you manifest all these qualities. By personal example you teach us everything about spiritual life. You show us how important is to perform devotional service strictly following the instructions of the spiritual master. In shastra it is said:
Yasya deve para bhaktir
Yatha deve tatha gurau
Tasyaite kathita hy arthah
Prakasante mahatmanah
“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”
(Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23)
You teach us that we also become the best personal example for others. But to do that we should learn to follow the example of the spiritual master. In the Nectar of Instruction Srila Rupa Goswami also stresses the importance of following the example given us by the acarya (…sato vrtteh).
We are infinitely grateful and indebted to you for taking the time to visit Sofia every year. These are the happiest days of the year and even as we see you off at the airport, we are already eagerly looking forward to next year and our next meeting.
On this most auspicious day we humbly beg for your blessings to be able to serve you by the way you want. Please forgive us all the offenses we may have committed and give us spiritual intelligence to carry out your instructions.
Your humble servants
Atma Prasad Das and Ganga Prasad Devi Dasi
Bāla Gopāla dāsa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your wonderful service to His Divine Grace!
Through a famous Nectar of Instruction lecture you gave in March 2001 entitled
"Organise your life to chant"
I have learned this year that I am a wandering, talkative embodiment of disease.
You state,
"The real disease is in the heart."
This acute pathological condition shows itself as aversion to chanting the Holy Name.
This aversion you exposed as taking the shape of us being preoccupied with everything and anything other than chanting Hare Krsna.
Secondary worries eclipse the primary grave concern.
"How does that aversion manifest in the beginning stages of devotional service?
"We deal with it in an appropriate way.
"In the beginning you are more attached to doing things for Krsna, that was Prabhupada's skill in dealing with westerners.
"In the beggining their not attracted to focusing on chanting , they just do it because they have to.
"They're really attached to doing things, getting things done, having projects, having ideas and carrying them out.
"So Srila Prabhupada engaged everybody in doing that and even said once, 'All these things I'm
coming up with, because you guys are not attached to chanting Hare Krsna.'
"So in the beginning it's like that you know you see many devotees they have to do things their way, they have to have their project ....all these things are required to control the senses and it's how beginners fix themselves in devotional service."
We have a case of disproportionate emphasis in relation to our number one priority in life Chanting Hare Krsna.
"So those of you devotees who aspire for the mature stage of devotion, you need to understand this point - that missionary activities all expand from your chanting.
"Therefore you organise your life for maximum attention to chanting rounds and then you'll see that everything will take off from that."
You explained there is no substitute for this point, and while senior Vaisnava's parade their ecclesiastical achievements, if they neglect this point, they will go down, because they have become insensitive to Krsna.
We forget we are dealing with the Supreme Person, Krsna is His Name and Krsna Consciousness is again becoming acclimated to the person we have forgotten.
You state :
"What happens when you do not focus on attentive chanting ? The weeds grow...
"Those of you who have read Caitanya Caritamrta know about the weeds which choke out the creeper, just like if you have a garden if you aren't attentive in your garden the weeds choke out everything in your garden.
"So these things we have to remember.
"We should become expert gardeners and note how material desires and weeds have crept into our life as we get older, as we become older devotees.
"We have to become expert at uprooting the weeds.
"How do you get the strength to see the weeds? through attentive chanting, you can see them clearly and then you can just yank them, that vision comes through attentive chanting.
"How do you get the strength to see the weeds and how do you get the strength to yank them ? That vison comes through attentive chanting.
"The weeds manifest as sense gratification, offences to devotees, diplomatic behaviour, the whole list is given in Caitanya Caritamrta by Lord Caitanya explaining to Rupa Goswami ...
"So many of the changes that you see in devotees are not due to the natural change due to devotional progress.
"Many devotees just think, Well this is me, and how I've developed. Alot of times it's the you, the so called you, that's developed from weeds, but because we can't see, we think, 'it's just me, it's just like the way I've become'.
"No , it's not the real you.As Prabhupada writes here,
"'Avidya, a misconception about ones spiritual identity provides the foundation for ahankara or false ego in the heart."' Nectar of Instruction purport text 7
"So many of the experiences and many of the personal changes that happen in us as we advance in Krsna Consciousness are not just like Krsna's mercy they are due to offensive chanting, and Weeds have grown up in the heart, and we identify with the weeds, 'well they are my weeds it's me...'
"That's a big mistake.
"But if you plan to go on in Krsna Consciousness these are things you need to know.
"Don't be so quick to embrace what happens to you or what personal changes take place in you as all the natural personal outcomes of bhakti.
"Be prepared to understand that there could be some weeds in my heart and I've got to yank them.
'But you'll never get the clarity of vision to see them to see the weeds, nor the strength to yank them without proper cultivation of the Holy Name.
'These are some deep points we are discussing , as Srila Prabhupada writes ,
"'The real disease is in the heart."'
Nectar of Instruction purport text 7
"That's the real problem, so in new age, so called philosophy everyone reveres their heart.'I'm just being me, I'm just acting from the heart.'
"Weather people directly embrace new age tenets or not everyone is influenced by them these days. It's become like a folklore of western culture..
"Im just acting from within I'm being for real, I'm just acting from within.
"Your acting from your disease. This is the reality, your acting from your disease and the weeds are talking.
"Ohh that's really repressive.Thats really negative.That is the truth."
....
I was blessed to personally sit in this lecture as a mangled teenager all those years ago.
It is embarrassing to confess to you and your servants that I have more or less wasted 25 years of irreplaceable lifespan with this affliction of the heart where by I have worried my life away, preoccupied with everything other than properly chanting Hare Krsna.
"Out of love for Krsna or a desire to love Krsna, We need to organise our life to get past the namaparadha stage of offensive chanting."
"That's the structure of our individual life.
"Because actually in the second stage of chanting the namabhasa stage you get liberation from material existence.That's how insignificant liberation is.
"Not the final stage, suddha nama, pure chanting, but in the second stage, the clearing stage, when offences become minimised you get liberation from material existence.
"Just a glimpse of pure chanting, gives you liberation, just like when the sun rises, just the first rays of the sun chases away the fog.
"The pure Holy Name dawning in your heart will chase away material bondage.
"But then that's not the end, when the sun fully rises when the sun of the Holy Name rises, when the sun of the holy name fully rises it means your fully established in your loving relationship with Krsna.
'We need to think about these things for those of you who want to be serious...."
.....
Many years ago there was a handwritten letter you had written to one of your former Sannyasi assistants.
It was a photocopy print of a section of one of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's songs on the glories of the Holy Name.
The translation and content went over my head, and will probably do so eternally, but somehow I loosely remembered it and found the song many years later.
On the letter you had written something along the lines of :
'Please give all your energy to your chanting.'
'Please take your chanting very seriously.'
Or :give all your enthusiasm to chanting your Japa.'
Your well wisher Devamrita Swami.
This was copied along with part the song translation and shared amongst some devotees.
( The translation from memory was definitely verse number 7, or possibly all three # 6,7,8 mentioned here )
premera kalikā nām, adbhuta rasera dhām,heno bala karaye prakāśīṣat vikaśi’ punaḥ, dekhāy nija-rūpa-guna,citta hari’ loya kṛṣṇa-pāś
6) The holy name is the bud of the flower of divine love, and is the very abode of astonishing mellows. Such is the power He manifests that when His holy name starts to blossom a little further, it then reveals His own divine form and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Kṛṣṇa.
(7)pūrna vikaśita hoiyā, braje more jāya loiyā,dekhāy more swarūpa-vilāsmore siddha-deha diyā, kṛṣṇa-pāśe rākhe giyā,e dehera kore sarva-nāś
7) Blossoming fully, the flower of the holy name takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love-dalliance. This name gives to me my own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Kṛṣṇa’s side, and completely destroys everything related to this mortal frame of mine.
(8)kṛṣṇa-nāma-cintāmaṇi, akhila rasera khani,nitya-mukta śuddha-rasa-moynāmera bālāi jata, saba lo’ye hoi hata,tabe mora sukhera udoy
The name of Kṛṣṇa is a transcendental touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows. It is eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When all impediments to the pure chanting of the holy name are taken away and destroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening.
I cannot completely recognise the level of ongoing tolerance and patience you exhibit while having disfunctional defiant child as I have become thanks to me and my weeds.
I thank you for never pushing me away but continuously trying to pull me out of the slumberous apathy that I embrace as me.
Aspiring to escape one blessed day by becoming your servants servant.
Bāla Gopāla dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your wonderful service to His Divine Grace!
Through a famous Nectar of Instruction lecture you gave in March 2001 entitled
"Organise your life to chant"
I have learned this year that I am a wandering, talkative embodiment of disease.
You state,
"The real disease is in the heart."
This acute pathological condition shows itself as aversion to chanting the Holy Name.
This aversion you exposed as taking the shape of us being preoccupied with everything and anything other than chanting Hare Krsna.
Secondary worries eclipse the primary grave concern.
"How does that aversion manifest in the beginning stages of devotional service?
"We deal with it in an appropriate way.
"In the beginning you are more attached to doing things for Krsna, that was Prabhupada's skill in dealing with westerners.
"In the beggining their not attracted to focusing on chanting , they just do it because they have to.
"They're really attached to doing things, getting things done, having projects, having ideas and carrying them out.
"So Srila Prabhupada engaged everybody in doing that and even said once, 'All these things I'm
coming up with, because you guys are not attached to chanting Hare Krsna.'
"So in the beginning it's like that you know you see many devotees they have to do things their way, they have to have their project ....all these things are required to control the senses and it's how beginners fix themselves in devotional service."
We have a case of disproportionate emphasis in relation to our number one priority in life Chanting Hare Krsna.
"So those of you devotees who aspire for the mature stage of devotion, you need to understand this point - that missionary activities all expand from your chanting.
"Therefore you organise your life for maximum attention to chanting rounds and then you'll see that everything will take off from that."
You explained there is no substitute for this point, and while senior Vaisnava's parade their ecclesiastical achievements, if they neglect this point, they will go down, because they have become insensitive to Krsna.
We forget we are dealing with the Supreme Person, Krsna is His Name and Krsna Consciousness is again becoming acclimated to the person we have forgotten.
You state :
"What happens when you do not focus on attentive chanting ? The weeds grow...
"Those of you who have read Caitanya Caritamrta know about the weeds which choke out the creeper, just like if you have a garden if you aren't attentive in your garden the weeds choke out everything in your garden.
"So these things we have to remember.
"We should become expert gardeners and note how material desires and weeds have crept into our life as we get older, as we become older devotees.
"We have to become expert at uprooting the weeds.
"How do you get the strength to see the weeds? through attentive chanting, you can see them clearly and then you can just yank them, that vision comes through attentive chanting.
"How do you get the strength to see the weeds and how do you get the strength to yank them ? That vison comes through attentive chanting.
"The weeds manifest as sense gratification, offences to devotees, diplomatic behaviour, the whole list is given in Caitanya Caritamrta by Lord Caitanya explaining to Rupa Goswami ...
"So many of the changes that you see in devotees are not due to the natural change due to devotional progress.
"Many devotees just think, Well this is me, and how I've developed. Alot of times it's the you, the so called you, that's developed from weeds, but because we can't see, we think, 'it's just me, it's just like the way I've become'.
"No , it's not the real you.As Prabhupada writes here,
"'Avidya, a misconception about ones spiritual identity provides the foundation for ahankara or false ego in the heart."' Nectar of Instruction purport text 7
"So many of the experiences and many of the personal changes that happen in us as we advance in Krsna Consciousness are not just like Krsna's mercy they are due to offensive chanting, and Weeds have grown up in the heart, and we identify with the weeds, 'well they are my weeds it's me...'
"That's a big mistake.
"But if you plan to go on in Krsna Consciousness these are things you need to know.
"Don't be so quick to embrace what happens to you or what personal changes take place in you as all the natural personal outcomes of bhakti.
"Be prepared to understand that there could be some weeds in my heart and I've got to yank them.
'But you'll never get the clarity of vision to see them to see the weeds, nor the strength to yank them without proper cultivation of the Holy Name.
'These are some deep points we are discussing , as Srila Prabhupada writes ,
"'The real disease is in the heart."'
Nectar of Instruction purport text 7
"That's the real problem, so in new age, so called philosophy everyone reveres their heart.'I'm just being me, I'm just acting from the heart.'
"Weather people directly embrace new age tenets or not everyone is influenced by them these days. It's become like a folklore of western culture..
"Im just acting from within I'm being for real, I'm just acting from within.
"Your acting from your disease. This is the reality, your acting from your disease and the weeds are talking.
"Ohh that's really repressive.Thats really negative.That is the truth."
....
I was blessed to personally sit in this lecture as a mangled teenager all those years ago.
It is embarrassing to confess to you and your servants that I have more or less wasted 25 years of irreplaceable lifespan with this affliction of the heart where by I have worried my life away, preoccupied with everything other than properly chanting Hare Krsna.
"Out of love for Krsna or a desire to love Krsna, We need to organise our life to get past the namaparadha stage of offensive chanting."
"That's the structure of our individual life.
"Because actually in the second stage of chanting the namabhasa stage you get liberation from material existence.That's how insignificant liberation is.
"Not the final stage, suddha nama, pure chanting, but in the second stage, the clearing stage, when offences become minimised you get liberation from material existence.
"Just a glimpse of pure chanting, gives you liberation, just like when the sun rises, just the first rays of the sun chases away the fog.
"The pure Holy Name dawning in your heart will chase away material bondage.
"But then that's not the end, when the sun fully rises when the sun of the Holy Name rises, when the sun of the holy name fully rises it means your fully established in your loving relationship with Krsna.
'We need to think about these things for those of you who want to be serious...."
.....
Many years ago there was a handwritten letter you had written to one of your former Sannyasi assistants.
It was a photocopy print of a section of one of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's songs on the glories of the Holy Name.
The translation and content went over my head, and will probably do so eternally, but somehow I loosely remembered it and found the song many years later.
On the letter you had written something along the lines of :
'Please give all your energy to your chanting.'
'Please take your chanting very seriously.'
Or :give all your enthusiasm to chanting your Japa.'
Your well wisher Devamrita Swami.
This was copied along with part the song translation and shared amongst some devotees.
( The translation from memory was definitely verse number 7, or possibly all three # 6,7,8 mentioned here )
premera kalikā nām, adbhuta rasera dhām,heno bala karaye prakāśīṣat vikaśi’ punaḥ, dekhāy nija-rūpa-guna,citta hari’ loya kṛṣṇa-pāś
6) The holy name is the bud of the flower of divine love, and is the very abode of astonishing mellows. Such is the power He manifests that when His holy name starts to blossom a little further, it then reveals His own divine form and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Kṛṣṇa.
(7)pūrna vikaśita hoiyā, braje more jāya loiyā,dekhāy more swarūpa-vilāsmore siddha-deha diyā, kṛṣṇa-pāśe rākhe giyā,e dehera kore sarva-nāś
7) Blossoming fully, the flower of the holy name takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love-dalliance. This name gives to me my own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Kṛṣṇa’s side, and completely destroys everything related to this mortal frame of mine.
(8)kṛṣṇa-nāma-cintāmaṇi, akhila rasera khani,nitya-mukta śuddha-rasa-moynāmera bālāi jata, saba lo’ye hoi hata,tabe mora sukhera udoy
The name of Kṛṣṇa is a transcendental touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows. It is eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When all impediments to the pure chanting of the holy name are taken away and destroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening.
I cannot completely recognise the level of ongoing tolerance and patience you exhibit while having disfunctional defiant child as I have become thanks to me and my weeds.
I thank you for never pushing me away but continuously trying to pull me out of the slumberous apathy that I embrace as me.
Aspiring to escape one blessed day by becoming your servants servant.
Bāla Gopāla dāsa
Balānuja Dāsa
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 Guru Mahārāja,
On this auspicious occasion of Your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet and express my heartfelt gratitude for accepting an insignificant soul like me and giving me the shelter of Your mercy.
Śrīla Prabhupāda says:
“To be born in a rich family is not a guarantee that you will continue to be rich.”
These words make me deeply reflect on the greatest wealth that I have received. You have given me a far greater wealth—the wealth of Your blessings and Your shelter. I pray that I may never squander this wealth, but may always remain rich in Your mercy, under the shelter of Your lotus feet.
One instruction of Yours that has deeply touched my life is Your instruction to read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam every day. By Your mercy, I have been able to follow this instruction without fail.
but I pray for Your mercy so that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam does not remain merely a daily practice for me, but becomes my very life and soul. Please bless me that I may develop a deep taste and attachment for hearing and studying Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, that its teachings may enter my heart, transform my consciousness, and guide every aspect of my life.
I have also come to understand that without self-control, discipline, and obedience to the instructions of the spiritual master, one cannot make genuine progress in spiritual life. Without sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master, it becomes very difficult to attain the ultimate goal of returning back to Godhead.
When I honestly look within myself, I have to humbly confess that I am not sufficiently self-controlled, I am not sufficiently disciplined, and I am not fully obedient to Your instructions. This is my great shortcoming, and therefore I pray to you for Your mercy and blessings.
Please bless me with the strength to control my mind and senses, the discipline to faithfully follow the principles and instructions You have given me, and the humility and obedience to accept Your instructions without hesitation. Please help me develop the determination and sincerity to not merely hear and understand Your instructions, but to actually live by them.
I pray that I may overcome my weaknesses and become a worthy recipient of Your mercy. Whatever spiritual wealth I possess is only because of the mercy I have received from You, and I pray that I may always preserve this wealth by remaining sincerely under Your shelter.
My prayer on this sacred occasion of Your Vyāsa-pūjā is that I may become self-controlled, disciplined, sincere, and obedient, and that I may never become careless or complacent in my spiritual life.
Please bless me that I may always remain under the shelter of Your lotus feet, faithfully serve Your instructions, and continue progressing on the path shown by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
YHS
Balānuja Dāsa
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 Guru Mahārāja,
On this auspicious occasion of Your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet and express my heartfelt gratitude for accepting an insignificant soul like me and giving me the shelter of Your mercy.
Śrīla Prabhupāda says:
“To be born in a rich family is not a guarantee that you will continue to be rich.”
These words make me deeply reflect on the greatest wealth that I have received. You have given me a far greater wealth—the wealth of Your blessings and Your shelter. I pray that I may never squander this wealth, but may always remain rich in Your mercy, under the shelter of Your lotus feet.
One instruction of Yours that has deeply touched my life is Your instruction to read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam every day. By Your mercy, I have been able to follow this instruction without fail.
but I pray for Your mercy so that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam does not remain merely a daily practice for me, but becomes my very life and soul. Please bless me that I may develop a deep taste and attachment for hearing and studying Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, that its teachings may enter my heart, transform my consciousness, and guide every aspect of my life.
I have also come to understand that without self-control, discipline, and obedience to the instructions of the spiritual master, one cannot make genuine progress in spiritual life. Without sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master, it becomes very difficult to attain the ultimate goal of returning back to Godhead.
When I honestly look within myself, I have to humbly confess that I am not sufficiently self-controlled, I am not sufficiently disciplined, and I am not fully obedient to Your instructions. This is my great shortcoming, and therefore I pray to you for Your mercy and blessings.
Please bless me with the strength to control my mind and senses, the discipline to faithfully follow the principles and instructions You have given me, and the humility and obedience to accept Your instructions without hesitation. Please help me develop the determination and sincerity to not merely hear and understand Your instructions, but to actually live by them.
I pray that I may overcome my weaknesses and become a worthy recipient of Your mercy. Whatever spiritual wealth I possess is only because of the mercy I have received from You, and I pray that I may always preserve this wealth by remaining sincerely under Your shelter.
My prayer on this sacred occasion of Your Vyāsa-pūjā is that I may become self-controlled, disciplined, sincere, and obedient, and that I may never become careless or complacent in my spiritual life.
Please bless me that I may always remain under the shelter of Your lotus feet, faithfully serve Your instructions, and continue progressing on the path shown by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
YHS
Balānuja Dāsa
Balarama Acarya dasa
Dear Gurudeva, my dear spiritual father,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your global preaching mission, all glories to your focussed and relentless service to Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport to Bhagavad Gita 4.34 that to understand the Supreme Lord, one has to submissively inquire from a bona fide spiritual master, and render some menial service to him. Dear Gurudeva, you are a bona fide spiritual master because you are fully engaged, moment to moment, in pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord, for the Lord’s pleasure. You have the vision to connect everything to Krishna and you only speak about topics relating to Krishna. Your presentation of Krishna’s knowledge is eloquent, expert, contemporary, and heart-touching.
Srila Prabhupada further explains that when the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries become perfect. Dear Gurudeva, the only hope for me is to inquire from you submissively, to understand your desires and interests and align mine with yours, and assist you in your preaching mission. Thank you for giving me the various services to engage my life, especially to cook for Krishna, devotees and guests at Bhakti Lounge. This is a fully absorbing service for me, from initially contemplating, planning, organising, to executing, tasting, and evaluating the prasad. You can see my nature and you bring out that nature to its fullest and ever expanding potential. When I cook for the Lord, for you, for other devotees and guests, I am fully satisfied. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of what it’s like to fixate my body, mind and intelligence in devotional service and your instructions.
Your own fixation on Srila Prabhupada’s desire is glorious. Srila Prabhupada emphasised on book distribution and establishing farms where devotees produce food and protect cows with Krishna in the centre. Krishna is holding a flute and Balarama a plow, and they are attracting us by their simple village life. This is spiritual life - the real luxury. Similarly, you are emphasising on books and farms, inspiring devotees to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires. The farming project in New Kulina Grama under your direction is a glorious example where you pour your energy and your heart into pleasing Srila Prabhupada, what to speak of the book distribution effort that you inspire devotees to put in, years after years. I can only imagine how Srila Prabhupada is very pleased with your laser beam-like focus in fulfilling his desires.
I feel very fortunate that a bona fide spiritual master like you has accepted me as a disciple. You are the source of my only fortune. Satisfaction of the self-realised spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. If you desire, please sharpen me up and continue to engage me as one of your many instruments in serving your mission, in any way that pleases you.
Everything that I am and that I have is due to your mercy. Thank you dear Gurudeva, for your first class instructions, fatherly guidance and eternal shelter.
Your insignificant and indebted servant, your spiritual son,
Balarama Acarya dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your global preaching mission, all glories to your focussed and relentless service to Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport to Bhagavad Gita 4.34 that to understand the Supreme Lord, one has to submissively inquire from a bona fide spiritual master, and render some menial service to him. Dear Gurudeva, you are a bona fide spiritual master because you are fully engaged, moment to moment, in pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord, for the Lord’s pleasure. You have the vision to connect everything to Krishna and you only speak about topics relating to Krishna. Your presentation of Krishna’s knowledge is eloquent, expert, contemporary, and heart-touching.
Srila Prabhupada further explains that when the student is submissive and always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries become perfect. Dear Gurudeva, the only hope for me is to inquire from you submissively, to understand your desires and interests and align mine with yours, and assist you in your preaching mission. Thank you for giving me the various services to engage my life, especially to cook for Krishna, devotees and guests at Bhakti Lounge. This is a fully absorbing service for me, from initially contemplating, planning, organising, to executing, tasting, and evaluating the prasad. You can see my nature and you bring out that nature to its fullest and ever expanding potential. When I cook for the Lord, for you, for other devotees and guests, I am fully satisfied. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of what it’s like to fixate my body, mind and intelligence in devotional service and your instructions.
Your own fixation on Srila Prabhupada’s desire is glorious. Srila Prabhupada emphasised on book distribution and establishing farms where devotees produce food and protect cows with Krishna in the centre. Krishna is holding a flute and Balarama a plow, and they are attracting us by their simple village life. This is spiritual life - the real luxury. Similarly, you are emphasising on books and farms, inspiring devotees to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires. The farming project in New Kulina Grama under your direction is a glorious example where you pour your energy and your heart into pleasing Srila Prabhupada, what to speak of the book distribution effort that you inspire devotees to put in, years after years. I can only imagine how Srila Prabhupada is very pleased with your laser beam-like focus in fulfilling his desires.
I feel very fortunate that a bona fide spiritual master like you has accepted me as a disciple. You are the source of my only fortune. Satisfaction of the self-realised spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. If you desire, please sharpen me up and continue to engage me as one of your many instruments in serving your mission, in any way that pleases you.
Everything that I am and that I have is due to your mercy. Thank you dear Gurudeva, for your first class instructions, fatherly guidance and eternal shelter.
Your insignificant and indebted servant, your spiritual son,
Balarama Acarya dasa
Balarāma-bhāva dāsa
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srīla Prabhupada!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your continued mercy, guidance, and the opportunity to serve under your shelter.
As I reflect upon the past year, I find that my understanding of devotional life is slowly changing. Through increased service and more time spent reading Srīla Prabhupada's books, I am beginning to appreciate that spiritual advancement is not measured by how much I accomplish, but by the sincerity with which I endeavor to please Krishna and His devotees.
This year you gently reminded me that I want too much too fast. I have reflected on those words often. My enthusiasm to serve sometimes runs ahead of my patience and understanding. I am beginning to realize that spiritual life cannot be hurried, and that genuine progress comes not through my own determination alone, but through faithful service, humility, and dependence upon the mercy of Guru and Krishna.
I pray to learn to temper my eagerness with patience, to accept guidance without resistance, and to understand that even the smallest service, performed sincerely and with the proper consciousness, is a great blessing.
Through your example, I am learning that devotional service is not simply something we do, but something we must aspire to become; a servant of the servant. I have so much yet to learn, so many impurities to overcome, and so far to go in developing genuine devotion. Yet, by your mercy, my desire to serve continues to grow.
As I continue reading, chanting, and engaging in service, I pray that these activities may gradually soften my heart and deepen my attachment to Krishna. Please bless me that I may remain enthusiastic without becoming impatient, determined without becoming proud, and humble enough to recognize that everything unfolds by the mercy of Guru and Krishna.
I have no great accomplishments to offer you. I simply wish to serve. Please help me develop the patience to grow, the humility to follow, and the sincerity to serve wherever and however I am needed, without expectation of recognition or reward.
On this most auspicious day, I pray that I may become a better disciple, a more sincere servant, and a small part of your efforts to spread the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
Your humble servant,
Balarāma-bhāva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srīla Prabhupada!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your continued mercy, guidance, and the opportunity to serve under your shelter.
As I reflect upon the past year, I find that my understanding of devotional life is slowly changing. Through increased service and more time spent reading Srīla Prabhupada's books, I am beginning to appreciate that spiritual advancement is not measured by how much I accomplish, but by the sincerity with which I endeavor to please Krishna and His devotees.
This year you gently reminded me that I want too much too fast. I have reflected on those words often. My enthusiasm to serve sometimes runs ahead of my patience and understanding. I am beginning to realize that spiritual life cannot be hurried, and that genuine progress comes not through my own determination alone, but through faithful service, humility, and dependence upon the mercy of Guru and Krishna.
I pray to learn to temper my eagerness with patience, to accept guidance without resistance, and to understand that even the smallest service, performed sincerely and with the proper consciousness, is a great blessing.
Through your example, I am learning that devotional service is not simply something we do, but something we must aspire to become; a servant of the servant. I have so much yet to learn, so many impurities to overcome, and so far to go in developing genuine devotion. Yet, by your mercy, my desire to serve continues to grow.
As I continue reading, chanting, and engaging in service, I pray that these activities may gradually soften my heart and deepen my attachment to Krishna. Please bless me that I may remain enthusiastic without becoming impatient, determined without becoming proud, and humble enough to recognize that everything unfolds by the mercy of Guru and Krishna.
I have no great accomplishments to offer you. I simply wish to serve. Please help me develop the patience to grow, the humility to follow, and the sincerity to serve wherever and however I am needed, without expectation of recognition or reward.
On this most auspicious day, I pray that I may become a better disciple, a more sincere servant, and a small part of your efforts to spread the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
Your humble servant,
Balarāma-bhāva
Balavirya
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Although I may not have the ability to properly describe or glorify your life of devotion and the depth of your compassion for others, I will make an attempt, knowing that the process of appreciating and glorifying my spiritual master is itself beneficial for my own spiritual advancement and pleasing to Krishna.
One quality I particularly admire in you, Gurudeva, is your ability to grasp the essence of Srila Prabhupada's teachings and desires, and then explain them in a way that helps people like myself understand their importance and apply them in our own lives. Through your classes and your service, you help us appreciate the timeless gift Srila Prabhupada has given us and understand how we can put his teachings into practice to achieve the ultimate goal of life.
One of the clearest examples of this is your service to Srila Prabhupada's books. You have dedicated a significant part of your life to helping make these teachings available to devotees, while continuing to encourage all of us to read, study and properly understand them.
I love reading, and although I know it isn't one of my strongest areas, you are still very encouraging towards me. Your kindness, patience and warmth mean a great deal to me. In some small way, your loving consideration gives me a glimpse of the warmth and affection I have heard described in so many memories of Srila Prabhupada and his dealings with his disciples. It makes me appreciate not only your dedication to his teachings, but also the personal care you show to those of us trying to learn this science of Krsna consciousness.
While reading Srimad Bhagavatam, I like to think about how you contributed to its production in your younger years, including helping with the titles of its sections. Sometimes, when I come across a title, I think of you and appreciate how perfectly it captures the essence of what follows. I find myself thinking, what a fantastic title, and how nicely it fits! It's a small thing, perhaps, but it gives me a personal appreciation for the thought and care that went into presenting these teachings, and reminds me of your own service in helping bring them to us.
Your contribution to the publication of Caitanya caritamṛta is another example of this dedication. During your years serving at the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, you were involved in the major publishing effort that helped bring this important work to devotees. I appreciate that you were not simply studying Srila Prabhupada's books for your own spiritual advancement, but dedicating your time and abilities to helping make them available to others too.
And now, hearing about your recent efforts to help translate and complete Bhakti rasamrta sindhu, I am reminded again of your lifelong dedication to Srila Prabhupada's mission. The opportunity for devotees throughout ISKCON to study this important work in translation is something to be very grateful for. I believe it will help devotees all over the world deepen their understanding of bhakti and develop a greater appreciation for the science of devotional service. I pray that when I get around to studying it myself, it will help deepen my own understanding and practice of Krsna consciousness.
Gurudeva, I see this as more than simply helping to produce books. You understand the importance of these teachings and encourage us not to leave them sitting on a shelf, but to read them, absorb their meaning and allow them to shape our lives. You have dedicated so much of your own life to helping others receive this knowledge, and I admire your determination to ensure that Srila Prabhupada's teachings continue to reach people and guide future generations of devotees.
Another example of your ability to understand the essence of Srila Prabhupada's desires and put them into practice is your service to Krsnas farms and cow protection.
When I think about Gitanagari, I think about Srila Prabhupada's vision of a way of life centred on Krsna, reflecting the life of Vrndavana, where Krsna personally cared for and protected the cows. I admire your dedication to helping carry this vision forward and preserve its importance within ISKCON.
Just as the residents of Vrndavana cared for their cows and offered everything to Krsna, these communities give us an opportunity to put this principle into practice. In a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected from the land, dependent on complex systems and uncertain about the future, I can appreciate the importance of maintaining places where devotees can practise a more self sufficient, Krsna conscious way of life.
What I particularly admire is your ability to recognise the deeper purpose of these instructions and work towards making them a reality. You are showing us that following Srila Prabhupada means more than simply appreciating what he gave us. It means understanding his intentions, taking responsibility for them and dedicating ourselves to fulfilling them.
Gurudeva, when I consider these different areas of your service, I am reminded of your teaching that the more we give to Krsna, the more we receive Krsna. You have dedicated so much of your life to helping others receive what Srila Prabhupada came to give us, whether through his books, practical examples of Krsna conscious living, or by travelling around the world, giving your time to personally associate with devotees, hear from them and share your understanding.
Since taking shelter of you and receiving initiation, I have developed a stronger desire to serve and please you and to contribute to this mission. At the same time, I recognise how much I still have to learn. Whatever service I am able to render, and whatever I may be able to accomplish in the future, is possible only through your mercy and the blessings of the Vaiṣṇavas.
My prayer is that you may bless me to develop a better understanding of your mood and desires, and to become more enthusiastic, sincere and selfless in acting upon them. I aspire to become the kind of disciple who not only hears and appreciates the instructions of his spiritual master, but endeavours to understand their essence and put them into practice.
If, by your mercy and empowerment, I can render meaningful service that pleases you and helps fulfil the desires of Śrīla Prabhupāda, then I will consider that a great blessing.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for your guidance, your kindness and the example you continue to set for us.
Your aspiring servant,
Balavirya Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Although I may not have the ability to properly describe or glorify your life of devotion and the depth of your compassion for others, I will make an attempt, knowing that the process of appreciating and glorifying my spiritual master is itself beneficial for my own spiritual advancement and pleasing to Krishna.
One quality I particularly admire in you, Gurudeva, is your ability to grasp the essence of Srila Prabhupada's teachings and desires, and then explain them in a way that helps people like myself understand their importance and apply them in our own lives. Through your classes and your service, you help us appreciate the timeless gift Srila Prabhupada has given us and understand how we can put his teachings into practice to achieve the ultimate goal of life.
One of the clearest examples of this is your service to Srila Prabhupada's books. You have dedicated a significant part of your life to helping make these teachings available to devotees, while continuing to encourage all of us to read, study and properly understand them.
I love reading, and although I know it isn't one of my strongest areas, you are still very encouraging towards me. Your kindness, patience and warmth mean a great deal to me. In some small way, your loving consideration gives me a glimpse of the warmth and affection I have heard described in so many memories of Srila Prabhupada and his dealings with his disciples. It makes me appreciate not only your dedication to his teachings, but also the personal care you show to those of us trying to learn this science of Krsna consciousness.
While reading Srimad Bhagavatam, I like to think about how you contributed to its production in your younger years, including helping with the titles of its sections. Sometimes, when I come across a title, I think of you and appreciate how perfectly it captures the essence of what follows. I find myself thinking, what a fantastic title, and how nicely it fits! It's a small thing, perhaps, but it gives me a personal appreciation for the thought and care that went into presenting these teachings, and reminds me of your own service in helping bring them to us.
Your contribution to the publication of Caitanya caritamṛta is another example of this dedication. During your years serving at the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, you were involved in the major publishing effort that helped bring this important work to devotees. I appreciate that you were not simply studying Srila Prabhupada's books for your own spiritual advancement, but dedicating your time and abilities to helping make them available to others too.
And now, hearing about your recent efforts to help translate and complete Bhakti rasamrta sindhu, I am reminded again of your lifelong dedication to Srila Prabhupada's mission. The opportunity for devotees throughout ISKCON to study this important work in translation is something to be very grateful for. I believe it will help devotees all over the world deepen their understanding of bhakti and develop a greater appreciation for the science of devotional service. I pray that when I get around to studying it myself, it will help deepen my own understanding and practice of Krsna consciousness.
Gurudeva, I see this as more than simply helping to produce books. You understand the importance of these teachings and encourage us not to leave them sitting on a shelf, but to read them, absorb their meaning and allow them to shape our lives. You have dedicated so much of your own life to helping others receive this knowledge, and I admire your determination to ensure that Srila Prabhupada's teachings continue to reach people and guide future generations of devotees.
Another example of your ability to understand the essence of Srila Prabhupada's desires and put them into practice is your service to Krsnas farms and cow protection.
When I think about Gitanagari, I think about Srila Prabhupada's vision of a way of life centred on Krsna, reflecting the life of Vrndavana, where Krsna personally cared for and protected the cows. I admire your dedication to helping carry this vision forward and preserve its importance within ISKCON.
Just as the residents of Vrndavana cared for their cows and offered everything to Krsna, these communities give us an opportunity to put this principle into practice. In a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected from the land, dependent on complex systems and uncertain about the future, I can appreciate the importance of maintaining places where devotees can practise a more self sufficient, Krsna conscious way of life.
What I particularly admire is your ability to recognise the deeper purpose of these instructions and work towards making them a reality. You are showing us that following Srila Prabhupada means more than simply appreciating what he gave us. It means understanding his intentions, taking responsibility for them and dedicating ourselves to fulfilling them.
Gurudeva, when I consider these different areas of your service, I am reminded of your teaching that the more we give to Krsna, the more we receive Krsna. You have dedicated so much of your life to helping others receive what Srila Prabhupada came to give us, whether through his books, practical examples of Krsna conscious living, or by travelling around the world, giving your time to personally associate with devotees, hear from them and share your understanding.
Since taking shelter of you and receiving initiation, I have developed a stronger desire to serve and please you and to contribute to this mission. At the same time, I recognise how much I still have to learn. Whatever service I am able to render, and whatever I may be able to accomplish in the future, is possible only through your mercy and the blessings of the Vaiṣṇavas.
My prayer is that you may bless me to develop a better understanding of your mood and desires, and to become more enthusiastic, sincere and selfless in acting upon them. I aspire to become the kind of disciple who not only hears and appreciates the instructions of his spiritual master, but endeavours to understand their essence and put them into practice.
If, by your mercy and empowerment, I can render meaningful service that pleases you and helps fulfil the desires of Śrīla Prabhupāda, then I will consider that a great blessing.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for your guidance, your kindness and the example you continue to set for us.
Your aspiring servant,
Balavirya Dasa
Bandhu Radhika devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your lotus feet, all glories to this auspicious day!
Yesterday marked the Double Ninth Festival, one of the China’s traditional festivals. It is also a festival dedicated to the elderly. We celebrated your 76th Vyasa Puja in Shenzhen with devotees. Everything was most auspicious.
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
“...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 Krsna. By the mercy of both Krsna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.” --C.C. M19.151
I am the one of the fortunate souls that I can take shelter at your lotus feet. By taking shelter at the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master, this tiny and insignificant living entity can be freed from all kinds of dangers. Guru means dispelling the darkness, the darkness of illusory energy. Only seeking shelter at the lotus feet of you, my fear of illusion shall be forever removed.
You strictly follow the instruction of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, telling people about Krsna Consciousness wherever you go. And you manifest the qualities of a Sannyasi. Though advancing in years and getting old, you still travel alone. This fully reveals the renunciation spirit and fearlessness of a Sannyasi. I remember, every time you leave China in the airport, you will give us a warm smile like a loving father and then walk into the airport without looking back. Just like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he departed to South India without looking back the devotees.
Whenever you come to China, you strive wholeheartedly to explain the science of Krsna Consciousness to people. Your sharp intelligence and transcendental wisdom deeply move us. By your patient teaching and sharing without reservation, we these ignorant souls can understand Krsna consciousness science gradually. You are truly an exceedingly rare, pure Vaisnava, Bhakta Bhagavata, a bona fide spiritual master.
I pray to Sri Sri Gauranitai to grant you good health and long life. May all things go auspiciously for you, and may you successfully fulfill the instructions of your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Birthday!
Your insignificant servant,
Bandhu Radhika devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your lotus feet, all glories to this auspicious day!
Yesterday marked the Double Ninth Festival, one of the China’s traditional festivals. It is also a festival dedicated to the elderly. We celebrated your 76th Vyasa Puja in Shenzhen with devotees. Everything was most auspicious.
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
“...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 Krsna. By the mercy of both Krsna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.” --C.C. M19.151
I am the one of the fortunate souls that I can take shelter at your lotus feet. By taking shelter at the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master, this tiny and insignificant living entity can be freed from all kinds of dangers. Guru means dispelling the darkness, the darkness of illusory energy. Only seeking shelter at the lotus feet of you, my fear of illusion shall be forever removed.
You strictly follow the instruction of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, telling people about Krsna Consciousness wherever you go. And you manifest the qualities of a Sannyasi. Though advancing in years and getting old, you still travel alone. This fully reveals the renunciation spirit and fearlessness of a Sannyasi. I remember, every time you leave China in the airport, you will give us a warm smile like a loving father and then walk into the airport without looking back. Just like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he departed to South India without looking back the devotees.
Whenever you come to China, you strive wholeheartedly to explain the science of Krsna Consciousness to people. Your sharp intelligence and transcendental wisdom deeply move us. By your patient teaching and sharing without reservation, we these ignorant souls can understand Krsna consciousness science gradually. You are truly an exceedingly rare, pure Vaisnava, Bhakta Bhagavata, a bona fide spiritual master.
I pray to Sri Sri Gauranitai to grant you good health and long life. May all things go auspiciously for you, and may you successfully fulfill the instructions of your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Birthday!
Your insignificant servant,
Bandhu Radhika devi dasi
Batu Dvija Raj Das
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaiṣṇava dealings, selflessness, and compassion.
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And, all Glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
In *Bhagavad-gītā*, Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa says to Arjuna:
“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.”
I really like what Srila Prabhupada says in the purport: “Anyone who tries sincerely to present *Bhagavad-gītā* as it is will advance in devotional activities and reach the pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead.”
Dear Gurudeva, you are the perfect example of someone who has advanced in devotional activities, someone who is very dear to Sri Kṛṣṇa, and who sincerely and gracefully presents the teachings of Sri Kṛṣṇa to people of all walks of life.
In one of your recent lectures, you mentioned how much you love going deeper and deeper into a *līlā* once you latch onto it, and you said the reason was especially to dispel the illusion that “well, we’ve heard that one before.”
You encourage us to go deeper and deeper into our devotional lives, and we therefore benefit so much by hearing from you, who has gone deeper and deeper in your *bhakti*.
Gurudeva, every time I have taken personal darśana of you, immediately after, you start chanting with an exalted smile on your face. Not just that, every time you finish a class or finish anything, immediately after, you start chanting and one can clearly see the radiating happiness on your face. So one may say that you are the personification of “Chant and be happy.”
Your expertise in cutting down the facade of *māyā* by explaining Vedic teachings in the most palatable manner is exemplary, and hearing the words that you utter, with so much love, removes all the obstacles of everyone’s devotional life.
Your profound grasp of the Vedas' ultimate conclusions is clearly evident in your everyday teachings and in your unique explanations of the words and lives of Sri Kṛṣṇa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and His pure devotees.
For, someone who has understood it fully, can explain it simply.
Your mastery over language and cadence, combined with your spotless observation of material nature, perfectly pierces through reality and helps us clearly distinguish between what’s beneficial for Kṛṣṇa consciousness and what isn’t.
For me, your *vāṇī* is always one that provides safety and clarity when I find myself in the raging waters of material existence.
With every drop of life I have in me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for connecting me to the *paramparā*, for connecting me to our Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa. And I offer my most heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for miraculously guiding me to your lotus feet.
I still remember the first time I asked you if you would keep me under your shelter. My heart was pounding.
I didn’t even realise how deep I was in materialistic life back then, but by the mercy of my Godbrothers, I had the fortune to see you and seek your shelter.
Without a single moment's hesitation, You said a resounding, 'Yes!' to my faint and ignorant cry to be saved from this material world, which you so perfectly describe as the ultimate maximum-security prison.
Hearing that “Yes!” felt like the deepest, darkest regions of my heart were suddenly lit up with the brightest rays of the Sun.
How could I ever thank you enough for the guidance you have given me? All I can do is beg to keep having the fortune of hearing your *vāṇī* and serving your lotus feet.
Before your instructions, no obstacle is too great, and no sacrifice is too large.
Aspiring to always seek your blessings, follow in your footsteps, and obey your divine instructions,
Your spiritual son,
Batu Dvija Raj Das
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And, all Glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
In *Bhagavad-gītā*, Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa says to Arjuna:
“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.”
I really like what Srila Prabhupada says in the purport: “Anyone who tries sincerely to present *Bhagavad-gītā* as it is will advance in devotional activities and reach the pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead.”
Dear Gurudeva, you are the perfect example of someone who has advanced in devotional activities, someone who is very dear to Sri Kṛṣṇa, and who sincerely and gracefully presents the teachings of Sri Kṛṣṇa to people of all walks of life.
In one of your recent lectures, you mentioned how much you love going deeper and deeper into a *līlā* once you latch onto it, and you said the reason was especially to dispel the illusion that “well, we’ve heard that one before.”
You encourage us to go deeper and deeper into our devotional lives, and we therefore benefit so much by hearing from you, who has gone deeper and deeper in your *bhakti*.
Gurudeva, every time I have taken personal darśana of you, immediately after, you start chanting with an exalted smile on your face. Not just that, every time you finish a class or finish anything, immediately after, you start chanting and one can clearly see the radiating happiness on your face. So one may say that you are the personification of “Chant and be happy.”
Your expertise in cutting down the facade of *māyā* by explaining Vedic teachings in the most palatable manner is exemplary, and hearing the words that you utter, with so much love, removes all the obstacles of everyone’s devotional life.
Your profound grasp of the Vedas' ultimate conclusions is clearly evident in your everyday teachings and in your unique explanations of the words and lives of Sri Kṛṣṇa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and His pure devotees.
For, someone who has understood it fully, can explain it simply.
Your mastery over language and cadence, combined with your spotless observation of material nature, perfectly pierces through reality and helps us clearly distinguish between what’s beneficial for Kṛṣṇa consciousness and what isn’t.
For me, your *vāṇī* is always one that provides safety and clarity when I find myself in the raging waters of material existence.
With every drop of life I have in me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for connecting me to the *paramparā*, for connecting me to our Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa. And I offer my most heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for miraculously guiding me to your lotus feet.
I still remember the first time I asked you if you would keep me under your shelter. My heart was pounding.
I didn’t even realise how deep I was in materialistic life back then, but by the mercy of my Godbrothers, I had the fortune to see you and seek your shelter.
Without a single moment's hesitation, You said a resounding, 'Yes!' to my faint and ignorant cry to be saved from this material world, which you so perfectly describe as the ultimate maximum-security prison.
Hearing that “Yes!” felt like the deepest, darkest regions of my heart were suddenly lit up with the brightest rays of the Sun.
How could I ever thank you enough for the guidance you have given me? All I can do is beg to keep having the fortune of hearing your *vāṇī* and serving your lotus feet.
Before your instructions, no obstacle is too great, and no sacrifice is too large.
Aspiring to always seek your blessings, follow in your footsteps, and obey your divine instructions,
Your spiritual son,
Batu Dvija Raj Das
Bhaagvata das
nama oṁ viṣṇu pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣthāya bhūtale
śrīmate devāmṛta swāmīn iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ 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 Your Holiness on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Your absolute dedication to the instructions of your spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, stands as a brilliant beacon of pure devotional service. Your life is a living testimony of what it means to make the guru's order one's soul and life. Without a trace of personal ambition, you have thrown yourself completely into the mission of Lord Caitanya, taking up the most challenging frontiers of preaching with absolute fearlessness and determination.
Your selfless preaching has transformed the landscape of modern ISKCON. Whether in the academic circles of the West, the dynamic corporate spaces, or among the youth in urban centers, you present the sublime philosophy of Krishna consciousness with unparalleled relevance, depth, and clarity. You possess the unique ability to speak to the modern mind, dissecting the illusions of materialistic culture while offering the highest spiritual alternative with compassion and wit.
To thousands of conditioned souls wandering in the darkness of this material world, you have mercifully bestowed the bhagavat vision. Through your books, profound seminars, and personal interactions, you teach us to see beyond the temporary dualities of material happiness and distress. You meticulously train your disciples and well-wishers to look at the world through the eyes of scripture (śāstra-cakṣus), helping us recognize our true identity as eternal servants of Sri Krishna.
On a deeply personal level, your personal instructions have time and again provided me with progressive guidance, illuminating my path through the most confusing and dubious situations of my life. Whenever material illusion cast its shadow and left me bewildered, your words acted as a sharp sword of truth, cutting through my doubts and restoring my spiritual clarity.
I especially remember with deep gratitude when my own subtle anarthas began to overtake me. When I felt too boastful of my service, you gently yet firmly enlightened me that on the path of spirituality, devotional service is not a platform to prove one's self-worth, but rather a privilege to please Krishna.This profound correction shattered my false ego and fundamentally shifted my consciousness, teaching me the true meaning of amāninā mānadena. Although, these words still enlighten my path at challenging times but I still struggle to bend my false ego to your well-wishing instructions.
Although I have not personally seen our beloved founder-ācārya, Srila Prabhupada, it is by your kind mercy that I have truly realized who a real well-wisher is in our life. Through your unalloyed transparent representation, you have made Srila Prabhupada’s presence, his teachings, and his heartbeat accessible to a fallen soul like me. By holding your shelter, I understand what it means to be protected by a true guardian of the soul.
As we sing every morning in the Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka prayers, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi—by your mercy alone one receives the mercy of Krishna, and without your grace, there is no means of promotion. Truly, your divine instructions and causeless mercy are my only guiding force; without them, I am completely worthless.
As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura perfectly captures my reality in his prayers: yogyatā-vicāre, kicho nāhi pāi, tomāra karuṇā sāra—when I examine my qualifications, I find that I have none. Your mercy is my only essence, my everything. I have no qualification of my own, yet you have kindly extended your hand to pull this fallen soul out of the material well.
Thank you, Maharaj, for your tireless travels, your patient guidance, and your unflinching absorption in Srila Prabhupada’s books. On this sacred day, I pray for your good health, your continued strength, and that I may develop even a drop of your unalloyed loyalty to Srila Prabhupada. May I always remain a humble servant of your servants.
Begging to remain your insignificant servant,
Bhaagvata das
Canberra, Australia
śrīmate devāmṛta swāmīn iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ 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 Your Holiness on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Your absolute dedication to the instructions of your spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, stands as a brilliant beacon of pure devotional service. Your life is a living testimony of what it means to make the guru's order one's soul and life. Without a trace of personal ambition, you have thrown yourself completely into the mission of Lord Caitanya, taking up the most challenging frontiers of preaching with absolute fearlessness and determination.
Your selfless preaching has transformed the landscape of modern ISKCON. Whether in the academic circles of the West, the dynamic corporate spaces, or among the youth in urban centers, you present the sublime philosophy of Krishna consciousness with unparalleled relevance, depth, and clarity. You possess the unique ability to speak to the modern mind, dissecting the illusions of materialistic culture while offering the highest spiritual alternative with compassion and wit.
To thousands of conditioned souls wandering in the darkness of this material world, you have mercifully bestowed the bhagavat vision. Through your books, profound seminars, and personal interactions, you teach us to see beyond the temporary dualities of material happiness and distress. You meticulously train your disciples and well-wishers to look at the world through the eyes of scripture (śāstra-cakṣus), helping us recognize our true identity as eternal servants of Sri Krishna.
On a deeply personal level, your personal instructions have time and again provided me with progressive guidance, illuminating my path through the most confusing and dubious situations of my life. Whenever material illusion cast its shadow and left me bewildered, your words acted as a sharp sword of truth, cutting through my doubts and restoring my spiritual clarity.
I especially remember with deep gratitude when my own subtle anarthas began to overtake me. When I felt too boastful of my service, you gently yet firmly enlightened me that on the path of spirituality, devotional service is not a platform to prove one's self-worth, but rather a privilege to please Krishna.This profound correction shattered my false ego and fundamentally shifted my consciousness, teaching me the true meaning of amāninā mānadena. Although, these words still enlighten my path at challenging times but I still struggle to bend my false ego to your well-wishing instructions.
Although I have not personally seen our beloved founder-ācārya, Srila Prabhupada, it is by your kind mercy that I have truly realized who a real well-wisher is in our life. Through your unalloyed transparent representation, you have made Srila Prabhupada’s presence, his teachings, and his heartbeat accessible to a fallen soul like me. By holding your shelter, I understand what it means to be protected by a true guardian of the soul.
As we sing every morning in the Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka prayers, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi—by your mercy alone one receives the mercy of Krishna, and without your grace, there is no means of promotion. Truly, your divine instructions and causeless mercy are my only guiding force; without them, I am completely worthless.
As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura perfectly captures my reality in his prayers: yogyatā-vicāre, kicho nāhi pāi, tomāra karuṇā sāra—when I examine my qualifications, I find that I have none. Your mercy is my only essence, my everything. I have no qualification of my own, yet you have kindly extended your hand to pull this fallen soul out of the material well.
Thank you, Maharaj, for your tireless travels, your patient guidance, and your unflinching absorption in Srila Prabhupada’s books. On this sacred day, I pray for your good health, your continued strength, and that I may develop even a drop of your unalloyed loyalty to Srila Prabhupada. May I always remain a humble servant of your servants.
Begging to remain your insignificant servant,
Bhaagvata das
Canberra, Australia
Bhagavat-Katha dasa
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devāmṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Year after year, as I watch you travel tirelessly across the globe and meditate on your own offerings to Srila Prabhupada, I am struck by the depth of your surrender and your acute awareness of the spiritual war being waged across the globe. You often describe how Srila Prabhupada fearlessly entered the ultimate "fortress of illusion"—modern material civilization—to rescue conditioned souls. By witnessing your relentless global ministry, I see that same uncompromising, compassionate spirit alive in you today.
Guru Maharaja, your lectures and teachings provide the ultimate antidote to the subtle conditioning of this world. You frequently reflect on how modern society spends billions to refine sensory entertainment while plunging deeper into existential confusion. In a culture that promises peace through material accumulation, you boldly point out that modern anxiety is not a medical mystery to be drugged or distracted away; it is a spiritual alarm clock signaling that the soul cannot find rest in a digital, impermanent world.
When my own mind behaves like an untamed wild horse, dragged around by material obligations and digital noise, your sharp, uncompromising realization cuts through the mental haze. You teach us that willpower alone cannot tame the mind—only submissive hearing (sravanam), higher taste, and taking unreserved shelter at Krishna’s lotus feet can bring true stability.
In your teachings on thriving in chaos and in your writings, you continuously highlight how Srila Prabhupada never allowed his followers to settle into passive spiritual comfort. Following in his footsteps, you dismantle our favorite material excuse: waiting for "ideal or peaceful circumstances" before taking spiritual life seriously.
You show us by your living example that this material world (duhkhalayam asasvatam) will never offer ideal conditions. While the world laments over global turbulence, you teach us to step into the storm, thrive amidst the chaos, and turn every difficulty into a dynamic opportunity for compassionate outreach and spiritual growth.
You frequently emphasise that sound forms the very core of our consciousness. In a hyper-connected world where souls are "lost in the cosmos" and drowning in shallow relationships, hearing your voice carry the pure message of Srimad-Bhagavatam brings me back to reality. Just as you declare your absolute debt to Srila Prabhupada's vani, I realize that whatever tiny fragment of spiritual clarity or desire to serve I possess is entirely derived from listening to your instructions. Your words do not offer cheap sentimental comfort; they deliver the heavy, life-saving truth that reignites my heart to serve.
On this sacred day, I candidly acknowledge my many disqualifications, my restless mind, and my humble attempts at service. I recognize that I have no independent strength, and that any progress I make on this path is solely due to your causeless mercy and the shelter of your instructions.
Please bless me with the drop of mercy I need to quiet my untamed mind, abandon material pretense, and remain a reliable, dedicated instrument in your divine mission—life after life.
Begging to remain your aspiring servant,
Bhagavat-Katha dasa
śrīmate devāmṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Year after year, as I watch you travel tirelessly across the globe and meditate on your own offerings to Srila Prabhupada, I am struck by the depth of your surrender and your acute awareness of the spiritual war being waged across the globe. You often describe how Srila Prabhupada fearlessly entered the ultimate "fortress of illusion"—modern material civilization—to rescue conditioned souls. By witnessing your relentless global ministry, I see that same uncompromising, compassionate spirit alive in you today.
Guru Maharaja, your lectures and teachings provide the ultimate antidote to the subtle conditioning of this world. You frequently reflect on how modern society spends billions to refine sensory entertainment while plunging deeper into existential confusion. In a culture that promises peace through material accumulation, you boldly point out that modern anxiety is not a medical mystery to be drugged or distracted away; it is a spiritual alarm clock signaling that the soul cannot find rest in a digital, impermanent world.
When my own mind behaves like an untamed wild horse, dragged around by material obligations and digital noise, your sharp, uncompromising realization cuts through the mental haze. You teach us that willpower alone cannot tame the mind—only submissive hearing (sravanam), higher taste, and taking unreserved shelter at Krishna’s lotus feet can bring true stability.
In your teachings on thriving in chaos and in your writings, you continuously highlight how Srila Prabhupada never allowed his followers to settle into passive spiritual comfort. Following in his footsteps, you dismantle our favorite material excuse: waiting for "ideal or peaceful circumstances" before taking spiritual life seriously.
You show us by your living example that this material world (duhkhalayam asasvatam) will never offer ideal conditions. While the world laments over global turbulence, you teach us to step into the storm, thrive amidst the chaos, and turn every difficulty into a dynamic opportunity for compassionate outreach and spiritual growth.
You frequently emphasise that sound forms the very core of our consciousness. In a hyper-connected world where souls are "lost in the cosmos" and drowning in shallow relationships, hearing your voice carry the pure message of Srimad-Bhagavatam brings me back to reality. Just as you declare your absolute debt to Srila Prabhupada's vani, I realize that whatever tiny fragment of spiritual clarity or desire to serve I possess is entirely derived from listening to your instructions. Your words do not offer cheap sentimental comfort; they deliver the heavy, life-saving truth that reignites my heart to serve.
On this sacred day, I candidly acknowledge my many disqualifications, my restless mind, and my humble attempts at service. I recognize that I have no independent strength, and that any progress I make on this path is solely due to your causeless mercy and the shelter of your instructions.
Please bless me with the drop of mercy I need to quiet my untamed mind, abandon material pretense, and remain a reliable, dedicated instrument in your divine mission—life after life.
Begging to remain your aspiring servant,
Bhagavat-Katha dasa
Bhakta Dascal, Benjamin Z
Dear Maharaj,
All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja!
I am so grateful for having been in your presence on several occasions in the last couple of years through Mantra 108, Melbourne University and the ISKCON Melbourne temple. Whenever I am in your presence, hear your podcasts or read your books, I can really feel your devotion to Krishna and compassion for all. You have an amazing ability to explain complex scriptures in an easy-to-understand and loving way.
You always speak and write with so much calmness and love. Hearing you talk always leaves me feeling peaceful and motivated to overcome my anarthas and increase my devotional service.
Your kirtans are always so enjoyable as they are full of spiritual energy and devotion.
I was first exposed to bhakti-yoga two and a half years ago through an introduction to Mantra 108. This really changed my life for the better. I was spiritually lost before receiving the mercy of the Mantra 108 devotees who allowed me to experience Bhagavad Gita workshops, kirtan and association with such a supportive and loving group of people.
There were many times in the last two and a half years when I felt I was going nowhere or even going backwards. However, if I compare myself now to where I was two and a half years ago, I can notice that I am much calmer and more positive, and most importantly, I can actually feel Krishna’s presence and how He is actively helping me in my life. This is a massive change from where I was before joining Mantra 108 when I was an agnostic. I look at all the other devotees with admiration for their various qualities and this gives me a lot of heart to know that bhakti yoga has a profound positive impact on our lives and the more we keep trying to please Krishna, the purer we all become.
I would hate to think where I would be in life now and what my future would be if it wasn’t for regularly chanting the holy name and being in the association of a loving group of devotees via Mantra 108 and the ISKCON temple. Mantra 108 was set up by your disciples, and I am forever grateful for any inspiration which you provided them along the way which led to such an amazing program and community which provided me the vital opportunity to pursue Krishna consciousness. Without you, I may have never had the opportunity to develop a taste for Krishna consciousness and understand the purpose of life.
I had been unaware of Krishna for the first 41 years of my current life and likely countless prior lifetimes which led to heavy material conditioning. I am so grateful that I received your mercy, and the mercy of the parampara and your devotees, which has enabled me to change my life direction. I now know my place in the world as someone aspiring to be a devotee of Krishna. Although I still have a long way to go, I no longer feel like a lost soul.
I am so grateful that you were exposed to Krishna through Srila Prabhupada’s books as this led to you sharing your knowledge and influencing many people including my mentors within Mantra 108. They are greatly helping me spiritually with lots of patience on their part and by providing me with such valuable guidance, encouragement and opportunities to serve.
On a personal level, I had the pleasure to meet you one-on-one last week. Despite all my mistakes in life and my impurities, you recognised and encouraged my few good qualities. I could really feel your blessings, care and encouragement which was very reassuring. I left our interaction with more confidence about my spiritual journey because I know that Krishna is infinitely loving and He always wants to please His dear devotees. You have dedicated your life to serving Krishna and spreading His glories, so I can only imagine how dear you must be to Krishna.
I am very grateful for your sound advice about what to expect in the next phase of my life and the direction you gave me about what areas to focus on from a service perspective. I was going to ask you what services I should focus on but you answered my question without me having to ask it. I have taken your instructions to heart and I will sincerely try to follow your guidance to hopefully please you and Krishna through my service.
What touched me most by our interaction was how you were able to personally relate to me by explaining how your journey was similar to mine in various ways. Your compassion and encouragement meant a lot to me and was a lovely complement to your practical spiritual advice.
I look forward to associating with you further including at the Recharge festival in New Zealand later this year.
I pray that I continue to receive your mercy, and the mercy of the parampara and devotees, and that I have the spiritual strength to sincerely follow your instructions so that I can one day develop genuine love for Krishna and hopefully influence others to help them develop their love for Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Dascal, Benjamin Z
All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja!
I am so grateful for having been in your presence on several occasions in the last couple of years through Mantra 108, Melbourne University and the ISKCON Melbourne temple. Whenever I am in your presence, hear your podcasts or read your books, I can really feel your devotion to Krishna and compassion for all. You have an amazing ability to explain complex scriptures in an easy-to-understand and loving way.
You always speak and write with so much calmness and love. Hearing you talk always leaves me feeling peaceful and motivated to overcome my anarthas and increase my devotional service.
Your kirtans are always so enjoyable as they are full of spiritual energy and devotion.
I was first exposed to bhakti-yoga two and a half years ago through an introduction to Mantra 108. This really changed my life for the better. I was spiritually lost before receiving the mercy of the Mantra 108 devotees who allowed me to experience Bhagavad Gita workshops, kirtan and association with such a supportive and loving group of people.
There were many times in the last two and a half years when I felt I was going nowhere or even going backwards. However, if I compare myself now to where I was two and a half years ago, I can notice that I am much calmer and more positive, and most importantly, I can actually feel Krishna’s presence and how He is actively helping me in my life. This is a massive change from where I was before joining Mantra 108 when I was an agnostic. I look at all the other devotees with admiration for their various qualities and this gives me a lot of heart to know that bhakti yoga has a profound positive impact on our lives and the more we keep trying to please Krishna, the purer we all become.
I would hate to think where I would be in life now and what my future would be if it wasn’t for regularly chanting the holy name and being in the association of a loving group of devotees via Mantra 108 and the ISKCON temple. Mantra 108 was set up by your disciples, and I am forever grateful for any inspiration which you provided them along the way which led to such an amazing program and community which provided me the vital opportunity to pursue Krishna consciousness. Without you, I may have never had the opportunity to develop a taste for Krishna consciousness and understand the purpose of life.
I had been unaware of Krishna for the first 41 years of my current life and likely countless prior lifetimes which led to heavy material conditioning. I am so grateful that I received your mercy, and the mercy of the parampara and your devotees, which has enabled me to change my life direction. I now know my place in the world as someone aspiring to be a devotee of Krishna. Although I still have a long way to go, I no longer feel like a lost soul.
I am so grateful that you were exposed to Krishna through Srila Prabhupada’s books as this led to you sharing your knowledge and influencing many people including my mentors within Mantra 108. They are greatly helping me spiritually with lots of patience on their part and by providing me with such valuable guidance, encouragement and opportunities to serve.
On a personal level, I had the pleasure to meet you one-on-one last week. Despite all my mistakes in life and my impurities, you recognised and encouraged my few good qualities. I could really feel your blessings, care and encouragement which was very reassuring. I left our interaction with more confidence about my spiritual journey because I know that Krishna is infinitely loving and He always wants to please His dear devotees. You have dedicated your life to serving Krishna and spreading His glories, so I can only imagine how dear you must be to Krishna.
I am very grateful for your sound advice about what to expect in the next phase of my life and the direction you gave me about what areas to focus on from a service perspective. I was going to ask you what services I should focus on but you answered my question without me having to ask it. I have taken your instructions to heart and I will sincerely try to follow your guidance to hopefully please you and Krishna through my service.
What touched me most by our interaction was how you were able to personally relate to me by explaining how your journey was similar to mine in various ways. Your compassion and encouragement meant a lot to me and was a lovely complement to your practical spiritual advice.
I look forward to associating with you further including at the Recharge festival in New Zealand later this year.
I pray that I continue to receive your mercy, and the mercy of the parampara and devotees, and that I have the spiritual strength to sincerely follow your instructions so that I can one day develop genuine love for Krishna and hopefully influence others to help them develop their love for Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Dascal, Benjamin Z
Bhakta Martin (Bulgaria)
Dear Devamrita Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In the current age of technological progress, AI development, and improvement of material comforts at least at first glance it seems that human civilization is progressing. However, at the same time the cases of depression, anxiety and stress are growing massively. Paradoxically people are having everything they need to feel materially satisfied but they are feeling more and more hankering for the so called happiness. This is especially prevalent among the GEN Z generation which I happen to be part of. Despite all the possible material comforts, economical progress and technological advancement we still do not feel happy. Falling into the trap which society is referring as the holy grail of material success - getting a degree, finding the high-paying job and then what – enjoying its fruits by indulging in partying, intoxication and illicit relationships, we feel more and more lost asking the question – is this what life should be about? Unfortunately, today’s society is falling into this illusion or what Prahlada Maharaj is referring to as the “the chewing of what already has been chewed”. Sadly, due to the lack of better alternative young people continue hankering in this vicious cycle. Hence, the need for preaching of the message of Bhagavad Gita and further expanding the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is more relevant than ever.
And here comes your perfect example Guru Maharaj of You being able to share and present Krishna Consciousness in a way which is so innovative and so relevant for today’s society needs and by which we the Gen Z generation, from the non-traditional backgrounds, can easily relate. It inspires me so much to see the way you use examples of contemporary science, behavioral economics and research to show the plausibility of the bhakti process as the only alternative to heal our material problems and contaminations. At the end all the knowledge in the world is coming from the same source and you are perfectly showcasing and blending it in your preaching. It is a sign of a true preaching expertise to present in a such a simple and contemporary way the teachings of bhakti yoga but yet maintaining its authenticity. I pray at your lotus feet that I receive at least a tiny spark of your preaching expertise so that I am able to help you and the mission of Srila Prabhupada by giving Krishna to other people.
I am so grateful for the example which you give of how we should serve and develop relationships with our spiritual master, even though that often the physical contact might be lacking. As you often point out that the vani, associating with the instructions of the spiritual master, is actually more important than the physical association. One such example of You executing the instructions of your spiritual master is the sankirtan tour which you have made in 1978 in Eastern Europe, on which I often meditate. You have broken the “Iron Curtain” of the communist regime to plant the seed of bhakti in countries where somebody would never imagine that Krishna Consciousness might grow. Despite abandoning all physical comforts and risking your life you have dutifully served Srila Prabhupada and Caitanya Mahabrabhu. You have planted the seed of Krishna Consciousness onto distant and unknown places during a time of draconian control and oppression. As Sandipani Muni states in the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavattam – “This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even their very lives” (SB 10.80.41). Hence, you have perfectly executed the role as a perfect disciple of your spiritual master and still continue doing it by representing guru parampara and giving us the mercy of your divine instructions, guidance and inspiration towards the path of Krishna Consciousness.
Your personal approach towards each soul, your readiness to listen, help, and be of service to the others really touched me. I feel so fortunate that Krishna had crossed my path with you, that I have the chance to associate with you and relish your Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita classes. Thank you with all my heart, Guru Maharaj, for encouraging me and accepting me as the one of yours, despite that I do not deserve it. I pray that I do not disappoint You and always stay fixed in serving your divine instructions!
Trying to be your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Martin
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In the current age of technological progress, AI development, and improvement of material comforts at least at first glance it seems that human civilization is progressing. However, at the same time the cases of depression, anxiety and stress are growing massively. Paradoxically people are having everything they need to feel materially satisfied but they are feeling more and more hankering for the so called happiness. This is especially prevalent among the GEN Z generation which I happen to be part of. Despite all the possible material comforts, economical progress and technological advancement we still do not feel happy. Falling into the trap which society is referring as the holy grail of material success - getting a degree, finding the high-paying job and then what – enjoying its fruits by indulging in partying, intoxication and illicit relationships, we feel more and more lost asking the question – is this what life should be about? Unfortunately, today’s society is falling into this illusion or what Prahlada Maharaj is referring to as the “the chewing of what already has been chewed”. Sadly, due to the lack of better alternative young people continue hankering in this vicious cycle. Hence, the need for preaching of the message of Bhagavad Gita and further expanding the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is more relevant than ever.
And here comes your perfect example Guru Maharaj of You being able to share and present Krishna Consciousness in a way which is so innovative and so relevant for today’s society needs and by which we the Gen Z generation, from the non-traditional backgrounds, can easily relate. It inspires me so much to see the way you use examples of contemporary science, behavioral economics and research to show the plausibility of the bhakti process as the only alternative to heal our material problems and contaminations. At the end all the knowledge in the world is coming from the same source and you are perfectly showcasing and blending it in your preaching. It is a sign of a true preaching expertise to present in a such a simple and contemporary way the teachings of bhakti yoga but yet maintaining its authenticity. I pray at your lotus feet that I receive at least a tiny spark of your preaching expertise so that I am able to help you and the mission of Srila Prabhupada by giving Krishna to other people.
I am so grateful for the example which you give of how we should serve and develop relationships with our spiritual master, even though that often the physical contact might be lacking. As you often point out that the vani, associating with the instructions of the spiritual master, is actually more important than the physical association. One such example of You executing the instructions of your spiritual master is the sankirtan tour which you have made in 1978 in Eastern Europe, on which I often meditate. You have broken the “Iron Curtain” of the communist regime to plant the seed of bhakti in countries where somebody would never imagine that Krishna Consciousness might grow. Despite abandoning all physical comforts and risking your life you have dutifully served Srila Prabhupada and Caitanya Mahabrabhu. You have planted the seed of Krishna Consciousness onto distant and unknown places during a time of draconian control and oppression. As Sandipani Muni states in the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavattam – “This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even their very lives” (SB 10.80.41). Hence, you have perfectly executed the role as a perfect disciple of your spiritual master and still continue doing it by representing guru parampara and giving us the mercy of your divine instructions, guidance and inspiration towards the path of Krishna Consciousness.
Your personal approach towards each soul, your readiness to listen, help, and be of service to the others really touched me. I feel so fortunate that Krishna had crossed my path with you, that I have the chance to associate with you and relish your Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita classes. Thank you with all my heart, Guru Maharaj, for encouraging me and accepting me as the one of yours, despite that I do not deserve it. I pray that I do not disappoint You and always stay fixed in serving your divine instructions!
Trying to be your aspiring servant,
Bhakta Martin
Bhakta Raja dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I bow down at your lotus feet in deep gratitude. Year after year, your unshakeable dedication to awakening sleepy souls in this modern world stands as a towering example of genuine Vaiṣṇava compassion. Thank you for fearlessly presenting the timeless truth of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings with such clarity and relevance.
Relevance is the word that I have been thinking about these days. Your way of teaching is so relevant because, as a child of Kali-yuga, I have no qualifications, nor do I have any background that would naturally be favorable for understanding the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda and his priceless books. Only because of your endless mercy am I capable of understanding, to some extent, what Kṛṣṇa consciousness means and how to apply those teachings in my everyday "struggle for existence," as Śrīla Prabhupāda puts it. Now, by your mercy, I am trying to purify my animalistic nature so that I may once again be situated in my real position: a servant of the servant of those who serve Mahāprabhu and His associates.
I remember in your Sunday Feast lecture at the Los Angeles temple (New Dvārakā), you said: “Go to work. Yes. Do your business. Yes. To give. To give yourself a Kṛṣṇa conscious lifestyle, to give it to your family, and to give it to as much of the world as your resources allow.” This statement opened up a whole new world for me.
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
“I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”
I often struggled to see the connection between my daily job and spiritual life, or what the point of all that struggle was. But now, even with my dull intelligence, I am starting to understand that it is all about building a Kṛṣṇa conscious lifestyle. It reminds me of the Kūrma brāhmaṇa’s request to Mahāprabhu in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya-līlā, Chapter 7).
The brāhmaṇa begged Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu: “My dear Lord, kindly show me favor and let me go with You. I can no longer tolerate the waves of misery caused by materialistic life.”
And the answer of Mahāprabhu was similar to the instruction He gave to Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī:
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied: “Don’t speak like that again. Better to remain at home and chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa always.”
“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.”
Thank you, Guru Mahārāja, for being a role model not only for me, but for so many souls lost in this material world who are searching for shelter. I want to thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me. Thank you for encouraging me to advance in devotional service, and thank you for being Śrīla Prabhupāda’s warrior, spreading his and Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission in every town and village—even in Bulgaria. I beg you to please give me your blessings to become your sincere servant.
Your fallen and unqualified servant,
Bhakta Raja dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I bow down at your lotus feet in deep gratitude. Year after year, your unshakeable dedication to awakening sleepy souls in this modern world stands as a towering example of genuine Vaiṣṇava compassion. Thank you for fearlessly presenting the timeless truth of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings with such clarity and relevance.
Relevance is the word that I have been thinking about these days. Your way of teaching is so relevant because, as a child of Kali-yuga, I have no qualifications, nor do I have any background that would naturally be favorable for understanding the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda and his priceless books. Only because of your endless mercy am I capable of understanding, to some extent, what Kṛṣṇa consciousness means and how to apply those teachings in my everyday "struggle for existence," as Śrīla Prabhupāda puts it. Now, by your mercy, I am trying to purify my animalistic nature so that I may once again be situated in my real position: a servant of the servant of those who serve Mahāprabhu and His associates.
I remember in your Sunday Feast lecture at the Los Angeles temple (New Dvārakā), you said: “Go to work. Yes. Do your business. Yes. To give. To give yourself a Kṛṣṇa conscious lifestyle, to give it to your family, and to give it to as much of the world as your resources allow.” This statement opened up a whole new world for me.
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
“I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”
I often struggled to see the connection between my daily job and spiritual life, or what the point of all that struggle was. But now, even with my dull intelligence, I am starting to understand that it is all about building a Kṛṣṇa conscious lifestyle. It reminds me of the Kūrma brāhmaṇa’s request to Mahāprabhu in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya-līlā, Chapter 7).
The brāhmaṇa begged Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu: “My dear Lord, kindly show me favor and let me go with You. I can no longer tolerate the waves of misery caused by materialistic life.”
And the answer of Mahāprabhu was similar to the instruction He gave to Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī:
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied: “Don’t speak like that again. Better to remain at home and chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa always.”
“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.”
Thank you, Guru Mahārāja, for being a role model not only for me, but for so many souls lost in this material world who are searching for shelter. I want to thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me. Thank you for encouraging me to advance in devotional service, and thank you for being Śrīla Prabhupāda’s warrior, spreading his and Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission in every town and village—even in Bulgaria. I beg you to please give me your blessings to become your sincere servant.
Your fallen and unqualified servant,
Bhakta Raja dāsa
Bhakti-lata devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to hear from you and observe your example.
One quality that I particularly admire is the great care with which you chant the Hare Krishna maha mantra. You carefully arrange your day, travel, and other commitments around your chanting, always ensuring that it remains your highest priority. I have also seen how deeply concerned you become when someone neglects their chanting, which reflects how important it is to have good chanting to grow in Krishna consciousness.
I have also observed the care with which you read and study Srila Prabhupada's books. You hold them as precious jewels. As a result, you also take great care in presenting Krishna consciousness according to the audience before you. You skillfully challenge people's worldviews and thoughtfully invite them to connect with the ultimate reality according to their capacity and level of understanding.
Another quality I deeply appreciate is the care you show in your dealings with others. You make time to associate with your godbrothers, give personal attention to your disciples, and generously support those seeking your guidance. Especially when devotees go through difficult times and require additional care, you extend yourself to help them. You also take time for newcomers, meeting them where they are and helping them take their next step in Krishna consciousness.
I pray that I may gradually cultivate these same qualities in my own life. May I take greater shelter of Srila Prabhupada's books, learn to chant with greater attention and sincerity, and relate to devotees with increased care, appreciation, and service attitude.
Thank you for your example, guidance, and encouragement.
Your servant,
Bhakti-lata devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to hear from you and observe your example.
One quality that I particularly admire is the great care with which you chant the Hare Krishna maha mantra. You carefully arrange your day, travel, and other commitments around your chanting, always ensuring that it remains your highest priority. I have also seen how deeply concerned you become when someone neglects their chanting, which reflects how important it is to have good chanting to grow in Krishna consciousness.
I have also observed the care with which you read and study Srila Prabhupada's books. You hold them as precious jewels. As a result, you also take great care in presenting Krishna consciousness according to the audience before you. You skillfully challenge people's worldviews and thoughtfully invite them to connect with the ultimate reality according to their capacity and level of understanding.
Another quality I deeply appreciate is the care you show in your dealings with others. You make time to associate with your godbrothers, give personal attention to your disciples, and generously support those seeking your guidance. Especially when devotees go through difficult times and require additional care, you extend yourself to help them. You also take time for newcomers, meeting them where they are and helping them take their next step in Krishna consciousness.
I pray that I may gradually cultivate these same qualities in my own life. May I take greater shelter of Srila Prabhupada's books, learn to chant with greater attention and sincerity, and relate to devotees with increased care, appreciation, and service attitude.
Thank you for your example, guidance, and encouragement.
Your servant,
Bhakti-lata devi dasi
Bhakti-sāra 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
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In this age of fast internet, where internet speeds have reached 50 Gbps, people have access to vast amounts of information, and hardly anyone is uninformed or underinformed. Rather, most people are misinformed or even disinformed. Flimsy material aspirations are being sold everywhere.
People are emotionally malnourished because they are consuming non-organic ingredients that contain tampered macronutrients of happiness. Consequently, even material happiness is becoming increasingly far-fetched. People cannot truly feel enjoyment because hedonic adaptation spoils the party; satisfaction is undermined by the satisfaction treadmill. And what to speak of the meaning? Usually there is none, and if people do assume some meaning in their lives, it is often very insubstantial.
In your book Perfect Escape, you write:
“Although the physical, emotional and intellectual derivatives of matter may be discussion points in worldly circles, a genuinely intelligent person will search deeper, looking for the spiritual force energizing the cosmic manifestation.”
Gurudeva, you are directing us toward the real spiritual happiness that can only be attained by striving for Kṛṣṇa’s happiness. As stated in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 4.174):
ātma-sukha-duḥkhe gopīra nāhika vicāra
kṛṣṇa-sukha-hetu ceṣṭā mano-vyavahāra
“The gopīs do not care for their own pleasures or pains. All their physical and mental activities are directed toward offering enjoyment to Lord Kṛṣṇa.”
nā gaṇi āpana-duḥkha, sabe vāñchi tāṅra sukha,
tāṅra sukha — āmāra tātparya
more yadi diyā duḥkha, tāṅra haila mahā-sukha,
sei duḥkha — mora sukha-varya
“I do not mind My personal distress. I only wish for the happiness of Kṛṣṇa, for His happiness is the goal of My life. However, if He feels great happiness in giving Me distress, that distress is the greatest of My happiness.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā 20.152)
Gurudeva, your contribution to outreach, especially among those without a traditional devotional background, has been exceptional. You encourage devotees to reach out to Western people through specialized outreach centers in major Western cities such as London and Los Angeles. Devotees even travel to New Zealand to experience and learn from a flourishing Western outreach factory. You know how to keep Śrīla Prabhupāda's "International" Society for Krishna Consciousness vibrant and alive.
You constantly encourage everyone to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. About fifteen years ago, I approached you seeking inspiration for book distribution and asked, “What is the importance of book distribution for a brahmacārī?” You replied, “It is important for everyone. Even I do it. A few days ago, I was distributing door-to-door with Vaiśeṣika Prabhu.” You are one of the commanders in Lord Caitanya’s army who never stops fighting for His cause.
On this auspicious day of Vyāsa-pūjā, I beg for the benediction that I may abandon my selfishness and embrace selflessness.
Aspiring to taste a drop of the ocean of saṅkīrtana,
Your servant,
Bhakti Sāra Dāsa
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In this age of fast internet, where internet speeds have reached 50 Gbps, people have access to vast amounts of information, and hardly anyone is uninformed or underinformed. Rather, most people are misinformed or even disinformed. Flimsy material aspirations are being sold everywhere.
People are emotionally malnourished because they are consuming non-organic ingredients that contain tampered macronutrients of happiness. Consequently, even material happiness is becoming increasingly far-fetched. People cannot truly feel enjoyment because hedonic adaptation spoils the party; satisfaction is undermined by the satisfaction treadmill. And what to speak of the meaning? Usually there is none, and if people do assume some meaning in their lives, it is often very insubstantial.
In your book Perfect Escape, you write:
“Although the physical, emotional and intellectual derivatives of matter may be discussion points in worldly circles, a genuinely intelligent person will search deeper, looking for the spiritual force energizing the cosmic manifestation.”
Gurudeva, you are directing us toward the real spiritual happiness that can only be attained by striving for Kṛṣṇa’s happiness. As stated in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 4.174):
ātma-sukha-duḥkhe gopīra nāhika vicāra
kṛṣṇa-sukha-hetu ceṣṭā mano-vyavahāra
“The gopīs do not care for their own pleasures or pains. All their physical and mental activities are directed toward offering enjoyment to Lord Kṛṣṇa.”
nā gaṇi āpana-duḥkha, sabe vāñchi tāṅra sukha,
tāṅra sukha — āmāra tātparya
more yadi diyā duḥkha, tāṅra haila mahā-sukha,
sei duḥkha — mora sukha-varya
“I do not mind My personal distress. I only wish for the happiness of Kṛṣṇa, for His happiness is the goal of My life. However, if He feels great happiness in giving Me distress, that distress is the greatest of My happiness.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā 20.152)
Gurudeva, your contribution to outreach, especially among those without a traditional devotional background, has been exceptional. You encourage devotees to reach out to Western people through specialized outreach centers in major Western cities such as London and Los Angeles. Devotees even travel to New Zealand to experience and learn from a flourishing Western outreach factory. You know how to keep Śrīla Prabhupāda's "International" Society for Krishna Consciousness vibrant and alive.
You constantly encourage everyone to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. About fifteen years ago, I approached you seeking inspiration for book distribution and asked, “What is the importance of book distribution for a brahmacārī?” You replied, “It is important for everyone. Even I do it. A few days ago, I was distributing door-to-door with Vaiśeṣika Prabhu.” You are one of the commanders in Lord Caitanya’s army who never stops fighting for His cause.
On this auspicious day of Vyāsa-pūjā, I beg for the benediction that I may abandon my selfishness and embrace selflessness.
Aspiring to taste a drop of the ocean of saṅkīrtana,
Your servant,
Bhakti Sāra Dāsa
Bhauma Vrindavan Das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
As the years and time have moved on, creating the ebb and flow that life brings. My thoughts of you are never far away. You bring a stillness, a constant barometer for which I can meditate on. Bringing direction to this wayward mind.
Your continued enthusiasm for reading and speaking about krishna fills my heart with joy. I hope to one day have that same feeling and relish, to be just spontaneously happy in reading and speaking about krishna.
When seeing you and hearing you, in our darshans or lectures, you make life simple. Chanting, dancing, feasting and good association are topics not too far from your tongue. Taking care of each other as devotees, it’s a very rare thing to be in association of other devotees. We must embrace this and see it our lives mission to serve other devotees with loving affection and care. This I have learnt through having you as my spiritual master, my life’s coach. How you have so much personal interaction, kindness, compassion and love for all your disciples. You take time to listen, understand and give practical advice and instructions for us to come closer to krishna. By doing what you instruct, we come closer to you, I prey that I continue to hear and act on your instructions.
Your continued devotion to travel the world, spreading the joys of Krishna, attracting the attentive listener to take this practice seriously, make it our lives mission to try and be Krishna conscious.
You are the true farther to us all. Where would this fallen soul have been if I hadn’t have stumbled into the Loft all those years ago. I know I’m the most fortunate person to have come across your teachings.
Your instructions (and of course your humour, beautiful smile and laugh) I keep close to my heart, holding them dear. I prey that I will follow these instructions with enthusiasm and vigour for the rest of my days.
Your humble servant,
Yours always
Bhauma Vrindavan Das
Bhava Sandhi dd
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Thank you for rescuing me from wandering around the cosmos. I was just one of the many travellers who happened to stumble across one of your Western outreach centres.
Through your efforts, you have cast a wide net, capturing the interest and intellect of people who may never have been searching for Sri Krishna in the first place. To paraphrase Srila Prabhupada, “Management means to create an interest where there is none.”
Whether someone is looking for friendship, good food, a good night out, answers to questions about the deeper meaning of life, or simply some relief from distress, you have created an environment where all these things can be found — along with the hidden extra: the ultimate goal of life, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
And all for just $5 per traveller!
Such is the extraordinary mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that you are extending to countless souls. You have given us the ultimate shelter through devotional service, the holy name, devotee association, and Vrindavana. Where would I have ended up without you and these shelters? I dread to think.
This world can be a crazy and traumatic place, but early on, you encouraged me not to reject the world, but rather to become attached to Krishna and extend that same good fortune to others.
Every year, on Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja, you pour your heart into your homage, offering your service at his lotus feet for yet another year. Your steadfast and unwavering devotion to Srila Prabhupada and his mission is deeply inspiring.
I pray that I may continue to serve you and, in some small way, assist you in carrying forward this wonderful mercy to the countless wandering souls of this world. May I never take for granted the shelter I have received, and may I become more useful in helping others discover the same good fortune.
Your servant,
Bhava Sandhi dd
Thank you for rescuing me from wandering around the cosmos. I was just one of the many travellers who happened to stumble across one of your Western outreach centres.
Through your efforts, you have cast a wide net, capturing the interest and intellect of people who may never have been searching for Sri Krishna in the first place. To paraphrase Srila Prabhupada, “Management means to create an interest where there is none.”
Whether someone is looking for friendship, good food, a good night out, answers to questions about the deeper meaning of life, or simply some relief from distress, you have created an environment where all these things can be found — along with the hidden extra: the ultimate goal of life, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
And all for just $5 per traveller!
Such is the extraordinary mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that you are extending to countless souls. You have given us the ultimate shelter through devotional service, the holy name, devotee association, and Vrindavana. Where would I have ended up without you and these shelters? I dread to think.
This world can be a crazy and traumatic place, but early on, you encouraged me not to reject the world, but rather to become attached to Krishna and extend that same good fortune to others.
Every year, on Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja, you pour your heart into your homage, offering your service at his lotus feet for yet another year. Your steadfast and unwavering devotion to Srila Prabhupada and his mission is deeply inspiring.
I pray that I may continue to serve you and, in some small way, assist you in carrying forward this wonderful mercy to the countless wandering souls of this world. May I never take for granted the shelter I have received, and may I become more useful in helping others discover the same good fortune.
Your servant,
Bhava Sandhi dd
Bhuribhoja das
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Gurumaharaj, you are likened to a spiritual ambassador of the world, leading the way for
Lord Caitanya's mission, to re-establish the conditioned souls and revive them back to their
original state: Krishna consciousness, or Bhakti yoga.
Every soul you meet is very fortunate, because out of your causeless mercy you are able to
connect them with the parampara, our previous preceptors.
Your service is all-auspicious for all of humanity. Adding to the joyous testimonies of your
global outreach, book distribution, prasadam, retreats and mass Krishna katha programs all
over the world, so many people from all walks of life, from the elite intellectual to the
simple-minded contractor, have come in contact with you in this way. They have shared
life-changing, appreciative and transformational experiences for the betterment of today's
chaotic, topsy-turvy modern civilisation. Misidentifying the self, people take the temporary
body as the self, but true happiness is either spiritual or devotional, and that happiness has
no end and is unlimited.
Due to a few changes in life and the health of my family, I have dedicated some time to
supporting my daughter and doing my best as a father to support our family, while at the
same time balancing my duties and continuing my vows to live a life of dedication and
service to please you.
Gurumaharaj, every Vyasa puja is a renewed commitment: adhering to and accepting the
regulative principles, chanting japa, and, most of all, hearing the glories of Krishna in the
association of pure devotees. Please excuse me for being slack and disobedient like a fool.
Please forgive my offenses, and I pray that I can regain my spiritual strength to continue on
this path of Bhakti yoga.
All glories to your unlimited and auspicious transcendental activities, and to your mission to
carry on and recall all conditioned souls back to the lotus feet of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.
Your insignificant servant,
Bhuribhoja
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Gurumaharaj, you are likened to a spiritual ambassador of the world, leading the way for
Lord Caitanya's mission, to re-establish the conditioned souls and revive them back to their
original state: Krishna consciousness, or Bhakti yoga.
Every soul you meet is very fortunate, because out of your causeless mercy you are able to
connect them with the parampara, our previous preceptors.
Your service is all-auspicious for all of humanity. Adding to the joyous testimonies of your
global outreach, book distribution, prasadam, retreats and mass Krishna katha programs all
over the world, so many people from all walks of life, from the elite intellectual to the
simple-minded contractor, have come in contact with you in this way. They have shared
life-changing, appreciative and transformational experiences for the betterment of today's
chaotic, topsy-turvy modern civilisation. Misidentifying the self, people take the temporary
body as the self, but true happiness is either spiritual or devotional, and that happiness has
no end and is unlimited.
Due to a few changes in life and the health of my family, I have dedicated some time to
supporting my daughter and doing my best as a father to support our family, while at the
same time balancing my duties and continuing my vows to live a life of dedication and
service to please you.
Gurumaharaj, every Vyasa puja is a renewed commitment: adhering to and accepting the
regulative principles, chanting japa, and, most of all, hearing the glories of Krishna in the
association of pure devotees. Please excuse me for being slack and disobedient like a fool.
Please forgive my offenses, and I pray that I can regain my spiritual strength to continue on
this path of Bhakti yoga.
All glories to your unlimited and auspicious transcendental activities, and to your mission to
carry on and recall all conditioned souls back to the lotus feet of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.
Your insignificant servant,
Bhuribhoja
Bhuvan Mangal Devi
Hare Krishna, Dear Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this auspicious day!
Guru Maharaj, I feel truly blessed to have you as my spiritual master. No one in this material world gives away their personal belongings or wealth to another without some personal motive or purpose. However, only a bona fide Guru can bestow upon his disciple his most precious lifelong spiritual earnings, the greatest treasure and the only true asset of his life.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for blessing me with this invaluable spiritual treasure.
Gurudev, please help me and give me the strength to keep these teachings in my heart so that I can follow them throughout my life and never take them for granted.
Please guide me whenever I feel lost or distracted by the materialistic world. Help me remain humble, truthful, and devoted to you. Give me the strength to overcome my weaknesses and the wisdom to distinguish between right and wrong.
I humbly seek your blessings, Srila Gurudev, so that I may always remain engaged in the service of the Lord and the Vaishnavas and stay firmly fixed in Krishna consciousness.
Your servant,
Bhuwan Mangal Devi Dasi
Noida, India
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this auspicious day!
Guru Maharaj, I feel truly blessed to have you as my spiritual master. No one in this material world gives away their personal belongings or wealth to another without some personal motive or purpose. However, only a bona fide Guru can bestow upon his disciple his most precious lifelong spiritual earnings, the greatest treasure and the only true asset of his life.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for blessing me with this invaluable spiritual treasure.
Gurudev, please help me and give me the strength to keep these teachings in my heart so that I can follow them throughout my life and never take them for granted.
Please guide me whenever I feel lost or distracted by the materialistic world. Help me remain humble, truthful, and devoted to you. Give me the strength to overcome my weaknesses and the wisdom to distinguish between right and wrong.
I humbly seek your blessings, Srila Gurudev, so that I may always remain engaged in the service of the Lord and the Vaishnavas and stay firmly fixed in Krishna consciousness.
Your servant,
Bhuwan Mangal Devi Dasi
Noida, India
Bilvavana Das
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 am writing the below offerings and pls forgive me if I made any mistakes.
I am always astonished by the way you present the deepest subjects from the Shrimad Bhagavatam during the morning classes at the temple, and then, on the very same day, deliver such a simple, accessible, and heart-touching class for the Western upcoming devotees in the evening. What amazes me most is that both classes are equally thoughtful and touching yet presented at different levels to suit the audience. You always remind me that the audience is different, Gurudev, but I must confess that I love both your lectures, and perhaps the evening class touches my heart even more.
Guru Maharaj, you are also an expert at extracting the very essence of the shastras and presenting it to us in the most wonderful way. Whether it is the seemingly simple detail of the Lord scratching his back in his Kurma Avatar, or the beautiful sequence of Krishna's pastimes in Vrindavan, such as the events between the killing of Aghasura and the Brahma-vimohana-lila, you reveal insights that I would never have noticed on my own. These moments show us the extraordinary depth of your understanding of the shastras and your ability to bring their nectar to us.
Gurudev, your kirtans, whether at the temple or at other programmes, are truly out of this world. I have seen even newcomers become completely absorbed in your kirtans. When you sing, it feels as though you transport us away from the miseries of material life. Those moments are so precious because our minds become absorbed in the Lord, and we experience a rare sense of peace, connection, and spiritual happiness.
Gurudev, I still remember the time when I was cleaning your room and noticed a book you were reading about soil. Later, when I listened to guest presentation at the Otaki Retreat, which focused on soil, I began to understand something profound: the goodness of the vegetables we eat depends not only on the vegetables themselves but also on the health and quality of the soil in which they grow. I could see the depth of your kindness and compassion for the devotees in your work on this project in New Zealand, where you want devotees to have access to the best vegetables, grown in healthy, good-quality organic soil. It was a beautiful reminder that your care for the devotees extends even to the food they eat and their overall well-being.
Gurudev, in so many of your classes and lectures, you have emphasised the importance of being grateful to those who have helped us. What touches me deeply is that you practise what you teach. You have always greeted me warmly and thanked me even for the smallest service I have rendered. Your humility and appreciation for even the most insignificant service make your teachings come alive in a very personal way.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for inspiring us through your wisdom, your kirtans, your compassion, and, above all, your personal example. Through your words and actions, you continue to teach us not only how to understand Krishna consciousness but also how to live it with sincerity, gratitude, and love.
Jaya Gurudev and Gauranga
With lot of love and gratitude
Hare Krishna
Your servant
Bilvavana Das
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 am writing the below offerings and pls forgive me if I made any mistakes.
I am always astonished by the way you present the deepest subjects from the Shrimad Bhagavatam during the morning classes at the temple, and then, on the very same day, deliver such a simple, accessible, and heart-touching class for the Western upcoming devotees in the evening. What amazes me most is that both classes are equally thoughtful and touching yet presented at different levels to suit the audience. You always remind me that the audience is different, Gurudev, but I must confess that I love both your lectures, and perhaps the evening class touches my heart even more.
Guru Maharaj, you are also an expert at extracting the very essence of the shastras and presenting it to us in the most wonderful way. Whether it is the seemingly simple detail of the Lord scratching his back in his Kurma Avatar, or the beautiful sequence of Krishna's pastimes in Vrindavan, such as the events between the killing of Aghasura and the Brahma-vimohana-lila, you reveal insights that I would never have noticed on my own. These moments show us the extraordinary depth of your understanding of the shastras and your ability to bring their nectar to us.
Gurudev, your kirtans, whether at the temple or at other programmes, are truly out of this world. I have seen even newcomers become completely absorbed in your kirtans. When you sing, it feels as though you transport us away from the miseries of material life. Those moments are so precious because our minds become absorbed in the Lord, and we experience a rare sense of peace, connection, and spiritual happiness.
Gurudev, I still remember the time when I was cleaning your room and noticed a book you were reading about soil. Later, when I listened to guest presentation at the Otaki Retreat, which focused on soil, I began to understand something profound: the goodness of the vegetables we eat depends not only on the vegetables themselves but also on the health and quality of the soil in which they grow. I could see the depth of your kindness and compassion for the devotees in your work on this project in New Zealand, where you want devotees to have access to the best vegetables, grown in healthy, good-quality organic soil. It was a beautiful reminder that your care for the devotees extends even to the food they eat and their overall well-being.
Gurudev, in so many of your classes and lectures, you have emphasised the importance of being grateful to those who have helped us. What touches me deeply is that you practise what you teach. You have always greeted me warmly and thanked me even for the smallest service I have rendered. Your humility and appreciation for even the most insignificant service make your teachings come alive in a very personal way.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for inspiring us through your wisdom, your kirtans, your compassion, and, above all, your personal example. Through your words and actions, you continue to teach us not only how to understand Krishna consciousness but also how to live it with sincerity, gratitude, and love.
Jaya Gurudev and Gauranga
With lot of love and gratitude
Hare Krishna
Your servant
Bilvavana Das
Bimala Prasād Dāsa & Family
nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Guru 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.
As the years go by, we continue to become increasingly indebted to your unending, causeless mercy. In all your daily activities, whether it be preaching engagements or honouring prasādam, we have consistently observed your focus on punctuality and efficiency. You do not waste even a single moment in your devotional service. Recently, for example, when you were in Melbourne for the installation of Śrīla Prabhupāda at Prabhupāda Castle, you came exactly on time for the end of the abhiṣeka, gave an enlightening class, and promptly left for your next commitment. Despite such a strict schedule, however, you always spend an abundance of your precious time in guiding us and showering us with love. For example, we vividly remember when you travelled a long distance to come to our deity welcoming ceremony, and graciously spent many hours with us, consistently acquiescing to all our requests.
How can we ever repay this debt? You have fully invested in our spiritual advancement, and the only appropriate reciprocation would be to fully dedicate ourselves to serving Kṛṣṇa by following your instructions. We, however, are filled with material desires and have failed to do so. On this auspicious day of your appearance, we therefore pray for your blessings so we can follow in your footsteps and allocate more of our time for devotional service. We furthermore 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
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.
As the years go by, we continue to become increasingly indebted to your unending, causeless mercy. In all your daily activities, whether it be preaching engagements or honouring prasādam, we have consistently observed your focus on punctuality and efficiency. You do not waste even a single moment in your devotional service. Recently, for example, when you were in Melbourne for the installation of Śrīla Prabhupāda at Prabhupāda Castle, you came exactly on time for the end of the abhiṣeka, gave an enlightening class, and promptly left for your next commitment. Despite such a strict schedule, however, you always spend an abundance of your precious time in guiding us and showering us with love. For example, we vividly remember when you travelled a long distance to come to our deity welcoming ceremony, and graciously spent many hours with us, consistently acquiescing to all our requests.
How can we ever repay this debt? You have fully invested in our spiritual advancement, and the only appropriate reciprocation would be to fully dedicate ourselves to serving Kṛṣṇa by following your instructions. We, however, are filled with material desires and have failed to do so. On this auspicious day of your appearance, we therefore pray for your blessings so we can follow in your footsteps and allocate more of our time for devotional service. We furthermore 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
Brahma Kund Das
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Some time ago, I asked you a question, I don’t remember what I asked but I remember your reply. You said “have compassion for others”. At that point, I thought compassion meant doing book distribution, sharing Krishna Consciousness with others. And I thought that is easy, I can do that.
But as time has gone by and seeing your compassionate interactions with myself and others, I realised what I initially thought compassion was, is only the starting point. Through your example, I got to see the deeper meaning of compassion.
When someone begins their journey in Krishna Consciousness, you are there with them through the highs and lows, through thick and thin. Your compassion is that although you are seeing things from an advanced level, you come down to our level. You see the world from our perspective, empathize with us and while doing that you somehow challenge and encourage us to rise higher and see things from the lens of the scriptures.
Your compassion is that despite all our conditioning and faults, you still love and care for us, as we are, even right now in our very neophyte stage. While we are struggling with the modes of material nature and see life with a very limited vision, doubting the process, you see us through the vision of a Paramhamsa. You see great hope in us, recognise the potential we have, and patiently keep fanning that spiritual spark.
We make mistakes, we rebel but you don’t give up on us. In fact, you are always there giving us support and not judging us. Your compassion is, you are not seeing how far we have to go in our Krishna consciousness, but you are seeing how far we have come. You are determined to take us back home, back to Godhead, all we need to do is, just keep holding onto you.
To add to your compassion, you are working very hard as an instrument of Prabhupada’s compassion and giving us double mercy. Even at the age of 76, you go through the inconvenience of intense travelling around the world. just so that we don’t waste our time and energy working hard in the material world for no real gain.
It is your sacrifice, tolerance, patience and prayers that is allowing us to practice Krishna Consciousness and if we are following your instructions, you are removing all the obstacles from our path and making things happen.
Gurudeva, this kind of compassion is a tall order for us to follow, and you have been doing this, and so much more for decades, tirelessly showering your love and mercy upon unlimited living entities like myself.
In Bhagavad Gita 2.1, Prabhupada mentions in the purport “No one knows where compassion should be applied. Compassion for the dress of a drowning man is senseless. A man fallen in the ocean of nescience cannot be saved simply by rescuing his outward dress – the gross material body.”
When we come and complain to you about our material problems, doubting Krishna and looking for sympathy, you will say things like “you are chanting, you still have service, what is the problem”. You are seeing things from an eternal absolute perspective, while we become so absorbed in our own struggles, lose sight of the end goal and get caught up in feeling sorry for ourselves.
One time I was complaining to you about how tough things were, I was hoping for some pep talk but when I asked you, if I was heading in the right direction, you replied, “you read the same books as I do, why are you asking me this question”. Over time I have realised, that through your reply, you were compassionately reminding me to take shelter in the books and stop doubting Krishna.
One time in a darshan with Bhaktilata and myself, out of the blue, you asked me, “what do you do for Bhaktilata when she is sick”. I replied, “I leave her alone, don’t bother her and give her space”. You looked at me and said, “can you show her compassion”.
In the outreach attempts, when people are not doing what I would like them to do, I will be thinking how can someone be so stupid, why is it so hard to follow simple things and want to tell them off, that time its your reply “have compassion for others” remind me to be caring, patient and supportive and I think this is what you have to go through with me and others all the time.
Gurudeva, honestly speaking, it is easy for me to work with passion, but I know that makes me insensitive and burns people out. Even then, I find it difficult to work with compassion, so I pray to you to help me develop compassion like yours and want to thank you for the compassion you have shown me and your unconditional love.
Learning to become a compassionate servant
Brahmakund dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Some time ago, I asked you a question, I don’t remember what I asked but I remember your reply. You said “have compassion for others”. At that point, I thought compassion meant doing book distribution, sharing Krishna Consciousness with others. And I thought that is easy, I can do that.
But as time has gone by and seeing your compassionate interactions with myself and others, I realised what I initially thought compassion was, is only the starting point. Through your example, I got to see the deeper meaning of compassion.
When someone begins their journey in Krishna Consciousness, you are there with them through the highs and lows, through thick and thin. Your compassion is that although you are seeing things from an advanced level, you come down to our level. You see the world from our perspective, empathize with us and while doing that you somehow challenge and encourage us to rise higher and see things from the lens of the scriptures.
Your compassion is that despite all our conditioning and faults, you still love and care for us, as we are, even right now in our very neophyte stage. While we are struggling with the modes of material nature and see life with a very limited vision, doubting the process, you see us through the vision of a Paramhamsa. You see great hope in us, recognise the potential we have, and patiently keep fanning that spiritual spark.
We make mistakes, we rebel but you don’t give up on us. In fact, you are always there giving us support and not judging us. Your compassion is, you are not seeing how far we have to go in our Krishna consciousness, but you are seeing how far we have come. You are determined to take us back home, back to Godhead, all we need to do is, just keep holding onto you.
To add to your compassion, you are working very hard as an instrument of Prabhupada’s compassion and giving us double mercy. Even at the age of 76, you go through the inconvenience of intense travelling around the world. just so that we don’t waste our time and energy working hard in the material world for no real gain.
It is your sacrifice, tolerance, patience and prayers that is allowing us to practice Krishna Consciousness and if we are following your instructions, you are removing all the obstacles from our path and making things happen.
Gurudeva, this kind of compassion is a tall order for us to follow, and you have been doing this, and so much more for decades, tirelessly showering your love and mercy upon unlimited living entities like myself.
In Bhagavad Gita 2.1, Prabhupada mentions in the purport “No one knows where compassion should be applied. Compassion for the dress of a drowning man is senseless. A man fallen in the ocean of nescience cannot be saved simply by rescuing his outward dress – the gross material body.”
When we come and complain to you about our material problems, doubting Krishna and looking for sympathy, you will say things like “you are chanting, you still have service, what is the problem”. You are seeing things from an eternal absolute perspective, while we become so absorbed in our own struggles, lose sight of the end goal and get caught up in feeling sorry for ourselves.
One time I was complaining to you about how tough things were, I was hoping for some pep talk but when I asked you, if I was heading in the right direction, you replied, “you read the same books as I do, why are you asking me this question”. Over time I have realised, that through your reply, you were compassionately reminding me to take shelter in the books and stop doubting Krishna.
One time in a darshan with Bhaktilata and myself, out of the blue, you asked me, “what do you do for Bhaktilata when she is sick”. I replied, “I leave her alone, don’t bother her and give her space”. You looked at me and said, “can you show her compassion”.
In the outreach attempts, when people are not doing what I would like them to do, I will be thinking how can someone be so stupid, why is it so hard to follow simple things and want to tell them off, that time its your reply “have compassion for others” remind me to be caring, patient and supportive and I think this is what you have to go through with me and others all the time.
Gurudeva, honestly speaking, it is easy for me to work with passion, but I know that makes me insensitive and burns people out. Even then, I find it difficult to work with compassion, so I pray to you to help me develop compassion like yours and want to thank you for the compassion you have shown me and your unconditional love.
Learning to become a compassionate servant
Brahmakund dasa
Brahmāṇya-deva Dasa & Vrinda Kumari 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 a very happy Vyasa Puja.
Firstly I would like to show my gratitude towards your grace for accepting this unqualified person in the Parampara starting from Lord Krishna. You have helped me to become the servant of that Lord Krishna who is worshipped by Brahmanas.
It is interesting to see that we belong to a Paramapara of mercy where the predecessor acarya is showering so much mercy on their disciples but the same paramapara is also a paramapara of beggars where the disciple begs for mercy from Śrīla Gurudev.
In your Vyasa Puja offering for Śrīla Prabhupada in 2024 you wrote the following:
Our heart begs you for even the slightest fragrance of this transmundane reality.
in this offering we would like to beg for 4 things.
First, please teach us to also become sincere beggars in the paramapara.
Second is attentive chanting. We have heard from my senior god brothers in god family meetings that how you take your chanting very seriously. Infact on the day of my initiation you mentioned that if we chant attentively then we can avoid all the 10 offenses.
Srila Gurudev we beg that you please give us the ability to chant attentively as my mind is going hither and thither all the time. Also begging you to make us humble so that we can chant nicely.
Third is reading sastra, we have heard from senior god brothers that how much of your time you spend on reading about Krishna. Please give us the taste to read Prabhupada books.
Finally preaching, you have such an intense desire to give Krishna to others especially to those who have never heard about Krishna for which you are ready to go above and beyond all kinds of obstacles. We beg you to make me an instrument in this service.
We are extremely greatful to you for giving us the opportunity to serve Krishna by being in the Parampara. Thank you so much Gurudev you have been so kind to us we cannot express it in words.
Yhs
Brahmāṇya-deva Dasa
Vrinda Kumari Devi Dasi
Buddhimanta 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 76th Vyasa Puja.
Guru Maharaj, its great honour and the matter of pride for this ordinary disciple to get an extraordinary opportunity to express myself and offer my gratitude, indebtedness and gratefulness unto your lotus feet on the most auspicious day of your Vyasa Pua.
On this sacred day, I feel deeply grateful to Lord Krishna for blessing me with the association, guidance, and shelter of a spiritual master who dedicates his life to sharing the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness with the world. Your life of service, your commitment to Srila Prabhupada's mission, and your determination to spread the message of Lord Caitanya are a constant source of inspiration.
Guru Maharaj you so precisely and correctly narrated in your master class work ‘Perfect Escape’ for disciples like me “When we are in illusion, we think the pains of body and mind are us. A properly trained spiritualist, however, knows that physical mental pains and pleasures are but transformations of the layers covering the real self. The interplay of these permutations endows the soul’s temporary covering with a false importance. Consequently, a person absorbed in bodily identification becomes lost in psychology and physiology.”
Guru Maharaj, you are so concerned and compassionate towards each and every disciple that you always have a specific plan and follow up program for all the devotees for their individual spiritual growth. You have endowed your kindness upon me by reminding me lately to go deeper in chanting. I am ashamed to admit; I still struggle in relishing the sweetness of the holy name even after chanting for about four decades. On this sacred occasion, I pray for the intelligence to fulfil your only desire for me which is to improve the quality of my chanting. Also, I need your blessings to work on my determination and humility to become more serious in my spiritual practice, more attentive in my chanting of the holy names, more respectful towards the devotees, and more willing to render service without seeking recognition.
Guru Maharaj, in this age, when people are searching for happiness in so many non-spiritual things, your tailor made lectures on happiness and especially your book ‘Hiding in unnatural happiness’ serves as the first drop of rain in desert. You wrote beautifully in this book, ‘Happiness doesn’t just feel good, it’s good for you and for society. Happy people are more successful, have better relationships, are healthier and live longer. Materialism isn’t bad. It’s only bad if you use it to replace other meaningful things in life’.
Your example reminds me that the real happiness of life lies in developing our relationship with Krishna and becoming instruments in the service of the spiritual master. Only then we can experience some happiness to some extent at the worldly relationships as well.
Guru Maharaj, in deed you are one of the finest and brightest ‘Ratna’, a true gem from the cabinet of Srila Prabhupada. A touch stone can transform any iron into gold but the converted gold cannot transform any further substance into gold. Whereas the conditioned souls transformed by your training and association are further transforming consciousness of many souls solidifying and glorifying your touch stone, Midas touch quality.
Guru Maharaj, on this special day, I wish to acknowledge my own shortcomings. My mind is constantly distracted by temporary attractions and the heart often struggles to find lasting peace. Although I aspire to follow the path of bhakti, I often find myself struggling with tolerating the unpleasant situations and the tendency to place my own understanding before the instructions of scriptures.
Guru Maharaj, with the passage of time I have been entrusted with more management roles in various capacities which definitely affected my daily book reading. I beg for the inspiration to go back to books as I was doing when I was a new devotee, I truly miss those days.
I understand that simply appreciating the qualities of a spiritual master is not enough; I must also make a sincere endeavour to apply his teachings in my own life. Your dedication to serve Srila Prabhupada and his mission reminds me that Krishna consciousness is not merely a philosophy to be understood intellectually, but a way of life to be practised sincerely.
I have no real qualification to glorify you adequately, Guru Maharaj. Whatever little appreciation I have is only by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the Vaishnavas. I can only pray that I may develop the sincerity to follow the path they have shown, and become in some small way, useful in your service.
Today I offer my heartfelt prayers to Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev to bless you with continued strength, enthusiasm, good health, a long life and inspiration in your service to Srila Prabhupada. May your efforts continue to bring the happiness of Krishna consciousness into the lives of countless souls. May you continue spreading an environment of fulfilment through your lectures, your own examples, your witty answers to the material questions, your sweet smile and classic laughter.
On this most auspicious day, I submit this humble offering at your lotus feet, seeking your blessings to remain connected to the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga in the divine mission of Srila Prabhupada and to continue making a sincere endeavour to advance in Krishna consciousness
Happy Vyasa Puja, Guru Maharaj!
Your humble servant,
Buddhimanta Dasa
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 76th Vyasa Puja.
Guru Maharaj, its great honour and the matter of pride for this ordinary disciple to get an extraordinary opportunity to express myself and offer my gratitude, indebtedness and gratefulness unto your lotus feet on the most auspicious day of your Vyasa Pua.
On this sacred day, I feel deeply grateful to Lord Krishna for blessing me with the association, guidance, and shelter of a spiritual master who dedicates his life to sharing the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness with the world. Your life of service, your commitment to Srila Prabhupada's mission, and your determination to spread the message of Lord Caitanya are a constant source of inspiration.
Guru Maharaj you so precisely and correctly narrated in your master class work ‘Perfect Escape’ for disciples like me “When we are in illusion, we think the pains of body and mind are us. A properly trained spiritualist, however, knows that physical mental pains and pleasures are but transformations of the layers covering the real self. The interplay of these permutations endows the soul’s temporary covering with a false importance. Consequently, a person absorbed in bodily identification becomes lost in psychology and physiology.”
Guru Maharaj, you are so concerned and compassionate towards each and every disciple that you always have a specific plan and follow up program for all the devotees for their individual spiritual growth. You have endowed your kindness upon me by reminding me lately to go deeper in chanting. I am ashamed to admit; I still struggle in relishing the sweetness of the holy name even after chanting for about four decades. On this sacred occasion, I pray for the intelligence to fulfil your only desire for me which is to improve the quality of my chanting. Also, I need your blessings to work on my determination and humility to become more serious in my spiritual practice, more attentive in my chanting of the holy names, more respectful towards the devotees, and more willing to render service without seeking recognition.
Guru Maharaj, in this age, when people are searching for happiness in so many non-spiritual things, your tailor made lectures on happiness and especially your book ‘Hiding in unnatural happiness’ serves as the first drop of rain in desert. You wrote beautifully in this book, ‘Happiness doesn’t just feel good, it’s good for you and for society. Happy people are more successful, have better relationships, are healthier and live longer. Materialism isn’t bad. It’s only bad if you use it to replace other meaningful things in life’.
Your example reminds me that the real happiness of life lies in developing our relationship with Krishna and becoming instruments in the service of the spiritual master. Only then we can experience some happiness to some extent at the worldly relationships as well.
Guru Maharaj, in deed you are one of the finest and brightest ‘Ratna’, a true gem from the cabinet of Srila Prabhupada. A touch stone can transform any iron into gold but the converted gold cannot transform any further substance into gold. Whereas the conditioned souls transformed by your training and association are further transforming consciousness of many souls solidifying and glorifying your touch stone, Midas touch quality.
Guru Maharaj, on this special day, I wish to acknowledge my own shortcomings. My mind is constantly distracted by temporary attractions and the heart often struggles to find lasting peace. Although I aspire to follow the path of bhakti, I often find myself struggling with tolerating the unpleasant situations and the tendency to place my own understanding before the instructions of scriptures.
Guru Maharaj, with the passage of time I have been entrusted with more management roles in various capacities which definitely affected my daily book reading. I beg for the inspiration to go back to books as I was doing when I was a new devotee, I truly miss those days.
I understand that simply appreciating the qualities of a spiritual master is not enough; I must also make a sincere endeavour to apply his teachings in my own life. Your dedication to serve Srila Prabhupada and his mission reminds me that Krishna consciousness is not merely a philosophy to be understood intellectually, but a way of life to be practised sincerely.
I have no real qualification to glorify you adequately, Guru Maharaj. Whatever little appreciation I have is only by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the Vaishnavas. I can only pray that I may develop the sincerity to follow the path they have shown, and become in some small way, useful in your service.
Today I offer my heartfelt prayers to Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev to bless you with continued strength, enthusiasm, good health, a long life and inspiration in your service to Srila Prabhupada. May your efforts continue to bring the happiness of Krishna consciousness into the lives of countless souls. May you continue spreading an environment of fulfilment through your lectures, your own examples, your witty answers to the material questions, your sweet smile and classic laughter.
On this most auspicious day, I submit this humble offering at your lotus feet, seeking your blessings to remain connected to the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga in the divine mission of Srila Prabhupada and to continue making a sincere endeavour to advance in Krishna consciousness
Happy Vyasa Puja, Guru Maharaj!
Your humble servant,
Buddhimanta Dasa
Cancala-Laksmi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
Recently I’ve been thinking more about time.
It all started a few weeks ago, as I finished up at work. On my last day I kept thinking, “There are still so many things to do, so many loose ends to tie up or hand over to someone else.” But it all had to be wrapped up by the end of the day, whether I was ready or not.
This made me think about the time of death. How the clock is ticking and whether we feel ready for that transition to occur or not, by the force of time, <i>it will come.</i>
It got me wondering, <i>Will I feel ready at the time of death?</i>
Time and tide wait for no man.
I was trying to remember where I’d heard Srila Prabhupada say this, and looked it up. He says it in several places, including the purport to the well known verse in Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.3.17, “This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man.”
Srila Prabhupada goes on to say, “Human life is simply awarded to a living entity (jīva) so that he can realize his spiritual identity and his permanent source of happiness.”
How amazing! We’ve been given such a gift and opportunity. But, again, it got me thinking, <i>How do I actually use the time I’ve been given in this life? Am I searching after permanent happiness?</i>
Maybe. Sometimes.
This reality check made me think of you and how carefully you use your time. You don’t waste it. And you encourage us not to waste it either. I’m grateful to have your example of how to use time in Krsna’s service.
Thank you for your association, for your encouragement on this path back to Krsna, for your continued care and guidance, for your cobweb clearing classes and revitalising kirtans. Thank you for continuing to travel down to little New Zealand so we can hear from you. Thank you for picking me up out of the swamp of Kali-yuga and showing me what my life is meant for.
Please kindly bless me that I may always remember the goal of life, reviving my loving service to Krsna. Let me not waste the time I have left seeking temporary sources of happiness. Let me remember always this gift I have been given.
With gratitude,
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Cancala-Laksmi dd
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!
Recently I’ve been thinking more about time.
It all started a few weeks ago, as I finished up at work. On my last day I kept thinking, “There are still so many things to do, so many loose ends to tie up or hand over to someone else.” But it all had to be wrapped up by the end of the day, whether I was ready or not.
This made me think about the time of death. How the clock is ticking and whether we feel ready for that transition to occur or not, by the force of time, <i>it will come.</i>
It got me wondering, <i>Will I feel ready at the time of death?</i>
Time and tide wait for no man.
I was trying to remember where I’d heard Srila Prabhupada say this, and looked it up. He says it in several places, including the purport to the well known verse in Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.3.17, “This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man.”
Srila Prabhupada goes on to say, “Human life is simply awarded to a living entity (jīva) so that he can realize his spiritual identity and his permanent source of happiness.”
How amazing! We’ve been given such a gift and opportunity. But, again, it got me thinking, <i>How do I actually use the time I’ve been given in this life? Am I searching after permanent happiness?</i>
Maybe. Sometimes.
This reality check made me think of you and how carefully you use your time. You don’t waste it. And you encourage us not to waste it either. I’m grateful to have your example of how to use time in Krsna’s service.
Thank you for your association, for your encouragement on this path back to Krsna, for your continued care and guidance, for your cobweb clearing classes and revitalising kirtans. Thank you for continuing to travel down to little New Zealand so we can hear from you. Thank you for picking me up out of the swamp of Kali-yuga and showing me what my life is meant for.
Please kindly bless me that I may always remember the goal of life, reviving my loving service to Krsna. Let me not waste the time I have left seeking temporary sources of happiness. Let me remember always this gift I have been given.
With gratitude,
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Cancala-Laksmi dd
Candaneśvara Das
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. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As the years pass, I am realising more and more how genuine your mercy is, in accepting unworthy disciples like me. I can’t thank you enough for accepting me. By accepting me, you connected me to the guru-shishya parampara, where one can feel the presence and blessings of the great acharyas.
Dear Gurudeva, I am sharing a few things I heard in lectures and which inspired me to think about you and the qualities you exhibit.
Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura gives an example that I appreciated a lot. Krishna’s pastimes are beautiful in Goloka and Vrindavan, but they shine even more in this material world. How so? This is explained through an example. If you keep a priceless jewel in a bright room, you hardly notice its glow. Bring the same jewel into a pitch-dark room and everyone is amazed. The jewel hasn’t changed. The darkness makes us see it.
Krishna comes here for us. In the spiritual world He only tastes sweet pastimes. Here, because we are stuck in birth and death, He also gets to show mercy.
Gurudeva, I was in a dark room. I didn’t even know it was dark, because I was so used to it. Then you walked in carrying the bright jewel of Krishna Consciousness, and for the first time I saw how much beauty I had been missing.
Kavikarnapura gives an unparalleled description of baby Krishna. He compares baby Krishna from head to toe to a basket of flowers, basket of fruits and basket of jewels. Why? Because Krishna's body is like blue lotuses, with nails like white jasmine and lips like tiny red flowers. Similarly, Krishna is comparable to a basket of fruit, with lips like a freshly cut red bimba fruit and a body that seems soft, juicy and sweet. He is also a basket of jewels, with nails like silver pearls, a body that shines like sapphire and lips like red rubies.
And then I think of you, Guru Maharaj. You are the flower vendor who has brought this most fragrant flower basket of Krishna right to our street. You are the fruit vendor who puts this sweetest Krishna fruit in our hands and says, “Taste it. It is for you.” You are the jeweler who takes the rarest Krishna jewel and shares it with conditioned souls like us.
You have made Krishna accessible to everyone. You have taken the profound wisdom of the scriptures and the teachings of the great acharyas and brought them to people in busy cities and remote corners of the world. The teachings remain just as profound and precious, but through your words and your mercy, they become easier for people like me to understand, appreciate and apply in our lives. I don’t know how to thank you for that.
I often wonder how I would ever have come to appreciate the wonderful world of Krishna’s pastimes if you had not opened the doors for me. With my restless mind and so many distractions, I might have lived my whole life without truly understanding the treasure that was right in front of me.
Gurudeva, through your classes, you have patiently taken me deeper into this world. I am especially grateful for how you explore the finer details of Krishna’s pastimes that are rarely discussed, helping us appreciate their deeper meaning, sweetness and beauty. Things I might have otherwise overlooked have become precious glimpses into a world I could never have discovered on my own.
When I think about all you have given me, I wonder how I could ever repay it. In the Bhagavatam (SB 10.80.35-41), Krishna Himself shows us how a disciple remembers his guru. In Dvaraka, He sits with His old friend Sudama and starts reminiscing. He asks whether Sudama remembers the time their guru’s wife sent them to the forest for firewood, and a fierce, unseasonal storm broke over them. Their guru, Sandipani, came searching for them and was deeply moved by what they had gone through. He told them it is the duty of a true disciple to repay the debt to the guru, offering wealth and even life with a pure heart .
Even the Lord affectionately always remembered how indebted He was to his own guru. Then how can I such an insignificant conditioned soul ever pay this debt? I can never repay my debt to you, but I want to keep trying . Please keep me in your mercy, even when I fall short. I beg you to please give us the patience, courage and determination to keep following your instructions and humility to serve Naama prabhu and the devotees.
Your insignificant servants,
Candanesvara das
Suvarna Radhika DD
Narottam & Sudama
pracāre pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As the years pass, I am realising more and more how genuine your mercy is, in accepting unworthy disciples like me. I can’t thank you enough for accepting me. By accepting me, you connected me to the guru-shishya parampara, where one can feel the presence and blessings of the great acharyas.
Dear Gurudeva, I am sharing a few things I heard in lectures and which inspired me to think about you and the qualities you exhibit.
Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura gives an example that I appreciated a lot. Krishna’s pastimes are beautiful in Goloka and Vrindavan, but they shine even more in this material world. How so? This is explained through an example. If you keep a priceless jewel in a bright room, you hardly notice its glow. Bring the same jewel into a pitch-dark room and everyone is amazed. The jewel hasn’t changed. The darkness makes us see it.
Krishna comes here for us. In the spiritual world He only tastes sweet pastimes. Here, because we are stuck in birth and death, He also gets to show mercy.
Gurudeva, I was in a dark room. I didn’t even know it was dark, because I was so used to it. Then you walked in carrying the bright jewel of Krishna Consciousness, and for the first time I saw how much beauty I had been missing.
Kavikarnapura gives an unparalleled description of baby Krishna. He compares baby Krishna from head to toe to a basket of flowers, basket of fruits and basket of jewels. Why? Because Krishna's body is like blue lotuses, with nails like white jasmine and lips like tiny red flowers. Similarly, Krishna is comparable to a basket of fruit, with lips like a freshly cut red bimba fruit and a body that seems soft, juicy and sweet. He is also a basket of jewels, with nails like silver pearls, a body that shines like sapphire and lips like red rubies.
And then I think of you, Guru Maharaj. You are the flower vendor who has brought this most fragrant flower basket of Krishna right to our street. You are the fruit vendor who puts this sweetest Krishna fruit in our hands and says, “Taste it. It is for you.” You are the jeweler who takes the rarest Krishna jewel and shares it with conditioned souls like us.
You have made Krishna accessible to everyone. You have taken the profound wisdom of the scriptures and the teachings of the great acharyas and brought them to people in busy cities and remote corners of the world. The teachings remain just as profound and precious, but through your words and your mercy, they become easier for people like me to understand, appreciate and apply in our lives. I don’t know how to thank you for that.
I often wonder how I would ever have come to appreciate the wonderful world of Krishna’s pastimes if you had not opened the doors for me. With my restless mind and so many distractions, I might have lived my whole life without truly understanding the treasure that was right in front of me.
Gurudeva, through your classes, you have patiently taken me deeper into this world. I am especially grateful for how you explore the finer details of Krishna’s pastimes that are rarely discussed, helping us appreciate their deeper meaning, sweetness and beauty. Things I might have otherwise overlooked have become precious glimpses into a world I could never have discovered on my own.
When I think about all you have given me, I wonder how I could ever repay it. In the Bhagavatam (SB 10.80.35-41), Krishna Himself shows us how a disciple remembers his guru. In Dvaraka, He sits with His old friend Sudama and starts reminiscing. He asks whether Sudama remembers the time their guru’s wife sent them to the forest for firewood, and a fierce, unseasonal storm broke over them. Their guru, Sandipani, came searching for them and was deeply moved by what they had gone through. He told them it is the duty of a true disciple to repay the debt to the guru, offering wealth and even life with a pure heart .
Even the Lord affectionately always remembered how indebted He was to his own guru. Then how can I such an insignificant conditioned soul ever pay this debt? I can never repay my debt to you, but I want to keep trying . Please keep me in your mercy, even when I fall short. I beg you to please give us the patience, courage and determination to keep following your instructions and humility to serve Naama prabhu and the devotees.
Your insignificant servants,
Candanesvara das
Suvarna Radhika DD
Narottam & Sudama
Caṇḍīdāsa dāsa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
This year I have been struck by how you always manage to manifest so many opportunities for everyone to be engaged in some kind of devotional service. You often say that “devotee means devotional service,” and you are expert at providing the means, venues, opportunities and incentives for engaging everyone in such service.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the following in his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.2.31, quoting Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta:
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.”
– Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 19.151
Prabhupāda elaborates in his purport:
“One can achieve the seed of bhakti-latā, devotional service, by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa. The duty of the guru is to find the means, according to the time, the circumstances and the candidate, by which one can be induced to render devotional service, which Kṛṣṇa accepts from a candidate who wants to be successful in going back home, back to Godhead. After wandering throughout the universe, a fortunate person within this material world seeks shelter of such a guru, or ācārya, who trains the devotee in the suitable ways to render service according to the circumstances so that the Supreme Personality of Godhead will accept the service. This makes it easier for the candidate to reach the ultimate destination. The ācārya's duty, therefore, is to find the means by which devotees may render service according to references from śāstra.”
I see you doing this constantly.
Devotional service is our life and soul. It is the thing that sustains me in my Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Without service, there is only so much I can do to maintain my spiritual life. Even a small amount of service makes such a difference.
There are so many distractions in the material world and so many other things we could be doing instead. I find that making some time to do even a small amount of service helps me remember the true purpose of life and allows me to make at least some slow progress towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
I simply wish that I may continue to do some devotional service lifetime after lifetime.
Thank you very much.
Your servant,
Caṇḍīdāsa dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
This year I have been struck by how you always manage to manifest so many opportunities for everyone to be engaged in some kind of devotional service. You often say that “devotee means devotional service,” and you are expert at providing the means, venues, opportunities and incentives for engaging everyone in such service.
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the following in his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.2.31, quoting Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta:
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.”
– Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 19.151
Prabhupāda elaborates in his purport:
“One can achieve the seed of bhakti-latā, devotional service, by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa. The duty of the guru is to find the means, according to the time, the circumstances and the candidate, by which one can be induced to render devotional service, which Kṛṣṇa accepts from a candidate who wants to be successful in going back home, back to Godhead. After wandering throughout the universe, a fortunate person within this material world seeks shelter of such a guru, or ācārya, who trains the devotee in the suitable ways to render service according to the circumstances so that the Supreme Personality of Godhead will accept the service. This makes it easier for the candidate to reach the ultimate destination. The ācārya's duty, therefore, is to find the means by which devotees may render service according to references from śāstra.”
I see you doing this constantly.
Devotional service is our life and soul. It is the thing that sustains me in my Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Without service, there is only so much I can do to maintain my spiritual life. Even a small amount of service makes such a difference.
There are so many distractions in the material world and so many other things we could be doing instead. I find that making some time to do even a small amount of service helps me remember the true purpose of life and allows me to make at least some slow progress towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
I simply wish that I may continue to do some devotional service lifetime after lifetime.
Thank you very much.
Your servant,
Caṇḍīdāsa dāsa
Charumukhi dd
Dear Gurudev please accept my humble obeisances at dust of your lotus feet.
All Glorious to you all glorious to Shrila Prabhupada!
Thank you for your mercy, and thank you for being my inspiration and my beacon in this material world.
Your enthusiasm and stadines are grate example and a source of motivation.
Thank you for being my spiritual master and for guiding me on my path of devotional service to Radha and Krishna.
Your spiritual daughter
Charumukhi dd
All Glorious to you all glorious to Shrila Prabhupada!
Thank you for your mercy, and thank you for being my inspiration and my beacon in this material world.
Your enthusiasm and stadines are grate example and a source of motivation.
Thank you for being my spiritual master and for guiding me on my path of devotional service to Radha and Krishna.
Your spiritual daughter
Charumukhi dd
Chintamani Dham Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna!
My Dear Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisance at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This year we are celebrating your 76th Vyasa Puja but due to my ignorance, I don't know how to glorify you. Please forgive me for my incompetence.
Guru Maharaj you taught us how to sincerely practice devotion to Krishna. You showed us how we can become a sincere devotee of Krishna. I am very thankful at the lotus of Srila Gurudeva for giving us the opportunity to serve instructions to do more services. I am very happily following your instructions. On the battlefield of material world, age of Kali is bravely ruling, but Guru Maharaj you give a solid fight like a brave soldier. Everyone in this material world live selfishly for their own pleasure but Guru Maharaj you helped living entity to find real eternal peace and happiness, who are suffering since long in the material world. Guru Maharaj, your lectures are sources of spiritual strength for me. I got lot of determination and felt motivated to go on with devotional services. Currently, I am serving Night Dressing Seva to Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev in the temple. Please bless me so that I could develop full faith and surrender to your instructions. Your worlds strike like thunderbolt but real like nectar. You remind us what true surrender means. Not comfort, not fame but pure raw decication to Guru and Gauranga. You gave me a place in this divine family of Krishna Consciousness. Finally Guru Maharaj, I beg for your mercy so that I could develop taste for reading, hearing, chanting and preaching.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for not giving up on this fallen soul. Thank you for showing the world, what it truly means to live for Krishna!
Happy Vyasa Puja Day Guru Maharaj
Your Humble Servant
Chintamani Dham Devi Dasi
My Dear Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisance at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This year we are celebrating your 76th Vyasa Puja but due to my ignorance, I don't know how to glorify you. Please forgive me for my incompetence.
Guru Maharaj you taught us how to sincerely practice devotion to Krishna. You showed us how we can become a sincere devotee of Krishna. I am very thankful at the lotus of Srila Gurudeva for giving us the opportunity to serve instructions to do more services. I am very happily following your instructions. On the battlefield of material world, age of Kali is bravely ruling, but Guru Maharaj you give a solid fight like a brave soldier. Everyone in this material world live selfishly for their own pleasure but Guru Maharaj you helped living entity to find real eternal peace and happiness, who are suffering since long in the material world. Guru Maharaj, your lectures are sources of spiritual strength for me. I got lot of determination and felt motivated to go on with devotional services. Currently, I am serving Night Dressing Seva to Sri Sri Radha Govind Dev in the temple. Please bless me so that I could develop full faith and surrender to your instructions. Your worlds strike like thunderbolt but real like nectar. You remind us what true surrender means. Not comfort, not fame but pure raw decication to Guru and Gauranga. You gave me a place in this divine family of Krishna Consciousness. Finally Guru Maharaj, I beg for your mercy so that I could develop taste for reading, hearing, chanting and preaching.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for not giving up on this fallen soul. Thank you for showing the world, what it truly means to live for Krishna!
Happy Vyasa Puja Day Guru Maharaj
Your Humble Servant
Chintamani Dham Devi Dasi
Chitra rani dd
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
Jānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
All glories to Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Vyasa Puja, my dear Srila Gurudeva.
I offer my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
My dear Gurudeva, I am not qualified to glorify you. My intelligence is very low and I am full of anarthas. How can a fallen soul like me describe your glories? Still, on the strength of sastra, I try to offer a few words.
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 benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement.
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva Tasya
Vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
“The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord.”
cākṣu-dāna dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jñāna hṛde prokāśito
premā-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte
He who opened my eyes blinded by darkness with the torchlight of knowledge is my Lord birth after birth.
tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva
darśinaḥ (Bhagavad-gita 4.34)
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.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance, my first prayer is for your good health. Your good health is so important for all of us, for our whole congregation. May Lord Krishna keep you always healthy and protected so you can deliver fallen souls like me.
Gurudeva, I am trying to follow your instructions sincerely. But I always feel that I am not doing well, that something is missing, that I am not doing enough. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. In that situation, I emailed you. Then the next moment I felt I am so ignorant. I thought I shouldn't disturb Gurudeva for tiny things. I wanted to say sorry. I felt I should reach you only with questions like how to improve my Bhakti, how to please the Lord. But because of my ignorance, I wanted to ask all these and ended up writing many other things as well. I felt I must have disappointed you.
I gets confused with many things. But a guru is a person who solves all confusion and shows and helps to reach the spiritual goal.
You are so merciful, Gurudeva, and you are my spiritual master. I see my father in you. So when I started writing to you, I wrote all that was bothering me. And both times I felt very light and I found answers. I felt Gurudeva is always around his disciples. Your hands are always on our heads. He never leaves us alone. Even if I wouldn't get a chance to meet in person, still he knows everything. He is the representative of the Lord. That is why you eased my fear and trouble simply by your reply - "your well-wisher".
In this lifetime I did not do anything to deserve your blessings, but maybe in a past life I did something, that is why Lord Krishna put me under your shelter and showed me the path to improve this life and gave me an aim of life.
Please Gurudeva, give me your blessings so I can become worthy to follow your instructions. May the Lord give me a little intelligence and good health so I can serve you.
Gurudeva, you have mercifully instructed me to make my home a Krishna conscious home. This instruction is my life and soul and I want to follow it sincerely.
But I feel I am not qualified and I do not know how to properly execute this instruction. I am trying, but I fear I am not doing it in the right way.
So I am begging for your guidance, Gurudeva. Please kindly instruct me how I can practically make my home Krishna conscious? What daily practices should I follow as a grihastha and my other family members are not yet in Krishna Consciousness. Sometimes I feel alone and I do not know how to practice in such a situation without creating disturbance. to please you and Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna?
Please keep this fallen soul in your prayers and bless me so I can follow your instruction sincerely and make my family Krishna conscious.
I am seeking your guidance and blessings to develop that urge for the Lord which I feel is missing. I do not feel that real hankering for Krishna. It won't come without your guidance and without your blessings.
Please Gurudeva, help me to keep focus on the goal of developing pure love for the Lord, so I do not get disturbed with material distress. Even if I get distress, it takes me more close to the Lord.
When it was our 2025 Vyasa Puja meeting, Sevya Bhagavan Prabhuji was sharing some precious moments he spent with you. In one of them he was saying, he wanted to ask you something and he went into your room twice, but you were doing your chanting so you didn't respond. Prabhuji's point was that you do your chanting very, very sincerely and attentively. Please bless me, Gurudeva, so even some drops of your blessings might improve me and make me sincere for chanting.
Please keep this fallen soul in your prayers and bless me so I can do attentive chant.
Your insignificant servant
Your Spiritual daughter
Chitra rani dd 🙏🏻
Jānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
All glories to Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Vyasa Puja, my dear Srila Gurudeva.
I offer my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
My dear Gurudeva, I am not qualified to glorify you. My intelligence is very low and I am full of anarthas. How can a fallen soul like me describe your glories? Still, on the strength of sastra, I try to offer a few words.
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 benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement.
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva Tasya
Vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
“The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord.”
cākṣu-dāna dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jñāna hṛde prokāśito
premā-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte
He who opened my eyes blinded by darkness with the torchlight of knowledge is my Lord birth after birth.
tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva
darśinaḥ (Bhagavad-gita 4.34)
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.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance, my first prayer is for your good health. Your good health is so important for all of us, for our whole congregation. May Lord Krishna keep you always healthy and protected so you can deliver fallen souls like me.
Gurudeva, I am trying to follow your instructions sincerely. But I always feel that I am not doing well, that something is missing, that I am not doing enough. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. In that situation, I emailed you. Then the next moment I felt I am so ignorant. I thought I shouldn't disturb Gurudeva for tiny things. I wanted to say sorry. I felt I should reach you only with questions like how to improve my Bhakti, how to please the Lord. But because of my ignorance, I wanted to ask all these and ended up writing many other things as well. I felt I must have disappointed you.
I gets confused with many things. But a guru is a person who solves all confusion and shows and helps to reach the spiritual goal.
You are so merciful, Gurudeva, and you are my spiritual master. I see my father in you. So when I started writing to you, I wrote all that was bothering me. And both times I felt very light and I found answers. I felt Gurudeva is always around his disciples. Your hands are always on our heads. He never leaves us alone. Even if I wouldn't get a chance to meet in person, still he knows everything. He is the representative of the Lord. That is why you eased my fear and trouble simply by your reply - "your well-wisher".
In this lifetime I did not do anything to deserve your blessings, but maybe in a past life I did something, that is why Lord Krishna put me under your shelter and showed me the path to improve this life and gave me an aim of life.
Please Gurudeva, give me your blessings so I can become worthy to follow your instructions. May the Lord give me a little intelligence and good health so I can serve you.
Gurudeva, you have mercifully instructed me to make my home a Krishna conscious home. This instruction is my life and soul and I want to follow it sincerely.
But I feel I am not qualified and I do not know how to properly execute this instruction. I am trying, but I fear I am not doing it in the right way.
So I am begging for your guidance, Gurudeva. Please kindly instruct me how I can practically make my home Krishna conscious? What daily practices should I follow as a grihastha and my other family members are not yet in Krishna Consciousness. Sometimes I feel alone and I do not know how to practice in such a situation without creating disturbance. to please you and Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna?
Please keep this fallen soul in your prayers and bless me so I can follow your instruction sincerely and make my family Krishna conscious.
I am seeking your guidance and blessings to develop that urge for the Lord which I feel is missing. I do not feel that real hankering for Krishna. It won't come without your guidance and without your blessings.
Please Gurudeva, help me to keep focus on the goal of developing pure love for the Lord, so I do not get disturbed with material distress. Even if I get distress, it takes me more close to the Lord.
When it was our 2025 Vyasa Puja meeting, Sevya Bhagavan Prabhuji was sharing some precious moments he spent with you. In one of them he was saying, he wanted to ask you something and he went into your room twice, but you were doing your chanting so you didn't respond. Prabhuji's point was that you do your chanting very, very sincerely and attentively. Please bless me, Gurudeva, so even some drops of your blessings might improve me and make me sincere for chanting.
Please keep this fallen soul in your prayers and bless me so I can do attentive chant.
Your insignificant servant
Your Spiritual daughter
Chitra rani dd 🙏🏻
Citta Mohini devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this special day of your appearance.
Gurudeva, you are an ocean of mercy. You are so busy and have so many disciples but still you have the time to help everyone. In your lecture at Bhakti Lounge on 16 May 2026, you mentioned that while delivering the lecture at the university you were pleading your heart out to the students. I felt so emotional when I heard that. It really showed how dependent you are on Krishna and how much you really care for each and every soul who has fallen astray from Krishna. You are completely Krishna conscious, you don't have to do this, you can easily sit in your room and relish Krishna katha, but out of compassion you come out to help us all. You travel tirelessly to remind and re-remind us of the rare opportunity that we have been given. At such an advanced age, you are always travelling. Commuting to Wellington from Levin for one day makes me so tired. You were recently with us in Auckland for the vyasa puja ceremony and a few days later i noticed you were initiating disciples in Melbourne. You utilize each second in your life for Krishna’s pleasure. You always tell us in your lectures: everything for Krishna, nothing for me, you are an amazing example of this statement.
Gurudeva, the opportunity that I have got today is because of your mercy and you really want me to be Krishna conscious. I am so fortunate that by your mercy I now have access to the most precious jewel of bhakti. All that i need to do now is just keep at it. Sometimes life feels really hard, but I want to keep pushing because I want to please you. Your love and care are unlimited, I have experienced that myself. On the same day, 16 May 2026 I asked you a question about chanting Hare Krishna. You were really concerned about me and you very mercifully told me that as a new mother if I can just somehow chant my rounds then you will be happy. You are always concerned about my welfare. You also ask Madhava Mohini about how I am doing. I feel really privileged and grateful to receive your care and affection.
On this special day of your appearance I pray to the Lordships for your good health so that you can continue serving your eternal master, Srila Prabhupada.
Your indebted servant and spiritual daughter
Citta Mohini
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this special day of your appearance.
Gurudeva, you are an ocean of mercy. You are so busy and have so many disciples but still you have the time to help everyone. In your lecture at Bhakti Lounge on 16 May 2026, you mentioned that while delivering the lecture at the university you were pleading your heart out to the students. I felt so emotional when I heard that. It really showed how dependent you are on Krishna and how much you really care for each and every soul who has fallen astray from Krishna. You are completely Krishna conscious, you don't have to do this, you can easily sit in your room and relish Krishna katha, but out of compassion you come out to help us all. You travel tirelessly to remind and re-remind us of the rare opportunity that we have been given. At such an advanced age, you are always travelling. Commuting to Wellington from Levin for one day makes me so tired. You were recently with us in Auckland for the vyasa puja ceremony and a few days later i noticed you were initiating disciples in Melbourne. You utilize each second in your life for Krishna’s pleasure. You always tell us in your lectures: everything for Krishna, nothing for me, you are an amazing example of this statement.
Gurudeva, the opportunity that I have got today is because of your mercy and you really want me to be Krishna conscious. I am so fortunate that by your mercy I now have access to the most precious jewel of bhakti. All that i need to do now is just keep at it. Sometimes life feels really hard, but I want to keep pushing because I want to please you. Your love and care are unlimited, I have experienced that myself. On the same day, 16 May 2026 I asked you a question about chanting Hare Krishna. You were really concerned about me and you very mercifully told me that as a new mother if I can just somehow chant my rounds then you will be happy. You are always concerned about my welfare. You also ask Madhava Mohini about how I am doing. I feel really privileged and grateful to receive your care and affection.
On this special day of your appearance I pray to the Lordships for your good health so that you can continue serving your eternal master, Srila Prabhupada.
Your indebted servant and spiritual daughter
Citta Mohini
Corey Hoydic
Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeiscances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
When I met you, things were going pretty well for me. I had just become a yoga teacher, got back in grad school after a mental health break, and started dating for the first time in ten years. Perhaps it was during a kirtan, after your lecture, or just from your glance in my direction, but at some point during the 2025 Recharge Retreat the voice in my head said, "Mom and Dad, I hope you understand: please forgive me, but this is what I am going to do with my life."
That's probably why when I had Darshan with you, and you asked if I had any questions, I said "No questions. Is there any room in the initiation tomorrow?" I hope that wasn't the first time you heard that... like any good teacher you told me to slow down, and you asked me when I could start chanting 16 rounds. I said, "today," and I've kept that vow and been deepening that relationship ever since.
The diksha initiation is where things got weird, but you, our whole sampradaya, and Krishna must have heard me. And I heard, saw, and bathed in the love of all of you. In a way I was initiated that day because I accepted you as a spiritual master and began chanting Hare Krishna seriously. I also found freedom from addiction in the regulative principles, and for some reason became disinterested in dating. But as a rascal whose material intelligence has got him into at least as much trouble as it has good, I must have needed a large, glowing, neon sign that could smack me in the face. That sign came during the yajña, when I communed with what I understood to be the supersoul and wholeheartedly accepted the mission of the cult of Lord Caitanya with the totality of my being. Then, when chanting vedic hymns and throwing grains into the fire, something happened. First, I became aware that I could chant these complex vedic hymns, without knowing any of the words, perfectly, and that this was coming as a transmission from you and our disciplic succession. I mean perfect Sanskrit. And then, as the diksha ceremony concluded and the yajña transformed into kirtan, I had a moment like Neo did in the film the Matrix, when he realized "there is no spoon." In that film, Neo meets a boy who tells him "Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth... there is no spoon... then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself." I say this because this is what came to mind, because at that moment I realized I was not throwing grains into a fire pit. In fact, none of these objects were actually really here in a sense. Sure I was throwing grain into the fire, but these objects were in a sense empty, and the only thing I was actually throwing into the fire was the offering inside of my heart. Whatever you do to me, Krishna, please do not let me ever forget this.
After this I became fired up, hopefully not puffed up, and became steady in my devotional service. Then anartha-nivṛtti hit like a truck: I dislocated my shoulder and became more attached to my material body, became more aware of the fine print and nuances of the regulative principles, got hit by the winter blues, and had my mind and intelligence covered to the point I doubted my own intentions and whether I was a serious devotee. After our darshan this summer, where I admittedly was a wreck, I have taken to heart and to action all of your instruction. I am not yet perfect, but I see the path of perfection. I've never been much of a guy for sports, but when I asked you about how I should chant japa and you told me about Willie Mays' approach towards baseball: "They throw the ball, I hit it," everything again clicked. Anartha-nivṛtti is winding down, I am reading Srimad Bhagavatam daily, and I am beginning to explore the nature of my eternal spiritual identity as it is uncovered and revealed.
I now aspire to nothing but to engage in 24 hours of unalloyed devotional service and to have no thoughts of anything or anyone other than Krishna and his devotees. Most days I somehow think I am there, at least as much as I can conceive of, as the fan of material enjoyment and existence is unplugged and winding down.
Thank you for accepting this humble and fallen servant as your own. I have no qualifications.
All glories to you on the day of your appearance.
Corey Hoydic
Please accept my humble obeiscances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
When I met you, things were going pretty well for me. I had just become a yoga teacher, got back in grad school after a mental health break, and started dating for the first time in ten years. Perhaps it was during a kirtan, after your lecture, or just from your glance in my direction, but at some point during the 2025 Recharge Retreat the voice in my head said, "Mom and Dad, I hope you understand: please forgive me, but this is what I am going to do with my life."
That's probably why when I had Darshan with you, and you asked if I had any questions, I said "No questions. Is there any room in the initiation tomorrow?" I hope that wasn't the first time you heard that... like any good teacher you told me to slow down, and you asked me when I could start chanting 16 rounds. I said, "today," and I've kept that vow and been deepening that relationship ever since.
The diksha initiation is where things got weird, but you, our whole sampradaya, and Krishna must have heard me. And I heard, saw, and bathed in the love of all of you. In a way I was initiated that day because I accepted you as a spiritual master and began chanting Hare Krishna seriously. I also found freedom from addiction in the regulative principles, and for some reason became disinterested in dating. But as a rascal whose material intelligence has got him into at least as much trouble as it has good, I must have needed a large, glowing, neon sign that could smack me in the face. That sign came during the yajña, when I communed with what I understood to be the supersoul and wholeheartedly accepted the mission of the cult of Lord Caitanya with the totality of my being. Then, when chanting vedic hymns and throwing grains into the fire, something happened. First, I became aware that I could chant these complex vedic hymns, without knowing any of the words, perfectly, and that this was coming as a transmission from you and our disciplic succession. I mean perfect Sanskrit. And then, as the diksha ceremony concluded and the yajña transformed into kirtan, I had a moment like Neo did in the film the Matrix, when he realized "there is no spoon." In that film, Neo meets a boy who tells him "Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth... there is no spoon... then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself." I say this because this is what came to mind, because at that moment I realized I was not throwing grains into a fire pit. In fact, none of these objects were actually really here in a sense. Sure I was throwing grain into the fire, but these objects were in a sense empty, and the only thing I was actually throwing into the fire was the offering inside of my heart. Whatever you do to me, Krishna, please do not let me ever forget this.
After this I became fired up, hopefully not puffed up, and became steady in my devotional service. Then anartha-nivṛtti hit like a truck: I dislocated my shoulder and became more attached to my material body, became more aware of the fine print and nuances of the regulative principles, got hit by the winter blues, and had my mind and intelligence covered to the point I doubted my own intentions and whether I was a serious devotee. After our darshan this summer, where I admittedly was a wreck, I have taken to heart and to action all of your instruction. I am not yet perfect, but I see the path of perfection. I've never been much of a guy for sports, but when I asked you about how I should chant japa and you told me about Willie Mays' approach towards baseball: "They throw the ball, I hit it," everything again clicked. Anartha-nivṛtti is winding down, I am reading Srimad Bhagavatam daily, and I am beginning to explore the nature of my eternal spiritual identity as it is uncovered and revealed.
I now aspire to nothing but to engage in 24 hours of unalloyed devotional service and to have no thoughts of anything or anyone other than Krishna and his devotees. Most days I somehow think I am there, at least as much as I can conceive of, as the fan of material enjoyment and existence is unplugged and winding down.
Thank you for accepting this humble and fallen servant as your own. I have no qualifications.
All glories to you on the day of your appearance.
Corey Hoydic
Dakshita
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to your divine lotus feet.
Thank you for allowing me to offer my gratitude on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
After travelling through millions of lifetimes, we are blessed with the good fortune of receiving a human body. Within this human form, it is even more rare to possess a longing to understand the deeper truth and to have a quest for self-realisation. While pursuing that quest, it is supremely rare to come across the right path and to find a guru who can guide us on this journey to Krishna. When I reflect on this deeper truth, it makes me feel immensely grateful for the divine opportunity being awarded to me. I had no qualifications or spiritual credit to come across this path.
It is mentioned in the Śri Chaitanya-caritāmṛta: “By the grace of Krishna and the spiritual master, a fortunate person, after wandering throughout the universe in different species of life, receives the seed of pure devotional service.” This made me realise that it is all being made possible strictly by the mercy of the devotees and by your supreme compassion upon me.
Earlier, when I reached out to you while stuck in a difficult situation, I was initially avoiding it. I felt like this was not something I should bother my spiritual master with, and that I should face the situation bravely. However, when I was later troubled by my mind and saw no hope, I finally reached out. Afterwards, I realised I had forgotten to mention where I am from and had only stated my problem. As I waited for your response, I worried I might not hear back since you were travelling and busy. Because of this, I tried to look for answers in your lectures, which provided me with a sense of strength and direction. When I eventually heard back from you, your reply perfectly aligned with the answers I had received from listening to your lectures. This profoundly strengthened my faith in the process. Your reply has been a great source of strength for me all this time; every time I feel like I can no longer tolerate the situation, your words ring in my ears, and I find the strength to continue. You mentioned in your lectures that we develop a deeper relationship with the holy name when we get stuck in a situation where the only way out is through chanting. I am far from realising this personally, but I pray that may I be able to develop a deeper level of dependence on the holy name.
I heard in one of your lectures where you mentioned how a disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda asked him what pleases him the most. Everyone expected Śrīla Prabhupāda to name their specific service, but his reply caught everyone by surprise. He mentioned that what pleases him the most is when his disciples love Krishna. This statement made me realise how deep devotional service truly is- it goes far deeper than just the surface level. I have heard you emphasising the importance of deepening our love for Krishna, urging us to observe where our mind and heart are when we offer any service to Krishna or His devotees. Whenever I have asked you a question, you have always guided me to stand before the Deities and pray for a solution. Through this, you have helped me develop a stronger faith and a prayerful attitude.
Your unflinching faith in your spiritual master’s instructions and books deeply inspires anyone who comes into contact with your mercy. On this most auspicious day, I pray to you that may I be able to deepen my relationship with the holy name and develop more faith in your divine instructions. May I be able to serve your mission and your service to Srila Prabhupada in whatever small way possible. Although I have no qualifications, and whatever I do have is solely due to your divine mercy, please allow me to serve you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and the Pancha-tattva in bringing people closer to Krishna’s divine lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant
Dakshita
Damodara Krsna dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you,
Your words and acts, being under the shelter of daivī prakṛti, are showing in this wicked age what life's potential truly is.
mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha
daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ
As a great soul, your words and deeds are within the realm of divine energy being solely for the pleasure of Rādhā & Kṛṣṇa. Therefore they demonstrate life on the topmost stratum of existence, the Vraja-bhakti level. As you yourself often explain, "Whatever Kṛṣṇa wants, however Kṛṣṇa wants, whenever Kṛṣṇa wants." This, you explain, is what pure bhakti is and is the mood of the Vraja-vasis.
Nothing theoretical. You are demonstrating it for the whole world to see.
I hope that one day I have the pure desire and spiritual strength that you demonstrate to follow suit.
Your servant,
Damodara Krsna dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you,
Your words and acts, being under the shelter of daivī prakṛti, are showing in this wicked age what life's potential truly is.
mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha
daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ
As a great soul, your words and deeds are within the realm of divine energy being solely for the pleasure of Rādhā & Kṛṣṇa. Therefore they demonstrate life on the topmost stratum of existence, the Vraja-bhakti level. As you yourself often explain, "Whatever Kṛṣṇa wants, however Kṛṣṇa wants, whenever Kṛṣṇa wants." This, you explain, is what pure bhakti is and is the mood of the Vraja-vasis.
Nothing theoretical. You are demonstrating it for the whole world to see.
I hope that one day I have the pure desire and spiritual strength that you demonstrate to follow suit.
Your servant,
Damodara Krsna dasa.
Dandakaranya das
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,
Thank you for showing us from the example of your own life how to embrace the yuga avatara and the yuga dharma for this age. Amongst all the darkness and confusion your personal example shines a much-needed light to the whole world about what is the essential purpose of human existence.
In Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 9.362 Krsna das Kaviraja Goswami states:
<i><strong>“In this Age of Kali there are no genuine religious principles other than those established by Vaiṣṇava devotees and the Vaiṣṇava scriptures. This is the sum and substance of everything.”</strong></i>
In Srila Prabhupada’s purport to this verse he writes:
<strong><i>"One must have firm faith in the process of devotional service and the scriptures that support it. If one hears the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with this faith, he can be freed from his envious position. Srīmad-Bhagavatam is meant for such nonenvious persons (nirmatsaranam satam). In this age a person should not envy Srī Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement but should chant the holy names of Hari and Krsna, the maha-mantra. That is the sum and substance of the eternal religion, known as sanatana-dharma. In this verse the word vaiṣṇava refers to a pure devotee and fully realized soul, and the word vaiṣṇava-sastra refers to sruti, or the Vedas, which are called sabda-pramana, the evidence of transcendental sound. One who strictly follows the Vedic literature and chants the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will actually be situated in the transcendental disciplic succession. Those who want to attain life’s ultimate goal must follow this principle."</i></strong>
Also in Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 11.98-99 Krsna das Kaviraja Goswami writes:
<strong><i>“In this Age of Kali, Srī Caitanya Mahaprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Krsna consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krsna is the religious principle for this age."
“Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by congregational chanting should be understood to be very intelligent. One who does not do so must be considered a victim of this age and bereft of all intelligence.”</i></strong>
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport:
<strong><i>'Religion is the law or code of the Lord. Consequently religion cannot be manufactured even by great saintly persons, demigods or siddha-mukhyas, and what to speak of asuras, human beings, Vidyaharas, Caranas, and so on. The principles of dharma, religion, come down in the parampara system beginning with twelve personalities — namely, Lord Brahma; the great saint Narada; Lord Siva; the four Kumaras; Kapila, the son of Devahuti; Svayambhuva Manu; Prahlada Maharaja; King Janaka; grandfather Bhisma; Bali Maharaja; Sukadeva Goswami; and Yamaraja. The principles of religion are known to these twelve personalities. Dharma refers to the religious principles by which one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dharma is very confidential, uncontaminated by any material influence, and very difficult for ordinary men to understand. However, if one actually understands dharma, he immediately becomes liberated and is transferred to the kingdom of God. Bhagavata-dharma, or the principle of religion enunciated by the parampara system, is the supreme principle of religion. In other words, dharma refers to the science of bhakti-yoga, which begins by the novice’s chanting the holy name of the Lord (tan-nama-grahaṇadibhiḥ).
Therefore in this Age of Kali, as recommended here in the Caitanya-caritamṛta (text 98), kali-kale dharma — krsna-nama- sankirtana: the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is the method of religion approved by all Vedic scriptures.”</i></strong>
Gurumaharaja, you exemplify the mood of Lord Caitanya that Krsna consciousness is a lifestyle of simultaneous personal transformation of the heart and compassionate distribution to others.
In the Caitanya Caritamrta (Madhya 11.102) Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya states:
<strong><i>“A person who has received but a small fraction of mercy from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can understand that He is Lord Kṛṣṇa. No one else can.”</i>
</strong>
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport
<strong><i>“The sankirtana movement can be spread by a person who is especially favored by Lord Krsna (kṛsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana). Without first obtaining the mercy of the Lord, one cannot spread the holy name of the Lord. One who can spread the Lord’s name is called labdha-caitanya in the words of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. The labdha-caitanya is one who has actually awakened his original consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The influence of the pure devotees in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is such that it can awaken others to become immediately Kṛṣṇa conscious and engage themselves in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa. In this way the descendants of pure devotees increase, and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu takes much pleasure in seeing the increase of His devotees. The word su-medhasaḥ means “sharply intelligent.” When one’s intelligence is sharp, he can increase the interests of common men in loving Caitanya Mahaprabhu and through Him in loving Radha-Krsna.”</i></strong>
Hoping to become a useful servant as you shine your light on the world.
YS
Dandakaranya das
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,
Thank you for showing us from the example of your own life how to embrace the yuga avatara and the yuga dharma for this age. Amongst all the darkness and confusion your personal example shines a much-needed light to the whole world about what is the essential purpose of human existence.
In Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 9.362 Krsna das Kaviraja Goswami states:
<i><strong>“In this Age of Kali there are no genuine religious principles other than those established by Vaiṣṇava devotees and the Vaiṣṇava scriptures. This is the sum and substance of everything.”</strong></i>
In Srila Prabhupada’s purport to this verse he writes:
<strong><i>"One must have firm faith in the process of devotional service and the scriptures that support it. If one hears the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with this faith, he can be freed from his envious position. Srīmad-Bhagavatam is meant for such nonenvious persons (nirmatsaranam satam). In this age a person should not envy Srī Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement but should chant the holy names of Hari and Krsna, the maha-mantra. That is the sum and substance of the eternal religion, known as sanatana-dharma. In this verse the word vaiṣṇava refers to a pure devotee and fully realized soul, and the word vaiṣṇava-sastra refers to sruti, or the Vedas, which are called sabda-pramana, the evidence of transcendental sound. One who strictly follows the Vedic literature and chants the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will actually be situated in the transcendental disciplic succession. Those who want to attain life’s ultimate goal must follow this principle."</i></strong>
Also in Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 11.98-99 Krsna das Kaviraja Goswami writes:
<strong><i>“In this Age of Kali, Srī Caitanya Mahaprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Krsna consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krsna is the religious principle for this age."
“Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by congregational chanting should be understood to be very intelligent. One who does not do so must be considered a victim of this age and bereft of all intelligence.”</i></strong>
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport:
<strong><i>'Religion is the law or code of the Lord. Consequently religion cannot be manufactured even by great saintly persons, demigods or siddha-mukhyas, and what to speak of asuras, human beings, Vidyaharas, Caranas, and so on. The principles of dharma, religion, come down in the parampara system beginning with twelve personalities — namely, Lord Brahma; the great saint Narada; Lord Siva; the four Kumaras; Kapila, the son of Devahuti; Svayambhuva Manu; Prahlada Maharaja; King Janaka; grandfather Bhisma; Bali Maharaja; Sukadeva Goswami; and Yamaraja. The principles of religion are known to these twelve personalities. Dharma refers to the religious principles by which one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dharma is very confidential, uncontaminated by any material influence, and very difficult for ordinary men to understand. However, if one actually understands dharma, he immediately becomes liberated and is transferred to the kingdom of God. Bhagavata-dharma, or the principle of religion enunciated by the parampara system, is the supreme principle of religion. In other words, dharma refers to the science of bhakti-yoga, which begins by the novice’s chanting the holy name of the Lord (tan-nama-grahaṇadibhiḥ).
Therefore in this Age of Kali, as recommended here in the Caitanya-caritamṛta (text 98), kali-kale dharma — krsna-nama- sankirtana: the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is the method of religion approved by all Vedic scriptures.”</i></strong>
Gurumaharaja, you exemplify the mood of Lord Caitanya that Krsna consciousness is a lifestyle of simultaneous personal transformation of the heart and compassionate distribution to others.
In the Caitanya Caritamrta (Madhya 11.102) Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya states:
<strong><i>“A person who has received but a small fraction of mercy from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can understand that He is Lord Kṛṣṇa. No one else can.”</i>
</strong>
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport
<strong><i>“The sankirtana movement can be spread by a person who is especially favored by Lord Krsna (kṛsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana). Without first obtaining the mercy of the Lord, one cannot spread the holy name of the Lord. One who can spread the Lord’s name is called labdha-caitanya in the words of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. The labdha-caitanya is one who has actually awakened his original consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The influence of the pure devotees in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is such that it can awaken others to become immediately Kṛṣṇa conscious and engage themselves in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa. In this way the descendants of pure devotees increase, and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu takes much pleasure in seeing the increase of His devotees. The word su-medhasaḥ means “sharply intelligent.” When one’s intelligence is sharp, he can increase the interests of common men in loving Caitanya Mahaprabhu and through Him in loving Radha-Krsna.”</i></strong>
Hoping to become a useful servant as you shine your light on the world.
YS
Dandakaranya das
Dasya-Prema das
Guru Maharaja, I would like to present your glories as a Guru by describing some of the ways which you have perfectly exemplified the description of a Guru given by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur in the Sri Gurvastakam.
1) 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.
Guru Maharaja, once while I was traveling with you, you found out that is was my birth day and you blessed me by saying: “may you never take birth again”. But you didn’t just say those words, you have practically given me so much attention and guidance to try to make that a reality.
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
One time after you gave an incredibly inspiring lecture, I was so enthused that when you led a kirtan after the lecture, I felt inspired to dance with great enthusiasm. I still remember the approving, amused glance that you looked over at me with. That night, after the kirtan and after going to the home where we were staying I asked if there was anything else I could do to serve you. Initially you said “no thank you” but then a few seconds later, as I was walking away you said : “keep dancing and chanting”, showing how much you enjoy that other are taking part in the chanting and dancing of Lord Chaitany’s movement.
3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
Guru Maharaja you are always encouraging devotees to be clean and you show it by your own example!
You also encourage devotees to be more and more Deity conscious. In your recent trip to Gita Nagari you stressed multiple times the great benefits that would come if we put Sri Sri Radha Damodara more and more in the center of the community and our lives. In this way you encourage devotees in their cleanliness and worship of the Lord’s Vigraha.
4) The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
Once when I was traveling with you, there was a big program and then a big feast after. When we met after the feast you asked me if I had taken Prasad and then expressed a great sign of relief and stated that you had been anxious as to whether I had gotten Prasad or not.
Guru Maharaja, you also greatly encourage devotees in their endeavors to cook for Krishna You personally provide the latest and greatest cook books and you want devotees to raise the standards more and more, using adjectives like “devastating” to describe what the Prasad should be like.
5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
A friend of mine, hearing that I was going to one of your classes stated “Your Guru has such deep appreciation and realization about Caitanya Caritamrita”. And I believe this to be so true! Sri Radha and Krishna’s combined form as Mahaprabhu and Their mercy seems to be a great impetus for your intense preaching austerities.
6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrndavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
Guru Maharaja in the mood of the Gopis you are pushing so many other towards Krishna. I remember you quoting in a lecture about the mood of the Guru in thinking that the disciple has so much potential and that its the job of the Spiritual Master to bring that potential out.
7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna].
Guru Maharaja, I remember times when you have instructed about how to treat the Spiritual Master. It was not with the intention of bringing honor or service to yourself, but rather to instruct on how important it is to serve the Spiritual master as non-different than Krishna Himself.
8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.
Guru Maharaja your life in Krishna consciousness has been such a good example of one who endeavors to please the Spiritual Master. You did book distribution, despite the challenges it presented because you knew how dear it was to your Spiritual Master. You also went and preached behind the Iron Curtain because you heard that it was the way to get Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. Similarly, you instruct your disciples to have this same mood with their Guru. You once asked “ What kind of disciple do you want to be” , one that just has a picture of the Guru on there wall and that it?
Guru Maharaja, thank you so much for having all these wonderful qualities.
Dasyamrita Das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories too you, too Srila Prabhupada, and the Parampara!
For a disciple of your holiness, you remove all doubts,
Through the abundance of service you've so kindly brought about.
Deep realization manifests under your loving shelter,
At your feet I remain fixed, for you are my eternal helper.
On this path less traversed, by kali yuga folk,
You set a sublime example, giving us tremendous hope.
Immovable amidst the relentless burning fire,
Master of the vicious senses, conquering material desire
Denying the false ego, with its self motivated plans,
Only from Srila Prabhupada do you accept demands.
For your sustenance accepting only the most austere
Prasadam to fuel your service, which you hold so dear.
In a heart overflowing with compassion and grace,
Selfishness cannot dwell in such a sanctified place
Where Radha and Krishna reside, empowering your mission,
For such an exalted soul, there is no worldy definition.
At New Kulina Grama, the holy dhama is manifest,
Your mercy flowing freely, so much potency you invest.
I cannot fully appreciate the importance of this divine mission.
To demonstrate the ultimate truth, a vaisnavas true ambition.
To live simply, in harmony with mother nature's ways,
Practicing sadhana bhakti, setting our hearts ablaze
With love for the divine couple, through Sri Chaitanyas service,
We work the spiritual soil, forfillng lives purpose.
Krishnaloka, the Vanas, the Prasads, so many more,
Exalted disciples of yours, we very much adore,
A true testament of devotion to your Guru Maharaja,
Now free from the illusion, mayas great mirage.
Extensions of your limbs these vaisnavas have become,
Through your super excellent teachings, this, is the outcome.
Advanced are those devotees who establish many more,
Spreading like wildfire as you swim along the shore,
Of the Rasamrita Sindhu, remaining humble and meek,
You make this knowledge accessible to the kali yuga freaks.
How amazing, how wonderful! Most astonishing to hear,
Discourse on bhakti tattva, so concise, so very clear.
Touching hearts of the fallen, the wretched and confused,
You extend your caring arms and embrace the most abused.
I fear there is no way, to repay such a heavy debt,
To my beloved spiritual master, a perfect sadhu I have met.
This unworthy jiva cannot stand it anymore,
Life without your service, like a dagger through the core,
Of my heart that now beats heavily, eager for the chance,
To assist your real disciples, and receive your loving glance.
I pray and hope someday, that the desire becomes manifest,
To be situated as a loyal dog, accepting any request,
You may so kindly ask of me, for what else is there to be had?
Within the three worlds other than to see your face glad.
As I write this blemished offering, please forgive me, I must confess,
I know not what true love is, only lust, what a mess.
I beg for steady intelligence, and if I try to turn away,
Drag me back to your lotus feet without hesitation or delay.
These sentimental words are cheap, immature at best,
Many decades of selfless service will be the real test.
Being under your protection, my heart has now become,
Elated as a glimpse of love shines like the rising sun,
Now a soul surrendered to you on this auspicious day,
For executing lifes real mission, there is simply no other way.
Desiring to serve your servants
Dasyamrita Das.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories too you, too Srila Prabhupada, and the Parampara!
For a disciple of your holiness, you remove all doubts,
Through the abundance of service you've so kindly brought about.
Deep realization manifests under your loving shelter,
At your feet I remain fixed, for you are my eternal helper.
On this path less traversed, by kali yuga folk,
You set a sublime example, giving us tremendous hope.
Immovable amidst the relentless burning fire,
Master of the vicious senses, conquering material desire
Denying the false ego, with its self motivated plans,
Only from Srila Prabhupada do you accept demands.
For your sustenance accepting only the most austere
Prasadam to fuel your service, which you hold so dear.
In a heart overflowing with compassion and grace,
Selfishness cannot dwell in such a sanctified place
Where Radha and Krishna reside, empowering your mission,
For such an exalted soul, there is no worldy definition.
At New Kulina Grama, the holy dhama is manifest,
Your mercy flowing freely, so much potency you invest.
I cannot fully appreciate the importance of this divine mission.
To demonstrate the ultimate truth, a vaisnavas true ambition.
To live simply, in harmony with mother nature's ways,
Practicing sadhana bhakti, setting our hearts ablaze
With love for the divine couple, through Sri Chaitanyas service,
We work the spiritual soil, forfillng lives purpose.
Krishnaloka, the Vanas, the Prasads, so many more,
Exalted disciples of yours, we very much adore,
A true testament of devotion to your Guru Maharaja,
Now free from the illusion, mayas great mirage.
Extensions of your limbs these vaisnavas have become,
Through your super excellent teachings, this, is the outcome.
Advanced are those devotees who establish many more,
Spreading like wildfire as you swim along the shore,
Of the Rasamrita Sindhu, remaining humble and meek,
You make this knowledge accessible to the kali yuga freaks.
How amazing, how wonderful! Most astonishing to hear,
Discourse on bhakti tattva, so concise, so very clear.
Touching hearts of the fallen, the wretched and confused,
You extend your caring arms and embrace the most abused.
I fear there is no way, to repay such a heavy debt,
To my beloved spiritual master, a perfect sadhu I have met.
This unworthy jiva cannot stand it anymore,
Life without your service, like a dagger through the core,
Of my heart that now beats heavily, eager for the chance,
To assist your real disciples, and receive your loving glance.
I pray and hope someday, that the desire becomes manifest,
To be situated as a loyal dog, accepting any request,
You may so kindly ask of me, for what else is there to be had?
Within the three worlds other than to see your face glad.
As I write this blemished offering, please forgive me, I must confess,
I know not what true love is, only lust, what a mess.
I beg for steady intelligence, and if I try to turn away,
Drag me back to your lotus feet without hesitation or delay.
These sentimental words are cheap, immature at best,
Many decades of selfless service will be the real test.
Being under your protection, my heart has now become,
Elated as a glimpse of love shines like the rising sun,
Now a soul surrendered to you on this auspicious day,
For executing lifes real mission, there is simply no other way.
Desiring to serve your servants
Dasyamrita Das.
Daya Sagara Das
Dearmost Śrīla Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srīla Prabhupāda! All glories to your dedicated service to him!
This Vyāsa-pūjā is especially meaningful to me because, by your causeless mercy, you have accepted me as your disciple and blessed me with first initiation. I feel deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I pray that I may become worthy of the responsibility you have given me.
For much of my life, I depended on my own intelligence and strength to look after my family and provide them with happiness and security. But when we faced difficulties, I realised how limited my own abilities were. At those times, your instructions helped me remember where I should turn for shelter—in Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the holy name, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and the association of devotees.
In the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.3), Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī glorifies Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī:
yaḥ svānubhāvam akhila-śruti-sāram ekam
adhyātma-dīpam atititīrṣatāṁ tamo 'ndham
saṁsāriṇāṁ karuṇayāha purāṇa-guhyaṁ
taṁ vyāsa-sūnum upayāmi guruṁ munīnām
This verse reminds us of Sukadeva Gosvāmī's compassion, who shared the wisdom of the Srimad-Bhagavatam to help conditioned souls overcome the darkness of material existence. Whenever I hear your classes and see your dedication to preaching worldwide, I feel grateful for how you share Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings with us. You explain even difficult subjects in a way that helps someone like me understand them and apply them in my life.
One of Srīla Prabhupāda's purport - In his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.19.36- Śrīla Prabhupāda discusses the importance of receiving the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. Since receiving initiation from you, I have become more conscious of how important that guidance is in my life. I still have many shortcomings, but I am beginning to understand how much I need your instructions and the shelter of Kṛṣṇa in order to make progress in spiritual life.
Your kindness has also meant a great deal to our entire family. We are especially grateful for the affection and encouragement you have shown us, and for the beautiful name you gave Murali. As a husband and father, I often realise how limited I am in guiding my family, both spiritually and materially. Your encouragement gives us hope and reminds us to keep trying to improve our lives in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
I also feel very fortunate and grateful to you, Gurudeva, for blessing me with such compassionate godbrothers and godsisters. I especially want to thank Gopavrindesa Prabhu and Sevaya Bhagwan Prabhu, who have always encouraged and guided me and helped me find ways to serve you despite my many shortcomings and health limitations. Their kindness and encouragement mean a great deal to me. Through their support, I feel that even with my limitations, I can still make an effort to serve you in whatever way I am able. I am truly grateful to you for allowing me to have the association of such caring devotees
Please bless Shubhra and me so that we can follow Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings sincerely at home and help our children develop a genuine love for the holy name and Vaiṣṇava sevā.
I know that receiving initiation does not mean that my material conditioning and weaknesses have disappeared. Rather, it reminds me of the responsibility I have accepted and the need to take my spiritual life more seriously.
I humbly ask for your blessings in three things:
1. That I may never give up the shelter of the holy name.
2. That I may remain faithful to your instructions, especially during difficult times.
3. That I may always remember your mercy and become useful in your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Our family prays at the lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Vallabha, and Śrī Śrī Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā Mahārāṇī for your good health, protection, and long life. We pray that you may continue to guide and inspire many more souls in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Please forgive my offences and shortcomings. Thank you, Gurudeva, for your patience, for accepting me as your disciple, and for giving our family your shelter and guidance.
Your ever-indebted servants,
Daya Sagar Das
Shubhra, Chakradhar, and Murali
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srīla Prabhupāda! All glories to your dedicated service to him!
This Vyāsa-pūjā is especially meaningful to me because, by your causeless mercy, you have accepted me as your disciple and blessed me with first initiation. I feel deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I pray that I may become worthy of the responsibility you have given me.
For much of my life, I depended on my own intelligence and strength to look after my family and provide them with happiness and security. But when we faced difficulties, I realised how limited my own abilities were. At those times, your instructions helped me remember where I should turn for shelter—in Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the holy name, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and the association of devotees.
In the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.3), Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī glorifies Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī:
yaḥ svānubhāvam akhila-śruti-sāram ekam
adhyātma-dīpam atititīrṣatāṁ tamo 'ndham
saṁsāriṇāṁ karuṇayāha purāṇa-guhyaṁ
taṁ vyāsa-sūnum upayāmi guruṁ munīnām
This verse reminds us of Sukadeva Gosvāmī's compassion, who shared the wisdom of the Srimad-Bhagavatam to help conditioned souls overcome the darkness of material existence. Whenever I hear your classes and see your dedication to preaching worldwide, I feel grateful for how you share Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings with us. You explain even difficult subjects in a way that helps someone like me understand them and apply them in my life.
One of Srīla Prabhupāda's purport - In his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.19.36- Śrīla Prabhupāda discusses the importance of receiving the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. Since receiving initiation from you, I have become more conscious of how important that guidance is in my life. I still have many shortcomings, but I am beginning to understand how much I need your instructions and the shelter of Kṛṣṇa in order to make progress in spiritual life.
Your kindness has also meant a great deal to our entire family. We are especially grateful for the affection and encouragement you have shown us, and for the beautiful name you gave Murali. As a husband and father, I often realise how limited I am in guiding my family, both spiritually and materially. Your encouragement gives us hope and reminds us to keep trying to improve our lives in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
I also feel very fortunate and grateful to you, Gurudeva, for blessing me with such compassionate godbrothers and godsisters. I especially want to thank Gopavrindesa Prabhu and Sevaya Bhagwan Prabhu, who have always encouraged and guided me and helped me find ways to serve you despite my many shortcomings and health limitations. Their kindness and encouragement mean a great deal to me. Through their support, I feel that even with my limitations, I can still make an effort to serve you in whatever way I am able. I am truly grateful to you for allowing me to have the association of such caring devotees
Please bless Shubhra and me so that we can follow Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings sincerely at home and help our children develop a genuine love for the holy name and Vaiṣṇava sevā.
I know that receiving initiation does not mean that my material conditioning and weaknesses have disappeared. Rather, it reminds me of the responsibility I have accepted and the need to take my spiritual life more seriously.
I humbly ask for your blessings in three things:
1. That I may never give up the shelter of the holy name.
2. That I may remain faithful to your instructions, especially during difficult times.
3. That I may always remember your mercy and become useful in your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Our family prays at the lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Vallabha, and Śrī Śrī Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā Mahārāṇī for your good health, protection, and long life. We pray that you may continue to guide and inspire many more souls in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Please forgive my offences and shortcomings. Thank you, Gurudeva, for your patience, for accepting me as your disciple, and for giving our family your shelter and guidance.
Your ever-indebted servants,
Daya Sagar Das
Shubhra, Chakradhar, and Murali
Dayal Nitai Dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you.
On this most auspicious occasion please allow me to offer some words of appreciation. Tirelessly you travel the world and give your time for spreading Krishna consciousness. Countless devotees and others depend on you for guidance and never do you cease to give that precious time. Personally, although I am insignificant and of little importance, still you allow me to see you and bother you with petty issues. If it wasn’t for your sacrifice I couldn’t maintain my spiritual life. I hope to eventually come to that level where I can fully please and satisfy you, doing your efforts justice. Until then I will keep on trying in giving my energy in the service of Guru and Gauranga and the devotees. My only prayer is that I can be a worthy disciple like my dear God brothers and sisters around me. May your instructions always be at the forefront of my mind and your lotus feet the object of my service.
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada chaya
ebe yasa ghusuk tri-bhuvana
Alas, alas, O master, please be merciful unto us and give us the shade of your lotus feet. May your glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds.
By delivering the fallen souls one becomes truly glorious. Gurudeva, you are the recipient of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, and by extending that mercy to this fallen soul you have become glorious also. May your glories be forever remembered in my heart. Please allow me to continue in this way and always remain in the shade of your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant,
Dayal Nitai Dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you.
On this most auspicious occasion please allow me to offer some words of appreciation. Tirelessly you travel the world and give your time for spreading Krishna consciousness. Countless devotees and others depend on you for guidance and never do you cease to give that precious time. Personally, although I am insignificant and of little importance, still you allow me to see you and bother you with petty issues. If it wasn’t for your sacrifice I couldn’t maintain my spiritual life. I hope to eventually come to that level where I can fully please and satisfy you, doing your efforts justice. Until then I will keep on trying in giving my energy in the service of Guru and Gauranga and the devotees. My only prayer is that I can be a worthy disciple like my dear God brothers and sisters around me. May your instructions always be at the forefront of my mind and your lotus feet the object of my service.
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada chaya
ebe yasa ghusuk tri-bhuvana
Alas, alas, O master, please be merciful unto us and give us the shade of your lotus feet. May your glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds.
By delivering the fallen souls one becomes truly glorious. Gurudeva, you are the recipient of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, and by extending that mercy to this fallen soul you have become glorious also. May your glories be forever remembered in my heart. Please allow me to continue in this way and always remain in the shade of your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant,
Dayal Nitai Dasa.
Dayalu Gaura Dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the day of your Vyasa Puja.
The appearance of the spiritual master is significant. And most significant as he appears in the life of the disciple. The spiritual masters appearance in my life is an informative and reformational choice.
A disciple is defined as one who follows therefore a choice to follow is a daily and moment by moment reality.
The spiritual masters position is to embody and instill a spirit of service within the heart of the disciple.
When the spiritual master appears in the life of the disciple it is an inner commitment reaffirmed by an outer ritual known as an initiation.
The commitment, more deeply however, is heartfelt and may occur prior to, during, or after, or not at all.
Therefore a disciples conscious intent or attitude is critical.
Logically then we can infer from this statement that this equally applies on a daily basis. When did I today become a disciple once again? And connect once again through my mind, body and heart.
Srila Prabhupada said: before being Krsna Conscious we need to become conscious.
Conscious of actions and conscious of consequences.
The connection to guru is the connection to the spirit of devotion that inspires me and informs my inexperience in spiritual life. This connection appears through two forms Vapu and Vani.
Vapu, in the vedic ideal sense appears as a daily or weekly experience accompanied by the spiritual masters Vani.
Bhagavad-Gita although set in a time of vedic prominence was discussed in the middle of unavoidable chaos. In the most un-ideal situation. Arjuna, as a sincere disciple took advantage of the situation and was victorious. His victory was not obtaining an external position in history. And was not without effort or hardship either. The realisation and empowerment to accept his life's circumstances and act in Krsna consciousness in a conscious manner is an example of self ownership and came from his willingness to commit to the process of theory, application and realisation of surrender.
There will never be a more ideal situation then right now to honour the promises I have made and act responsibly. Because I know that somewhere on this planet my spiritual master is honoring his promise to me through his example or spiritual practice and through his spiritually aligned actions.
Vyasa Puja is a moment by moment affair and I pray to enter deeper into the realised reality of that eternal truth.
All glories to H.H Devamrta Swami the inspiration that informs and reforms my heart and mind on a daily basis. Thank you.
Your aspiring servant Dayalu Gaura Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the day of your Vyasa Puja.
The appearance of the spiritual master is significant. And most significant as he appears in the life of the disciple. The spiritual masters appearance in my life is an informative and reformational choice.
A disciple is defined as one who follows therefore a choice to follow is a daily and moment by moment reality.
The spiritual masters position is to embody and instill a spirit of service within the heart of the disciple.
When the spiritual master appears in the life of the disciple it is an inner commitment reaffirmed by an outer ritual known as an initiation.
The commitment, more deeply however, is heartfelt and may occur prior to, during, or after, or not at all.
Therefore a disciples conscious intent or attitude is critical.
Logically then we can infer from this statement that this equally applies on a daily basis. When did I today become a disciple once again? And connect once again through my mind, body and heart.
Srila Prabhupada said: before being Krsna Conscious we need to become conscious.
Conscious of actions and conscious of consequences.
The connection to guru is the connection to the spirit of devotion that inspires me and informs my inexperience in spiritual life. This connection appears through two forms Vapu and Vani.
Vapu, in the vedic ideal sense appears as a daily or weekly experience accompanied by the spiritual masters Vani.
Bhagavad-Gita although set in a time of vedic prominence was discussed in the middle of unavoidable chaos. In the most un-ideal situation. Arjuna, as a sincere disciple took advantage of the situation and was victorious. His victory was not obtaining an external position in history. And was not without effort or hardship either. The realisation and empowerment to accept his life's circumstances and act in Krsna consciousness in a conscious manner is an example of self ownership and came from his willingness to commit to the process of theory, application and realisation of surrender.
There will never be a more ideal situation then right now to honour the promises I have made and act responsibly. Because I know that somewhere on this planet my spiritual master is honoring his promise to me through his example or spiritual practice and through his spiritually aligned actions.
Vyasa Puja is a moment by moment affair and I pray to enter deeper into the realised reality of that eternal truth.
All glories to H.H Devamrta Swami the inspiration that informs and reforms my heart and mind on a daily basis. Thank you.
Your aspiring servant Dayalu Gaura Dasa
Deva Darshana Das
Haribol Gurudeva,
Dandavats. Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble offering on the occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
"I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge."
Every year you come out to spend time with us, and every year I'm reminded how fortunate I am. Getting to do some small service for you is always a treat, and I don't take for granted that you keep choosing to make the journey to be with all of us.
This visit taught me something I really needed to learn: how important it is to work together as a group in Krsna's service, even when we have differences. Srila Prabhupada said our love for him would be shown by how we cooperate. I had heard that many times, but watching you, I saw what it actually looks like. Real cooperation isn't everyone agreeing. It's everyone keeping Krsna in the center and letting that be bigger than our differences. Your example showed me that, and it's something I want to carry into every relationship and every service I'm part of.
I was also struck, again, by how you always bring everything back to transcendental knowledge. Not as theory, but as the very thing that pulls us out of the clutches of our own destructive ways of seeing the world. So much of our suffering comes from how we look at things. You keep showing us that bona fide spiritual knowledge doesn't just change our ideas. It changes our vision, and that's what brings real, lasting peace.
Thank you for giving us that knowledge, and for living it in front of us so we can see what it looks like. My only hope is to keep serving you and to become a better instrument for your mission, for Srila Prabhupada, and for the devotees.
Your aspiring servant,
Deva Darshana Das
Dandavats. Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble offering on the occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
"I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge."
Every year you come out to spend time with us, and every year I'm reminded how fortunate I am. Getting to do some small service for you is always a treat, and I don't take for granted that you keep choosing to make the journey to be with all of us.
This visit taught me something I really needed to learn: how important it is to work together as a group in Krsna's service, even when we have differences. Srila Prabhupada said our love for him would be shown by how we cooperate. I had heard that many times, but watching you, I saw what it actually looks like. Real cooperation isn't everyone agreeing. It's everyone keeping Krsna in the center and letting that be bigger than our differences. Your example showed me that, and it's something I want to carry into every relationship and every service I'm part of.
I was also struck, again, by how you always bring everything back to transcendental knowledge. Not as theory, but as the very thing that pulls us out of the clutches of our own destructive ways of seeing the world. So much of our suffering comes from how we look at things. You keep showing us that bona fide spiritual knowledge doesn't just change our ideas. It changes our vision, and that's what brings real, lasting peace.
Thank you for giving us that knowledge, and for living it in front of us so we can see what it looks like. My only hope is to keep serving you and to become a better instrument for your mission, for Srila Prabhupada, and for the devotees.
Your aspiring servant,
Deva Darshana Das
Devaki Sakhi Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudev
Happy 76th Vyas Puja.
Please accept my respectful humble obiesances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad and to you on your appearance day.
Gurudev Thank you so much for accepting this fallen one as your disciple.
Gurudev when we hear your lectures it shows how much you dedicated to serve your spiritual master.
In one of the lectures during London visit you mentioned that you heard all of Srila prabhupad lectures, all his letters to know what Srila Prabhupad desired most.
And you concluded that Book distribution and Building Farm community that Srila Prabhupad emphasized on three times.
It shows your dedication and enthusiasm to serve Srila Prabhupad.
Krishna says that in BG 4.2
"Evam Parampara praptam, Imam Rajarsayo Viduh,
Sa Kalneha Mahata
Yogo Nasta Paran tapa"
Supreme science (Lord) can only be attained through disciplic succession"
We See from Srila Prabhupad's life that how much he served, how he dedicated his life and soul to serve his Spiritual master.
And we see how you are serving your spiritual master till date.
I beg you to bless me to do more book distribution till my last breath.
Gurudev last time when you visited Adelaide for the occasion of Gaur Purnima you were so delighted to hear about our book distribution during book marathon last year.
Even during our personal meeting you wanted to hear more about sankirtan stories, even at the airport you were kept on talking about books, you were keen to know whats our next plan.
Book distribution gives you so much pleasure🙏
Gurudev by giving the seva of Book distribution you made my life meaningful, I can not ask for more. However, its very challenging
On this auspicious occasion please bless me to serve you more. As you are serving your spiritual master, please bless me that book distribution becomes my life and soul.
Please bless all of us including my prabhu, Gopa and Grace so we all engage ourselves to serve you🙏because without their support it would not have been possible.
Gurudev we always see you travelling all over the world alone carrying all your luggage by your self and still we see you smiling not even tinge of tiredness on your face.
Gurudev on your vyas puja day I wish you excellant health and long healthy years to serve your spiritual master.
Seeking your blessings for all of us to grow together in the path of bhakti
Your humble servants
Devaki sakhi devi dasi
Navtej
Gopa
Grace
Hare Krishna
Happy 76th Vyas Puja.
Please accept my respectful humble obiesances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad and to you on your appearance day.
Gurudev Thank you so much for accepting this fallen one as your disciple.
Gurudev when we hear your lectures it shows how much you dedicated to serve your spiritual master.
In one of the lectures during London visit you mentioned that you heard all of Srila prabhupad lectures, all his letters to know what Srila Prabhupad desired most.
And you concluded that Book distribution and Building Farm community that Srila Prabhupad emphasized on three times.
It shows your dedication and enthusiasm to serve Srila Prabhupad.
Krishna says that in BG 4.2
"Evam Parampara praptam, Imam Rajarsayo Viduh,
Sa Kalneha Mahata
Yogo Nasta Paran tapa"
Supreme science (Lord) can only be attained through disciplic succession"
We See from Srila Prabhupad's life that how much he served, how he dedicated his life and soul to serve his Spiritual master.
And we see how you are serving your spiritual master till date.
I beg you to bless me to do more book distribution till my last breath.
Gurudev last time when you visited Adelaide for the occasion of Gaur Purnima you were so delighted to hear about our book distribution during book marathon last year.
Even during our personal meeting you wanted to hear more about sankirtan stories, even at the airport you were kept on talking about books, you were keen to know whats our next plan.
Book distribution gives you so much pleasure🙏
Gurudev by giving the seva of Book distribution you made my life meaningful, I can not ask for more. However, its very challenging
On this auspicious occasion please bless me to serve you more. As you are serving your spiritual master, please bless me that book distribution becomes my life and soul.
Please bless all of us including my prabhu, Gopa and Grace so we all engage ourselves to serve you🙏because without their support it would not have been possible.
Gurudev we always see you travelling all over the world alone carrying all your luggage by your self and still we see you smiling not even tinge of tiredness on your face.
Gurudev on your vyas puja day I wish you excellant health and long healthy years to serve your spiritual master.
Seeking your blessings for all of us to grow together in the path of bhakti
Your humble servants
Devaki sakhi devi dasi
Navtej
Gopa
Grace
Hare Krishna
Dharmiki
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudeva,
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.
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?
Last year, when I wrote to you for your Vyāsa-pūjā, I was in a very different place. By your causeless mercy, you met with me and helped me see things differently. You reminded me of my intrinsic value as a soul, a value that does not fluctuate with my circumstances, achievements, or failures.
This year, by your mercy, I have been extraordinarily fortunate to take shelter of you and receive initiation into Krishna consciousness. Accepting the vows of initiation has given me a renewed sense of direction and a responsibility to live with greater intention. Gurudeva, your depth of understanding, intelligence, compassion, dedication, and love for Krishna serves as a North Star. I know that I am utterly far from even scratching the surface of the depth of realization and devotion that you embody, but I pray that I may never lose the aspiration to grow in that direction. I pray to remember that every living being is an eternal soul, equally valuable in the eyes of Krishna, and that whatever abilities, qualities, and opportunities Krishna has given me are meant to be engaged in devotional service.
One of my deepest aspirations is to develop the peaceful and steady mind as described by Krishna in Bhagavad-gītā 2.65 and 2.66. Krishna explains that for one who is peaceful, suffering is destroyed, the intelligence soon becomes firmly established, and without peace there can be no happiness. I find myself returning to these verses because they describe something I long for -a mind that is no longer constantly pulled in different directions by desires, fears, expectations, and the changing circumstances of life.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I pray to become a better servant of my spiritual master, a better servant of the Vaiṣṇavas, and a more sincere servant of Śrī Krishna. May I never forget the mercy that has brought me here, may I always remember my spiritual North Star, and may my life gradually become an offering in service to you and to the mission of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Please bless me that I may continue to take shelter of your instructions, develop genuine spiritual steadiness, and cultivate the love for Krishna that I see reflected in your life.
Your aspiring servant,
Dharmiki Devi Dasi
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.
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?
Last year, when I wrote to you for your Vyāsa-pūjā, I was in a very different place. By your causeless mercy, you met with me and helped me see things differently. You reminded me of my intrinsic value as a soul, a value that does not fluctuate with my circumstances, achievements, or failures.
This year, by your mercy, I have been extraordinarily fortunate to take shelter of you and receive initiation into Krishna consciousness. Accepting the vows of initiation has given me a renewed sense of direction and a responsibility to live with greater intention. Gurudeva, your depth of understanding, intelligence, compassion, dedication, and love for Krishna serves as a North Star. I know that I am utterly far from even scratching the surface of the depth of realization and devotion that you embody, but I pray that I may never lose the aspiration to grow in that direction. I pray to remember that every living being is an eternal soul, equally valuable in the eyes of Krishna, and that whatever abilities, qualities, and opportunities Krishna has given me are meant to be engaged in devotional service.
One of my deepest aspirations is to develop the peaceful and steady mind as described by Krishna in Bhagavad-gītā 2.65 and 2.66. Krishna explains that for one who is peaceful, suffering is destroyed, the intelligence soon becomes firmly established, and without peace there can be no happiness. I find myself returning to these verses because they describe something I long for -a mind that is no longer constantly pulled in different directions by desires, fears, expectations, and the changing circumstances of life.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I pray to become a better servant of my spiritual master, a better servant of the Vaiṣṇavas, and a more sincere servant of Śrī Krishna. May I never forget the mercy that has brought me here, may I always remember my spiritual North Star, and may my life gradually become an offering in service to you and to the mission of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Please bless me that I may continue to take shelter of your instructions, develop genuine spiritual steadiness, and cultivate the love for Krishna that I see reflected in your life.
Your aspiring servant,
Dharmiki Devi Dasi
Dhaumya-Rsi Das
Congratulations Gurudeva on the occasion of 76th Vyasa Puja, 2026.
Nama om visnu padaya Kṛṣṇa presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisences unto the dust on the toes of your lotus feet.
Please accept my humble offering on this special occasion.
It’s titled, “Mandate Beyond Enlightenment”
Amidst the endless ocean of my blindness and doubt,
A refuge rises as the storm blows out.
You are the boat upon the blinding sea,
Of nescience, lifting this soul to taste beyond liberty.
A shining lamp of knowledge, burning bright,
You pierce the darkness with a steady light.
Like father, O gurudeva, protector, and a guide,
You keep this soul safe and walking by your side.
With patience deeper than the canyon floor,
You give selflessly, enduring more and more.
Your mercy, like a spring that cannot dry,
Is forever fresh beneath the changing sky.
You teach us pure bhakti, the highest art—
To love and serve Lord Caitanya with the heart.
For He is Kṛṣṇa Himself, who chose to wear
The mood of Radha, His beloved fair.
We long to relish what your lotus mouth reveals,
The nectarian pastimes that the spirit heals—
The sweet, eternal pastimes of the Lord,
And of His devotees, in love adored.
A rasa guru, bold and deep and wise,
You pull the veil of illusion from our eyes.
You challenge the soul to leave the shore behind,
And step into the rasa laboratory of the mind.
Your Most Fallen and Stubborn Servant.
Dandavat pranam🙇🏻♂️
Jaya Guru Maharaja Ki Jai,
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai,
Śri Śri Radha-Gopinatha Ki Jai
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Nama om visnu padaya Kṛṣṇa presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisences unto the dust on the toes of your lotus feet.
Please accept my humble offering on this special occasion.
It’s titled, “Mandate Beyond Enlightenment”
Amidst the endless ocean of my blindness and doubt,
A refuge rises as the storm blows out.
You are the boat upon the blinding sea,
Of nescience, lifting this soul to taste beyond liberty.
A shining lamp of knowledge, burning bright,
You pierce the darkness with a steady light.
Like father, O gurudeva, protector, and a guide,
You keep this soul safe and walking by your side.
With patience deeper than the canyon floor,
You give selflessly, enduring more and more.
Your mercy, like a spring that cannot dry,
Is forever fresh beneath the changing sky.
You teach us pure bhakti, the highest art—
To love and serve Lord Caitanya with the heart.
For He is Kṛṣṇa Himself, who chose to wear
The mood of Radha, His beloved fair.
We long to relish what your lotus mouth reveals,
The nectarian pastimes that the spirit heals—
The sweet, eternal pastimes of the Lord,
And of His devotees, in love adored.
A rasa guru, bold and deep and wise,
You pull the veil of illusion from our eyes.
You challenge the soul to leave the shore behind,
And step into the rasa laboratory of the mind.
Your Most Fallen and Stubborn Servant.
Dandavat pranam🙇🏻♂️
Jaya Guru Maharaja Ki Jai,
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai,
Śri Śri Radha-Gopinatha Ki Jai
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Dhī
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya
Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhakta cara 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
A very happy Vyasa puja day. While my heart beams with infinite gratitude and profound admiration, I can hardly find appropriate words to glorify the plethora of qualities which you possess. Who am I? What greatest fortune do I possess to call myself your son?
I am just a child, learning, stumbling, crawling. When the world around me tugged my attention in various ways, various allurements, various temptations- Your presence in my life provided the anchor which was required.
Since the last Vyasa puja of yours, I had vowed that I should meditate on your qualities intensely every single day and I prayed to their Lordship that I do not become complacent in my commitment to you. To extol your glories is a mammoth task for an insignificant person as me. But for my own purification, please tolerate me again as you always do, please allow me to pour my feelings into words.
Couple of years ago, Gurudeva You addressed a group of seekers talking about the hedonic treadmill which the psychologists basically clarified that no matter whether we win a lottery or break a leg, we tend to return to the same baseline of happiness. You explained that the heart does not remain content for long. Consequently, we start again, we start searching for the next thing to experience the euphoria as our brains are wired to carry on running and looking for something more. However, the novelty fades every time and the restlessness grows making us more miserable as we chase the mirage of material happiness. I had a light bulb moment and started thinking what if the same were to happen in bhakti? This restlessness is good. Not being content makes one become inquisitive of ways to please the spiritual master and Krsna eventually. This can be a springboard to explore new horizons. However, the conundrum amidst this quest is one can easily fall into the trap of being too comfortable in bhakti and resort to the routine feeling of satisfaction that I am doing enough or the bare minimum and finally experiencing the baseline happiness which I am due for. No need for further efforts.
I started praying to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha that may I not become so comfortable in bhakti; May I not become so complacent in bhakti that I stop doing the effort to please You.
My daily meditation, my grovelling to their Lordships and intensely praying- made me reflect on my own inadequacies. During our drive from the airport, I once asked you, how would I please you the most? To which you replied: By pleasing Srila Prabhupada and doing something for the mission.
Little did I realise the answer contained a blessing. I could see the reciprocation to my genuine, honest and heart felt inquiry.
Over the past year, my relationship with you has intensified so much. As a small child who keeps on running to the parents for the slightest difficulty, I have been accessing your mercy through various fronts.
You have equipped me with tools and techniques of how to view and approach things.
Various realisations followed theoretical knowledge which I thought I knew. After all i have read them numerous times, what more could I learn about it. All that i had to worry about was to focus on what i was doing and as long as I am acting under guidance, I would not face any issues. Afterall, my character would speak for itself. Clearly, my juvenile immaturity surfaced. Responsibilities are always accompanied by tests.
Tests which eventually proved colossal.
I always thought intent was paramount.
Despite my purest of intention, I quickly realised impact and intent may not always go hand in hand.
However, you taught me how to look at the bigger picture and how to serve despite unfavourable conditions. How Lotus grows in mud. How the Lotus can be placed at Krsna's feet.
Your own life, is the lighthouse that guided me when I stood at crossroads.
I can only get a glimpse of your preaching efforts in the communist countries.
You have gone through all the hardships to please Srila Prabhupada. I can only imagine. Or maybe not fully.
You have fanned the spark and enthusiasm and taught me how to keep on going with determination despite the odds. How to persevere and not look for comfort in seva.
I always wanted to understand your heart Gurudeva.
Your heart belongs only to Srila Prabhupada.
Something so simple yet very profound.
I do not feel an innate attraction for chanting the Holy Names, yet you continue to patiently and lovingly guide me towards real happiness, leading me to the lotus feet of their Lordships
My mind yearns for independence and speculation. Please protect me from the enchantresses of the senses who lure my wandering thoughts. Please empty the chalice of my mind and fill it with nectar. You have bestowed me with further dependence and I quickly started realising how much chanting the holy name is important and purity is the force.
Your simple answer of chanting attentively being the key to all success, quickly started exposing my weaknesses. After all, what could be expected from me who remains a slave of my mind.
You taught me that difficulties are not obstacles but opportunities. Opportunities to depend more and deeply on Krishna. Every time that I became disheartened, you lifted me rather than making me weaker through sympathy.
Where will I find the humility to thank you Gurudeva? The love you shower on me and my family. Your constant concern about us is a testimony of how unworthy and ungrateful servants we remain by not really being the children you would have ideally want.
I pray that I can please you somehow. Somehow, Gurudeva I need your shelter more than ever. On this Vyasa puja day of yours, as a beggar, i can only pray for your good health and longevity of your energy to push forward Srila Prabhupada's mission to greater heights and broader length. Thank you so much for tolerating us Gurudeva. Please forgive us for letting you down all the time.
We love you.
Your servants
Dhīra Śiromani Dāsa
Ramani Śiromani
Sudevi Kisori
Dhīra Śiromani Dāsa
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya
Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhakta cara 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
A very happy Vyasa puja day. While my heart beams with infinite gratitude and profound admiration, I can hardly find appropriate words to glorify the plethora of qualities which you possess. Who am I? What greatest fortune do I possess to call myself your son?
I am just a child, learning, stumbling, crawling. When the world around me tugged my attention in various ways, various allurements, various temptations- Your presence in my life provided the anchor which was required.
Since the last Vyasa puja of yours, I had vowed to myself that I should meditate on your qualities intensely every single day and I prayed to their Lordship that I do not become complacent in my commitment to you. To extol your glories is a mammoth task for an insignificant person as me. But for my own purification, please tolerate me again as you always do, please allow me to pour my feelings into words.
Couple of years ago, Gurudeva You addressed a group of seekers talking about the hedonic treadmill which the psychologists basically clarified that no matter whether we win a lottery or break a leg, we tend to return to the same baseline of happiness. You explained that the heart does not remain content for long. Consequently, we start again, we start searching for the next thing to experience the euphoria as our brains are wired to carry on running and looking for something more. However, the novelty fades every time and the restlessness grows making us more miserable as we chase the mirage of material happiness. I had a light bulb moment and started thinking what if the same were to happen in bhakti? This restlessness is good. Not being content makes one become inquisitive of ways to please the spiritual master and Krsna eventually. This can be a springboard to explore new horizons. However, the conundrum amidst this quest is one can easily fall into the trap of being too comfortable in bhakti and resort to the routine feeling of satisfaction that I am doing enough or the bare minimum and finally experiencing the baseline happiness which I am due for. No need for further efforts.
I started praying to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha that may I not become so comfortable in bhakti; May I not become so complacent in bhakti that I stop doing the effort to please You.
My daily meditation, my grovelling to their Lordships and intensely praying- made me reflect on my own inadequacies. During our drive from the airport, I once asked you, how would I please you the most? To which you replied: By pleasing Srila Prabhupada and doing something for the mission.
Little did I realise the answer contained a blessing. I could see the reciprocation to my genuine, honest and heart felt inquiry.
Over the past year, my relationship with you has intensified so much. As a small child who keeps on running to the parents for the slightest difficulty, I have been accessing your mercy through various fronts.
You have equipped me with tools and techniques of how to view and approach things.
Various realisations followed theoretical knowledge which I thought I knew. After all i have read them numerous times, what more could I learn about it. All that i had to worry about was to focus on what i was doing and as long as I am acting under guidance, I would not face any issues. Afterall, my character would speak for itself. Clearly, my juvenile immaturity surfaced. Responsibilities are always accompanied by tests.
Tests which eventually proved colossal.
I always thought intent was paramount.
Despite my purest of intention, I quickly realised impact and intent may not always go hand in hand.
However, you taught me how to look at the bigger picture and how to serve despite unfavourable conditions. How Lotus grows in mud. How the Lotus can be placed at Krsna's feet.
Your own life, is the lighthouse that guided me when I stood at crossroads.
I can only get a glimpse of your preaching efforts in the communist countries.
You have gone through all the hardships to please Srila Prabhupada. I can only imagine. Or maybe not fully.
You have fanned the spark and enthusiasm and taught me how to keep on going with determination despite the odds. How to persevere and not look for comfort in seva.
I always wanted to understand your heart Gurudeva.
Your heart belongs only to Srila Prabhupada.
Something so simple yet very profound.
I do not feel an innate attraction for chanting the Holy Names, yet you continue to patiently and lovingly guide me towards real happiness, leading me to the lotus feet of their Lordships
My mind yearns for independence and speculation. Please protect me from the enchantresses of the senses who lure my wandering thoughts. Please empty the chalice of my mind and fill it with nectar. You have bestowed me with further dependence and I quickly started realising how much chanting the holy name is important and purity is the force.
Your simple answer of chanting attentively being the key to all success, quickly started exposing my weaknesses. After all, what could be expected from me who remains a slave of my mind.
You taught me that difficulties are not obstacles but opportunities. Opportunities to depend more and deeply on Krishna. Every time that I became disheartened, you lifted me rather than making me weaker through sympathy.
Where will I find the humility to thank you Gurudeva? The love you shower on me and my family. Your constant concern about us is a testimony of how unworthy and ungrateful servants we remain by not really being the children you would have ideally want.
I pray that I can please you somehow. Somehow, Gurudeva I need your shelter more than ever. On this Vyasa puja day of yours, as a beggar, i can only pray for your good health and longevity of your energy to push forward Srila Prabhupada's mission to greater heights and broader length. Thank you so much for tolerating us Gurudeva. Please forgive us for letting you down all the time.
We love you.
Your servants
Dhīra Śiromani Dāsa
Ramani Śiromani
Sudevi Kisori
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on the most auspicious occasion of your appearance
Dear Gurudev
This year I have been meditating on your exemplary dedication to Srila Prabhupada for over 5 decades now. Being in association of devotees for over 15 years now which is relatively very short we have seen many people take to the practice of Krishna consciousness and out of those some practice for long time but many also give up the practice after some time. But you have shown a great example of a lifetime of dedication to the mission of your beloved spiritual master H.D.G.Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Not only that your successful preaching technique of the Loft Yoga Lounge is revered by the stalwart devotees around the world.
It is quite astonishing for a beginner like me to see how you do it year after year. I often hear from devotees “your spiritual master still looks so young and healthy.” Sometimes I tell them how I was amazed to see you on an exercise bike as a new Bhakta in one of the early meetings with you . A few times I have shared the opportunity I had to go to Vrindavana with you and even there you would take a morning walk and do some exercise. Not to mention the attention to the austere diet you follow to keep great health for energetic Kirtans and powerful discourses in service to Srila Prabhupada.
Another fascinating quality of yours is how you make very difficult topics of Bhakti so easy for even new people who have never heard about Bhakti or Krishna before especially in the universities. It is not quite astonishing that students all over the world find your book “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness “ quite attractive. Not only that even the devotees are thrilled to hear that some of the popular Goswami literatures are being produced by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust especially the monumental 5 volume set of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu that Srila Prabhupada had already started to translate but did not complete for various reasons. It is such an honor to have the opportunities to distribute some of these books and we are looking forward to distributing Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu also when there will be opportunities to distribute them.
This year we had an opportunity to distribute books at two new places. Yosemite National Park in California and British Columbia, Canada and many people happily took copies of “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness ” also along with many other books by Srila Prabhupada. My other half Vamsi-Lalita Devi Dasi has been a big help in distributing these books also. By your mercy she has also developed some taste for this service and happily engaged.
On such an auspicious day we pray for spiritual strength to study and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and be able to help others do the same.
Your servant
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on the most auspicious occasion of your appearance
Dear Gurudev
This year I have been meditating on your exemplary dedication to Srila Prabhupada for over 5 decades now. Being in association of devotees for over 15 years now which is relatively very short we have seen many people take to the practice of Krishna consciousness and out of those some practice for long time but many also give up the practice after some time. But you have shown a great example of a lifetime of dedication to the mission of your beloved spiritual master H.D.G.Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Not only that your successful preaching technique of the Loft Yoga Lounge is revered by the stalwart devotees around the world.
It is quite astonishing for a beginner like me to see how you do it year after year. I often hear from devotees “your spiritual master still looks so young and healthy.” Sometimes I tell them how I was amazed to see you on an exercise bike as a new Bhakta in one of the early meetings with you . A few times I have shared the opportunity I had to go to Vrindavana with you and even there you would take a morning walk and do some exercise. Not to mention the attention to the austere diet you follow to keep great health for energetic Kirtans and powerful discourses in service to Srila Prabhupada.
Another fascinating quality of yours is how you make very difficult topics of Bhakti so easy for even new people who have never heard about Bhakti or Krishna before especially in the universities. It is not quite astonishing that students all over the world find your book “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness “ quite attractive. Not only that even the devotees are thrilled to hear that some of the popular Goswami literatures are being produced by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust especially the monumental 5 volume set of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu that Srila Prabhupada had already started to translate but did not complete for various reasons. It is such an honor to have the opportunities to distribute some of these books and we are looking forward to distributing Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu also when there will be opportunities to distribute them.
This year we had an opportunity to distribute books at two new places. Yosemite National Park in California and British Columbia, Canada and many people happily took copies of “Hiding in Unnatural Happiness ” also along with many other books by Srila Prabhupada. My other half Vamsi-Lalita Devi Dasi has been a big help in distributing these books also. By your mercy she has also developed some taste for this service and happily engaged.
On such an auspicious day we pray for spiritual strength to study and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and be able to help others do the same.
Your servant
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Dhruvananda Das
Dear Gurumahraja,
When doubts arose, you placed me safely in Śrīla Prabhupāda's boat of harināma-saṅkīrtana.
I grew up among simple devotees, where Kṛṣṇa was as real as the sun, yet I could not explain what I knew in my heart. Seeing you present Kṛṣṇa consciousness with wisdom and conviction inspired me to accept you as my spiritual master and pursue education in service of preaching.
When institutional life weighed heavily upon me, you sent me to the streets with Śrīla Prabhupāda's books. There I learned what no classroom could teach: fearlessness through dependence on Guru and Kṛṣṇa.
In the āśrama, your instruction was read two hours every day. By your mercy, I have received the priceless gift of deeply studying Śrīla Prabhupāda's books, a treasure not everyone receives.
Whatever faith, strength, and understanding I possess have grown beneath the shelter of your instructions. Through your guidance, I have learned that māyā has little power over one who firmly holds the words of the spiritual master.
As long as I remain connected to your guidance, I know I can continue toward the lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
On this auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā day, I offer my humble obeisances and gratitude. May I always remain a servant of your instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Dhruvananda Dasa
When doubts arose, you placed me safely in Śrīla Prabhupāda's boat of harināma-saṅkīrtana.
I grew up among simple devotees, where Kṛṣṇa was as real as the sun, yet I could not explain what I knew in my heart. Seeing you present Kṛṣṇa consciousness with wisdom and conviction inspired me to accept you as my spiritual master and pursue education in service of preaching.
When institutional life weighed heavily upon me, you sent me to the streets with Śrīla Prabhupāda's books. There I learned what no classroom could teach: fearlessness through dependence on Guru and Kṛṣṇa.
In the āśrama, your instruction was read two hours every day. By your mercy, I have received the priceless gift of deeply studying Śrīla Prabhupāda's books, a treasure not everyone receives.
Whatever faith, strength, and understanding I possess have grown beneath the shelter of your instructions. Through your guidance, I have learned that māyā has little power over one who firmly holds the words of the spiritual master.
As long as I remain connected to your guidance, I know I can continue toward the lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
On this auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā day, I offer my humble obeisances and gratitude. May I always remain a servant of your instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Dhruvananda Dasa
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Your glories are an infinitely faceted jewel, each one unlimitedly deep, but the one that I meditate upon today is your very special way of being personal.
There is a parable called The Starfish Story that reflects what I think it means to be personal and why it matters. Here in New Zealand a cyclone can cause ocean swells that scrape sea creatures off deep sea reefs, hurtle them towards shore, then dump them high up the beach. It happened last year in Northland when thousands upon thousands of starfish were stranded— tangled in seaweed, covered in driftwood, and suffocating— way above the hightide mark, after cyclone Tam. The parable tells how an old man observes a young boy during a mass stranding like this. The boy is bent at the water's edge, carefully picking up one starfish after another, throwing them back into the surf. The old man wanders over and looking down the beach covered as far as the eye could see with starfish, he says to the boy "What difference can you make?" The boy listens politely and then bends to carefully pick up another starfish. He throws it out to the ocean and said to the man, "It made it difference for that one."
What you have done made a difference, Guru Maharaja—for me, and for countless other devotees. You go from one person to another with care and attention, and in that act you awaken us by touching a part of us that may as well be dead—far from the ocean of devotional service, entangled in the seaweed of material desires, buried in the driftwood of tamas—and bring us to life. Speaking for each and every one of us you have picked up and thrown back into the ocean of devotional service, we can never repay you for your patience and compassion.
Sukanthi Radha has a photo of you that is a stunning illustration of how personal you are in your approach. Soon after she met devotees at The University of Manchester, she asked you to pose for a photography project where she invited her subjects to ask any question they wanted to anyone they wanted. She gave you an A4 piece of white paper—As a monk, surely he will have a deep question to ask. Perhaps he will ask God! she thought—but then, she noticed you began to scrawl, "TARA.." She tried to clarify, "No, you can ask ANYone." The result is a photo of you, sitting facing the camera holding a paper upon which you've written your question "TARA, what are you doing with your life?"
Fortunately, I have the same penetrating words of yours—inspired by pure compassion— etched in my consciousness. It was January 1997 and thinking I could slip in and out of Food For Life Christchurch without seeing anyone I knew, I entered the Columbo Street place from the back. At that time, you entered from the front with at least four other devotees. "Oh, you are having lunch?" you said to me and gestured to a devotee to bring two tables together. When everyone— 8 other devotees now, or more—had sat down in formation around the tables, you sitting at one end of the oval and I at the far otherside, you said, "DI, what are you doing with your life?" Everyone else faded out: it was just you and I and that question. If only I could descibe what it feels like to be held accountable for one's life decisions because someone knows it mattered. Its like having a bucket of water thrown over you— devastating, but awakening.
Thank you for picking me up, because I know it wasn't easy. I'm just so very lucky that you cared enough to keep trying and to not give up. You visited my dilapidated flat in Auckland, gave me a father-daughter talk at breakfast at Pio's farm New Year's Day 1997, inspired me to move into the ladies ashram that day at lunch at Food for Life, and when I was on the run you called my grandmother's house in Masterton to tell me you would be in Carterton the next day--when I turned you down, you suggested I meet you in Australia two weeks later. You tried so hard; I never forgot that and when I was overseas I always felt the pull back to the shelter of your wisdom—which I finally took up in 1999 due to your compassion and determination.
Guru Maharaja, the last 26 years have flown by. Not only is it impossible to reciprocate with you because you are giving me the ultimate thing—the service of the servant of the servant of Lord Krishna—but it is also impossible to reciprocate with how personal you are in your dealings to this day. I cherish a lifetime of memories: the lockdown zoom classes that gave us perspective and association, the Bhagavatam classes that speak to the issue, the WhatsApp messages at just the right time, car trips to settle misunderstandings and hurt, a strong phone call to rip me out of a sticky situation—to name only a few. Thank you for saving me, Guru Maharaja.
Praying to serve you in eternity,
Dina Dayala devi dasi.
Please accept my obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
Your glories are an infinitely faceted jewel, each one unlimitedly deep, but the one that I meditate upon today is your very special way of being personal.
There is a parable called The Starfish Story that reflects what I think it means to be personal and why it matters. Here in New Zealand a cyclone can cause ocean swells that scrape sea creatures off deep sea reefs, hurtle them towards shore, then dump them high up the beach. It happened last year in Northland when thousands upon thousands of starfish were stranded— tangled in seaweed, covered in driftwood, and suffocating— way above the hightide mark, after cyclone Tam. The parable tells how an old man observes a young boy during a mass stranding like this. The boy is bent at the water's edge, carefully picking up one starfish after another, throwing them back into the surf. The old man wanders over and looking down the beach covered as far as the eye could see with starfish, he says to the boy "What difference can you make?" The boy listens politely and then bends to carefully pick up another starfish. He throws it out to the ocean and said to the man, "It made it difference for that one."
What you have done made a difference, Guru Maharaja—for me, and for countless other devotees. You go from one person to another with care and attention, and in that act you awaken us by touching a part of us that may as well be dead—far from the ocean of devotional service, entangled in the seaweed of material desires, buried in the driftwood of tamas—and bring us to life. Speaking for each and every one of us you have picked up and thrown back into the ocean of devotional service, we can never repay you for your patience and compassion.
Sukanthi Radha has a photo of you that is a stunning illustration of how personal you are in your approach. Soon after she met devotees at The University of Manchester, she asked you to pose for a photography project where she invited her subjects to ask any question they wanted to anyone they wanted. She gave you an A4 piece of white paper—As a monk, surely he will have a deep question to ask. Perhaps he will ask God! she thought—but then, she noticed you began to scrawl, "TARA.." She tried to clarify, "No, you can ask ANYone." The result is a photo of you, sitting facing the camera holding a paper upon which you've written your question "TARA, what are you doing with your life?"
Fortunately, I have the same penetrating words of yours—inspired by pure compassion— etched in my consciousness. It was January 1997 and thinking I could slip in and out of Food For Life Christchurch without seeing anyone I knew, I entered the Columbo Street place from the back. At that time, you entered from the front with at least four other devotees. "Oh, you are having lunch?" you said to me and gestured to a devotee to bring two tables together. When everyone— 8 other devotees now, or more—had sat down in formation around the tables, you sitting at one end of the oval and I at the far otherside, you said, "DI, what are you doing with your life?" Everyone else faded out: it was just you and I and that question. If only I could descibe what it feels like to be held accountable for one's life decisions because someone knows it mattered. Its like having a bucket of water thrown over you— devastating, but awakening.
Thank you for picking me up, because I know it wasn't easy. I'm just so very lucky that you cared enough to keep trying and to not give up. You visited my dilapidated flat in Auckland, gave me a father-daughter talk at breakfast at Pio's farm New Year's Day 1997, inspired me to move into the ladies ashram that day at lunch at Food for Life, and when I was on the run you called my grandmother's house in Masterton to tell me you would be in Carterton the next day--when I turned you down, you suggested I meet you in Australia two weeks later. You tried so hard; I never forgot that and when I was overseas I always felt the pull back to the shelter of your wisdom—which I finally took up in 1999 due to your compassion and determination.
Guru Maharaja, the last 26 years have flown by. Not only is it impossible to reciprocate with you because you are giving me the ultimate thing—the service of the servant of the servant of Lord Krishna—but it is also impossible to reciprocate with how personal you are in your dealings to this day. I cherish a lifetime of memories: the lockdown zoom classes that gave us perspective and association, the Bhagavatam classes that speak to the issue, the WhatsApp messages at just the right time, car trips to settle misunderstandings and hurt, a strong phone call to rip me out of a sticky situation—to name only a few. Thank you for saving me, Guru Maharaja.
Praying to serve you in eternity,
Dina Dayala devi dasi.
Dineswara 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 your lotus feet.
Gurudev, in 2007, you gave a class in which you challenged the devotees to become a real man. That lecture deeply inspired me.
Two points you emphasised have particularly touched my heart:
• To recognise when my mind and senses are becoming agitated and provoked.
• To maintain the inner strength to face such situations with intelligence.
Every day, I pray to you and the Lord for the courage and strength to put these instructions into practice, yet I continue to fall short. Still, I resolve to begin again the next day, looking towards you for inspiration and seeking your blessings.
Recently, you mentioned the importance of becoming a real sādhu, possessing all the pure qualities of a sadhu. Gurudev, I am once again trying to work on these qualities, aspiring to make progress only by your mercy and blessings.
Thank you, Gurudev, for giving me shelter at your lotus feet and for providing such clear guidance for my spiritual journey.
I humbly pray to you to bless me with the strength, determination, and sincerity to deepen my surrender at your lotus feet and to develop the character necessary to fulfil your instructions.
Your servant,
Dineswara Dāsa
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
I offer my humble obeisances unto you, Gurudev, who has bestowed upon me the shelter of your lotus feet.
Gurudev, in 2007, you gave a class in which you challenged the devotees to become a real man. That lecture deeply inspired me.
Two points you emphasised have particularly touched my heart:
• To recognise when my mind and senses are becoming agitated and provoked.
• To maintain the inner strength to face such situations with intelligence.
Every day, I pray to you and the Lord for the courage and strength to put these instructions into practice, yet I continue to fall short. Still, I resolve to begin again the next day, looking towards you for inspiration and seeking your blessings.
Recently, you mentioned the importance of becoming a real sādhu, possessing all the pure qualities of a sadhu. Gurudev, I am once again trying to work on these qualities, aspiring to make progress only by your mercy and blessings.
Thank you, Gurudev, for giving me shelter at your lotus feet and for providing such clear guidance for my spiritual journey.
I humbly pray to you to bless me with the strength, determination, and sincerity to deepen my surrender at your lotus feet and to develop the character necessary to fulfil your instructions.
Your servant,
Dineswara Dāsa
Dinodhari Das, Satyadhari Dasi and Krishna Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On your Vyāsa-pūjā, we thank you for your kindness and guidance. For the last 50 years,you have dedicated and sacrificed your life to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission with full determination and surrender. We pray to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Vallabha for your good health.
We are especially grateful for your support after my father, Shri Vinod Kumar Agrawal, left his body on 3 September 2026.
Your assurance that my father would continue to benefit spiritually from my devotional life brought us great comfort. When we did not know what to do, you gave us clear direction: improve the quality of chanting, hearing, and reading.
Your words, “Push daily to raise the quality further,” have stayed with us.
Gurudeva, we wish to keep these words close to our hearts. They have given us direction amid our grief and encouraged us both to give greater attention to our spiritual lives.
You also recommended reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 6, Chapter 15, for sobering knowledge. Please bless us to approach this chapter sincerely and allow its teachings to deepen our understanding of the soul and the temporary nature of our relationships in this world.
We miss my father deeply. Please bless us to remember Kṛṣṇa during difficult moments and find strength in your teachings.
Thank you for giving us hope when we felt lost.
Your aspiring servants,
Dinodhari Das
Satyadhari Dasi
Krishna Das
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On your Vyāsa-pūjā, we thank you for your kindness and guidance. For the last 50 years,you have dedicated and sacrificed your life to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission with full determination and surrender. We pray to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Vallabha for your good health.
We are especially grateful for your support after my father, Shri Vinod Kumar Agrawal, left his body on 3 September 2026.
Your assurance that my father would continue to benefit spiritually from my devotional life brought us great comfort. When we did not know what to do, you gave us clear direction: improve the quality of chanting, hearing, and reading.
Your words, “Push daily to raise the quality further,” have stayed with us.
Gurudeva, we wish to keep these words close to our hearts. They have given us direction amid our grief and encouraged us both to give greater attention to our spiritual lives.
You also recommended reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 6, Chapter 15, for sobering knowledge. Please bless us to approach this chapter sincerely and allow its teachings to deepen our understanding of the soul and the temporary nature of our relationships in this world.
We miss my father deeply. Please bless us to remember Kṛṣṇa during difficult moments and find strength in your teachings.
Thank you for giving us hope when we felt lost.
Your aspiring servants,
Dinodhari Das
Satyadhari Dasi
Krishna Das
Divya Sukh Devi Dasi
Dear and Most Revered Guru Maharaj Ji,
On this sacred occasion of Vyasa Puja, please accept my humble and heartfelt obeisances at your lotus feet.
In February this year, by your mercy, you bestowed initiation upon me and gave me a new spiritual name. For me, this marks the beginning of a new spiritual life, almost like a rebirth. I am deeply grateful to you for this boundless mercy.
You have given me the opportunity to walk on the path of devotion to Sri Krishna and the great fortune of engaging in the service of your lotus feet. During your visit to Delhi in June, I was once again blessed with your darshan. It was a very special and unforgettable experience. The peace and inspiration I receive in your association are beyond words.
Guru Maharaj Ji, my humble prayer is that your blessings and guidance may always remain upon me. Please give me the strength to follow the path shown by you with faith and dedication, to overcome my shortcomings, and to remain engaged in the service of Guru, the Vaishnavas, and Sri Krishna.
I pray that I may never forget your causeless mercy and always continue striving to advance in Krishna consciousness.
Once again, I offer my countless humble dandavat pranams at your lotus feet.
Always aspiring for your mercy,
Your servant at your lotus feet,
Divya Sukh Devi Dasi
On this sacred occasion of Vyasa Puja, please accept my humble and heartfelt obeisances at your lotus feet.
In February this year, by your mercy, you bestowed initiation upon me and gave me a new spiritual name. For me, this marks the beginning of a new spiritual life, almost like a rebirth. I am deeply grateful to you for this boundless mercy.
You have given me the opportunity to walk on the path of devotion to Sri Krishna and the great fortune of engaging in the service of your lotus feet. During your visit to Delhi in June, I was once again blessed with your darshan. It was a very special and unforgettable experience. The peace and inspiration I receive in your association are beyond words.
Guru Maharaj Ji, my humble prayer is that your blessings and guidance may always remain upon me. Please give me the strength to follow the path shown by you with faith and dedication, to overcome my shortcomings, and to remain engaged in the service of Guru, the Vaishnavas, and Sri Krishna.
I pray that I may never forget your causeless mercy and always continue striving to advance in Krishna consciousness.
Once again, I offer my countless humble dandavat pranams at your lotus feet.
Always aspiring for your mercy,
Your servant at your lotus feet,
Divya Sukh Devi Dasi
Divya Vrindavan Devi Dasi
Dearest Devamrita Swami.
Please allow me to offer you my most humble obesicances.
All glories to Srila Prabupada and the assembled devotees all glories to you,
All glories to you on this auspicious and blissful day.
Meditating on your transcendental qualities, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the personal association, amazing classes and presence you give when you visit ISCKON Wales in June each year. Thank you deeply. I have been living here eight years now, never having stepped on Welsh soil ever.
The careful and attentive guidance you gave me and Bhauma Vrindavan when we came back from New Zealand. Now I see how you had such foresight and trust in me, no one has ever given me that. You have tolerated me and my shortcomings and I thank you for this.
The patience compassion and global management style you are able to offer adapt, flex and transcend at so many levels to different communities and personalities is truly beautiful. I am so proud to be under your shelter and so grateful.
I relish your expert and technical classes on Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitayna Caritarmrita.
Diligence is the price of freedom I heard you say recently in a Srimad Bhagavatam class, and an exuberant loving attitude makes Bhakti so relishable. A recent Caitayna Caritamrita class in Philadelphia. I had never heard this term before ! But Gurudeva you define this entirely and more!!
Exuberant I understand to mean full of happiness, high spirits, energy and excitement. You embody all of these qualities so much and more, a zest for Bhakti is what I need to ensure I grow and you give me this continually.
The depths and transcendental literature we have from the acaryas, recently has made me reflect how there is so much to read and hear. I am desperate to to hear this and again realise - I would not experience such a desire should you not have introduced me to this path. Srila Prabupada and you provide the biggest shelter and you give so freely, selflessly.
It often has made my life only worth living. It can feel like it maybe possible to keep riding on the crest of a wave of such magnanimous shelter which Srila Prabupada gave us and the acaryas. You provide this Gurudeva to more and newer disciples each year.
So truly I believe this and your depth of knowledge presence in my life
is beyond the depths of anything we could even begin to conceive. I want to share this knowledge and you gave me the confidence to do this no matter how little I share.
May I pray to always be able to be grateful for your qualities vani and vapu - to see and try and please you in very interaction I give.
In service I pray to always understand your mood and try and embody this.
Thank you for giving me some of the most heartfelt sisterhoods, friendship and family.
Aspiring to serve you and remain steady.
Your aspiring daughter and servant.
Divya Vrindavan Devi Dasi
Please allow me to offer you my most humble obesicances.
All glories to Srila Prabupada and the assembled devotees all glories to you,
All glories to you on this auspicious and blissful day.
Meditating on your transcendental qualities, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the personal association, amazing classes and presence you give when you visit ISCKON Wales in June each year. Thank you deeply. I have been living here eight years now, never having stepped on Welsh soil ever.
The careful and attentive guidance you gave me and Bhauma Vrindavan when we came back from New Zealand. Now I see how you had such foresight and trust in me, no one has ever given me that. You have tolerated me and my shortcomings and I thank you for this.
The patience compassion and global management style you are able to offer adapt, flex and transcend at so many levels to different communities and personalities is truly beautiful. I am so proud to be under your shelter and so grateful.
I relish your expert and technical classes on Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitayna Caritarmrita.
Diligence is the price of freedom I heard you say recently in a Srimad Bhagavatam class, and an exuberant loving attitude makes Bhakti so relishable. A recent Caitayna Caritamrita class in Philadelphia. I had never heard this term before ! But Gurudeva you define this entirely and more!!
Exuberant I understand to mean full of happiness, high spirits, energy and excitement. You embody all of these qualities so much and more, a zest for Bhakti is what I need to ensure I grow and you give me this continually.
The depths and transcendental literature we have from the acaryas, recently has made me reflect how there is so much to read and hear. I am desperate to to hear this and again realise - I would not experience such a desire should you not have introduced me to this path. Srila Prabupada and you provide the biggest shelter and you give so freely, selflessly.
It often has made my life only worth living. It can feel like it maybe possible to keep riding on the crest of a wave of such magnanimous shelter which Srila Prabupada gave us and the acaryas. You provide this Gurudeva to more and newer disciples each year.
So truly I believe this and your depth of knowledge presence in my life
is beyond the depths of anything we could even begin to conceive. I want to share this knowledge and you gave me the confidence to do this no matter how little I share.
May I pray to always be able to be grateful for your qualities vani and vapu - to see and try and please you in very interaction I give.
In service I pray to always understand your mood and try and embody this.
Thank you for giving me some of the most heartfelt sisterhoods, friendship and family.
Aspiring to serve you and remain steady.
Your aspiring daughter and servant.
Divya Vrindavan Devi Dasi
Dola Krida devi dasi
Namo om vishnupadaya Krsna presthaya bhutale srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracharya purvadaksayam ca bhaktachar praveenta, prarthapi karunyam yasya starve ca te namah
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
On this most auspicious occasion of your divine appearance day, my heart is filled with gratitude for your causeless mercy in accepting me as your disciple, despite my many anarthas, weaknesses, and shortcomings. I often wonder how someone as fallen and unqualified as myself could receive such shelter, yet you have kindly allowed me to come under your guidance. I can never repay this mercy, but I pray that I may become worthy of it by sincerely following your instructions.
I have heard that a Vaishnava is para-duḥkha-duḥkhī—one who feels the suffering of others as their own. When I observe your life, your teachings, and the way you tirelessly serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission, I feel that I am witnessing this quality in action. Your concern for conditioned souls is not merely expressed in words; it is revealed through your constant effort to awaken us to our relationship with Krishna.
I know that I am often bewildered, distracted, and caught in the struggles of material existence. Still, you continue to show patience and compassion toward me. You do not reject me because of my faults. This mercy touches my heart deeply, especially when I recognize how little I have done to deserve it.
Gurudev, whenever I think of your compassion, I feel both humbled and ashamed of my own shortcomings. I pray that, by your blessings, even a small drop of your mercy may awaken within my heart. May I learn to see beyond my own concerns, recognize the suffering of others, and sincerely try to serve them and help them progress in Krishna consciousness. Without your guidance, I do not know how I could develop such qualities.
On this sacred day, I pray to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radhabhalbha to bless you with continued strength, excellent health, and many more years of service.
Please bless me that I may always remain sheltered at your lotus feet. May I develop the sincerity, humility, steadiness, and determination to follow your instructions, serve the Vaishnavas, and become even a small instrument in your divine mission. I pray that I may never take your mercy for granted and that I may always remember how fortunate I am to have received your shelter.
Thank you, Gurudev, for your boundless compassion, patience, and mercy upon an insignificant and fallen soul such as myself. Whatever spiritual hope I have is due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, Krishna, and your divine guidance.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Dola Krida devi dasi
Pracharya purvadaksayam ca bhaktachar praveenta, prarthapi karunyam yasya starve ca te namah
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
On this most auspicious occasion of your divine appearance day, my heart is filled with gratitude for your causeless mercy in accepting me as your disciple, despite my many anarthas, weaknesses, and shortcomings. I often wonder how someone as fallen and unqualified as myself could receive such shelter, yet you have kindly allowed me to come under your guidance. I can never repay this mercy, but I pray that I may become worthy of it by sincerely following your instructions.
I have heard that a Vaishnava is para-duḥkha-duḥkhī—one who feels the suffering of others as their own. When I observe your life, your teachings, and the way you tirelessly serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission, I feel that I am witnessing this quality in action. Your concern for conditioned souls is not merely expressed in words; it is revealed through your constant effort to awaken us to our relationship with Krishna.
I know that I am often bewildered, distracted, and caught in the struggles of material existence. Still, you continue to show patience and compassion toward me. You do not reject me because of my faults. This mercy touches my heart deeply, especially when I recognize how little I have done to deserve it.
Gurudev, whenever I think of your compassion, I feel both humbled and ashamed of my own shortcomings. I pray that, by your blessings, even a small drop of your mercy may awaken within my heart. May I learn to see beyond my own concerns, recognize the suffering of others, and sincerely try to serve them and help them progress in Krishna consciousness. Without your guidance, I do not know how I could develop such qualities.
On this sacred day, I pray to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radhabhalbha to bless you with continued strength, excellent health, and many more years of service.
Please bless me that I may always remain sheltered at your lotus feet. May I develop the sincerity, humility, steadiness, and determination to follow your instructions, serve the Vaishnavas, and become even a small instrument in your divine mission. I pray that I may never take your mercy for granted and that I may always remember how fortunate I am to have received your shelter.
Thank you, Gurudev, for your boundless compassion, patience, and mercy upon an insignificant and fallen soul such as myself. Whatever spiritual hope I have is due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, Krishna, and your divine guidance.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Dola Krida devi dasi
Duranta-sakti Das
Hare Krishna dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this glorious occasion of your appearance day.
Over the last year and a half since I’ve moved out of NZ, I haven’t had much opportunity of your Vapu association, which was such a luxury in NZ, with you visiting NZ several times a year. To adjust to the new situation in faraway South India, I had to fully rely on your Vani - personal instructions to me, and your online recorded lectures.
In my last meeting with you in NZ, you mentioned that you will be pleased if I preach. Outreach had never been something that I actively participated in while living in NZ. However, you still blessed me with this instruction to preach, so that I could have the great fortune of serving actively in distributing the mercy of Lord Caitanya. For this I’m extremely grateful. Despite the lack of experience or skills, your blessing has inspired me to take small steps in this direction.
With the support of local devotees in Mysore, we have been able to start a weekly public children’s Bhagavad Gita program where 20 children have been attending consistently for the last 9 months. The program focusses on giving Krishna Consciousness to children from mostly non devotee backgrounds, in a fun and practical way through which they can implement the wisdom of Gita in their lives.
Another initiative I have been fortunate to start with fellow devotees is a weekly outreach program for adults, with a format similar to the Loft: kirtan, a talk, another kirtan, and prasadam, with the focus on how to make it easy for people to take up Krishna Consciousness.
The only drive to take up the above-mentioned initiatives is your instruction. Through these initiatives, I have been able to taste the bliss of outreach, which has helped in coping with the move to a completely new Krishna conscious environment, in terms of congregation, lack of easy access to God family, not being able to see you as often etc.
Thank you Gurudeva, for providing constant guidance and inspiration through the lectures that you deliver all over the world, taking on the austerity of constant flight travel and changing time zones, just to please your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
Your insignificant servant,
Duranta-sakti Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this glorious occasion of your appearance day.
Over the last year and a half since I’ve moved out of NZ, I haven’t had much opportunity of your Vapu association, which was such a luxury in NZ, with you visiting NZ several times a year. To adjust to the new situation in faraway South India, I had to fully rely on your Vani - personal instructions to me, and your online recorded lectures.
In my last meeting with you in NZ, you mentioned that you will be pleased if I preach. Outreach had never been something that I actively participated in while living in NZ. However, you still blessed me with this instruction to preach, so that I could have the great fortune of serving actively in distributing the mercy of Lord Caitanya. For this I’m extremely grateful. Despite the lack of experience or skills, your blessing has inspired me to take small steps in this direction.
With the support of local devotees in Mysore, we have been able to start a weekly public children’s Bhagavad Gita program where 20 children have been attending consistently for the last 9 months. The program focusses on giving Krishna Consciousness to children from mostly non devotee backgrounds, in a fun and practical way through which they can implement the wisdom of Gita in their lives.
Another initiative I have been fortunate to start with fellow devotees is a weekly outreach program for adults, with a format similar to the Loft: kirtan, a talk, another kirtan, and prasadam, with the focus on how to make it easy for people to take up Krishna Consciousness.
The only drive to take up the above-mentioned initiatives is your instruction. Through these initiatives, I have been able to taste the bliss of outreach, which has helped in coping with the move to a completely new Krishna conscious environment, in terms of congregation, lack of easy access to God family, not being able to see you as often etc.
Thank you Gurudeva, for providing constant guidance and inspiration through the lectures that you deliver all over the world, taking on the austerity of constant flight travel and changing time zones, just to please your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
Your insignificant servant,
Duranta-sakti Das
Dvija Pītāmbara Dāsa
Hare Krishna Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you and your divine appearance day.
I have been meditating on how much caring you are for the devotees. One time when I was serving you lunch, you asked me, “Dvija Pītāmbara, you seem to have lost weight! Is your health okay? Is this your normal weight?” You were the first person to actually notice the change and were genuinely concerned! Other time seeing me dancing in Kirtan, you asked, “Is your ankle better now?” It had been 3 years since the surgery and even I had forgotten about it.
When I was travelling with you, at every new location on the following day after arrival you would ask, “so are you well situated?” And “What service are you doing?”
You are affectionate and caring to all the devotees who are surrendered to you. Sometimes during your meals you ask for other devotees and how are they. You like to see devotees and hear updates from them. When we report our services and sadhana, you like to know the details. To me, these exchanges exhibit how personal and caring you are for the devotees and also how attentive you are to the details.
Another quality of yours that I have been meditating on is your love for book distribution. Devotees in New Zealand mentioned that on your way to dentist, you would stop by the area where devotees distributed books. One time one devotee was distributing books to one girl. After the girl left, you opened your car door and greeted the devotee. You looked very happy! You said, “I love to see devotees distributing books. I come here for dentist but seeing devotees distributing books makes it all worth it!” In your lectures, you have often mentioned that book distribution was very difficult for you at the start but you were determined to love it because Śrīla Prabhupāda loved it. While at Gita Nagari, a few days after the arrival, you asked me, “so what service are you doing?” I said, “I am doing a little bit of deity worship, cooking for devotees, serving cows and distributing books.” You immediately wanted to know about my book distribution service. “So where do you distribute books? And how is the response?” A few days later the same conversation repeated verbatim. To me, this showed your love for the service of book distribution. Recently, when I mentioned to you about the Bhadra campaign book distribution scores, and how one devotee distributed 12 Bhāgavatam sets, you wanted to know how and where did he distribute them. Then you told me, “Tell him that I am very pleased with him!”
Thank you Gurudev for encouraging and training us into focused devotional service, strong sadhana and how to always balance the inner work and the outreach.
You are a great general in the saṇkīrtana army. I humbly seek your blessings to develop genuine taste for saṇkīrtana without any attachment to the results. Thank you for tolerating our many shortcomings and yet not giving up on us. Thank you for constantly training us through your words and actions.
Aspiring to be your sincere servant,
Dvija Pītāmbara Dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you and your divine appearance day.
I have been meditating on how much caring you are for the devotees. One time when I was serving you lunch, you asked me, “Dvija Pītāmbara, you seem to have lost weight! Is your health okay? Is this your normal weight?” You were the first person to actually notice the change and were genuinely concerned! Other time seeing me dancing in Kirtan, you asked, “Is your ankle better now?” It had been 3 years since the surgery and even I had forgotten about it.
When I was travelling with you, at every new location on the following day after arrival you would ask, “so are you well situated?” And “What service are you doing?”
You are affectionate and caring to all the devotees who are surrendered to you. Sometimes during your meals you ask for other devotees and how are they. You like to see devotees and hear updates from them. When we report our services and sadhana, you like to know the details. To me, these exchanges exhibit how personal and caring you are for the devotees and also how attentive you are to the details.
Another quality of yours that I have been meditating on is your love for book distribution. Devotees in New Zealand mentioned that on your way to dentist, you would stop by the area where devotees distributed books. One time one devotee was distributing books to one girl. After the girl left, you opened your car door and greeted the devotee. You looked very happy! You said, “I love to see devotees distributing books. I come here for dentist but seeing devotees distributing books makes it all worth it!” In your lectures, you have often mentioned that book distribution was very difficult for you at the start but you were determined to love it because Śrīla Prabhupāda loved it. While at Gita Nagari, a few days after the arrival, you asked me, “so what service are you doing?” I said, “I am doing a little bit of deity worship, cooking for devotees, serving cows and distributing books.” You immediately wanted to know about my book distribution service. “So where do you distribute books? And how is the response?” A few days later the same conversation repeated verbatim. To me, this showed your love for the service of book distribution. Recently, when I mentioned to you about the Bhadra campaign book distribution scores, and how one devotee distributed 12 Bhāgavatam sets, you wanted to know how and where did he distribute them. Then you told me, “Tell him that I am very pleased with him!”
Thank you Gurudev for encouraging and training us into focused devotional service, strong sadhana and how to always balance the inner work and the outreach.
You are a great general in the saṇkīrtana army. I humbly seek your blessings to develop genuine taste for saṇkīrtana without any attachment to the results. Thank you for tolerating our many shortcomings and yet not giving up on us. Thank you for constantly training us through your words and actions.
Aspiring to be your sincere servant,
Dvija Pītāmbara Dāsa
Dyuti-mandala das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance, Vyasa Puja!
he guro jnana-da dina-bandho
svananda-datah karunaika-sindho
vrindavanasina hitavatara
prasida radha-pranaya-prachara
"O spiritual master, O giver of divine wisdom, O friend of the fallen, you are the giver of your own bliss and you are the only ocean of mercy. Although dwelling in Vrindavana, you have descended for the welfare of fallen souls like myself and you are preaching the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Please be kind upon me."
When reciting this prayer to the spiritual master before engaging in devotional service.
I remember my fallen condition and your kindness upon me. You are so merciful and I beg for your mercy.
In Srila Prabhupada's purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 3.32.38
"Once one enters into the continuation of material existence, it is very difficult to get out. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead comes Himself or sends His bona fide representative, and He leaves behind scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, so that the living entities hovering in the darkness of nescience may take advantage of the instructions, the saintly persons and the spiritual masters and thus be freed. Unless the living entity receives the mercy of the saintly persons, the spiritual master or Kṛṣṇa, it is not possible for him to get out of the darkness of material existence; by his own endeavor it is not possible." I am reminded of Krishna's mercy and the mercy of my spiritual master. How it is by your mercy that I can get out of the darkness of material existence. I am most grateful for this immense mercy and pray that I may always take advantage of the instructions of Lord Krishna and my spiritual master.
Thank you dear Guru Maharaja. I pray that I may serve you and please you.
Your servant,
Dyuti-mandala das
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance, Vyasa Puja!
he guro jnana-da dina-bandho
svananda-datah karunaika-sindho
vrindavanasina hitavatara
prasida radha-pranaya-prachara
"O spiritual master, O giver of divine wisdom, O friend of the fallen, you are the giver of your own bliss and you are the only ocean of mercy. Although dwelling in Vrindavana, you have descended for the welfare of fallen souls like myself and you are preaching the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Please be kind upon me."
When reciting this prayer to the spiritual master before engaging in devotional service.
I remember my fallen condition and your kindness upon me. You are so merciful and I beg for your mercy.
In Srila Prabhupada's purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 3.32.38
"Once one enters into the continuation of material existence, it is very difficult to get out. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead comes Himself or sends His bona fide representative, and He leaves behind scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, so that the living entities hovering in the darkness of nescience may take advantage of the instructions, the saintly persons and the spiritual masters and thus be freed. Unless the living entity receives the mercy of the saintly persons, the spiritual master or Kṛṣṇa, it is not possible for him to get out of the darkness of material existence; by his own endeavor it is not possible." I am reminded of Krishna's mercy and the mercy of my spiritual master. How it is by your mercy that I can get out of the darkness of material existence. I am most grateful for this immense mercy and pray that I may always take advantage of the instructions of Lord Krishna and my spiritual master.
Thank you dear Guru Maharaja. I pray that I may serve you and please you.
Your servant,
Dyuti-mandala das
Edward Breslin
If hundreds of thousands of suns were to rise at once into the sky, their radiance might resemble the effulgence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Of course, He is the source of all luminaries, the reservoir of all opulences.
Sri Krsna is trailokya-kantam, the real beauty of the three worlds. He is also drsiman-mahotsavam, the desired object for all who have eyes. Rupam dadhanam sriya ipsita aspadam. His very body is the resting place desired by the goddess of fortune. Such Supreme Beauty tells Uddhava to “know the acarya [spiritual master] as Myself”. Could I even venture to imagine the beauty of such a spiritual master?
But my eyes are covered by darkness. Please, give me the palp of knowledge, Gurudev, that again I can see. 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.
One should not envy the spiritual master, disrespect him, or think him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods. To see any Vaisnava, what to speak of the exalted spiritual master, as possessing an ordinary material body, is a great offence.
Guru Maharaja, I offer my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet a thousand times. May I never lift my gaze from those lotus feet. May I never lift my gaze from those lotus feet.
May my mind be ever increasingly chaste to your instructions, like the sacred ganges river that flows directly to the sea.
May I offer each name I chant, every single morning, to your eternally perfect instruction:
“Just chant, and hear.”
“Just chant, and hear.”
“Just chant, and hear.”
And may all other noisy opinions and obstructions fall aside.
May my existence be sustained only on the strength of sambandha; that I am simply a servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja. And may this become my only identity.
“I am simply a servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja.”
“I am simply a servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja.”
“I am simply the servant of the servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja.”
Sri Krsna is trailokya-kantam, the real beauty of the three worlds. He is also drsiman-mahotsavam, the desired object for all who have eyes. Rupam dadhanam sriya ipsita aspadam. His very body is the resting place desired by the goddess of fortune. Such Supreme Beauty tells Uddhava to “know the acarya [spiritual master] as Myself”. Could I even venture to imagine the beauty of such a spiritual master?
But my eyes are covered by darkness. Please, give me the palp of knowledge, Gurudev, that again I can see. 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.
One should not envy the spiritual master, disrespect him, or think him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods. To see any Vaisnava, what to speak of the exalted spiritual master, as possessing an ordinary material body, is a great offence.
Guru Maharaja, I offer my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet a thousand times. May I never lift my gaze from those lotus feet. May I never lift my gaze from those lotus feet.
May my mind be ever increasingly chaste to your instructions, like the sacred ganges river that flows directly to the sea.
May I offer each name I chant, every single morning, to your eternally perfect instruction:
“Just chant, and hear.”
“Just chant, and hear.”
“Just chant, and hear.”
And may all other noisy opinions and obstructions fall aside.
May my existence be sustained only on the strength of sambandha; that I am simply a servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja. And may this become my only identity.
“I am simply a servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja.”
“I am simply a servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja.”
“I am simply the servant of the servant of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja.”
Ekant Dham Das
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 had recently visited one of my senior officer for some work. He greeted me very well and finished the required task within few minutes. I asked him, how did he knows me? He told me that few years back he had attended your Vyasa Puja Ceremony. Since then he has started chanting regularly. Recently he bought set of Srimad Bhagavatam and started reading. It did reminded me Srimad Bhagavatam 10.32.18. It says: "Some people are genuinely merciful or, like parents, naturally affectionate. Such persons, who devotedly serve even those who fail to reciprocate with them, are following the true, faultless path of religion, and they are true well-wishers.
My dear Guru Maharaj, you are our true well-wisher. You are showing us the true path of religion. Just by attending your Vyasa Puja Ceremony, one can become a devotee of Krishna. It's your aura and glorification that just by listening to your glories, considering me as of your disciple people are respecting me. You have disciples and admirers all around the world. On your Vyasa Puja day, what can I offer you? I can just ask for your blessings to understand the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada so that I could be able to preach Krishna Consciousness others and show them the true path of religion. 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
Please accept my humble obesiances
All glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My dear Guru Maharaj
I had recently visited one of my senior officer for some work. He greeted me very well and finished the required task within few minutes. I asked him, how did he knows me? He told me that few years back he had attended your Vyasa Puja Ceremony. Since then he has started chanting regularly. Recently he bought set of Srimad Bhagavatam and started reading. It did reminded me Srimad Bhagavatam 10.32.18. It says: "Some people are genuinely merciful or, like parents, naturally affectionate. Such persons, who devotedly serve even those who fail to reciprocate with them, are following the true, faultless path of religion, and they are true well-wishers.
My dear Guru Maharaj, you are our true well-wisher. You are showing us the true path of religion. Just by attending your Vyasa Puja Ceremony, one can become a devotee of Krishna. It's your aura and glorification that just by listening to your glories, considering me as of your disciple people are respecting me. You have disciples and admirers all around the world. On your Vyasa Puja day, what can I offer you? I can just ask for your blessings to understand the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada so that I could be able to preach Krishna Consciousness others and show them the true path of religion. 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
Ekasarana Devi Dasi
Nama Om Vishnu-padaya Krishna-preshthaya Bhu-tale Srimate Devamrita-svamin iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heart-felt gratitude and reflections at your lotus feet. You continue to be a pillar of absolute dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s vision, tirelessly traveling, preaching, and inspiring souls across the globe to take shelter of Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement.
Living in a world dominated by distraction and superficiality, your voice serves as a constant, necessary wake-up call. Through your books, lectures, and uncompromising outreach, you piercingly analyze the mechanics of modern illusion and redirect our focus to the soul’s real need: unalloyed devotional service. You do not offer us cheap comfort in maya; you offer us the genuine cure of Krishna consciousness.
In my own spiritual journey, I am continually sustained by your sharp instruction, your selfless example, and your unwavering enthusiasm to give Krishna to others. You teach us not merely to tolerate material life, but to transform every circumstance into an offering of devotion. Whenever I am upset, your voice and statement can always saves me from the hardships.
I am continually awed by your relentless travel, your intellectual rigor, and your immense compassion for the conditioned souls. Whether cultivating spiritual oases for urban seekers or guiding your disciples through the intricacies of spiritual life, you embody both the firmness required to cut through false ego and the kindness that nurtures a struggling devotee's faith.
On this sacred day, I pray to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Srila Prabhupada for your continued health, protection, and strength as you push forward this revolution of consciousness across the globe, so you may continue to guide us out of the darkness of maya. Please bless me so that I may absorb your vani, remain faithful to your instructions, and render some small, genuine assistance in your service to the divine mission.
Seeking your blessings and mercy,
Your humble servant,
Ekasarana Devi Dasi
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heart-felt gratitude and reflections at your lotus feet. You continue to be a pillar of absolute dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s vision, tirelessly traveling, preaching, and inspiring souls across the globe to take shelter of Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement.
Living in a world dominated by distraction and superficiality, your voice serves as a constant, necessary wake-up call. Through your books, lectures, and uncompromising outreach, you piercingly analyze the mechanics of modern illusion and redirect our focus to the soul’s real need: unalloyed devotional service. You do not offer us cheap comfort in maya; you offer us the genuine cure of Krishna consciousness.
In my own spiritual journey, I am continually sustained by your sharp instruction, your selfless example, and your unwavering enthusiasm to give Krishna to others. You teach us not merely to tolerate material life, but to transform every circumstance into an offering of devotion. Whenever I am upset, your voice and statement can always saves me from the hardships.
I am continually awed by your relentless travel, your intellectual rigor, and your immense compassion for the conditioned souls. Whether cultivating spiritual oases for urban seekers or guiding your disciples through the intricacies of spiritual life, you embody both the firmness required to cut through false ego and the kindness that nurtures a struggling devotee's faith.
On this sacred day, I pray to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Srila Prabhupada for your continued health, protection, and strength as you push forward this revolution of consciousness across the globe, so you may continue to guide us out of the darkness of maya. Please bless me so that I may absorb your vani, remain faithful to your instructions, and render some small, genuine assistance in your service to the divine mission.
Seeking your blessings and mercy,
Your humble servant,
Ekasarana Devi Dasi
Ekatma Gaura Dasa
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 in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this most auspicious day!
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
A seed planted last year
One year ago, at your Vyasa Puja, I placed a small prayer at your feet. I had requested that I do not remain a passive devotee, watching my senior godbrothers preach and expand the Melbourne congregation while I stood still. Quietly, I had a desire to help create an expansion of Sri Sri Radha Vallabha’s abode.
I thought it was only a seed. I did not know how quickly your mercy would make it sprout.
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
“Wandering through the universe, a fortunate soul receives the seed of the creeper of devotion by the mercy of guru and Krishna.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.151)
A castle for a king
Within a year, Srila Prabhupada was given a castle of his own. The world has built castles for kings who ruled lands. Now one stands in Melbourne for the king who conquered hearts.
prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama
“In every town and village, My name will be preached.” (Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 4.126)
Lord Caitanya spoke these words, Srila Prabhupada carried them across the oceans, and you are writing the next chapter here in our city.
The hesitation and the answer
I must confess that at first I held back. I had not asked for your guidance, and I wondered whether this was really my service. So I prayed to you. In my heart I heard your voice from a class you once gave to the Western suburbs devotees, where you spoke of expanding the movement and establishing permanent preaching centres in Melbourne.
That was my answer. Your words had already made my decision.
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa
“Make the words from the guru’s lotus mouth one with your heart and desire nothing else.” (Narottama dasa Thakura)
The journey in the car
Recently I had the fortune of driving you to and from the Castle. My hands were on the steering wheel, but along the way I realised who was really guiding the journey.
The Katha Upanishad says:
atmanam rathinam viddhi sariram ratham eva tu
buddhim tu sarathim viddhi manah pragraham eva ca
“Know the soul to be the passenger, the body the chariot, the intelligence the driver, and the mind the reins.” (Katha Upanishad 1.3.3)
Gurudev, for so many of us you are that intelligence, our true charioteer. In the car you asked thoughtfully about the Castle’s future, and at the end of the journey you said how happy you were to see it moving in the right direction. I will treasure that drive. For once I was driving you, while you have been steering all along.
The squirrel at the bridge
When Lord Rama’s army built the bridge to Lanka, a little squirrel rolled in the sand and shook it onto the stones. It was a tiny contribution among great warriors, yet the Lord lovingly stroked its back, and the marks of His fingers remain on squirrels to this day.
That is my prayer this year. Among so many great devotees serving this project, please bless me to be that squirrel. Let me carry my few grains of sand faithfully, so that by your touch my small service becomes pleasing to Srila Prabhupada.
Now that Srila Prabhupada sits in his own castle, I can see his mercy flowing to all of us, and the channel it flows through is you.
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi
“By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives Krishna’s mercy; without his grace, there is no way forward.” (Gurvastakam 8)
A birthday wish
May you remain healthy and strong. May you continue to sit in the driver’s seat of our lives for many years to come. And may the Castle grow into a lighthouse of Krishna consciousness for all of Melbourne, as you desire it will.
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah
Aspiring to be your useful disciple,
Ekatma Gaura Dasa.
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 in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this most auspicious day!
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
A seed planted last year
One year ago, at your Vyasa Puja, I placed a small prayer at your feet. I had requested that I do not remain a passive devotee, watching my senior godbrothers preach and expand the Melbourne congregation while I stood still. Quietly, I had a desire to help create an expansion of Sri Sri Radha Vallabha’s abode.
I thought it was only a seed. I did not know how quickly your mercy would make it sprout.
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
“Wandering through the universe, a fortunate soul receives the seed of the creeper of devotion by the mercy of guru and Krishna.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.151)
A castle for a king
Within a year, Srila Prabhupada was given a castle of his own. The world has built castles for kings who ruled lands. Now one stands in Melbourne for the king who conquered hearts.
prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama
“In every town and village, My name will be preached.” (Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 4.126)
Lord Caitanya spoke these words, Srila Prabhupada carried them across the oceans, and you are writing the next chapter here in our city.
The hesitation and the answer
I must confess that at first I held back. I had not asked for your guidance, and I wondered whether this was really my service. So I prayed to you. In my heart I heard your voice from a class you once gave to the Western suburbs devotees, where you spoke of expanding the movement and establishing permanent preaching centres in Melbourne.
That was my answer. Your words had already made my decision.
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa
“Make the words from the guru’s lotus mouth one with your heart and desire nothing else.” (Narottama dasa Thakura)
The journey in the car
Recently I had the fortune of driving you to and from the Castle. My hands were on the steering wheel, but along the way I realised who was really guiding the journey.
The Katha Upanishad says:
atmanam rathinam viddhi sariram ratham eva tu
buddhim tu sarathim viddhi manah pragraham eva ca
“Know the soul to be the passenger, the body the chariot, the intelligence the driver, and the mind the reins.” (Katha Upanishad 1.3.3)
Gurudev, for so many of us you are that intelligence, our true charioteer. In the car you asked thoughtfully about the Castle’s future, and at the end of the journey you said how happy you were to see it moving in the right direction. I will treasure that drive. For once I was driving you, while you have been steering all along.
The squirrel at the bridge
When Lord Rama’s army built the bridge to Lanka, a little squirrel rolled in the sand and shook it onto the stones. It was a tiny contribution among great warriors, yet the Lord lovingly stroked its back, and the marks of His fingers remain on squirrels to this day.
That is my prayer this year. Among so many great devotees serving this project, please bless me to be that squirrel. Let me carry my few grains of sand faithfully, so that by your touch my small service becomes pleasing to Srila Prabhupada.
Now that Srila Prabhupada sits in his own castle, I can see his mercy flowing to all of us, and the channel it flows through is you.
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi
“By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives Krishna’s mercy; without his grace, there is no way forward.” (Gurvastakam 8)
A birthday wish
May you remain healthy and strong. May you continue to sit in the driver’s seat of our lives for many years to come. And may the Castle grow into a lighthouse of Krishna consciousness for all of Melbourne, as you desire it will.
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah
Aspiring to be your useful disciple,
Ekatma Gaura Dasa.
Ekayani Radha
Dear Devamrita Maharaj,
Please accept my humble respects.
On your birthday, I want to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Having you as my teacher is a true blessing, and I am so grateful for the light you bring into my life.
Your words and the way you live your life inspire me so much. Whenever life feels confusing or difficult, your teachings give me peace and strength. Thank you for being so patient and kind with me. Every single day, I try my best to follow your advice because it always keeps me on the right track.
On this special day, I wish you good health, a long life, and lots of energy to keep doing your wonderful work. I hope you stay safe on all your travels around the world. My only prayer is to be a good student, to learn from your example, and to never let you down.
Thank you, Devamrita Maharaj, for always looking out for me and guiding me.
Happy birthday, my dear teacher!
With love and deep respect,
Ekayani Radha
Please accept my humble respects.
On your birthday, I want to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Having you as my teacher is a true blessing, and I am so grateful for the light you bring into my life.
Your words and the way you live your life inspire me so much. Whenever life feels confusing or difficult, your teachings give me peace and strength. Thank you for being so patient and kind with me. Every single day, I try my best to follow your advice because it always keeps me on the right track.
On this special day, I wish you good health, a long life, and lots of energy to keep doing your wonderful work. I hope you stay safe on all your travels around the world. My only prayer is to be a good student, to learn from your example, and to never let you down.
Thank you, Devamrita Maharaj, for always looking out for me and guiding me.
Happy birthday, my dear teacher!
With love and deep respect,
Ekayani Radha
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this divine day of your appearance.
You are very encouraging. You fan even the smallest spark. To help others who may be only chanting a few rounds, you say: ”I started on not one round a day, but one bead a day. If there's hope for me there’s hope for you”
You are especially encouraging when it comes to kirtan - facilitating so much of it at the recharge festival retreats. In Auckland, in your quarters, you keep mentioning the purpose of your new room is to have kirtan with the devotees.
You see the good in all of us. Whilst we may sometimes argue amongst ourselves and see each other's faults - You persistently see the service we are doing for Krishna and focus on that good quality.
Recently you mentioned how appreciation helps devotional service to become spontaneous (Janmastami class). That we should always be looking to appreciate what Krishna has given us so we can increase our enthusiasm to serve. And we should also express gratitude to others so they also become inspired to increase in their service to Krishna
You give us so much of your association, that we’re like spoilt children. When a person has someone invest so much time in them, and when they realise their ability to reciprocate in return is very meager - It's embarrassing. Your dedication and enthusiasm to push on Prabhupada's mission is such a massive faith builder, to say the least.
You’ve been travelling for decades to connect people all over the world to Krishna. How dear you must be to Prabhupada and Krishna. So much sacrifice and toleration of inconveniences.
You constantly push to keep the Hamilton centre running as “so many devotees come from Hamilton”. You're always looking to give people the opportunity to come to Krishna. They have to be given that opportunity.
Recently, you’ve been quoting Srila Prabhupada, where he says - “Book distribution should be emphasised always”.
You're always keeping the main thing the main thing. Keeping us on track. Bolstering and reinforcing the focus and enthusiasm on the core principles of Prabhupada's mission.
Your compassion is so far reaching. Recently you expressed how you're concerned how devotee’s parents can engage in devotional service. By sponsoring their children to go to the holy Dhamas, they get so much benefit. You don’t want to deny them that opportunity.
In terms of our specific gratitude for your efforts in Western outreach - HH SB Keshava Maharaj recently said
“When you go to America, in practically every temple, less than 5% are of the local population. That's a problem. Because every day if we go in front of Srila Prabhupada and says “payscata desa tarine” if that’s what we’re glorifying Srila prabhupada for, then we have to ask ourselves ‘Is that what’s happening in the Krishna consciousness movement?’”
So thank you gurudeva for being such a key player in actually getting those of non-Indian origin to take to the path of bhakti. Following Srila Prabhupada's desire.
Srila Prabhupada wanted to build a house in which the whole world could live. You're allowing the Jagais and Madhais of the western world to enter Prabhupada's house, just like Prabhupada allowed them to enter when he was here.
Thank you for always looking after all our spiritual needs. Providing us with a regulated program, service, sadhana, outreach, trips to the Dhama, saintly association, and a focused approach to bhakti.
We may be lacking, but you are not. When will I be qualified to take advantage of your instruction and association?
You are the qualified speaker hoping to find some receptive ears. You are always on the lookout for such souls, like a sports scout looking for the latest talented individual.
I can’t imagine the heartaches you must go through with raising your spiritual children. You invest so much in them. You give them the greatest opportunity, take all the karma from them, only for them to slack off, drop the ball and go to sleep. It's such a selfless service you are performing.
One of your greatest qualities is that you have stood the test of time. You are always there for us. You are the solid foundation of our spiritual life. Your fixedness at Krishna's lotus feet and your attachment to Prabhupada and his service is your priceless asset. And we are cashing in on your great wealth by trying to serve you in some small way.
Thank you for being the immovable, rock solid pillar of our spiritual lives.
The best well wisher is one who is always there for you, someone you can rely on.
Your maturity is invaluable.
Yes we should read the books, but we should also distribute them.
Yes we should do outreach, but we should also do inreach.
You keep everything balanced.
Another of your very attractive qualities is your focus and determination. You know what to do, when to do it, how to do it and do it with attention and perseverance.
Sastra Krit made an offering to you many years ago showing how you have all the 26 qualities of a vaisnava.
As I write these offerings year after year, I'm gradually realizing how this is true - as I become more conscious of all your wonderful qualities.
One example is your humility. You glorify communities based on book distribution - like Soho street in London and especially ISKCON ISV.
And you say “I come here to get inspired by you all”.
Gurudeva, please bless me with the intelligence to understand your instructions, the strength to carry them out and the devotion to execute them - with the correct mood.
Begging to remain eternally fixed at your lotus feet
Your servant,
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this divine day of your appearance.
You are very encouraging. You fan even the smallest spark. To help others who may be only chanting a few rounds, you say: ”I started on not one round a day, but one bead a day. If there's hope for me there’s hope for you”
You are especially encouraging when it comes to kirtan - facilitating so much of it at the recharge festival retreats. In Auckland, in your quarters, you keep mentioning the purpose of your new room is to have kirtan with the devotees.
You see the good in all of us. Whilst we may sometimes argue amongst ourselves and see each other's faults - You persistently see the service we are doing for Krishna and focus on that good quality.
Recently you mentioned how appreciation helps devotional service to become spontaneous (Janmastami class). That we should always be looking to appreciate what Krishna has given us so we can increase our enthusiasm to serve. And we should also express gratitude to others so they also become inspired to increase in their service to Krishna
You give us so much of your association, that we’re like spoilt children. When a person has someone invest so much time in them, and when they realise their ability to reciprocate in return is very meager - It's embarrassing. Your dedication and enthusiasm to push on Prabhupada's mission is such a massive faith builder, to say the least.
You’ve been travelling for decades to connect people all over the world to Krishna. How dear you must be to Prabhupada and Krishna. So much sacrifice and toleration of inconveniences.
You constantly push to keep the Hamilton centre running as “so many devotees come from Hamilton”. You're always looking to give people the opportunity to come to Krishna. They have to be given that opportunity.
Recently, you’ve been quoting Srila Prabhupada, where he says - “Book distribution should be emphasised always”.
You're always keeping the main thing the main thing. Keeping us on track. Bolstering and reinforcing the focus and enthusiasm on the core principles of Prabhupada's mission.
Your compassion is so far reaching. Recently you expressed how you're concerned how devotee’s parents can engage in devotional service. By sponsoring their children to go to the holy Dhamas, they get so much benefit. You don’t want to deny them that opportunity.
In terms of our specific gratitude for your efforts in Western outreach - HH SB Keshava Maharaj recently said
“When you go to America, in practically every temple, less than 5% are of the local population. That's a problem. Because every day if we go in front of Srila Prabhupada and says “payscata desa tarine” if that’s what we’re glorifying Srila prabhupada for, then we have to ask ourselves ‘Is that what’s happening in the Krishna consciousness movement?’”
So thank you gurudeva for being such a key player in actually getting those of non-Indian origin to take to the path of bhakti. Following Srila Prabhupada's desire.
Srila Prabhupada wanted to build a house in which the whole world could live. You're allowing the Jagais and Madhais of the western world to enter Prabhupada's house, just like Prabhupada allowed them to enter when he was here.
Thank you for always looking after all our spiritual needs. Providing us with a regulated program, service, sadhana, outreach, trips to the Dhama, saintly association, and a focused approach to bhakti.
We may be lacking, but you are not. When will I be qualified to take advantage of your instruction and association?
You are the qualified speaker hoping to find some receptive ears. You are always on the lookout for such souls, like a sports scout looking for the latest talented individual.
I can’t imagine the heartaches you must go through with raising your spiritual children. You invest so much in them. You give them the greatest opportunity, take all the karma from them, only for them to slack off, drop the ball and go to sleep. It's such a selfless service you are performing.
One of your greatest qualities is that you have stood the test of time. You are always there for us. You are the solid foundation of our spiritual life. Your fixedness at Krishna's lotus feet and your attachment to Prabhupada and his service is your priceless asset. And we are cashing in on your great wealth by trying to serve you in some small way.
Thank you for being the immovable, rock solid pillar of our spiritual lives.
The best well wisher is one who is always there for you, someone you can rely on.
Your maturity is invaluable.
Yes we should read the books, but we should also distribute them.
Yes we should do outreach, but we should also do inreach.
You keep everything balanced.
Another of your very attractive qualities is your focus and determination. You know what to do, when to do it, how to do it and do it with attention and perseverance.
Sastra Krit made an offering to you many years ago showing how you have all the 26 qualities of a vaisnava.
As I write these offerings year after year, I'm gradually realizing how this is true - as I become more conscious of all your wonderful qualities.
One example is your humility. You glorify communities based on book distribution - like Soho street in London and especially ISKCON ISV.
And you say “I come here to get inspired by you all”.
Gurudeva, please bless me with the intelligence to understand your instructions, the strength to carry them out and the devotion to execute them - with the correct mood.
Begging to remain eternally fixed at your lotus feet
Your servant,
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Gangeya Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Shrila Prabhupada !
It is very rare to find a bona fide spiritual master in this material world.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
We, conditioned souls, have been wandering in countless material universes, since time immemorial, in complete forgetfulness of our eternal relationship with Krishna.
The pain of separation from Krishna is so intolerable, that in order to enable the living entities to attempt to live separately from Him, Krishna has to put them into māyā, an illusion that allows them to forget even Him, the Lord of all creation, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This is the only means by which the living entities can tolerate not being with Krishna.
One fine day, after so many lives of aimless errance in the material limbo, the living entity may reawaken his desire to experience his relationship with Krishna. But Krishna, even though supremely tolerant and forgiving, cannot cheaply give His trust to someone who has persistently tried to deny His very existence.
Therefore He sends His direct representatives, to train the jīvas, and guide them back home, back to Godhead. Māyā, as a faithful servant, is in charge of testing the living entity, in order to strengthen their determination and increase their sincerity.
By the mercy of Krishna, one gets the opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master. I have heard From Vraja-Sevaki Devi-dasi that one does not choose his spiritual master, even though he may think so. Krishna has a particular plan, and he sends a particular guru to a particular jīva, according to what is best to facilitate her journey back home, back to Godhead.
By the combined mercy of guru and Krishna, one receives the seed of the creeper of bhakti.
Experiencing bhakti-rasa is not a mundane achievement. It is a transcendental experience that can only be received through mercy. The experience of bhakti-rasa is the most wonderful gift that can ever be given and received, it is the most meaningful loving exchange.
By giving me this bhakti-latā-bīja, you have saved me from experiencing constant pain, lamentation and depression. Instead I now have the choice to live an exciting life, full of joy and adventures.
There is no word or act that can ever repay this and therefore vedic culture is not about right, but about responsibilities. As devotees, our only right is the right to serve.
I am completely indebted to you, Gurudeva, for everything valuable that I cherish daily. Thank you for saving me from the shackles of māyā and giving me a new life in loving service to you. I hope and pray that my modest contribution to your offering to Prabhupāda is pleasing, even though it is affected by so many faults and shortcomings.
Your obedient servant,
Gangeya Dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Shrila Prabhupada !
It is very rare to find a bona fide spiritual master in this material world.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
We, conditioned souls, have been wandering in countless material universes, since time immemorial, in complete forgetfulness of our eternal relationship with Krishna.
The pain of separation from Krishna is so intolerable, that in order to enable the living entities to attempt to live separately from Him, Krishna has to put them into māyā, an illusion that allows them to forget even Him, the Lord of all creation, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This is the only means by which the living entities can tolerate not being with Krishna.
One fine day, after so many lives of aimless errance in the material limbo, the living entity may reawaken his desire to experience his relationship with Krishna. But Krishna, even though supremely tolerant and forgiving, cannot cheaply give His trust to someone who has persistently tried to deny His very existence.
Therefore He sends His direct representatives, to train the jīvas, and guide them back home, back to Godhead. Māyā, as a faithful servant, is in charge of testing the living entity, in order to strengthen their determination and increase their sincerity.
By the mercy of Krishna, one gets the opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master. I have heard From Vraja-Sevaki Devi-dasi that one does not choose his spiritual master, even though he may think so. Krishna has a particular plan, and he sends a particular guru to a particular jīva, according to what is best to facilitate her journey back home, back to Godhead.
By the combined mercy of guru and Krishna, one receives the seed of the creeper of bhakti.
Experiencing bhakti-rasa is not a mundane achievement. It is a transcendental experience that can only be received through mercy. The experience of bhakti-rasa is the most wonderful gift that can ever be given and received, it is the most meaningful loving exchange.
By giving me this bhakti-latā-bīja, you have saved me from experiencing constant pain, lamentation and depression. Instead I now have the choice to live an exciting life, full of joy and adventures.
There is no word or act that can ever repay this and therefore vedic culture is not about right, but about responsibilities. As devotees, our only right is the right to serve.
I am completely indebted to you, Gurudeva, for everything valuable that I cherish daily. Thank you for saving me from the shackles of māyā and giving me a new life in loving service to you. I hope and pray that my modest contribution to your offering to Prabhupāda is pleasing, even though it is affected by so many faults and shortcomings.
Your obedient servant,
Gangeya Dasa.
Gaura Bhumi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.47 Srila Prabhupada says, 'the disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vāṇī (words)'.
I would be lying if I said not having the opportunity to serve you physically doesn't trouble me. A part of me is constantly meditating on that time where I will be blessed with this mercy, but I take great solace in reading these words of Srila Prabhupada.
A few years ago when I was going through a period of emotional difficulty, you called me over Zoom and told me that I need to be active in Krishna Consciousness, never lazy or lethargic, and that if I live for devotional service, I would be happy that way. You concluded that discussion by saying that you worried about me as your only disciple in Durban, and always prayed for me during your japa.
Since receiving that instruction, those words have stuck within the core of my heart and I have genuinely tried to fulfill them.
The Mahabharata states that all of the sins in the world have some type of atonement, except for one - the sin of ingratitude. Gurudeva, despite my efforts, I truly lack adequate words to express my gratitude to you for the shelter, strength, and kindness you have given me. I have not have had the opportunity for much physically association or service with you, but I have absolutely no doubt that you are keeping me company for as long as I try to serve the devotees and please Srila Prabhupada through devotional service.
I see my devotional service to the Lord and His devotees as service to you. And as you had told me, living for devotional service has brought nothing but genuine happiness.
Today I pray that you please bless me to live for devotional service and to always have your company, so that I may dedicate my existence to the your lotus feet, Srila Prabhupada and the vaisnavas.
Forever your daughter, aspiring to be a servant
Gaura Bhumi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
In the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.47 Srila Prabhupada says, 'the disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vāṇī (words)'.
I would be lying if I said not having the opportunity to serve you physically doesn't trouble me. A part of me is constantly meditating on that time where I will be blessed with this mercy, but I take great solace in reading these words of Srila Prabhupada.
A few years ago when I was going through a period of emotional difficulty, you called me over Zoom and told me that I need to be active in Krishna Consciousness, never lazy or lethargic, and that if I live for devotional service, I would be happy that way. You concluded that discussion by saying that you worried about me as your only disciple in Durban, and always prayed for me during your japa.
Since receiving that instruction, those words have stuck within the core of my heart and I have genuinely tried to fulfill them.
The Mahabharata states that all of the sins in the world have some type of atonement, except for one - the sin of ingratitude. Gurudeva, despite my efforts, I truly lack adequate words to express my gratitude to you for the shelter, strength, and kindness you have given me. I have not have had the opportunity for much physically association or service with you, but I have absolutely no doubt that you are keeping me company for as long as I try to serve the devotees and please Srila Prabhupada through devotional service.
I see my devotional service to the Lord and His devotees as service to you. And as you had told me, living for devotional service has brought nothing but genuine happiness.
Today I pray that you please bless me to live for devotional service and to always have your company, so that I may dedicate my existence to the your lotus feet, Srila Prabhupada and the vaisnavas.
Forever your daughter, aspiring to be a servant
Gaura Bhumi devi dasi
Gaura Kishore dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
A blank page.
An empty heart.
No words of wisdom,
No light from the dark.
What should I say?
How much can I express ?
Trying to find a quiet space away from the madness.
It’s your appearance day.
Surely I can write some poignant note ?
Like how you are a ray of light,
A shining hope.
A crest jewel of Prabhupāda’s might.
A force of innovation and skill,
Weaving the philosophy at your will.
Coaxing, guiding, inspiring those who need it the most-
Reminding them that all is not lost,
That they shouldn’t just coast.
But alas, no.
My heart has some stones.
The mind perhaps too far gone.
So now a feeble attempt,
To write some significant tome.
Beneath it all-
my shattered heart and forgotten faith.
a shadow of devotion.
a hope that has been misplaced.
Yet perhaps therein lies your true glory.
You do not see my faults nor lack of drive.
You patiently tolerate my whys and yet more whys.
And in that moment amidst all the fog.
I hold on to that thought.
That I just have to do one job.
Be a sincere follower of what you have given.
Make the steps to be more driven.
That’s the offering I can try and make to you .
To perhaps just for once hold your words to my heart.
And in sincerity make them true.
I may fall, I may stumble.
My resolve may weaken or crumble.
Yet your example alone is that clearing light.
And so my service to you is to stay in the fight.
Your servant
Gaura Kishore dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
A blank page.
An empty heart.
No words of wisdom,
No light from the dark.
What should I say?
How much can I express ?
Trying to find a quiet space away from the madness.
It’s your appearance day.
Surely I can write some poignant note ?
Like how you are a ray of light,
A shining hope.
A crest jewel of Prabhupāda’s might.
A force of innovation and skill,
Weaving the philosophy at your will.
Coaxing, guiding, inspiring those who need it the most-
Reminding them that all is not lost,
That they shouldn’t just coast.
But alas, no.
My heart has some stones.
The mind perhaps too far gone.
So now a feeble attempt,
To write some significant tome.
Beneath it all-
my shattered heart and forgotten faith.
a shadow of devotion.
a hope that has been misplaced.
Yet perhaps therein lies your true glory.
You do not see my faults nor lack of drive.
You patiently tolerate my whys and yet more whys.
And in that moment amidst all the fog.
I hold on to that thought.
That I just have to do one job.
Be a sincere follower of what you have given.
Make the steps to be more driven.
That’s the offering I can try and make to you .
To perhaps just for once hold your words to my heart.
And in sincerity make them true.
I may fall, I may stumble.
My resolve may weaken or crumble.
Yet your example alone is that clearing light.
And so my service to you is to stay in the fight.
Your servant
Gaura Kishore dasa
Gaura Nataraj Das
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 auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I simply want to express how deeply happy and grateful I am to have you as my spiritual master in this lifetime. The memories of your association, your lectures, and your books are truly priceless to me. They continue to guide and nourish me even from a distance.
By the Lord’s arrangement I am now living in Santiago, Chile. Gokulesvari and I are doing okay, and Nitai is growing into a strong spiritual boy. I humbly and sweetly ask for your prayers and blessings for our family. Please help us remain steady on the path of devotion.
Even when things become rough at times, I find myself more and more in awe of Krishna’s unlimited opulences and the infinite nature of the soul. Your teachings keep reminding me of these deeper truths and give me strength to continue.
I wish you the very best on your Vyasa Puja. And from the bottom of my heart, I pray that destiny may one day give me the opportunity to see you again and offer my respects in person.
Your fallen son,
Still struggling yet hopeful,
Begging for your mercy and guidance.
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your transcendental service.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I simply want to express how deeply happy and grateful I am to have you as my spiritual master in this lifetime. The memories of your association, your lectures, and your books are truly priceless to me. They continue to guide and nourish me even from a distance.
By the Lord’s arrangement I am now living in Santiago, Chile. Gokulesvari and I are doing okay, and Nitai is growing into a strong spiritual boy. I humbly and sweetly ask for your prayers and blessings for our family. Please help us remain steady on the path of devotion.
Even when things become rough at times, I find myself more and more in awe of Krishna’s unlimited opulences and the infinite nature of the soul. Your teachings keep reminding me of these deeper truths and give me strength to continue.
I wish you the very best on your Vyasa Puja. And from the bottom of my heart, I pray that destiny may one day give me the opportunity to see you again and offer my respects in person.
Your fallen son,
Still struggling yet hopeful,
Begging for your mercy and guidance.
Gaura Pārṣada Dāsa
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya
kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmine iti nāmine
pracāre puraṁ dakṣaṁ ca
bhaktācāra-pravīṇata
parārthāpi kāruṇya yasya
sarve ca te namaḥ
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
My dearest Śrīla Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to Your Divine Grace!
All glories to all the Vaiṣṇavas!
Dear Guru Mahārāja, Wishing you a very happy and ecstatic 76th Vyāsa-pūjā.
On this auspicious occasion, I sincerely pray to Their Lordships Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Śyāmasundara,Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma, and Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva to bless you with good health, a long life, and protection in all directions.
Guru Mahārāja, words cannot express my gratitude for your causeless mercy, blessings, and guidance. Whatever little spiritual progress I have made is only because of your mercy.
On 11 October 2026, I received Harināma initiation from you. That day was truly a new birth for me. You mercifully accepted me as your disciple and gave me the beautiful spiritual name Gaura Pārṣada.
Mahārāja, when you asked me how many rounds of the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra I would chant daily, I was simply gazing at your beautiful face, just as the cakora bird lovingly gazes at the moon. That precious moment will remain in my heart forever.
Whenever I receive your personal association, tears naturally roll down my cheeks. Even while writing this offering, my eyes are filling with tears.
I cannot fully express the love and gratitude I feel for your mercy.
Guru Mahārāja, you have always encouraged me to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, especially Teachings of Lord Chaitanya and The Nectar of Instruction. By your inspiration, I have recently started reading them and am trying to follow their teachings. I also try to wake up early, chant my prescribed rounds, and perform my daily sādhana.
Your mercy is also transforming my family. My ten-year-old son, Shiven, has started chanting the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra and reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Siya, joyfully dances and chants whenever we perform morning ārati or Gaura-ārati at home. Seeing their growing attraction to Krishna consciousness fills my heart with happiness.
Mahārāja, as you know, I have been suffering from a physical injury for over a year. Although my physical abilities are limited, by your mercy, I continue trying to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda's books online, encourage others to read them, attend Bhakti-vṛkṣa programmes, and contribute whatever little service I can.
Guru Mahārāja, through your preaching, compassion, and dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, you are helping countless souls come closer to Krishna.
I feel extremely fortunate that you have accepted someone as unqualified as me and given me shelter at your lotus feet.
Your shelter is the greatest blessing in my life. My only desire is to remain under your guidance and serve you faithfully.
Mahārāja, this is my very first Vyāsa-pūjā offering. I do not know how to express myself properly, but I am simply writing from my heart. Please forgive any mistakes or offences I may have committed.
I humbly pray that you continue to bless me with sincerity, humility, determination, and the strength to follow your instructions. Please also bless my wife and children so that our family may continue progressing in Krishna consciousness.
May your glories and preaching mission spread throughout the world, bringing the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Śrīla Prabhupāda to countless souls.
Guru Mahārāja, thank you for giving me a new spiritual beginning and accepting me as your disciple. Please never allow me to forget your mercy, and kindly keep me engaged in your service, life after life.
Your insignificant and humble servant,
Gaura Pārṣada Dāsa
Melbourne Yātrā, Australia
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya
kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmine iti nāmine
pracāre puraṁ dakṣaṁ ca
bhaktācāra-pravīṇata
parārthāpi kāruṇya yasya
sarve ca te namaḥ
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
My dearest Śrīla Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to Your Divine Grace!
All glories to all the Vaiṣṇavas!
Dear Guru Mahārāja, Wishing you a very happy and ecstatic 76th Vyāsa-pūjā.
On this auspicious occasion, I sincerely pray to Their Lordships Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Śyāmasundara,Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma, and Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva to bless you with good health, a long life, and protection in all directions.
Guru Mahārāja, words cannot express my gratitude for your causeless mercy, blessings, and guidance. Whatever little spiritual progress I have made is only because of your mercy.
On 11 October 2026, I received Harināma initiation from you. That day was truly a new birth for me. You mercifully accepted me as your disciple and gave me the beautiful spiritual name Gaura Pārṣada.
Mahārāja, when you asked me how many rounds of the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra I would chant daily, I was simply gazing at your beautiful face, just as the cakora bird lovingly gazes at the moon. That precious moment will remain in my heart forever.
Whenever I receive your personal association, tears naturally roll down my cheeks. Even while writing this offering, my eyes are filling with tears.
I cannot fully express the love and gratitude I feel for your mercy.
Guru Mahārāja, you have always encouraged me to read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, especially Teachings of Lord Chaitanya and The Nectar of Instruction. By your inspiration, I have recently started reading them and am trying to follow their teachings. I also try to wake up early, chant my prescribed rounds, and perform my daily sādhana.
Your mercy is also transforming my family. My ten-year-old son, Shiven, has started chanting the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra and reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Siya, joyfully dances and chants whenever we perform morning ārati or Gaura-ārati at home. Seeing their growing attraction to Krishna consciousness fills my heart with happiness.
Mahārāja, as you know, I have been suffering from a physical injury for over a year. Although my physical abilities are limited, by your mercy, I continue trying to distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda's books online, encourage others to read them, attend Bhakti-vṛkṣa programmes, and contribute whatever little service I can.
Guru Mahārāja, through your preaching, compassion, and dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, you are helping countless souls come closer to Krishna.
I feel extremely fortunate that you have accepted someone as unqualified as me and given me shelter at your lotus feet.
Your shelter is the greatest blessing in my life. My only desire is to remain under your guidance and serve you faithfully.
Mahārāja, this is my very first Vyāsa-pūjā offering. I do not know how to express myself properly, but I am simply writing from my heart. Please forgive any mistakes or offences I may have committed.
I humbly pray that you continue to bless me with sincerity, humility, determination, and the strength to follow your instructions. Please also bless my wife and children so that our family may continue progressing in Krishna consciousness.
May your glories and preaching mission spread throughout the world, bringing the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Śrīla Prabhupāda to countless souls.
Guru Mahārāja, thank you for giving me a new spiritual beginning and accepting me as your disciple. Please never allow me to forget your mercy, and kindly keep me engaged in your service, life after life.
Your insignificant and humble servant,
Gaura Pārṣada Dāsa
Melbourne Yātrā, Australia
Gauramandala das & family
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
We are extremely fortunate to have taken shelter of you. We may not fully fathom your boundless compassion, super sharp bhakti intelligence and insights. Your lectures are filled with deep philosophical insights, most relatable practical wisdom and nectar for head and heart.
As my work and life is hectic, I carry Srila Prabhupada books wherever I go and find best opportunity to share wisdom and hand over a literature and get to see how the wisdom in Srila Prabhupada is the only cure, meaningful elixir that can quench the thirst really and that does the finnese work to perfectly douse the fire of material existence. Materialistic life is a series of bewildering situation with either false temptation or physical or mental tormentation and Krishna Consciousness is the only way to take a break of that tread mill to experience something beyond that is sublime, sweet, soul stirring and truly nourishing to heart. Unless one experience it and realize the superiority of that experience that is far beyond any material experience one continuous to rotate endlessly in material pursuits locked in the lap of maya life after life. We thank you profusely for saving us from the prison of material consciousness.
Only by the divine wonderful teamwork of acharyas coming in the chain of disciplic succession with the sharp sword of knowledge, wisdom, love and care, the chain of maya is broken once and for all saving the souls endlessly rushing into the jaws of tantalizing joy of material existence. Vyasa Puja offers to reflect on the wonderful miracle executed by spiritual teachers who are the most confidential servitors of Supreme Lord.
In SB 7.4.37, Prabhlad Maharaj is referred as kṛṣṇa-graha-gṛhītātmā - One whose mind is full attracted to Lord Krishna even from the childhood to the extend no other engagement is of any interest and wonder at the thought of how the material world runs without the thought of Lord Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada writes “ Prahlāda Mahārāja is the vivid example of a great person fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 8.274) it is said:
sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti
sarvatra haya nija iṣṭa-deva-sphūrti
A fully Kṛṣṇa conscious person, although situated in this material world, does not see anything but Kṛṣṇa, anywhere and everywhere. This is the sign of a mahā-bhāgavata. The mahā-bhāgavata sees Kṛṣṇa everywhere because of his attitude of pure love for Kṛṣṇa. “
When you were at Yale with the world of material opportunities wide open, still you developed a strong attraction to the most illuminating Krishna Consciousness wisdom in the books of Srila Prabhupada by which your material consciousness seized by overpowering spiritual nectar. Thereafter by years of dedicated loving service to Srila Prabhupada you experienced Krsna anywhere and everywhere especially in your most adventurous preaching behind the iron curtain in Russia. Your life and dedication are ever inspiring, ever more touching, ever transforming, ever expanding the bliss of spiritual existence and ever nourishing to one and all.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.36, Lord Brahma responds to Narada’s query part of Purusha Sukta “Therefore it is best for me to surrender unto His feet, which alone can deliver one from the miseries of repeated birth and death. Such surrender is all-auspicious and allows one to perceive all happiness. Even the sky cannot estimate the limits of its own expansion. So, what can others do when the Lord Himself is unable to estimate His own limits?”
Further Srila Prabhupada in his ecstatic wonderful purports state
“Therefore liberty, happiness and all good fortune can be attained only by surrendering unto the Lord because He is full liberty, full happiness and full auspiciousness. Such liberation and happiness are also unlimited, and they have been compared to the sky, although such liberation and happiness are infinitely greater than the sky……..So the end of all suffering means surrendering unto the Lord because the surrendering process itself is bhava-cchidam (liberation from all material miseries), svasty-ayanam (perception of all happiness), and sumaṅgalam (the source of everything auspicious).”
Lord Brahma the chief of material world and the first guru in the chain of disciplic succession himself advises the best activity of real self interest is to lovingly surrender and get reinstated in the natural loving service of the Lord. All the spiritual masters in the chain sets an exemplary example. We are most fortunate to come under your shelter and connected to that chain.
We are extremely grateful to you for showing and guiding us in the path of supreme auspiciousness that is far beyond our dreams or what we can ever deserve or desire.
On this auspicious day we beg that we can be a worthy dust at your lotus feet, that brings all auspiciousness for all for all time to come.
Your aspiring servants
Gauramandals das and Vraja mandala devi dasi, Sanjitha and Shruti.
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
We are extremely fortunate to have taken shelter of you. We may not fully fathom your boundless compassion, super sharp bhakti intelligence and insights. Your lectures are filled with deep philosophical insights, most relatable practical wisdom and nectar for head and heart.
As my work and life is hectic, I carry Srila Prabhupada books wherever I go and find best opportunity to share wisdom and hand over a literature and get to see how the wisdom in Srila Prabhupada is the only cure, meaningful elixir that can quench the thirst really and that does the finnese work to perfectly douse the fire of material existence. Materialistic life is a series of bewildering situation with either false temptation or physical or mental tormentation and Krishna Consciousness is the only way to take a break of that tread mill to experience something beyond that is sublime, sweet, soul stirring and truly nourishing to heart. Unless one experience it and realize the superiority of that experience that is far beyond any material experience one continuous to rotate endlessly in material pursuits locked in the lap of maya life after life. We thank you profusely for saving us from the prison of material consciousness.
Only by the divine wonderful teamwork of acharyas coming in the chain of disciplic succession with the sharp sword of knowledge, wisdom, love and care, the chain of maya is broken once and for all saving the souls endlessly rushing into the jaws of tantalizing joy of material existence. Vyasa Puja offers to reflect on the wonderful miracle executed by spiritual teachers who are the most confidential servitors of Supreme Lord.
In SB 7.4.37, Prabhlad Maharaj is referred as kṛṣṇa-graha-gṛhītātmā - One whose mind is full attracted to Lord Krishna even from the childhood to the extend no other engagement is of any interest and wonder at the thought of how the material world runs without the thought of Lord Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada writes “ Prahlāda Mahārāja is the vivid example of a great person fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 8.274) it is said:
sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti
sarvatra haya nija iṣṭa-deva-sphūrti
A fully Kṛṣṇa conscious person, although situated in this material world, does not see anything but Kṛṣṇa, anywhere and everywhere. This is the sign of a mahā-bhāgavata. The mahā-bhāgavata sees Kṛṣṇa everywhere because of his attitude of pure love for Kṛṣṇa. “
When you were at Yale with the world of material opportunities wide open, still you developed a strong attraction to the most illuminating Krishna Consciousness wisdom in the books of Srila Prabhupada by which your material consciousness seized by overpowering spiritual nectar. Thereafter by years of dedicated loving service to Srila Prabhupada you experienced Krsna anywhere and everywhere especially in your most adventurous preaching behind the iron curtain in Russia. Your life and dedication are ever inspiring, ever more touching, ever transforming, ever expanding the bliss of spiritual existence and ever nourishing to one and all.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.36, Lord Brahma responds to Narada’s query part of Purusha Sukta “Therefore it is best for me to surrender unto His feet, which alone can deliver one from the miseries of repeated birth and death. Such surrender is all-auspicious and allows one to perceive all happiness. Even the sky cannot estimate the limits of its own expansion. So, what can others do when the Lord Himself is unable to estimate His own limits?”
Further Srila Prabhupada in his ecstatic wonderful purports state
“Therefore liberty, happiness and all good fortune can be attained only by surrendering unto the Lord because He is full liberty, full happiness and full auspiciousness. Such liberation and happiness are also unlimited, and they have been compared to the sky, although such liberation and happiness are infinitely greater than the sky……..So the end of all suffering means surrendering unto the Lord because the surrendering process itself is bhava-cchidam (liberation from all material miseries), svasty-ayanam (perception of all happiness), and sumaṅgalam (the source of everything auspicious).”
Lord Brahma the chief of material world and the first guru in the chain of disciplic succession himself advises the best activity of real self interest is to lovingly surrender and get reinstated in the natural loving service of the Lord. All the spiritual masters in the chain sets an exemplary example. We are most fortunate to come under your shelter and connected to that chain.
We are extremely grateful to you for showing and guiding us in the path of supreme auspiciousness that is far beyond our dreams or what we can ever deserve or desire.
On this auspicious day we beg that we can be a worthy dust at your lotus feet, that brings all auspiciousness for all for all time to come.
Your aspiring servants
Gauramandals das and Vraja mandala devi dasi, Sanjitha and Shruti.
Gauranga Gopala Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I once asked you for guidance to understand more deeply the nature of deity worship. You replied as follows : “The correct mindset is that you are not worshiping the Deity directly - you are humbly assisting the parampara in their worship of the Deity”. In the third verse of Gurvastakam, Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur praises the spiritual master :
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛńgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāḿś ca niyuñjato 'pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
“The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.”
Thus, the disciple sees himself as the servant of his spiritual master and the entire parampara (dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ), rather than as a direct servant of Krsna. That is the right mentality.
I am absolutely unqualified to be on the altar, to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books or even to clean my own room for that matter. Being Krsna conscious means to be guru conscious, because guru is the link without which the disciple cannot be connected to Krsna (yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo).
In the opening pages of his book “I’ll build you a temple”, his holiness Giriraja swami shares with his readers the mood in which he chanted the holy name : “I need to chant to do my duties for Srila Prabhupada. If I chant, my consciousness will be purified. Krishna will guide me what to do. And I will be better prepared to deal with people. I will be able to preach more effectively if I chant and purify my consciousness”.
You explained many times that one reaches more mature stages of bhakti when he realizes that everything expands from his chanting. I therefore pray, before, during and after each japa, that the Lord may allow me to chant and hear His sacred names attentively, and give me the strength and intelligence to perform all my duties to you nicely and please you through such service. What else is there to pray for ?
How empowered your own chanting must be, when we consider all the service you have rendered and continue to render so eagerly to this day ! Just by moving your lips, so many souls are reminded of their natural position and engaged again in Krsna’s service. Your potency is unlimited because its source is Krsna Himself. I feel nothing but awe and inspiration when I see what a lifetime of serious commitment to the process of Krsna consciousness can yield, as exemplified by your own life.
I simply wish that you remain patient with this stubborn disciple of yours, and keep instructing me how I may one day perfect my life as you have perfected yours.
Your servant,
Gauranga-Gopala dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I once asked you for guidance to understand more deeply the nature of deity worship. You replied as follows : “The correct mindset is that you are not worshiping the Deity directly - you are humbly assisting the parampara in their worship of the Deity”. In the third verse of Gurvastakam, Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur praises the spiritual master :
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛńgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāḿś ca niyuñjato 'pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
“The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.”
Thus, the disciple sees himself as the servant of his spiritual master and the entire parampara (dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ), rather than as a direct servant of Krsna. That is the right mentality.
I am absolutely unqualified to be on the altar, to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books or even to clean my own room for that matter. Being Krsna conscious means to be guru conscious, because guru is the link without which the disciple cannot be connected to Krsna (yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo).
In the opening pages of his book “I’ll build you a temple”, his holiness Giriraja swami shares with his readers the mood in which he chanted the holy name : “I need to chant to do my duties for Srila Prabhupada. If I chant, my consciousness will be purified. Krishna will guide me what to do. And I will be better prepared to deal with people. I will be able to preach more effectively if I chant and purify my consciousness”.
You explained many times that one reaches more mature stages of bhakti when he realizes that everything expands from his chanting. I therefore pray, before, during and after each japa, that the Lord may allow me to chant and hear His sacred names attentively, and give me the strength and intelligence to perform all my duties to you nicely and please you through such service. What else is there to pray for ?
How empowered your own chanting must be, when we consider all the service you have rendered and continue to render so eagerly to this day ! Just by moving your lips, so many souls are reminded of their natural position and engaged again in Krsna’s service. Your potency is unlimited because its source is Krsna Himself. I feel nothing but awe and inspiration when I see what a lifetime of serious commitment to the process of Krsna consciousness can yield, as exemplified by your own life.
I simply wish that you remain patient with this stubborn disciple of yours, and keep instructing me how I may one day perfect my life as you have perfected yours.
Your servant,
Gauranga-Gopala dasa
Gauranga Mohan
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you🙏🙏
Gurudeva, I am so deeply grateful to you. When I think about all the suffering happening around the world, such as wars and natural calamities, I feel so fortunate that you have kindly given me your mercy and taught me to chant Hare Krishna and remember Krishna.
Gurudeva, I would like to thank you for everything you have given to me. But I feel that even my whole life would not be enough to properly express my gratitude to you. By your mercy, I have been able to come to the human platform, and I am able to remember Krishna only because of your mercy.
Thank you so much for bringing me into such a wonderful community, where everyone is so special. I can see that everyone carries your mood—that just as you want to serve your spiritual master, they also want to serve you to the best of their ability.
Thank you so much for teaching me how to be grateful and how to express gratitude towards others. So many times in your classes, you have spoken about how one should be grateful to others and appreciate the devotees. I am truly grateful to you because, by your mercy alone, I am able to write these words to you and express my thanks.
Your personal care is beyond my imagination. You kindly engage me in devotional service, and for that, I am deeply grateful to you.
I would also like to thank you for giving me Citta Mohini Devi Dasi, who has helped me to practise and continue my devotional service and has supported me in my bhakti. Gurudeva, you have done so much more for me than I could ever express. In many ways, you have done more for my life than even my biological parents could have done.
On this auspicious day I can pray to Pancha Tattva for your good health. Dear Gurudeva, I feel very shy and unqualified to ask for any blessings or support in my spiritual journey, especially after you have already given me so much. But I do not have anyone other than you to turn to. Therefore, I am humbly begging for your forgiveness, mercy, and help, so that I may be able to follow your instructions and continue to practise bhakti under your guidance. 🙏
Your humble servant,
Gauranga Mohan Das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you🙏🙏
Gurudeva, I am so deeply grateful to you. When I think about all the suffering happening around the world, such as wars and natural calamities, I feel so fortunate that you have kindly given me your mercy and taught me to chant Hare Krishna and remember Krishna.
Gurudeva, I would like to thank you for everything you have given to me. But I feel that even my whole life would not be enough to properly express my gratitude to you. By your mercy, I have been able to come to the human platform, and I am able to remember Krishna only because of your mercy.
Thank you so much for bringing me into such a wonderful community, where everyone is so special. I can see that everyone carries your mood—that just as you want to serve your spiritual master, they also want to serve you to the best of their ability.
Thank you so much for teaching me how to be grateful and how to express gratitude towards others. So many times in your classes, you have spoken about how one should be grateful to others and appreciate the devotees. I am truly grateful to you because, by your mercy alone, I am able to write these words to you and express my thanks.
Your personal care is beyond my imagination. You kindly engage me in devotional service, and for that, I am deeply grateful to you.
I would also like to thank you for giving me Citta Mohini Devi Dasi, who has helped me to practise and continue my devotional service and has supported me in my bhakti. Gurudeva, you have done so much more for me than I could ever express. In many ways, you have done more for my life than even my biological parents could have done.
On this auspicious day I can pray to Pancha Tattva for your good health. Dear Gurudeva, I feel very shy and unqualified to ask for any blessings or support in my spiritual journey, especially after you have already given me so much. But I do not have anyone other than you to turn to. Therefore, I am humbly begging for your forgiveness, mercy, and help, so that I may be able to follow your instructions and continue to practise bhakti under your guidance. 🙏
Your humble servant,
Gauranga Mohan Das
Gaurangachandra Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, Gurudev
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi
dhyāyan stuvāns tasya yaśas tri-sandhyam
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
It is always a great inspiration to receive your darshan during your visits to New Dvaraka, Los Angeles. I always feel that any service I am able to render is entirely due to your causeless mercy.
Thank you so much for always inquiring about my daughter's well-being—she is always so happy to hear of your kindness. We are eternally grateful for your continued blessings.
On this auspicious Vyasa Puja day, I offer my humble prayers to Lord Krishna. May He grant you a long life filled with health and peace, and bestow upon you the strength to guide and uplift so many souls like mine.
Your insignificant servant,
Gaurangachandra Das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, Gurudev
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi
dhyāyan stuvāns tasya yaśas tri-sandhyam
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
It is always a great inspiration to receive your darshan during your visits to New Dvaraka, Los Angeles. I always feel that any service I am able to render is entirely due to your causeless mercy.
Thank you so much for always inquiring about my daughter's well-being—she is always so happy to hear of your kindness. We are eternally grateful for your continued blessings.
On this auspicious Vyasa Puja day, I offer my humble prayers to Lord Krishna. May He grant you a long life filled with health and peace, and bestow upon you the strength to guide and uplift so many souls like mine.
Your insignificant servant,
Gaurangachandra Das
Gauraranya das
Hare Krishna Gurudev!
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your causeless mercy, compassionate guidance, and invaluable spiritual blessings. Gurudev, birth after birth, I shall remain indebted to you for everything you have done for my spiritual well-being.
Your ability to explain the deepest spiritual truths so eloquently and in such a simple, practical way is truly inspiring. Your unwavering devotion to your spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda, sets a wonderful example for all of us. Even at this advanced stage of life, your tireless dedication to preaching and serving continues to inspire us to deepen our own devotional service.
By your mercy, I have been able to conduct Bhakti Vṛkṣa programmes, complete the Bhakti-śāstrī course, and receive the opportunity to give Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes at the temple on Fridays. I consider these opportunities not my achievements, but blessings that have come through your grace and the mercy of the Vaiṣṇavas.
The following verse from Bhagavad-gītā 4.34 reminds us of the importance of approaching and serving the spiritual master:
tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
Translation: “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.”
Gurudev, I pray that I may always remember your instructions, serve under your guidance, and share Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings with sincerity and humility.
On this auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā, may Śrī Śrī Radhashyamsunder ji bless you with good health and continued strength to enlighten and guide countless souls in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Birth after birth, may I remain under your shelter and always aspire to serve you and Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission.
All glories to your Vyāsa-pūjā, Gurudev!
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Your servant
Gauraranya das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your causeless mercy, compassionate guidance, and invaluable spiritual blessings. Gurudev, birth after birth, I shall remain indebted to you for everything you have done for my spiritual well-being.
Your ability to explain the deepest spiritual truths so eloquently and in such a simple, practical way is truly inspiring. Your unwavering devotion to your spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda, sets a wonderful example for all of us. Even at this advanced stage of life, your tireless dedication to preaching and serving continues to inspire us to deepen our own devotional service.
By your mercy, I have been able to conduct Bhakti Vṛkṣa programmes, complete the Bhakti-śāstrī course, and receive the opportunity to give Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes at the temple on Fridays. I consider these opportunities not my achievements, but blessings that have come through your grace and the mercy of the Vaiṣṇavas.
The following verse from Bhagavad-gītā 4.34 reminds us of the importance of approaching and serving the spiritual master:
tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
Translation: “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.”
Gurudev, I pray that I may always remember your instructions, serve under your guidance, and share Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings with sincerity and humility.
On this auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā, may Śrī Śrī Radhashyamsunder ji bless you with good health and continued strength to enlighten and guide countless souls in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Birth after birth, may I remain under your shelter and always aspire to serve you and Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission.
All glories to your Vyāsa-pūjā, Gurudev!
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Your servant
Gauraranya das
Gaurav Sharma
Hare Krishna Maharaj 🙏
Please accept my obeisances to your lotus feet 🙏
It is my great fortune that Krishna brought me to you and you accepted me as your disciple.
Your sword like sharp words penetrated in my heart from day 1 to awaken the love and lost relationship with the personality of Godhead.
When I heard your lecture first time in person at one of the retreat few years ago then after few weeks following that lecture and 1on1 meeting with you, I got a dream.
In that dream , you were on a chariot near a big ocean and you loudly saying "Get on" Get on" and I was out of the dream....I did not know what to make out of that dream then. It took me few years to reach to this stage.
However you are so kind that you still accepted the fallen soul like me....because you are pararthatapi karunyam......
O' Gurudeva please keep me under your shelter because orphan like me have only your shelter. All glories to our Gurudeva.......All glories to our Gurudeva 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
Your Servant
Punyashaloka Das
Please accept my obeisances to your lotus feet 🙏
It is my great fortune that Krishna brought me to you and you accepted me as your disciple.
Your sword like sharp words penetrated in my heart from day 1 to awaken the love and lost relationship with the personality of Godhead.
When I heard your lecture first time in person at one of the retreat few years ago then after few weeks following that lecture and 1on1 meeting with you, I got a dream.
In that dream , you were on a chariot near a big ocean and you loudly saying "Get on" Get on" and I was out of the dream....I did not know what to make out of that dream then. It took me few years to reach to this stage.
However you are so kind that you still accepted the fallen soul like me....because you are pararthatapi karunyam......
O' Gurudeva please keep me under your shelter because orphan like me have only your shelter. All glories to our Gurudeva.......All glories to our Gurudeva 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐
Your Servant
Punyashaloka Das
Giri Govardhana Das
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your divine lotus feet.
All glories to our dear Srila Prabhupada.
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, who is very dear to Krishna and firmly situated at His lotus feet.
pracāre 'pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi karuṇyaṁ
yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Obeisances to you who has all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness in devotional service, and compassion for conditioned souls.
On this auspicious occasion of your 76th appearance day, I seek your blessings and mercy. I pray to Srila Prabhupada, Gaura Nitai, and Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara to bless you with good health and continued strength in your service Gurudeva.
Dear Gurudeva, you may have received only a simple sound from Srila Prabhupada, but you have accepted Srila Prabhupada's teachings as your life and soul.
One of the most inspiring examples is the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta marathon, in which reminds me of the Bhagavatam verse:
akāmaḥ sarva-kāmo vā
mokṣa-kāma udāra-dhīḥ
tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena
yajeta puruṣaṁ param
"A person with broader intelligence, whether full of material desires, free from material desires, or desiring liberation, should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead with intense devotion."
You have dedicated all your energy and resources to fulfilling the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Your commitment to the Caitanya-caritamrta printing marathon is a glorious example of your dedication to his mission. It gives me great faith to see how Krishna never fails to uphold the words and desires of His pure devotees like Srila Prabhupada.
You have carried immense preaching responsibilities, especially among the youth. You have developed farm communities such as Gita Nagari Farm in USA, established restaurants, temples, conducting retreats, books distribution and preaching centres(Loft, Bhakthi lounge), and most importantly, inspired thousands through your classes. Whenever you hear the book distribution scores, your joyful expressions are unforgettable and reveal how much pleasure you derive from seeing Srila Prabhupada's books reach people.
The personal relationships you maintain with your godbrothers, disciples, and congregation members are truly amazing. Every interaction reflects your genuine care and affection.
Recently, I was listening to your wonderful seven-class series on the Bhikshu Gita where you are describing about the Avanti Brahmana’s renunciation. In one of those classes, you described how miserly the brahmana had been and how, by the mercy of his previous sukriti, he eventually received transcendental knowledge. You shared the prayer by the brahmana that whatever time remains in my life should be fully used for spiritual advancement. In the same spirit, I pray to you, Gurudeva: whatever time I have in this life, please engage me in your service and help me serve your instructions as my life and soul.
I am always amazed at your ability to present deep scriptural concepts in contemporary language. Expressions such as "ignorance is omnipresent," referring to a New York centre as a chakra, or describing friends as associates make complex spiritual concepts easy to understand and remember.
As described in Bhagavad-Gita 2.13, you are truly dhira. You have tolerated many difficulties while distributing books in the southern United States, including Alabama, and during your preaching efforts behind the Iron Curtain. Because of great devotees like you and your god brothers, Teachings of Bhagavad-Gita and Krishna consciousness have reached to the countries like Russia, European union, and also China.
Gurudeva, You embody the qualities of a sadhu. Whenever I read the Bhagavatam SB3.25.21 descriptions of saintly persons, I often remember you.
ŚB 3.25.21
titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ
suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām
ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ
sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ
The quality of titiksava, tolerance, especially reminds me of your dealings. You are so patient with people who are just beginning their spiritual journey. You encourage them with kindness and often share how you began chanting one bead a day. If someone is chanting sincerely, you gently inspire them to increase. In this way, people feel encouraged, never pressured, and they feel that you are truly on their side.
Karunika, Gurudeva, you are so merciful to all living entities. Although you came from New York and attended Yale University, you chose to dedicate your life to preaching in New Zealand, a country that many would consider far from the center of the world. While many people in Newzeland dream of moving to the United States, you came to New Zealand and established temples, farms, restaurants, and preaching centres. More importantly, you personally care for devotees and show them so much affection and encouragement.
Your pranama mantra describes about the mercy you show , and I truly feel that you are the embodiment of that mercy. I still remember your first visit to Adelaide. My service was cleaning your room. The first moment I saw you getting out of the car in the car park, I felt, "He is the one." You showed so much mercy to me in Adelaide. I used to ask you many questions, and you patiently answered them all. You even asked me what time I woke up, what time I chanted, and when I took prasadam. Your attention to even the smallest details touches the hearts of so many devotees, especially mine.
Whenever you give classes, even when I hear them online, I feel as though you are looking directly into my eyes and personally instructing me. Whenever I have doubts or difficulties in life, your kirtans are like medicine for my heart. I listen to them regularly. The recent Radhastami kirtana has become a favourite among our roommates, and almost everyone has listened to it at least once in a day.
Suhrdam Sarva dehinam, you are truly the well-wisher of all living entities. Not only do you care for people, but you also care deeply for animals and the environment. In your lectures, you often speak about how humanity is destroying natural habitats and how slaughterhouses are causing immense suffering and damage to the planet. These teachings reveal your compassion for all living beings.
Whenever you visit Adelaide, it feels as though a victorious army general has returned home after fulfilling his mission. All your disciples gather at the airport, eager to ask questions, share realizations, and receive your association. One particularly memorable moment was when you showed us a childhood photograph of yourself in your mother's arms. Seeing that photo brought me so much happiness and remains one of my cherished memories.
Whenever you attend a preaching program, you genuinely care about both the guests and the organizers. You always inquire about the prasadam and ensure that everyone is properly cared for. This attention helps keep all of us focused on serving nicely.
Santah, you are remarkably peaceful. Even amidst storms and challenges, you remain composed. When disciples approach you with difficulties in their lives, you answer thoughtfully and peacefully, helping them find clarity and peace themselves. I especially remember your story about giving classes in Russia during the KGB days. The class was taking place in the house of a KGB officer, yet she was unable to see you. Such incidents reveal the divine empowerment bestowed upon you by Lord Caitanya.
You often say that the more the Pancatattva dances, the more the world becomes flooded with love of Krishna. You embody this principle through your kirtanas, classes, and personal interactions, constantly inspiring devotees.
Ajata-satru, you have no enemies because you are genuinely the well-wisher of all living entities. You tirelessly remind people that the human form of life comes with great responsibility and that it is a rare gift not meant to be wasted. You teach us our true identity as eternal spirit souls and remind us that our deepest need is to reconnect with Krishna.
Recently, I have begun creating visual notes of the points I want to remember from your lectures. One instruction that remains especially dear to me is: "Don't be too proud to beg." On this auspicious occasion, I want to beg you Gurudeva Please bless me so that I may always remember your instructions and strive to follow them with faith, sincerity, and devotion.
I also feel very fortunate to be connected with the wonderful devotees who serve under your guidance. Naimisharanya Mataji cares for us like a mother. Prabhuji is like a father who always looks after us. Tungi Mataji and her family are always eager to serve. Devaki Mataji continues distributing books and serving devotees despite her busy schedule. Keli Prabhu's family is always merciful and provides prasadam whenever we return from book distribution. Brigad Preeti Mataji performs so many services during festivals and warmly welcomes newcomers. Ashwin Prabhu and his family are always sweet and kind, and Mataji lovingly prepares wonderful cakes for many occasions. Raju Prabhu's family is always ready to serve.
And finally, my dear roommates, Lokesh Prabhu, Chaitanya Prabhu, Sumanth Prabhu, and Nikhil Prabhu, are always eager to follow your instructions. HG Sevya Bhagavatan Prabhu takes care of us like a best friend, guardian, and well-wisher.
I feel extremely fortunate to be part of this family and to have the association of such wonderful devotees. My prayer on this auspicious occasion is that by your mercy, mercy of devotees, mercy of Krishna, and the entire Parampara, I may always remain in the association of devotees who are discussing about Krishna and His pastimes.
Thank you, Gurudeva. I am eternally indebted to you. We are all reaping the fruits of the immense sacrifices and hard work performed by the disciples of our dear Srila Prabhupada.
Your servant,
Giri Govardhana dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your divine lotus feet.
All glories to our dear Srila Prabhupada.
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj, who is very dear to Krishna and firmly situated at His lotus feet.
pracāre 'pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi karuṇyaṁ
yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Obeisances to you who has all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness in devotional service, and compassion for conditioned souls.
On this auspicious occasion of your 76th appearance day, I seek your blessings and mercy. I pray to Srila Prabhupada, Gaura Nitai, and Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara to bless you with good health and continued strength in your service Gurudeva.
Dear Gurudeva, you may have received only a simple sound from Srila Prabhupada, but you have accepted Srila Prabhupada's teachings as your life and soul.
One of the most inspiring examples is the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta marathon, in which reminds me of the Bhagavatam verse:
akāmaḥ sarva-kāmo vā
mokṣa-kāma udāra-dhīḥ
tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena
yajeta puruṣaṁ param
"A person with broader intelligence, whether full of material desires, free from material desires, or desiring liberation, should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead with intense devotion."
You have dedicated all your energy and resources to fulfilling the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Your commitment to the Caitanya-caritamrta printing marathon is a glorious example of your dedication to his mission. It gives me great faith to see how Krishna never fails to uphold the words and desires of His pure devotees like Srila Prabhupada.
You have carried immense preaching responsibilities, especially among the youth. You have developed farm communities such as Gita Nagari Farm in USA, established restaurants, temples, conducting retreats, books distribution and preaching centres(Loft, Bhakthi lounge), and most importantly, inspired thousands through your classes. Whenever you hear the book distribution scores, your joyful expressions are unforgettable and reveal how much pleasure you derive from seeing Srila Prabhupada's books reach people.
The personal relationships you maintain with your godbrothers, disciples, and congregation members are truly amazing. Every interaction reflects your genuine care and affection.
Recently, I was listening to your wonderful seven-class series on the Bhikshu Gita where you are describing about the Avanti Brahmana’s renunciation. In one of those classes, you described how miserly the brahmana had been and how, by the mercy of his previous sukriti, he eventually received transcendental knowledge. You shared the prayer by the brahmana that whatever time remains in my life should be fully used for spiritual advancement. In the same spirit, I pray to you, Gurudeva: whatever time I have in this life, please engage me in your service and help me serve your instructions as my life and soul.
I am always amazed at your ability to present deep scriptural concepts in contemporary language. Expressions such as "ignorance is omnipresent," referring to a New York centre as a chakra, or describing friends as associates make complex spiritual concepts easy to understand and remember.
As described in Bhagavad-Gita 2.13, you are truly dhira. You have tolerated many difficulties while distributing books in the southern United States, including Alabama, and during your preaching efforts behind the Iron Curtain. Because of great devotees like you and your god brothers, Teachings of Bhagavad-Gita and Krishna consciousness have reached to the countries like Russia, European union, and also China.
Gurudeva, You embody the qualities of a sadhu. Whenever I read the Bhagavatam SB3.25.21 descriptions of saintly persons, I often remember you.
ŚB 3.25.21
titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ
suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām
ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ
sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ
The quality of titiksava, tolerance, especially reminds me of your dealings. You are so patient with people who are just beginning their spiritual journey. You encourage them with kindness and often share how you began chanting one bead a day. If someone is chanting sincerely, you gently inspire them to increase. In this way, people feel encouraged, never pressured, and they feel that you are truly on their side.
Karunika, Gurudeva, you are so merciful to all living entities. Although you came from New York and attended Yale University, you chose to dedicate your life to preaching in New Zealand, a country that many would consider far from the center of the world. While many people in Newzeland dream of moving to the United States, you came to New Zealand and established temples, farms, restaurants, and preaching centres. More importantly, you personally care for devotees and show them so much affection and encouragement.
Your pranama mantra describes about the mercy you show , and I truly feel that you are the embodiment of that mercy. I still remember your first visit to Adelaide. My service was cleaning your room. The first moment I saw you getting out of the car in the car park, I felt, "He is the one." You showed so much mercy to me in Adelaide. I used to ask you many questions, and you patiently answered them all. You even asked me what time I woke up, what time I chanted, and when I took prasadam. Your attention to even the smallest details touches the hearts of so many devotees, especially mine.
Whenever you give classes, even when I hear them online, I feel as though you are looking directly into my eyes and personally instructing me. Whenever I have doubts or difficulties in life, your kirtans are like medicine for my heart. I listen to them regularly. The recent Radhastami kirtana has become a favourite among our roommates, and almost everyone has listened to it at least once in a day.
Suhrdam Sarva dehinam, you are truly the well-wisher of all living entities. Not only do you care for people, but you also care deeply for animals and the environment. In your lectures, you often speak about how humanity is destroying natural habitats and how slaughterhouses are causing immense suffering and damage to the planet. These teachings reveal your compassion for all living beings.
Whenever you visit Adelaide, it feels as though a victorious army general has returned home after fulfilling his mission. All your disciples gather at the airport, eager to ask questions, share realizations, and receive your association. One particularly memorable moment was when you showed us a childhood photograph of yourself in your mother's arms. Seeing that photo brought me so much happiness and remains one of my cherished memories.
Whenever you attend a preaching program, you genuinely care about both the guests and the organizers. You always inquire about the prasadam and ensure that everyone is properly cared for. This attention helps keep all of us focused on serving nicely.
Santah, you are remarkably peaceful. Even amidst storms and challenges, you remain composed. When disciples approach you with difficulties in their lives, you answer thoughtfully and peacefully, helping them find clarity and peace themselves. I especially remember your story about giving classes in Russia during the KGB days. The class was taking place in the house of a KGB officer, yet she was unable to see you. Such incidents reveal the divine empowerment bestowed upon you by Lord Caitanya.
You often say that the more the Pancatattva dances, the more the world becomes flooded with love of Krishna. You embody this principle through your kirtanas, classes, and personal interactions, constantly inspiring devotees.
Ajata-satru, you have no enemies because you are genuinely the well-wisher of all living entities. You tirelessly remind people that the human form of life comes with great responsibility and that it is a rare gift not meant to be wasted. You teach us our true identity as eternal spirit souls and remind us that our deepest need is to reconnect with Krishna.
Recently, I have begun creating visual notes of the points I want to remember from your lectures. One instruction that remains especially dear to me is: "Don't be too proud to beg." On this auspicious occasion, I want to beg you Gurudeva Please bless me so that I may always remember your instructions and strive to follow them with faith, sincerity, and devotion.
I also feel very fortunate to be connected with the wonderful devotees who serve under your guidance. Naimisharanya Mataji cares for us like a mother. Prabhuji is like a father who always looks after us. Tungi Mataji and her family are always eager to serve. Devaki Mataji continues distributing books and serving devotees despite her busy schedule. Keli Prabhu's family is always merciful and provides prasadam whenever we return from book distribution. Brigad Preeti Mataji performs so many services during festivals and warmly welcomes newcomers. Ashwin Prabhu and his family are always sweet and kind, and Mataji lovingly prepares wonderful cakes for many occasions. Raju Prabhu's family is always ready to serve.
And finally, my dear roommates, Lokesh Prabhu, Chaitanya Prabhu, Sumanth Prabhu, and Nikhil Prabhu, are always eager to follow your instructions. HG Sevya Bhagavatan Prabhu takes care of us like a best friend, guardian, and well-wisher.
I feel extremely fortunate to be part of this family and to have the association of such wonderful devotees. My prayer on this auspicious occasion is that by your mercy, mercy of devotees, mercy of Krishna, and the entire Parampara, I may always remain in the association of devotees who are discussing about Krishna and His pastimes.
Thank you, Gurudeva. I am eternally indebted to you. We are all reaping the fruits of the immense sacrifices and hard work performed by the disciples of our dear Srila Prabhupada.
Your servant,
Giri Govardhana dasa
Gita Govinda 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!
As the acharya of Western outreach, you have mercifully dedicated your life to opening, developing, and painstakingly supporting and encouraging the preaching of Krishna Consciousness to nontraditional audiences — nirvisesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine. You are directly fulfilling the mission of Srila Prabhupada to “preach the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and deliver the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.”
Among many others, Studio 108 in London is one such place — where people who have never heard of Krishna or Krishna's name, who are wandering the material world suffering but thinking they are enjoying, and who are lost (like how I was), can touch Krishna, transform their lives, and experience true happiness. Thank you for continuing in this urgent service despite the challenges and difficulties it may bring. I, and so many others who would’ve been too intimidated to walk into a traditional temple setting, are eternally grateful for it.
In a world and time where people’s minds are more and more ravaged by distress and dysfunction, and where people’s internal worlds are not a safe place to be, the shining light of outreach centres like the ones you’ve developed is a light at the end of a tunnel of gloom and depression.
Upon reflection, 15 years ago, when I was studying psychology at university, more serious conditions like psychosis or schizophrenia were not given much airtime. But now, when I go to Studio 108, I meet young people who quite commonly have experienced a psychotic episode. The rate at which these mental problems are increasing is startling, and highlights the urgency of your service to Srila Prabhupada.
But upon further reflection, I thought: material life is itself a type of psychosis — a delusion in the belief of finding permanent residence in a temporary place and seeing happiness in anything material, which is nothing but suffering.
Without Srila Prabhupada’s books, which you helped to edit and publish in your service at the BBT, we are completely lost to ourselves. I, and so many other devotees, are eagerly awaiting the published Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, which you stated will come out later this year. Thank you for your tireless efforts in encouraging us to read, study, and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books, and for giving us a gold standard translation of this cornerstone book of Srila Rupa Goswami. How else would someone as insignificant and unqualified as I be able to actually read and attempt to assimilate this knowledge? We are completely lost without the mercy of devotees such as yourself, Srila Prabhupada, and the previous acharyas.
Thank you for your saintly association. When you come to London, I am so grateful for the opportunity of your physical association. It revitalises my entire practice and gives me hope and direction for the year ahead.
I’ve reflected that all of my suffering stems from my own material consciousness and the lack of seeing Krishna’s lotus feet in all aspects of my life. If we can just remember:
bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati
Lord Krishna is the Supreme controller, enjoyer, and our most dear friend. Only then can we “stop thrashing about” in this world.
I pray that, by meditating on the fearlessness achieved through constant focus on the shelter of your lotus feet, I can actually one day become a real devotee — once and for all, shedding away my stubborn insistence on clutching onto my own conditionings and material desires, which only cause suffering and dismay.
As Krishna Himself says to Sudama brahmana in the 10th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam:
“Certainly, O brāhmaṇa, of all the followers of the varṇāśrama system, those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best understand their own true welfare”
And the purport:
“Ultimately the bona fide spiritual master, learned in the transcendental science and thus able to take one across the ocean of birth and death to the spiritual world — such a guru is most deserving of worship and respect, for he is the direct representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead…”
We have played musical chairs for enough lifetimes, and we don’t want to admit that we’re the ones who got left without a chair. Or how could our false pride allow us to admit that we are failures at material happiness?
But the truth of these realisations is ecstatic when we realise that, under your protection, shelter, and guidance, we can get out of this material existence and finally attain our loving relationship with the source of all love and happiness, Krishna.
Without your mercy, Gurudeva, there is no hope for us.
In closing, I wish to offer you one prayer quoted in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 22.16:
"O my Lord, there is no limit to the unwanted orders of lusty desires. Although I have rendered these desires so much service, they have not shown any mercy to me. I have not been ashamed to serve them, nor have I even desired to give them up. O my Lord, O head of the Yadu dynasty, recently, however, my intelligence has been awakened, and now I am giving them up. Due to transcendental intelligence, I now refuse to obey the unwanted orders of these desires, and I now come to You to surrender myself at Your fearless lotus feet. Kindly engage me in Your personal service and save me.”
Your humble servant,
Gita Govinda devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
As the acharya of Western outreach, you have mercifully dedicated your life to opening, developing, and painstakingly supporting and encouraging the preaching of Krishna Consciousness to nontraditional audiences — nirvisesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine. You are directly fulfilling the mission of Srila Prabhupada to “preach the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and deliver the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.”
Among many others, Studio 108 in London is one such place — where people who have never heard of Krishna or Krishna's name, who are wandering the material world suffering but thinking they are enjoying, and who are lost (like how I was), can touch Krishna, transform their lives, and experience true happiness. Thank you for continuing in this urgent service despite the challenges and difficulties it may bring. I, and so many others who would’ve been too intimidated to walk into a traditional temple setting, are eternally grateful for it.
In a world and time where people’s minds are more and more ravaged by distress and dysfunction, and where people’s internal worlds are not a safe place to be, the shining light of outreach centres like the ones you’ve developed is a light at the end of a tunnel of gloom and depression.
Upon reflection, 15 years ago, when I was studying psychology at university, more serious conditions like psychosis or schizophrenia were not given much airtime. But now, when I go to Studio 108, I meet young people who quite commonly have experienced a psychotic episode. The rate at which these mental problems are increasing is startling, and highlights the urgency of your service to Srila Prabhupada.
But upon further reflection, I thought: material life is itself a type of psychosis — a delusion in the belief of finding permanent residence in a temporary place and seeing happiness in anything material, which is nothing but suffering.
Without Srila Prabhupada’s books, which you helped to edit and publish in your service at the BBT, we are completely lost to ourselves. I, and so many other devotees, are eagerly awaiting the published Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, which you stated will come out later this year. Thank you for your tireless efforts in encouraging us to read, study, and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books, and for giving us a gold standard translation of this cornerstone book of Srila Rupa Goswami. How else would someone as insignificant and unqualified as I be able to actually read and attempt to assimilate this knowledge? We are completely lost without the mercy of devotees such as yourself, Srila Prabhupada, and the previous acharyas.
Thank you for your saintly association. When you come to London, I am so grateful for the opportunity of your physical association. It revitalises my entire practice and gives me hope and direction for the year ahead.
I’ve reflected that all of my suffering stems from my own material consciousness and the lack of seeing Krishna’s lotus feet in all aspects of my life. If we can just remember:
bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati
Lord Krishna is the Supreme controller, enjoyer, and our most dear friend. Only then can we “stop thrashing about” in this world.
I pray that, by meditating on the fearlessness achieved through constant focus on the shelter of your lotus feet, I can actually one day become a real devotee — once and for all, shedding away my stubborn insistence on clutching onto my own conditionings and material desires, which only cause suffering and dismay.
As Krishna Himself says to Sudama brahmana in the 10th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam:
“Certainly, O brāhmaṇa, of all the followers of the varṇāśrama system, those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best understand their own true welfare”
And the purport:
“Ultimately the bona fide spiritual master, learned in the transcendental science and thus able to take one across the ocean of birth and death to the spiritual world — such a guru is most deserving of worship and respect, for he is the direct representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead…”
We have played musical chairs for enough lifetimes, and we don’t want to admit that we’re the ones who got left without a chair. Or how could our false pride allow us to admit that we are failures at material happiness?
But the truth of these realisations is ecstatic when we realise that, under your protection, shelter, and guidance, we can get out of this material existence and finally attain our loving relationship with the source of all love and happiness, Krishna.
Without your mercy, Gurudeva, there is no hope for us.
In closing, I wish to offer you one prayer quoted in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 22.16:
"O my Lord, there is no limit to the unwanted orders of lusty desires. Although I have rendered these desires so much service, they have not shown any mercy to me. I have not been ashamed to serve them, nor have I even desired to give them up. O my Lord, O head of the Yadu dynasty, recently, however, my intelligence has been awakened, and now I am giving them up. Due to transcendental intelligence, I now refuse to obey the unwanted orders of these desires, and I now come to You to surrender myself at Your fearless lotus feet. Kindly engage me in Your personal service and save me.”
Your humble servant,
Gita Govinda devi dasi
Gokul Lila devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
As a child, I was embarrassed to introduce my friends to my parents. With you, our spiritual father, it is the complete opposite.
We are so excited to introduce people to you.
We go out and speak to strangers on the streets, in malls and in car parks, in the heat and the cold. We put posters up all around the city and all over the university inviting people to meet you. We'll even make ridiculous videos on social media if it means people may come to hear from you. We try our best to fill a lecture room, to fill Bhakti Lounge, so that people have the chance to meet you.
The now twice-yearly university event at Vic is my favourite day of the year.
It far outweighs any Christmas buzz.
At your recent talk at Vic, we asked 18 people to sum up their experience of your happiness talk, the kirtan and the prasadam.
Here is what they said:
Enlightening · Happiness · Enlightening · Fantastic · Broad · Vibes · Inspiring · Grateful · Amazing · Interesting · Fun · Enlightening · Wow · Inspirational · Satiated · Wonderful · Enlightening · Positive ·
All these words can describe a pure devotee.
You live to enlighten people lost in ignorance.
You want everyone to find happiness in Krishna's service.
You want us to understand how fantastic it is to be a servant.
Your vision is so broad: you understand economics, psychology, sociology, the environment, and current issues, and connect all of it back to Krishna.
You want us to relish the transcendental vibrations of the maha-mantra.
You live and breathe to inspire others in bhakti.
You are grateful for our little attempts at serving Krishna and trying to assist you. Your whole bhakti career is truly amazing.
Your classes are interesting to everyone, from people who have just walked in off the street all the way up to your peers. You make engagement in Krishna's service so much fun.
How deeply you touch everyone's hearts is just wow.
Your dedication to helping people is truly inspirational.
You are satiated in serving Srila Prabhupada; you have nothing left to take and everything to give.
Your association is the most wonderful thing we have experienced in our lives. You are always positive about Krishna's service.
Of the 18 words the students used to sum up their night, four people said: "enlightening."
Your words and presence have such potency that students at Vic can stumble into a room where you are speaking, most likely because we told them there would be free food, and walk out blissful, saying they feel enlightened! Such is your kindness upon the fallen conditioned souls. You selflessly extend yourself to uplift and enlighten others in Krishna consciousness.
You arrive in a city and meet one person after another, devotees and new people alike. Sometimes you stay up late at night at an outreach centre if there is a need to meet and talk with new people. You are available to everyone, encouraging, guiding and correcting, completely extending yourself for others. You're expert at dealing with all kinds of devotees and at navigating the many issues and concerns put before you. Yet we all feel that you have the time for us and that we are not too much for you.
Last year I heard a story that shows how you live to enlighten and uplift us all with such care and personalism.
A devotee who was considering you as his guru had travelled to meet you a second time. When he arrived in the city, your assistants told him you were away and busy until the time he was due to fly home. He was devastated. He decided to contact you personally to let you know the situation. You wrote back to him very apologetically, explaining that you had not been aware he had come to meet you, and you arranged to catch an earlier train back just so you could meet him before his evening flight.
He shared how deeply this touched his heart. Because of the care you showed in being so keen to meet him, he accepted you as his guru.
Every one of us has examples of endearing things you have done for us that have softened our hearts and encouraged us to go deeper in bhakti. I have countless examples. To name just a few: the times you personally gave me your transcendental remnants and enthusiastically encouraged me to honour them. How you would have me read my sankirtan stories aloud to you in person, so I could see your response and feel encouraged to keep doing the service. The time Ananta Naga was driving you home from a program, and you realised you were passing the suburb where we lived and asked him to drive by, just so you could surprise me with a visit. When we were at Gita Nagari, you arranged to leave the farm for your next destination earlier than you needed to, so that Ananta Naga and I could ride in your car and be dropped off at the train station on the way. And, of course, the great fortune we have had, many times, to travel with you.
The students were right, Gurudeva. You are truly fantastic, inspiring, amazing, inspirational, and wonderful. We are beyond grateful to be in your positive, enlightening association!
Your servant,
Gokul Lila dd
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
As a child, I was embarrassed to introduce my friends to my parents. With you, our spiritual father, it is the complete opposite.
We are so excited to introduce people to you.
We go out and speak to strangers on the streets, in malls and in car parks, in the heat and the cold. We put posters up all around the city and all over the university inviting people to meet you. We'll even make ridiculous videos on social media if it means people may come to hear from you. We try our best to fill a lecture room, to fill Bhakti Lounge, so that people have the chance to meet you.
The now twice-yearly university event at Vic is my favourite day of the year.
It far outweighs any Christmas buzz.
At your recent talk at Vic, we asked 18 people to sum up their experience of your happiness talk, the kirtan and the prasadam.
Here is what they said:
Enlightening · Happiness · Enlightening · Fantastic · Broad · Vibes · Inspiring · Grateful · Amazing · Interesting · Fun · Enlightening · Wow · Inspirational · Satiated · Wonderful · Enlightening · Positive ·
All these words can describe a pure devotee.
You live to enlighten people lost in ignorance.
You want everyone to find happiness in Krishna's service.
You want us to understand how fantastic it is to be a servant.
Your vision is so broad: you understand economics, psychology, sociology, the environment, and current issues, and connect all of it back to Krishna.
You want us to relish the transcendental vibrations of the maha-mantra.
You live and breathe to inspire others in bhakti.
You are grateful for our little attempts at serving Krishna and trying to assist you. Your whole bhakti career is truly amazing.
Your classes are interesting to everyone, from people who have just walked in off the street all the way up to your peers. You make engagement in Krishna's service so much fun.
How deeply you touch everyone's hearts is just wow.
Your dedication to helping people is truly inspirational.
You are satiated in serving Srila Prabhupada; you have nothing left to take and everything to give.
Your association is the most wonderful thing we have experienced in our lives. You are always positive about Krishna's service.
Of the 18 words the students used to sum up their night, four people said: "enlightening."
Your words and presence have such potency that students at Vic can stumble into a room where you are speaking, most likely because we told them there would be free food, and walk out blissful, saying they feel enlightened! Such is your kindness upon the fallen conditioned souls. You selflessly extend yourself to uplift and enlighten others in Krishna consciousness.
You arrive in a city and meet one person after another, devotees and new people alike. Sometimes you stay up late at night at an outreach centre if there is a need to meet and talk with new people. You are available to everyone, encouraging, guiding and correcting, completely extending yourself for others. You're expert at dealing with all kinds of devotees and at navigating the many issues and concerns put before you. Yet we all feel that you have the time for us and that we are not too much for you.
Last year I heard a story that shows how you live to enlighten and uplift us all with such care and personalism.
A devotee who was considering you as his guru had travelled to meet you a second time. When he arrived in the city, your assistants told him you were away and busy until the time he was due to fly home. He was devastated. He decided to contact you personally to let you know the situation. You wrote back to him very apologetically, explaining that you had not been aware he had come to meet you, and you arranged to catch an earlier train back just so you could meet him before his evening flight.
He shared how deeply this touched his heart. Because of the care you showed in being so keen to meet him, he accepted you as his guru.
Every one of us has examples of endearing things you have done for us that have softened our hearts and encouraged us to go deeper in bhakti. I have countless examples. To name just a few: the times you personally gave me your transcendental remnants and enthusiastically encouraged me to honour them. How you would have me read my sankirtan stories aloud to you in person, so I could see your response and feel encouraged to keep doing the service. The time Ananta Naga was driving you home from a program, and you realised you were passing the suburb where we lived and asked him to drive by, just so you could surprise me with a visit. When we were at Gita Nagari, you arranged to leave the farm for your next destination earlier than you needed to, so that Ananta Naga and I could ride in your car and be dropped off at the train station on the way. And, of course, the great fortune we have had, many times, to travel with you.
The students were right, Gurudeva. You are truly fantastic, inspiring, amazing, inspirational, and wonderful. We are beyond grateful to be in your positive, enlightening association!
Your servant,
Gokul Lila dd
Gokula Sundari devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
I pray to Lord Krishna to keep you in good health. May you continue to spread Krishna consciousness far and wide. May more conditioned souls gain access to Srila Prabhupada’s books by hearing your enlightening talks.
There is so much suffering in the world around us. Srila Prabhupada’s purports so aptly describe our situation in the material world. I used to think he was describing what the future would look like as Kali-yuga progressed, but I have come to realise that his purports transcend time, and they remind us that our situation in the material world has always been pitiable. As you mentioned in one of your podcasts, “one may take pride in having a pious birth, but from the perspective of Kali-yuga, we are all in an abominable situation”. In SB 3.5.44 the demigods are praying “O Lord, persons who are entangled by undesirable eagerness for the temporary body and kinsmen, and who are bound by thoughts of “mine” and “I,” are unable to see Your lotus feet, although Your lotus feet are situated within their own bodies. But let us take shelter of Your lotus feet.” We are so unfortunate that the Lord, our best friend and well-wisher, is always accompanying us and yet we are always looking externally for friendship, love and satisfaction.
The Lord is so kind that He sends his representatives like yourself to enlighten us, cut through our illusion, bring us out of our bodily concept of life and embark us on our journey back home, back to Godhead. Continuously hearing Krishna katha from the mouth of a pure devotee like yourself is the permanent solution to all our problems. In his purport to SB 4.20.25, Srila Prabhupada writes “Athough when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.”
Recently I saw some photos of your talk at Victoria University of Wellington. I was reflecting how fortunate are these souls who attend your talks, associate with the devotees present there, get books and prasadam and get connected to local outreach programs. One time you said that some of these people may never return but at least they have started their spiritual journey. Knowing this to be a possibility you continue to give yourself completely to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, constantly travelling, reaching out to people and preaching to whoever is willing to hear. In one podcast you were quoting Prabhupada saying “they don’t understand but you have to make them understand.…it is your business to go and let them know that you are suffering, take, this is the method…..yes they are not understanding, still you have to go…then Krishna will see he is labouring so hard for my sake…so our business is to be recognised by Krishna…”.
I wanted to share that in the recent Bhadra campaign some guests at our outreach program took Srimad Bhagavatam sets. They were my personal friends before they began to attend the program. The program gave them an opportunity to hear and chant more regularly, do some service and hear from exalted speakers. Over time this made them more receptive and finally when I showed them the Srimad Bhagavatam set, they readily accepted and donated generously. With your blessings I hope to reach out to more people.
Your mood of sacrifice for the pleasure of Guru and Krishna is imbibed by your disciples. May I also follow in their footsteps. Please continue to engage me in your service. Please give me the strength and intelligence to follow your instructions.
Your servant
Gokula Sundari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
I pray to Lord Krishna to keep you in good health. May you continue to spread Krishna consciousness far and wide. May more conditioned souls gain access to Srila Prabhupada’s books by hearing your enlightening talks.
There is so much suffering in the world around us. Srila Prabhupada’s purports so aptly describe our situation in the material world. I used to think he was describing what the future would look like as Kali-yuga progressed, but I have come to realise that his purports transcend time, and they remind us that our situation in the material world has always been pitiable. As you mentioned in one of your podcasts, “one may take pride in having a pious birth, but from the perspective of Kali-yuga, we are all in an abominable situation”. In SB 3.5.44 the demigods are praying “O Lord, persons who are entangled by undesirable eagerness for the temporary body and kinsmen, and who are bound by thoughts of “mine” and “I,” are unable to see Your lotus feet, although Your lotus feet are situated within their own bodies. But let us take shelter of Your lotus feet.” We are so unfortunate that the Lord, our best friend and well-wisher, is always accompanying us and yet we are always looking externally for friendship, love and satisfaction.
The Lord is so kind that He sends his representatives like yourself to enlighten us, cut through our illusion, bring us out of our bodily concept of life and embark us on our journey back home, back to Godhead. Continuously hearing Krishna katha from the mouth of a pure devotee like yourself is the permanent solution to all our problems. In his purport to SB 4.20.25, Srila Prabhupada writes “Athough when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.”
Recently I saw some photos of your talk at Victoria University of Wellington. I was reflecting how fortunate are these souls who attend your talks, associate with the devotees present there, get books and prasadam and get connected to local outreach programs. One time you said that some of these people may never return but at least they have started their spiritual journey. Knowing this to be a possibility you continue to give yourself completely to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, constantly travelling, reaching out to people and preaching to whoever is willing to hear. In one podcast you were quoting Prabhupada saying “they don’t understand but you have to make them understand.…it is your business to go and let them know that you are suffering, take, this is the method…..yes they are not understanding, still you have to go…then Krishna will see he is labouring so hard for my sake…so our business is to be recognised by Krishna…”.
I wanted to share that in the recent Bhadra campaign some guests at our outreach program took Srimad Bhagavatam sets. They were my personal friends before they began to attend the program. The program gave them an opportunity to hear and chant more regularly, do some service and hear from exalted speakers. Over time this made them more receptive and finally when I showed them the Srimad Bhagavatam set, they readily accepted and donated generously. With your blessings I hope to reach out to more people.
Your mood of sacrifice for the pleasure of Guru and Krishna is imbibed by your disciples. May I also follow in their footsteps. Please continue to engage me in your service. Please give me the strength and intelligence to follow your instructions.
Your servant
Gokula Sundari devi dasi
Goloka Bhakti Dāsa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your divine Appearance Day!
This is a special and exciting moment to write this offering as it’s the very first time for me. So please forgive me for any mistakes.
Gurudeva, you are the representative of Krishna to whom I completely surrender. Your compassion was evident when you accepted me as your disciple, me being not qualified. I have written this poem for the very first time as an offering to you. Please accept it.
O My Spiritual Master
O my spiritual master, you spread the real treasure,
The value of which we can never measure.
You solve people's problems directly with ease,
I have but one request: please be merciful to me.
You travel continuously, from east to west and Down Under,
Your words of wisdom strike the heart like thunder.
So much to learn from you; how can I do it in this limited time?
It is only your compassion that can flow unlimitedly and make my life sublime.
You gave me a spiritual name, which bonded to my wife's initiated name.
This was so special for me that I just exclaimed.
Awestruck I was, did not know what to say.
I can only seek your blessings to keep the material illusion at bay.
Soon we will have your darshan here in Hobart,
May you kindly show us the spiritual path.
I shall offer my sweat and blood to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books,
May this service please you, as they spread to every corner and nook.
When your email message hits my inbox,
I get a surge of excitement, as if in a spiritual detox.
Although you are extremely busy, you still reply to this fool among thousands.
Pearls of wisdom you write, I must follow as your commands.
This is my very first poem in life; I never knew
That Krishna consciousness would teach me this too.
Please engage me in your service, I humbly pray with each heartbeat
So that I may please you, get your blessings and stay at your lotus feet.
Your humble servant,
Goloka Bhakti Dāsa
Golokeśa Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am deeply grateful for all your classes on Krishna’s pastimes and for teaching us how to serve Krishna. Thank you for giving me your shelter. I feel very fortunate to be your disciple.
It is truly inspiring to see you spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world at this stage of your life. On top of that, you look so young, like a teenager, and radiate so much spiritual energy! I am very impressed by your fitness routine, discipline, and punctuality.
You are helping so many people become Krishna conscious and guiding them on the path back to Godhead. I feel blessed to learn from you and to receive your guidance.
A special thank you for giving your blessings to our child. We are truly grateful for your kindness and blessings.
Your aspiring servant
Golokeśa Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am deeply grateful for all your classes on Krishna’s pastimes and for teaching us how to serve Krishna. Thank you for giving me your shelter. I feel very fortunate to be your disciple.
It is truly inspiring to see you spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world at this stage of your life. On top of that, you look so young, like a teenager, and radiate so much spiritual energy! I am very impressed by your fitness routine, discipline, and punctuality.
You are helping so many people become Krishna conscious and guiding them on the path back to Godhead. I feel blessed to learn from you and to receive your guidance.
A special thank you for giving your blessings to our child. We are truly grateful for your kindness and blessings.
Your aspiring servant
Golokeśa Das
Gopa Bhav Das and Shakhi Bhav DD
Dear Gurumahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your blessings, guidance, and personal association.
Thank you, Gurumahārāja, for meeting with us at Gītā-nagarī and kindly giving us your valuable personal association. I am especially grateful that you always inquire about our progress. Your genuine concern and encouragement inspire us to take our service more seriously and continue making spiritual progress.
Previously, I was engaged in saṅkīrtana with a small group of devotees. However, after receiving your association and hearing your desire to organize monthly saṅkīrtana programs and engage more congregational devotees in book distribution, I felt inspired to take a more active role. By your inspiration, I have been encouraging devotees to participate, and we have started planning monthly saṅkīrtana programs so that more devotees can experience the joy of serving Śrīla Prabhupāda through book distribution.
Gurumahārāja, on the occasion of your 76th Vyāsa-pūjā, we set a goal of distributing at least 76 big books in your honor. By your mercy and blessings, we were able to surpass our goal and distribute 79 big books, including a set of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. We feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to offer these books in honor of your auspicious appearance day.
I understand that whatever little service we are able to perform is possible only by the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Vaiṣṇavas, and your good wishes. Your encouragement has helped me move beyond serving only within a small group and inspired me to engage more devotees in this wonderful mission of saṅkīrtana.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I humbly offer these 79 big books at your lotus feet as a small offering of gratitude and service. My sincere prayer is that you will continue to bless me so that I can develop a stronger desire to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, encourage other devotees, and participate more enthusiastically in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Please forgive my shortcomings and any offenses in my service. I pray that I may always remain under your guidance and find the strength to serve the Vaiṣṇavas and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission with sincerity and humility.
Thank you very much, Gurumahārāja, for your kindness, encouragement, and invaluable association.
Your aspiring servant,
Gopa Bhav Das,Shakhi Bhav DD,Bhakta Jisnu and Sudama
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your blessings, guidance, and personal association.
Thank you, Gurumahārāja, for meeting with us at Gītā-nagarī and kindly giving us your valuable personal association. I am especially grateful that you always inquire about our progress. Your genuine concern and encouragement inspire us to take our service more seriously and continue making spiritual progress.
Previously, I was engaged in saṅkīrtana with a small group of devotees. However, after receiving your association and hearing your desire to organize monthly saṅkīrtana programs and engage more congregational devotees in book distribution, I felt inspired to take a more active role. By your inspiration, I have been encouraging devotees to participate, and we have started planning monthly saṅkīrtana programs so that more devotees can experience the joy of serving Śrīla Prabhupāda through book distribution.
Gurumahārāja, on the occasion of your 76th Vyāsa-pūjā, we set a goal of distributing at least 76 big books in your honor. By your mercy and blessings, we were able to surpass our goal and distribute 79 big books, including a set of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. We feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to offer these books in honor of your auspicious appearance day.
I understand that whatever little service we are able to perform is possible only by the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Vaiṣṇavas, and your good wishes. Your encouragement has helped me move beyond serving only within a small group and inspired me to engage more devotees in this wonderful mission of saṅkīrtana.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I humbly offer these 79 big books at your lotus feet as a small offering of gratitude and service. My sincere prayer is that you will continue to bless me so that I can develop a stronger desire to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, encourage other devotees, and participate more enthusiastically in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Please forgive my shortcomings and any offenses in my service. I pray that I may always remain under your guidance and find the strength to serve the Vaiṣṇavas and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission with sincerity and humility.
Thank you very much, Gurumahārāja, for your kindness, encouragement, and invaluable association.
Your aspiring servant,
Gopa Bhav Das,Shakhi Bhav DD,Bhakta Jisnu and Sudama
Gopa-vṛndeśa Dāsa
Śrīmad Devāmṛta Svāmi Pracāra Padya Puṣpāñjaliḥ
A palmful of flower-like verses celebrating the preaching of
His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja
Verse 1: Powerful Preaching through Pioneering Practices
pracāraṇaṁ śrī-prabhupāda-śikṣā-
sāraṁ prakurvan prati-navya-mārgaiḥ
pāścātya-lokaṁ nanu tārayan yo
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
The very essence of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings lies in carrying his preaching mission forward throughout the world. You fulfil this most essential instruction by employing ever-new and innovative approaches to outreach, thereby uplifting and delivering people from non-traditional backgrounds in the Western world. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 2: Expanding Bhakti’s Radiant Path
prakāśayantaṁ bhuvi śikṣayantaṁ
pracārayantaṁ ca samācarantam
sad-bhakti-śāstrāṇi mudā likhantaṁ
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja. You joyfully publishes devotional literature, illuminating the world with the wisdom of devotional service by teaching its principles, facilitating the wide distribution of its teachings, faithfully embodying them in your own life, and authoring books that reveal the path to pure devotional service.
Verse 3: Eloquence & Expertise
mitaṁ ca sāraṁ ca vaco hi yasya
taṁ vāgminaṁ bhakti-rataṁ ca dakṣam
pracāraṇe śiṣya-suśikṣaṇe ca
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
Your words are concise yet rich in meaning. Deeply devoted to bhakti and gifted with eloquence, you demonstrate exceptional wisdom and expertise in both preaching and the careful training of your disciples. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 4: Transcending Traditions & Territories
pāścātya-paurastya-matiṁ hi hitvā
yo bhakti-śikṣāṁ dadate janebhyaḥ
bhūmau samudre ca yathaiva vṛṣṭir
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
Setting aside all distinctions between traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, as well as between Eastern and Western ways of thinking, you impart the teachings of devotional service to all people without discrimination, just as rain falls equally upon the land and the ocean. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 5: Safe Sailing Through Stormy Seas
saṁsāra-sindhau hari-bhakti-naukāṁ
prakampitāṁ tāṁ viṣayādi-bhaṅgaiḥ
santrāyate yad-vacanāmṛtaṁ taṁ
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
As the boat of our devotion to Lord Hari is tossed upon the turbulent ocean of material existence, battered by the crashing waves of sensual temptations, swept off course by deviant philosophies, besieged by the enemies within the mind, weighed down by material conditioning, and lured astray by worldly attractions, your nectarean words serve as our protective shelter and guiding light, steering our fragile vessel safely through these treacherous waters. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 6: Heartfelt Humble Homage to His Divine Grace
sthānaṁ na mānaṁ nahi śiṣya-vṛndaṁ
yaśo dhanaṁ kāṅkṣati yo vinītaḥ
yuṅkte sadā śrī-prabhupāda-dāsye
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
I offer my humble obeisances unto my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja, who, in his deep humility, seeks neither position nor honour, neither a following of disciples nor fame or wealth, but remains ever engaged in the service of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Verse 7: Priceless Preaching Presents
pracāraṇopāya-dhanī prasādāt
pāścātya-nistāraṇa-sādhanāni
śraddhānvitebhyaḥ pradadāti yas taṁ
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
You possess a great treasure of effective methods for preaching and outreach, and out of your causeless mercy, you generously bestow these powerful means for uplifting and delivering the people of the Western world upon all those endowed with faith in your words. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 8: Gratitude. Aspirations. Prayers. Resolve.
pāścātya-nistāraṇam eva kṛtvā
svīyaṁ guruṁ prīṇayase sadaiva
dīno ’pi te syāṁ caraṇānugāmī
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
By dedicating your life to tirelessly uplifting and delivering the people of the Western world, you continually bring immense pleasure to the heart of your beloved spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda, fulfilling his cherished desire to spread the glories of bhakti throughout the world. Though I am but an insignificant and unworthy soul, I earnestly pray that I may one day follow in your sacred footsteps and serve your mission under the shelter of your merciful guidance. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to your divine appearance day!
You have dedicated your life to the service of your spiritual master and have established contemporary preaching methods to attract people from non-traditional backgrounds to bhakti, engage them creatively, and train them to become dedicated devotees of Lord Caitanya. Such an ingenious system is unprecedented in ISKCON since the departure of His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda, and this preaching approach has now spread to many parts of the world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes:
“An ācārya should devise a means by which people may somehow or other come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. First they should become Kṛṣṇa conscious, and all the prescribed rules and regulations may later gradually be introduced. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we follow this policy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
The ācārya must devise a means to bring them to devotional service.”
— Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 7.37
From this statement of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we can understand that you exemplify the role of an ācārya within contemporary ISKCON society.
You constantly encourage your disciples and followers to be actively engaged in outreach and to be on the ground rather than becoming complacent. Even when I was very new to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I remember how, in our very first group meeting with you, you encouraged us to engage in outreach. When we began the University of Melbourne outreach, you were even more excited about it than I was.
Even during your most recent visit, while we were discussing various other matters, the moment the topic of university outreach arose, you immediately encouraged me to continue. You are always eager to hear about book distribution. During your latest visit, you were visibly delighted to hear that we had achieved our Bhādra target. You strongly encourage both student outreach and the cultivation of bhakti-vṛkṣa programs.
You genuinely want to see Lord Caitanya’s mission spread everywhere, and you enthusiastically encourage every sincere preaching endeavour. You freely give your time and energy to guide such efforts. At times, you seem even more enthusiastic about spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness than those who come to you seeking preaching guidance.
Your darśanas have a remarkable effect upon us. Whenever we express the obstacles we face in our devotional lives, your instructions bring clarity and strength. Sometimes, even when you simply hear our difficulties, that alone seems sufficient. By your mercy, situations somehow become resolved, and we have had many experiences of this.
I can also see how hard you continue to work, even at this stage of life, to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Your most recent visit was extremely intense, yet you were reluctant to reduce any of the preaching programs or even the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes. At one point, I encouraged you to cancel one of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes, but you replied, “I really want to do it.” Only when the schedule became truly overwhelming for the body did you finally agree to cancel it.
Seeing your determination, enthusiasm, and unwavering desire to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission is deeply inspiring.
Please accept the above aṣṭakam, composed for your pleasure.
Your servant,
Gopa-vṛndeśa Dāsa
A palmful of flower-like verses celebrating the preaching of
His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja
Verse 1: Powerful Preaching through Pioneering Practices
pracāraṇaṁ śrī-prabhupāda-śikṣā-
sāraṁ prakurvan prati-navya-mārgaiḥ
pāścātya-lokaṁ nanu tārayan yo
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
The very essence of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings lies in carrying his preaching mission forward throughout the world. You fulfil this most essential instruction by employing ever-new and innovative approaches to outreach, thereby uplifting and delivering people from non-traditional backgrounds in the Western world. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 2: Expanding Bhakti’s Radiant Path
prakāśayantaṁ bhuvi śikṣayantaṁ
pracārayantaṁ ca samācarantam
sad-bhakti-śāstrāṇi mudā likhantaṁ
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja. You joyfully publishes devotional literature, illuminating the world with the wisdom of devotional service by teaching its principles, facilitating the wide distribution of its teachings, faithfully embodying them in your own life, and authoring books that reveal the path to pure devotional service.
Verse 3: Eloquence & Expertise
mitaṁ ca sāraṁ ca vaco hi yasya
taṁ vāgminaṁ bhakti-rataṁ ca dakṣam
pracāraṇe śiṣya-suśikṣaṇe ca
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
Your words are concise yet rich in meaning. Deeply devoted to bhakti and gifted with eloquence, you demonstrate exceptional wisdom and expertise in both preaching and the careful training of your disciples. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 4: Transcending Traditions & Territories
pāścātya-paurastya-matiṁ hi hitvā
yo bhakti-śikṣāṁ dadate janebhyaḥ
bhūmau samudre ca yathaiva vṛṣṭir
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
Setting aside all distinctions between traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, as well as between Eastern and Western ways of thinking, you impart the teachings of devotional service to all people without discrimination, just as rain falls equally upon the land and the ocean. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 5: Safe Sailing Through Stormy Seas
saṁsāra-sindhau hari-bhakti-naukāṁ
prakampitāṁ tāṁ viṣayādi-bhaṅgaiḥ
santrāyate yad-vacanāmṛtaṁ taṁ
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
As the boat of our devotion to Lord Hari is tossed upon the turbulent ocean of material existence, battered by the crashing waves of sensual temptations, swept off course by deviant philosophies, besieged by the enemies within the mind, weighed down by material conditioning, and lured astray by worldly attractions, your nectarean words serve as our protective shelter and guiding light, steering our fragile vessel safely through these treacherous waters. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 6: Heartfelt Humble Homage to His Divine Grace
sthānaṁ na mānaṁ nahi śiṣya-vṛndaṁ
yaśo dhanaṁ kāṅkṣati yo vinītaḥ
yuṅkte sadā śrī-prabhupāda-dāsye
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
I offer my humble obeisances unto my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja, who, in his deep humility, seeks neither position nor honour, neither a following of disciples nor fame or wealth, but remains ever engaged in the service of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Verse 7: Priceless Preaching Presents
pracāraṇopāya-dhanī prasādāt
pāścātya-nistāraṇa-sādhanāni
śraddhānvitebhyaḥ pradadāti yas taṁ
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
You possess a great treasure of effective methods for preaching and outreach, and out of your causeless mercy, you generously bestow these powerful means for uplifting and delivering the people of the Western world upon all those endowed with faith in your words. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Verse 8: Gratitude. Aspirations. Prayers. Resolve.
pāścātya-nistāraṇam eva kṛtvā
svīyaṁ guruṁ prīṇayase sadaiva
dīno ’pi te syāṁ caraṇānugāmī
devāmṛta-svāminam eva naumi
By dedicating your life to tirelessly uplifting and delivering the people of the Western world, you continually bring immense pleasure to the heart of your beloved spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda, fulfilling his cherished desire to spread the glories of bhakti throughout the world. Though I am but an insignificant and unworthy soul, I earnestly pray that I may one day follow in your sacred footsteps and serve your mission under the shelter of your merciful guidance. I offer my humble obeisances unto you, my beloved spiritual master, His Holiness Devāmṛta Swami Mahārāja.
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to your divine appearance day!
You have dedicated your life to the service of your spiritual master and have established contemporary preaching methods to attract people from non-traditional backgrounds to bhakti, engage them creatively, and train them to become dedicated devotees of Lord Caitanya. Such an ingenious system is unprecedented in ISKCON since the departure of His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda, and this preaching approach has now spread to many parts of the world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes:
“An ācārya should devise a means by which people may somehow or other come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. First they should become Kṛṣṇa conscious, and all the prescribed rules and regulations may later gradually be introduced. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we follow this policy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
The ācārya must devise a means to bring them to devotional service.”
— Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 7.37
From this statement of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we can understand that you exemplify the role of an ācārya within contemporary ISKCON society.
You constantly encourage your disciples and followers to be actively engaged in outreach and to be on the ground rather than becoming complacent. Even when I was very new to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I remember how, in our very first group meeting with you, you encouraged us to engage in outreach. When we began the University of Melbourne outreach, you were even more excited about it than I was.
Even during your most recent visit, while we were discussing various other matters, the moment the topic of university outreach arose, you immediately encouraged me to continue. You are always eager to hear about book distribution. During your latest visit, you were visibly delighted to hear that we had achieved our Bhādra target. You strongly encourage both student outreach and the cultivation of bhakti-vṛkṣa programs.
You genuinely want to see Lord Caitanya’s mission spread everywhere, and you enthusiastically encourage every sincere preaching endeavour. You freely give your time and energy to guide such efforts. At times, you seem even more enthusiastic about spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness than those who come to you seeking preaching guidance.
Your darśanas have a remarkable effect upon us. Whenever we express the obstacles we face in our devotional lives, your instructions bring clarity and strength. Sometimes, even when you simply hear our difficulties, that alone seems sufficient. By your mercy, situations somehow become resolved, and we have had many experiences of this.
I can also see how hard you continue to work, even at this stage of life, to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Your most recent visit was extremely intense, yet you were reluctant to reduce any of the preaching programs or even the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes. At one point, I encouraged you to cancel one of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam classes, but you replied, “I really want to do it.” Only when the schedule became truly overwhelming for the body did you finally agree to cancel it.
Seeing your determination, enthusiasm, and unwavering desire to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission is deeply inspiring.
Please accept the above aṣṭakam, composed for your pleasure.
Your servant,
Gopa-vṛndeśa Dāsa
Goparaj Das
Hare Krishna!
Please accept my humble obeisances 🙏
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all the acharyas, and your lotus feet!
Vyasa Puja is the day when a disciple should remember his position, his relationship before the spiritual master. It should also remind him of his responsibility before him. I cannot overestimate your significance in my life. Over time I have understood that Krishna, through your instructions, guides me — what could be more valuable than this?..
I try to live in such a way as to organize my life around the mission — preaching and providing devotees with articles of worship, altars, deities, and so on.
I study the sacred scriptures, conduct scientific research, draw inspiration from your lectures, studying consciousness, help others direct their lives toward selfless service. I also help with communication in organizational service and as a mentor.
Guided by the instructions of senior devotees, my wife and I conceived a son; he was born on September 15, he has a very good horoscope, a spiritual personality. His name is Tamal Krishna Das, please bless him 🙏.
I draw inspiration from your lectures and use them in preaching. I will be glad for any instructions you give me. Thank you for everything. I hope to become a disciple of whom you will be proud..
Your servant Goparaj Das 🙏🙏🙏
Please accept my humble obeisances 🙏
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all the acharyas, and your lotus feet!
Vyasa Puja is the day when a disciple should remember his position, his relationship before the spiritual master. It should also remind him of his responsibility before him. I cannot overestimate your significance in my life. Over time I have understood that Krishna, through your instructions, guides me — what could be more valuable than this?..
I try to live in such a way as to organize my life around the mission — preaching and providing devotees with articles of worship, altars, deities, and so on.
I study the sacred scriptures, conduct scientific research, draw inspiration from your lectures, studying consciousness, help others direct their lives toward selfless service. I also help with communication in organizational service and as a mentor.
Guided by the instructions of senior devotees, my wife and I conceived a son; he was born on September 15, he has a very good horoscope, a spiritual personality. His name is Tamal Krishna Das, please bless him 🙏.
I draw inspiration from your lectures and use them in preaching. I will be glad for any instructions you give me. Thank you for everything. I hope to become a disciple of whom you will be proud..
Your servant Goparaj Das 🙏🙏🙏
Gopi Dutika Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna my dearest respected Guru Maharaj.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, I pray for your good health, so that you may continue to shower your mercy upon all of us.
Whenever I hear you or see you, I am struck by how you answer even the most difficult questions with such simplicity, and with a bright, shining smile on your face.
We hear in the scriptures that Krishna is our eternal father, and that He sends the Guru into this world to distribute His mercy. I have personally felt this in your care for each one of us, as a father and mother would care for their children.
I beg for your blessings, that I may become a sincere servant and humble assistant in your mission of distributing pure devotional service.
Your insignificant servant,
Gopi Dutika Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, I pray for your good health, so that you may continue to shower your mercy upon all of us.
Whenever I hear you or see you, I am struck by how you answer even the most difficult questions with such simplicity, and with a bright, shining smile on your face.
We hear in the scriptures that Krishna is our eternal father, and that He sends the Guru into this world to distribute His mercy. I have personally felt this in your care for each one of us, as a father and mother would care for their children.
I beg for your blessings, that I may become a sincere servant and humble assistant in your mission of distributing pure devotional service.
Your insignificant servant,
Gopi Dutika Devi Dasi
Gopi Ramana Dasa
Dear Gurudeva
All glories to your Devotional Service
You helped publish the Chaitanya Charitamrita during its major publishing effort. You preached in Former Communist Eastern European countries, including underground preaching and book distribution. You have travelled extensively for preaching and spreading Krishna Consciousness. You have helped establish and support spiritual communities in rural and urban settings. You have helped make bhakti yoga accessible to people from different backgrounds and You still make time to guide your disciples in spiritual life and the practice of Krishna consciousness.
All glories to your quotes!
“The art of love means to know how to inspire someone, regardless of their material conditionings and circumstances, in coming closer to Krishna.”
I remember once during one of your visits you asked me about my diet and I disclosed my liking for Avocados, goats’ cheese and honey. Then the following day you referred to it during your morning class! Now I’m not able to honor such foodstuffs without thinking of you. Thank you for this benediction!
Whatever progress in spiritual life I have made, I have done so as a direct result of your blessings and mercy and most definitely not a result of my own independent endeavors. Therefore, please continue to be merciful upon me and please forgive me for any offences of mine that may hinder me in receiving this special mercy.
May the transcendental sound vibration of your voice destroy all Anarthas and provide protection from all inauspicious things for all living entities.
And for those of us who have been so fortunate as to take shelter of your lotus feet in this very lifetime, may we become ever more deeply absorbed in thoughts of you and in pleasing you through devotional service, dedicating our body, mind and hearts to loving transcendental service, for the pleasure of Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
Your Servant
Gopi Ramana Dasa
All glories to your Devotional Service
You helped publish the Chaitanya Charitamrita during its major publishing effort. You preached in Former Communist Eastern European countries, including underground preaching and book distribution. You have travelled extensively for preaching and spreading Krishna Consciousness. You have helped establish and support spiritual communities in rural and urban settings. You have helped make bhakti yoga accessible to people from different backgrounds and You still make time to guide your disciples in spiritual life and the practice of Krishna consciousness.
All glories to your quotes!
“The art of love means to know how to inspire someone, regardless of their material conditionings and circumstances, in coming closer to Krishna.”
I remember once during one of your visits you asked me about my diet and I disclosed my liking for Avocados, goats’ cheese and honey. Then the following day you referred to it during your morning class! Now I’m not able to honor such foodstuffs without thinking of you. Thank you for this benediction!
Whatever progress in spiritual life I have made, I have done so as a direct result of your blessings and mercy and most definitely not a result of my own independent endeavors. Therefore, please continue to be merciful upon me and please forgive me for any offences of mine that may hinder me in receiving this special mercy.
May the transcendental sound vibration of your voice destroy all Anarthas and provide protection from all inauspicious things for all living entities.
And for those of us who have been so fortunate as to take shelter of your lotus feet in this very lifetime, may we become ever more deeply absorbed in thoughts of you and in pleasing you through devotional service, dedicating our body, mind and hearts to loving transcendental service, for the pleasure of Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga.
Your Servant
Gopi Ramana Dasa
Gopi-gitāmrita devi dasi
Hare Krishna, Gurudeva!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you!
Dear Gurudeva,
When I read my spiritual siblings offerings I am astonished at how talented they are. They have so much knowledge with which they write so beautifully mixed with deep philosophy, humility, gratitude towards you and Krishna consciousness which is very inspiring to read. Which made me think that my offerings are maybe on the artistic side and I wish that someday they’ll look as perfect as the offerings of my spiritual siblings.
Usually birthdays come with present but what is the best present to give to the spiritual master ? No material gift can make him happy.
Every year when it’s time to write an offering naturally I’m reflecting on my whole year back. What did I do to improve ? Did I make a spiritually- positive change in my or other’s life?
Maybe the best present to give you is these little spiritual things that make You happy every year when you read all the offerings. Our intention and dedication to the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
And probably a very good cake! 🎂
Dear Gurudeva, my dedication for this year was the Bhakti sport of seeing other devotees’ good qualities, always and remind them for their good deeds.
It took me some time to improve it (still on the way of improving it, my car is going slowly 🚗 ) but I can tell that step by step my whole mood in Krishna conciousness changes after I tried applying it. My sadhana is better, my mind feels much more lighter and my heart feels fuller. This is an amazing tool ! It’s not easy but we’re trying. My husband is my greatest supporter and practitioner in this sport.
We are thankful for your association! and guidance!
Hope you have an amazing Vyasa Puja and great health!
You are the best!
Best wishes,
Your servants,
The whole family of Gopi-gitāmrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you!
Dear Gurudeva,
When I read my spiritual siblings offerings I am astonished at how talented they are. They have so much knowledge with which they write so beautifully mixed with deep philosophy, humility, gratitude towards you and Krishna consciousness which is very inspiring to read. Which made me think that my offerings are maybe on the artistic side and I wish that someday they’ll look as perfect as the offerings of my spiritual siblings.
Usually birthdays come with present but what is the best present to give to the spiritual master ? No material gift can make him happy.
Every year when it’s time to write an offering naturally I’m reflecting on my whole year back. What did I do to improve ? Did I make a spiritually- positive change in my or other’s life?
Maybe the best present to give you is these little spiritual things that make You happy every year when you read all the offerings. Our intention and dedication to the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
And probably a very good cake! 🎂
Dear Gurudeva, my dedication for this year was the Bhakti sport of seeing other devotees’ good qualities, always and remind them for their good deeds.
It took me some time to improve it (still on the way of improving it, my car is going slowly 🚗 ) but I can tell that step by step my whole mood in Krishna conciousness changes after I tried applying it. My sadhana is better, my mind feels much more lighter and my heart feels fuller. This is an amazing tool ! It’s not easy but we’re trying. My husband is my greatest supporter and practitioner in this sport.
We are thankful for your association! and guidance!
Hope you have an amazing Vyasa Puja and great health!
You are the best!
Best wishes,
Your servants,
The whole family of Gopi-gitāmrita devi dasi
Gopikaa Sonthalia
Dear Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your causeless guidance and blessings to me.I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to learn from you which helps me deepen my understanding of Krishna consciousness and strengthens my spiritual journey.
I pray to receive your blessings so that I may develop sincere devotion, humility, patience, and a genuine desire to serve Krishna and Vaishnavas.
Thank you for your compassion, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, and for inspiring us to remain connected to the process of bhakti. I pray that I may always remember your instructions, follow them sincerely, and become a better servant in the service of Guru and Gauranga.
On this sacred day, I pray for your continued blessings and guidance so that I may progress steadily on the path of devotional service.
Ys
Gopikaa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your causeless guidance and blessings to me.I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to learn from you which helps me deepen my understanding of Krishna consciousness and strengthens my spiritual journey.
I pray to receive your blessings so that I may develop sincere devotion, humility, patience, and a genuine desire to serve Krishna and Vaishnavas.
Thank you for your compassion, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, and for inspiring us to remain connected to the process of bhakti. I pray that I may always remember your instructions, follow them sincerely, and become a better servant in the service of Guru and Gauranga.
On this sacred day, I pray for your continued blessings and guidance so that I may progress steadily on the path of devotional service.
Ys
Gopikaa
Gopipremamrita dd
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.
As years pass by, I do not know If I have grown in my bhakthi journey, but my indebtedness to you has increased year after year GuruMaharaj. On this most auspicious day would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude and glorification onto your Lotus feet.
Thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to personally serve you in our home this year. This was another opportunity to witness your causeless mercy. It’s definitely causeless because there is no reason to justify this, expect for your mercy. By visiting our home and giving us opportunity to serve you, my indebtedness to you has only increased more and more.
Out of many many wonderful qualities that you have, two of the qualities have really left an impact on me this year.
Your genuine love, care and concern for your disciples. Amidst your many services, you personally care for your disciples. As a true Spiritual Father, you are concerned about their life situation and Spiritual journey
Srila Vishwanath Chakravarthi Thakur in his Bhagavatham commentary mentions
darśana-dhyāna-saṁsparśair matsya-kūrma-vihaṅgamāḥ
svāny apatyāni puṣṇanti tathāham api Padmaja
"By vision (darśana), by meditation (dhyāna), and by touch (saṁsparśa) alone do the fish, the tortoise, and the birds maintain their offspring. Similarly, do I also [and by extension, the spiritual master].
A spiritual master acts in all 3 ways.
Fish: nourishes its offspring through site. Like a fish you are always watching and protecting your disciples
Turtle: Lays its eggs on land and returns to the water, maintaining its offspring simply through meditation (dhyāna). You always nourish your disciples by constantly remembering and praying for them.
Bird: nourishes its offspring by constantly feeding. Like a bird you constantly nourish your disciples by showering your mercy and attention.
Thank you GuruMaharaj for always nourishing, meditating, protecting and watching over me.
When hearing your lecture, could see, how when you start to meditate on a pastime, you go deeper and deeper in it. In all your following lectures, could witness your deeper meditations. Thank you GuruMaharaj for being a wonderful parent and teaching me how important it is to introspect and go deeper and deeper in what we read and hear.
HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami in his Beggar series writes the following
“The Lord says, My child, it was not really your screaming, your crying or even your change of consciousness that turned the key. It was the prayers of the spiritual master.
For Decades, your Spiritual master has been begging, screaming and crying to the Supreme Lord on your behalf – even more loudly and more feelingly than you have cried. Your Spiritual master’s pitiful begging for your deliverance is what sent me here to free you. You see, you were a beggar who did not know how to beg. But fortunately for you, the cries of your spiritual master pierced the many thick layers of material universe and summoned my intervention. Ultimately, it was these cries of your spiritual master that actually saved you, for although he is a fully realised soul, his softened heart knows the humble art of begging”
You always mention how we are too proud and do not know how to beg the Lord. Thank you GuruMaharaj for constantly begging the Lord for my spiritual growth for I am a proud beggar who doesn’t know the art of begging.
When You visited our home, You mentioned to us that “You were doing your part”.
GuruMaharaj, on this most auspicious day I pray at your Lotus feet, that by your mercy and empowerment let me do my tiny part by assisting you in your preaching service by genuinely caring for devotes. Please help me to do the service only for the Pleasure of Guru and Gauranga. May my devotional service nourish my heart with devotion and help me develop the sentiments of servitude.
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
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.
As years pass by, I do not know If I have grown in my bhakthi journey, but my indebtedness to you has increased year after year GuruMaharaj. On this most auspicious day would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude and glorification onto your Lotus feet.
Thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to personally serve you in our home this year. This was another opportunity to witness your causeless mercy. It’s definitely causeless because there is no reason to justify this, expect for your mercy. By visiting our home and giving us opportunity to serve you, my indebtedness to you has only increased more and more.
Out of many many wonderful qualities that you have, two of the qualities have really left an impact on me this year.
Your genuine love, care and concern for your disciples. Amidst your many services, you personally care for your disciples. As a true Spiritual Father, you are concerned about their life situation and Spiritual journey
Srila Vishwanath Chakravarthi Thakur in his Bhagavatham commentary mentions
darśana-dhyāna-saṁsparśair matsya-kūrma-vihaṅgamāḥ
svāny apatyāni puṣṇanti tathāham api Padmaja
"By vision (darśana), by meditation (dhyāna), and by touch (saṁsparśa) alone do the fish, the tortoise, and the birds maintain their offspring. Similarly, do I also [and by extension, the spiritual master].
A spiritual master acts in all 3 ways.
Fish: nourishes its offspring through site. Like a fish you are always watching and protecting your disciples
Turtle: Lays its eggs on land and returns to the water, maintaining its offspring simply through meditation (dhyāna). You always nourish your disciples by constantly remembering and praying for them.
Bird: nourishes its offspring by constantly feeding. Like a bird you constantly nourish your disciples by showering your mercy and attention.
Thank you GuruMaharaj for always nourishing, meditating, protecting and watching over me.
When hearing your lecture, could see, how when you start to meditate on a pastime, you go deeper and deeper in it. In all your following lectures, could witness your deeper meditations. Thank you GuruMaharaj for being a wonderful parent and teaching me how important it is to introspect and go deeper and deeper in what we read and hear.
HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami in his Beggar series writes the following
“The Lord says, My child, it was not really your screaming, your crying or even your change of consciousness that turned the key. It was the prayers of the spiritual master.
For Decades, your Spiritual master has been begging, screaming and crying to the Supreme Lord on your behalf – even more loudly and more feelingly than you have cried. Your Spiritual master’s pitiful begging for your deliverance is what sent me here to free you. You see, you were a beggar who did not know how to beg. But fortunately for you, the cries of your spiritual master pierced the many thick layers of material universe and summoned my intervention. Ultimately, it was these cries of your spiritual master that actually saved you, for although he is a fully realised soul, his softened heart knows the humble art of begging”
You always mention how we are too proud and do not know how to beg the Lord. Thank you GuruMaharaj for constantly begging the Lord for my spiritual growth for I am a proud beggar who doesn’t know the art of begging.
When You visited our home, You mentioned to us that “You were doing your part”.
GuruMaharaj, on this most auspicious day I pray at your Lotus feet, that by your mercy and empowerment let me do my tiny part by assisting you in your preaching service by genuinely caring for devotes. Please help me to do the service only for the Pleasure of Guru and Gauranga. May my devotional service nourish my heart with devotion and help me develop the sentiments of servitude.
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
Gosthendra Nanda Das
Dear Guru Maharaj
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare
Please accept my humble obeisances
On this most auspicious Vyas Puja day, I do not have enough words to express my gratitude. I feel so fortunate to have received your divine mercy, for which I am totally unqualified. Just as rain doesn't discriminate between land and water before pouring down, so has your mercy on this conditioned soul.
I pray for your blessings to be able to serve Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas to my fullest ability. Kindly always keep me under your divine shelter.
Yours sincerely,
Goshthendra Nanda Das
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare
Please accept my humble obeisances
On this most auspicious Vyas Puja day, I do not have enough words to express my gratitude. I feel so fortunate to have received your divine mercy, for which I am totally unqualified. Just as rain doesn't discriminate between land and water before pouring down, so has your mercy on this conditioned soul.
I pray for your blessings to be able to serve Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas to my fullest ability. Kindly always keep me under your divine shelter.
Yours sincerely,
Goshthendra Nanda Das
Govinda Darśana dāsa
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 most respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, Gurudev.
Gurudev, I find myself extremely tiny and incapable of glorifying you with my defective material senses, but since it is a matter of duty, I am doing it. This is similar to the analogy mentioned in SB 1.11.4, where offering a lamp to the Sun cannot add anything to the Sun’s glory. Similarly, when Lord Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, the citizens welcomed Him with various offerings and presentations. Although the Lord is completely self-satisfied and does not need anything, He still graciously accepted their offerings. In the same way, my unworthy offering cannot add anything to your glory, but I am making this humble attempt as a matter of duty and devotion.
Gurudev, your glories are unlimited, and your intention to serve the Parampara and Srila Prabhupada is pure and strongly devotional. I find you very simple at heart but very strategically complex in preaching activities. This is a rare combination and appears only in liberated souls. Simplicity is what attracts people more than philosophy in many cases. You have such high, unmatched intelligence, but with your simple nature, you present the philosophy as it is in such a simple way that the bhakti process becomes very attractive. You have given so many lecture series and inspirational podcasts, which keep the Vedic texts suitable for everyone to follow, in a similar way to Srila Prabhupada.
Another very prominent quality that attracts is giving time to all your disciples and those in need. This shows that you are very personal with your dependents and always willing to help and direct them both spiritually and materially. This is rare. You are so approachable that your presence is never missed by your disciples. Whichever country I went to, you always gave me your time and guidance, which shows your love and care. I am deeply indebted to you for this. This caring mood and nature of yours keep the life and consciousness of a disciple healthy, especially mine.
I don’t find myself fit for bhakti and have always been struggling with fulfilling the basics of bhakti. Nevertheless, you have always been available to consult whenever I am in need and have helped me in making even material decisions. Please excuse me for not following your directions and guidance. I have understood how important it is to follow them to avoid suffering. Your guidance has definitely contributed immensely to bringing more faith in Krishna and the Parampara into my consciousness. Also, how to serve Krishna and devotees is now clearer to me. I certainly contemplate on your guidance but fail to follow it completely due to my conditioning.
My commitment towards serving you has not been there, but from time to time, I try to do those activities that please you most. Though I am nowhere near pleasing you by following your instructions, I am sure that by your blessings, I will reach that stage in this lifetime. Gurudev, I beg at your lotus feet to please forgive me for the mistakes and offences that I have committed against you and the Parampara. I sincerely and humbly beg you for your blessings for my progress in Krishna Consciousness.
I have no qualifications, but still, I pray to the Lord for your better health.
Thank you for your guidance and care.
Your unworthy servant
Govinda Darsana dasa
Govinda Kund devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances on to your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you
Every year on this wonderful day of your Vyasapuja, I make a little attempt to express my feelings, thank you and reflect on the wonderful contribution that you have made to my life.
Your life is a perfect example of dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and selfless service to humanity. Your surrender shows how you are truly blessed by Guru and Krishna. Your teachings, guidance and personal examples encourage us to continue serving Krishna and making spiritual progress.
It is amazing to see how you are a perfect example of all the Vaishnava qualities. You practise what you teach, and you inspire me to improve in my own bhakti practice.
Gurudeva, through your lectures and association you continuously remind us that devotional life is not merely a matter of philosophy, but a sincere transformation of the heart through surrender, service and chanting of the holy name.
I always cherish the moments you spend with us and give us your association during your stay in Vrindavan. It is especially meaningful to me to have the opportunity to cook for you.
Thank you for helping me come out of material existence, giving me a deeper purpose in life, and guiding me towards Krishna.
Please bless me so that I always serve you in whatever small way I can, develop steadiness in chanting, deepen my faith in devotional service and remain unwavering in my commitment to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Your servant,
Govindakund devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances on to your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you
Every year on this wonderful day of your Vyasapuja, I make a little attempt to express my feelings, thank you and reflect on the wonderful contribution that you have made to my life.
Your life is a perfect example of dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and selfless service to humanity. Your surrender shows how you are truly blessed by Guru and Krishna. Your teachings, guidance and personal examples encourage us to continue serving Krishna and making spiritual progress.
It is amazing to see how you are a perfect example of all the Vaishnava qualities. You practise what you teach, and you inspire me to improve in my own bhakti practice.
Gurudeva, through your lectures and association you continuously remind us that devotional life is not merely a matter of philosophy, but a sincere transformation of the heart through surrender, service and chanting of the holy name.
I always cherish the moments you spend with us and give us your association during your stay in Vrindavan. It is especially meaningful to me to have the opportunity to cook for you.
Thank you for helping me come out of material existence, giving me a deeper purpose in life, and guiding me towards Krishna.
Please bless me so that I always serve you in whatever small way I can, develop steadiness in chanting, deepen my faith in devotional service and remain unwavering in my commitment to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Your servant,
Govindakund devi dasi
Govinda-Kāntā 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.
A teacher must demonstrate in his practical life what he is teaching. That is the meaning of ācārya. So, in my attempt to glorify you, Guru Maharaja, I would like to exemplify your service to Srila Prabhupada and how you are setting the example to all of us for how to serve our spiritual master.
From my understanding, Guru Maharaja, you only met Srila Prabhupada once in person, and the interaction was quite short. But regardless of the interaction, and how maybe from a material point of view it could have left something more to be desired, you, understanding fully the power of following your spiritual master’s instructions sincerely, ran full force into protecting his house, protecting his Movement, his devotees, and keeping the wheels of ISKCON moving. You have been so bold as to try new things to keep bringing fresh clientele as an offering to your spiritual master.
Without the neophyte conception of seeing the spiritual master only as his body, only limited to the physical, you have travelled all across the world with Srila Prabhupada, keeping him in your heart. Not only keeping him in your heart, but trying to etch him into ours.
Like the amazing disciple you are, you look to give all credit to your spiritual master, encouraging everyone to find their nourishment through Prabhupada's association in his books. Even though you are so expert, Guru Maharaja, you still humbly take the sideline, understanding we are all servants of the servants, and how the opportunity to serve a pure devotee should not be given up and, in fact, should be made our life and soul.
Like a fine craftsman, you have expertly crafted the “Loft style” preaching program. Boldly drawing outside of the lines from the traditional temple setting, you have created a masterpiece to attract those who originally would not have found anything relatable in a temple. Keeping the essence of Srila Prabhupada's spirit and being a mirror for his compassion due to the purity of your heart, you took a leap of faith to try something. And without your complete, seamless assimilation of Prabhupada's instructions and faith in his vision for a society of devotees, all shapes and sizes, I truly believe myself and many devotees wouldn’t be here now.
You follow in Srila Prabhupada's footsteps by emanating and reflecting his compassion and patience. You have accepted those like myself who aren’t very sincere but, by Lord Caitanya’s and Lord Nityananda’s mercy, have washed up on the bank of Bhakti Lounge. Fanning the spark in everyone’s heart, you have allowed so many of us, even though unqualified, the opportunity to become qualified.
You have set the example to all your disciples of the value of Vani over Vapu, using your spiritual master's instructions as the compass. You have travelled tirelessly all over the world to save those who don’t even want to save themselves, who can’t even appreciate your care and the gift you are trying to give them. I have always wished that I could have met Srila Prabhupada in this lifetime, but I see that you are following him, picking up where he left off so precisely that I have met him so many times through you.
Gurudeva, I have to admit something to you. Before you kindly initiated me at the beginning of this year, I finally became very conscious of how deeply unqualified I was to be your disciple. I was beginning to recognise my familiarity with the opportunity I was being given, and my lack of seriousness around the commitment I was going to make. As this all swelled up inside of my mind, I honestly thought I would explode and have to just run away mid-fire yajna. Start my new program, Easy Journey to Other Temples.
But it dawned on me: I have made many stupid decisions in my life, but if I would give up this opportunity to be connected to such a sincere devotee of Krsna, such a sincere disciple of Srila Prabhupada, I would be the greatest fool in the universe. And how I could never forgive myself if I disappointed you by doing that.
So I pushed past my mind and made my vows with the faith that only by your sincerity would I be delivered. Like the pastime of Narada Muni liberating the sons of Kuvera.
The sons of Kuvera were ignorant, proud, disrespectful, lusty. But due to Narada Muni’s curse and glance upon them, Krsna was obliged to save them because He wanted to fulfil the desire of His pure devotee. Because of Narada Muni’s service and bhakti, these two sinful personalities were saved and made a part of Krsna’s lilas, given a gift they were not qualified to receive.
It made me realise, well, yes, I am unqualified, but somehow or other, Krsna has put someone so dear and dedicated to His service and the service of His devotees in my life, and that simply, if I can somehow become dear to Him through my service, everything will be okay, and Krsna, taking pity on me, will deliver me from the impurities of my heart. Not by my own sincerity, but to please His sincere devotee, you, Guru Maharaja
Little by little, I am slowly realising I am one of those emotionally devastated girls that you often talk about in class, and how I have a long way to go before I can offer you the service you and Srila Prabhupada deserve. But I promise to do my part as a disciple, working on myself on a material level and a spiritual level so I can become your instrument.
I know I am a neophyte devotee, so to say what Prabhupada is thinking isn’t my place, but I am sure He feels very confident about the future of ISKCON because of members like you, Gurudeva, whose sole desire is to please Him.
Thank you, Krsna, for Your mercy appearing in the form of my glorious spiritual master. Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for accepting my service and passing it on up to Krsna. I look forward to serving you and your disciples in this life and hopefully more. And bringing more and more people to swim and dance in the ocean of your mercy.
Your Aspiring Servant and Daughter,
Govinda-Kāntā Devi Dasi
Goṣṭheśvarī Devī Dāsī
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful and humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am glad to take part in your Vyasa-puja again!
I love that time of the year when I can dive once more into the mediation about you and your merciful advent in this world.
All glories to you!
On this special occasion, on this very auspicious day, please let me offer you my poor and imperfect attempt to glorify you, to express my love and devotion and my deepest gratitude for everything you have done.
You are offering your service to Sril Prabhupada every day. But what can I offer to you, dear Gurudeva, whatever I can offer you it will be too small.
I just simply want to thank you for accepting me as your disciple in this great wonderful God-family.
Thank you for always being there for us.
All the time but especially in this day, you connect us to the Lord and you connect us with each other within our hearts.
You have come into my life as a miracle, as someone very special, a real follower of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion.
I always want to be sincere to you.
I continue to participate in nonsense activities and my sadhana is unstable.
Yet in success or in failure, there is one constant thing – the power of your voice that I hear in my mind – it is the fuel... and your spiritual life is my guideline.
I have one prayer and one request.
I just pray May your health is always perfect so that you can further spread the glory of the Holy Name all around the world, because simply by your presence so many souls become purified.
..And please, Gurudeva, our all-mercyful spiritual master, keep us tightly under your protection and kindly allowed us to take shelter in a shadow of your lotus feet - the safest refuge in this world.
your servent,
Goṣṭheśvarī Devī Dāsī
Please accept my respectful and humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am glad to take part in your Vyasa-puja again!
I love that time of the year when I can dive once more into the mediation about you and your merciful advent in this world.
All glories to you!
On this special occasion, on this very auspicious day, please let me offer you my poor and imperfect attempt to glorify you, to express my love and devotion and my deepest gratitude for everything you have done.
You are offering your service to Sril Prabhupada every day. But what can I offer to you, dear Gurudeva, whatever I can offer you it will be too small.
I just simply want to thank you for accepting me as your disciple in this great wonderful God-family.
Thank you for always being there for us.
All the time but especially in this day, you connect us to the Lord and you connect us with each other within our hearts.
You have come into my life as a miracle, as someone very special, a real follower of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion.
I always want to be sincere to you.
I continue to participate in nonsense activities and my sadhana is unstable.
Yet in success or in failure, there is one constant thing – the power of your voice that I hear in my mind – it is the fuel... and your spiritual life is my guideline.
I have one prayer and one request.
I just pray May your health is always perfect so that you can further spread the glory of the Holy Name all around the world, because simply by your presence so many souls become purified.
..And please, Gurudeva, our all-mercyful spiritual master, keep us tightly under your protection and kindly allowed us to take shelter in a shadow of your lotus feet - the safest refuge in this world.
your servent,
Goṣṭheśvarī Devī Dāsī
Hari Bhakta das
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your Divine appearance day!
Thank you very much for leading by example Gurudeva. You have touched the lives of millions across the world, it is without a doubt that your appearance in this world is not ordinary. You’ve dedicated your whole life to serving Srila Prabhupada, and have sacrificed everything to help others on the path to the goal of life.
Although I am frail and full of faults, I can only aspire to one day be a pure servant of yours. There are many lessons I have to learn along the way, but having a figure like you in my life brings all auspiciousness, for in moments of difficulty and tribulation, I can teach others what you have taught me, and engage me in humble service to somehow or other connect a jiva to Krishna.
Thank you for being a beacon of light to the world, and for being there for us in moments of great difficulty on the path.
Eternally indebted.
Your aspiring servant,
Hari-Bhakta das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your Divine appearance day!
Thank you very much for leading by example Gurudeva. You have touched the lives of millions across the world, it is without a doubt that your appearance in this world is not ordinary. You’ve dedicated your whole life to serving Srila Prabhupada, and have sacrificed everything to help others on the path to the goal of life.
Although I am frail and full of faults, I can only aspire to one day be a pure servant of yours. There are many lessons I have to learn along the way, but having a figure like you in my life brings all auspiciousness, for in moments of difficulty and tribulation, I can teach others what you have taught me, and engage me in humble service to somehow or other connect a jiva to Krishna.
Thank you for being a beacon of light to the world, and for being there for us in moments of great difficulty on the path.
Eternally indebted.
Your aspiring servant,
Hari-Bhakta das
Haridev Das
Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja day.
Thank you very much for being so caring to all the conditioned souls and devotees under your shelter, including my parents and me. you have always been guiding me even since the day I was born, you gave me my name. But most importantly to me, you have made my parents devotees and that means that they will always guide me on the right path just like you guided them.
I really like spending time in your urban preaching centres like studio108 and the Loft. I heard from my mother that she had partly been brought to Krishna consciousness through Bhakti lounge in Wellington and that she had first met you at a university programme in Manchester. Thank you once again.
Please forgive me for any mistakes or offences that I have made.
Your aspiring servant,
Haridev Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja day.
Thank you very much for being so caring to all the conditioned souls and devotees under your shelter, including my parents and me. you have always been guiding me even since the day I was born, you gave me my name. But most importantly to me, you have made my parents devotees and that means that they will always guide me on the right path just like you guided them.
I really like spending time in your urban preaching centres like studio108 and the Loft. I heard from my mother that she had partly been brought to Krishna consciousness through Bhakti lounge in Wellington and that she had first met you at a university programme in Manchester. Thank you once again.
Please forgive me for any mistakes or offences that I have made.
Your aspiring servant,
Haridev Das
Harinamamrita das
Hare Krishna my dear most Guru maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As time and years pass by, you still never stopped amazing me with your qualities. Over a period of time, I have personally observed that you are:
1. A loyal disciple of Srila Prabhupada
2. A sincere practitioner of bhakti
3. An expert preacher
4. An expert manager of practical affairs of this movement
5. A-class person in everything you do and the way you carry yourself
6. and on & on...
But I would like to specifically call out a quality which touched my heart most this year: "Genuine care for your disciples".
In ŚB 9.4.68,
sādhavo hṛdayaṁ mahyaṁ
sādhūnāṁ hṛdayaṁ tv aham
mad-anyat te na jānanti
nāhaṁ tebhyo manāg api
"The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not know anyone else but them."
This is one of my very favourite slokas in SB where it says that Krsna is always thinking of his pure devotees and the pure devotees are always thinking of Krsna. Now when I personally saw the way you care for your disciples, it makes me think that pure devotees are thinking of Krsna who in turn is thinking of pure devotees in His heart and because Krsna is thinking of His devotees and so you are constantly thinking about your disciples. Upon closer inspection, this is a fascinating cyclic effect of one feeds onto the other like a nuclear chain reaction of only expanding & never ending energy and thoughts for each other.
On this auspicious day of your vyasa puja, I would like to offer a small gift of a 'promise to you' - To least quality "Like father like son", I would also like to constantly think about caring Krsna's devotees to my best of extent and do that truthfully without any expectation in return. The only remuneration I continue to seek is your love & pleasure. When I see that you are happy and pleased, it gives me immense strength.
I'm ok for this to sound childish as it is indeed a child's aspirational promise as gift to you. What else can I give you than offering one of your qualities back to you in a tiny quantity & quality. A childish handful of Ganga jal offering back to Ganga... Please accept this gift and now enable me to purchase this gift too. Whom else do I go & ask? Whom else is my gati?
I pray to Lord Narashimha deva to protect you from all material dangers & impediments and bless you with good health & strength so you continue to give the holy names to many more souls.
May the legacy of your love for your beloved Srila Prabhupada only expand with time.
Thank you for all your love, guidance, blessings and everything which we are made up of.
With love & gratitude,
Harinamamrita das
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As time and years pass by, you still never stopped amazing me with your qualities. Over a period of time, I have personally observed that you are:
1. A loyal disciple of Srila Prabhupada
2. A sincere practitioner of bhakti
3. An expert preacher
4. An expert manager of practical affairs of this movement
5. A-class person in everything you do and the way you carry yourself
6. and on & on...
But I would like to specifically call out a quality which touched my heart most this year: "Genuine care for your disciples".
In ŚB 9.4.68,
sādhavo hṛdayaṁ mahyaṁ
sādhūnāṁ hṛdayaṁ tv aham
mad-anyat te na jānanti
nāhaṁ tebhyo manāg api
"The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not know anyone else but them."
This is one of my very favourite slokas in SB where it says that Krsna is always thinking of his pure devotees and the pure devotees are always thinking of Krsna. Now when I personally saw the way you care for your disciples, it makes me think that pure devotees are thinking of Krsna who in turn is thinking of pure devotees in His heart and because Krsna is thinking of His devotees and so you are constantly thinking about your disciples. Upon closer inspection, this is a fascinating cyclic effect of one feeds onto the other like a nuclear chain reaction of only expanding & never ending energy and thoughts for each other.
On this auspicious day of your vyasa puja, I would like to offer a small gift of a 'promise to you' - To least quality "Like father like son", I would also like to constantly think about caring Krsna's devotees to my best of extent and do that truthfully without any expectation in return. The only remuneration I continue to seek is your love & pleasure. When I see that you are happy and pleased, it gives me immense strength.
I'm ok for this to sound childish as it is indeed a child's aspirational promise as gift to you. What else can I give you than offering one of your qualities back to you in a tiny quantity & quality. A childish handful of Ganga jal offering back to Ganga... Please accept this gift and now enable me to purchase this gift too. Whom else do I go & ask? Whom else is my gati?
I pray to Lord Narashimha deva to protect you from all material dangers & impediments and bless you with good health & strength so you continue to give the holy names to many more souls.
May the legacy of your love for your beloved Srila Prabhupada only expand with time.
Thank you for all your love, guidance, blessings and everything which we are made up of.
With love & gratitude,
Harinamamrita das
Hriman Krsna dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I feel deeply fortunate to reflect on the extraordinary mercy you have shown me throughout my life. I still remember that after only one year in the ashram, you took me travelling around the world with you. At the time, I could not fully understand what a profound gift that was. You were not simply taking me to different countries; you were allowing me to see the world through the eyes of someone completely dedicated to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. Those travels became part of my spiritual education, and many of the impressions from those days remain with me to this day.
One of the most treasured memories I carry is the confidential trip to Jagannatha Puri, when you invited me to travel with you Niranjan Swami and Guru Prasad Swami. I remember Guru Prasad Swami body surfing on the beach while you and Niranjan Swami were engaged in deep conversation. At the time, perhaps I did not appreciate the full significance of being there, but looking back, I feel that Krishna was giving me a glimpse of something very rare.
I have always felt that you raised me not only as a disciple, but in many ways like a biological and spiritual son. When I look back at the years we have shared, I can see how much you invested in me—with your time, your affection, your guidance, and sometimes simply by allowing me to be near you and observe your life. I remember witnessing your spiritual absorption even while you were asleep during our travels, moments when your ecstasies were visible without any attempt to display them. Those experiences left a deep impression on me. More than anything I could have been told about spiritual life, seeing your absorption in Krishna taught me that there is a reality beyond what the ordinary mind can understand.
Perhaps two of the greatest gifts you have given me are faith in the holy name and Sankirtan. You raised me to believe in this service, and that faith has gradually become one of the defining purposes of my life. Through your encouragement, I came to understand that distributing Krishna’s glories is not merely an activity we perform, but a form of compassion and an opportunity to carry Srila Prabhupada’s mercy to others. Whatever determination I have today to continue this service, I know has been nurtured by you. In this way, you did not simply give me a service—you helped give me a life.
On your Vyasa Puja, I therefore offer my deepest gratitude for the mercy of being accepted, guided, protected and raised by you. So many of the most meaningful chapters of my life are connected with your service and your instructions. Whatever I may become in Krishna consciousness, I know that your influence will always be woven into it. My prayer is that I may remain worthy of the faith you have placed in me, remain faithful to the service you have given me, and continue to carry the spirit of your teachings wherever Krishna sends me. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet and pray for your blessings so that I may serve with greater humility, deeper faith, and unwavering determination. Your servant Hriman Krsna dasa
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I feel deeply fortunate to reflect on the extraordinary mercy you have shown me throughout my life. I still remember that after only one year in the ashram, you took me travelling around the world with you. At the time, I could not fully understand what a profound gift that was. You were not simply taking me to different countries; you were allowing me to see the world through the eyes of someone completely dedicated to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. Those travels became part of my spiritual education, and many of the impressions from those days remain with me to this day.
One of the most treasured memories I carry is the confidential trip to Jagannatha Puri, when you invited me to travel with you Niranjan Swami and Guru Prasad Swami. I remember Guru Prasad Swami body surfing on the beach while you and Niranjan Swami were engaged in deep conversation. At the time, perhaps I did not appreciate the full significance of being there, but looking back, I feel that Krishna was giving me a glimpse of something very rare.
I have always felt that you raised me not only as a disciple, but in many ways like a biological and spiritual son. When I look back at the years we have shared, I can see how much you invested in me—with your time, your affection, your guidance, and sometimes simply by allowing me to be near you and observe your life. I remember witnessing your spiritual absorption even while you were asleep during our travels, moments when your ecstasies were visible without any attempt to display them. Those experiences left a deep impression on me. More than anything I could have been told about spiritual life, seeing your absorption in Krishna taught me that there is a reality beyond what the ordinary mind can understand.
Perhaps two of the greatest gifts you have given me are faith in the holy name and Sankirtan. You raised me to believe in this service, and that faith has gradually become one of the defining purposes of my life. Through your encouragement, I came to understand that distributing Krishna’s glories is not merely an activity we perform, but a form of compassion and an opportunity to carry Srila Prabhupada’s mercy to others. Whatever determination I have today to continue this service, I know has been nurtured by you. In this way, you did not simply give me a service—you helped give me a life.
On your Vyasa Puja, I therefore offer my deepest gratitude for the mercy of being accepted, guided, protected and raised by you. So many of the most meaningful chapters of my life are connected with your service and your instructions. Whatever I may become in Krishna consciousness, I know that your influence will always be woven into it. My prayer is that I may remain worthy of the faith you have placed in me, remain faithful to the service you have given me, and continue to carry the spirit of your teachings wherever Krishna sends me. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet and pray for your blessings so that I may serve with greater humility, deeper faith, and unwavering determination. Your servant Hriman Krsna dasa
Indranila Devi Dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet.
I'm nearing my fifties and all I can think of is your tremendous efforts all these years.
I think of how you're never stationed anywhere and always in a constant move.
For me it is a situation I could not tolerate as it brings no security.
I think of the incessant energy to always be a care taker, where ever you go having to advice and guide human beings. I would find this utterly exhausting, to always be giving. Year after year, decade after decade.
In fact I would feel used. But you're replenishing from Krishna. You're really practicing the process at every step of the way.
I wouldn't last without the stability. Stability of having a home that is mine. And having a family I go home to every day. But you have made Iskcon your literal family. You don't go home to a partner or your own children. You go back in to your temporary room which is ever changing, never looking the same. And in the morning you have no choice of when to get up. You have to get up for Mangala Arati everywhere you go, decade after decade. You don't have the choice to say, I think I want to go for a hike today or go for a stroll around that park or the mall. Oh no, you have to engage in direct service at every minute.
Your position and responsibility is so great, it leaves you with no material freedom whatsoever. From a spiritual point of view, your consciousness is liberated and in bliss, immersed in nectarian pastimes of course, but to be able to remain in that state decade after decade is marvelous and truly magical.
On this auspicious day, I feel extreme gratitude to your dedicated efforts in serving our Lord. I feel extremely grateful to have met you in this lifetime and feel honoured to have been able to serve, but a drop of your lotus feet.
Thank you for you incomparable kindness to humanity. May Lord Krishna and His eternal associate receive you with open arms. I know our beloved Srila Prabupada will.
Your servant and disciple always,
Indranila Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet.
I'm nearing my fifties and all I can think of is your tremendous efforts all these years.
I think of how you're never stationed anywhere and always in a constant move.
For me it is a situation I could not tolerate as it brings no security.
I think of the incessant energy to always be a care taker, where ever you go having to advice and guide human beings. I would find this utterly exhausting, to always be giving. Year after year, decade after decade.
In fact I would feel used. But you're replenishing from Krishna. You're really practicing the process at every step of the way.
I wouldn't last without the stability. Stability of having a home that is mine. And having a family I go home to every day. But you have made Iskcon your literal family. You don't go home to a partner or your own children. You go back in to your temporary room which is ever changing, never looking the same. And in the morning you have no choice of when to get up. You have to get up for Mangala Arati everywhere you go, decade after decade. You don't have the choice to say, I think I want to go for a hike today or go for a stroll around that park or the mall. Oh no, you have to engage in direct service at every minute.
Your position and responsibility is so great, it leaves you with no material freedom whatsoever. From a spiritual point of view, your consciousness is liberated and in bliss, immersed in nectarian pastimes of course, but to be able to remain in that state decade after decade is marvelous and truly magical.
On this auspicious day, I feel extreme gratitude to your dedicated efforts in serving our Lord. I feel extremely grateful to have met you in this lifetime and feel honoured to have been able to serve, but a drop of your lotus feet.
Thank you for you incomparable kindness to humanity. May Lord Krishna and His eternal associate receive you with open arms. I know our beloved Srila Prabupada will.
Your servant and disciple always,
Indranila Devi Dasi
Isa Sanga DD
Dearest Gurumaharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to You on the auspicious appearance day.
Another long year has passed, another more than 350 days of physical separation, and attempts of service. When I say more than 350 days, I think of that wonderful couple of days in Krishna Valley this summer, when you were here.
I many times think and wonder what could Krishna's plan be. For sure I won't know in this lifetime, but I just try to accept it. I think of devotees who are close to you, I think of devotees who can spend their life serving you directly, I think of those who have your darshan regularly. Fortunate souls. I also sometimes think of my devotee friends who are here close to me, and their spiritual master is also here, or at least on the continent. I wonder what it's like to serve like that, and how my spiritual life would be different. I wonder why Krishna arranged it the way he did, and why I was born thousands of miles from you.
I think I told you already when I first sent an introduction letter to you in 2021. It was my first visit to Govinda Klub in Hungary, in 2019. I didn't know any devotees (besides the one who invited me), I had little to no knowledge about Krishna Consciousness, besides my 3 day visit to Nava Vraja Dhama. But I was excited. I didn't know what to expect on that day, I just knew a swami would give class.
On that evening you stepped into the room, you started talking and everything made sense. I felt like I arrived home and I only want to listen to you.
Then later on I learned about guru tattva, and I immediately thought of you. Whenever my advisors asked me, I just said your name. It was obvious. You had a so huge impact on me on that one evening, that I knew instantly that you're in my heart.
So I may have only one week per year to serve you personally, but I think of you everyday, and feel incredible separation from you. Please keep me always in your service.
Happy appearance day dearest Gurudeva,
your servant: Isa Sanga DD
please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to You on the auspicious appearance day.
Another long year has passed, another more than 350 days of physical separation, and attempts of service. When I say more than 350 days, I think of that wonderful couple of days in Krishna Valley this summer, when you were here.
I many times think and wonder what could Krishna's plan be. For sure I won't know in this lifetime, but I just try to accept it. I think of devotees who are close to you, I think of devotees who can spend their life serving you directly, I think of those who have your darshan regularly. Fortunate souls. I also sometimes think of my devotee friends who are here close to me, and their spiritual master is also here, or at least on the continent. I wonder what it's like to serve like that, and how my spiritual life would be different. I wonder why Krishna arranged it the way he did, and why I was born thousands of miles from you.
I think I told you already when I first sent an introduction letter to you in 2021. It was my first visit to Govinda Klub in Hungary, in 2019. I didn't know any devotees (besides the one who invited me), I had little to no knowledge about Krishna Consciousness, besides my 3 day visit to Nava Vraja Dhama. But I was excited. I didn't know what to expect on that day, I just knew a swami would give class.
On that evening you stepped into the room, you started talking and everything made sense. I felt like I arrived home and I only want to listen to you.
Then later on I learned about guru tattva, and I immediately thought of you. Whenever my advisors asked me, I just said your name. It was obvious. You had a so huge impact on me on that one evening, that I knew instantly that you're in my heart.
So I may have only one week per year to serve you personally, but I think of you everyday, and feel incredible separation from you. Please keep me always in your service.
Happy appearance day dearest Gurudeva,
your servant: Isa Sanga DD
Isvara Candra and Candrika dd
Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj.
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.
In a conversation with the Irish poet Desmond O’Grady, Srila Prabhupada says:
“Yes. Spiritual master means who solves all confusion. That is spiritual master. When one is confused, he goes to a spiritual master, and the spiritual master's duty is to save him from all confusion. That is the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple.”
A little later, he concludes:
“Yes, the best friend is the spiritual master, because he saves from the blazing fire of confusion. That is best friend.”
Every year, after your visit to Bulgaria, Chandrika and I share a common feeling. We discuss and reminisce about how, each year, you point out different aspects of the practice and culture of Krishna consciousness. One year, it was, “You should work together to become Krishna conscious and help others become Krishna conscious.” Another year, it was, “Base your association with devotees on gratitude and the desire to serve.” The following year, it was, “Do not be fooled by Maya’s promises of happiness and satisfaction.”
This year, along with your lectures and talks, you pointed out something we had not expected. You enjoyed hearing about the story of how Chandrika used to work in a casino before meeting the devotees, and you wanted to talk more about it. You found it interesting and amusing how she used to deal with gamblers to encourage them to stay longer and spend more money at the casino.
“Ah, see! Before, she was an agent of Maya, but now she is distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and is an agent of Krishna!”
At first, we were simply happy to have this conversation with you and did not think much more about it. Chandrika was shy and timid as you spoke about her, while I was simply relishing those precious moments with my Guru Maharaj. Later, as we reflected on this episode from your visit, we were fortunate enough to grasp its deeper significance and value.
Time and again, you expertly free us from different kinds of confusion. On this occasion, you saw that we were becoming accustomed to Krishna’s mercy and had begun to take it for granted. You saw our red flag.
There is nothing ordinary about Krishna’s will or Srila Prabhupada’s activities. They are transcendentally special and unique. Only by Their power and desire can someone deep in the pitch-dark dungeon of material life experience the rejuvenating sunshine of Krishna. Only by their mercy can someone who has been serving Maya begin to serve the Supreme Lord and His devotees.
Chandrika and I are below average and full of shortcomings, yet you helped us see that, at the same time, we are also very special. Not because of anything in ourselves, of course, but because we can serve as an example of Krishna’s and Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. We should always remember, with a deep sense of bitterness and humility, where we came from, while joyfully affirming Krishna’s plan and mercy for us. And a big part of Krishna’s plan and mercy for us is you.
You dispel our confusion. You are gentle, but firm when needed. You protect us. You illuminate the philosophy and culture of Krishna consciousness. You guide us through the intricacies of devotional life. You inspire us to preach more and more. You fan the spark in our hearts, inspiring us to become pure devotees.
You are our shelter, Guru Maharaj, and we eagerly await our next meeting—and the confusion you will dispel.
Trying to be your servants,
Isvara Candra Dasa and Chandrika Dasi
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.
In a conversation with the Irish poet Desmond O’Grady, Srila Prabhupada says:
“Yes. Spiritual master means who solves all confusion. That is spiritual master. When one is confused, he goes to a spiritual master, and the spiritual master's duty is to save him from all confusion. That is the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple.”
A little later, he concludes:
“Yes, the best friend is the spiritual master, because he saves from the blazing fire of confusion. That is best friend.”
Every year, after your visit to Bulgaria, Chandrika and I share a common feeling. We discuss and reminisce about how, each year, you point out different aspects of the practice and culture of Krishna consciousness. One year, it was, “You should work together to become Krishna conscious and help others become Krishna conscious.” Another year, it was, “Base your association with devotees on gratitude and the desire to serve.” The following year, it was, “Do not be fooled by Maya’s promises of happiness and satisfaction.”
This year, along with your lectures and talks, you pointed out something we had not expected. You enjoyed hearing about the story of how Chandrika used to work in a casino before meeting the devotees, and you wanted to talk more about it. You found it interesting and amusing how she used to deal with gamblers to encourage them to stay longer and spend more money at the casino.
“Ah, see! Before, she was an agent of Maya, but now she is distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and is an agent of Krishna!”
At first, we were simply happy to have this conversation with you and did not think much more about it. Chandrika was shy and timid as you spoke about her, while I was simply relishing those precious moments with my Guru Maharaj. Later, as we reflected on this episode from your visit, we were fortunate enough to grasp its deeper significance and value.
Time and again, you expertly free us from different kinds of confusion. On this occasion, you saw that we were becoming accustomed to Krishna’s mercy and had begun to take it for granted. You saw our red flag.
There is nothing ordinary about Krishna’s will or Srila Prabhupada’s activities. They are transcendentally special and unique. Only by Their power and desire can someone deep in the pitch-dark dungeon of material life experience the rejuvenating sunshine of Krishna. Only by their mercy can someone who has been serving Maya begin to serve the Supreme Lord and His devotees.
Chandrika and I are below average and full of shortcomings, yet you helped us see that, at the same time, we are also very special. Not because of anything in ourselves, of course, but because we can serve as an example of Krishna’s and Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. We should always remember, with a deep sense of bitterness and humility, where we came from, while joyfully affirming Krishna’s plan and mercy for us. And a big part of Krishna’s plan and mercy for us is you.
You dispel our confusion. You are gentle, but firm when needed. You protect us. You illuminate the philosophy and culture of Krishna consciousness. You guide us through the intricacies of devotional life. You inspire us to preach more and more. You fan the spark in our hearts, inspiring us to become pure devotees.
You are our shelter, Guru Maharaj, and we eagerly await our next meeting—and the confusion you will dispel.
Trying to be your servants,
Isvara Candra Dasa and Chandrika Dasi
Isvaresvara Das
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my prostrate obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Always, and especially at this time of the year, you emphasize the paramount importance of the parampara, considering yourself a humble servant of it. Besides there being no other way of receiving knowledge pertaining to the Supreme Absolute Truth, we simply have no standing as spiritual aspirants without firmly attaching ourselves to that transcendental link to Sri Krishna. Far from being another upādhi we subscribe to, this entails throwing away any personal selfish desires and instead completely accepting the desire of our spiritual predecessors as our own, the very driving force of our lives.
But to truly be able to do that is not at all a cheap thing. Our acaryas gave quite many instructions, both regarding our individual practice and outreach, some rather general, leaving room for how to implement them in detail. As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Svarūpa Dāmodara testify in the example of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, the Lord does not reveal His heart’s desires easily. After affectionately slapping Rūpa Gosvāmī, Mahāprabhu says in that famous instance, “My heart is very confidential. How did you know My mind in this way?” (CC Antya 1.84). So to actually become one in heart with the parampara requires a genuine, strong desire for it, and readiness to take on the personal inconveniences involved in acting on it.
Guru Maharaja, just like our Founder-Ācārya Śrīla Prabhupāda, you also have been doing this so impressively. Not caring about numbers and quick results easily available when dealing with more favourable target groups, you have been putting so much care and effort into rescuing souls from being swept away by self-destructive Kali-Yuga lifestyles going under the name of advancement. Quoting śrī-caitanya-mano-’bhīṣṭaṁ sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale, Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in his purport to CC Antya 1.117: “The special function of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī is to establish the feelings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. These feelings are His desires that His special mercy be spread throughout the world in this Kali-yuga…The desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is that all over the world everyone, in every village and every town, know of Him and His saṅkīrtana movement. These are the inner feelings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”
It is this pure, compassionate desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu alone, carried so potently by the parampara, that enables souls fallen so deeply into the darkness of ignorance to reverse their course and instead progress towards the highest, most intimate love of Godhead. I am not worthy to call myself a disciple of such an intimate link to this parampara. Yet by the force of your pure desire not only so many of my glorious God-siblings got empowered in a special effort of mercy distribution on the marathon day for the sankirtan offering for your Vyasa Puja, but even my miserly self got to taste a drop of the incomparable nectar forced upon one being used as an instrument in the hands of the parampara.
A few days earlier when I was reflecting upon a recent interaction with someone, I got the feeling that after having received such a wealth of knowledge and immeasurable benefit from it, if I am still unable to at least in some way help people coming in contact with me to come a bit closer to Krishna, I am actually cheating them. That would necessitate a genuine inner transformation, breaking free from my conditioning to which I am shackled. Hearing your recent talk in Wellington about the need for sadhus reinforced that feeling and enabled me to lift my focus beyond the apparent insurmountable obstacles to pray a little more genuinely to be used as an instrument, soon after which my consciousness and interactions with the people on the street dramatically changed.
Guru Maharaja, you recently explained that accepting the words of a sadhu is not blind faith because a sadhu gives the instructions for how to verify/realise his words. And such instructions carry with them the empowerment to fulfil them.
I don’t deserve the invaluable treasure you so freely have given me, so much nourishment I am getting from hearing your pure, potent words, what to speak of any personal attention. Still, I beg your blessings to enable me to sincerely desire and endeavour to somehow progress towards becoming a sadhu, one of the many contact points for connecting less fortunate people with the transcendental mercy of the parampara.
Your unworthy servant,
Isvaresvara Das
Please accept my prostrate obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Always, and especially at this time of the year, you emphasize the paramount importance of the parampara, considering yourself a humble servant of it. Besides there being no other way of receiving knowledge pertaining to the Supreme Absolute Truth, we simply have no standing as spiritual aspirants without firmly attaching ourselves to that transcendental link to Sri Krishna. Far from being another upādhi we subscribe to, this entails throwing away any personal selfish desires and instead completely accepting the desire of our spiritual predecessors as our own, the very driving force of our lives.
But to truly be able to do that is not at all a cheap thing. Our acaryas gave quite many instructions, both regarding our individual practice and outreach, some rather general, leaving room for how to implement them in detail. As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Svarūpa Dāmodara testify in the example of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, the Lord does not reveal His heart’s desires easily. After affectionately slapping Rūpa Gosvāmī, Mahāprabhu says in that famous instance, “My heart is very confidential. How did you know My mind in this way?” (CC Antya 1.84). So to actually become one in heart with the parampara requires a genuine, strong desire for it, and readiness to take on the personal inconveniences involved in acting on it.
Guru Maharaja, just like our Founder-Ācārya Śrīla Prabhupāda, you also have been doing this so impressively. Not caring about numbers and quick results easily available when dealing with more favourable target groups, you have been putting so much care and effort into rescuing souls from being swept away by self-destructive Kali-Yuga lifestyles going under the name of advancement. Quoting śrī-caitanya-mano-’bhīṣṭaṁ sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale, Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in his purport to CC Antya 1.117: “The special function of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī is to establish the feelings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. These feelings are His desires that His special mercy be spread throughout the world in this Kali-yuga…The desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is that all over the world everyone, in every village and every town, know of Him and His saṅkīrtana movement. These are the inner feelings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”
It is this pure, compassionate desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu alone, carried so potently by the parampara, that enables souls fallen so deeply into the darkness of ignorance to reverse their course and instead progress towards the highest, most intimate love of Godhead. I am not worthy to call myself a disciple of such an intimate link to this parampara. Yet by the force of your pure desire not only so many of my glorious God-siblings got empowered in a special effort of mercy distribution on the marathon day for the sankirtan offering for your Vyasa Puja, but even my miserly self got to taste a drop of the incomparable nectar forced upon one being used as an instrument in the hands of the parampara.
A few days earlier when I was reflecting upon a recent interaction with someone, I got the feeling that after having received such a wealth of knowledge and immeasurable benefit from it, if I am still unable to at least in some way help people coming in contact with me to come a bit closer to Krishna, I am actually cheating them. That would necessitate a genuine inner transformation, breaking free from my conditioning to which I am shackled. Hearing your recent talk in Wellington about the need for sadhus reinforced that feeling and enabled me to lift my focus beyond the apparent insurmountable obstacles to pray a little more genuinely to be used as an instrument, soon after which my consciousness and interactions with the people on the street dramatically changed.
Guru Maharaja, you recently explained that accepting the words of a sadhu is not blind faith because a sadhu gives the instructions for how to verify/realise his words. And such instructions carry with them the empowerment to fulfil them.
I don’t deserve the invaluable treasure you so freely have given me, so much nourishment I am getting from hearing your pure, potent words, what to speak of any personal attention. Still, I beg your blessings to enable me to sincerely desire and endeavour to somehow progress towards becoming a sadhu, one of the many contact points for connecting less fortunate people with the transcendental mercy of the parampara.
Your unworthy servant,
Isvaresvara Das
Jack Wellington
Dear Gurudeva please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.
You are the representative and via medium of the supreme personality of godhead and I have witnessed you hear my heart and reciprocate accordingly. In your classes I can see that you are a top most qualified representative of Vyasadeva and in your out reach talks I can see that you are fully empowered to preach to the conditioned souls according to time and place and in a way that captures there head and heart. I can also see that you embody all the good qualities that make a devotee very dear to Krishna.
“One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me” (BG, 12.13-14)
“Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me.” (BG, 12.20)
“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.” (BG 18.68-69)
But these are not the qualities of yours that have kept me in the association of devotees all these years. It has been your loving words of encouragement, the time you have taken to hear my illusions and dispel them again and again, reminding me that the real shelter is chanting Hare Krishna, encouraging me in whatever little service I do, being patient with me as I stubbornly hold onto illusion and struggle to apply your instructions and never pressuring me but always encouraging me in a way that I felt accepted by you even with all my faults.
It has taken me a long time to realise that this is all the affection and care a father shows his son. I never received fatherly affection from my biological father so I couldn’t recognise it a first.
But now I realise you have been so carefully dealing with me in a way which has made me put down the barriers in my heart so you could conquer it for Krishna and become very dear to me also.
Your guidance has been crucial in pulling me out of illusory mental phantasmagoria that I had become so attached to. One Darshan you told me “they can’t teach you pure devotional service” and I realised then that what you are trying to give me is infinitely better then anything on offer on any other planet or realm within this universe. I hope that one day I can accept this gift and learn from your example how to engage in pure devotional service.
I can honestly say I would have no life had you not given me the time and care that you have. Now I have the opportunity to make something out of it and offer it to Krishna.
Thank you for saving me Gurudeva. I hope that one day I can make a contribution to this movement that will make you proud.
Your servant
Jack
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.
You are the representative and via medium of the supreme personality of godhead and I have witnessed you hear my heart and reciprocate accordingly. In your classes I can see that you are a top most qualified representative of Vyasadeva and in your out reach talks I can see that you are fully empowered to preach to the conditioned souls according to time and place and in a way that captures there head and heart. I can also see that you embody all the good qualities that make a devotee very dear to Krishna.
“One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me” (BG, 12.13-14)
“Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me.” (BG, 12.20)
“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.” (BG 18.68-69)
But these are not the qualities of yours that have kept me in the association of devotees all these years. It has been your loving words of encouragement, the time you have taken to hear my illusions and dispel them again and again, reminding me that the real shelter is chanting Hare Krishna, encouraging me in whatever little service I do, being patient with me as I stubbornly hold onto illusion and struggle to apply your instructions and never pressuring me but always encouraging me in a way that I felt accepted by you even with all my faults.
It has taken me a long time to realise that this is all the affection and care a father shows his son. I never received fatherly affection from my biological father so I couldn’t recognise it a first.
But now I realise you have been so carefully dealing with me in a way which has made me put down the barriers in my heart so you could conquer it for Krishna and become very dear to me also.
Your guidance has been crucial in pulling me out of illusory mental phantasmagoria that I had become so attached to. One Darshan you told me “they can’t teach you pure devotional service” and I realised then that what you are trying to give me is infinitely better then anything on offer on any other planet or realm within this universe. I hope that one day I can accept this gift and learn from your example how to engage in pure devotional service.
I can honestly say I would have no life had you not given me the time and care that you have. Now I have the opportunity to make something out of it and offer it to Krishna.
Thank you for saving me Gurudeva. I hope that one day I can make a contribution to this movement that will make you proud.
Your servant
Jack
Jagat Mangal Das
o vaishnav thakur dayar sagar, aey Das karuna karo
o vaishnav thakur dayar sagar, aey Das karuna karo
o vaishnav thakur dayar sagar, aey Das karuna karo
Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj.
I know that Vaishnavas become especially merciful on the occasion of their *Avirbhav Tithi* (appearance day). Therefore, on this auspicious occasion, I would like to seek the mercy and blessings of Guru Maharaj through a verse from the *Srimad Bhagavatam*.
In this verse, Nalakuvara and Manigriva offer their prayers to Lord Krishna:
Vāṇī guṇānukathane śravaṇau kathāyāṁ
hastau ca karmasu manastava pādayornaḥ।
Smṛtyāṁ śirastava nivāsajagatpraṇāme
dṛṣṭiḥ satāṁ darśane’stu bhavattanūnām॥
“May our speech always be engaged in glorifying Your divine qualities and narrating Your pastimes. May our ears always hear about Your glories. May our hands, feet, and all our other senses always be engaged in activities that please You. May our minds constantly meditate upon Your lotus feet. May our heads bow down in reverence to everything in this universe, recognizing that all things are manifestations of Your various energies. And may our eyes always behold the forms of the Vaishnavas, who are non-different from You in their devotion and spiritual connection with You.”
Hare Krishna
o vaishnav thakur dayar sagar, aey Das karuna karo
o vaishnav thakur dayar sagar, aey Das karuna karo
Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaj.
I know that Vaishnavas become especially merciful on the occasion of their *Avirbhav Tithi* (appearance day). Therefore, on this auspicious occasion, I would like to seek the mercy and blessings of Guru Maharaj through a verse from the *Srimad Bhagavatam*.
In this verse, Nalakuvara and Manigriva offer their prayers to Lord Krishna:
Vāṇī guṇānukathane śravaṇau kathāyāṁ
hastau ca karmasu manastava pādayornaḥ।
Smṛtyāṁ śirastava nivāsajagatpraṇāme
dṛṣṭiḥ satāṁ darśane’stu bhavattanūnām॥
“May our speech always be engaged in glorifying Your divine qualities and narrating Your pastimes. May our ears always hear about Your glories. May our hands, feet, and all our other senses always be engaged in activities that please You. May our minds constantly meditate upon Your lotus feet. May our heads bow down in reverence to everything in this universe, recognizing that all things are manifestations of Your various energies. And may our eyes always behold the forms of the Vaishnavas, who are non-different from You in their devotion and spiritual connection with You.”
Hare Krishna
Jagat-pati das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
All glories unto your lotus feet on this most auspicious day. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the parampara.
All glories to you, a surrendered servant of the acaryas.
You have fully understood the import of the human form of life: to selflessly serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead every waking moment, even in your sleep. 24 hours a day, you are immersed in Krishna's service.
Srila Prabhupada instructed us to chant Krishna's names without stoppage. You have fully embodied this instruction, as every time I see you, you are chanting the glories of the Lord and instructing the populace at large as to how they can escape the deathly clutches of the illusory energy.
Your compassion knows no bounds. Compelled by this ocean of compassion within your heart, you constantly travel, following Srila Prabhupada, to save every fallen conditioned soul of this world.
You travel the world tirelessly because disciples like myself have not accepted devotional service and the teachings of Srila Prabhupada as the all in all, despite repeated instructions on these matters.
Narottama das Thakur sings:
je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela acarya-thakur
kaha mora swarup rupa kaha sanatan
kaha dasa raghunatha patita-pavan
kaha mora bhatta-juga kaha kaviraj
eka-kale kotha gela gora nata-raj
He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy, where has such a personality as Srinivasa Acarya gone?
Where are my Svarupa Damodara and Rupa Gosvami? Where is Sanatana? Where is Raghunatha dasa, the savior of the fallen?
Where are my Raghunatha Bhatta and Gopala Bhatta, and where is Krishnadasa Kaviraja? Where did Lord Gauranga, the great dancer, suddenly go?
Wherever there is your service, Guru Maharaj, Lord Caitanya and His associates are certainly there. Please help me to see them.
Your disciples are extremely merciful and have completely sold out to your desires and instructions. I wish to be such a devotee someday. However, the modes of material nature are very strong, and it is with much regret that I find my heart stone-like and cold, unable to receive the mercy of the Pancha Tattva.
Please know my desire and forgive my offenses and inadequacies. You have given me everything that I hold dear. You have saved me.
Words are cheap, and I know you are very much a man of action. Please accept my heart and soul, and give me the courage and intelligence to spit out the rotten fruits of this broken world. Every round I chant, every book I read, every devotional service I execute is an offering unto you, o surrendered servant of Lord Caitanya.
sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa
"Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krishnadasa, narrate Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita."
Always begging for your mercy,
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Jagat-pati das
All glories unto your lotus feet on this most auspicious day. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the parampara.
All glories to you, a surrendered servant of the acaryas.
You have fully understood the import of the human form of life: to selflessly serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead every waking moment, even in your sleep. 24 hours a day, you are immersed in Krishna's service.
Srila Prabhupada instructed us to chant Krishna's names without stoppage. You have fully embodied this instruction, as every time I see you, you are chanting the glories of the Lord and instructing the populace at large as to how they can escape the deathly clutches of the illusory energy.
Your compassion knows no bounds. Compelled by this ocean of compassion within your heart, you constantly travel, following Srila Prabhupada, to save every fallen conditioned soul of this world.
You travel the world tirelessly because disciples like myself have not accepted devotional service and the teachings of Srila Prabhupada as the all in all, despite repeated instructions on these matters.
Narottama das Thakur sings:
je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela acarya-thakur
kaha mora swarup rupa kaha sanatan
kaha dasa raghunatha patita-pavan
kaha mora bhatta-juga kaha kaviraj
eka-kale kotha gela gora nata-raj
He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy, where has such a personality as Srinivasa Acarya gone?
Where are my Svarupa Damodara and Rupa Gosvami? Where is Sanatana? Where is Raghunatha dasa, the savior of the fallen?
Where are my Raghunatha Bhatta and Gopala Bhatta, and where is Krishnadasa Kaviraja? Where did Lord Gauranga, the great dancer, suddenly go?
Wherever there is your service, Guru Maharaj, Lord Caitanya and His associates are certainly there. Please help me to see them.
Your disciples are extremely merciful and have completely sold out to your desires and instructions. I wish to be such a devotee someday. However, the modes of material nature are very strong, and it is with much regret that I find my heart stone-like and cold, unable to receive the mercy of the Pancha Tattva.
Please know my desire and forgive my offenses and inadequacies. You have given me everything that I hold dear. You have saved me.
Words are cheap, and I know you are very much a man of action. Please accept my heart and soul, and give me the courage and intelligence to spit out the rotten fruits of this broken world. Every round I chant, every book I read, every devotional service I execute is an offering unto you, o surrendered servant of Lord Caitanya.
sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa
"Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krishnadasa, narrate Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita."
Always begging for your mercy,
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Jagat-pati das
Jahnavi Jivan dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja, I humbly bow down at your lotus feet and beg for your causeless mercy. Thank you for accepting me as your disciple despite my shortcomings.
Gurudeva, it has been almost 22 years since I met you for the first time in Melbourne. When I reflect back on each year that I have been practicing Krishna consciousness, I feel deeply indebted to you. I feel as though you are kindly holding my hand and guiding me through the dark tunnel of illusion in this material world onto the illumined path of the spiritual world.
Sometimes I hear that a guru is strict; at other times, I hear that a guru is compassionate, kind, tolerant, merciful, and a true well-wisher. On still other occasions, I hear that a guru is self-controlled, steady, peaceful, completely surrendered to the Lord's service, and humble. You are the embodiment of all the qualities of a Vaishnava mentioned in the scriptures (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.11.29–32).
When I look at your life, I see how much gratitude you have for Srila Prabhupada that even without much personal association only with simple verbal expression of Srila Prabhupada's appreciation for you have been offering all your life for serving the mission of Krishna consciousness and tirelessly preaching the glories of Lord across the globe without expecting anything in return. You have imbibed the mood of Prabhupada preaching mission and offering your heart felt best services to please the parampara. I pray that you bestow me your kind mercy so I receive a particle of the drop of that ocean of such desire to serve you in this lifetime.
SB 3.7.19
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. Thank you for tolerating and allowing me to serve you in a way that please you the most.
In my spiritual journey, I have constantly been whipped by maya [illusion] through disturbing, uncertain, and troubling personal situations that bewilder me and drag me away from Krishna. Yet, every single time, I have been fortunate to be kept in the lap of your fatherly affection and protection, making me feel sheltered at your lotus feet. Each experience in life has taught me lessons, allowed for some purification, and brought tiny realizations through your guidance.
Recently, when I wrote to you expressing that due to material constraints I was not able to practice bhakti as I desired—and had to withdraw from favourable spiritual activities just to engage in material duties—your instructions to my letter instantly moved me to tears. They opened my eyes with a completely different perspective, showing me how those very material engagements can be turned into an offering and service to the Lord while I simultaneously look after my family commitments. Your kind response made me realize how to intensify my personal sadhana and seek complete shelter in Krishna under all circumstances. Indeed, I could relish a tinge of that deep surrender, crying out the Lord's names in a state of utter helplessness—something I could not have experienced if my situation had been entirely favourable.
While your instructions touched my heart and gave me renewed focus for my personal sadhana, I was caught up in overwhelming uncertainties and demanding professional activities, and I felt totally lost—unable to even reply to your email.
Then, during your recent visit to Melbourne, after the Srimad-Bhagavatam class, you inquired from my husband about his uncertain personal circumstances. You kindly called out to me like a loving father, checking in on how I was doing as a working professional. When I expressed that by your kind mercy we were just surviving, your humble and merciful glance, coupled with your gentle reminder of whether I had received your response to my email, immediately brought tears rolled in my eyes. It gave me the opportunity to truly realize what I have always heard: even if I forget Krishna, Krishna never forgets me.
Gurudeva, thank you for the instructions you always give—whether personally during our darshans with you or while enlightening us through Krishna-katha. They allow me to feel your personal association and experience the joy of knowing how you give personal attention and blessings to every single disciple.
I feel like to eagerly look for your glance on me like how each gopi look for Krishna association similarly each disciple of your’s look to receive fatherly affection that you shower on us so we all are natured well in our spiritual journey and you are kindly helping us to smoothly cross over this dangerous ocean of kali- the material nescience to the spiritual consciousness as a captain of the ship with the messages of Lord Krishna from the scriptures of Bhagavad Gita, Srimadbhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamritam.
I seek your blessings so that I may offer some meaningful service to you in your service to our beloved Srila Prabhupada, and serve as a humble instrument in this chain of disciplic succession.
Please bless my family to remain sheltered at your lotus feet life after life, and immersed in the nectar of eternal service to the Lordships under your fatherly guidance.
We pray to Sri Sri Radhavallabha, Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra-mayi, and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai for your good health and long life, so that you may uplift many fallen, conditioned souls from the clutches of material miseries.
Your aspiring eternal spiritual daughter and servant,
Jahnavi Jivan dd
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja, I humbly bow down at your lotus feet and beg for your causeless mercy. Thank you for accepting me as your disciple despite my shortcomings.
Gurudeva, it has been almost 22 years since I met you for the first time in Melbourne. When I reflect back on each year that I have been practicing Krishna consciousness, I feel deeply indebted to you. I feel as though you are kindly holding my hand and guiding me through the dark tunnel of illusion in this material world onto the illumined path of the spiritual world.
Sometimes I hear that a guru is strict; at other times, I hear that a guru is compassionate, kind, tolerant, merciful, and a true well-wisher. On still other occasions, I hear that a guru is self-controlled, steady, peaceful, completely surrendered to the Lord's service, and humble. You are the embodiment of all the qualities of a Vaishnava mentioned in the scriptures (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.11.29–32).
When I look at your life, I see how much gratitude you have for Srila Prabhupada that even without much personal association only with simple verbal expression of Srila Prabhupada's appreciation for you have been offering all your life for serving the mission of Krishna consciousness and tirelessly preaching the glories of Lord across the globe without expecting anything in return. You have imbibed the mood of Prabhupada preaching mission and offering your heart felt best services to please the parampara. I pray that you bestow me your kind mercy so I receive a particle of the drop of that ocean of such desire to serve you in this lifetime.
SB 3.7.19
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. Thank you for tolerating and allowing me to serve you in a way that please you the most.
In my spiritual journey, I have constantly been whipped by maya [illusion] through disturbing, uncertain, and troubling personal situations that bewilder me and drag me away from Krishna. Yet, every single time, I have been fortunate to be kept in the lap of your fatherly affection and protection, making me feel sheltered at your lotus feet. Each experience in life has taught me lessons, allowed for some purification, and brought tiny realizations through your guidance.
Recently, when I wrote to you expressing that due to material constraints I was not able to practice bhakti as I desired—and had to withdraw from favourable spiritual activities just to engage in material duties—your instructions to my letter instantly moved me to tears. They opened my eyes with a completely different perspective, showing me how those very material engagements can be turned into an offering and service to the Lord while I simultaneously look after my family commitments. Your kind response made me realize how to intensify my personal sadhana and seek complete shelter in Krishna under all circumstances. Indeed, I could relish a tinge of that deep surrender, crying out the Lord's names in a state of utter helplessness—something I could not have experienced if my situation had been entirely favourable.
While your instructions touched my heart and gave me renewed focus for my personal sadhana, I was caught up in overwhelming uncertainties and demanding professional activities, and I felt totally lost—unable to even reply to your email.
Then, during your recent visit to Melbourne, after the Srimad-Bhagavatam class, you inquired from my husband about his uncertain personal circumstances. You kindly called out to me like a loving father, checking in on how I was doing as a working professional. When I expressed that by your kind mercy we were just surviving, your humble and merciful glance, coupled with your gentle reminder of whether I had received your response to my email, immediately brought tears rolled in my eyes. It gave me the opportunity to truly realize what I have always heard: even if I forget Krishna, Krishna never forgets me.
Gurudeva, thank you for the instructions you always give—whether personally during our darshans with you or while enlightening us through Krishna-katha. They allow me to feel your personal association and experience the joy of knowing how you give personal attention and blessings to every single disciple.
I feel like to eagerly look for your glance on me like how each gopi look for Krishna association similarly each disciple of your’s look to receive fatherly affection that you shower on us so we all are natured well in our spiritual journey and you are kindly helping us to smoothly cross over this dangerous ocean of kali- the material nescience to the spiritual consciousness as a captain of the ship with the messages of Lord Krishna from the scriptures of Bhagavad Gita, Srimadbhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamritam.
I seek your blessings so that I may offer some meaningful service to you in your service to our beloved Srila Prabhupada, and serve as a humble instrument in this chain of disciplic succession.
Please bless my family to remain sheltered at your lotus feet life after life, and immersed in the nectar of eternal service to the Lordships under your fatherly guidance.
We pray to Sri Sri Radhavallabha, Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra-mayi, and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai for your good health and long life, so that you may uplift many fallen, conditioned souls from the clutches of material miseries.
Your aspiring eternal spiritual daughter and servant,
Jahnavi Jivan dd
Jaisacinandana
Nama om visnu-padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
SrimateParatatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
I wanted to express my deep gratitude for your second visit-to the Srila Prabhupada Castle project in Melbourne (2026).
Your visit gave the advocates of this project the much-needed oxygen, many have put everything on line - their families, their money, their social status and untold sacrifices every day.
These families and devotees want to make this project a permanent reality, debt free and to see it succeed.
They lack the institutional support and legitimacy at this stage.
I request with my arms folded that you help get the Castle Project its due standing within ISKCON Australia.
Our next generation is ready to take the movement forward and this castle project provides the platform and space to scale and leap ahead.
Ys
Jaisacinandana
Srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
SrimateParatatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
I wanted to express my deep gratitude for your second visit-to the Srila Prabhupada Castle project in Melbourne (2026).
Your visit gave the advocates of this project the much-needed oxygen, many have put everything on line - their families, their money, their social status and untold sacrifices every day.
These families and devotees want to make this project a permanent reality, debt free and to see it succeed.
They lack the institutional support and legitimacy at this stage.
I request with my arms folded that you help get the Castle Project its due standing within ISKCON Australia.
Our next generation is ready to take the movement forward and this castle project provides the platform and space to scale and leap ahead.
Ys
Jaisacinandana
Janesvari Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to You on this most auspicious occasion of Your Vyasa Puja!
During Your recent visit to the Ypsilanti area, we had the good fortune to offer You some small service of cooking for You.
After your meal you wanted to lie down and rest before leaving to catch Your flight back to Harrisbug.
We had moved to the Goloka sanctuary farm about 10 days prior to Your visit, and with great anticipation of Your visit we transformed the house from a single men "crashpad" to a Grhasta ashram.
I felt truly embarrassed that the "best" we could offer You to rest on was an old and worn couch ( i had covered with fresh cloth).
You graciously accepted it however.
When I made an attempt to rearrange the pillows for Your head and Lotus feet. You called out : " I'm fine"!!
I missed the opportunity to directly serve or touch Your Lotus feet, however I'm immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to cook for You, dear Gurudeva and I look forward to the next opportunity!
Reflecting on the first time I was blessed with Your Divine association, back in 2002 - 2003 in Ohope, New Zealand, where my friends Efrat & Yaron from Israel ( now duly initiated as Manjari Devi Dasi & Yadu Pati Das) had invited You to their home, after meeting You on their travels in NZ through Dina Dayala,
You asked me then, if I had any questions.
After being introduced to Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, I was curious to understand, who am I and what is my relationship with the Absolute Truth, Sri Krsna?
You also asked me if I was chanting japa, and I excitedly replied : " yes! I chanted 8 rounds this morning, because You were coming!"
You smiled and said : " Oh that's very nice, please continue chanting and I will come every day."
I hold these profound words close to my heart.
Dear Gurudeva,
Your steadfast determination to push on Lord Caitanya's mission, year after year and Your ever-increasing inspiration for distributing Srila Prabhupada's books, as well as the reading & studying of His books in combination with uplifting association and good sadhana has been my saving grace & daily meditation.
I recently came to know about yet another really successful, cutting edge outreach venue You have been overseeing, called Studio 108, in London.
As I've traveled the world quite a bit and lived in different continents over the last 20 years, I can confidently say that the outreach centers like the Loft and the Bhakti Lounge ( to name a few) are so unique and highly successful, there's no comparison to these dynamic, well- oiled machines ( if I may call them this).
From book distribution to meeting people on the streets, to cultivating them into Full -fledged enthusiastic Bhakti yogis.
All this is only possible because of Your unwavering inspiration and expertise , combined with one- pointed, profound vision, and decades of selfless devotional service to please Your beloved Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada and the previous acharyas.
We are all eagerly awaiting the release of the 5 -volume
Bhakti-rasāmṛta-Sindhu , which has been inspired and overseen by Your expert guidance.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving me an opportunity to get out of the cycle of birth and death and become a speck of dust at Your Divine Lotus Feet.
I pray that I may never loose this Divine shelter and that I may become qualified to inspire others to come to the path of Bhakti.
Your aspiring servant,
Janesvari Devi Dasi
Janmastami Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, Gurudev!
Srila Prabhupada explains that a spiritual master is one who has received the mercy of God and can deliver the bewildered souls from their confusion. The spiritual master is our best friend because he saves us from the blazing fire of material existence and confusion. Gurudev, you are a wonderful example of this mercy. You guide and deliver bewildered souls in this material world, where we are all struggling in the blazing fire of material desires, by showing us the path of devotional service.
Gurudev, I always cherish the personal darshans you give us and the care and affection you show. We are truly indebted to you for your mercy.
I remember once sharing with you that my devotional services were not going well and that I was disappointed with the results. You spent nearly 40 minutes encouraging us and guiding us on how not to lose our enthusiasm. In our most recent darshans, you have repeatedly advised me to remain patient and enthusiastic. Your words have given me much strength.
As your pranama mantra says, “pracāre pūrva-dakṣam”, you are expert in preaching and delivering the message of Bhakti. You know how to encourage each person according to their circumstances, whether it is my teenage son, my wife, or myself. Your answers are thoughtful and personal, explained in a way that we can understand and apply in our lives. It is wonderful to see how you guide each of us according to our individual state of mind.
I used to worry, thinking, “Oh, I am so unfortunate. My devotional services are not going well. Perhaps Krishna is not showing mercy upon me.” Through your lectures, I have gradually begun to understand how merciful Krishna actually is. Sometimes, Krishna does not give us the results we desire because He is giving us something more valuable: the opportunity to purify ourselves and develop our devotion. What I once considered misfortune may actually be Krishna's mercy.
Thank you, Gurudev, for helping me see things from this perspective. Your lectures are like nectar in the desert of my consciousness, giving me hope, clarity, and renewed inspiration to continue serving.
Srila Prabhupada writes:
“There are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are engaged by māyā in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity, life after life. This is the position of the materially conditioned living entities. Out of many of these living entities, one who is actually fortunate (bhāgyavān) comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.”
Gurudev, I do not know whether I am truly fortunate, but I know that you have been so merciful to give me shelter, guide me, and patiently tolerate my shortcomings. I pray that I may become worthy of the shelter you have so kindly given me and learn to serve with greater sincerity, patience, and enthusiasm.
Gurudev, as Bhakti Vinod Thakur sings:
ekaki amara, nahi paya bala hari-nama-sankirtane
tumi kripa kori’, sraddha-bindu diya deho’ krishna-nama-dhane
"I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krishna."
Please give me drop of your faith and keep this fallen soul under your shelter.
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
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, Gurudev!
Srila Prabhupada explains that a spiritual master is one who has received the mercy of God and can deliver the bewildered souls from their confusion. The spiritual master is our best friend because he saves us from the blazing fire of material existence and confusion. Gurudev, you are a wonderful example of this mercy. You guide and deliver bewildered souls in this material world, where we are all struggling in the blazing fire of material desires, by showing us the path of devotional service.
Gurudev, I always cherish the personal darshans you give us and the care and affection you show. We are truly indebted to you for your mercy.
I remember once sharing with you that my devotional services were not going well and that I was disappointed with the results. You spent nearly 40 minutes encouraging us and guiding us on how not to lose our enthusiasm. In our most recent darshans, you have repeatedly advised me to remain patient and enthusiastic. Your words have given me much strength.
As your pranama mantra says, “pracāre pūrva-dakṣam”, you are expert in preaching and delivering the message of Bhakti. You know how to encourage each person according to their circumstances, whether it is my teenage son, my wife, or myself. Your answers are thoughtful and personal, explained in a way that we can understand and apply in our lives. It is wonderful to see how you guide each of us according to our individual state of mind.
I used to worry, thinking, “Oh, I am so unfortunate. My devotional services are not going well. Perhaps Krishna is not showing mercy upon me.” Through your lectures, I have gradually begun to understand how merciful Krishna actually is. Sometimes, Krishna does not give us the results we desire because He is giving us something more valuable: the opportunity to purify ourselves and develop our devotion. What I once considered misfortune may actually be Krishna's mercy.
Thank you, Gurudev, for helping me see things from this perspective. Your lectures are like nectar in the desert of my consciousness, giving me hope, clarity, and renewed inspiration to continue serving.
Srila Prabhupada writes:
“There are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are engaged by māyā in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity, life after life. This is the position of the materially conditioned living entities. Out of many of these living entities, one who is actually fortunate (bhāgyavān) comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.”
Gurudev, I do not know whether I am truly fortunate, but I know that you have been so merciful to give me shelter, guide me, and patiently tolerate my shortcomings. I pray that I may become worthy of the shelter you have so kindly given me and learn to serve with greater sincerity, patience, and enthusiasm.
Gurudev, as Bhakti Vinod Thakur sings:
ekaki amara, nahi paya bala hari-nama-sankirtane
tumi kripa kori’, sraddha-bindu diya deho’ krishna-nama-dhane
"I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krishna."
Please give me drop of your faith and keep this fallen soul under your shelter.
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
Jayadvaita Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
This year my work took me to China six times. On one of those visits, by Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement, I found myself at an ISKCON centre there. The devotees were warm and welcoming, yet they live in constant fear of a crackdown and of being summoned to the police station. They are not allowed to gather more than ten at a time to chant the holy names, while nightclubs, frivolous concerts and sporting events go on without restriction. I felt the grip of Kali-yuga firsthand. It made me think of your Iron Curtain days. What I saw was only a faint shadow of the KGB era, yet even that small taste deepened my appreciation for what you risked to carry Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission behind that curtain.
There in China, I had the good fortune of meeting a young bhakta, an aspiring disciple of yours who first met you at The Loft in New Zealand. What a wonderful system you have established for introducing Kṛṣṇa to new people. I was amazed to learn that you visit China from time to time, and that you were present for the Deity installation at that centre. Hearing this, I felt so blessed to have been accepted as your disciple, though I am not worthy of your mercy.
Closer to home, I see Vraja Kumuda Prabhu and Kunja Mandana Mātājī forever engaged in running a similar program in Los Angeles. Your words were powerful enough to inspire them to fund the Om Studio for preaching. There are countless such examples. Simply on your order, devotees are ready to lay down their lives to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Sukeshi and I feel deeply inspired to witness the topmost welfare work you are always engaged in. You bring so many people of "non-traditional" origin to the lotus feet of the Divine Couple. That task seems almost unimaginable as the divisions between people grow wider every year. I pray for your blessings and mercy, that I may one day develop for your words even a fraction of the love you have for the words of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Your aspiring servant,
Jayadvaita Das
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
This year my work took me to China six times. On one of those visits, by Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement, I found myself at an ISKCON centre there. The devotees were warm and welcoming, yet they live in constant fear of a crackdown and of being summoned to the police station. They are not allowed to gather more than ten at a time to chant the holy names, while nightclubs, frivolous concerts and sporting events go on without restriction. I felt the grip of Kali-yuga firsthand. It made me think of your Iron Curtain days. What I saw was only a faint shadow of the KGB era, yet even that small taste deepened my appreciation for what you risked to carry Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission behind that curtain.
There in China, I had the good fortune of meeting a young bhakta, an aspiring disciple of yours who first met you at The Loft in New Zealand. What a wonderful system you have established for introducing Kṛṣṇa to new people. I was amazed to learn that you visit China from time to time, and that you were present for the Deity installation at that centre. Hearing this, I felt so blessed to have been accepted as your disciple, though I am not worthy of your mercy.
Closer to home, I see Vraja Kumuda Prabhu and Kunja Mandana Mātājī forever engaged in running a similar program in Los Angeles. Your words were powerful enough to inspire them to fund the Om Studio for preaching. There are countless such examples. Simply on your order, devotees are ready to lay down their lives to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Sukeshi and I feel deeply inspired to witness the topmost welfare work you are always engaged in. You bring so many people of "non-traditional" origin to the lotus feet of the Divine Couple. That task seems almost unimaginable as the divisions between people grow wider every year. I pray for your blessings and mercy, that I may one day develop for your words even a fraction of the love you have for the words of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Your aspiring servant,
Jayadvaita Das
Jitamitra das
Hare Krishna respected Guru Maharaj🙏 Please accept my humble obeisances🙏 All glory to Srila Prabhupada🙏
Dear Guru Maharaj, every year when I write the offering, I don't know what to write. Today I thought of you and again come to think of your highest material and spiritual achievements. It's seems to me that the secret of your success is in your consciousness. It's probably from the unfathomable but I would like or even need to know how you made your consciousness so wonderful?
I think that for this you had to be born already with a certain baggage, and during the course of life work very well to receive even more blessings. I wish to get as closer to your level as possible. It would also be a great fortune for me if I could be of service to you.
Guru Maharaj, I ask for your blessings so that I can become a worthy disciple.
Your disciple: Jitamitra das.
Dear Guru Maharaj, every year when I write the offering, I don't know what to write. Today I thought of you and again come to think of your highest material and spiritual achievements. It's seems to me that the secret of your success is in your consciousness. It's probably from the unfathomable but I would like or even need to know how you made your consciousness so wonderful?
I think that for this you had to be born already with a certain baggage, and during the course of life work very well to receive even more blessings. I wish to get as closer to your level as possible. It would also be a great fortune for me if I could be of service to you.
Guru Maharaj, I ask for your blessings so that I can become a worthy disciple.
Your disciple: Jitamitra das.
Jivananda Das & Hemangi Thakurani Devi Dasi
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
Srimati Bhakti Vedanta Swami iti namine
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
Srimati Devamrita Swami iti namine
Hare Krishna, dear Guru Maharaj,
Dandvat Pranam
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your compassion, inspiration and kindness in accepting our request for your shelter and spiritual guidance.
Maharaj, when we reflect upon our spiritual journey, we realise how mercifully Krishna has guided us through the association of wonderful Vaiṣṇavas, the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, and the blessings of our spiritual masters.
The departure of our beloved HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj reminded us of the temporary nature of this material world and the importance of taking genuine shelter of the Vaisnavas. His teachings, enthusiasm for devotional service and dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission remain a source of inspiration in our lives.
When we had the opportunity to associate with you, Maharaj, we were deeply inspired by your extraordinary enthusiasm for preaching, your energetic Kirtanas , your practical presentation of Krishna consciousness, and your determination to bring people closer to Krishna.
What particularly inspires us is how you demonstrate that Krishna consciousness is not simply a philosophy to be understood, but a way of life to be joyfully experienced, practised and shared with others.
Your preaching spirit and service initiatives, including Gita-Nagari, have encouraged us to think beyond our own spiritual progress and consider how we can help others experience the priceless gift Srila Prabhupada has given to the world.
Maharaj, your kind willingness to offer us shelter and guidance has been a very meaningful blessing in our spiritual journey. We sincerely pray that we may become worthy of your mercy through sincere sādhana, humility, obedience and service.
Over the years, Lord Krishna has kindly given us opportunities to serve together through Bhakti-Vriksha programs, devotional retreats, festivals and, more recently, the Sunday Feast initiative in South-East Melbourne.
Through these services, we have gradually begun to appreciate that building a Krishna-conscious community is not simply about organising programs or bringing people together. It is about helping families develop genuine relationships centred on Lord Krishna, creating opportunities for devotees to serve one another, and encouraging our children to grow in the loving association of Vaiṣṇavas.
We aspire to see families from different backgrounds, cultures, professions and generations come together as one spiritual family under Srila Prabhupada’s shelter.
We dream of a community where children grow up considering devotee association their natural environment, where young devotees discover opportunities to engage their talents in Krishna’s service, where householders support one another in spiritual and practical life, and where newcomers feel welcomed, cared for and inspired to begin their own devotional journey.
However, Maharaj, we also recognise that enthusiasm, organisational ability and material qualifications alone cannot produce genuine spiritual transformation.
Without the mercy of Guru, Lord Krishna and the Vaisnavas, our efforts have little spiritual value.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches:
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street, being more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others.”
— Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka, Verse 3
Maharaj, we pray that this instruction becomes the foundation of our devotional lives.
As we become more involved in service, please protect us from pride, the desire for recognition, attachment to positions, and the illusion that we are the doers.
Please bless us so that we never mistake the expansion of activities for advancement in Krishna consciousness.
May our service always be accompanied by deeper chanting, attentive hearing, genuine humility, and compassion.
We also seek your blessings to deepen our commitment to Deity worship and Gaining knowledge, so that we may serve the Lord with greater purity, discipline and devotion.
As husband and wife, we sincerely aspire to make our Grahastha life an offering to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, where our family responsibilities, children’s upbringing, professional lives and community services all become connected to Krishna’s pleasure.
Maharaj, we do not know how much service Lord Krishna has planned for us, nor whether we possess the necessary spiritual qualifications. But we pray that, by your mercy, we may develop the sincerity and determination to continue serving, regardless of difficulties, appreciation or recognition.
Maharaj, we are especially grateful that, despite your many responsibilities in spreading Krishna consciousness around the world, you have so kindly extended your compassion and guidance by giving your personal association to us.
On this auspicious Vyas-puja, we pray to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada for your continued good health, strength and protection, so that countless more conditioned souls may benefit from your association and preaching.
Please forgive our shortcomings and offences, and kindly continue to guide us towards a life of sincere devotional service.
May we always remain servants of the servants of the servants of the Lord.
Your insignificant and aspiring servants.
Jivananda Das & Hemangi Thakurani Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna! 🙏
Kaam Sarovar DD
Nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
Shrimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
Nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashcatya-desha-tarine
Nama om vishnu-padya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
Shrimate devamrita svamin-iti namine
Om ajnana timirandhasya
Jnananjana salakaya
Caksur unmilitam yena
Tasmai sri guruve namah
Dear Gurudeva,
I wish I had the right words to explain how amazing your words are to me. Your lectures smash through gross speculation. Thank you for sharing Perfect Escape and Searching for Vedic India.
As you so vividly describe in your Perfect Escape, "Conditioned existence means to hand over power of attorney for our life to the mind and false ego. Then we just sit back and watch the synthetic show, as material nature drags the poor living entity through different bodies, species and planets." Here you reiterate that material life really means no life at all, just an illusion.
You have given me a goal to help reawaken my dormant loving service attitude for Krishna and His devotees. You have given me a mission to assist you in giving Krishna consciousness to others, the Holy Name by which I can purify my consciousness and glorify Krishna and devotee association.
At times I am full of regret, having failed your instructions.
Other times I am hopeful, hearing from you, witnessing your power, remembering your kindness to me.
On this day I would like to thank you for all that you have done for me and for all that you continually do in guiding me on the path back home. I pray to never foolishly discard your instructions and be a true representative of your mood and mission. Let me never consider my relationship with you as mundane or trivial and bless me to continually strive to serve the devotees and Srila Prabhupada.
Your insignificant servant
Kaam Sarovar DD
Shrimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
Nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashcatya-desha-tarine
Nama om vishnu-padya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
Shrimate devamrita svamin-iti namine
Om ajnana timirandhasya
Jnananjana salakaya
Caksur unmilitam yena
Tasmai sri guruve namah
Dear Gurudeva,
I wish I had the right words to explain how amazing your words are to me. Your lectures smash through gross speculation. Thank you for sharing Perfect Escape and Searching for Vedic India.
As you so vividly describe in your Perfect Escape, "Conditioned existence means to hand over power of attorney for our life to the mind and false ego. Then we just sit back and watch the synthetic show, as material nature drags the poor living entity through different bodies, species and planets." Here you reiterate that material life really means no life at all, just an illusion.
You have given me a goal to help reawaken my dormant loving service attitude for Krishna and His devotees. You have given me a mission to assist you in giving Krishna consciousness to others, the Holy Name by which I can purify my consciousness and glorify Krishna and devotee association.
At times I am full of regret, having failed your instructions.
Other times I am hopeful, hearing from you, witnessing your power, remembering your kindness to me.
On this day I would like to thank you for all that you have done for me and for all that you continually do in guiding me on the path back home. I pray to never foolishly discard your instructions and be a true representative of your mood and mission. Let me never consider my relationship with you as mundane or trivial and bless me to continually strive to serve the devotees and Srila Prabhupada.
Your insignificant servant
Kaam Sarovar DD
Kailey Beckwith
Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, as we celebrate your appearance day.
Devotees and all communities across Earth are blessed to have your temple-like visits uplifting their hearts. Your visits also enhance community cooperation, engrain knowledge of the sole purpose of a human life, reignite Krishna’s lilas in our mind, and deepen our faith. Just like you once, a young New Yorker, were most impressed with the Vedic texts compared to any other texts in the world… So too are many receivers of your teachings most deeply-moved by your heart-wrenching, comedic, and blissful truth-telling compared to any other speaker they've materially known. Just like Srila Prabhupada's disciples remember the devotees assembling and cooperating so easily and at their best when S.P. Maharaja visited their temple, so too do the devotees' spiritual practice rise to auspicious levels when you visit us - for some, knowledge being realized in their hearts, devotional services expanding and deepening, or new relational connections being sparked. Your kindness and compassion is one of the uncountable medicines you provide Souls to get back to Krishna. The Students of Wellington prove that by their increasing numbers showing up to your Victoria University events, where the students personally described your events as 'Enlightening' and 'Grounding and Peaceful Presence'.
I am so grateful that my Soul’s path, though meandering like a river… has led me to have met you and be on this Bhakti path with the New Zealand devotees. A little story-time of how Krishna’s hands were all over this encounter…
Firstly, I’m not sure if I ever mentioned it, but my Vision Board for coming to New Zealand was literally ‘Sacred Devotion’, ‘Self-Actualization’, ‘Female Mentorship’, and Community Education - which I have found knowledge about all of this and MORE through Devotees, Krishnaloka, Srila Prabhupada’s books and yourself.
Secondly, 1 month living into New Zealand adventure, that sacred rolling car accident had to knock the mode of passion right out of me (that old friend is slowly creeping back in…), so that I could fall deep into the mode of ignorance and have to crawl (sometimes literally) my way through to finally rediscover what the Mode of Goodness can look like in a morally strong, vibrant and disciplined community.
Thirdly, I received the Mercy that beautiful Gokul-lila and Dayamaya were instruments in sharing with me in the Whangarei car-park and streets of Auckland - our meetings were like a shining light of alignment in that time of bewilderment, a solo female traveler concussed and in survival mode, but not giving up on the spiritual seeking I had embarked on. After attempting to make contact since November 2025, I finally arrived to Bhakti Lounge in March 2026 - and my heart was cracked wide open - tears every evening for 1 week - completely blown away by this heartfelt kindness and the shear level of MORALITY IN ACTION that I could not explain…And I have been blessed to be around many kind and moral communities in my 30 years.
I think our First meeting set the tone for our very new relationship, where I asked you ‘In Bhakti Yoga, How does one choose a Spiritual Master, and how will I ever find one that is also knowledgeable in agricultural communities? …And do You know any?” Haha! I also asked you “How will I ever figure out what I am meant to be providing the world?” You told me to deepen my spiritual path as my foundation and all of that will become clear. I was about to embark on a 1 month South Island Trip and possibly move to Takaka… and so You invited me to come back and tour New Kulina-grama farm. I promised you I would definitely come back - so I cut my trip short to come back and I am so grateful that I did.
In your most recent meeting in Wellington, I noticed that my simple purpose is so potently clear when I am in proximity to you. You answered all of my questions so eloquently and simply. Your loving instruction has provided me with such a deep opportunity; My heart’s burning desire to fulfill them and a new found motivation because of it. Why do I feel so much desire to fulfill these with almost no doubt (normally I am ridden with doubt), I ask... Is it that Paramatma can identify your guidance as Absolute Truth? After accepting your guidance with a natural ease in the last 3 weeks, my lack of discipline specifically in my japa and health practices has almost ceased compared to where I was a few weeks ago (with much more work to go). Following your instruction has come with the same "natural ease". Why again? By making a decision to trust you (despite overcoming lots of material resistance and my conditioning), following your instructions has become one of the most fulfilling goals to strive for in my life. This has literally blown my mind and opened my heart to develop more faith in Krishna. My problem wasn't the material existence symptoms, my Soul's problem was a lack of decision, a lack of accountability, a lack of quality knowledge. When I hear what is in your heart, when I hear what you see in me, and most importantly, when I hear what you ask of me, This is a great act/symbol of 'nectar' for me. There is no greater accountabilty person than you in my life. I see Krishna in you, and I wish to please both of you. First, I am actively 'sorting myself out', but in the most efficient methods I have ever known, and for that I thank you and all of the beautiful Devotee Souls I am associating with.
If this is only the beginning, then I pray and wish for more loving instructions from you. I pray, if Krishna so desires, to help me grow my courage, faith, and devotional love in my heart, so I can put my best efforts forward to fulfilling your direct instructions. If Krishna so desires, I ask for greater one-pointed attention, and to help me grow patience, compassion, acceptance towards this material body and to realize and treat all Souls with utmost respect. In order to grow this, I wish for the loving strength to fiercely destroy ignorance, passion, and filth from my heart. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rame Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Holding Deep Gratitude to you Maharaja, and to all of your devotees.
Signing off as your fellow "live wire" devotee,
Kailey Anne Beckwith
Kala-Svarupa Das
Guru Maharaja,
please accept my humble obesciences,
all glories to you on the anniversary of your appearance.
In today’s insane society, the advancement of economic prowess and technological innovation is taken as an axiomatic good. The development of newer and newer machines, we are told, will alleviate the miseries of our life, give us untold power, and expand our knowledge unlimitedly. But one who soberly considers technological advancement can quickly understand that rather than utopia, it leads to horrors for both those who use it and those who are targeted by it. The promised untold power is used only to oppress and eradicate. Rather than conquer our troubles, highly educated fools introduce more with each upgrade. And the knowledge that was promised only amounts to useless solutions to pointless problems.
But as members of the sankirtana movement, we possess the greatest technology possible: the guru paramparā. In all material fields of endeavor, the promised results are absent, and only truly found in the process of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. By following the guru paramparā, one alleviates the miseries not only of this life, but of repeated birth and death. The spiritual master gives the disciple power beyond the imagination of even the greatest capitalist or the most autocratic ruler: the ability to control the mind and senses. And knowledge of the truth is available only by this process:
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
The spiritual technology of the guru paramparā is simple and sublime, starkly contrasted with the complexity of the barbarian technological civilization. It depends only on each member repeating, without addition, diminution, or alteration, the teachings of his own guru. You perfectly perform this service by following completely in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada. His Divine Grace gave many instructions, and to distill them, the devotees summarized the ocean into four sutras, which you exemplify in your life, teachings, and instructions.
Books are the basis. Among your disciples, you encourage systematic reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books. In the Mantra Lounge ashram in Philadelphia, under your direction a culture of reading was established. Despite the long hours of book distribution, the intense preaching atmosphere, and the sometimes austere lifestyle, there was the expectation that two hours of reading must be completed daily. You are also strict in ensuring that your disciples have a firm grounding in the words of Srila Prabhupada before reading anything else, even the works of the past acharyas, rather than having them simply become familiar with many books.
No matter the subject, you respond to any question in reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, never speculating or deviating. I remember you once shared a response you made to a comment you received, explaining that the only thing you can give is the process as Srila Prabhupada gave it, and if anyone wants something else, then you are not the person to approach.
Utility is the principle. I have seen both in my own life and in the lives of others you expertly engage every ability a person has in Kṛṣṇa’s service, taking into account the specific nature and situation of the disciple. An uttama adhikari sees everything in relationship with Kṛṣṇa, and thus you see everything a person possesses as an opportunity for them to offer it in service. I have wasted my life in the vain attempt to gather up knowledge that when spoken is comparable to the incoherent babbling of infants, yet you have allowed me to salvage a small benefit out of my time in the slaughterhouse of schooling by encouraging me to use such knowledge to defeat the manufacturers of it.
Preaching is the essence. As a sannyasi in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, your entire life is dedicated to preaching. Traveling the world many times over, you enliven the devotees by instructing them in the process of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. Although I have been the greatest fool by being lazy in such instructions, you have repeatedly encouraged me to argue against the demons posing as great scientists and philosophers. Engaging all of your disciples to preach the message of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness according to their propensities and abilities, you fulfill Viśvanatha Cakravarti’s description of the spiritual master:
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā |
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
Purity is the force. This most important principle is exemplified everywhere in your life. The essence of all purity is in the chanting of the Holy Names, and in following the instructions of the spiritual master. To many problems that I have experienced, your advice to overcome them was to chant the Holy Names with more intensity. Whenever I have performed this, the problem was alleviated, even if by the normal logic of this world it should not have been. The logic of the material energy is insignificant compared to the servants of Mahaprabhu.
In all of your dealings and in your personal behavior, you never deviate even slightly from the standards established by Srila Prabhupada. In a world of influencers, commentators, and manufactured consent, you are one of the few who truly walk the path which you teach. It is an adage that no one is perfect; Those who repeat this saying draw only from their own limited experience. Perfection is available to anyone who thinks of nothing but how to satisfy the spiritual mater.
Gurudeva, since you have been empowered by Nityananda Prabhu Himself, there is nothing that is impossible for you to do. Yet, you act in the manner of a normal human being in order to exemplify the proper way to act: yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ. Although you are able to conquer the world in a short span of time, you mercifully allow your disciples to perform the task, so that they may be purified and advance in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. Please grant me the benediction that my consciousness may be purified, and that I meditate on nothing except your instructions.
Your Servant,
Kala-Svarupa Dasa.
please accept my humble obesciences,
all glories to you on the anniversary of your appearance.
In today’s insane society, the advancement of economic prowess and technological innovation is taken as an axiomatic good. The development of newer and newer machines, we are told, will alleviate the miseries of our life, give us untold power, and expand our knowledge unlimitedly. But one who soberly considers technological advancement can quickly understand that rather than utopia, it leads to horrors for both those who use it and those who are targeted by it. The promised untold power is used only to oppress and eradicate. Rather than conquer our troubles, highly educated fools introduce more with each upgrade. And the knowledge that was promised only amounts to useless solutions to pointless problems.
But as members of the sankirtana movement, we possess the greatest technology possible: the guru paramparā. In all material fields of endeavor, the promised results are absent, and only truly found in the process of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. By following the guru paramparā, one alleviates the miseries not only of this life, but of repeated birth and death. The spiritual master gives the disciple power beyond the imagination of even the greatest capitalist or the most autocratic ruler: the ability to control the mind and senses. And knowledge of the truth is available only by this process:
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
The spiritual technology of the guru paramparā is simple and sublime, starkly contrasted with the complexity of the barbarian technological civilization. It depends only on each member repeating, without addition, diminution, or alteration, the teachings of his own guru. You perfectly perform this service by following completely in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada. His Divine Grace gave many instructions, and to distill them, the devotees summarized the ocean into four sutras, which you exemplify in your life, teachings, and instructions.
Books are the basis. Among your disciples, you encourage systematic reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books. In the Mantra Lounge ashram in Philadelphia, under your direction a culture of reading was established. Despite the long hours of book distribution, the intense preaching atmosphere, and the sometimes austere lifestyle, there was the expectation that two hours of reading must be completed daily. You are also strict in ensuring that your disciples have a firm grounding in the words of Srila Prabhupada before reading anything else, even the works of the past acharyas, rather than having them simply become familiar with many books.
No matter the subject, you respond to any question in reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, never speculating or deviating. I remember you once shared a response you made to a comment you received, explaining that the only thing you can give is the process as Srila Prabhupada gave it, and if anyone wants something else, then you are not the person to approach.
Utility is the principle. I have seen both in my own life and in the lives of others you expertly engage every ability a person has in Kṛṣṇa’s service, taking into account the specific nature and situation of the disciple. An uttama adhikari sees everything in relationship with Kṛṣṇa, and thus you see everything a person possesses as an opportunity for them to offer it in service. I have wasted my life in the vain attempt to gather up knowledge that when spoken is comparable to the incoherent babbling of infants, yet you have allowed me to salvage a small benefit out of my time in the slaughterhouse of schooling by encouraging me to use such knowledge to defeat the manufacturers of it.
Preaching is the essence. As a sannyasi in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, your entire life is dedicated to preaching. Traveling the world many times over, you enliven the devotees by instructing them in the process of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. Although I have been the greatest fool by being lazy in such instructions, you have repeatedly encouraged me to argue against the demons posing as great scientists and philosophers. Engaging all of your disciples to preach the message of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness according to their propensities and abilities, you fulfill Viśvanatha Cakravarti’s description of the spiritual master:
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā |
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
Purity is the force. This most important principle is exemplified everywhere in your life. The essence of all purity is in the chanting of the Holy Names, and in following the instructions of the spiritual master. To many problems that I have experienced, your advice to overcome them was to chant the Holy Names with more intensity. Whenever I have performed this, the problem was alleviated, even if by the normal logic of this world it should not have been. The logic of the material energy is insignificant compared to the servants of Mahaprabhu.
In all of your dealings and in your personal behavior, you never deviate even slightly from the standards established by Srila Prabhupada. In a world of influencers, commentators, and manufactured consent, you are one of the few who truly walk the path which you teach. It is an adage that no one is perfect; Those who repeat this saying draw only from their own limited experience. Perfection is available to anyone who thinks of nothing but how to satisfy the spiritual mater.
Gurudeva, since you have been empowered by Nityananda Prabhu Himself, there is nothing that is impossible for you to do. Yet, you act in the manner of a normal human being in order to exemplify the proper way to act: yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ. Although you are able to conquer the world in a short span of time, you mercifully allow your disciples to perform the task, so that they may be purified and advance in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. Please grant me the benediction that my consciousness may be purified, and that I meditate on nothing except your instructions.
Your Servant,
Kala-Svarupa Dasa.
Kalavit Krsna Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I'm not sure where to start. Another year has passed, and I feel even more grateful to have you as my spiritual master.
Gurudev, you're so wise and so sharp, yet so simple and humble at the same time. You can explain the deepest philosophy in a way that just makes sense, and often with a bit of humour that keeps it light. You've given up everything for Srila Prabhupada's mission, but you never make anyone feel small. Even with so many disciples and so much responsibility, you still remember each of us and care about how we're really doing.
I know I'm not a very good disciple. My chanting wavers, my mind wanders, and I'm still attached to the very things you warn us about. Yet you've never given up on me. Your faith in Srila Prabhupada's mercy is bigger than my doubts, and that gives me hope.
On this day, my only prayer is to become a little more useful to your mission, to share what you've given me with the people around me, and to live my life as an offering to you and Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for accepting me, Gurudev, and for being so patient with me. I don't really have anything to give you except my heart and my wish to do better.
Your aspiring servant,
Kalavit Krsna Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I'm not sure where to start. Another year has passed, and I feel even more grateful to have you as my spiritual master.
Gurudev, you're so wise and so sharp, yet so simple and humble at the same time. You can explain the deepest philosophy in a way that just makes sense, and often with a bit of humour that keeps it light. You've given up everything for Srila Prabhupada's mission, but you never make anyone feel small. Even with so many disciples and so much responsibility, you still remember each of us and care about how we're really doing.
I know I'm not a very good disciple. My chanting wavers, my mind wanders, and I'm still attached to the very things you warn us about. Yet you've never given up on me. Your faith in Srila Prabhupada's mercy is bigger than my doubts, and that gives me hope.
On this day, my only prayer is to become a little more useful to your mission, to share what you've given me with the people around me, and to live my life as an offering to you and Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for accepting me, Gurudev, and for being so patient with me. I don't really have anything to give you except my heart and my wish to do better.
Your aspiring servant,
Kalavit Krsna Das
Kamalāksa das
Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday in strength and health, and many more fine years in Prabhupada's mission!
Your servant,
Kamalāksa das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday in strength and health, and many more fine years in Prabhupada's mission!
Your servant,
Kamalāksa das
Kamsari Sena dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyasa Puja Day!
By your mercy this year my services have allowed me to hear from you much more than usual.
A major highlight was the opportunity to re-listen to your series of lectures on the Python Man in 2005. I would sometimes just stop what I was doing and stand still, amazed at what I was hearing. Then quickly rewinding to listen to what you were saying again and again. Whatever you have been repeating for so many years was starting to make sense.
Your words act as the sword of knowledge - jñāna-asim. As I heard these lectures, that sword was destroying my illusory conception of finding happiness in the material world.
Jada Bharata explains in Srimad Bhagavatam:
<i>“Simply by associating with exalted devotees, anyone can attain perfection of knowledge and with the sword of knowledge can cut to pieces the illusory associations within this material world. Through the association of devotees, one can engage in the service of the Lord by hearing and chanting [śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam]. Thus one can revive his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness and, sticking to the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, return home, back to Godhead, even in this life.” (Bhag. 5.12.16)</i>
Following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada and the Guru Parampara you present the knowledge of Krsna consciousness so expertly that anyone can easily understand it. I found it simply wonderful how you use so many examples quoting from Srila Prabhupada and from your personal realisations to explain the application of the Krsna Conscious philosophy.
Here is one of the many examples I heard:
<i>"Maya does not let you feel the passing of time... Just picture the feeling that you’re experiencing as you are just about the miss the exit off a motorway. You make reckless moves to jump 3 or 4 lanes into the exit… Why doesn’t maya let you feel this about your material life? You will die and take birth in another body, but she won’t let you see that." (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.25, Auckland, NZ, 2005)</i>
I have experienced this feeling so many times while driving. It really made me think about the passing of time and how we really do not have much time at all.
Throughout the series you would constantly challenge the devotees’ understanding of devotional service and encourage the audience to cultivate their Krsna Consciousness and go back to Godhead in this life.
<i>“I wonder how many of you feel the strong need to prepare yourself for your true goal in life?”</i>
<i>“Feel the preparation. I am preparing to go back to Godhead, so what do I have to do?”</i>
It made me start to question, am I really doing enough to prepare to go back to Godhead?
Furthermore, you would expertly always find an opportunity to link whatever you were explaining to a pastime of Krsna. It would leave me so satisfied, but I would also hanker to hear more. So much so, that I would record snippets of these lectures and send it to my Godbrothers just so I could discuss about it more.
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 3.7.36:
<i>"There are many subjects to be known from the bona fide spiritual master. The followers, disciples and sons are all on one level for the bona fide spiritual master, and he is always kind to them and always speaks to them on transcendental subjects, even though he is not asked by them. That is the nature of the bona fide spiritual master." (Purport, Bhag. 3.7.36)</i>
Guru Maharaja you are so kind that you tell us everything we need even though we do not ask for it – in fact, most of the time we do not even know what to ask for. All your recorded lectures stand as proof of this.
Thank you for being a bona fide spiritual master. Your kindness upon us is seen in how you care for us by cutting through our material attachments and misconceptions with the sword of knowledge. At the same time, you make it easy for us to practice Krsna Consciousness. I pray that my appreciation and gratitude for your association continually increases.
I fall at your lotus feet and beg to be able to always hear more transcendental subject matters about Krsna from you. Simply by hearing from you I know I can please Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by reviving my dormant Krsna Consciousness and going home back to Godhead.
On your Vyasa Puja day let me again recommit myself to you, Guru Maharaja. May my insignificant service bring you pleasure.
Your aspiring servant,
Kamsari Sena dasa
Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyasa Puja Day!
By your mercy this year my services have allowed me to hear from you much more than usual.
A major highlight was the opportunity to re-listen to your series of lectures on the Python Man in 2005. I would sometimes just stop what I was doing and stand still, amazed at what I was hearing. Then quickly rewinding to listen to what you were saying again and again. Whatever you have been repeating for so many years was starting to make sense.
Your words act as the sword of knowledge - jñāna-asim. As I heard these lectures, that sword was destroying my illusory conception of finding happiness in the material world.
Jada Bharata explains in Srimad Bhagavatam:
<i>“Simply by associating with exalted devotees, anyone can attain perfection of knowledge and with the sword of knowledge can cut to pieces the illusory associations within this material world. Through the association of devotees, one can engage in the service of the Lord by hearing and chanting [śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam]. Thus one can revive his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness and, sticking to the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, return home, back to Godhead, even in this life.” (Bhag. 5.12.16)</i>
Following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada and the Guru Parampara you present the knowledge of Krsna consciousness so expertly that anyone can easily understand it. I found it simply wonderful how you use so many examples quoting from Srila Prabhupada and from your personal realisations to explain the application of the Krsna Conscious philosophy.
Here is one of the many examples I heard:
<i>"Maya does not let you feel the passing of time... Just picture the feeling that you’re experiencing as you are just about the miss the exit off a motorway. You make reckless moves to jump 3 or 4 lanes into the exit… Why doesn’t maya let you feel this about your material life? You will die and take birth in another body, but she won’t let you see that." (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.25, Auckland, NZ, 2005)</i>
I have experienced this feeling so many times while driving. It really made me think about the passing of time and how we really do not have much time at all.
Throughout the series you would constantly challenge the devotees’ understanding of devotional service and encourage the audience to cultivate their Krsna Consciousness and go back to Godhead in this life.
<i>“I wonder how many of you feel the strong need to prepare yourself for your true goal in life?”</i>
<i>“Feel the preparation. I am preparing to go back to Godhead, so what do I have to do?”</i>
It made me start to question, am I really doing enough to prepare to go back to Godhead?
Furthermore, you would expertly always find an opportunity to link whatever you were explaining to a pastime of Krsna. It would leave me so satisfied, but I would also hanker to hear more. So much so, that I would record snippets of these lectures and send it to my Godbrothers just so I could discuss about it more.
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 3.7.36:
<i>"There are many subjects to be known from the bona fide spiritual master. The followers, disciples and sons are all on one level for the bona fide spiritual master, and he is always kind to them and always speaks to them on transcendental subjects, even though he is not asked by them. That is the nature of the bona fide spiritual master." (Purport, Bhag. 3.7.36)</i>
Guru Maharaja you are so kind that you tell us everything we need even though we do not ask for it – in fact, most of the time we do not even know what to ask for. All your recorded lectures stand as proof of this.
Thank you for being a bona fide spiritual master. Your kindness upon us is seen in how you care for us by cutting through our material attachments and misconceptions with the sword of knowledge. At the same time, you make it easy for us to practice Krsna Consciousness. I pray that my appreciation and gratitude for your association continually increases.
I fall at your lotus feet and beg to be able to always hear more transcendental subject matters about Krsna from you. Simply by hearing from you I know I can please Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by reviving my dormant Krsna Consciousness and going home back to Godhead.
On your Vyasa Puja day let me again recommit myself to you, Guru Maharaja. May my insignificant service bring you pleasure.
Your aspiring servant,
Kamsari Sena dasa
Karuna-purna dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Pabhupada and your dedicated service!
Always meditating on Krishna
Your mind constantly absorbed in remembering Him
Undeviated from the path
Your destination is clear
Out of kindness and compassion
You take the trouble to teach us
How to serve, love and surrender
But most of all, how to share this gift with others
You ignite gratitude in our hearts
You gave us not just a purpose
But also a worthy, joyful mission
Kindly empower me as a tiny servant in this mission
Your servant, Karuna-purna dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Pabhupada and your dedicated service!
Always meditating on Krishna
Your mind constantly absorbed in remembering Him
Undeviated from the path
Your destination is clear
Out of kindness and compassion
You take the trouble to teach us
How to serve, love and surrender
But most of all, how to share this gift with others
You ignite gratitude in our hearts
You gave us not just a purpose
But also a worthy, joyful mission
Kindly empower me as a tiny servant in this mission
Your servant, Karuna-purna dasi
Karuṇā-mayī Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day.
Meditating on your unlimited glorious qualities reflects on the mirror of my dusty heart how much I lack them within myself.
Although you are full of good qualities, I deeply appreciate that you are so merciful, enthusiastic, and encouraging. I will try to particularly glorify the way you give perfect instructions, your personalism, and your deeply caring nature.
Your instructions have helped me so much. Although I am not perfectly following all of them yet, you have given me a glimpse by your example that the nectar of life lies simply in trying my best to follow the Guru's instructions. Thank you for giving me a transcendental road map to guide me from rising time to resting time every day. This is such a blessing. When I give mundane instructions to the school students, some follow them straight away, and others don't follow them at all. I see this, think of you and pray to Krishna that I can become a student who follows your instructions like the first group - with eagerness & enthusiasm.
You treat everyone with such personalism. I always felt clumped in the impersonal triplet bubble but you see me for who I am as an individual soul with the deep potential to serve & love Krishna. Thank you for encouraging me to be myself in Krishna's service and seeing so much more potential in me than I could ever see in myself. The way you remember so many personal details about your disciples and expertly engage our natures in devotional service amazes me. I love seeing you walk around during prasadam time sprinkling your mercy on the devotees in such personal ways.
Thank you for being so deeply caring and patient with me. I feel so safe and happy under the shelter of your caring lotus feet. I am so grateful for your care and the way you have instilled such a deep culture of devotee care into your senior disciples in our community. You have also shown me how to care for myself. I never truly cared for myself before Bhakti. Thank you for giving me a reason to take care of myself - so that I can try to be an instrument to care for others. Saumya told me that you used to ask after my welfare in her darshanas before I was even practicing. Now when I take darshana, you ask about my other sister with such genuine compassion and care and I get a glimpse into how you are always such a well wisher of everyone and that the mercy and care you have showered me with is definitely causeless.
Thank you for giving me such a full life of devotional service. This is my real wealth. I am so undeserving and you are so merciful. Thank you for everything Gurudeva. Out of gratitude please let me make my life an offering of love to your lotus feet. Please enable me to wholeheartedly follow your instructions, and please use me as an instrument to bring people to your lotus feet, so they can experience your deep care and personalism in Krishna consciousness too.
Your indebted servant,
Karuna-mayi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day.
Meditating on your unlimited glorious qualities reflects on the mirror of my dusty heart how much I lack them within myself.
Although you are full of good qualities, I deeply appreciate that you are so merciful, enthusiastic, and encouraging. I will try to particularly glorify the way you give perfect instructions, your personalism, and your deeply caring nature.
Your instructions have helped me so much. Although I am not perfectly following all of them yet, you have given me a glimpse by your example that the nectar of life lies simply in trying my best to follow the Guru's instructions. Thank you for giving me a transcendental road map to guide me from rising time to resting time every day. This is such a blessing. When I give mundane instructions to the school students, some follow them straight away, and others don't follow them at all. I see this, think of you and pray to Krishna that I can become a student who follows your instructions like the first group - with eagerness & enthusiasm.
You treat everyone with such personalism. I always felt clumped in the impersonal triplet bubble but you see me for who I am as an individual soul with the deep potential to serve & love Krishna. Thank you for encouraging me to be myself in Krishna's service and seeing so much more potential in me than I could ever see in myself. The way you remember so many personal details about your disciples and expertly engage our natures in devotional service amazes me. I love seeing you walk around during prasadam time sprinkling your mercy on the devotees in such personal ways.
Thank you for being so deeply caring and patient with me. I feel so safe and happy under the shelter of your caring lotus feet. I am so grateful for your care and the way you have instilled such a deep culture of devotee care into your senior disciples in our community. You have also shown me how to care for myself. I never truly cared for myself before Bhakti. Thank you for giving me a reason to take care of myself - so that I can try to be an instrument to care for others. Saumya told me that you used to ask after my welfare in her darshanas before I was even practicing. Now when I take darshana, you ask about my other sister with such genuine compassion and care and I get a glimpse into how you are always such a well wisher of everyone and that the mercy and care you have showered me with is definitely causeless.
Thank you for giving me such a full life of devotional service. This is my real wealth. I am so undeserving and you are so merciful. Thank you for everything Gurudeva. Out of gratitude please let me make my life an offering of love to your lotus feet. Please enable me to wholeheartedly follow your instructions, and please use me as an instrument to bring people to your lotus feet, so they can experience your deep care and personalism in Krishna consciousness too.
Your indebted servant,
Karuna-mayi devi dasi
Kāruṇyāmṛta Dāsa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
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
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We are blessed to be under your guidance on the spiritual path to seek Krishna. Your compassion for the fallen souls is immense, we can see it through your deep dedication towards the book distribution. You have shared your stories of book distribution which has inspired many devotees to take up the service.
To begin the trip from Melbourne to Vrindavan our flight was delayed and we missed the connecting flight to India. That caused distress. We were forced to stay in Malaysia for 24 hours and go on the flight the next day. When we reached Vrindavan we realized that we had committed a blunder mistake by choosing an incorrect accommodation and it was difficult for the children to adjust in this new place. With the help of a devotee we were able to find another suitable place near the temple. While going through all this we were just pondering into the email instructions from you – “Chant and be Happy”.
Your email has help us a lot to bring our life back to normal in those trivial conditions. We had always heard Spiritual master is a direct representative of the Lord and knows the past, present, and future. Better late than never, we have realized that you had seen what we were to encounter in the immediate future and instructed us to “Chant and be Happy” to help us to avoid the unnecessary worries.
Last year for our Vyas Puja offering we desired to distribute books for your pleasure but it never fructified. While we were in the holy land of Vrindavan, in the Krishna Balaram temple, as the scriptures say Vaisnavas are desire trees who helped us to fulfil our desire of performing book distribution service. We bumped into Kasturika Mataji while purchasing some books at the temple store. Mataji asked us to join her to distribute the books for the sankirtana mission. We tried for at least 45 minutes nothing was going our way, we prayed to the Lord to help carry our the service and in no time a few people approached us and took some books from us.
We want to render some personal service to you. We beg at your lotus feet to shower blessings on us so we can serve you as you please.
Your humble servants,
Kāruṇyāmṛta Dāsa
Lāvaṇyāmṛta Dāsi
Achintya Nitai
Agrani Gaura
Achyuta Hari
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
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We are blessed to be under your guidance on the spiritual path to seek Krishna. Your compassion for the fallen souls is immense, we can see it through your deep dedication towards the book distribution. You have shared your stories of book distribution which has inspired many devotees to take up the service.
To begin the trip from Melbourne to Vrindavan our flight was delayed and we missed the connecting flight to India. That caused distress. We were forced to stay in Malaysia for 24 hours and go on the flight the next day. When we reached Vrindavan we realized that we had committed a blunder mistake by choosing an incorrect accommodation and it was difficult for the children to adjust in this new place. With the help of a devotee we were able to find another suitable place near the temple. While going through all this we were just pondering into the email instructions from you – “Chant and be Happy”.
Your email has help us a lot to bring our life back to normal in those trivial conditions. We had always heard Spiritual master is a direct representative of the Lord and knows the past, present, and future. Better late than never, we have realized that you had seen what we were to encounter in the immediate future and instructed us to “Chant and be Happy” to help us to avoid the unnecessary worries.
Last year for our Vyas Puja offering we desired to distribute books for your pleasure but it never fructified. While we were in the holy land of Vrindavan, in the Krishna Balaram temple, as the scriptures say Vaisnavas are desire trees who helped us to fulfil our desire of performing book distribution service. We bumped into Kasturika Mataji while purchasing some books at the temple store. Mataji asked us to join her to distribute the books for the sankirtana mission. We tried for at least 45 minutes nothing was going our way, we prayed to the Lord to help carry our the service and in no time a few people approached us and took some books from us.
We want to render some personal service to you. We beg at your lotus feet to shower blessings on us so we can serve you as you please.
Your humble servants,
Kāruṇyāmṛta Dāsa
Lāvaṇyāmṛta Dāsi
Achintya Nitai
Agrani Gaura
Achyuta Hari
Kasi Priya das
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories unto you!
Reflecting on all of your amazing and transcendental qualities I have difficulties trying to collect or describe them. Not, because you are lacking in any way. You are tirelessly distributing Lord Caitanya’s mercy among the conditioned souls, expertly making these timeless transcendental topics relevant for and accessible to today’s disinterested audience. Therefore your mercy is showering forth like cooling rain from a heavy cloud on a scorching day. There is no limit to your showering mercy and you indiscriminately distribute it to anyone.
However to receive your mercy one has to be a suitable vessel, enabling one to catch i. That’s where I am lacking, that’s why I have difficulties describing all your good qualities.
As a disciple one should make the mood and mission of the Spiritual Master one’s life and soul. That’s where I am struggling. A disciple should feel helplessly dependent on the Spiritual Master. However due to false ego and its resulting pride and envy I feel quite competent myself.
But you are the best teacher of how to be a disciple. To distribute Krishna Consciousness all over the world is Srila Prabhupada’s life and soul, you made it yours. Srila Prabhupada’s books are your life and soul and you have the deepest understanding of how these books are a beacon of hope in this Kali yuga and can bring an end to the sufferings of all conditioned souls. You made Prahlada Maharaja’s compassionate heart your life and soul, feeling the suffering of all conditioned souls for want of Krishna. Desiring to deliver them.
Your helpless dependence on Srila Prabhupada makes you both, competent to continue to serve his mission and confident of success. It also makes you fearless, being assured of Srila Prabhupada’s guidance.
Like a small child can easily cross a busy road by placing his hand in his father’s hand, similarly the disciple can easily cross the ocean of material existence by helplessly depending on the guidance of the Spiritual Master.
However without the security of the fathers hand the child will either get all morose and depressed not being able to cross the road and hopelessly gives up or, out of overconfidence runs across without guidance and gets hurt or worse by being run over by a car, swept away by maya. A nightmare for all parents, material or spiritual.
I am sorry for giving you nightmares, Gurudeva. I am grateful for your unlimited patience and tolerance. You keep extending your hand, patiently waiting for me, for anyone, to reach out so you can guide us to safety.
Thank you Gurudeva.
Your aspiring servant
Kasi Priya das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories unto you!
Reflecting on all of your amazing and transcendental qualities I have difficulties trying to collect or describe them. Not, because you are lacking in any way. You are tirelessly distributing Lord Caitanya’s mercy among the conditioned souls, expertly making these timeless transcendental topics relevant for and accessible to today’s disinterested audience. Therefore your mercy is showering forth like cooling rain from a heavy cloud on a scorching day. There is no limit to your showering mercy and you indiscriminately distribute it to anyone.
However to receive your mercy one has to be a suitable vessel, enabling one to catch i. That’s where I am lacking, that’s why I have difficulties describing all your good qualities.
As a disciple one should make the mood and mission of the Spiritual Master one’s life and soul. That’s where I am struggling. A disciple should feel helplessly dependent on the Spiritual Master. However due to false ego and its resulting pride and envy I feel quite competent myself.
But you are the best teacher of how to be a disciple. To distribute Krishna Consciousness all over the world is Srila Prabhupada’s life and soul, you made it yours. Srila Prabhupada’s books are your life and soul and you have the deepest understanding of how these books are a beacon of hope in this Kali yuga and can bring an end to the sufferings of all conditioned souls. You made Prahlada Maharaja’s compassionate heart your life and soul, feeling the suffering of all conditioned souls for want of Krishna. Desiring to deliver them.
Your helpless dependence on Srila Prabhupada makes you both, competent to continue to serve his mission and confident of success. It also makes you fearless, being assured of Srila Prabhupada’s guidance.
Like a small child can easily cross a busy road by placing his hand in his father’s hand, similarly the disciple can easily cross the ocean of material existence by helplessly depending on the guidance of the Spiritual Master.
However without the security of the fathers hand the child will either get all morose and depressed not being able to cross the road and hopelessly gives up or, out of overconfidence runs across without guidance and gets hurt or worse by being run over by a car, swept away by maya. A nightmare for all parents, material or spiritual.
I am sorry for giving you nightmares, Gurudeva. I am grateful for your unlimited patience and tolerance. You keep extending your hand, patiently waiting for me, for anyone, to reach out so you can guide us to safety.
Thank you Gurudeva.
Your aspiring servant
Kasi Priya das
Kasturika devi dasi
Dear Śrīla Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to You.
Happy Vyāsa-pūjā to You!
I feel most unqualified to glorify You, yet I still make this humble attempt to purify myself. This year, more than ever before, I have begun to appreciate more deeply what it truly means to be Śrīla Prabhupāda's man.”
In the Third Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Vidura glorifies devotees who travel relentlessly on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to show compassion to fallen souls who are averse to bhakti. It is unimaginable to me how You continue to travel year after year, even at the age of 76. You are driven by compassion and Your mission to bring us into devotional service and engage us in Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission. The Lord's devotees can save even those whom the Lord Himself rejects.
Śrīla Prabhupāda says that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura wanted to open student hostels in London and compared them to sugar-coated pills. Many times, You have quoted how Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted reading rooms and restaurants, and You have modelled these ideas through contemporary outreach centres such as Project Loft and Bhakti Lounge.
In the Tenth Canto, in the prayers offered by the demigods, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains how a spiritual master finds ways to train his disciples in devotional service according to time and circumstances, making it easier for them to attain the ultimate destination.
You truly walk the talk. You say that we should make things easier for others, and You are the first to demonstrate this through Your actions and instructions, making it easier for others to engage in bhakti. Whether addressing an Indian gathering or a Western audience, You tailor the presentation of śāstra according to the needs of the audience.
You not only teach us śāstra but also show us how to apply its teachings practically in our lives. Through various examples, You help us understand how even our emotions and tendencies can be examined and engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service.
When Devahūti laments, You explain how regret can actually become a positive, impelling emotion in bhakti. Generally, regret holds us back, yet You show us how to use it in Kṛṣṇa's service.
Similarly, You encourage us to examine the Kaṁsa-like tendencies we carry within our hearts. While explaining the conflict within Dhruva Mahārāja, You highlight how having a desire and having it fulfilled are two opposite poles, yet we continue to believe that one day we will be successful in fulfilling our desires. You also remind us how māyā offers misery packaged as freedom and fun.
Not only that, You train us in how to deal with devotees and emphasise the importance of devotee association. You encourage us to become points of contact for conditioned souls, helping them turn towards Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Just as Śrīla Prabhupāda always emphasised the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, You urge us to achieve personal victory in our chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
Śrīla Prabhupāda also emphasised the importance of book distribution. Following in his footsteps, You give us the motto to love reading Śrīla Prabhupāda's books and distributing them.
When You described in several interviews the tremendous efforts that went into bringing out Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu with utmost clarity and accuracy, it was simply beyond my comprehension. These continuous efforts went on for years, simply to please Śrīla Prabhupāda and preserve the teachings of the Gosvāmīs.
Amidst all Your tireless efforts to fulfil Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission, You remain a deeply personal and affectionate father and guide. When You asked me to move to New Zealand, I was hesitant, wondering how I would fit into a foreign land. Yet, without me expressing anything, You reassured me by saying, "You have been in the West before."
Now that I am preparing to move to New Zealand, I carry the regret that I have not sufficiently utilised my time in Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma. It is only by Your mercy that I have been able to live and serve in this holy land of Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma.
Today, I sincerely beg for Your blessings so that I may leave behind my complacency and become a deeper and more serious devotee. I have neither taste for chanting the holy name nor for hearing, yet I sincerely aspire to develop that taste.
Praying for Your continued good health and strength.
Your aspiring servant,
Kasturika.dd
Katha-mayi devi dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this sacred day of your Vyasa Puja.
In his Samodhana Bhasyam commentary on the Siksastakam Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur writes: “By appearance of faith, from the power of devotee association in the form of surrender to the feet of a guru, hearing about tattva takes place. When kirtana arises after hearing, the power within the jiva’s svarupa in the form of the method of conquering Maya can be seen. This is the method of victory by the Lord’s kirtana (vijayate) in this world.” This highlights that our spiritual life starts from surrender to, and hearing from guru. It brings to mind when you said “we should have our own victory over Maya by chanting the Holy Name”. This year I have made an effort to make this instruction my guiding light, to chose Krishna over Maya by chanting my way through difficulties and replacing activities of sense-gratification with devotional service: making sadhana retreats, singing bhajans and the study of scripture my favourite forms of recreation. Sometimes I still fall back into old ways, but there is definitely an improvement in engaging more of my time and attention in Krishna Consciousness and choosing Krishna rather than Maya. And it’s all thanks to your amazing instructions! This morning I had the urge to check social media, but I caught myself and chose to write this offering instead. A small victory against maya, again thanks to you! I have a long way to go, but I aspire to keep surrendering to your lotus feet more and more. Moreover, Bhaktivinode Thakur explains that when the mirror of the heart is fully cleansed, we will see our real spiritual identity, who we are as Krishna’s servant. I have contemplated this recently, in terms of where I am currently at. Then, as my husband and I were reading Manah-siksa the answer came: “In reality we are the servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord” and “at the beginning we should identify with our attachment to guru.” So from now on I will engrave this identity of being your disciple deep within my heart. These realisations and glimpses into the truth are possible by your mercy only.
There is definitely a lack in this regard, as you have done your part to develop a relationship with me, but I am not making the most of this opportunity and neglecting this connection with you. This offering is a step to make more of an effort to put my relationship with you first and identify myself more as your disciple. I think back to the day of my initiation, just over a year ago. You gave me a name which is relevant to my personality after only one meeting and from a small mention about reading Krishna book together with my husband, quite mystical. You had no idea about how I cried when I thought that I was never going to get the opportunity to give Bhagavatam class. Or how I love sangas where we read and discuss Srila Prabhupada’s books with devotees. Or my tireless thoughts about how to bring Krishna-katha into every conversation. Or how much inspiration and strength I found from completing Bhakti-sastri a few years back and my anticipation and desire to one day study Bhakti-Vaibhava. I hadn’t told you any of these things, yet you gave me a name which encapsulates all of them. Perhaps our relationship is deeper than I thought and is not dependent on any material thing. It shows that you are in touch with the Supersoul, the Divine Couple and Srila Prabhupada. How else would this have happened?
Through your lectures I find encouragement and many inspiring instructions to follow. There is so much there that I need to hear them at least three times to really understand what you are saying. My dull mind can’t keep up with your high-level intelligence. In one of your lectures you mentioned that one day when we are chanting, we won’t want to put our bead bag down. My soul rejoiced - after experiencing glimpses of this in the past, I felt that this is a confirmation from you that I am doing the right thing. That when I chant extra rounds, I am following your instructions, which is pleasing to you. It felt like you are fanning the small devotional spark within my heart through your words.
Another instruction which I have been following is; “don’t be resentful, be grateful” in relation to opportunities for more service. It helps me see the endless list of services and the days when there is ‘too much service’ as blessings rather than burdens. Rather than getting angry when faced with such challenges I am able to tolerate my mind better and appreciate the opportunities that Krishna gives me, without throwing tantrums like I used to.
I always feel nervous meeting you in-person, I understand that you are a pure devotee, a direct representative of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so close to Radha and Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. I’m afraid to make a mistake or offend you and I think, “what would such a great personality as you want anything to do with an insignificant soul like me”. But it amazes me how I feel at ease and can be myself when we meet. Thank you for accepting me and taking the time to inquire about my personal life.
I am very grateful to have such an exalted spiritual master and serving you is the most important thing that I can do for my spiritual life. An opportunity to strengthen my identity as your disciple and cherish this connection to you.
Your insignificant disciple,
Katha-mayi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this sacred day of your Vyasa Puja.
In his Samodhana Bhasyam commentary on the Siksastakam Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur writes: “By appearance of faith, from the power of devotee association in the form of surrender to the feet of a guru, hearing about tattva takes place. When kirtana arises after hearing, the power within the jiva’s svarupa in the form of the method of conquering Maya can be seen. This is the method of victory by the Lord’s kirtana (vijayate) in this world.” This highlights that our spiritual life starts from surrender to, and hearing from guru. It brings to mind when you said “we should have our own victory over Maya by chanting the Holy Name”. This year I have made an effort to make this instruction my guiding light, to chose Krishna over Maya by chanting my way through difficulties and replacing activities of sense-gratification with devotional service: making sadhana retreats, singing bhajans and the study of scripture my favourite forms of recreation. Sometimes I still fall back into old ways, but there is definitely an improvement in engaging more of my time and attention in Krishna Consciousness and choosing Krishna rather than Maya. And it’s all thanks to your amazing instructions! This morning I had the urge to check social media, but I caught myself and chose to write this offering instead. A small victory against maya, again thanks to you! I have a long way to go, but I aspire to keep surrendering to your lotus feet more and more. Moreover, Bhaktivinode Thakur explains that when the mirror of the heart is fully cleansed, we will see our real spiritual identity, who we are as Krishna’s servant. I have contemplated this recently, in terms of where I am currently at. Then, as my husband and I were reading Manah-siksa the answer came: “In reality we are the servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord” and “at the beginning we should identify with our attachment to guru.” So from now on I will engrave this identity of being your disciple deep within my heart. These realisations and glimpses into the truth are possible by your mercy only.
There is definitely a lack in this regard, as you have done your part to develop a relationship with me, but I am not making the most of this opportunity and neglecting this connection with you. This offering is a step to make more of an effort to put my relationship with you first and identify myself more as your disciple. I think back to the day of my initiation, just over a year ago. You gave me a name which is relevant to my personality after only one meeting and from a small mention about reading Krishna book together with my husband, quite mystical. You had no idea about how I cried when I thought that I was never going to get the opportunity to give Bhagavatam class. Or how I love sangas where we read and discuss Srila Prabhupada’s books with devotees. Or my tireless thoughts about how to bring Krishna-katha into every conversation. Or how much inspiration and strength I found from completing Bhakti-sastri a few years back and my anticipation and desire to one day study Bhakti-Vaibhava. I hadn’t told you any of these things, yet you gave me a name which encapsulates all of them. Perhaps our relationship is deeper than I thought and is not dependent on any material thing. It shows that you are in touch with the Supersoul, the Divine Couple and Srila Prabhupada. How else would this have happened?
Through your lectures I find encouragement and many inspiring instructions to follow. There is so much there that I need to hear them at least three times to really understand what you are saying. My dull mind can’t keep up with your high-level intelligence. In one of your lectures you mentioned that one day when we are chanting, we won’t want to put our bead bag down. My soul rejoiced - after experiencing glimpses of this in the past, I felt that this is a confirmation from you that I am doing the right thing. That when I chant extra rounds, I am following your instructions, which is pleasing to you. It felt like you are fanning the small devotional spark within my heart through your words.
Another instruction which I have been following is; “don’t be resentful, be grateful” in relation to opportunities for more service. It helps me see the endless list of services and the days when there is ‘too much service’ as blessings rather than burdens. Rather than getting angry when faced with such challenges I am able to tolerate my mind better and appreciate the opportunities that Krishna gives me, without throwing tantrums like I used to.
I always feel nervous meeting you in-person, I understand that you are a pure devotee, a direct representative of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so close to Radha and Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. I’m afraid to make a mistake or offend you and I think, “what would such a great personality as you want anything to do with an insignificant soul like me”. But it amazes me how I feel at ease and can be myself when we meet. Thank you for accepting me and taking the time to inquire about my personal life.
I am very grateful to have such an exalted spiritual master and serving you is the most important thing that I can do for my spiritual life. An opportunity to strengthen my identity as your disciple and cherish this connection to you.
Your insignificant disciple,
Katha-mayi devi dasi
Kathā-ruci
Birthday blessings to Your Holiness dear Devamrita Swami...Deep, forever gratitude to allllllll you have done & continue to do!
Jai Sri Krishna📚🎶📿
Kathā-ruci
Jai Sri Krishna📚🎶📿
Kathā-ruci
Kathamrita DD and Sankarsana Ram Das
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept our most humble obeisances.
All glories to this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
All glories unto Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Today, on this sacred occasion of your Vyasa Puja, we would like to first offer ourselves once again at your lotus feet in service. We understand that the work of your life has been dedicated to carrying out the mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the order of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
“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.”
In the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines the mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness:
“The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life by pursuing the method described by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His advice to the brāhmaṇa Kūrma. That is, one should stay at home, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.”
Gurudeva, we have observed in your own life that you have gone far beyond even this instruction. With unwavering determination, you have offered your body, mind, words, intelligence, and every breath in the service of spreading Lord Caitanya's mercy. You have tirelessly expanded Śrīla Prabhupāda's movement, encouraged countless souls to take shelter of devotional service, and trained others to continue this sacred mission long after the initial inspiration has been received.
Your compassion extends beyond easy circumstances. You have created opportunities for those who struggle to fully embrace temple life, opening pathways for gradual engagement and meaningful service. You have given encouragement where others may have given up, hope where others may have seen little possibility, and faith to those who were barely holding onto their chanting beads. Time and again, you have helped devotees preserve and nourish the delicate creeper of bhakti, never losing sight of Krishna's potential within them.
For this, we are eternally indebted to you. Yet our only desire is to remain forever in that debt, because that debt is born from receiving your causeless mercy and having the priceless opportunity to assist, in whatever small way, the mission you have dedicated your life to fulfilling.
Thank you for your example, your care, your focus, and the endless inspiration that comes simply from observing your life. By faithfully living according to Krishna's instructions, by presenting those instructions without compromise or alteration, and by being an exemplary disciple of your own spiritual master, you teach not only through words but through personal example.
Through your conduct, we see more clearly how a devotee should live. Through your dedication, we see what genuine service looks like. Through your humility, we glimpse the qualities that attract the mercy of guru and Krishna. And through your unwavering commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission, we find the courage to continue our own attempts at devotional service.
On this most auspicious day, we pray only for the opportunity to remain connected to your service life after life, to become instruments in the mission you have so selflessly carried, and to develop even a fraction of the faith, determination, compassion, and dependence upon Krishna that you exemplify.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for guiding us, tolerating us, encouraging us, and showing us the path home.
Our children, Devaki and Rishi, also offer their humble pranams and obeisances unto your lotus feet. They are most fortunate to be growing up under your shelter, and we pray that they may always remain connected to your instructions, your example, and your service mission.
Your servants,
Sankarsana Rama, Kathamrita, Devaki and Rishi
Please accept our most humble obeisances.
All glories to this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
All glories unto Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Today, on this sacred occasion of your Vyasa Puja, we would like to first offer ourselves once again at your lotus feet in service. We understand that the work of your life has been dedicated to carrying out the mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the order of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
“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.”
In the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines the mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness:
“The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life by pursuing the method described by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His advice to the brāhmaṇa Kūrma. That is, one should stay at home, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.”
Gurudeva, we have observed in your own life that you have gone far beyond even this instruction. With unwavering determination, you have offered your body, mind, words, intelligence, and every breath in the service of spreading Lord Caitanya's mercy. You have tirelessly expanded Śrīla Prabhupāda's movement, encouraged countless souls to take shelter of devotional service, and trained others to continue this sacred mission long after the initial inspiration has been received.
Your compassion extends beyond easy circumstances. You have created opportunities for those who struggle to fully embrace temple life, opening pathways for gradual engagement and meaningful service. You have given encouragement where others may have given up, hope where others may have seen little possibility, and faith to those who were barely holding onto their chanting beads. Time and again, you have helped devotees preserve and nourish the delicate creeper of bhakti, never losing sight of Krishna's potential within them.
For this, we are eternally indebted to you. Yet our only desire is to remain forever in that debt, because that debt is born from receiving your causeless mercy and having the priceless opportunity to assist, in whatever small way, the mission you have dedicated your life to fulfilling.
Thank you for your example, your care, your focus, and the endless inspiration that comes simply from observing your life. By faithfully living according to Krishna's instructions, by presenting those instructions without compromise or alteration, and by being an exemplary disciple of your own spiritual master, you teach not only through words but through personal example.
Through your conduct, we see more clearly how a devotee should live. Through your dedication, we see what genuine service looks like. Through your humility, we glimpse the qualities that attract the mercy of guru and Krishna. And through your unwavering commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission, we find the courage to continue our own attempts at devotional service.
On this most auspicious day, we pray only for the opportunity to remain connected to your service life after life, to become instruments in the mission you have so selflessly carried, and to develop even a fraction of the faith, determination, compassion, and dependence upon Krishna that you exemplify.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for guiding us, tolerating us, encouraging us, and showing us the path home.
Our children, Devaki and Rishi, also offer their humble pranams and obeisances unto your lotus feet. They are most fortunate to be growing up under your shelter, and we pray that they may always remain connected to your instructions, your example, and your service mission.
Your servants,
Sankarsana Rama, Kathamrita, Devaki and Rishi
Kesi-mardana dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you, his devoted disciple.
On this auspicious day of your divine appearance, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to reflect on your transcendental qualities. Through hearing your instructions, observing your behavior, and serving you, Krishna’s descriptions of a pure devotee have come alive in my own life. During your most recent visit to Gita Nagari, I especially contemplated the steady, unwavering, and completely peaceful mood in which you carry out myriad devotional responsibilities. With fully controlled senses, your meditation on the mission of your spiritual master is undisturbed, like a lamp in a windless place.
As Krishna describes in the Bhagavad-gita (14.22-25): O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature.
Gurudeva, you have perfectly shown the example of a transcendentalist, being firmly situated in devotional service and having joyfully renounced all material engagements. You are consistent and constant, like a calm body of water. Despite the accelerating turbulence of our troubled times, you remain equipoised, and completely fixed with one-pointed vision: the fulfillment of your spiritual master's instructions and the deliverance of conditioned souls to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. You embody the śuddha-sattva qualities of a genuine sadhu and your example of selfless service appears like a "sun-ray of love" for Krishna (C.C. Madhya 23.5). Certainly, the brightest time of my year is during your annual visit to Gita Nagari. How fortunate am I to have the gift of serving you, having your association, and hearing your instructions so regularly - thank you, Gurudeva.
In the Uddhava-gita (SB 11.11.29-32) Krishna said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.
Thank you Gurudeva, for mercifully and compassionately exemplifying these saintly qualities. Your careful guidance and fatherly love are the spiritual remedy for the defects in my heart. Your patience, tolerance, and genuine warmth towards all who come under your care is the essence of paternal affection and the pinnacle of my aspirations. I pray that this year I can grow in understanding, implementing, and sharing these gifts with those who Krishna has blessed me with the opportunity of caring for, with your example as my North Star.
Your eternally grateful servant,
Keśi-mardana dasa
Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you, his devoted disciple.
On this auspicious day of your divine appearance, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to reflect on your transcendental qualities. Through hearing your instructions, observing your behavior, and serving you, Krishna’s descriptions of a pure devotee have come alive in my own life. During your most recent visit to Gita Nagari, I especially contemplated the steady, unwavering, and completely peaceful mood in which you carry out myriad devotional responsibilities. With fully controlled senses, your meditation on the mission of your spiritual master is undisturbed, like a lamp in a windless place.
As Krishna describes in the Bhagavad-gita (14.22-25): O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature.
Gurudeva, you have perfectly shown the example of a transcendentalist, being firmly situated in devotional service and having joyfully renounced all material engagements. You are consistent and constant, like a calm body of water. Despite the accelerating turbulence of our troubled times, you remain equipoised, and completely fixed with one-pointed vision: the fulfillment of your spiritual master's instructions and the deliverance of conditioned souls to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. You embody the śuddha-sattva qualities of a genuine sadhu and your example of selfless service appears like a "sun-ray of love" for Krishna (C.C. Madhya 23.5). Certainly, the brightest time of my year is during your annual visit to Gita Nagari. How fortunate am I to have the gift of serving you, having your association, and hearing your instructions so regularly - thank you, Gurudeva.
In the Uddhava-gita (SB 11.11.29-32) Krishna said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.
Thank you Gurudeva, for mercifully and compassionately exemplifying these saintly qualities. Your careful guidance and fatherly love are the spiritual remedy for the defects in my heart. Your patience, tolerance, and genuine warmth towards all who come under your care is the essence of paternal affection and the pinnacle of my aspirations. I pray that this year I can grow in understanding, implementing, and sharing these gifts with those who Krishna has blessed me with the opportunity of caring for, with your example as my North Star.
Your eternally grateful servant,
Keśi-mardana dasa
Keśi-mardana dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you, his devoted disciple.
On this auspicious day of your divine appearance, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to reflect on your transcendental qualities. Through hearing your instructions, observing your behavior, and serving you, Krishna’s descriptions of a pure devotee have come alive in my own life. During your most recent visit to Gita Nagari, I especially contemplated the steady, unwavering, and completely peaceful mood in which you carry out myriad devotional responsibilities. With fully controlled senses, your meditation on the mission of your spiritual master is undisturbed, like a lamp in a windless place.
As Krishna describes in the Bhagavad-gita (14.22-25): O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature.
Gurudeva, you have perfectly shown the example of a transcendentalist, being firmly situated in devotional service and having joyfully renounced all material engagements. You are consistent and constant, like a calm body of water. Despite the accelerating turbulence of our troubled times, you remain equipoised, and completely fixed with one-pointed vision: the fulfillment of your spiritual master's instructions and the deliverance of conditioned souls to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. You embody the śuddha-sattva qualities of a genuine sadhu and your example of selfless service appears like a "sun-ray of love" for Krishna (C.C. Madhya 23.5). Certainly, the brightest time of my year is during your annual visit to Gita Nagari. How fortunate am I to have the gift of serving you, having your association, and hearing your instructions so regularly - thank you, Gurudeva.
In the Uddhava-gita (SB 11.11.29-32) Krishna said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.
Thank you Gurudeva, for mercifully and compassionately exemplifying these saintly qualities. Your careful guidance and fatherly love are the spiritual remedy for the defects in my heart. Your patience, tolerance, and genuine warmth towards all who come under your care is the essence of paternal affection and the pinnacle of my aspirations. I pray that this year I can grow in understanding, implementing, and sharing these gifts with those who Krishna has blessed me with the opportunity of caring for, always keeping your example as my North Star.
Your eternally grateful servant,
Keśi-mardana dasa
Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you, his devoted disciple.
On this auspicious day of your divine appearance, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to reflect on your transcendental qualities. Through hearing your instructions, observing your behavior, and serving you, Krishna’s descriptions of a pure devotee have come alive in my own life. During your most recent visit to Gita Nagari, I especially contemplated the steady, unwavering, and completely peaceful mood in which you carry out myriad devotional responsibilities. With fully controlled senses, your meditation on the mission of your spiritual master is undisturbed, like a lamp in a windless place.
As Krishna describes in the Bhagavad-gita (14.22-25): O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature.
Gurudeva, you have perfectly shown the example of a transcendentalist, being firmly situated in devotional service and having joyfully renounced all material engagements. You are consistent and constant, like a calm body of water. Despite the accelerating turbulence of our troubled times, you remain equipoised, and completely fixed with one-pointed vision: the fulfillment of your spiritual master's instructions and the deliverance of conditioned souls to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. You embody the śuddha-sattva qualities of a genuine sadhu and your example of selfless service appears like a "sun-ray of love" for Krishna (C.C. Madhya 23.5). Certainly, the brightest time of my year is during your annual visit to Gita Nagari. How fortunate am I to have the gift of serving you, having your association, and hearing your instructions so regularly - thank you, Gurudeva.
In the Uddhava-gita (SB 11.11.29-32) Krishna said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities. His strength and meaning in life come from the truth itself, he is free from all envy and jealousy, and his mind is equal in material happiness and distress. Thus, he dedicates his time to work for the welfare of all others. His intelligence is never bewildered by material desires, and he has controlled his senses. His behavior is always pleasing, never harsh and always exemplary, and he is free from possessiveness. He never endeavors in ordinary, worldly activities, and he strictly controls his eating. He therefore always remains peaceful and steady. A saintly person is thoughtful and accepts Me as his only shelter. Such a person is very cautious in the execution of his duties and is never subject to superficial transformations, because he is steady and noble, even in a distressing situation. He has conquered over the six material qualities — namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death. He is free from all desire for prestige and offers honor to others. He is expert in reviving the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others and therefore never cheats anyone. Rather, he is a well-wishing friend to all, being most merciful. Such a saintly person must be considered the most learned of men. He perfectly understands that the ordinary religious duties prescribed by Me in various Vedic scriptures possess favorable qualities that purify the performer, and he knows that neglect of such duties constitutes a discrepancy in one’s life. Having taken complete shelter at My lotus feet, however, a saintly person ultimately renounces such ordinary religious duties and worships Me alone. He is thus considered to be the best among all living entities.
Thank you Gurudeva, for mercifully and compassionately exemplifying these saintly qualities. Your careful guidance and fatherly love are the spiritual remedy for the defects in my heart. Your patience, tolerance, and genuine warmth towards all who come under your care is the essence of paternal affection and the pinnacle of my aspirations. I pray that this year I can grow in understanding, implementing, and sharing these gifts with those who Krishna has blessed me with the opportunity of caring for, always keeping your example as my North Star.
Your eternally grateful servant,
Keśi-mardana dasa
Khadiravan devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this divine day of your appearance,
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to your unflagging service to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the worldwide community of devotees.
Your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda is immense and wide ranging, the little I know of it, and includes service on the GBC, overseeing and inspiring farm communities, book production at the BBT, travelling constantly to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness with both devotees and new guests. Further you serve by initiating disciples, guiding disciples, guiding leaders and managers of different projects around the world. You exemplify deep study of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, of the books of the ācāryas, and give the most enlightening classes full of insight and practical applications for an aspiring bhakti yogi. We always leave your classes with something that can be applied today to improve our spiritual life. You are always serving devotees in ways known and unknown, and nourishing relationships with your godbrothers, all other devotees and so many new guests, who may be just approaching one of our bhakti portals around the world. You serve the holy name purely in japa, and lead kirtans that send us to the spiritual world. These are just a few of your glories that I am aware of.
I want to focus today on gratitude for your service as our spiritual health coach, our spiritual doctor. Guidance is the wealth of a devotee, I have heard you say. We might not always realise that we need a checkup with the spiritual doctor, such are the dulling effects of the material energy. But you appear before us with spiritual vitality and crisp, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and illuminate the lack in our own consciousness. We can come before you and you check our pulse - our desire for devotional service - and then recommend lifestyle or consciousness adjustments in relation to the questions and problems that we bring before you. You inspire and enliven us in service, showing such warmth and deep care. How fortunate are we? We have such a golden opportunity to speak on a regular basis with you every few months and if there are any emergencies, sooner than that online. The value of this cannot be calculated. What is the price for ultimately obtaining freedom from all material anxiety, for ultimately attaining the solution to all our problems, and more than that, one day acheiving the highest goal of human life, love of Kṛṣṇa? You liberally offer this great jewel in service to anyone with receptive ears. How fortunate are we? How much do I need to unplug my ears! Guidance on material matters in the material world can be very expensive in dollar terms, and can go some way to solving material problems, but it can’t solve the root cause of our issues, or free us from our problems totally. Our heart remains burning in material existence. But your guidance on behalf of the the parampara offers a complete cure for all our maladies. The experience is tangible, as we taste progressive transformation, being re-routed onto the track that will gradually or speedily bring us the highest benefit, depending on our application and Kṛṣṇa’s timetable - freedom from material consciousness, service at the lotus feet of the great devotees, and situation in our natural constitutional position as servant of Krishna.
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the sādhu surgeon, giving this highest benefit, in this Bhagavad Gita lecture (Texts 6.4-12, New York, September 4th 1966):
“Now, for cutting something we require some sharpened instrument. But here, to cut off the mind from attachment, it requires sharpened ukti. Ukti means words. Sharpened topics. There should not be . . . just like when a person cuts something, there is no mercy, similarly, when a sādhu, or a person saint, speaks to his saints er to his student, he does not make . . . show any mercy. He speaks the truth so that his mind may be cut off from the unreal attachment.
Just like Kṛṣṇa is saying. Kṛṣṇa . . . Arjuna . . . first addressed to Arjuna. He said, aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase (BG 2.11): "Oh, you are talking like a fool . . . you are talking like a very learned man, but you are fool number one." You see. How strong word He has used. So, so far if we want detachment from this material world, then we should be prepared to accept such cutting words from the master. Santāḥ asya chindanti uktibhiḥ (SB 11.26.26).
Uktibhiḥ. We should not make compromise; "Oh, don't speak such strong words." Required. It is required.”
Amazingly, you have mastered the art of delivering such words in a digestible way, so much so that often we can laugh at ourselves, while still absorbing the message along with the compassion it is spoken with. You make transformation fun and teach us not to take our supposed “selves” so seriously, to shake loose from hardened misidentification, and step into freedom by reclaiming our real identity as a humble servant of Kṛṣṇa.
I beg for the ability to open my ears fully to your guidance and the guidance of your assistant mentors, and in a timely way to avoid unnecessary detours on the path. Hindsight is cheap, foresight is expensive, but needless to say, the best. Let me not be the fool sawing on the branch where I sit, while well-wisher’s pleas to stop sawing, foreseeing the unpleasant future, fall on deaf ears. My kali-yuga pride and bewilderment call back, “No, it will be fine”, before I land in a crumpled heap on the ground. Please help me to be on the front foot always in seeking guidance on what will accelerate devotional service and what will impede it.
Your grateful spiritual patient and daughter,
Khadiravan devī dāsī
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this divine day of your appearance,
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to your unflagging service to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the worldwide community of devotees.
Your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda is immense and wide ranging, the little I know of it, and includes service on the GBC, overseeing and inspiring farm communities, book production at the BBT, travelling constantly to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness with both devotees and new guests. Further you serve by initiating disciples, guiding disciples, guiding leaders and managers of different projects around the world. You exemplify deep study of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, of the books of the ācāryas, and give the most enlightening classes full of insight and practical applications for an aspiring bhakti yogi. We always leave your classes with something that can be applied today to improve our spiritual life. You are always serving devotees in ways known and unknown, and nourishing relationships with your godbrothers, all other devotees and so many new guests, who may be just approaching one of our bhakti portals around the world. You serve the holy name purely in japa, and lead kirtans that send us to the spiritual world. These are just a few of your glories that I am aware of.
I want to focus today on gratitude for your service as our spiritual health coach, our spiritual doctor. Guidance is the wealth of a devotee, I have heard you say. We might not always realise that we need a checkup with the spiritual doctor, such are the dulling effects of the material energy. But you appear before us with spiritual vitality and crisp, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and illuminate the lack in our own consciousness. We can come before you and you check our pulse - our desire for devotional service - and then recommend lifestyle or consciousness adjustments in relation to the questions and problems that we bring before you. You inspire and enliven us in service, showing such warmth and deep care. How fortunate are we? We have such a golden opportunity to speak on a regular basis with you every few months and if there are any emergencies, sooner than that online. The value of this cannot be calculated. What is the price for ultimately obtaining freedom from all material anxiety, for ultimately attaining the solution to all our problems, and more than that, one day acheiving the highest goal of human life, love of Kṛṣṇa? You liberally offer this great jewel in service to anyone with receptive ears. How fortunate are we? How much do I need to unplug my ears! Guidance on material matters in the material world can be very expensive in dollar terms, and can go some way to solving material problems, but it can’t solve the root cause of our issues, or free us from our problems totally. Our heart remains burning in material existence. But your guidance on behalf of the the parampara offers a complete cure for all our maladies. The experience is tangible, as we taste progressive transformation, being re-routed onto the track that will gradually or speedily bring us the highest benefit, depending on our application and Kṛṣṇa’s timetable - freedom from material consciousness, service at the lotus feet of the great devotees, and situation in our natural constitutional position as servant of Krishna.
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the sādhu surgeon, giving this highest benefit, in this Bhagavad Gita lecture (Texts 6.4-12, New York, September 4th 1966):
“Now, for cutting something we require some sharpened instrument. But here, to cut off the mind from attachment, it requires sharpened ukti. Ukti means words. Sharpened topics. There should not be . . . just like when a person cuts something, there is no mercy, similarly, when a sādhu, or a person saint, speaks to his saints er to his student, he does not make . . . show any mercy. He speaks the truth so that his mind may be cut off from the unreal attachment.
Just like Kṛṣṇa is saying. Kṛṣṇa . . . Arjuna . . . first addressed to Arjuna. He said, aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase (BG 2.11): "Oh, you are talking like a fool . . . you are talking like a very learned man, but you are fool number one." You see. How strong word He has used. So, so far if we want detachment from this material world, then we should be prepared to accept such cutting words from the master. Santāḥ asya chindanti uktibhiḥ (SB 11.26.26).
Uktibhiḥ. We should not make compromise; "Oh, don't speak such strong words." Required. It is required.”
Amazingly, you have mastered the art of delivering such words in a digestible way, so much so that often we can laugh at ourselves, while still absorbing the message along with the compassion it is spoken with. You make transformation fun and teach us not to take our supposed “selves” so seriously, to shake loose from hardened misidentification, and step into freedom by reclaiming our real identity as a humble servant of Kṛṣṇa.
I beg for the ability to open my ears fully to your guidance and the guidance of your assistant mentors, and in a timely way to avoid unnecessary detours on the path. Hindsight is cheap, foresight is expensive, but needless to say, the best. Let me not be the fool sawing on the branch where I sit, while well-wisher’s pleas to stop sawing, foreseeing the unpleasant future, fall on deaf ears. My kali-yuga pride and bewilderment call back, “No, it will be fine”, before I land in a crumpled heap on the ground. Please help me to be on the front foot always in seeking guidance on what will accelerate devotional service and what will impede it.
Your grateful spiritual patient and daughter,
Khadiravan devī dāsī
Khadiravan devī dāsī
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this divine day of your appearance,
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to your unflagging service to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the worldwide community of devotees.
Your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda is immense and wide ranging, the little I know of it, and includes service on the GBC, overseeing and inspiring farm communities, book production at the BBT, travelling constantly to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness with both devotees and new guests. Further you serve by initiating disciples, guiding disciples, guiding leaders and managers of different projects around the world. You exemplify deep study of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, of the books of the ācāryas, and give the most enlightening classes full of insight and practical applications for an aspiring bhakti yogi. We always leave your classes with something that can be applied today to improve our spiritual life. You are always serving devotees in ways known and unknown, and nourishing relationships with your godbrothers, all other devotees and so many new guests, who may be just approaching one of our bhakti portals around the world. You serve the holy name purely in japa, and lead kirtans that send us to the spiritual world. These are just a few of your glories that I am aware of.
I want to focus today on gratitude for your service as our spiritual health coach, our spiritual doctor. Guidance is the wealth of a devotee, I have heard you say. We might not always realise that we need a checkup with the spiritual doctor, such are the dulling effects of the material energy. But you appear before us with spiritual vitality and crisp, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and illuminate the lack in our own consciousness. We can come before you and you check our pulse - our desire for devotional service - and then recommend lifestyle or consciousness adjustments in relation to the questions and problems that we bring before you. You inspire and enliven us in service, showing such warmth and deep care. How fortunate are we? We have such a golden opportunity to speak on a regular basis with you every few months and if there are any emergencies, sooner than that online. The value of this cannot be calculated. What is the price for ultimately obtaining freedom from all material anxiety, for ultimately attaining the solution to all our problems, and more than that, one day acheiving the highest goal of human life, love of Kṛṣṇa? You liberally offer this great jewel in service to anyone with receptive ears. How fortunate are we? How much do I need to unplug my ears! Guidance on material matters in the material world can be very expensive in dollar terms, and can go some way to solving material problems, but it can’t solve the root cause of our issues, or free us from our problems totally. Our heart remains burning in material existence. But your guidance on behalf of the the parampara offers a complete cure for all our maladies. The experience is tangible, as we taste progressive transformation, being re-routed onto the track that will gradually or speedily bring us the highest benefit, depending on our application and Kṛṣṇa’s timetable - freedom from material consciousness, service at the lotus feet of the great devotees, and situation in our natural constitutional position as servant of Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the sādhu surgeon, giving this highest benefit, in this lecture on Bhagavad-gītā As It Is (Texts 6.4-12, New York, September 4th 1966):
“Now, for cutting something we require some sharpened instrument. But here, to cut off the mind from attachment, it requires sharpened ukti. Ukti means words. Sharpened topics. There should not be . . . just like when a person cuts something, there is no mercy, similarly, when a sādhu, or a person saint, speaks to his saints er to his student, he does not make . . . show any mercy. He speaks the truth so that his mind may be cut off from the unreal attachment.
Just like Kṛṣṇa is saying. Kṛṣṇa . . . Arjuna . . . first addressed to Arjuna. He said, aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase (BG 2.11): "Oh, you are talking like a fool . . . you are talking like a very learned man, but you are fool number one." You see. How strong word He has used. So, so far if we want detachment from this material world, then we should be prepared to accept such cutting words from the master. Santāḥ asya chindanti uktibhiḥ (SB 11.26.26).
Uktibhiḥ. We should not make compromise; "Oh, don't speak such strong words." Required. It is required.”
You have mastered the art of delivering such words in a digestible way, with such humour, creativity and tact, so much so that often we can laugh at ourselves, while still absorbing the message along with the compassion it is spoken with. You make transformation fun and teach us not to take our supposed “selves” so seriously, to shake loose from hardened misidentification, and step into freedom by reclaiming our real identity as a humble servant of Kṛṣṇa.
I beg for the ability to open my ears fully to your guidance and the guidance of your assistant mentors, and in a timely way to avoid unnecessary detours on the path. Hindsight is cheap, foresight is expensive, but needless to say, the best. Let me not be the fool sawing on the branch where I sit, while well-wisher’s pleas to stop sawing, foreseeing the unpleasant future, fall on deaf ears. My kali-yuga pride and bewilderment call back, “No, it will be fine”, before I land in a crumpled heap on the ground. Please help me to be on the front foot always in seeking guidance on what will accelerate devotional service and what will impede it.
Your grateful spiritual patient and daughter,
Khadiravan devī dāsī
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this divine day of your appearance,
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to your unflagging service to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the worldwide community of devotees.
Your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda is immense and wide ranging, the little I know of it, and includes service on the GBC, overseeing and inspiring farm communities, book production at the BBT, travelling constantly to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness with both devotees and new guests. Further you serve by initiating disciples, guiding disciples, guiding leaders and managers of different projects around the world. You exemplify deep study of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, of the books of the ācāryas, and give the most enlightening classes full of insight and practical applications for an aspiring bhakti yogi. We always leave your classes with something that can be applied today to improve our spiritual life. You are always serving devotees in ways known and unknown, and nourishing relationships with your godbrothers, all other devotees and so many new guests, who may be just approaching one of our bhakti portals around the world. You serve the holy name purely in japa, and lead kirtans that send us to the spiritual world. These are just a few of your glories that I am aware of.
I want to focus today on gratitude for your service as our spiritual health coach, our spiritual doctor. Guidance is the wealth of a devotee, I have heard you say. We might not always realise that we need a checkup with the spiritual doctor, such are the dulling effects of the material energy. But you appear before us with spiritual vitality and crisp, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and illuminate the lack in our own consciousness. We can come before you and you check our pulse - our desire for devotional service - and then recommend lifestyle or consciousness adjustments in relation to the questions and problems that we bring before you. You inspire and enliven us in service, showing such warmth and deep care. How fortunate are we? We have such a golden opportunity to speak on a regular basis with you every few months and if there are any emergencies, sooner than that online. The value of this cannot be calculated. What is the price for ultimately obtaining freedom from all material anxiety, for ultimately attaining the solution to all our problems, and more than that, one day acheiving the highest goal of human life, love of Kṛṣṇa? You liberally offer this great jewel in service to anyone with receptive ears. How fortunate are we? How much do I need to unplug my ears! Guidance on material matters in the material world can be very expensive in dollar terms, and can go some way to solving material problems, but it can’t solve the root cause of our issues, or free us from our problems totally. Our heart remains burning in material existence. But your guidance on behalf of the the parampara offers a complete cure for all our maladies. The experience is tangible, as we taste progressive transformation, being re-routed onto the track that will gradually or speedily bring us the highest benefit, depending on our application and Kṛṣṇa’s timetable - freedom from material consciousness, service at the lotus feet of the great devotees, and situation in our natural constitutional position as servant of Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the sādhu surgeon, giving this highest benefit, in this lecture on Bhagavad-gītā As It Is (Texts 6.4-12, New York, September 4th 1966):
“Now, for cutting something we require some sharpened instrument. But here, to cut off the mind from attachment, it requires sharpened ukti. Ukti means words. Sharpened topics. There should not be . . . just like when a person cuts something, there is no mercy, similarly, when a sādhu, or a person saint, speaks to his saints er to his student, he does not make . . . show any mercy. He speaks the truth so that his mind may be cut off from the unreal attachment.
Just like Kṛṣṇa is saying. Kṛṣṇa . . . Arjuna . . . first addressed to Arjuna. He said, aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase (BG 2.11): "Oh, you are talking like a fool . . . you are talking like a very learned man, but you are fool number one." You see. How strong word He has used. So, so far if we want detachment from this material world, then we should be prepared to accept such cutting words from the master. Santāḥ asya chindanti uktibhiḥ (SB 11.26.26).
Uktibhiḥ. We should not make compromise; "Oh, don't speak such strong words." Required. It is required.”
You have mastered the art of delivering such words in a digestible way, with such humour, creativity and tact, so much so that often we can laugh at ourselves, while still absorbing the message along with the compassion it is spoken with. You make transformation fun and teach us not to take our supposed “selves” so seriously, to shake loose from hardened misidentification, and step into freedom by reclaiming our real identity as a humble servant of Kṛṣṇa.
I beg for the ability to open my ears fully to your guidance and the guidance of your assistant mentors, and in a timely way to avoid unnecessary detours on the path. Hindsight is cheap, foresight is expensive, but needless to say, the best. Let me not be the fool sawing on the branch where I sit, while well-wisher’s pleas to stop sawing, foreseeing the unpleasant future, fall on deaf ears. My kali-yuga pride and bewilderment call back, “No, it will be fine”, before I land in a crumpled heap on the ground. Please help me to be on the front foot always in seeking guidance on what will accelerate devotional service and what will impede it.
Your grateful spiritual patient and daughter,
Khadiravan devī dāsī
Khanjanaksi Radha Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudev
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Guru and Gauranga
I hope you are doing well with your health and I pray to Shri Shri Radha Vallabha for your health. I am indebted to you eternally for being under your care. When you said to Arjun that I am your “Spiritual Daughter” , I felt like I am not alone and it was very emotional. I got a relation which I always longed for. My God- Family is the best gift which is given to me by your grace, who are always there when I need them.
I just want your blessings so I can be better at bhakti and make you proud.
Your Daughter
Khajankshi Radha Dd
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Guru and Gauranga
I hope you are doing well with your health and I pray to Shri Shri Radha Vallabha for your health. I am indebted to you eternally for being under your care. When you said to Arjun that I am your “Spiritual Daughter” , I felt like I am not alone and it was very emotional. I got a relation which I always longed for. My God- Family is the best gift which is given to me by your grace, who are always there when I need them.
I just want your blessings so I can be better at bhakti and make you proud.
Your Daughter
Khajankshi Radha Dd
Khela-tirtha dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please consider accepting this soul's prostrated obeisances as it rolls in the dazzling lotus dust of your tender lotus feet .
All glories to your divine Spiritual Master ,our beloved pre eminent Siksa Guru
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gurudev ,you are present ,in your vani form of your instructions ,in your disciples lives;caring ,guiding,empowering, fascilitating,lovingly chastising us to bring us to life's ultimate goal ; Eternal Loving devotional service at the Lotus feet of the Supreme Living being ,Bhagavan Sri Krsna.
Your continuous preaching is alleviating souls all over the world.
You've created an external and internal environment ,giving us knowledge and tools to purify our existance and extracate ourselves from the repeated cycle of birth and death.
How you impact our daily lives and allow us to continue serving you has many facets.
Please allow us to observe the third verse from Gurvastakam ,which we sing daily without fail;
glorifying the Spiritual Master's actions ,qualities and how he engages the disciple in the service of Krsna.
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktam cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
Gurudev,you sanctioned this conditioned soul to assist you offering the midnight arati to Their beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha Giridhari on Janmastami 2016.
Your actions ,words and thoughts ,at any given time ,are always worshipping Radha Krsna ,but this evening you were externally being the perfect example and showing how to worship Their Lords with conch,dupa,dipa,jala,vesa,pushpa,camara conch.
You allow your disciples to continue assisting you in arati daily.
You in the form of your picture graces our alters to allow us to show you the articles first, asking if we can assist you offering these,with love,as you would,to Their Lordships.
You also allow disciples to directly worship your personal Dieties and Salagram Silas, us being your limbs ,to continue your endless,ever increasing love for Krsna.
Allowing us to participate in this Yajna that interalises our devotion to Sri Sri Radha Krsna .
Every detail of our worship from waking the Dieties ,snana,tilakam and further upacharas ,is executed only with your sanction as we offer your picture the continuous question "May we assist you Gurudeva?"
Your meditation ,Gurudev,on your service to Their Lordships ,on and off the alter ,expands in your preaching.
And ,of course,you've brought us out of our internal environments to share this Worship of Radha Krsna with the fallen conditioned souls of the world following in the thunderous footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ,Radha Krsna combined,and His eternal Sankirtana Yajna.
Srila Prabhuapda's books are the Dieties we carefully print, store, load, transport and distribute into the hands of the tired,wretched ,suffering,drowning conditioned souls
Your maestro like gestures are performing worldwide arati /sankirtan and we are fortunate to be used as instruments to increase your book distribution /diety worship.
This gift you've given us to assist you and the world ,Gurudev, is ever increasing ,ever expanding and blissfully performed.
Words to thank you , debt to repay you , heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for you may not be possible to adequately express in the english vernacular but continuous surrender at your lotus feet,continuous begging to be used by you and the progression of embracing purification may be inroads to start repaying our unpayable debt to you ,Gurudev.
Sincerely begging that you allow this conditioned soul to attempt to continue assisting you ,Gurudev,
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
Forever your aspiring servant of your servants
Khela Tirtha dasa
Please consider accepting this soul's prostrated obeisances as it rolls in the dazzling lotus dust of your tender lotus feet .
All glories to your divine Spiritual Master ,our beloved pre eminent Siksa Guru
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gurudev ,you are present ,in your vani form of your instructions ,in your disciples lives;caring ,guiding,empowering, fascilitating,lovingly chastising us to bring us to life's ultimate goal ; Eternal Loving devotional service at the Lotus feet of the Supreme Living being ,Bhagavan Sri Krsna.
Your continuous preaching is alleviating souls all over the world.
You've created an external and internal environment ,giving us knowledge and tools to purify our existance and extracate ourselves from the repeated cycle of birth and death.
How you impact our daily lives and allow us to continue serving you has many facets.
Please allow us to observe the third verse from Gurvastakam ,which we sing daily without fail;
glorifying the Spiritual Master's actions ,qualities and how he engages the disciple in the service of Krsna.
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktam cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
"The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
Gurudev,you sanctioned this conditioned soul to assist you offering the midnight arati to Their beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha Giridhari on Janmastami 2016.
Your actions ,words and thoughts ,at any given time ,are always worshipping Radha Krsna ,but this evening you were externally being the perfect example and showing how to worship Their Lords with conch,dupa,dipa,jala,vesa,pushpa,camara conch.
You allow your disciples to continue assisting you in arati daily.
You in the form of your picture graces our alters to allow us to show you the articles first, asking if we can assist you offering these,with love,as you would,to Their Lordships.
You also allow disciples to directly worship your personal Dieties and Salagram Silas, us being your limbs ,to continue your endless,ever increasing love for Krsna.
Allowing us to participate in this Yajna that interalises our devotion to Sri Sri Radha Krsna .
Every detail of our worship from waking the Dieties ,snana,tilakam and further upacharas ,is executed only with your sanction as we offer your picture the continuous question "May we assist you Gurudeva?"
Your meditation ,Gurudev,on your service to Their Lordships ,on and off the alter ,expands in your preaching.
And ,of course,you've brought us out of our internal environments to share this Worship of Radha Krsna with the fallen conditioned souls of the world following in the thunderous footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ,Radha Krsna combined,and His eternal Sankirtana Yajna.
Srila Prabhuapda's books are the Dieties we carefully print, store, load, transport and distribute into the hands of the tired,wretched ,suffering,drowning conditioned souls
Your maestro like gestures are performing worldwide arati /sankirtan and we are fortunate to be used as instruments to increase your book distribution /diety worship.
This gift you've given us to assist you and the world ,Gurudev, is ever increasing ,ever expanding and blissfully performed.
Words to thank you , debt to repay you , heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for you may not be possible to adequately express in the english vernacular but continuous surrender at your lotus feet,continuous begging to be used by you and the progression of embracing purification may be inroads to start repaying our unpayable debt to you ,Gurudev.
Sincerely begging that you allow this conditioned soul to attempt to continue assisting you ,Gurudev,
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master."
Forever your aspiring servant of your servants
Khela Tirtha dasa
Kirtiman Krsna dasa
nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. On this sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, although unqualified and limited in my abilities, I would like to offer a few words as an expression of gratitude for all that you have done for this unworthy soul.
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to SB 3.25.20, <i>“Attachment to a devotee is attachment to the service of the Lord because if one associates with a sādhu, the result will be that the sādhu will teach him how to become a devotee, a worshiper and a sincere servitor of the Lord. These are the gifts of a sādhu. If we want to associate with a sādhu, we cannot expect him to give us instructions on how to improve our material condition, but he will give us instructions on how to cut the knot of the contamination of material attraction and how to elevate ourselves in devotional service. That is the result of associating with a sādhu.” </i>
While studying this section from the Srimad Bhagavatam a few months back, I was meditating on how my life has changed after coming under your shelter. Gurudev, you’re that sādhu in my life who has bestowed the greatest gift of devotional service. Your instructions and guidance have been the guiding light in my life. Irrespective of the problem at hand, the solution you offer is always tailored towards serving Krsna better.
In SB 1.2.16 it is described that by serving great devotees, one develops a taste for hearing the transcendental messages of Lord Vāsudeva. This reaffirms that the mercy of the spiritual master opens the door to a deeper appreciation of hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa. “<i>yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi”- 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.</i>”
I am eternally grateful for everything you have done for me. I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to have your association regularly and often in your presence, I feel that any doubts or questions in my mind, gets cleared even without discussing about it. I pray that with each passing year, I can become a better instrument in your service and always remain humble, receptive to your teachings, and ever committed to following your instructions.
Your aspiring servants
Kirtiman Krsna dasa, Priyamvada Madhavi devi dasi, Priti & Daama
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, although unqualified and limited in my abilities, I would like to offer a few words as an expression of gratitude for all that you have done for this unworthy soul.
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to SB 3.25.20, <i>“Attachment to a devotee is attachment to the service of the Lord because if one associates with a sādhu, the result will be that the sādhu will teach him how to become a devotee, a worshiper and a sincere servitor of the Lord. These are the gifts of a sādhu. If we want to associate with a sādhu, we cannot expect him to give us instructions on how to improve our material condition, but he will give us instructions on how to cut the knot of the contamination of material attraction and how to elevate ourselves in devotional service. That is the result of associating with a sādhu.” </i>
While studying this section from the Srimad Bhagavatam a few months back, I was meditating on how my life has changed after coming under your shelter. Gurudev, you’re that sādhu in my life who has bestowed the greatest gift of devotional service. Your instructions and guidance have been the guiding light in my life. Irrespective of the problem at hand, the solution you offer is always tailored towards serving Krsna better.
In SB 1.2.16 it is described that by serving great devotees, one develops a taste for hearing the transcendental messages of Lord Vāsudeva. This reaffirms that the mercy of the spiritual master opens the door to a deeper appreciation of hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa. “<i>yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi”- 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.</i>”
I am eternally grateful for everything you have done for me. I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to have your association regularly and often in your presence, I feel that any doubts or questions in my mind, gets cleared even without discussing about it. I pray that with each passing year, I can become a better instrument in your service and always remain humble, receptive to your teachings, and ever committed to following your instructions.
Your aspiring servants
Kirtiman Krsna dasa, Priyamvada Madhavi devi dasi, Priti & Daama
Koladvīpa-pati das
Dear Gurudeva,
Millions of prostrated obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
On your Vyāsa-puja I am feeling extremely blessed and proud to have such a wonderful spiritual father and master as your self.
When I think of my relationship with you as one insignificant disciple out of your many dear disciples, I feel that I barely know you..
However when I think of the instructions that you have given me in spiritual life and how many times it has not only saved me but nourished and empowered my devotional service I can't help but feel that to some extent I do know you and in fact know that your association is inconceivably available within your instructions..
The number one duty of a disciple is to listen and carry out the orders of the spiritual master and this is what Paramparā means, Srīla Prabhupāda listened and carried out the orders of Srīla Bhaktisiddhānta who listened and carried out the orders of Srīla Gaura-kishora who listened and carried out the orders of Srīla Bhaktivinoda Thākura and this continues all the way up our great Sīksā lineage through Srī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu through Vyāsa, Nārada, Brahmā and ultimately Srī Krishna. It is this simple. To follow the instructions and please Guru who is the representative of Krishna is the secret of success.
And you also, in this way, are following His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srīla Prabhupāda.
So my desire is to simply listen to your instructions and actually carry them out, following in your divine footsteps and humbly praying to put a smile on your lotus-like face.
Continually begging for your causeless mercy,
Thanking you for everything
Your ever-indebted servant,
Koladvīpa-pati das
Millions of prostrated obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
On your Vyāsa-puja I am feeling extremely blessed and proud to have such a wonderful spiritual father and master as your self.
When I think of my relationship with you as one insignificant disciple out of your many dear disciples, I feel that I barely know you..
However when I think of the instructions that you have given me in spiritual life and how many times it has not only saved me but nourished and empowered my devotional service I can't help but feel that to some extent I do know you and in fact know that your association is inconceivably available within your instructions..
The number one duty of a disciple is to listen and carry out the orders of the spiritual master and this is what Paramparā means, Srīla Prabhupāda listened and carried out the orders of Srīla Bhaktisiddhānta who listened and carried out the orders of Srīla Gaura-kishora who listened and carried out the orders of Srīla Bhaktivinoda Thākura and this continues all the way up our great Sīksā lineage through Srī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu through Vyāsa, Nārada, Brahmā and ultimately Srī Krishna. It is this simple. To follow the instructions and please Guru who is the representative of Krishna is the secret of success.
And you also, in this way, are following His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srīla Prabhupāda.
So my desire is to simply listen to your instructions and actually carry them out, following in your divine footsteps and humbly praying to put a smile on your lotus-like face.
Continually begging for your causeless mercy,
Thanking you for everything
Your ever-indebted servant,
Koladvīpa-pati das
Krishna Gopinath das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
It’s been almost 9 years since I’ve had the unimaginable good fortune of meeting you.
In my first darshan, I mentioned to you that I was concerned that if I stay here in New Zealand, the connection to my family will become weaker, I won’t see them that much and I didn’t know what to do. Immediately you asked me something along the lines what is about all my other parents from previous lifetimes, why I’m not concerned with them. And even a year later when I asked you about visiting Germany, seeing my unstable condition you said better not to go.
On your last visit I overheard one thing that you said to a devotee where you mentioned that you adopted that devotee and I was reflecting how your actually my real father.
Even though I’m very stubborn and have a strong, false sense of independence in this world you are always so caring and supportive like the most qualified and loving father seeing who we really are.
Even the smallest exchanges with you are more heartwarming and touching than what I experience with other people over long periods of time. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and having allowed me to be in your immediate presence while you have been visiting Wellington the last years.
You have so many responsibilities all over the globe, hundreds of disciples and when I’m staying with you, you are still always taking the trouble, asking me how things are going in my world, encouraging me, checking, or trying to prevent me from going off track and showing interest and care about my little life.
Recently after you had your dinner, you were looking for some cookies that a devotee made for you and when you found them and there were still some left, you asked if I want a cookie and I obviously said yes, and the next moment you said ‘’ok you can have two - for good behaviour’’ and you gracefully and kindly smiled at me. I’m still not 100% sure of what exactly you were referring to, but I have some guesses. Even that little exchange was very touching and encouraging, making me feel seen and noticed by you.
On a festival day recently in a kirtan, I had an experience where I was overwhelmed with gratitude and a deep sense that Krishna is noticing my little efforts in service and that even though sometimes things may seem that no one notices or that I’m feeling quite lonely in my current situation and my pursuits that Krishna recognizes all our little struggles, setbacks and efforts and is taking note whereas externally it may seem quite different. That experience gave me a tiny drop of an insight of the kindness and inconceivable good fortune and grace that is coming down from Krishna through you to us. Apart from theoretical knowledge I have no idea of what things will actually be like advancing in Krishna consciousness, but that experience definitely gave me a lot of faith that the struggles will one day pay off and that you have given us the greatest gift even though I have yet to realise even a drop of the potential of it.
I hope I can be a better servant of yours, actually take what you have given me more serious and go deeper into chanting and hearing about Krishna. I can say with certainty, that nothing I have ever experienced outside of Krishna consciousness comes in any way close to the fulfillment and connection through Bhakti activities.
Thank you for always being so kind and caring to me Gurudev, saying the things I need to hear and amidst all your responsibilities kindly keeping your eyes out for your undeserving servant. I wish I can become more sincere and more focused on your mission. I’m forever grateful to have you as my real father, thank you for adopting me. Recently you told me in a class to ‘’Make Krisna famous’’. I’ve been trying to work on this and thinking of strategies how I can do that more and more. I tend to start and stop a lot of things, but I can definitely see how there’s quite some potential there right now to reach a considerable amount of people to bring them closer to Krishna. So I’m praying to you to not stop amidst whatever obstacles and hurdles will come up with that, and get a drop of your purity to touch people’s hearts.
Your servant
Krishna Gopinath das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
It’s been almost 9 years since I’ve had the unimaginable good fortune of meeting you.
In my first darshan, I mentioned to you that I was concerned that if I stay here in New Zealand, the connection to my family will become weaker, I won’t see them that much and I didn’t know what to do. Immediately you asked me something along the lines what is about all my other parents from previous lifetimes, why I’m not concerned with them. And even a year later when I asked you about visiting Germany, seeing my unstable condition you said better not to go.
On your last visit I overheard one thing that you said to a devotee where you mentioned that you adopted that devotee and I was reflecting how your actually my real father.
Even though I’m very stubborn and have a strong, false sense of independence in this world you are always so caring and supportive like the most qualified and loving father seeing who we really are.
Even the smallest exchanges with you are more heartwarming and touching than what I experience with other people over long periods of time. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and having allowed me to be in your immediate presence while you have been visiting Wellington the last years.
You have so many responsibilities all over the globe, hundreds of disciples and when I’m staying with you, you are still always taking the trouble, asking me how things are going in my world, encouraging me, checking, or trying to prevent me from going off track and showing interest and care about my little life.
Recently after you had your dinner, you were looking for some cookies that a devotee made for you and when you found them and there were still some left, you asked if I want a cookie and I obviously said yes, and the next moment you said ‘’ok you can have two - for good behaviour’’ and you gracefully and kindly smiled at me. I’m still not 100% sure of what exactly you were referring to, but I have some guesses. Even that little exchange was very touching and encouraging, making me feel seen and noticed by you.
On a festival day recently in a kirtan, I had an experience where I was overwhelmed with gratitude and a deep sense that Krishna is noticing my little efforts in service and that even though sometimes things may seem that no one notices or that I’m feeling quite lonely in my current situation and my pursuits that Krishna recognizes all our little struggles, setbacks and efforts and is taking note whereas externally it may seem quite different. That experience gave me a tiny drop of an insight of the kindness and inconceivable good fortune and grace that is coming down from Krishna through you to us. Apart from theoretical knowledge I have no idea of what things will actually be like advancing in Krishna consciousness, but that experience definitely gave me a lot of faith that the struggles will one day pay off and that you have given us the greatest gift even though I have yet to realise even a drop of the potential of it.
I hope I can be a better servant of yours, actually take what you have given me more serious and go deeper into chanting and hearing about Krishna. I can say with certainty, that nothing I have ever experienced outside of Krishna consciousness comes in any way close to the fulfillment and connection through Bhakti activities.
Thank you for always being so kind and caring to me Gurudev, saying the things I need to hear and amidst all your responsibilities kindly keeping your eyes out for your undeserving servant. I wish I can become more sincere and more focused on your mission. I’m forever grateful to have you as my real father, thank you for adopting me. Recently you told me in a class to ‘’Make Krisna famous’’. I’ve been trying to work on this and thinking of strategies how I can do that more and more. I tend to start and stop a lot of things, but I can definitely see how there’s quite some potential there right now to reach a considerable amount of people to bring them closer to Krishna. So I’m praying to you to not stop amidst whatever obstacles and hurdles will come up with that, and get a drop of your purity to touch people’s hearts.
Your servant
Krishna Gopinath das
Krishna Mukha Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
I am very grateful you appeared in this world. I am but a small, insignificant person on this planet of 8.3 billion. But by your mercy and influence, I'm so fortunate to be reconnected with my soul and to now understand who I really am. When I think of who I was before I knew who Krishna is, I think I was empty. But now I have my own personal relationship with Krishna, my friend and well-wisher, and I feel so very full of happiness I can't describe.
Because of your preaching efforts in the West, places like The Loft have come to be very important places for a person like me. I wasn't even searching for anything, but I came just to appease and support my husband, who was already convinced he was going to be a devotee.
I will never forget our first association and interaction at The Loft, which was with you as you arrived. We met downstairs, and you made eye contact, nodded to us, and went upstairs.
"Oooohhhh, it's the travelling monk and author we came to see!" I thought to myself.
You spoke on being vegetarian and eating consciously. I said to my husband, "We are in the wrong place! We both ate steak today!"
Then it was a while before we went back. My husband still had such a desire to be around devotees and learn more, but I was a slow burner. I didn't even want to go back.
Eventually, when we did go back, though, something started to happen. Hearing the mantra unlocked a part of me I didn't even know existed. Something began to move in my chest; I could physically feel it. The power of the Holy Name was so strong for me, I could hardly be in a kirtan without feeling something in my chest trying to burst through. Sometimes, I could barely hold it back.
We were so fortunate and had your darshan a few more times, and with your encouragement, I eventually took up chanting. You told me to just start with one bead, as did you when you started. So I did.
After months of chanting and building up, I was stuck at 12 for some time, for no reason other than I knew if I started doing 16, then this was becoming very serious business for me!
A few months later, we were so fortunate to see you personally and have your darshan again. I remember being excited to walk into the workshop room at The Loft and receive your next instructions.
But then I had this realization the moment I was walking through the door: if you look at me and ask me how chanting is going, I actually have no excuses to give about why I'm not doing 16 rounds yet. None. Zero reasons.
You did not ask me, but just the thought of not having any excuses affected me so much that I came home that night and happily chanted four more rounds to make 16, and that was it. It finally became serious business.
Without association at The Loft, being embraced by the community, encouraged by you, and lovingly engaged in Krishna's service, I would never have been able to experience the joy and fullness that knowing Krishna and chanting His names gives me.
Recently, I heard you say in a talk at The Loft that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
By this logic, I was insane before we had the great fortune of meeting you. Insane from trying, insane from not knowing what to do with my life, insane from mundane activities. It was insane and boring.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for everything you have done for us. We now know and feel Krishna in our lives, and by your guidance, we can be engaged in His service. To me, this is the real happiness you have given us and we are forever indebted. Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Krishna Mukha Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
I am very grateful you appeared in this world. I am but a small, insignificant person on this planet of 8.3 billion. But by your mercy and influence, I'm so fortunate to be reconnected with my soul and to now understand who I really am. When I think of who I was before I knew who Krishna is, I think I was empty. But now I have my own personal relationship with Krishna, my friend and well-wisher, and I feel so very full of happiness I can't describe.
Because of your preaching efforts in the West, places like The Loft have come to be very important places for a person like me. I wasn't even searching for anything, but I came just to appease and support my husband, who was already convinced he was going to be a devotee.
I will never forget our first association and interaction at The Loft, which was with you as you arrived. We met downstairs, and you made eye contact, nodded to us, and went upstairs.
"Oooohhhh, it's the travelling monk and author we came to see!" I thought to myself.
You spoke on being vegetarian and eating consciously. I said to my husband, "We are in the wrong place! We both ate steak today!"
Then it was a while before we went back. My husband still had such a desire to be around devotees and learn more, but I was a slow burner. I didn't even want to go back.
Eventually, when we did go back, though, something started to happen. Hearing the mantra unlocked a part of me I didn't even know existed. Something began to move in my chest; I could physically feel it. The power of the Holy Name was so strong for me, I could hardly be in a kirtan without feeling something in my chest trying to burst through. Sometimes, I could barely hold it back.
We were so fortunate and had your darshan a few more times, and with your encouragement, I eventually took up chanting. You told me to just start with one bead, as did you when you started. So I did.
After months of chanting and building up, I was stuck at 12 for some time, for no reason other than I knew if I started doing 16, then this was becoming very serious business for me!
A few months later, we were so fortunate to see you personally and have your darshan again. I remember being excited to walk into the workshop room at The Loft and receive your next instructions.
But then I had this realization the moment I was walking through the door: if you look at me and ask me how chanting is going, I actually have no excuses to give about why I'm not doing 16 rounds yet. None. Zero reasons.
You did not ask me, but just the thought of not having any excuses affected me so much that I came home that night and happily chanted four more rounds to make 16, and that was it. It finally became serious business.
Without association at The Loft, being embraced by the community, encouraged by you, and lovingly engaged in Krishna's service, I would never have been able to experience the joy and fullness that knowing Krishna and chanting His names gives me.
Recently, I heard you say in a talk at The Loft that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
By this logic, I was insane before we had the great fortune of meeting you. Insane from trying, insane from not knowing what to do with my life, insane from mundane activities. It was insane and boring.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for everything you have done for us. We now know and feel Krishna in our lives, and by your guidance, we can be engaged in His service. To me, this is the real happiness you have given us and we are forever indebted. Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Krishna Mukha Devi Dasi
Krishna Sanga Devi Dasi
Om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana salakya, cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah
JAI SRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA, PRABHU NITYANANDA, SRI ADVAITA, GADADHARA, SRIVASADI GAURA BHAKTA VRINDA...
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Hare krishna,
Dear GURU MAHARAJ,
Congratulations to you on this special day. Please accept my humble obeisances on your lotus feet.
All glories to you n Gauranga and my Srila Prabhupada.
Guru maharaj,
I don't know how to thank you for what you have given me on my daily bases of life. You gave me the ability to strength my sadhana and finally getting to understand your instructions and kind words keeps me safe and strong.
My good and bad are offered to KRISHNA. I was struggling alotto understand your instructions at firstbut now it makes alot of sense and the words are more and more clear.
Whatever I do, is only for the pleasure of KRISHNA. Mayadevi is always ready to gasp mewhen I ignore instructions so trying to be very careful with my movements.
Padam padam yad vipadam..(sb 10.14.58)
I am always in maya that's why I loudly called out to NITAI NITAI NITAI,
Heart feels better n I get back on track.
Without you , I am nowhere.
Srila prabhupaads instructions sb(5.14.41)
Only through KRISHNAS mercy, one can get GURU n GAURANGA, which helps us to get out of this material attachments.
I am so lucky, that I have a godfather like you, whom I will be glorifying til my last breath.
Many many thanks to you
From your most insignificant daughter,
Krishna Sanga Devi Dasi
JAI SRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA, PRABHU NITYANANDA, SRI ADVAITA, GADADHARA, SRIVASADI GAURA BHAKTA VRINDA...
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Hare krishna,
Dear GURU MAHARAJ,
Congratulations to you on this special day. Please accept my humble obeisances on your lotus feet.
All glories to you n Gauranga and my Srila Prabhupada.
Guru maharaj,
I don't know how to thank you for what you have given me on my daily bases of life. You gave me the ability to strength my sadhana and finally getting to understand your instructions and kind words keeps me safe and strong.
My good and bad are offered to KRISHNA. I was struggling alotto understand your instructions at firstbut now it makes alot of sense and the words are more and more clear.
Whatever I do, is only for the pleasure of KRISHNA. Mayadevi is always ready to gasp mewhen I ignore instructions so trying to be very careful with my movements.
Padam padam yad vipadam..(sb 10.14.58)
I am always in maya that's why I loudly called out to NITAI NITAI NITAI,
Heart feels better n I get back on track.
Without you , I am nowhere.
Srila prabhupaads instructions sb(5.14.41)
Only through KRISHNAS mercy, one can get GURU n GAURANGA, which helps us to get out of this material attachments.
I am so lucky, that I have a godfather like you, whom I will be glorifying til my last breath.
Many many thanks to you
From your most insignificant daughter,
Krishna Sanga Devi Dasi
Krishnaloka dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you for how selflessly you serve Srila Prabhupada and his mission.
We only see a snapshot of your life when you visit 4 or 5 times a year, then you move on to the next place, selflessly serving there also…continuously serving, giving everything you have in such a refined, magnanimous way.
I often think how Srila Prabhupada must be very pleased with your service.
My observation of you is that you truly have the 26 qualities of a vaisnava.
You are kind to everyone.
You do not make anyone your enemy.
You are truthful.
You are equal to everyone
You are faultless.
You are magnanimous
You are mild.
You are very suci.
You are without material possessions/use everything in Krishna's service.
You work for the welfare of everyone!!!
You are peaceful.
You are completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa.
You have no material desires.
You are meek.
You are steady.
You have conquered the six enemies.
You eat only as much as required.
You are not influenced by the Lords illusory energy.
You are respectful to others.
You are without false prestige.
You are grave.
You are merciful.
You are friendly.
You are poetic.
You are expert.
You are silent, avoiding idle talk
I don’t have the vocabulary, the depth of heart or the consciousness to understand or glorify someone like you, Gurudeva, but I do know the effect you have had on my little life and in the life of others. I was nothing and doing nothing when I first met you, BUT I knew there was something different, something unfathomable about you. And somehow, by Krishna’s mercy, I had the good sense to take shelter of you as my spiritual master - in fact, that wasn’t even my doing; Krishna's mercy gave me that vision.
Mercy is such an important factor in our life. Samsara davanala lidha loka, tranaya karunya ghanaghanatvam - you are a mercy cloud; we are nothing without that.
In Srila Prabhupada’s mangalacarana from the poem “Sri Gitara Gana”, he says, “I am simply a fool, being very lowly and degraded, yet my Guru Maharaja has kindly sprinkled me with a shower of compassion”. I am so grateful for the mercy, compassion and care you have shown me over the decades.
Your presence makes everyone feel happy, enlivened, Krishna conscious - that's the power of your association, of which I am so grateful for.
Your example has transformed the lives of so many devotees and non-devotees, who are aspiring to assist you, aspiring to follow in your footsteps; you really are a glorious vaisnava and spiritual master. May I always remain in your service.
I only hope and pray that despite my shortcomings, I can do meaningful service, assisting you more effectively in Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Forever grateful for your kindness and guidance.
your servant & daughter,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you for how selflessly you serve Srila Prabhupada and his mission.
We only see a snapshot of your life when you visit 4 or 5 times a year, then you move on to the next place, selflessly serving there also…continuously serving, giving everything you have in such a refined, magnanimous way.
I often think how Srila Prabhupada must be very pleased with your service.
My observation of you is that you truly have the 26 qualities of a vaisnava.
You are kind to everyone.
You do not make anyone your enemy.
You are truthful.
You are equal to everyone
You are faultless.
You are magnanimous
You are mild.
You are very suci.
You are without material possessions/use everything in Krishna's service.
You work for the welfare of everyone!!!
You are peaceful.
You are completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa.
You have no material desires.
You are meek.
You are steady.
You have conquered the six enemies.
You eat only as much as required.
You are not influenced by the Lords illusory energy.
You are respectful to others.
You are without false prestige.
You are grave.
You are merciful.
You are friendly.
You are poetic.
You are expert.
You are silent, avoiding idle talk
I don’t have the vocabulary, the depth of heart or the consciousness to understand or glorify someone like you, Gurudeva, but I do know the effect you have had on my little life and in the life of others. I was nothing and doing nothing when I first met you, BUT I knew there was something different, something unfathomable about you. And somehow, by Krishna’s mercy, I had the good sense to take shelter of you as my spiritual master - in fact, that wasn’t even my doing; Krishna's mercy gave me that vision.
Mercy is such an important factor in our life. Samsara davanala lidha loka, tranaya karunya ghanaghanatvam - you are a mercy cloud; we are nothing without that.
In Srila Prabhupada’s mangalacarana from the poem “Sri Gitara Gana”, he says, “I am simply a fool, being very lowly and degraded, yet my Guru Maharaja has kindly sprinkled me with a shower of compassion”. I am so grateful for the mercy, compassion and care you have shown me over the decades.
Your presence makes everyone feel happy, enlivened, Krishna conscious - that's the power of your association, of which I am so grateful for.
Your example has transformed the lives of so many devotees and non-devotees, who are aspiring to assist you, aspiring to follow in your footsteps; you really are a glorious vaisnava and spiritual master. May I always remain in your service.
I only hope and pray that despite my shortcomings, I can do meaningful service, assisting you more effectively in Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Forever grateful for your kindness and guidance.
your servant & daughter,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Krsna Prasada das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I have often heard you say “Just try to sacrifice this one life for Krsna’s pleasure.”
Reflecting on this, to honestly and sincerely do this is no small feat, but it is possible.
Srila Prabhupada explains in one of his purports - The word guru-prasada indicates that the Spiritual master is very merciful in bestowing the boon of devotional service upon the disciple. That is the best possible gift the spiritual master has to offer. By the mercy of Krsna, one meets the bona fide spiritual master, and by the mercy of the spiritual master, the disciple is fully trained in the devotional service of the lord.
Scientists have discovered that there is over Nine billion living organisms within a single corn seed, what to speak of this entire material existence. Being such a tiny speck amongst these innumerable entities, How is it possible that I have obtained access to such wealth?
Gurudeva, Thank you so much for the service you have and continue to give me. You know exactly what and when we need it.
Just like Dhruva Maharaja, I was chasing broken glass but gradually I am being transformed through such service. In the beginning transformation can seem scary. The mind seems to assure us that to stay the same and keep things familiar somehow equates to safety. Anything unfamiliar and new can create a sense of anxiety, fear, apprehension or avoidance. The mind is definitely mistaken, thinking that the unfamiliar and new is risky, when in fact, the most risk comes from not looking beyond what we know.
Unless we are feeling some sense of anxiety, I feel we are probably not living life to the full, especially in spiritual life. Its that slightly uncomfortable state where we can go to new heights, where we can really be our true selves. There is a flavour in this that you just can’t experience on the material plane. Transformation is not the same as change. Transformation does involve change but not all change is transformative. We look at change to improve or make things better than in the past, these are all mainly external and can be easy, like eating healthy and exercising. When we make a change, sometimes its easy to revert back. On the flip side, transformation is irreversible, once the door is opened it can never be closed again. The butterfly cannot return to the chrysalis. Its an internal process which shifts our core values and desires.
In a nutshell, this is what Bhakti is doing to us and I am so grateful that you are pushing me to transform. I can get a glimpse into what Srila Prabhupada was meaning when he said he never felt apart from his Spiritual master. I always have your words replaying in my head. For example -
When Im about to climb a ladder or work on a roof, I’ll hear you say “are you wearing a helmet? We don’t want your wife to be a premature widow.” Or when Im outside working in the scorching midday Sun, now I will always clearly hear your voice “are you wearing sunscreen or a long shirt?” There is something in me that definitely wants to rebel like a naughty child and come to think of it, I did and shouldn’t have. Deep down I know it's your love and care.
This is what keeps me going Gurudeva. The feeling of knowing your Spiritual master is pleased with your service, is something that just can’t be explained. Just like a drug or sugar addict chasing their next hit. We don’t necessarily need to be told but the deep satisfaction that comes is what fuels the fire.
Please allow me to actually be transformed in some small way, to not just change on a surface level and always be in your presence through your words.
Desiring to sacrifice this one life and always chase the nectar of trying to please Guru and Krsna.
Your servant,
Krsna Prasada das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I have often heard you say “Just try to sacrifice this one life for Krsna’s pleasure.”
Reflecting on this, to honestly and sincerely do this is no small feat, but it is possible.
Srila Prabhupada explains in one of his purports - The word guru-prasada indicates that the Spiritual master is very merciful in bestowing the boon of devotional service upon the disciple. That is the best possible gift the spiritual master has to offer. By the mercy of Krsna, one meets the bona fide spiritual master, and by the mercy of the spiritual master, the disciple is fully trained in the devotional service of the lord.
Scientists have discovered that there is over Nine billion living organisms within a single corn seed, what to speak of this entire material existence. Being such a tiny speck amongst these innumerable entities, How is it possible that I have obtained access to such wealth?
Gurudeva, Thank you so much for the service you have and continue to give me. You know exactly what and when we need it.
Just like Dhruva Maharaja, I was chasing broken glass but gradually I am being transformed through such service. In the beginning transformation can seem scary. The mind seems to assure us that to stay the same and keep things familiar somehow equates to safety. Anything unfamiliar and new can create a sense of anxiety, fear, apprehension or avoidance. The mind is definitely mistaken, thinking that the unfamiliar and new is risky, when in fact, the most risk comes from not looking beyond what we know.
Unless we are feeling some sense of anxiety, I feel we are probably not living life to the full, especially in spiritual life. Its that slightly uncomfortable state where we can go to new heights, where we can really be our true selves. There is a flavour in this that you just can’t experience on the material plane. Transformation is not the same as change. Transformation does involve change but not all change is transformative. We look at change to improve or make things better than in the past, these are all mainly external and can be easy, like eating healthy and exercising. When we make a change, sometimes its easy to revert back. On the flip side, transformation is irreversible, once the door is opened it can never be closed again. The butterfly cannot return to the chrysalis. Its an internal process which shifts our core values and desires.
In a nutshell, this is what Bhakti is doing to us and I am so grateful that you are pushing me to transform. I can get a glimpse into what Srila Prabhupada was meaning when he said he never felt apart from his Spiritual master. I always have your words replaying in my head. For example -
When Im about to climb a ladder or work on a roof, I’ll hear you say “are you wearing a helmet? We don’t want your wife to be a premature widow.” Or when Im outside working in the scorching midday Sun, now I will always clearly hear your voice “are you wearing sunscreen or a long shirt?” There is something in me that definitely wants to rebel like a naughty child and come to think of it, I did and shouldn’t have. Deep down I know it's your love and care.
This is what keeps me going Gurudeva. The feeling of knowing your Spiritual master is pleased with your service, is something that just can’t be explained. Just like a drug or sugar addict chasing their next hit. We don’t necessarily need to be told but the deep satisfaction that comes is what fuels the fire.
Please allow me to actually be transformed in some small way, to not just change on a surface level and always be in your presence through your words.
Desiring to sacrifice this one life and always chase the nectar of trying to please Guru and Krsna.
Your servant,
Krsna Prasada das
Krsna katha dasa
Namo om visnu padaya krsna padaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisences at your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Daksa is listed as one of the 26 primary qualifications of a pure devotee. It means a devotee is very expert in dealing with practical and material affairs,doing things will full attention and to the best of their ability without being foolish or neglectful of wordly management.
So over the years I have noticed you closely on how you possess this quality of being a daksa. Although your abilities and skills are unlimited , I would like to list down below some of them for our own inspiration and purification.
1/ Expert in preaching/outreach to the eastern and western people
2/ Travelling all around the world to all major countries in northern and southern hemisphere. You have travelled to every continent of the world.
3/ Author
4/ Expert in discourses on all sastras especially SB & CC
5/ Expert in discourses to the youth connecting them to the current topics in the world
6/ Expert in Management being a GBC for over 2 decades
7/ Expert in dealings with other devotees
8/ Expert in knowing about various subject matters that's relevant in the world today
9/ Expert in knowing about farming being the GBC for GITA NAGARI and now guiding New Kulinagrama in Wellington
10/ Expert in guiding your disciples
These are some of your qualities that you are exhibiting and through which serving Srila Prabhupada and entire ISKCON. You have been associated with ISKCON for over 54 years
You show us by example that Bhakti yoga is unstoppable and does not depend on the temporary changes always happening in this material world.
Thank you for being this amazing example on how we should serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada. I aspire to be of assistance to you in serving Srila Prabhupada & ISKCON.
Your Servant
krsna katha dasa
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisences at your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Daksa is listed as one of the 26 primary qualifications of a pure devotee. It means a devotee is very expert in dealing with practical and material affairs,doing things will full attention and to the best of their ability without being foolish or neglectful of wordly management.
So over the years I have noticed you closely on how you possess this quality of being a daksa. Although your abilities and skills are unlimited , I would like to list down below some of them for our own inspiration and purification.
1/ Expert in preaching/outreach to the eastern and western people
2/ Travelling all around the world to all major countries in northern and southern hemisphere. You have travelled to every continent of the world.
3/ Author
4/ Expert in discourses on all sastras especially SB & CC
5/ Expert in discourses to the youth connecting them to the current topics in the world
6/ Expert in Management being a GBC for over 2 decades
7/ Expert in dealings with other devotees
8/ Expert in knowing about various subject matters that's relevant in the world today
9/ Expert in knowing about farming being the GBC for GITA NAGARI and now guiding New Kulinagrama in Wellington
10/ Expert in guiding your disciples
These are some of your qualities that you are exhibiting and through which serving Srila Prabhupada and entire ISKCON. You have been associated with ISKCON for over 54 years
You show us by example that Bhakti yoga is unstoppable and does not depend on the temporary changes always happening in this material world.
Thank you for being this amazing example on how we should serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada. I aspire to be of assistance to you in serving Srila Prabhupada & ISKCON.
Your Servant
krsna katha dasa
Krsna kesa das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupad and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasa puja
Since your visit to London this summer I have been reflecting on how much you have done for me without me even realising it, its more than I can fathom, I know so because every-time you visit london, I somehow get some opportunity to have some sangha and seva and your association.
Mercy implies something that isn't deserved, and I now have more of a glimpse into what that means because I do not deserve the opportunities and kindness you have shown me.
I have not been the most involved in any steady seva or sangha for the past few years due to trying to stabilise my material affairs and also being dragged around by my mind, but every time I have a Darshan with you I am again filled with hope that due to your mercy It may be possible make some progress in Krishna Consciousness in this lifetime.
I feel pretty useless in terms of my ability to offer anything but still you give me so much encouragement, love and compassion and I feel any opportunity I get to take association with devotees or perform some service is due to you.
You give me hope that I can still do something useful with my life, I see my Godbrothers flourishing in Krishna Consciousness and they say they owe it all to you, Godbrothers that were once seemingly Junior but are now most definitely senior to me in advancement and I can see its all because of the great gift of mercy you impart upon them in the form of your guidance and instructions.
I just pray that someday soon I can also take such guidance and instruction as seriously as they do, as they give me great hope & encouragement also.
Thank you for everything you continue to do for me Gurudeva and I pray that one day I may be able to perform some service to please you and try to repay this irrepayable debt.
Your aspiring servant.
Krsna Kesa Das.
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupad and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasa puja
Since your visit to London this summer I have been reflecting on how much you have done for me without me even realising it, its more than I can fathom, I know so because every-time you visit london, I somehow get some opportunity to have some sangha and seva and your association.
Mercy implies something that isn't deserved, and I now have more of a glimpse into what that means because I do not deserve the opportunities and kindness you have shown me.
I have not been the most involved in any steady seva or sangha for the past few years due to trying to stabilise my material affairs and also being dragged around by my mind, but every time I have a Darshan with you I am again filled with hope that due to your mercy It may be possible make some progress in Krishna Consciousness in this lifetime.
I feel pretty useless in terms of my ability to offer anything but still you give me so much encouragement, love and compassion and I feel any opportunity I get to take association with devotees or perform some service is due to you.
You give me hope that I can still do something useful with my life, I see my Godbrothers flourishing in Krishna Consciousness and they say they owe it all to you, Godbrothers that were once seemingly Junior but are now most definitely senior to me in advancement and I can see its all because of the great gift of mercy you impart upon them in the form of your guidance and instructions.
I just pray that someday soon I can also take such guidance and instruction as seriously as they do, as they give me great hope & encouragement also.
Thank you for everything you continue to do for me Gurudeva and I pray that one day I may be able to perform some service to please you and try to repay this irrepayable debt.
Your aspiring servant.
Krsna Kesa Das.
Krsnadeva Das
Dandavat pranams. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your preaching services.
Hare Krishna Maharaj,
I pray that this upcoming year for you is even more transcendental than before. I see that my godbrothers and godsisters are eagerly distributing books in order to render service to Srila Prabhupada on your behalf. In comparison to them, I feel like I am the weak link. I am trying very hard here in Tulsa to do service to Srila Prabhupada on your behalf as well by arranging programs in which locals from different backgrounds can come together and chant the holy names of the Lord and partake in prasadam.
My goal is to generate enough buzz here in Tulsa that schools, more specifically colleges, search us out in order to have us share this philosophy, and maybe if we get enough request from college programs, we could bring you to Tulsa.
I pray to see you soon with the rest of my family and our newborn; it will more than likely be next year in Gita Nagari, but whenever that day happens, I will be doing my best to serve Srila Prabhupada on your behalf.
Your humble servant,
Krsnadeva Das
Hare Krishna Maharaj,
I pray that this upcoming year for you is even more transcendental than before. I see that my godbrothers and godsisters are eagerly distributing books in order to render service to Srila Prabhupada on your behalf. In comparison to them, I feel like I am the weak link. I am trying very hard here in Tulsa to do service to Srila Prabhupada on your behalf as well by arranging programs in which locals from different backgrounds can come together and chant the holy names of the Lord and partake in prasadam.
My goal is to generate enough buzz here in Tulsa that schools, more specifically colleges, search us out in order to have us share this philosophy, and maybe if we get enough request from college programs, we could bring you to Tulsa.
I pray to see you soon with the rest of my family and our newborn; it will more than likely be next year in Gita Nagari, but whenever that day happens, I will be doing my best to serve Srila Prabhupada on your behalf.
Your humble servant,
Krsnadeva Das
Krsnamrita das, Rasamrita devi dasi, Balaram & Harinama
To His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaj
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for your compassion, guidance, and tireless service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. We often reflect on how fortunate we are to receive your association through your words, example, and uplifting kirtans.
Your lectures have a special way of making profound spiritual truths practical. With clarity, intelligence, and humour, you challenge us to look beyond material achievements and examine the real condition of our hearts. Your kirtans remind us that beneath the noise and demands of everyday life, lies the simple joy of calling out Krishna’s holy names.
One teaching that stays with us is your comparison of bhakti-yoga to a laboratory experiment: sincerely follow the process and experience its results. Chant attentively, hear regularly, seek good association, and serve. The process sounds simple, yet trying to practice it consistently reveals how much we still need to grow.
Over the past few years, balancing work, raising our two energetic boys, and managing family responsibilities have become increasingly challenging. With our parents and extended family living far away, even attending a temple program requires planning around childcare, travel, and whether the children can comfortably participate.
At times we feel disappointed that we cannot serve in the same way we once did.
By Krishna’s kindness, our home has become another place to practice devotion. We share kirtans as a family and teach them to offer flowers to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. These moments may seem small, but watching their curiosity and joy reminds us that the seeds of bhakti can be planted through everyday love and example. I pray those seeds grow into a lasting attraction to Krishna and His devotees.
Guru Maharaj, we are especially grateful that you teach us to measure success differently. The world urges us to accomplish more, possess more, and stay endlessly busy. Your instructions bring us back to what matters: the quality of our chanting, the softness of our hearts, our humility, and our willingness to serve. What is the value of outward success if we forget the purpose of human life?
We cannot claim steady spiritual practice or deep devotion. Our minds are distracted, our efforts are imperfect, and too often we allow daily responsibilities to take priority over spiritual nourishment. Still, your words give us direction and hope. They encourage us not to hide behind excuses, but to begin again with sincerity.
On your Vyasa-puja, we do not wish to make grand promises. Instead, we pray for the determination to make small, meaningful improvements: to chant with greater attention, hear and read Srila Prabhupada’s teachings more regularly, and serve devotees with genuine humility.
Please bless us with patience and wisdom to raise our children with affection, healthy boundaries, and a growing love for the holy name. May our home be filled with kirtan, remembrance of Krishna, and kindness. Please help us never mistake the busyness of life for the purpose of life.
Above all, please keep our family connected to your instructions, even when circumstances limit our physical association. Thank you for reminding us that family responsibilities need not compete with bhakti; offered in the right spirit, they can become opportunities to remember and serve Krishna.
If we may offer one sincere aspiration at your lotus feet, it is that Krishna consciousness becomes not merely one part of our family life, but its very heart.
We pray to Radha Vallabha for your continued good health and strength to inspire countless souls. Please forgive our shortcomings and please continue to guide us with your mercy.
Your insignificant servants,
Krsnamrita das, Rasamrita devi dasi, Balaram & Harinama
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for your compassion, guidance, and tireless service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. We often reflect on how fortunate we are to receive your association through your words, example, and uplifting kirtans.
Your lectures have a special way of making profound spiritual truths practical. With clarity, intelligence, and humour, you challenge us to look beyond material achievements and examine the real condition of our hearts. Your kirtans remind us that beneath the noise and demands of everyday life, lies the simple joy of calling out Krishna’s holy names.
One teaching that stays with us is your comparison of bhakti-yoga to a laboratory experiment: sincerely follow the process and experience its results. Chant attentively, hear regularly, seek good association, and serve. The process sounds simple, yet trying to practice it consistently reveals how much we still need to grow.
Over the past few years, balancing work, raising our two energetic boys, and managing family responsibilities have become increasingly challenging. With our parents and extended family living far away, even attending a temple program requires planning around childcare, travel, and whether the children can comfortably participate.
At times we feel disappointed that we cannot serve in the same way we once did.
By Krishna’s kindness, our home has become another place to practice devotion. We share kirtans as a family and teach them to offer flowers to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. These moments may seem small, but watching their curiosity and joy reminds us that the seeds of bhakti can be planted through everyday love and example. I pray those seeds grow into a lasting attraction to Krishna and His devotees.
Guru Maharaj, we are especially grateful that you teach us to measure success differently. The world urges us to accomplish more, possess more, and stay endlessly busy. Your instructions bring us back to what matters: the quality of our chanting, the softness of our hearts, our humility, and our willingness to serve. What is the value of outward success if we forget the purpose of human life?
We cannot claim steady spiritual practice or deep devotion. Our minds are distracted, our efforts are imperfect, and too often we allow daily responsibilities to take priority over spiritual nourishment. Still, your words give us direction and hope. They encourage us not to hide behind excuses, but to begin again with sincerity.
On your Vyasa-puja, we do not wish to make grand promises. Instead, we pray for the determination to make small, meaningful improvements: to chant with greater attention, hear and read Srila Prabhupada’s teachings more regularly, and serve devotees with genuine humility.
Please bless us with patience and wisdom to raise our children with affection, healthy boundaries, and a growing love for the holy name. May our home be filled with kirtan, remembrance of Krishna, and kindness. Please help us never mistake the busyness of life for the purpose of life.
Above all, please keep our family connected to your instructions, even when circumstances limit our physical association. Thank you for reminding us that family responsibilities need not compete with bhakti; offered in the right spirit, they can become opportunities to remember and serve Krishna.
If we may offer one sincere aspiration at your lotus feet, it is that Krishna consciousness becomes not merely one part of our family life, but its very heart.
We pray to Radha Vallabha for your continued good health and strength to inspire countless souls. Please forgive our shortcomings and please continue to guide us with your mercy.
Your insignificant servants,
Krsnamrita das, Rasamrita devi dasi, Balaram & Harinama
Krsnananda dasa
Dear Maharaja,
My respectful pranamas to you. Jaya Srila Prabhupada, whose teachings inspired the hearts of so many millions of people and infused their lives with Krishna bhakti.
To a large degree, our relationship as guru and disciple over the years was a little like chalk and cheese, despite our best efforts to find synchronicity. Still, I have many fond memories of loving exchanges with you, which I will always hold dear. Especially at the post-Srimad Bhagavatam class question time, there were some pretty magical experiences between our hearts.
I thank you for those times when your heart was open to my sincere enquiries, and our dialogues were open and honest, and I was able to progress in Krishna bhakti despite my challenging conditioned nature, which you did your best to help me with.
I always wish you well and can see that the love from your heart, which comes down through the descending process of Sri Guru Parampara flows out to your disciples, who are such beautiful people.
Despite whatever incongruities still exist between us, I believe that we both share the same end goal, and that is ultimately love of God, as Srila Prabhupada’s highest and foundational teaching.
I am open to any thoughts you may have as to how we can work together going forward and how I may potentially assist the various communities that you oversee, in whatever capacity I have in this very busy phase of life. The future landscape for humanity - at least for a period of several years - is looking decidedly bumpy and even more treacherous than the current time, so I would predict this could be a good opportunity to overlook differences and incongruities and instead focus on collective goals with a cooperative spirit.
As wise people say, with every crisis comes opportunity. I hope that there is an opportunity for the growth of the heart towards higher and higher levels of vision in the beautiful Krsna bhakti theology that we are so fortunate to have!
I thank you so much for giving me many gifts over the years in this regard!
Yours in service.
Krsnananda dasa
My respectful pranamas to you. Jaya Srila Prabhupada, whose teachings inspired the hearts of so many millions of people and infused their lives with Krishna bhakti.
To a large degree, our relationship as guru and disciple over the years was a little like chalk and cheese, despite our best efforts to find synchronicity. Still, I have many fond memories of loving exchanges with you, which I will always hold dear. Especially at the post-Srimad Bhagavatam class question time, there were some pretty magical experiences between our hearts.
I thank you for those times when your heart was open to my sincere enquiries, and our dialogues were open and honest, and I was able to progress in Krishna bhakti despite my challenging conditioned nature, which you did your best to help me with.
I always wish you well and can see that the love from your heart, which comes down through the descending process of Sri Guru Parampara flows out to your disciples, who are such beautiful people.
Despite whatever incongruities still exist between us, I believe that we both share the same end goal, and that is ultimately love of God, as Srila Prabhupada’s highest and foundational teaching.
I am open to any thoughts you may have as to how we can work together going forward and how I may potentially assist the various communities that you oversee, in whatever capacity I have in this very busy phase of life. The future landscape for humanity - at least for a period of several years - is looking decidedly bumpy and even more treacherous than the current time, so I would predict this could be a good opportunity to overlook differences and incongruities and instead focus on collective goals with a cooperative spirit.
As wise people say, with every crisis comes opportunity. I hope that there is an opportunity for the growth of the heart towards higher and higher levels of vision in the beautiful Krsna bhakti theology that we are so fortunate to have!
I thank you so much for giving me many gifts over the years in this regard!
Yours in service.
Krsnananda dasa
Kula Paavana Das and Bhuvana Paavana Devi Dasi
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Srila Gurudev,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine Lotus Feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This year marks a deeply significant milestone in our lives. Early this year, we were blessed with the immense fortune of your mercy when we had the privilege of hosting you at our home and serving you personally for two and a half days. Gurudev, words cannot adequately express how incredibly fortunate we felt to have this opportunity. From the exact moment we welcomed you at the airport to the very minute we dropped you back at the farm, every second became the most memorable and emotionally cherished time of our lives. Your divine presence left us truly blessed, enlivened, and deeply inspired.
Later in the year, we were also blessed with the wonderful association of your dedicated admirers. H.G. Gauranga Darshan Prabhu and H.G. Pranavananda Prabhu shared beautiful pastimes of their time with you, highlighting your constant encouragement. We frequently recollect these memories in amazement, wondering how we received a fortune so great that we could not have even dared to dream of it.
During your visit, you kindly enquired about our work and our lives, listening to us with endless patience. Your affectionate words and appreciation for Bhuvana’s cooking gave us a profound glimpse into your causeless compassion; as a neophyte trying her best to cook for you, she was moved to tears by your kindness. Yamuna, Sachit, and our parents all felt the blissful, purifying aura you brought into our home. The children, especially, were filled with joy and excitement to host you.
We are eternally indebted to you for this immense fortune. We humbly beg that you continue to shower your mercy upon our family. We desperately need your constant guidance to survive in this material world, where Maya stands ever-ready to engulf us. Your personal presence here in Brisbane is our absolute lifeline—a saving rope pulling us out of Maya's clutches. We beg you to keep casting your merciful glance upon these fallen souls.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, we sincerely pray to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai for your excellent health, long life, and continued well-being.
Your eternally humble servants,
Kula pavana Das
Bhuvana Pavana devi dasi
Yamuna
Sachit
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Srila Gurudev,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine Lotus Feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This year marks a deeply significant milestone in our lives. Early this year, we were blessed with the immense fortune of your mercy when we had the privilege of hosting you at our home and serving you personally for two and a half days. Gurudev, words cannot adequately express how incredibly fortunate we felt to have this opportunity. From the exact moment we welcomed you at the airport to the very minute we dropped you back at the farm, every second became the most memorable and emotionally cherished time of our lives. Your divine presence left us truly blessed, enlivened, and deeply inspired.
Later in the year, we were also blessed with the wonderful association of your dedicated admirers. H.G. Gauranga Darshan Prabhu and H.G. Pranavananda Prabhu shared beautiful pastimes of their time with you, highlighting your constant encouragement. We frequently recollect these memories in amazement, wondering how we received a fortune so great that we could not have even dared to dream of it.
During your visit, you kindly enquired about our work and our lives, listening to us with endless patience. Your affectionate words and appreciation for Bhuvana’s cooking gave us a profound glimpse into your causeless compassion; as a neophyte trying her best to cook for you, she was moved to tears by your kindness. Yamuna, Sachit, and our parents all felt the blissful, purifying aura you brought into our home. The children, especially, were filled with joy and excitement to host you.
We are eternally indebted to you for this immense fortune. We humbly beg that you continue to shower your mercy upon our family. We desperately need your constant guidance to survive in this material world, where Maya stands ever-ready to engulf us. Your personal presence here in Brisbane is our absolute lifeline—a saving rope pulling us out of Maya's clutches. We beg you to keep casting your merciful glance upon these fallen souls.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, we sincerely pray to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai for your excellent health, long life, and continued well-being.
Your eternally humble servants,
Kula pavana Das
Bhuvana Pavana devi dasi
Yamuna
Sachit
Kumara Sanandana Das
Oct 2026
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!
I offer my humble respects at your lotus feet. I have slowly started to understand and appreciate your deep spiritual attributes—such as synthesis, elucidation, and above all, tolerance—and your dedication to pleasing Krishna. Therefore, whatever you do and however you do it, it always makes me feel more welcomed and helps me go deeper into Krishna consciousness.
The dedication and the intense absorption you have in Krishna consciousness are so attractive and mesmerising, and they make me feel more attracted to practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness.
So again, I take this opportunity to personally thank you so much for allowing me the chance to serve Yourself, 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 Krishna consciousness without your help.
Although my own understanding has its limits, your classes, writings, and encouragement have deeply strengthened my faith and made Krishna consciousness clear and practical for my life. I long to understand true love for Krishna as deeply as possible. I am confident that by humbly serving you, I will experience that love and be able to share it with the world.
Your care and encouragement gave me the determination to become a committed devotee, even when I doubted myself. I am so grateful for your steady guidance, which gives me the faith to keep working toward my Krishna conscious goals.
In my last Vyasa Puja offering, I mentioned the goal that I set 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. Also, this year I’ve committed to listening to your lectures more often and reflecting upon them to gain my realisations.
Additionally, I’m continuing 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 supporting your websites where possible with simple technical tasks. Also, as when we met last time, you provided me with guidance to take up preaching in addition to what I currently do, for which I’m actively seeking ways to form a path forward.
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 fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s vision and mission.
Hare Krsna,
Your servant and student ,
Kumara Sanandana Das.
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!
I offer my humble respects at your lotus feet. I have slowly started to understand and appreciate your deep spiritual attributes—such as synthesis, elucidation, and above all, tolerance—and your dedication to pleasing Krishna. Therefore, whatever you do and however you do it, it always makes me feel more welcomed and helps me go deeper into Krishna consciousness.
The dedication and the intense absorption you have in Krishna consciousness are so attractive and mesmerising, and they make me feel more attracted to practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness.
So again, I take this opportunity to personally thank you so much for allowing me the chance to serve Yourself, 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 Krishna consciousness without your help.
Although my own understanding has its limits, your classes, writings, and encouragement have deeply strengthened my faith and made Krishna consciousness clear and practical for my life. I long to understand true love for Krishna as deeply as possible. I am confident that by humbly serving you, I will experience that love and be able to share it with the world.
Your care and encouragement gave me the determination to become a committed devotee, even when I doubted myself. I am so grateful for your steady guidance, which gives me the faith to keep working toward my Krishna conscious goals.
In my last Vyasa Puja offering, I mentioned the goal that I set 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. Also, this year I’ve committed to listening to your lectures more often and reflecting upon them to gain my realisations.
Additionally, I’m continuing 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 supporting your websites where possible with simple technical tasks. Also, as when we met last time, you provided me with guidance to take up preaching in addition to what I currently do, for which I’m actively seeking ways to form a path forward.
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 fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s vision and mission.
Hare Krsna,
Your servant and student ,
Kumara Sanandana Das.
Kumudavana das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Another year has passed and I find myself reflecting on how much my understanding of Krishna consciousness has gradually changed through the years of hearing from you.
For a long time, I have struggled to go beyond a very superficial understanding of what I read in Srila Prabhupada’s books. I could appreciate the wisdom and value of the teachings and often take away a good message from them. Yet, when I looked at other devotees, I could see a depth of devotion and seriousness that I struggled to develop myself. What I found even more difficult was understanding what they saw in these same teachings that I was somehow missing. Through your explanations,, I am slowly beginning to appreciate not only the deeper meaning of these teachings, but also why other devotees hold them with such conviction and try so sincerely to live by them.
The remarkable thing about your teachings for me, is how you explain even the deepest spiritual principles in such simple yet powerful words. Your examples are always so relevant to the times we live in and the people you are speaking to. It shows how much effort you put into understanding and keeping up with what is happening in the world, the challenges people face in their lives, and even the circumstances of the particular place you are visiting. This makes your teachings so much easier to relate to, understand and remember.
One experience in particular has stayed with me.
For years, I had been reading the expression “embodied soul” in Srila Prabhupada’s books. I understood the words intellectually, but I don’t think their real depth and gravity had ever truly struck me.
Then, during a particularly difficult period in our lives, you said something to me that I will never forget. You encouraged me to learn from my son’s situation just how dangerous it is to have a material body. It was just one simple statement. Yet, in that moment, something I had been reading for years took on a meaning and gravity that I had never truly appreciated before.
This is just one of many examples of how your teachings have helped me better understand and appreciate the depth of Srila Prabhupada’s words. I feel deeply grateful for the way you bring out meanings that I would otherwise have struggled to discover on my own.
I know there is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to putting these teachings into practice. On this auspicious occasion, I pray that I may continue to hear from you, deepen my understanding, and develop the sincerity to live by what I am learning.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for the clarity, guidance and care you have given me over the years.
Your servant
Kumudavana das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Another year has passed and I find myself reflecting on how much my understanding of Krishna consciousness has gradually changed through the years of hearing from you.
For a long time, I have struggled to go beyond a very superficial understanding of what I read in Srila Prabhupada’s books. I could appreciate the wisdom and value of the teachings and often take away a good message from them. Yet, when I looked at other devotees, I could see a depth of devotion and seriousness that I struggled to develop myself. What I found even more difficult was understanding what they saw in these same teachings that I was somehow missing. Through your explanations,, I am slowly beginning to appreciate not only the deeper meaning of these teachings, but also why other devotees hold them with such conviction and try so sincerely to live by them.
The remarkable thing about your teachings for me, is how you explain even the deepest spiritual principles in such simple yet powerful words. Your examples are always so relevant to the times we live in and the people you are speaking to. It shows how much effort you put into understanding and keeping up with what is happening in the world, the challenges people face in their lives, and even the circumstances of the particular place you are visiting. This makes your teachings so much easier to relate to, understand and remember.
One experience in particular has stayed with me.
For years, I had been reading the expression “embodied soul” in Srila Prabhupada’s books. I understood the words intellectually, but I don’t think their real depth and gravity had ever truly struck me.
Then, during a particularly difficult period in our lives, you said something to me that I will never forget. You encouraged me to learn from my son’s situation just how dangerous it is to have a material body. It was just one simple statement. Yet, in that moment, something I had been reading for years took on a meaning and gravity that I had never truly appreciated before.
This is just one of many examples of how your teachings have helped me better understand and appreciate the depth of Srila Prabhupada’s words. I feel deeply grateful for the way you bring out meanings that I would otherwise have struggled to discover on my own.
I know there is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to putting these teachings into practice. On this auspicious occasion, I pray that I may continue to hear from you, deepen my understanding, and develop the sincerity to live by what I am learning.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for the clarity, guidance and care you have given me over the years.
Your servant
Kumudavana das
Kundalata devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to your lotus feet.
On the auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your care, guidance and tireless service to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.
I feel deeply humbled when I reflect on the services you have been carrying out for decades, constantly travelling between time zones and giving yourself to others. I cannot begin to imagine how demanding this must be, yet you continue with such dedication. Your example inspires me to approach my own service with more sincerity and perseverance.
One aspect of your service that I have been able to observe more closely over the years is your commitment to the GBC and the Australian National Council. These responsibilities involve so many complex situations, difficult decisions and hours of work that often remain unseen. I am grateful for the care and effort you give to these services, supporting the devotees and helping Śrīla Prabhupāda’s movement move forward.
Alongside these responsibilities, you continue travelling throughout the world, nourishing and inspiring devotees and welcoming newcomers to Krishna consciousness. Your willingness to reach people through non-traditional preaching has opened a door for many who might otherwise never have found a place where they feel they belong. It is inspiring to see how you make Krishna consciousness accessible to people from so many different backgrounds.
Thank you for all that you give, both in ways we can see and in the many ways we cannot.
Please bless me that I may grow in sincerity, steadiness and devotion, and learn to serve with less concern for my own comfort and greater concern for the pleasure of guru and Krishna. May I take your instructions to heart and make a small, meaningful contribution to the mission you serve so tirelessly.
Your servant,
Kundalata devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to your lotus feet.
On the auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your care, guidance and tireless service to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.
I feel deeply humbled when I reflect on the services you have been carrying out for decades, constantly travelling between time zones and giving yourself to others. I cannot begin to imagine how demanding this must be, yet you continue with such dedication. Your example inspires me to approach my own service with more sincerity and perseverance.
One aspect of your service that I have been able to observe more closely over the years is your commitment to the GBC and the Australian National Council. These responsibilities involve so many complex situations, difficult decisions and hours of work that often remain unseen. I am grateful for the care and effort you give to these services, supporting the devotees and helping Śrīla Prabhupāda’s movement move forward.
Alongside these responsibilities, you continue travelling throughout the world, nourishing and inspiring devotees and welcoming newcomers to Krishna consciousness. Your willingness to reach people through non-traditional preaching has opened a door for many who might otherwise never have found a place where they feel they belong. It is inspiring to see how you make Krishna consciousness accessible to people from so many different backgrounds.
Thank you for all that you give, both in ways we can see and in the many ways we cannot.
Please bless me that I may grow in sincerity, steadiness and devotion, and learn to serve with less concern for my own comfort and greater concern for the pleasure of guru and Krishna. May I take your instructions to heart and make a small, meaningful contribution to the mission you serve so tirelessly.
Your servant,
Kundalata devi dasi
Kunja-mandana devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Sometimes it astounds me that your feet used to walk the same pavement on Watseka Avenue that I now walk. That this city was your home for some years, like it is now for me. That in the building next to my apartment, you met His Divine Grace for the only time he ever spoke to you personally and made that transcendental sound that you recite “Hmmmmmm”.
Younger than I am now, you were in those years. I try to imagine how you saw the world. How seriously you took your chance to slip from the grip of the material karmic conveyor belt.
There is is a photo of you on harinam with Agnideva prabhu and other young, blissful youths. The sankirtan party is making it’s way down a main street, passing by Mcdonald’s, flashing billboards and drug stores, with palm trees in the background.
This same material world we’re in, but your consciousness is completely immune to the “glitter” of it.
For you, the world glitters in a different way - with opportunities to serve Srila Prabhupada.
May I become as opportunistic as you in serving Guru. May I become immune, like you, to the glitter of material nature. May I become as serious as you in utilising this human form of life.
May I become a strong woman in Krishna Consciousness and be a beacon of light for others.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for giving me a life, a purpose and protection.
Please always guide me.
Your servant & daughter,
Kunja-mandana devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Sometimes it astounds me that your feet used to walk the same pavement on Watseka Avenue that I now walk. That this city was your home for some years, like it is now for me. That in the building next to my apartment, you met His Divine Grace for the only time he ever spoke to you personally and made that transcendental sound that you recite “Hmmmmmm”.
Younger than I am now, you were in those years. I try to imagine how you saw the world. How seriously you took your chance to slip from the grip of the material karmic conveyor belt.
There is is a photo of you on harinam with Agnideva prabhu and other young, blissful youths. The sankirtan party is making it’s way down a main street, passing by Mcdonald’s, flashing billboards and drug stores, with palm trees in the background.
This same material world we’re in, but your consciousness is completely immune to the “glitter” of it.
For you, the world glitters in a different way - with opportunities to serve Srila Prabhupada.
May I become as opportunistic as you in serving Guru. May I become immune, like you, to the glitter of material nature. May I become as serious as you in utilising this human form of life.
May I become a strong woman in Krishna Consciousness and be a beacon of light for others.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for giving me a life, a purpose and protection.
Please always guide me.
Your servant & daughter,
Kunja-mandana devi dasi
Lavanga-lata Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisance's
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you!
As I write this offering, I am reminded of how quickly time is passing us by, and how the challenges along the way have shaped who we are today.
I still remember the first time I heard your class at the Loft. I felt as though you could read my mind and hear all of my thoughts. Actually, ever since then, whenever I listen to one of your classes, the topic or discussion somehow seems to be connected to something I have been struggling with, thinking about, or even questioning.
Just a couple of years ago, during the Otaki retreat, you spoke about how we should not get stuck on the backstories of the personalities and pastimes we hear about, such as Bharat maharaja or Ajamila. Instead, we should tune into the teachings they are giving us through their lives and pastimes. That really struck me because that very year, during our Friday readings, Vimala mataji, Sumuki mataji and I had spent so much time discussing and researching the backstories. We would wonder, “What happened in the past life that led to this happening?” Then, through your class, came the reminder to look beyond all of that and focus on what Krsna is trying to teach us.
There have been so many instances like this where I have felt that, even though you are far away, travelling and preaching, you are still somehow looking after us and caring for us. Somehow or other, beyond my understanding, you seem to know exactly what advice or guidance I need at that particular time. Sometimes it is a firm reality check. Sometimes it is simply a sweet word or phrase that stays with me.
Because of this I eagerly listen to your classes from around the world, waiting for that little drop of love and care that I know I will receive through them. Sometimes it is an answer to a question I have been carrying. Sometimes it is a correction I did not realise I needed. And sometimes it is simply the reassurance that keeps me moving forward in devotional service.
I am deeply grateful gurudev, that despite the physical distance, your instructions continue to reach me exactly when I need them. Through your words, guidance and example, I continue to feel your care and shelter.
Thank you, gurudev, for your tireless efforts in spreading Krsna consciousness. Your teachings continue to inspire and uplift countless devotees around the world.
Your aspiring daughter,
Lavanga-lata devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisance's
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you!
As I write this offering, I am reminded of how quickly time is passing us by, and how the challenges along the way have shaped who we are today.
I still remember the first time I heard your class at the Loft. I felt as though you could read my mind and hear all of my thoughts. Actually, ever since then, whenever I listen to one of your classes, the topic or discussion somehow seems to be connected to something I have been struggling with, thinking about, or even questioning.
Just a couple of years ago, during the Otaki retreat, you spoke about how we should not get stuck on the backstories of the personalities and pastimes we hear about, such as Bharat maharaja or Ajamila. Instead, we should tune into the teachings they are giving us through their lives and pastimes. That really struck me because that very year, during our Friday readings, Vimala mataji, Sumuki mataji and I had spent so much time discussing and researching the backstories. We would wonder, “What happened in the past life that led to this happening?” Then, through your class, came the reminder to look beyond all of that and focus on what Krsna is trying to teach us.
There have been so many instances like this where I have felt that, even though you are far away, travelling and preaching, you are still somehow looking after us and caring for us. Somehow or other, beyond my understanding, you seem to know exactly what advice or guidance I need at that particular time. Sometimes it is a firm reality check. Sometimes it is simply a sweet word or phrase that stays with me.
Because of this I eagerly listen to your classes from around the world, waiting for that little drop of love and care that I know I will receive through them. Sometimes it is an answer to a question I have been carrying. Sometimes it is a correction I did not realise I needed. And sometimes it is simply the reassurance that keeps me moving forward in devotional service.
I am deeply grateful gurudev, that despite the physical distance, your instructions continue to reach me exactly when I need them. Through your words, guidance and example, I continue to feel your care and shelter.
Thank you, gurudev, for your tireless efforts in spreading Krsna consciousness. Your teachings continue to inspire and uplift countless devotees around the world.
Your aspiring daughter,
Lavanga-lata devi dasi
Leela rasa devi dasi
Dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisance at your divine lotus feet.
On this most auspicious and sacred day of your vyasa puja, i feel deeply grateful to express a small part of gratitude that lives with in my heart.
Gurudev you are a precious gift of Krishna’s mercy in my life.last year it was very hard time for me but your causeless mercy, compassion and prayers inspire me to more close to krishna and completely depend upon him.
Your instruction and blessings give me hope that always remember Krishna, chant his holy names.
Dear Gurudev, i pray that i may never forget your kindness.
Please bless me that wherver i may be, i may always remember you,carry your instructions in my heart and walk faithfully on path of Bhakti.
Please keep showering your mercy on me and my family. Please keep us in your shelter. I will pray for good health and seeking a opportunity to serve you.
Your spiritual daughter
Leela rasa devi dasi🙏
Please accept my humble obeisance at your divine lotus feet.
On this most auspicious and sacred day of your vyasa puja, i feel deeply grateful to express a small part of gratitude that lives with in my heart.
Gurudev you are a precious gift of Krishna’s mercy in my life.last year it was very hard time for me but your causeless mercy, compassion and prayers inspire me to more close to krishna and completely depend upon him.
Your instruction and blessings give me hope that always remember Krishna, chant his holy names.
Dear Gurudev, i pray that i may never forget your kindness.
Please bless me that wherver i may be, i may always remember you,carry your instructions in my heart and walk faithfully on path of Bhakti.
Please keep showering your mercy on me and my family. Please keep us in your shelter. I will pray for good health and seeking a opportunity to serve you.
Your spiritual daughter
Leela rasa devi dasi🙏
Lila-Kishori Devi dasi
Hare Krishna beloved Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Gurudeva, your guidance and instruction provide the direction and protection that carry me safely through seemingly overwhelming circumstances and situations in this material world. By your grace, I continue to nourish my Bhakti creeper, and to cherish the gift of chanting the Holy Names.
May the Lord bless and keep you as you continue to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s mission, spreading Krishna consciousness to every village and town.
I pray for your wellbeing every day and I remain your humble servant and grateful sister.
Lila-Kishori Devi dasi
Gurudeva, your guidance and instruction provide the direction and protection that carry me safely through seemingly overwhelming circumstances and situations in this material world. By your grace, I continue to nourish my Bhakti creeper, and to cherish the gift of chanting the Holy Names.
May the Lord bless and keep you as you continue to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s mission, spreading Krishna consciousness to every village and town.
I pray for your wellbeing every day and I remain your humble servant and grateful sister.
Lila-Kishori Devi dasi
Lila-madhurya dasi & Venu-madhurya das
Dear Gurudeva, please accept our humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to You on this auspicious day.
In the recent year Lila-madhurya and I visited 11 countries and as these travels were unfolding each time we thought of You, taking longer flights, experiencing delays or sometimes missing flights, constantly packing and unpacking, adjusting to time zones and dealing with jet lag, days when no fresh & hot prasadam meal is available, traffic jams, time for planning & organizing and other inconveniences we have personally witnessed this year serving You. We travelled much less, we are more than three decades younger and what to speak of the load of responsibilities that You carry in the movement. Absolutely inconceivable.
You got Your ticket back to Godhead in the days of printing Chaitanya Caritamrita marathon, You could have just stayed in Your BBT office in sunny Los Angeles for the rest of Your life, but that would be someone else, You have understood Srila Prabhupada’s heart, His Divine Grace compassion driven urgency to spread love of Godhead to poor conditioned souls all over the globe, and as Your spiritual master did, You too took all the risks to follow in His footsteps, risking Your life, praying, trying, crying, tolerating, pushing, remaining unattached to results, again & again, gradually receiving more and more empowerment by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Guruparampara, exhibiting pure bhakti example and su-sukham kartum avyayam… so joyfully performed on all continents in all missionary aspects one can imagine (books distribution, farm projects, stressing proper Deity Worship, GBC, BBT, Sannyasa, Guru, author of books and articles, personal example of vaishnava behavior and etiquette, vibrant preacher according to time place and circumstances, loving and caring spiritual father, podcast nectarines with total heart exposure, friendship with godfamily, non envious humble servant of His Divine Grace for over 5 decades… all sprouting from transcendental “mmmmm” sound vibration and a glance by HDG, but of course from submissive hearing over and over again His books, classes, dialogues, memories, letters… total mood absorption… Your glory has no end Gurudeva and will be known and spread more and more as time goes by.
As a baby can’t fully appreciate what parents are doing for him, he only can feel safe, joyful, well fed etc., in a similar way we feel protected and blessed under the shelter of Your lotus feet.
How do people live in that world of padam padam yad vipadam na tesam without real shelter. Such life is just full of misery even sometimes they think that they enjoy in a moment.
We are sincerely grateful to You for service opportunity which you gave us. Thank you for all your deep care, guidance, concern. We see how Krishna protects us and carry through life and the only reason for that is Your well-wishing to us.
Your presence in our lives is the highest benediction, our greatest fortune.
Thank you dear Gurudeva.
Praying to be blessed by many more years of Your association and guidance. And hope to be useful to You in some way as well.
We - the lucky souls who You have kindly picked up on the streets of Kali Yuga, through Your servants, let us fully surrender to Your lotus feet, there is no doubt this will be a perfection of our lives, oh let us always remember this goal of life and live it accordingly.
Your servants Lila-madhurya dasi and Venu-madhurya das
P.s.- There are a lot of squirrels in Gita Nagari and at first look they are so cute, but actually after thoughtful observation we can see how miserable their life is, they are always in fear and working hard in a struggle for existence. That exactly how most of people live their lives, while thinking “I am enjoying”, “life is meant for happiness “. So much illusion and blindness. People trying to secure their life by investing their faith in family, bank accounts etc. But this all can’t provide real shelter. The only real shelter is the Lotus Feet of Spiritual Master.
In the recent year Lila-madhurya and I visited 11 countries and as these travels were unfolding each time we thought of You, taking longer flights, experiencing delays or sometimes missing flights, constantly packing and unpacking, adjusting to time zones and dealing with jet lag, days when no fresh & hot prasadam meal is available, traffic jams, time for planning & organizing and other inconveniences we have personally witnessed this year serving You. We travelled much less, we are more than three decades younger and what to speak of the load of responsibilities that You carry in the movement. Absolutely inconceivable.
You got Your ticket back to Godhead in the days of printing Chaitanya Caritamrita marathon, You could have just stayed in Your BBT office in sunny Los Angeles for the rest of Your life, but that would be someone else, You have understood Srila Prabhupada’s heart, His Divine Grace compassion driven urgency to spread love of Godhead to poor conditioned souls all over the globe, and as Your spiritual master did, You too took all the risks to follow in His footsteps, risking Your life, praying, trying, crying, tolerating, pushing, remaining unattached to results, again & again, gradually receiving more and more empowerment by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Guruparampara, exhibiting pure bhakti example and su-sukham kartum avyayam… so joyfully performed on all continents in all missionary aspects one can imagine (books distribution, farm projects, stressing proper Deity Worship, GBC, BBT, Sannyasa, Guru, author of books and articles, personal example of vaishnava behavior and etiquette, vibrant preacher according to time place and circumstances, loving and caring spiritual father, podcast nectarines with total heart exposure, friendship with godfamily, non envious humble servant of His Divine Grace for over 5 decades… all sprouting from transcendental “mmmmm” sound vibration and a glance by HDG, but of course from submissive hearing over and over again His books, classes, dialogues, memories, letters… total mood absorption… Your glory has no end Gurudeva and will be known and spread more and more as time goes by.
As a baby can’t fully appreciate what parents are doing for him, he only can feel safe, joyful, well fed etc., in a similar way we feel protected and blessed under the shelter of Your lotus feet.
How do people live in that world of padam padam yad vipadam na tesam without real shelter. Such life is just full of misery even sometimes they think that they enjoy in a moment.
We are sincerely grateful to You for service opportunity which you gave us. Thank you for all your deep care, guidance, concern. We see how Krishna protects us and carry through life and the only reason for that is Your well-wishing to us.
Your presence in our lives is the highest benediction, our greatest fortune.
Thank you dear Gurudeva.
Praying to be blessed by many more years of Your association and guidance. And hope to be useful to You in some way as well.
We - the lucky souls who You have kindly picked up on the streets of Kali Yuga, through Your servants, let us fully surrender to Your lotus feet, there is no doubt this will be a perfection of our lives, oh let us always remember this goal of life and live it accordingly.
Your servants Lila-madhurya dasi and Venu-madhurya das
P.s.- There are a lot of squirrels in Gita Nagari and at first look they are so cute, but actually after thoughtful observation we can see how miserable their life is, they are always in fear and working hard in a struggle for existence. That exactly how most of people live their lives, while thinking “I am enjoying”, “life is meant for happiness “. So much illusion and blindness. People trying to secure their life by investing their faith in family, bank accounts etc. But this all can’t provide real shelter. The only real shelter is the Lotus Feet of Spiritual Master.
Lilotsava Dasi
Hare Kṛṣṇa Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupada!
All glories to your auspicious Vyasa Puja!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to delve into the superior science of real transcendental knowledge, of the spirit soul, Kṛṣṇa, and devotional service. Thank you for helping me find the real substance of life, without which everything would be like an empty shell.
Thank you for caring about New Zealand and the people who live here. It’s thanks to you that we have the chance to access Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. I’m really grateful that I was able to come to Mantra Lounge, and make wonderful friendships with devotees, and experience the happiness of kirtan and prasad!
Gurudeva, you are so kind and wise. I am very honoured to consider myself your student. I am very happy to be a part of this community, a family of your disciples. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn about Kṛṣṇa and to engage in devotional service. Without this, there isn’t really much substance to life.
Sometimes, when life is hard, chanting and remembering how Kṛṣṇa is so kind and beautiful really helps. Sometimes I see beauty in this world, like the colours of flowers, the sunlight shining on dew drops, and waves of the ocean. It makes me think that if this material world can be so beautiful, imagine how beautiful the spiritual world and Kṛṣṇa Himself must be, as the source and inspiration behind everything.
I am really happy that I have this chance to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, spend time with devotees and do devotional service. My aspirations are to chant better japa and to serve devotees better. I am seeking your blessings so that I can hopefully make progress with this. I am eager to see what lies ahead in this journey of spiritual life. Thank you for being in my life Gurudeva.
Aspiring to serve you,
Lilotsava Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupada!
All glories to your auspicious Vyasa Puja!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to delve into the superior science of real transcendental knowledge, of the spirit soul, Kṛṣṇa, and devotional service. Thank you for helping me find the real substance of life, without which everything would be like an empty shell.
Thank you for caring about New Zealand and the people who live here. It’s thanks to you that we have the chance to access Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. I’m really grateful that I was able to come to Mantra Lounge, and make wonderful friendships with devotees, and experience the happiness of kirtan and prasad!
Gurudeva, you are so kind and wise. I am very honoured to consider myself your student. I am very happy to be a part of this community, a family of your disciples. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn about Kṛṣṇa and to engage in devotional service. Without this, there isn’t really much substance to life.
Sometimes, when life is hard, chanting and remembering how Kṛṣṇa is so kind and beautiful really helps. Sometimes I see beauty in this world, like the colours of flowers, the sunlight shining on dew drops, and waves of the ocean. It makes me think that if this material world can be so beautiful, imagine how beautiful the spiritual world and Kṛṣṇa Himself must be, as the source and inspiration behind everything.
I am really happy that I have this chance to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, spend time with devotees and do devotional service. My aspirations are to chant better japa and to serve devotees better. I am seeking your blessings so that I can hopefully make progress with this. I am eager to see what lies ahead in this journey of spiritual life. Thank you for being in my life Gurudeva.
Aspiring to serve you,
Lilotsava Dasi
Lolākṣī Rādhā dd
Vyasapuja 2026
Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your lotus feet!
Your auspicious Vyasapuja has arrived. To have a day dedicated to appreciating your glories is wonderful, but ultimately, the best way to show that appreciation is by following your instructions and becoming a first-class disciple.
I have been meditating on your pranam mantra:
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you, who possess all these qualities: exceptional skill in preaching, expertise in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
So often, we hear about the qualities of a bona fide spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada explains this beautifully in the purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.24.48:
“The bona fide guru is he who has accepted Kṛṣṇa as guru. This is the guru-paramparā system. The original guru is Vyāsadeva because he is the speaker of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, wherein everything spoken relates to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore guru-pūjā is known as Vyāsa-pūjā. In the final analysis, the original guru is Kṛṣṇa, His disciple is Nārada, whose disciple is Vyāsa, and in this way we gradually come in touch with the guru-paramparā. One cannot become a guru if he does not know what the Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa or His incarnation wants. The mission of the guru is the mission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world.”
Similarly, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.15.25, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“If one is a pure devotee acting under the directions of the guru, one easily gets the mercy of the Supreme Lord and thus becomes immediately situated on the transcendental platform”
I was reflecting on our trip to Ahimsa Farm, where we spent five blissful days with you. During that time, you repeatedly emphasised the importance of ensuring that we remain engaged in devotional service. By continuing to engage in service, Krishna will do the work of cleansing our hearts; we simply have to keep serving.
You also mentioned to me personally that I should become expert in many skills for service, particularly:
* Outreach
* Cooking
* Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books
This highlighted to me that all you want is for us to remain consistently engaged in devotional service, no matter what. You even said to me that all you want is for us to have a happy and successful life in Lord Caitanya’s service. This is a bonafide guru and therefore it’s actually my greatest fortune, my only fortune to have the opportunity to be under your shelter.
What a selfless well-wisher you are! All of this is in the hope of fulfilling the mission of your dearest spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. What a fortune it is to have a spiritual master such as you.
Thank you, dear Guru Maharaj, for your guidance, support, appreciation and true dedication for taking us back to godhead
I can never repay you, but I hope to spend the rest of my life trying to serve you and following your instructions in your attempt to also please your own spiritual master our dear Srila Prabhupada!
Trying to be your servant,
Lolākṣī Radha dd
Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your lotus feet!
Your auspicious Vyasapuja has arrived. To have a day dedicated to appreciating your glories is wonderful, but ultimately, the best way to show that appreciation is by following your instructions and becoming a first-class disciple.
I have been meditating on your pranam mantra:
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you, who possess all these qualities: exceptional skill in preaching, expertise in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
So often, we hear about the qualities of a bona fide spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada explains this beautifully in the purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.24.48:
“The bona fide guru is he who has accepted Kṛṣṇa as guru. This is the guru-paramparā system. The original guru is Vyāsadeva because he is the speaker of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, wherein everything spoken relates to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore guru-pūjā is known as Vyāsa-pūjā. In the final analysis, the original guru is Kṛṣṇa, His disciple is Nārada, whose disciple is Vyāsa, and in this way we gradually come in touch with the guru-paramparā. One cannot become a guru if he does not know what the Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa or His incarnation wants. The mission of the guru is the mission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world.”
Similarly, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.15.25, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“If one is a pure devotee acting under the directions of the guru, one easily gets the mercy of the Supreme Lord and thus becomes immediately situated on the transcendental platform”
I was reflecting on our trip to Ahimsa Farm, where we spent five blissful days with you. During that time, you repeatedly emphasised the importance of ensuring that we remain engaged in devotional service. By continuing to engage in service, Krishna will do the work of cleansing our hearts; we simply have to keep serving.
You also mentioned to me personally that I should become expert in many skills for service, particularly:
* Outreach
* Cooking
* Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books
This highlighted to me that all you want is for us to remain consistently engaged in devotional service, no matter what. You even said to me that all you want is for us to have a happy and successful life in Lord Caitanya’s service. This is a bonafide guru and therefore it’s actually my greatest fortune, my only fortune to have the opportunity to be under your shelter.
What a selfless well-wisher you are! All of this is in the hope of fulfilling the mission of your dearest spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. What a fortune it is to have a spiritual master such as you.
Thank you, dear Guru Maharaj, for your guidance, support, appreciation and true dedication for taking us back to godhead
I can never repay you, but I hope to spend the rest of my life trying to serve you and following your instructions in your attempt to also please your own spiritual master our dear Srila Prabhupada!
Trying to be your servant,
Lolākṣī Radha dd
MENGCHAO LI
Dear Gurudeva,
Happy Birthday Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisance, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I was wondering that why I celebrate the birthday for an elder. When I talk with people who are in confusion, I'm really grateful that I have Krsna consciousness and your guidance. Your appearance gives us an opportunity to take shelter.
Gurudeva, since I first met you in HK in 2023, 3 years passed, I feel blessed when I associated with you, thank you gurudeva, I wish you all the best.
You poor servant
Mengchao Li
Happy Birthday Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisance, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I was wondering that why I celebrate the birthday for an elder. When I talk with people who are in confusion, I'm really grateful that I have Krsna consciousness and your guidance. Your appearance gives us an opportunity to take shelter.
Gurudeva, since I first met you in HK in 2023, 3 years passed, I feel blessed when I associated with you, thank you gurudeva, I wish you all the best.
You poor servant
Mengchao Li
Madhava Seva Das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Your divine services.
Wishing you a wonderful appearance day Guru Maharaj. May Lord Krishna bless you with a healthy and long life so that You may continue to nourish fallen souls like myself with Krishna Bhakti. Your presence on this Earth is a blessing for all of us who have no hope to connect with Krishna who is beyond the grasp of our materialistic and feeble minds. Without Your shelter I am completely lost. Through Your behaviour and preaching we see the proof that Guru parampara is fully present. Your words are carefully chosen to align with Krishna's message that is individualized for each of us. When You speak it is like Krishna is speaking straight to our souls. I feel the compassion and purity of Krishna when I hear You speak. I am very blessed to have a spiritual master of Your calibre. Like Krishna, You don't force me into anything that I am not prepared for. You show understanding and compassion towards what I am going through and give instructions according to my capacity. You never abandon me and show genuine care and love. I am so thankful that Krishna made the arrangement that we met and i was lifted from my precarious situation and engaged in the service of Svayam Bhagwaan Krishna. Please bless this fallen disciple to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. Once again happy appearance day Guru Maharaj 🙏
Your servant,
Madhava Seva Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Your divine services.
Wishing you a wonderful appearance day Guru Maharaj. May Lord Krishna bless you with a healthy and long life so that You may continue to nourish fallen souls like myself with Krishna Bhakti. Your presence on this Earth is a blessing for all of us who have no hope to connect with Krishna who is beyond the grasp of our materialistic and feeble minds. Without Your shelter I am completely lost. Through Your behaviour and preaching we see the proof that Guru parampara is fully present. Your words are carefully chosen to align with Krishna's message that is individualized for each of us. When You speak it is like Krishna is speaking straight to our souls. I feel the compassion and purity of Krishna when I hear You speak. I am very blessed to have a spiritual master of Your calibre. Like Krishna, You don't force me into anything that I am not prepared for. You show understanding and compassion towards what I am going through and give instructions according to my capacity. You never abandon me and show genuine care and love. I am so thankful that Krishna made the arrangement that we met and i was lifted from my precarious situation and engaged in the service of Svayam Bhagwaan Krishna. Please bless this fallen disciple to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. Once again happy appearance day Guru Maharaj 🙏
Your servant,
Madhava Seva Das
Madhupāna-līlā devi dasi
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 divine appearance.
When I washed up to the Loft, I was somehow fortunate enough to attend one of your outreach classes. I remember thinking your voice sounded like thunder and the clashing of the cymbals like lightning cutting through the air. After your talk, the devotees encouraged me to go talk with you. I didn't have any questions, but I went with the flow. I walked in with all the confidence that a young girl of 19 has, but your stark sobriety changed my mood, and I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I sat on the floor in front of you and started to tell you about my life. How I was from America, travelling, working, and my plans for university, how I wanted to save the world. You very expertly popped my bubble by saying, “It's nice you want to save the world, but the world's not going to save you when you're in debt.” This single sentence cleared my illusions and false desires about university. I really didn't want to go into debt, and I didn't really want to study environmental studies in university. I wanted to get deeper into bhakti, and you expertly fanned that fire.
You encouraged me to stay in New Zealand and move into the Nandini Ladies Ashram, encouraged me to do sankirtan, to cook, to become a devastating cook, to enjoy my freedom years, and to selflessly serve Krishna in all phases of life, to be an all-weather devotee.
In the purport to 4.10 BG, Prabhupada writes:
One has to get rid of all three stages of material consciousness: attachment to material life, fear of a spiritual personal identity, and the conception of void that arises from frustration in life. To get free from these three stages of the material concept of life, one has to take complete shelter of the Lord, guided by the bona fide spiritual master and follow the disciplines and regulative principles of devotional life.
In your recent Vyasa Puja class in Auckland, you said, “The most important instruction is to chant the prescribed number of rounds; without that there is no integrity.” And during your stay at Gita Nagari this year, you told us, “Your japa is your lifeline to Krishna.”
In a recent discussion with Venu and Lila Madhurya, they highlighted how, when you travel, you go way out of your way, even travelling long distances at night, so that you can wake up early in the morning to chant your rounds before getting on the aeroplane. You live and embody the principle you coined: sacred time, sacred space.
I'm so grateful, Gurudeva, that you have made Krishna consciousness so easy. Just chant, dance, and feast. When the complications of life hit, I know I can revert back to the basics: reading and chanting my 16 rounds. And even if that's all I'm able to do, it's still valuable and keeps me under the shade of your feet.
During a recent darshan, you asked me what my plans were for service. I replied that I was just trying to focus on my sadhana, AKA, stay alive in bhakti. Reflecting on that now, I'm disgusted with that answer. I want to do so much more than just stay alive. I want to serve you, to serve Lord Caitanya and Prabhupada's sankirtan mission. I'm a floundering fish out of water, and it feels unnatural. I want to be plunged into the ocean of devotional service again.
You recently said, “This Vyasa Puja ceremony is a chance for us to reinstate ourselves in service at the lotus feet of our spiritual master.” I would like to reinstate myself. Please accept me, even though I can't offer you much. I pray that I will be able to do something pleasing for your service, as I fear you are not pleased with us now.
If you examine me, you will find no qualities.
Your mercy is all that I am made of.
Your servant and daughter,
Madhupana-lila dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
When I washed up to the Loft, I was somehow fortunate enough to attend one of your outreach classes. I remember thinking your voice sounded like thunder and the clashing of the cymbals like lightning cutting through the air. After your talk, the devotees encouraged me to go talk with you. I didn't have any questions, but I went with the flow. I walked in with all the confidence that a young girl of 19 has, but your stark sobriety changed my mood, and I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I sat on the floor in front of you and started to tell you about my life. How I was from America, travelling, working, and my plans for university, how I wanted to save the world. You very expertly popped my bubble by saying, “It's nice you want to save the world, but the world's not going to save you when you're in debt.” This single sentence cleared my illusions and false desires about university. I really didn't want to go into debt, and I didn't really want to study environmental studies in university. I wanted to get deeper into bhakti, and you expertly fanned that fire.
You encouraged me to stay in New Zealand and move into the Nandini Ladies Ashram, encouraged me to do sankirtan, to cook, to become a devastating cook, to enjoy my freedom years, and to selflessly serve Krishna in all phases of life, to be an all-weather devotee.
In the purport to 4.10 BG, Prabhupada writes:
One has to get rid of all three stages of material consciousness: attachment to material life, fear of a spiritual personal identity, and the conception of void that arises from frustration in life. To get free from these three stages of the material concept of life, one has to take complete shelter of the Lord, guided by the bona fide spiritual master and follow the disciplines and regulative principles of devotional life.
In your recent Vyasa Puja class in Auckland, you said, “The most important instruction is to chant the prescribed number of rounds; without that there is no integrity.” And during your stay at Gita Nagari this year, you told us, “Your japa is your lifeline to Krishna.”
In a recent discussion with Venu and Lila Madhurya, they highlighted how, when you travel, you go way out of your way, even travelling long distances at night, so that you can wake up early in the morning to chant your rounds before getting on the aeroplane. You live and embody the principle you coined: sacred time, sacred space.
I'm so grateful, Gurudeva, that you have made Krishna consciousness so easy. Just chant, dance, and feast. When the complications of life hit, I know I can revert back to the basics: reading and chanting my 16 rounds. And even if that's all I'm able to do, it's still valuable and keeps me under the shade of your feet.
During a recent darshan, you asked me what my plans were for service. I replied that I was just trying to focus on my sadhana, AKA, stay alive in bhakti. Reflecting on that now, I'm disgusted with that answer. I want to do so much more than just stay alive. I want to serve you, to serve Lord Caitanya and Prabhupada's sankirtan mission. I'm a floundering fish out of water, and it feels unnatural. I want to be plunged into the ocean of devotional service again.
You recently said, “This Vyasa Puja ceremony is a chance for us to reinstate ourselves in service at the lotus feet of our spiritual master.” I would like to reinstate myself. Please accept me, even though I can't offer you much. I pray that I will be able to do something pleasing for your service, as I fear you are not pleased with us now.
If you examine me, you will find no qualities.
Your mercy is all that I am made of.
Your servant and daughter,
Madhupana-lila dd
Madhurananda das
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
We are constantly told about the impending doom of Kaliyuga. But like a fool, I think "It cannot be that bad can it?" Both you and Srila Prabhupada have pointed out the wonderful magic of Maya. How, in order to drown the frog, you have to boil it slowly. We are fools for thinking we can be happy in this material world and I present myself to you as a fool
The advent of LLMs and artificial intelligence have created a world where the truth is a premium and everything can be called into question. Like weapons in the hands of uncivilized men, these tools make fools feel like scholars. "We don't need to learn anything any more!" The experts cry, and just like the car to a horse or a calculator to mental maths, "We need to keep up with the times". Worse than this, the companies that hold this power, drain Mother Earth of scarce resources like water, land and energy, all with the aim of growing and feeding their material ambition. I worry for my children and the next generation. What will they know of truth, or the need to sharpen the mind and character?
You have seen so many of these material crises. How the same modes of nature are mixed and churned to form a new disaster for the living entity like primary colours on a palette of a paniter. I wonder, what is the power behind your faith in Srila Prabhupada's words? You have seen the height of material life and yet you gave it up to cling to the Lotus Feet of His Divine Grace. You had the hope of material pleasure awaiting you, yet you saw something more.
I beg to understand what you saw in Srila Prabhupada's words. What you saw that was worth giving up this material world for? Even today with untold innovations, zettabytes of information, new ideas, inventions and ways of life, you hold onto the ways of your Divine Master. In a world where attention, truth and influence are the new currency, how do you hold onto the ancient teachings of Sastra?
I fear for the future, where we as frogs enjoy the slowly boiling pot like a warm bath, not knowing when it will be too late to jump. Please show your mercy upon us and pull us out, despite our insistence that we are happy here. Show us the value of real knowledge and open our eyes to the Absolute Truth
Your Servant
Madhurananda das
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
We are constantly told about the impending doom of Kaliyuga. But like a fool, I think "It cannot be that bad can it?" Both you and Srila Prabhupada have pointed out the wonderful magic of Maya. How, in order to drown the frog, you have to boil it slowly. We are fools for thinking we can be happy in this material world and I present myself to you as a fool
The advent of LLMs and artificial intelligence have created a world where the truth is a premium and everything can be called into question. Like weapons in the hands of uncivilized men, these tools make fools feel like scholars. "We don't need to learn anything any more!" The experts cry, and just like the car to a horse or a calculator to mental maths, "We need to keep up with the times". Worse than this, the companies that hold this power, drain Mother Earth of scarce resources like water, land and energy, all with the aim of growing and feeding their material ambition. I worry for my children and the next generation. What will they know of truth, or the need to sharpen the mind and character?
You have seen so many of these material crises. How the same modes of nature are mixed and churned to form a new disaster for the living entity like primary colours on a palette of a paniter. I wonder, what is the power behind your faith in Srila Prabhupada's words? You have seen the height of material life and yet you gave it up to cling to the Lotus Feet of His Divine Grace. You had the hope of material pleasure awaiting you, yet you saw something more.
I beg to understand what you saw in Srila Prabhupada's words. What you saw that was worth giving up this material world for? Even today with untold innovations, zettabytes of information, new ideas, inventions and ways of life, you hold onto the ways of your Divine Master. In a world where attention, truth and influence are the new currency, how do you hold onto the ancient teachings of Sastra?
I fear for the future, where we as frogs enjoy the slowly boiling pot like a warm bath, not knowing when it will be too late to jump. Please show your mercy upon us and pull us out, despite our insistence that we are happy here. Show us the value of real knowledge and open our eyes to the Absolute Truth
Your Servant
Madhurananda das
Madhurya Mukhi
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.
One of the most meaningful realizations of my life has been recognizing how Śrī Krishna has always been present in my life, making arrangements to gradually bring me closer to Him. Through your outreach mission, I was blessed with the association of devotees, especially Deva Darshan Prabhu, whose guidance helped me take my first steps toward my spiritual journey. I now look back with deep gratitude, recognizing Krishna’s mercy, reaching me through your service.
Although I am still struggling to understand this material world, with all its dangers and suffering, I feel a sense of shelter and protection by taking refuge in Krishna and His devotees. Seeing His divine intervention in my life and the way He has arranged for me to meet devotees gives me faith that, whatever circumstances may come, I am never alone. This realization has deepened my appreciation for your preaching mission and the immeasurable mercy it carries.
Inspired by your dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness, I feel a sincere desire to serve this mission alongside my husband, Damodar Gopāl, and Dharmiki Devī Dāsī. By Krishna’s arrangement, we have been inspired to start a new club at UC Irvine, with the hope of helping transform lives by introducing others to Krishna consciousness. Although I am very inexperienced in leadership, my experience serving with the meditation club at Cal State Long Beach has encouraged me to take this step. I pray to develop the humility, sincerity, and compassion necessary to serve others and to learn to lead by example, following in the footsteps of Śrīla Prabhupāda, yourself, and the Vaiṣṇavas who have inspired me.
Dear Gurudeva, on this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your life of service and for the mercy you have extended to so many souls through your preaching. I pray that, by your blessings and guidance, my husband and I may become useful instruments in this mission and help bring more souls into contact with Krishna and His devotees.
Please bless me that I may deepen my faith, continue studying and reading the philosophy as you have instructed me, and develop a clearer understanding of my position in both the material and spiritual worlds. May I always remember that whatever little service I am able to render is possible only through the mercy of Guru, the Vaiṣṇavas, and Śrī Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Madhurya Mukhi
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.
One of the most meaningful realizations of my life has been recognizing how Śrī Krishna has always been present in my life, making arrangements to gradually bring me closer to Him. Through your outreach mission, I was blessed with the association of devotees, especially Deva Darshan Prabhu, whose guidance helped me take my first steps toward my spiritual journey. I now look back with deep gratitude, recognizing Krishna’s mercy, reaching me through your service.
Although I am still struggling to understand this material world, with all its dangers and suffering, I feel a sense of shelter and protection by taking refuge in Krishna and His devotees. Seeing His divine intervention in my life and the way He has arranged for me to meet devotees gives me faith that, whatever circumstances may come, I am never alone. This realization has deepened my appreciation for your preaching mission and the immeasurable mercy it carries.
Inspired by your dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness, I feel a sincere desire to serve this mission alongside my husband, Damodar Gopāl, and Dharmiki Devī Dāsī. By Krishna’s arrangement, we have been inspired to start a new club at UC Irvine, with the hope of helping transform lives by introducing others to Krishna consciousness. Although I am very inexperienced in leadership, my experience serving with the meditation club at Cal State Long Beach has encouraged me to take this step. I pray to develop the humility, sincerity, and compassion necessary to serve others and to learn to lead by example, following in the footsteps of Śrīla Prabhupāda, yourself, and the Vaiṣṇavas who have inspired me.
Dear Gurudeva, on this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your life of service and for the mercy you have extended to so many souls through your preaching. I pray that, by your blessings and guidance, my husband and I may become useful instruments in this mission and help bring more souls into contact with Krishna and His devotees.
Please bless me that I may deepen my faith, continue studying and reading the philosophy as you have instructed me, and develop a clearer understanding of my position in both the material and spiritual worlds. May I always remember that whatever little service I am able to render is possible only through the mercy of Guru, the Vaiṣṇavas, and Śrī Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Madhurya Mukhi
Madhurya-sindhu dd
My Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of Your 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 auspicious Vyasa Puja day. On this special memorable day, I pray to our loving Lord Krishna for Your good health and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
I am sincerely 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 compassionately accepted me and my husband as Your disciples. Thank You so much Gurudev for Your love, kindness, and inspiration You bring to my life. You rescued me from Maya and gave me spiritual knowledge. You have come from the spiritual world to take us back to Krishna.
Only by your sweet loving mercy 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. The little spiritual progress I have made is solely made possible by Your sweet mercy.
This year I feel very blessed as I got Your beautiful personal association during our trip to Gita Nagari for the Recharge Retreat. Mornings You blessed us with Your melodious kirtan and nectarean Bhagavatham classes. Listening to Your discourses feel like hearing the Bhagavatham verses come to life. Your divine presence was memorable and beautiful. One of the highlights of this year’s Recharge Retreat was the opportunity to be part of the group picture with You and my Godfamily. This is most memorable.
This year, we had the great opportunity to visit Vrndavan Dham and Jagannath Puri Dham. This was a very spiritual uplifting trip for us.
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.
Through Your lectures, writings, and kirtans, I feel You are always with me, inspiring, guiding and keeping me engaged in devotional service.
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. Kindly keep me under the shadow of your shelter. You are my only savior, ship, and anchor.
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.
Oct 14, 2026
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of Your 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 auspicious Vyasa Puja day. On this special memorable day, I pray to our loving Lord Krishna for Your good health and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
I am sincerely 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 compassionately accepted me and my husband as Your disciples. Thank You so much Gurudev for Your love, kindness, and inspiration You bring to my life. You rescued me from Maya and gave me spiritual knowledge. You have come from the spiritual world to take us back to Krishna.
Only by your sweet loving mercy 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. The little spiritual progress I have made is solely made possible by Your sweet mercy.
This year I feel very blessed as I got Your beautiful personal association during our trip to Gita Nagari for the Recharge Retreat. Mornings You blessed us with Your melodious kirtan and nectarean Bhagavatham classes. Listening to Your discourses feel like hearing the Bhagavatham verses come to life. Your divine presence was memorable and beautiful. One of the highlights of this year’s Recharge Retreat was the opportunity to be part of the group picture with You and my Godfamily. This is most memorable.
This year, we had the great opportunity to visit Vrndavan Dham and Jagannath Puri Dham. This was a very spiritual uplifting trip for us.
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.
Through Your lectures, writings, and kirtans, I feel You are always with me, inspiring, guiding and keeping me engaged in devotional service.
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. Kindly keep me under the shadow of your shelter. You are my only savior, ship, and anchor.
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.
Oct 14, 2026
Madhuryadham devi dasi (Mrs. Priya Munshi)
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Guru Maharaj, I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to take your darshan at GEV on the very auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja this year.
I still remember 2011, when we left Melbourne. That very same year, your Vyas Puja was celebrated there on such a grand scale. I remember feeling so sad that we had left Melbourne just when you were arriving there, and we had missed the opportunity to be part of that wonderful celebration. It was a feeling of having missed something very special. And today, by your mercy, I feel so grateful that I can be here, taking your darshan on your Vyas Puja day itself. It feels like a very special blessing in my life.
Guru Maharaj, when I look at my life, I often wonder how I have received so much mercy. I know how inadequate I am. I do not chant as attentively as I should and I do not feel that I possess any exceptional qualities or spiritual qualifications. And yet, somehow, I keep receiving opportunities to serve in ways that I could never have imagined.
Sometimes, I receive opportunities for such rare and special services that I genuinely wonder whether I deserve them at all. I know that I have no particular qualification or calibre that would make me deserving of such opportunities. I can only see your mercy behind them. Through your mercy and I am able to participate in services that I could never have earned through my own efforts.
Even my ability to continue my devotional life, despite all the ups and downs that come along, feels like a gift. I often wonder how I am able to continue chanting my rounds every day, even when life becomes difficult or circumstances are not favourable. When I reflect on it, I realise that it is not simply my own strength. It is your mercy that continues to carry me forward.
Guru Maharaj, I have so much to learn and so far to go. My spiritual knowledge is limited, and I often feel like a very insignificant soul. Yet, somehow, I am still here, trying to practise bhakti and trying to serve. I know that without your blessings, I would not be able to continue in the way I do. Thank you for being so merciful to me, even when I have so many shortcomings.
There is another small memory that has stayed very close to my heart.
The last time I met you, I mentioned that baking had become my profession. You immediately asked me, “Where is my cake, then?”
I remember telling you that you had so many dietary restrictions and that I was not sure whether you would be able to eat what I baked. And you replied that you could also have such things sometimes and that it did not matter.
Guru Maharaj, that simple exchange touched my heart. It stayed with me. This time, I felt inspired to prepare something especially for you, keeping your dietary requirements in mind, and to bring it as a small offering on your Vyas Puja day.
For me, this is not merely about baking a cake or preparing something to serve you. It is about receiving the opportunity to express my gratitude through whatever little ability Krishna has given me. I feel fortunate that I can use my baking skills in some small way to serve you. Whatever I have, whatever I am able to do, and whatever opportunities come my way are all gifts of your mercy. I only hope that my little offering can bring you some happiness.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for all your kindness and mercy. I can see it in my life. I can feel it in the opportunities that come my way, in the strength to continue my devotional practice, and in the little ways that Krishna continues to engage me in His service.
On this auspicious occasion, I humbly request you to please bless me so that I can make proper use of the opportunities I am receiving to serve at ISKCON BCC Pune. I do not want these opportunities to go in vain. Please bless me with the intelligence, sincerity, humility, and determination to serve in a way that is pleasing to you and to Srila Prabhupada.
This is something I deeply wish to change. I want to develop a genuine taste for reading Srila Prabhupada books, to understand the philosophy more deeply, and to allow that knowledge to transform my thoughts, choices, and actions.Guru Maharaj, please bless me so that I can develop this sincere desire and the determination to follow through. Please also bless me to chant with greater attention and sincerity, and to become a better servant of Vaishnavas.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Gaur Nitai, and Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Mayi to bless you with excellent health, strength, happiness, and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for everything. Thank you for your mercy, your encouragement, and the opportunities you have given me. Thank you for allowing me to remain connected to this wonderful process of Krishna consciousness despite my many shortcomings.
Please keep me under your shelter and bless me so that I may always remain engaged in devotional service, make the best use of the mercy I have received, and gradually develop the qualities that will make me a more sincere and pleasing servant of Srila Prabhupada.
Your insignificant servant,
Madhurya dham devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Guru Maharaj, I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to take your darshan at GEV on the very auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja this year.
I still remember 2011, when we left Melbourne. That very same year, your Vyas Puja was celebrated there on such a grand scale. I remember feeling so sad that we had left Melbourne just when you were arriving there, and we had missed the opportunity to be part of that wonderful celebration. It was a feeling of having missed something very special. And today, by your mercy, I feel so grateful that I can be here, taking your darshan on your Vyas Puja day itself. It feels like a very special blessing in my life.
Guru Maharaj, when I look at my life, I often wonder how I have received so much mercy. I know how inadequate I am. I do not chant as attentively as I should and I do not feel that I possess any exceptional qualities or spiritual qualifications. And yet, somehow, I keep receiving opportunities to serve in ways that I could never have imagined.
Sometimes, I receive opportunities for such rare and special services that I genuinely wonder whether I deserve them at all. I know that I have no particular qualification or calibre that would make me deserving of such opportunities. I can only see your mercy behind them. Through your mercy and I am able to participate in services that I could never have earned through my own efforts.
Even my ability to continue my devotional life, despite all the ups and downs that come along, feels like a gift. I often wonder how I am able to continue chanting my rounds every day, even when life becomes difficult or circumstances are not favourable. When I reflect on it, I realise that it is not simply my own strength. It is your mercy that continues to carry me forward.
Guru Maharaj, I have so much to learn and so far to go. My spiritual knowledge is limited, and I often feel like a very insignificant soul. Yet, somehow, I am still here, trying to practise bhakti and trying to serve. I know that without your blessings, I would not be able to continue in the way I do. Thank you for being so merciful to me, even when I have so many shortcomings.
There is another small memory that has stayed very close to my heart.
The last time I met you, I mentioned that baking had become my profession. You immediately asked me, “Where is my cake, then?”
I remember telling you that you had so many dietary restrictions and that I was not sure whether you would be able to eat what I baked. And you replied that you could also have such things sometimes and that it did not matter.
Guru Maharaj, that simple exchange touched my heart. It stayed with me. This time, I felt inspired to prepare something especially for you, keeping your dietary requirements in mind, and to bring it as a small offering on your Vyas Puja day.
For me, this is not merely about baking a cake or preparing something to serve you. It is about receiving the opportunity to express my gratitude through whatever little ability Krishna has given me. I feel fortunate that I can use my baking skills in some small way to serve you. Whatever I have, whatever I am able to do, and whatever opportunities come my way are all gifts of your mercy. I only hope that my little offering can bring you some happiness.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for all your kindness and mercy. I can see it in my life. I can feel it in the opportunities that come my way, in the strength to continue my devotional practice, and in the little ways that Krishna continues to engage me in His service.
On this auspicious occasion, I humbly request you to please bless me so that I can make proper use of the opportunities I am receiving to serve at ISKCON BCC Pune. I do not want these opportunities to go in vain. Please bless me with the intelligence, sincerity, humility, and determination to serve in a way that is pleasing to you and to Srila Prabhupada.
This is something I deeply wish to change. I want to develop a genuine taste for reading Srila Prabhupada books, to understand the philosophy more deeply, and to allow that knowledge to transform my thoughts, choices, and actions.Guru Maharaj, please bless me so that I can develop this sincere desire and the determination to follow through. Please also bless me to chant with greater attention and sincerity, and to become a better servant of Vaishnavas.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Gaur Nitai, and Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Mayi to bless you with excellent health, strength, happiness, and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for everything. Thank you for your mercy, your encouragement, and the opportunities you have given me. Thank you for allowing me to remain connected to this wonderful process of Krishna consciousness despite my many shortcomings.
Please keep me under your shelter and bless me so that I may always remain engaged in devotional service, make the best use of the mercy I have received, and gradually develop the qualities that will make me a more sincere and pleasing servant of Srila Prabhupada.
Your insignificant servant,
Madhurya dham devi dasi
Madhuryamrita devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on your appearance day!
Selfless are thee
Travelling the world to set us free
From illusion of I and mine
Reminding us to serve the divine
You amaze me. I truly admire how dedicated you are to spreading Krishna consciousness; so steady, so personal, so compassionate. I owe my spiritual life to you. If it weren’t for your care, The Loft and your disciples, I wouldn’t be on this path today.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and realisations with us. I always feel like I am having a spiritual cleanse during your classes, recalibrating my desires. I loved the revolutionary presentation you gave at the temple for Radhastami a few weeks ago. It is inspiring to have that ultimate goal of selfless service in the mood of Srimati Radharani. I feel so far away yet excited that I am trying to make baby steps in the right direction.
Gurudeva, I really appreciate how you connect with the guests at The Loft. The sincere young woman from Argentina that I brought in for darshan with you recently has started chanting japa thanks to your encouragement. We have also arranged to start reading “Hiding In Unnatural Happiness” over the phone. She only came once to The Loft and left the next day for Buenos Aires, and just like that, she is chanting the holy name and hopefully continues to develop in her spiritual knowledge. Your association is like touchstone.
In terms of my present life, I am fully absorbed in my teaching service at the Hare Krishna School. Funnily enough, I thought I was full of patience and had not a tinge of anger inside me until I became a teacher. I guess one doesn’t know how they will react until they are put into testing situations. Naturally, young children try to push boundaries. Needless to say, they are definitely helping me to develop tolerance. I do value the opportunity to teach them about Krishna consciousness and the path of bhakti. I love when they have spiritual questions and we get into Krishna katha. I also feel enlivened hearing them recite slokas from Bhagavad Gita, Caitanya Caritamrita, and Brahma Samhita. Now we are currently practicing the first verse of the Siksastakam. It has been wonderful to meditate on the glories of the holy name. These children are most fortunate to be receiving spiritual knowledge and engaging in devotional service from such a tender age.
Please bless me Gurudeva that I may continue to serve Krishna steadily and enthusiastically for all of eternity and hopefully one day experience a glimpse of the ocean of the nectar of devotion.
Your servant,
Madhuryamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on your appearance day!
Selfless are thee
Travelling the world to set us free
From illusion of I and mine
Reminding us to serve the divine
You amaze me. I truly admire how dedicated you are to spreading Krishna consciousness; so steady, so personal, so compassionate. I owe my spiritual life to you. If it weren’t for your care, The Loft and your disciples, I wouldn’t be on this path today.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and realisations with us. I always feel like I am having a spiritual cleanse during your classes, recalibrating my desires. I loved the revolutionary presentation you gave at the temple for Radhastami a few weeks ago. It is inspiring to have that ultimate goal of selfless service in the mood of Srimati Radharani. I feel so far away yet excited that I am trying to make baby steps in the right direction.
Gurudeva, I really appreciate how you connect with the guests at The Loft. The sincere young woman from Argentina that I brought in for darshan with you recently has started chanting japa thanks to your encouragement. We have also arranged to start reading “Hiding In Unnatural Happiness” over the phone. She only came once to The Loft and left the next day for Buenos Aires, and just like that, she is chanting the holy name and hopefully continues to develop in her spiritual knowledge. Your association is like touchstone.
In terms of my present life, I am fully absorbed in my teaching service at the Hare Krishna School. Funnily enough, I thought I was full of patience and had not a tinge of anger inside me until I became a teacher. I guess one doesn’t know how they will react until they are put into testing situations. Naturally, young children try to push boundaries. Needless to say, they are definitely helping me to develop tolerance. I do value the opportunity to teach them about Krishna consciousness and the path of bhakti. I love when they have spiritual questions and we get into Krishna katha. I also feel enlivened hearing them recite slokas from Bhagavad Gita, Caitanya Caritamrita, and Brahma Samhita. Now we are currently practicing the first verse of the Siksastakam. It has been wonderful to meditate on the glories of the holy name. These children are most fortunate to be receiving spiritual knowledge and engaging in devotional service from such a tender age.
Please bless me Gurudeva that I may continue to serve Krishna steadily and enthusiastically for all of eternity and hopefully one day experience a glimpse of the ocean of the nectar of devotion.
Your servant,
Madhuryamrita devi dasi
Maha Matsya das
Hare Krishna, dear Gurudev. Please accept my respectful bows. All glory to Srila Prabhupada! On this blessed day of your appearance, let me say a few words of thanks from your unworthy student.
First of all, I want to express my deep gratitude to you for being the source of a deep tendency to read and study the books of His Divine Grace A.K. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. As a true leader, you teach us by example what it means to dig deep. Thanks to your lectures, the foundation is laid in my imperfect mind for a correct understanding of Vedic philosophy.
I am very grateful to you for tirelessly reminding us of the importance of chanting the Holy Names of God without insults.
I am also grateful to you for teaching me two important skills in spiritual life: First, to always plan for progress in spiritual life. Life is difficult. That's 100% a fact. Thanks to your guidance on the importance of drawing up a plan of spiritual life, I always have the opportunity to remember the main thing and return to the right path after the hardships and trials sent to me by fate.
Secondly, you have taught me to appreciate the spiritual treasures I have found through the grace of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. In difficult times, I extract these spiritual treasures from my heart and joy comes into my life again!
I also thank you for emphasizing the importance of spiritual friendship.
Best regards to your unworthy student Maha Matsya das.
First of all, I want to express my deep gratitude to you for being the source of a deep tendency to read and study the books of His Divine Grace A.K. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. As a true leader, you teach us by example what it means to dig deep. Thanks to your lectures, the foundation is laid in my imperfect mind for a correct understanding of Vedic philosophy.
I am very grateful to you for tirelessly reminding us of the importance of chanting the Holy Names of God without insults.
I am also grateful to you for teaching me two important skills in spiritual life: First, to always plan for progress in spiritual life. Life is difficult. That's 100% a fact. Thanks to your guidance on the importance of drawing up a plan of spiritual life, I always have the opportunity to remember the main thing and return to the right path after the hardships and trials sent to me by fate.
Secondly, you have taught me to appreciate the spiritual treasures I have found through the grace of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. In difficult times, I extract these spiritual treasures from my heart and joy comes into my life again!
I also thank you for emphasizing the importance of spiritual friendship.
Best regards to your unworthy student Maha Matsya das.
Mahasukh Das
Dear and Most Revered Guru Maharaj Ji,
On this sacred and auspicious occasion of Vyasa Puja, please accept my humble dandavat pranams at your lotus feet.
After receiving your shelter and guidance for a year through your boundless mercy, you bestowed initiation upon me and gave me a new spiritual name in the sacred month of February this year. In a way, this is my rebirth, and therefore, this day will always remain extremely important and unforgettable in my life. I am wholeheartedly grateful to you for granting me the great fortune of connecting with your lotus feet and progressing on the path of devotion.
Initiation is not merely a ritual or the receiving of a new name, but a commitment to give my life a new spiritual direction. You have given me the opportunity to follow the path of devotion to Sri Krishna and service to the spiritual master. My endeavour will be to make proper use of your mercy and continue striving to advance in Krishna consciousness throughout my life.
Guru Maharaj Ji, I am well aware of my limitations and shortcomings. I still have many material attachments and weaknesses. Yet, through your compassion, you have granted me shelter at your lotus feet. I consider this mercy to be the greatest fortune of my life.
During your visit to Delhi in the month of June 2026, I was once again blessed with the opportunity to have your darshan and association. The peace, inspiration, and spiritual energy I receive by sitting near your lotus feet are extremely precious to me.
I know that it is impossible to advance in spiritual life without the mercy of the spiritual master. O Guru Maharaj Ji, please bless me so that I may develop Krishna consciousness in my conduct and way of life. My only prayer is that your blessings, guidance, and mercy may always remain upon me. May Lord Sri Krishna grant me the strength to remain connected to your lotus feet at every stage of my life and to follow the path shown by you with faith and determination.
Once again, I offer my countless humble dandavat pranams at the lotus feet of Guru Maharaj Ji.
Always aspiring for your mercy,
The servant of your servants,
Mahasukh Das
On this sacred and auspicious occasion of Vyasa Puja, please accept my humble dandavat pranams at your lotus feet.
After receiving your shelter and guidance for a year through your boundless mercy, you bestowed initiation upon me and gave me a new spiritual name in the sacred month of February this year. In a way, this is my rebirth, and therefore, this day will always remain extremely important and unforgettable in my life. I am wholeheartedly grateful to you for granting me the great fortune of connecting with your lotus feet and progressing on the path of devotion.
Initiation is not merely a ritual or the receiving of a new name, but a commitment to give my life a new spiritual direction. You have given me the opportunity to follow the path of devotion to Sri Krishna and service to the spiritual master. My endeavour will be to make proper use of your mercy and continue striving to advance in Krishna consciousness throughout my life.
Guru Maharaj Ji, I am well aware of my limitations and shortcomings. I still have many material attachments and weaknesses. Yet, through your compassion, you have granted me shelter at your lotus feet. I consider this mercy to be the greatest fortune of my life.
During your visit to Delhi in the month of June 2026, I was once again blessed with the opportunity to have your darshan and association. The peace, inspiration, and spiritual energy I receive by sitting near your lotus feet are extremely precious to me.
I know that it is impossible to advance in spiritual life without the mercy of the spiritual master. O Guru Maharaj Ji, please bless me so that I may develop Krishna consciousness in my conduct and way of life. My only prayer is that your blessings, guidance, and mercy may always remain upon me. May Lord Sri Krishna grant me the strength to remain connected to your lotus feet at every stage of my life and to follow the path shown by you with faith and determination.
Once again, I offer my countless humble dandavat pranams at the lotus feet of Guru Maharaj Ji.
Always aspiring for your mercy,
The servant of your servants,
Mahasukh Das
Mahavan Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your ever merciful lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“We make it easy.”
It’s easy to say, but not easy to do.
At least not in the Wild West we’re, as Gandhi quipped, civilisation would be a good idea.
The attempt to make it easy for others eneviably means making it difficult for ourselves, however, that endeavor does make it easy for us to feel completely helpless and dependent on Mahaprabhu's mercy coming through parampara, completely dependent on your mercy.
I recently asked, "It seems the world could use more Bhakti Lounges - why aren't there more?" Pointing to devotees in the room you replied, "These devotees are rare. Its hard work. People stab you in the back."
I thank you with all the sincerity I can muster for accepting the burden of making it easy for Wild Westerners like me.
Hoping to be of some use to you before this body drops,
Mahavan das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your ever merciful lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“We make it easy.”
It’s easy to say, but not easy to do.
At least not in the Wild West we’re, as Gandhi quipped, civilisation would be a good idea.
The attempt to make it easy for others eneviably means making it difficult for ourselves, however, that endeavor does make it easy for us to feel completely helpless and dependent on Mahaprabhu's mercy coming through parampara, completely dependent on your mercy.
I recently asked, "It seems the world could use more Bhakti Lounges - why aren't there more?" Pointing to devotees in the room you replied, "These devotees are rare. Its hard work. People stab you in the back."
I thank you with all the sincerity I can muster for accepting the burden of making it easy for Wild Westerners like me.
Hoping to be of some use to you before this body drops,
Mahavan das
Māna-kṛt Das
Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you, dear Guru Mahārāja.
You have carried in your heart the mission of your spiritual master and the mercy of Śrī Gaurāṅga across the world. Through your words, your personal example, and your tireless service, you have entered the lives of countless souls, awakening within them the desire to turn towards Kṛṣṇa.
All glories to you, dear Guru Mahārāja.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Rāmānanda Rāya:
duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya gurutara?
“Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?”
Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya replied:
kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para
“The greatest pain is separation from a devotee of Kṛṣṇa”
And Guru Mahārāja, I am feeling that pain of separation.
It has taken me such a long time to realise that simply taking part in the initiation ceremony does not, by itself, make my human life successful . As you have also explained, real initiation takes place in the heart when one accepts the order of the spiritual master as one's life and soul. It may happen before the ceremony, during the ceremony, after the ceremony, or it may never happen at all.
Guru Mahārāja, please forgive me. Until now, I have not even sincerely tried to follow your instructions.
I understand, For a disciple, it is so important to understand the mood and inner desire of the spiritual master, guru-manovīṣṭam. Only now am I beginning to understand that I must try to follow your instructions and step into the wonderful mission of Śrī Gaurāṅga .
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Chapter Five, verse 23, that:
“To the degree that we surrender to and sincerely serve our spiritual master, to that degree Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself to us.”
Guru Maharaj I have been trying to work on a project through which we can distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda's books amongst university students. Please bless me so that I may become sincere in serving your instructions.
trāyasva bho jagannātha guro
saṁsāra-vahninā
dagdhaṁ māṁ kāla-daṣṭaṁ
ca tvām ahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī describes in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa:
“O Jagannātha! O spiritual master! Please protect me. I am burning in the fire of material existence and have been bitten by the serpent of time. And now I have come to take shelter of you now Guru Maharaj
Aspiring to become your sincere servant,
Manakrt Das
Please accept my respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to you, dear Guru Mahārāja.
You have carried in your heart the mission of your spiritual master and the mercy of Śrī Gaurāṅga across the world. Through your words, your personal example, and your tireless service, you have entered the lives of countless souls, awakening within them the desire to turn towards Kṛṣṇa.
All glories to you, dear Guru Mahārāja.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Rāmānanda Rāya:
duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya gurutara?
“Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?”
Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya replied:
kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para
“The greatest pain is separation from a devotee of Kṛṣṇa”
And Guru Mahārāja, I am feeling that pain of separation.
It has taken me such a long time to realise that simply taking part in the initiation ceremony does not, by itself, make my human life successful . As you have also explained, real initiation takes place in the heart when one accepts the order of the spiritual master as one's life and soul. It may happen before the ceremony, during the ceremony, after the ceremony, or it may never happen at all.
Guru Mahārāja, please forgive me. Until now, I have not even sincerely tried to follow your instructions.
I understand, For a disciple, it is so important to understand the mood and inner desire of the spiritual master, guru-manovīṣṭam. Only now am I beginning to understand that I must try to follow your instructions and step into the wonderful mission of Śrī Gaurāṅga .
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Chapter Five, verse 23, that:
“To the degree that we surrender to and sincerely serve our spiritual master, to that degree Kṛṣṇa reveals Himself to us.”
Guru Maharaj I have been trying to work on a project through which we can distribute Śrīla Prabhupāda's books amongst university students. Please bless me so that I may become sincere in serving your instructions.
trāyasva bho jagannātha guro
saṁsāra-vahninā
dagdhaṁ māṁ kāla-daṣṭaṁ
ca tvām ahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī describes in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa:
“O Jagannātha! O spiritual master! Please protect me. I am burning in the fire of material existence and have been bitten by the serpent of time. And now I have come to take shelter of you now Guru Maharaj
Aspiring to become your sincere servant,
Manakrt Das
Manada 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.
Not only do you exemplify the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master who is deeply realized in sastra, but you demonstrate the selfless qualities of someone who lives only to connect others with Krishna. In your recent magnificent Radhastami class given in Auckland, you shared the principle of pleasing Krishna by connecting others with Him. When asked, how does someone who sincerely demonstrates this desire behave, you responded: “You cannot live for a moment without glorifying Krsna.”
Singing, “jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī / gopī-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhārī” with grace and gravity before Srimad Bhagavatam class, your compassion radiates this transcendental sound vibration and penetrates the hearts of the audience. The song precipitates your potent words, which will soon transform the listeners, regardless of their level of faith. Your strong voice booms beyond the temple walls to benefit those fortunate enough to be within the vicinity. You do this all over the globe as you travel constantly, singing the glories of Krishna and His devotees.
Recently, a senior devotee relayed to me her experience of being on the altar with you on Janmastami during the midnight arati in Auckland. As you worshipped Radha Giridhari, the Deities appeared to smile beautifully at you, amidst a shower of rose petals. While my perception of this event may be somewhat sentimental, I could understand nonetheless that the Deities were pleased with you and your pure devotion. Yet you appear humble and grave before Them. In the purport of the 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter 2, text 9, it is stated: “...because of his intimate loving connection with the Lord, he is accepted by the Lord as being the Lord’s very soul. In other words, Kṛṣṇa is always in the heart of His pure devotee, and the pure devotee is always in the heart of Kṛṣṇa."
“Connect others to Krishna and you'll be happier and Krishna will be happier. You won't lose out in that way.” You embody this instruction–but I’m so far from following it. My desire is weak and wavering. I’m easily distracted. However, you offer the beginning of a practical solution that gives hope, as you said in this recent Radhastami class: “So when we hear about these things, we develop a desire in the heart. Just a slight desire…that sounds so nice. It's far beyond me, but it sounds so nice. Then what happens? The Supersoul in your heart notices. Oh, you have just the slightest desire. I’ll help. That’s why it’s so important to regularly hear about Krishna.”
So I pray on this auspicious day of your appearance that my small desire to assist you in connecting others with Krishna is noticed. “The spiritual master is the external manifestation of the caitya-guru, or the spiritual master sitting in everyone’s heart.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.8.44). I pray for your mercy–despite my flimsy desire–to be able to hear about Krishna more sincerely and for this desire to grow.
Thank you for your transformative lectures. Thank you for your exemplary selfless devotion to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s mission to bring the fallen souls back home to Krishna. Thank you for all the time and energy you’ve given me.
Your aspiring servant,
Manada devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Not only do you exemplify the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master who is deeply realized in sastra, but you demonstrate the selfless qualities of someone who lives only to connect others with Krishna. In your recent magnificent Radhastami class given in Auckland, you shared the principle of pleasing Krishna by connecting others with Him. When asked, how does someone who sincerely demonstrates this desire behave, you responded: “You cannot live for a moment without glorifying Krsna.”
Singing, “jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī / gopī-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhārī” with grace and gravity before Srimad Bhagavatam class, your compassion radiates this transcendental sound vibration and penetrates the hearts of the audience. The song precipitates your potent words, which will soon transform the listeners, regardless of their level of faith. Your strong voice booms beyond the temple walls to benefit those fortunate enough to be within the vicinity. You do this all over the globe as you travel constantly, singing the glories of Krishna and His devotees.
Recently, a senior devotee relayed to me her experience of being on the altar with you on Janmastami during the midnight arati in Auckland. As you worshipped Radha Giridhari, the Deities appeared to smile beautifully at you, amidst a shower of rose petals. While my perception of this event may be somewhat sentimental, I could understand nonetheless that the Deities were pleased with you and your pure devotion. Yet you appear humble and grave before Them. In the purport of the 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter 2, text 9, it is stated: “...because of his intimate loving connection with the Lord, he is accepted by the Lord as being the Lord’s very soul. In other words, Kṛṣṇa is always in the heart of His pure devotee, and the pure devotee is always in the heart of Kṛṣṇa."
“Connect others to Krishna and you'll be happier and Krishna will be happier. You won't lose out in that way.” You embody this instruction–but I’m so far from following it. My desire is weak and wavering. I’m easily distracted. However, you offer the beginning of a practical solution that gives hope, as you said in this recent Radhastami class: “So when we hear about these things, we develop a desire in the heart. Just a slight desire…that sounds so nice. It's far beyond me, but it sounds so nice. Then what happens? The Supersoul in your heart notices. Oh, you have just the slightest desire. I’ll help. That’s why it’s so important to regularly hear about Krishna.”
So I pray on this auspicious day of your appearance that my small desire to assist you in connecting others with Krishna is noticed. “The spiritual master is the external manifestation of the caitya-guru, or the spiritual master sitting in everyone’s heart.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.8.44). I pray for your mercy–despite my flimsy desire–to be able to hear about Krishna more sincerely and for this desire to grow.
Thank you for your transformative lectures. Thank you for your exemplary selfless devotion to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s mission to bring the fallen souls back home to Krishna. Thank you for all the time and energy you’ve given me.
Your aspiring servant,
Manada devi dasi
Mangal-arti dd
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada and All glories to your auspicious appearance day
Dear Guru Maharaj, you have explained before that the real riches of life are "Krishna,
Krishna's devotees and Krishna's service". Thank you for filling my life up and the lives of many others with these riches.
Guru Maharaj, you are an ocean of qualities which I do not even have the capacity to fathom. I remember a point you have said many times in class "Unless you are meek and humble, it's very difticult to make progress in spiritual life". I was thinking how you are the personification of this instruction. For your personal service you do not ask anything. But you are always ready to serve devotees and give so much of yourself. I remember in Philadelphia temple, someone asked me to mend your kurtas as they had been worn out and I was wondering why not just get a new one. But I remembered many years ago you had sent a luggage bag back with me to USA to repair because you had called the company and found out that they would repair things within warranty period. Even then I was wondering why not a new one? Through your personal experience you are showing us how to live simply.
This year your flight to Atlanta was delayed muliple times. I remember discussing with devotees in Gita nagari that there was no need to pack your lunch since you would be in Atlanta in time but your flight was delayed, it was evening and you hadn't eaten anything. When you arrived after making it through Atlanta traffic; we had a small group of guests waiting to welcome you. I remember you said you would speak to them only hriefly but you ended up speaking to them for almost two hours, answering all their questions in such details and everyone was so entivened by the end of it.
Influence of your words
There is such an effect you have on persons Guru Maharaj. At the happiness event, you were speaking to about 100 persons and they were all first timers. I was wondering how would they react to the class, but then slowly the questions started to trickle in and before we knew people were so excited they were almost cutting each other off to ask the questions. One could feel the excitement in the room. And then, right after you stopped speaking , I do not know what happened because I have never experienced this before. We had two book tables at two ends of the room and there was an absolute stampede at the tables to buy the books and everything was sold out in a few short minutes. I was trying to give books to one person, and then 5 others made a circle around me asking for more and then there was another circle. I realized I need help and remember almost yelling out to some other devotees to come help me. Someone took 7 books and went to you asking you to put those books in order in which she should read them. The word got out that you had ordered the books for her. Now everyone wanted all 7 books ordered in the same way. So they were asking for those books, finding that lady and ordering the books in the same order. It was some strange pastime potency of Krishna that had descended by the power of your words. And you were speaking so simply and presenting Krishna in such an expert way that all these people who never heard of Krishna were now ecstatic.
Attraction in your presence
At a fantastic event organized by Vedasar prabhu, there was a guest, a grown man who was so influenced by your words that he followed you to your car as you were leaving. You exchanged some words with him and then you invited him to come for the retreat in Gita Nagari and you asked Nama Prabha to drive him over. Just a few minutes ago he had told us that he has work and can't come but after you spoke with him, he called Nama Prabha and said he had canceled his engagements and will come for the retreat. He drove 12 hours one way to see you. Later at Gita nagari when you were on a walk, we bowed down to pay our obeisances and in the brief time we had bowed down, this person had jumped off the farm vehicle and walked over to you and asked you if he could walk with you. You said you walk fast and he said he doesn't mind and then kept walking with you for a long time. He was behaving like a son would with his father, no hesitation, no fear of being rejected, just the desire to be with you. It was amazing to watch the transformation.
Being anywhere near you and having the opportunity to watch your interactions with devotees is the greatest benediction, its magical. For the brief time I got that chance, it was mesmerizing as always. You went from non-stop events, back to back meetings in Atlanta to a full on disciples retreat where you must have had a 100 meetings in 3 days. And somehow everyone feels so inspired, so fulfilled after speaking with you.
When Naam Prabha was ready to go with you for the early morning walk, you spoke so affectionately to Bhava Prabha asking her if she was going to join the walk. And even though I was not going on the walk l was so attracted by the way they both affectionately followed you early every morning. lt's just so amazing to watch people recieve this affection from you and lose their hearts to senving you. You pay so much attention to reciprocating, be it saying, the prrshad was very good or reminding something that 'that noodle soup you made last year was very good'. It's amazing how you remember so much. You never let go a chance to glorify even the smallest thing someone did however long ago, Through your words you present the principle and through your uife and actions you demonstrate how to live it. If I just tried to folow this one instruction, it would consume my whole life easily. You say "Stimad Bhagvatam is the solution to all problems" and by your life you demonstrate that.
Guru Maharaj, I was on my free fall, nose dive into the blind well of material desires program. Somehow or other, despite of my not even trying, you caught me and placed me in the shelter of your devotees. Wonderful devotees, your servants have maintained me like a pet dog by constantly throwing food of their unconditional mercy my way. I remember when l was little, my dog had once fallen into a dirty drain and it was an ordeal to rescue him. When my mom tried to clean him, he kept barking angry at her, as if mad at her for cleaning him. She kept tolerating his barking because she had to clean him. l am not much different. Even though I simply resist seeing how messed up I am, you and by your mercy, so many devotees, have tolerated me and my attitudes. It is only because of their love for you that I get so much shelter. I am shocked, overwhelmed and completely grateful for how much love I get from devotees, and everyone says its because of their love for you. And it is true because I do not have any qualifications. My program is to dive into the dirty drain but you have kindly pulled me out and kept me in the association of swan like devotees and I simply criticize and complain about what's lacking. Please bless me Guru Maharaj that I can always see the glories of your servants in my heart and my attachment and ability to serving your servants increases.
I am meditating on that verse by Prahald Maharaj that perfectly describes your mercy
evaṁ janaṁ nipatitaṁ prabhavāhi-kūpe
kāmābhikāmam anu yaḥ prapatan prasaṅgāt
kṛtvātmasāt surarṣiṇā bhagavan gṛhītaḥ
so ’haṁ kathaṁ nu visṛje tava bhṛtya-sevām
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 Mārada 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? (7.9.28)
You had shared a glimpse of your vision for the future and showed me some direction when you were here in Atlanta. I still do not know how to move forward or make it bappen but I really want to. So I humbly pray for your mercy that you can please guide me how to move forward and how to have the privilege of seeing that vision manifest. I do not know how it can succeed but your instuctions come with the potency so I am humbly praying for your blessings. Please bless me that I can do everything that is needed to follow that path and hopefully have something ready. Please bless me to have the steadiness in struggle that might come and be focused on your vision. Please free me from the demon of self doubt that jeopardizes my service. I also pray for increased capacity, ability and desire to serve your lotus feet.
Eagerly awaiting the publication of Bhakti Rasamita Sindhu that you have given so many precious years to complete and have been describing in so many lectures.
Your humble servant
Mangal-arti dd
Manobhirama Dasa
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 would like to thank you for allowing me to be engaged in your service, although not directly to your body, but through your instructions. I'm fortunate to be in a position where I am able to engage in service every day, as well as have the opportunity to sufficiently hear and chant and visit the Dham by your grace.
As the years go on, I feel increasingly undeserving of such a benediction. Much like the play that we attempted to perform at your Vyāsa-pūjā, I see myself like Jagāi and Mādhāi. I was born and raised as a low-class Westerner with low-class habits, hurt many people and degraded myself, but who has received causeless mercy, for which I have done nothing to deserve.
You mentioned semi-recently how, when I was first coming along, you would pray to Krishna for the intelligence to be able to touch my heart. It is by your grace that I am here today and have a chance to redeem myself in the eyes of God.
You don't have to take such care to offer us service or compassion. You are already engaged in many services that are important and demand your attention. Yet, year in and year out, through your classes and association, you give us the insights necessary to proceed forward, navigate our precarious situation in this world, and successfully help others to do the same. You keep us spiritually fit to continue offering ourselves at your lotus feet and the lotus feet of the paramparā.
I do not yet have the vision to fully appreciate everything that you are doing and how you are doing it. The transcendental reality is still a mystery to me. Right here on the ground, I am just trying to deal with my shortcomings and not offend devotees. My fallen state is becoming more apparent every year, and I hope that, once I fully realise it, I will be able to then start making upward progress, having a realistic view of where I am actually at.
My resolve sometimes weakens, but I hope that, by staying loyal to your service and through continued association, I will be able to make it to the ultimate goal.
I pray for the strength, guidance, and blessings necessary to traverse this razor's edge on which I walk, as well as the strength to help as many others on that same journey and bring them to your lotus feet.
People are coming and showing interest through the university programs, but without being empowered by the paramparā, I cannot do much to help position then go further.
I do need help, and I pray for your mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Manobhirama Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to thank you for allowing me to be engaged in your service, although not directly to your body, but through your instructions. I'm fortunate to be in a position where I am able to engage in service every day, as well as have the opportunity to sufficiently hear and chant and visit the Dham by your grace.
As the years go on, I feel increasingly undeserving of such a benediction. Much like the play that we attempted to perform at your Vyāsa-pūjā, I see myself like Jagāi and Mādhāi. I was born and raised as a low-class Westerner with low-class habits, hurt many people and degraded myself, but who has received causeless mercy, for which I have done nothing to deserve.
You mentioned semi-recently how, when I was first coming along, you would pray to Krishna for the intelligence to be able to touch my heart. It is by your grace that I am here today and have a chance to redeem myself in the eyes of God.
You don't have to take such care to offer us service or compassion. You are already engaged in many services that are important and demand your attention. Yet, year in and year out, through your classes and association, you give us the insights necessary to proceed forward, navigate our precarious situation in this world, and successfully help others to do the same. You keep us spiritually fit to continue offering ourselves at your lotus feet and the lotus feet of the paramparā.
I do not yet have the vision to fully appreciate everything that you are doing and how you are doing it. The transcendental reality is still a mystery to me. Right here on the ground, I am just trying to deal with my shortcomings and not offend devotees. My fallen state is becoming more apparent every year, and I hope that, once I fully realise it, I will be able to then start making upward progress, having a realistic view of where I am actually at.
My resolve sometimes weakens, but I hope that, by staying loyal to your service and through continued association, I will be able to make it to the ultimate goal.
I pray for the strength, guidance, and blessings necessary to traverse this razor's edge on which I walk, as well as the strength to help as many others on that same journey and bring them to your lotus feet.
People are coming and showing interest through the university programs, but without being empowered by the paramparā, I cannot do much to help position then go further.
I do need help, and I pray for your mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Manobhirama Dasa
Mantramālā dd.
Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
I wish you all the best on your Appearance Day, and each day.
Thank you for your thoughts, desires and actions being Krishna conscious. Srila Prabhupada said that the only thing missing from the world was Krishna consciousness. It was refreshing to find It in you.
With all due respect & gratitude,
Mantramālā dd.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
I wish you all the best on your Appearance Day, and each day.
Thank you for your thoughts, desires and actions being Krishna conscious. Srila Prabhupada said that the only thing missing from the world was Krishna consciousness. It was refreshing to find It in you.
With all due respect & gratitude,
Mantramālā dd.
Mathura Dhama devi dasi
Hare Krishna, mi querido Maharaja.
Por favor, acepte mis más humildes reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.
Qué honor escribirle nuevamente.
Espero que goce de muy buena salud y que disfrute al máximo de su aniversario.
Siempre lo tengo presente en mi vida diaria y deseo ser un buen discípulo. Te ofrezco mi servicio diario del hogar y de todas mis actividades.
Quiero pedirle perdón pues hace unos años lo crucé en el aeropuerto de Auckland y no me animé a acercarme a ti, ni ofrecerte mi servicio. Luego me sentí en falta contigo y tan torpe.
Por favor bendíceme para que continúe aprendiendo y tenga más y más oportunidades en el futuro para servirte.
Su humilde servidora, Mathura Dhama devi dasi.
Por favor, acepte mis más humildes reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.
Qué honor escribirle nuevamente.
Espero que goce de muy buena salud y que disfrute al máximo de su aniversario.
Siempre lo tengo presente en mi vida diaria y deseo ser un buen discípulo. Te ofrezco mi servicio diario del hogar y de todas mis actividades.
Quiero pedirle perdón pues hace unos años lo crucé en el aeropuerto de Auckland y no me animé a acercarme a ti, ni ofrecerte mi servicio. Luego me sentí en falta contigo y tan torpe.
Por favor bendíceme para que continúe aprendiendo y tenga más y más oportunidades en el futuro para servirte.
Su humilde servidora, Mathura Dhama devi dasi.
Merudevi DeviDasi
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 76th vyasa pooja dear gurudev.
om ajñāna-timirāndhasya,jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena,tasmai śrī-guruve namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who with the torchlight of knowledge has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance.
Dear father, on this the most auspicious day, please accept my humble gratitude from the deepest core of the heart for accepting this totally incapable servant. This fact has always been unbelievable for me. I keep on forgetting my constitutional position every now and then, and your holiness keeps illuminating my heart full of darkness and contamination with constant light of knowledge. I have realised gurudev multiple times that your enlightening statements from Shastra immediately eradicate the darkness of unhopefulness, insecurity, dejection and fear. My stubborn mind is only controlled by the impactful yet compassionate words of my spiritual father, and this realization has been getting deeper and deeper every time in spite of stubbornness of my strong mind. As Gurudev you mentioned in one lecture, we should have a personal victory over our mind. My Gurudev has always controlled my mind by showing the light of knowledge of the absolute.
As always, I am finding myself incapable of glorifying boundless and oceanic transcendental qualities of my Gurudev because of limited capacity of words, and contamination in my heart which can not measure the depth and intensity of the qualities. BG 3.13 says as even food offerings prepared with material consciousness are accepted and purified by the lord. Same way, I don't want to miss the opportunity to glorify my spiritual father by my limited capability of material mind. I hope these will be purified by acceptance by my Gurudev. Dear father, I humbly beg you to forgive this foolish servant for any mistakes in glorifying. These days, I have been meditating on these following quotes and qualities of my spiritual father.
1)"My Gurudev’s dedication for Gauranga’s mission is boundless"
As Srila Prabhupada is so desperate to take everyone back to Godhead. Dear gurudev, similarly you inspire everyone eagerly to engage in the service especially Book Distribution, and outreach program.
CC ( Adi lila 1.44) yadyapi āmāra guru — caitanyera dāsa
tathāpi jāniye āmi tāṅhāra prakāśa.
Purport: Every living entity is essentially a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the spiritual master is also His servant. Still, the spiritual master is a direct manifestation of the Lord. With this conviction, a disciple can advance in Kṛiṣhṇa consciousness. The spiritual master is nondifferent from Kriṣhna because he is a manifestation of Kṛiṣhṇa.
Your following expressions deepen our desire to share with others about Krishna , dear Gurudev:
‘Relieve the anxiety of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by helping people’.
‘That's not your job. Just go and speak to them and tell the science of Krishna consciousness’.
2)"My Gurudev’s unwavering surrender to SrilaPrabhupada is soul stirring"
Dear father, I read your offerings to Srila Prabhupada on the vyasa puja. Your surrender to your spiritual master is so motivating to meditate on the glories of Srilaprabhupada again and again.
Your love for Srilaprabhupada is inconceivable irrespective of very minimal personal association with him.
3)"My gurumaharaj’s love for SrilaPrabhupada’s books is contagious"
‘Srila Prabhupada books are like main courses and others are side dishes’ .
‘Love to read them, love to distribute them’.
Dear gurudev, These powerful statements motivates your children to read regularly and develops their desire to love and share with others.
4)"My gurudev’s care for his children is inconceivably compassionate"
I am deeply grateful dear father, how much stress you give on dealing with devotees. You educate your children by giving classes in detail on a full spectrum of topics related to working cooperatively with devotees. These instructions reveal how much care, love, and compassion you have for your children whilst educating all living entities, having big goals throughout the continent. How you mystically team with Krishna, and guide your children work cooperatively towards the single aim of pleasing Srilaprabhupada. This love and care is all spiritual, nothing for yourself. Not only this, you teach by your own examples which is so very motivating and inspiring to see the peak potential of Krishna consciousness Gurudev.
‘ The greatest vaishnava sport is to appreciate devotees’.
‘Dealing with devotees is not a material art. It takes begging to GN’.
‘Krishna acts through devotees. Whatever devotees do to you that actually Krishna is acting through them’.
These profound expressions guide your children, dear father, stay connected and motivated and work as a team cooperatively.
5)"My Gurumaharaj’s mercy is causeless and limitless"
As enunciated by Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu, In order to enter into spiritual life, two things are required., one needs the mercy of the Supreme Lord and the mercy of the spiritual master:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
I always wonder how merciful is my Gurudev who travels all around the continent and spreads showers of his mercy and compassion everywhere and at every age of the society. I am always amazed by the spiritual intelligence and compassion that your holiness has. Your enthusiasm to fulfil Srila Prabhupada's desire is inconceivable.
6)"My Gurudev’s conviction on the process is the most effective and rapid illusion-pain reliever"
SB11.13.22, in the purport , Srila Prabhupada writes that Krishna is talking to Uddhava
‘It may be argued that the bona fide spiritual master answers all the questions of the disciple, and yet the guru is in the jīva category. The answer is that the bona fide spiritual master speaks not on his own behalf but as a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is in the Viṣṇu category’.
The following profound statements have the power to promptly remind us of our natural constitutional position:
‘we do not consider the rarity of devotional service. This is our problem’.
‘For temporary pleasures we keep forgetting our eternal treasure, this is our nature. Srimad Bhagwatam tells us keep the eyes on the price’
You said in one lecture that you always love to go deeper into all the lilas, one reason for this is to fight out the mind that I have heard of this pastime before.
‘only shelter is the lotus feet of GN, then we don't need to take shelter of anything. That covers everything. Everything means everything’.
Dear gurudev, thank you so much for instructing your Sydney disciples to organise monthly book distribution and allowing us to assist you in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Mission. This service is always so pleasing and satisfying. The reason for this joy, I realised from your lectures, is that this service is very close to your heart.
Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo. You can please the Lord by pleasing the spiritual master only.
All devotional services are equal but especially this service which is very close to your heart definitely has a very special spiritual impact. It gives the realisation very very clearly that Krishna is the doer not us. Very very humbling service. People will say ‘no no’ unlimited times but my Gurudev’s instruction that ‘That's not your job. Your job is to just tell them the science of Krishna because they themselves will not come and accept that they are in maya, and 'please rescue us’ keep us motivated. Dear Gurudev, It seems to be impossible for me to tolerate ‘no’ word in material dealings. It hits my ego to the deep. But looking at our spiritual father’s determination, and compassion for all living entities at the cost of all health and age discomforts inspires all disciples to assist in some way in the mission.
Dear father, begging at your lotus feet that this tiny creature can assist in any way to spread the word. Without your mercy this is never possible. Begging for the attraction for the service whatever I need to do. I have full faith that if I follow my gurus’ instructions and give Krishna to others without the tendency of controlling the outcome, one day this servant will be able to please my gurus. Begging at your lotus feet, dear Gurudev, to purify my japa, motivations, and intelligence so I only think about how to please guru and Gauranga always, and how to deal with vaishnavas to please you.
Praying to Lord Narsimha that my spiritual father stays in the best of his health so he can fulfill the desire of SrilaPrabhupada, and deliver many many more souls on this planet.
Completely dependent on your causeless mercy,
Merudevi Devidasi
Hare Krishna dear gurudev!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and guru parampara!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Happy 76th vyasa pooja dear gurudev.
om ajñāna-timirāndhasya,jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena,tasmai śrī-guruve namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who with the torchlight of knowledge has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance.
Dear father, on this the most auspicious day, please accept my humble gratitude from the deepest core of the heart for accepting this totally incapable servant. This fact has always been unbelievable for me. I keep on forgetting my constitutional position every now and then, and your holiness keeps illuminating my heart full of darkness and contamination with constant light of knowledge. I have realised gurudev multiple times that your enlightening statements from Shastra immediately eradicate the darkness of unhopefulness, insecurity, dejection and fear. My stubborn mind is only controlled by the impactful yet compassionate words of my spiritual father, and this realization has been getting deeper and deeper every time in spite of stubbornness of my strong mind. As Gurudev you mentioned in one lecture, we should have a personal victory over our mind. My Gurudev has always controlled my mind by showing the light of knowledge of the absolute.
As always, I am finding myself incapable of glorifying boundless and oceanic transcendental qualities of my Gurudev because of limited capacity of words, and contamination in my heart which can not measure the depth and intensity of the qualities. BG 3.13 says as even food offerings prepared with material consciousness are accepted and purified by the lord. Same way, I don't want to miss the opportunity to glorify my spiritual father by my limited capability of material mind. I hope these will be purified by acceptance by my Gurudev. Dear father, I humbly beg you to forgive this foolish servant for any mistakes in glorifying. These days, I have been meditating on these following quotes and qualities of my spiritual father.
1)"My Gurudev’s dedication for Gauranga’s mission is boundless"
As Srila Prabhupada is so desperate to take everyone back to Godhead. Dear gurudev, similarly you inspire everyone eagerly to engage in the service especially Book Distribution, and outreach program.
CC ( Adi lila 1.44) yadyapi āmāra guru — caitanyera dāsa
tathāpi jāniye āmi tāṅhāra prakāśa.
Purport: Every living entity is essentially a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the spiritual master is also His servant. Still, the spiritual master is a direct manifestation of the Lord. With this conviction, a disciple can advance in Kṛiṣhṇa consciousness. The spiritual master is nondifferent from Kriṣhna because he is a manifestation of Kṛiṣhṇa.
Your following expressions deepen our desire to share with others about Krishna , dear Gurudev:
‘Relieve the anxiety of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by helping people’.
‘That's not your job. Just go and speak to them and tell the science of Krishna consciousness’.
2)"My Gurudev’s unwavering surrender to SrilaPrabhupada is soul stirring"
Dear father, I read your offerings to Srila Prabhupada on the vyasa puja. Your surrender to your spiritual master is so motivating to meditate on the glories of Srilaprabhupada again and again.
Your love for Srilaprabhupada is inconceivable irrespective of very minimal personal association with him.
3)"My gurumaharaj’s love for SrilaPrabhupada’s books is contagious"
‘Srila Prabhupada books are like main courses and others are side dishes’ .
‘Love to read them, love to distribute them’.
Dear gurudev, These powerful statements motivates your children to read regularly and develops their desire to love and share with others.
4)"My gurudev’s care for his children is inconceivably compassionate"
I am deeply grateful dear father, how much stress you give on dealing with devotees. You educate your children by giving classes in detail on a full spectrum of topics related to working cooperatively with devotees. These instructions reveal how much care, love, and compassion you have for your children whilst educating all living entities, having big goals throughout the continent. How you mystically team with Krishna, and guide your children work cooperatively towards the single aim of pleasing Srilaprabhupada. This love and care is all spiritual, nothing for yourself. Not only this, you teach by your own examples which is so very motivating and inspiring to see the peak potential of Krishna consciousness Gurudev.
‘ The greatest vaishnava sport is to appreciate devotees’.
‘Dealing with devotees is not a material art. It takes begging to GN’.
‘Krishna acts through devotees. Whatever devotees do to you that actually Krishna is acting through them’.
These profound expressions guide your children, dear father, stay connected and motivated and work as a team cooperatively.
5)"My Gurumaharaj’s mercy is causeless and limitless"
As enunciated by Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu, In order to enter into spiritual life, two things are required., one needs the mercy of the Supreme Lord and the mercy of the spiritual master:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
I always wonder how merciful is my Gurudev who travels all around the continent and spreads showers of his mercy and compassion everywhere and at every age of the society. I am always amazed by the spiritual intelligence and compassion that your holiness has. Your enthusiasm to fulfil Srila Prabhupada's desire is inconceivable.
6)"My Gurudev’s conviction on the process is the most effective and rapid illusion-pain reliever"
SB11.13.22, in the purport , Srila Prabhupada writes that Krishna is talking to Uddhava
‘It may be argued that the bona fide spiritual master answers all the questions of the disciple, and yet the guru is in the jīva category. The answer is that the bona fide spiritual master speaks not on his own behalf but as a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is in the Viṣṇu category’.
The following profound statements have the power to promptly remind us of our natural constitutional position:
‘we do not consider the rarity of devotional service. This is our problem’.
‘For temporary pleasures we keep forgetting our eternal treasure, this is our nature. Srimad Bhagwatam tells us keep the eyes on the price’
You said in one lecture that you always love to go deeper into all the lilas, one reason for this is to fight out the mind that I have heard of this pastime before.
‘only shelter is the lotus feet of GN, then we don't need to take shelter of anything. That covers everything. Everything means everything’.
Dear gurudev, thank you so much for instructing your Sydney disciples to organise monthly book distribution and allowing us to assist you in Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Mission. This service is always so pleasing and satisfying. The reason for this joy, I realised from your lectures, is that this service is very close to your heart.
Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo. You can please the Lord by pleasing the spiritual master only.
All devotional services are equal but especially this service which is very close to your heart definitely has a very special spiritual impact. It gives the realisation very very clearly that Krishna is the doer not us. Very very humbling service. People will say ‘no no’ unlimited times but my Gurudev’s instruction that ‘That's not your job. Your job is to just tell them the science of Krishna because they themselves will not come and accept that they are in maya, and 'please rescue us’ keep us motivated. Dear Gurudev, It seems to be impossible for me to tolerate ‘no’ word in material dealings. It hits my ego to the deep. But looking at our spiritual father’s determination, and compassion for all living entities at the cost of all health and age discomforts inspires all disciples to assist in some way in the mission.
Dear father, begging at your lotus feet that this tiny creature can assist in any way to spread the word. Without your mercy this is never possible. Begging for the attraction for the service whatever I need to do. I have full faith that if I follow my gurus’ instructions and give Krishna to others without the tendency of controlling the outcome, one day this servant will be able to please my gurus. Begging at your lotus feet, dear Gurudev, to purify my japa, motivations, and intelligence so I only think about how to please guru and Gauranga always, and how to deal with vaishnavas to please you.
Praying to Lord Narsimha that my spiritual father stays in the best of his health so he can fulfill the desire of SrilaPrabhupada, and deliver many many more souls on this planet.
Completely dependent on your causeless mercy,
Merudevi Devidasi
Mithil Chawla (aka Vansh)
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my Dandwat Pranams at your lotus feet. All glories unto you on this auspicious day of your Vyas Puja.
I got the opportunity to hear from you the first time I went on the boat cruise, and indeed, your divine words were like a cloud pouring water on the forest fire of my heart. Since then, by your association and inspiration, I have been able to somehow or the other take to this path of Bhakti although I am very unqualified.
I am forever grateful for your causeless mercy upon me, for you always guided me like a caring and affectionate father, regardless of my problems being material or spiritual. Your guidance and instructions are always practical for the situations and are like torch in the midst of darkness.
On this auspicious day, I pray that somehow or the other I may be engaged in your service. It will be by greatest fortune to be of some use to you, all though I am otherwise not qualified.
Your aspiring disciple and servant.
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my Dandwat Pranams at your lotus feet. All glories unto you on this auspicious day of your Vyas Puja.
I got the opportunity to hear from you the first time I went on the boat cruise, and indeed, your divine words were like a cloud pouring water on the forest fire of my heart. Since then, by your association and inspiration, I have been able to somehow or the other take to this path of Bhakti although I am very unqualified.
I am forever grateful for your causeless mercy upon me, for you always guided me like a caring and affectionate father, regardless of my problems being material or spiritual. Your guidance and instructions are always practical for the situations and are like torch in the midst of darkness.
On this auspicious day, I pray that somehow or the other I may be engaged in your service. It will be by greatest fortune to be of some use to you, all though I am otherwise not qualified.
Your aspiring disciple and servant.
Mukhya Rati Dasa
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 your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your 76th Vyasa Puja.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. I consider myself very fortunate to have received your shelter and guidance, which inspire me to strengthen my relationship with Krishna and dedicate my life to devotional service.
Śrīla Gurudeva, your life is a wonderful example of dedication to the mission of your beloved spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda. From your early service in book distribution and publication, to your preaching across different parts of the world, you have devoted decades of your life to carrying out his instructions. Through your books, lectures, travels, and guidance to devotees, you have helped people from different backgrounds understand Krishna consciousness and encouraged them to follow the path of bhakti. Your years of service and leadership in ISKCON reflect your commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision and continue to inspire devotees to serve his mission sincerely.
Gurudeva, the way you have dedicated your life to following Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions inspires me deeply. Your example teaches me what it means to be a sincere disciple who serves the spiritual master with faith , dedication, and humility. I pray that I may also develop these qualities, sincerely follow your instructions, and become a disciple who brings you pleasure through my actions and devotional service. May I always remember your example and remain determined to serve you and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission to the best of my ability.
Gurudeva, on the special occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, please bless me with the determination to remain steady in my sadhana, the humility to recognise my shortcomings, and the sincerity to keep improving as a disciple.
May I always remain sheltered at your lotus feet, develop genuine respect for the Vaishnavas, and serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission with sincerity, humility, and dedication.
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja, Guru Maharaj!
Your humble servant,
Mukhya Rati Dasa
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 your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your 76th Vyasa Puja.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. I consider myself very fortunate to have received your shelter and guidance, which inspire me to strengthen my relationship with Krishna and dedicate my life to devotional service.
Śrīla Gurudeva, your life is a wonderful example of dedication to the mission of your beloved spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda. From your early service in book distribution and publication, to your preaching across different parts of the world, you have devoted decades of your life to carrying out his instructions. Through your books, lectures, travels, and guidance to devotees, you have helped people from different backgrounds understand Krishna consciousness and encouraged them to follow the path of bhakti. Your years of service and leadership in ISKCON reflect your commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision and continue to inspire devotees to serve his mission sincerely.
Gurudeva, the way you have dedicated your life to following Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions inspires me deeply. Your example teaches me what it means to be a sincere disciple who serves the spiritual master with faith , dedication, and humility. I pray that I may also develop these qualities, sincerely follow your instructions, and become a disciple who brings you pleasure through my actions and devotional service. May I always remember your example and remain determined to serve you and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission to the best of my ability.
Gurudeva, on the special occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, please bless me with the determination to remain steady in my sadhana, the humility to recognise my shortcomings, and the sincerity to keep improving as a disciple.
May I always remain sheltered at your lotus feet, develop genuine respect for the Vaishnavas, and serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission with sincerity, humility, and dedication.
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja, Guru Maharaj!
Your humble servant,
Mukhya Rati Dasa
Mukunda Mukha Dasa
My Dear Gurudeva and Spiritual Father,
Please accept my respectful and humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your appearance day.
It is now almost 4 years since we had our 1st Darshan with you and I still can’t believe our fortune to have your association. I had experienced so much of what society tells you will make you happy, but I always felt like something was missing. When we first met I was so fallen, but I had a strong desire to be different. Deep down I did not think I had what it would take to change. After our first meeting I told Krishna Mukha that it would take me 5 years to become vegetarian. Through your instructions to keep chanting, read Srila Prabhupada’s books and to keep coming to The Loft I was able to start chanting 16 rds and become vegetarian in 6 months. The changes I saw in myself over that time not only in my behaviors, but in my consciousness were so dramatic and it gave me so much faith in you and the process. I still have so far to go, but I will be eternally grateful for the little progress I have made. I don’t believe it would have been possible without your guidance.
Recently I have been reflecting on your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. I have been traveling quite a bit for work and to see family - I’m in my mid 50s and I feel like it is so much harder than it was even 10 years ago to keep up this schedule and then I think about what it must be like for you always on the move. The sacrifice you make to share this message with others all over the world is so inspiring. I hope to one day to be able to give even a little of what have you have given and keep giving.
Krishna Mukha and I are so thankful that you started a place like The Loft in Auckland - it gives us a chance to serve your mission in some small part. We want nothing more in this life than to continue to serve your mission and to bring Krishna Consciousness too as many people as possible. We only hope that we can continue to do this year after year - whether that be at Loft, at the farm in Shannon or where ever else you feel we are most needed.
Your insignificant servant of your servants,
Mukunda Mukha Dasa
Please accept my respectful and humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your appearance day.
It is now almost 4 years since we had our 1st Darshan with you and I still can’t believe our fortune to have your association. I had experienced so much of what society tells you will make you happy, but I always felt like something was missing. When we first met I was so fallen, but I had a strong desire to be different. Deep down I did not think I had what it would take to change. After our first meeting I told Krishna Mukha that it would take me 5 years to become vegetarian. Through your instructions to keep chanting, read Srila Prabhupada’s books and to keep coming to The Loft I was able to start chanting 16 rds and become vegetarian in 6 months. The changes I saw in myself over that time not only in my behaviors, but in my consciousness were so dramatic and it gave me so much faith in you and the process. I still have so far to go, but I will be eternally grateful for the little progress I have made. I don’t believe it would have been possible without your guidance.
Recently I have been reflecting on your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. I have been traveling quite a bit for work and to see family - I’m in my mid 50s and I feel like it is so much harder than it was even 10 years ago to keep up this schedule and then I think about what it must be like for you always on the move. The sacrifice you make to share this message with others all over the world is so inspiring. I hope to one day to be able to give even a little of what have you have given and keep giving.
Krishna Mukha and I are so thankful that you started a place like The Loft in Auckland - it gives us a chance to serve your mission in some small part. We want nothing more in this life than to continue to serve your mission and to bring Krishna Consciousness too as many people as possible. We only hope that we can continue to do this year after year - whether that be at Loft, at the farm in Shannon or where ever else you feel we are most needed.
Your insignificant servant of your servants,
Mukunda Mukha Dasa
Muni-cari dasa
Nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-presthaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita
svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this wonderful celebration of your vyasa puja!
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja
It was 30 years ago, Guru Maharaja, that we first met you. Sruti-cari and I can remember the program at the Hamilton Brahmacari ashrama so well. The brahmacaris and just spent the day at Raglan on a surfing excursion. They had returned to the Ashrama late that afternoon for a Pizza feast. Then out of the blue, so to speak, it was announced that you were coming for a visit. And somehow you would be there in half an hour. The usual peaceful and fully chilled mood of the ashrama suddenly changed. The boys were frantically making sure everything was clean and tidy and trying to cook some extra things apart from just pizza because apparently you would not approve of late night cheese and tomato sauce pizza. We were brand new devotees and never met a senior devotee (someone who had been a devotee for more than 5 years), a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, a swami, a traveling Guru. And you were all these things so we were getting nervous.
You were received with so much awe and reverence by all the assembled devotees. When you entered the room and walked to your seat it was as if your feet did not even touch the ground. All the devotees fell face down to offer their respects. (This was also a first for us to see) You seemed like the most important devotee in New Zealand, someone who was on the pulse of everything that was going on in the Hare Krsna movement that we had just become part of. Despite all of that, you still knew who we were even though you had never met us. Ameyatma brahmacari introduced us to you and your response was “Ah Adam - the one with all the questions and Mary - the one who likes prasadam”. You already knew about us.
I often reflect on the fact that at our first meeting you were younger than I am now (younger in the physical birth calculation sense). Then 30 years have passed to bring us to today.
I know I am a disappointment to you Guru Maharaja and it breaks my heart to know that. But it's a disappointment that I know I can improve on. You have given me just one instruction and that is to look after Sruti-cari and I always want to do that to the best of my ability. Without Sruti-cari I could not function, and that is a massive understatement!!
Thank you for everything you have ever done for us Guru Maharaja, from that first ‘chance’ meeting until today, thank you for your guidance, direction and patience.
Really really wanting to not be a disappointment to you Guru Maharaja,
Your servant, disciple and spiritual son,
Muni-cari dasa.
krishna-presthaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita
svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this wonderful celebration of your vyasa puja!
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja
It was 30 years ago, Guru Maharaja, that we first met you. Sruti-cari and I can remember the program at the Hamilton Brahmacari ashrama so well. The brahmacaris and just spent the day at Raglan on a surfing excursion. They had returned to the Ashrama late that afternoon for a Pizza feast. Then out of the blue, so to speak, it was announced that you were coming for a visit. And somehow you would be there in half an hour. The usual peaceful and fully chilled mood of the ashrama suddenly changed. The boys were frantically making sure everything was clean and tidy and trying to cook some extra things apart from just pizza because apparently you would not approve of late night cheese and tomato sauce pizza. We were brand new devotees and never met a senior devotee (someone who had been a devotee for more than 5 years), a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, a swami, a traveling Guru. And you were all these things so we were getting nervous.
You were received with so much awe and reverence by all the assembled devotees. When you entered the room and walked to your seat it was as if your feet did not even touch the ground. All the devotees fell face down to offer their respects. (This was also a first for us to see) You seemed like the most important devotee in New Zealand, someone who was on the pulse of everything that was going on in the Hare Krsna movement that we had just become part of. Despite all of that, you still knew who we were even though you had never met us. Ameyatma brahmacari introduced us to you and your response was “Ah Adam - the one with all the questions and Mary - the one who likes prasadam”. You already knew about us.
I often reflect on the fact that at our first meeting you were younger than I am now (younger in the physical birth calculation sense). Then 30 years have passed to bring us to today.
I know I am a disappointment to you Guru Maharaja and it breaks my heart to know that. But it's a disappointment that I know I can improve on. You have given me just one instruction and that is to look after Sruti-cari and I always want to do that to the best of my ability. Without Sruti-cari I could not function, and that is a massive understatement!!
Thank you for everything you have ever done for us Guru Maharaja, from that first ‘chance’ meeting until today, thank you for your guidance, direction and patience.
Really really wanting to not be a disappointment to you Guru Maharaja,
Your servant, disciple and spiritual son,
Muni-cari dasa.
Munjaranya dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, an exemplary and extraordinary disciple of your beloved spiritual master.
My deep gratitude is to you for extending the lifeline of your association to me. By your effulgent presence, my darkest hour turned out to be one of my deepest realizations.
My heartfelt gratitude is to you for your bhaktiful glances. Even a single glance from you makes a deep impression on the heart. You just don't see a person in the room; you see a spirit soul, a servant of Krishna. A single glance from you is loaded with compassion towards the spirit soul struggling in the material coil, a pure desire for them to find real happiness, and genuine encouragement for them to reach their bhakti potential. Gurudeva, kindly allow me the good fortune of your merciful glances. They urge me on to wrap my business here and dedicate my life to serving Lord Caitanya.
Thank you so much for your instructions, all your words of encouragement, and your loving exchanges - they are all expressions of your unconditional love and compassion for even an undeserving conditioned soul like myself. How can I ever express sufficient gratitude for what you do for me - what only you can do, and no one else. You have shown me that the guru-disciple relationship is beyond the limitations of time and space - it's beyond all material conditions.
Thank you for the blood, sweat and tears you shed to make the lifeline of devotional service accessible to everyone - through your outreach centers like the Loft. Akarsini was recently describing that centers like Bhakti Lounge are like a vortex, and if one comes close enough, one can't help but get pulled in by the strong current of devotional service. This current of devotional service is nothing but the sankirtan sakti that emanates from your ever-increasingly compassionate heart. Just a most insignificant example of your sakti - in your last visit to the Loft, I accompanied a lady guest for darsana. By the influence of your presence, my mind automatically began chanting Hare Krishna.
Thank you once again for extending this lifeline of devotional service to me. It keeps me afloat as I am being tossed around by the waves of material existence. Being influenced by illusory energy, I sometimes loosen my grip on this lifeline that you so lovingly extend. I beg at your lotus feet to please save me from the illusion that other lifelines exist in this ocean.
Prabhupada writes in Krishna book that the brahmana Srutadeva's only desire was to be fully situated in Krishna consciousness. Dear Gurudeva, by your sankirtan sakti, you can revive my sankirtan spirit. Please empower me to hold onto the lifeline of your instructions eagerly, enthusiastically and with all my energy.
Your aspiring servant,
Munjaranya dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, an exemplary and extraordinary disciple of your beloved spiritual master.
My deep gratitude is to you for extending the lifeline of your association to me. By your effulgent presence, my darkest hour turned out to be one of my deepest realizations.
My heartfelt gratitude is to you for your bhaktiful glances. Even a single glance from you makes a deep impression on the heart. You just don't see a person in the room; you see a spirit soul, a servant of Krishna. A single glance from you is loaded with compassion towards the spirit soul struggling in the material coil, a pure desire for them to find real happiness, and genuine encouragement for them to reach their bhakti potential. Gurudeva, kindly allow me the good fortune of your merciful glances. They urge me on to wrap my business here and dedicate my life to serving Lord Caitanya.
Thank you so much for your instructions, all your words of encouragement, and your loving exchanges - they are all expressions of your unconditional love and compassion for even an undeserving conditioned soul like myself. How can I ever express sufficient gratitude for what you do for me - what only you can do, and no one else. You have shown me that the guru-disciple relationship is beyond the limitations of time and space - it's beyond all material conditions.
Thank you for the blood, sweat and tears you shed to make the lifeline of devotional service accessible to everyone - through your outreach centers like the Loft. Akarsini was recently describing that centers like Bhakti Lounge are like a vortex, and if one comes close enough, one can't help but get pulled in by the strong current of devotional service. This current of devotional service is nothing but the sankirtan sakti that emanates from your ever-increasingly compassionate heart. Just a most insignificant example of your sakti - in your last visit to the Loft, I accompanied a lady guest for darsana. By the influence of your presence, my mind automatically began chanting Hare Krishna.
Thank you once again for extending this lifeline of devotional service to me. It keeps me afloat as I am being tossed around by the waves of material existence. Being influenced by illusory energy, I sometimes loosen my grip on this lifeline that you so lovingly extend. I beg at your lotus feet to please save me from the illusion that other lifelines exist in this ocean.
Prabhupada writes in Krishna book that the brahmana Srutadeva's only desire was to be fully situated in Krishna consciousness. Dear Gurudeva, by your sankirtan sakti, you can revive my sankirtan spirit. Please empower me to hold onto the lifeline of your instructions eagerly, enthusiastically and with all my energy.
Your aspiring servant,
Munjaranya dd
Nanda Mandir dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I thank you for your guidance and blessings. I feel very fortunate to have you as my spiritual master and to receive your guidance on the path of Krishna consciousness.
Your teachings and example inspire me to deepen my devotion to Krishna and become more sincere in my Bhakti. I know I still have much to learn, and I pray to develop the humility, faith, and determination to follow your instructions.
Thank you for your kindness and for helping me progress on this spiritual journey. I pray that I may continue to receive your blessings and become a better servant of Srila Prabhupada, Krishna, and the devotees.
With gratitude and humble prayers, I wish you a very happy and auspicious Vyasa Puja.
Your humble servant,
Nanda Mandir dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I thank you for your guidance and blessings. I feel very fortunate to have you as my spiritual master and to receive your guidance on the path of Krishna consciousness.
Your teachings and example inspire me to deepen my devotion to Krishna and become more sincere in my Bhakti. I know I still have much to learn, and I pray to develop the humility, faith, and determination to follow your instructions.
Thank you for your kindness and for helping me progress on this spiritual journey. I pray that I may continue to receive your blessings and become a better servant of Srila Prabhupada, Krishna, and the devotees.
With gratitude and humble prayers, I wish you a very happy and auspicious Vyasa Puja.
Your humble servant,
Nanda Mandir dasa
Nanda-Patni dd
Hare Krishna dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance and for allowing me this opportunity to share with you my gratitude to have you as my spiritual master.
I would like to thank you for all your lectures and classes knowing that you tirelessly travel around the world - these Krishna Conscious sound vibrations peel me away from the covers of material existence, if only for a few moments - indeed, material existence has a thick veil over me. Sometimes, I have the most disturbing and vivid dreams that linger in my mind, but your lectures carry the potency to quieten, even shut them off. As soon as I hear you speak, I feel more inspired to think of you and think of Krishna throughout my day. I wanted to add that I've particularly been relishing your unlimited and rich perspectives of Krishna’s pastimes - you show me that Bhakti is unlimited and ever fresh. Furthermore, you make me want to read and re-read Srila Prabhupada's books - and when I get to read, I feel you there with me, along with Srila Prabhupada, allowing me to dive deeper into the abundant spiritual world, where every word is a song and every step is a dance.
On that note of reading, I confess that I should be reading more, but I would like to share that reading daily, as you have advised, has helped me begin to cleanse my consciousness - slowly washing away all the dirt. I have been reading Srimad Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya and I have started reading Chaitanya Bhagavata. Reading is becoming a service that I really enjoy - I feel like you would be proud of me when I make an effort in this way. Sometimes I feel like it makes up for the lack of other services I do, but I know that sravanam is crucial to my development and I know that it pleases you. I recently brought your book - Searching for Vedic India and will endeavour to read through it, and I also have plans to re-read Bhakti Bhava and Perfect Escape. I marvel at your intelligence and academic valor in writing these gems. I always feel enlightened hearing how you read four hours a day before even meeting devotees and how dedicated you were at finding and owning your own set of the Srimad Bhagavatam - none else could compare to your appraisal of the Bhagavatam, Gurudeva. I'm also very excited to read Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu - showcasing the depth of nectar that lies in devotional service.
Finally, I cannot thank you enough for the instructions that you have given me (and Mandraghosh Prabhu). One of them is: “To read together now and the future” . This instruction is so potent and transformative for my aspiring grhasta life. You also instructed us to “make our home full of sravanam, kirtan, visnoh” - this particularly struck me, because this is something we both have control over and can implement in unlimited ways - I pray to make this a reality. On a personal note, one of your first instructions to me was: “Put my big heart into all services”. I'm still working on the ‘big heart’ but thank you deeply for your kind and encouraging words. I know there are no limits to this instruction - and you lead by example in this. I'm excited to see how I may be able to execute your instructions, and pray for your causeless mercy upon me to make that a reality. I pray that my material obligations and desires decrease and my aspirations to serve you and your devotees become front and centre of my life. Thank you for your endless wisdom highlighting the abundant discrepancies of this material world - you skillfully dissipate the mirage of material illusion that I was so eagerly chasing (and feel that I still am).
Your dedication to Mahaprabhu’s and Srila Prabhupada’s mission is beyond words. It's far beyond my ability to understand the level of sacrifice, austerities, selflessness and dedication you have given…in this lifetime at least. You have dedicated over fifty years to the mission of giving Krishna to those who don't know about him - a true transcendentalist, missionary, saint and preacher. If I truly knew the depth of your qualities and activities, then I could wholeheartedly surrender at your lotus feet. So understanding my shortcomings, I pray that I take your instructions as my life and soul and hold them close to my heart, because without them, I may as well surrender to a miserable material life - I know it too well.
Praying sincerely to be of service to you Gurudeva, big or small, extraordinary or seemingly ordinary, please continue to accept me and let me grow under the dust of your lotus feet.
Knowing that I am not qualified to serve you, but accepting your mercy because it's all I that I have.
Aspiring to be a more devoted and disciplined disciple, Nanda-Patni devi dasi.
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance and for allowing me this opportunity to share with you my gratitude to have you as my spiritual master.
I would like to thank you for all your lectures and classes knowing that you tirelessly travel around the world - these Krishna Conscious sound vibrations peel me away from the covers of material existence, if only for a few moments - indeed, material existence has a thick veil over me. Sometimes, I have the most disturbing and vivid dreams that linger in my mind, but your lectures carry the potency to quieten, even shut them off. As soon as I hear you speak, I feel more inspired to think of you and think of Krishna throughout my day. I wanted to add that I've particularly been relishing your unlimited and rich perspectives of Krishna’s pastimes - you show me that Bhakti is unlimited and ever fresh. Furthermore, you make me want to read and re-read Srila Prabhupada's books - and when I get to read, I feel you there with me, along with Srila Prabhupada, allowing me to dive deeper into the abundant spiritual world, where every word is a song and every step is a dance.
On that note of reading, I confess that I should be reading more, but I would like to share that reading daily, as you have advised, has helped me begin to cleanse my consciousness - slowly washing away all the dirt. I have been reading Srimad Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya and I have started reading Chaitanya Bhagavata. Reading is becoming a service that I really enjoy - I feel like you would be proud of me when I make an effort in this way. Sometimes I feel like it makes up for the lack of other services I do, but I know that sravanam is crucial to my development and I know that it pleases you. I recently brought your book - Searching for Vedic India and will endeavour to read through it, and I also have plans to re-read Bhakti Bhava and Perfect Escape. I marvel at your intelligence and academic valor in writing these gems. I always feel enlightened hearing how you read four hours a day before even meeting devotees and how dedicated you were at finding and owning your own set of the Srimad Bhagavatam - none else could compare to your appraisal of the Bhagavatam, Gurudeva. I'm also very excited to read Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu - showcasing the depth of nectar that lies in devotional service.
Finally, I cannot thank you enough for the instructions that you have given me (and Mandraghosh Prabhu). One of them is: “To read together now and the future” . This instruction is so potent and transformative for my aspiring grhasta life. You also instructed us to “make our home full of sravanam, kirtan, visnoh” - this particularly struck me, because this is something we both have control over and can implement in unlimited ways - I pray to make this a reality. On a personal note, one of your first instructions to me was: “Put my big heart into all services”. I'm still working on the ‘big heart’ but thank you deeply for your kind and encouraging words. I know there are no limits to this instruction - and you lead by example in this. I'm excited to see how I may be able to execute your instructions, and pray for your causeless mercy upon me to make that a reality. I pray that my material obligations and desires decrease and my aspirations to serve you and your devotees become front and centre of my life. Thank you for your endless wisdom highlighting the abundant discrepancies of this material world - you skillfully dissipate the mirage of material illusion that I was so eagerly chasing (and feel that I still am).
Your dedication to Mahaprabhu’s and Srila Prabhupada’s mission is beyond words. It's far beyond my ability to understand the level of sacrifice, austerities, selflessness and dedication you have given…in this lifetime at least. You have dedicated over fifty years to the mission of giving Krishna to those who don't know about him - a true transcendentalist, missionary, saint and preacher. If I truly knew the depth of your qualities and activities, then I could wholeheartedly surrender at your lotus feet. So understanding my shortcomings, I pray that I take your instructions as my life and soul and hold them close to my heart, because without them, I may as well surrender to a miserable material life - I know it too well.
Praying sincerely to be of service to you Gurudeva, big or small, extraordinary or seemingly ordinary, please continue to accept me and let me grow under the dust of your lotus feet.
Knowing that I am not qualified to serve you, but accepting your mercy because it's all I that I have.
Aspiring to be a more devoted and disciplined disciple, Nanda-Patni devi dasi.
Nandisvara
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances on the glorious occasion of your Vyasapuja.
Recently I drove a company vehical across Australia for a work project, It was my first job away and the owner of the company had made it known that it was a lot of faith they were putting in me and the vehical was worth 200k so I was very sure to take extra care. Once I hit the road and had done all my checks I set the cruise control and drove the posted speed limit. After having driven like this for two days I meet up with a co worker in Port Neill NSW who informed me that the vehicle I was driving was classed as a heavy vehical and speed limits were reduced for this vehical, I played it cool but inside l felt a cold sweat hit me and my throat dried up remembering all the speed cameras I pasted during the trip. I was thinking I'll be fined thousands of dollars for this, thousands which I don't have and I would lose my license and then probably the job, all of a sudden things we're looking pretty bad. I went to bed that night with a heavy heart, before taking rest I prayed to Krishna, 'Dear Krishna you are the supreme knower not a blade of grass moves without your sanction if for some reason I am meant to experience this hardship then I accept and pray to understand the lesson I am supposed learn and if its not my destiny then please let those cameras have malfunctioned that day or something'
I woke up at 2am the next morning thinking of my predicament and I remembered your words from a class I heard maybe 17 or 18 years ago, " better to chant Hare Krishna then to think too much about about a problem" so I got up had a shower and started chanting and when the thoughts about fines inevitably arose Instead of dwelling on them I was able to tell myself Krishna's will will be done regardless I just have to focus on hearing the Holy Names and i did! and I can say after that Japa session I was hardly bothered by the potential fines and it really felt like a victory. I realized that I can use any situation good or bad to go deeper in my chanting if I desire.
Param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam!
Thank you for all the energy you put into elevating us with your non stop sankirtan, I have always tried to use any spare time I've had to hear your classes and ive noticed over the years certain sutras you give have made deep impressions in my intelligence. I pray on this momentous occasion of your appearance that my mind will always be purified by the words emanating from your Lotus mouth birth after birth
Your ever aspiring servant
Nandisvara das
Please accept my humble obeisances on the glorious occasion of your Vyasapuja.
Recently I drove a company vehical across Australia for a work project, It was my first job away and the owner of the company had made it known that it was a lot of faith they were putting in me and the vehical was worth 200k so I was very sure to take extra care. Once I hit the road and had done all my checks I set the cruise control and drove the posted speed limit. After having driven like this for two days I meet up with a co worker in Port Neill NSW who informed me that the vehicle I was driving was classed as a heavy vehical and speed limits were reduced for this vehical, I played it cool but inside l felt a cold sweat hit me and my throat dried up remembering all the speed cameras I pasted during the trip. I was thinking I'll be fined thousands of dollars for this, thousands which I don't have and I would lose my license and then probably the job, all of a sudden things we're looking pretty bad. I went to bed that night with a heavy heart, before taking rest I prayed to Krishna, 'Dear Krishna you are the supreme knower not a blade of grass moves without your sanction if for some reason I am meant to experience this hardship then I accept and pray to understand the lesson I am supposed learn and if its not my destiny then please let those cameras have malfunctioned that day or something'
I woke up at 2am the next morning thinking of my predicament and I remembered your words from a class I heard maybe 17 or 18 years ago, " better to chant Hare Krishna then to think too much about about a problem" so I got up had a shower and started chanting and when the thoughts about fines inevitably arose Instead of dwelling on them I was able to tell myself Krishna's will will be done regardless I just have to focus on hearing the Holy Names and i did! and I can say after that Japa session I was hardly bothered by the potential fines and it really felt like a victory. I realized that I can use any situation good or bad to go deeper in my chanting if I desire.
Param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam!
Thank you for all the energy you put into elevating us with your non stop sankirtan, I have always tried to use any spare time I've had to hear your classes and ive noticed over the years certain sutras you give have made deep impressions in my intelligence. I pray on this momentous occasion of your appearance that my mind will always be purified by the words emanating from your Lotus mouth birth after birth
Your ever aspiring servant
Nandisvara das
Narasimha Nama das & Suri devi dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept our humblest of obeisances,
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
For us, meditating on your Vyasa Puja this year is a slightly unique one as it falls on the same day as our wedding yajna. We found this to be a beautiful opportunity to reflect on how serving you is the deepest, most fulfilling, and uplifting purpose of our marriage.
As Srila Prabhupada mentions in Sri Isopanisad, this world is perfectly imperfect, they is no stability of material happiness and joy for us here, and every apparent perfection is due a shake up in due course of time. However, what a blessings it is for us to receive your guidance and encouragement to go on with the outreach and go deep in sadhana; heartfelt guidance which allows us to overcome any imperfections, challenges or obstacles in our path.
You are the constant source of inspiration, motivation and depth that keeps us both alive spiritually and able to give more to each other and ultimately our services.
Sometimes during our busy working weeks working relentless corporate hours, we have felt exhausted to commute to Studio108 to serve, however, enthused by your example and compassion we have pulled ourselves together, made the journey into the city to reach some hearts. Never once have we regretted it, even during the most busiest and challenging of weeks, and it’s because of you,
You give our marriage a purpose.
You give our marriage meaning.
You give our marriage a direction.
You give our marriage a life.
Because of your consistent lifelong endeavour to please guru and Krishna, what can we do but be enthused by that? You’ve helped us both unlock a new dimension in our lives and our relationship. A dimension that saves us from hellish life, and directs us to saintly life.
After all, that is the purpose of Bhakti which you mentioned in a recently class in Wellington - to develop sadhus.
So on this day and everyday, we would like to thank you for your spiritual depth, attraction to Krishna and dedication to your Guru; for all these glories continue to fuel our relationship in seva to you and add a new otherworldly dimension.
We pray that our marriage can be a pleasing offering to you in helping to spread Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtan mission across cities and continents, and deep within hearts.
Your servants always,
Narasimha Nama das & Suri devi dasi
Please accept our humblest of obeisances,
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
For us, meditating on your Vyasa Puja this year is a slightly unique one as it falls on the same day as our wedding yajna. We found this to be a beautiful opportunity to reflect on how serving you is the deepest, most fulfilling, and uplifting purpose of our marriage.
As Srila Prabhupada mentions in Sri Isopanisad, this world is perfectly imperfect, they is no stability of material happiness and joy for us here, and every apparent perfection is due a shake up in due course of time. However, what a blessings it is for us to receive your guidance and encouragement to go on with the outreach and go deep in sadhana; heartfelt guidance which allows us to overcome any imperfections, challenges or obstacles in our path.
You are the constant source of inspiration, motivation and depth that keeps us both alive spiritually and able to give more to each other and ultimately our services.
Sometimes during our busy working weeks working relentless corporate hours, we have felt exhausted to commute to Studio108 to serve, however, enthused by your example and compassion we have pulled ourselves together, made the journey into the city to reach some hearts. Never once have we regretted it, even during the most busiest and challenging of weeks, and it’s because of you,
You give our marriage a purpose.
You give our marriage meaning.
You give our marriage a direction.
You give our marriage a life.
Because of your consistent lifelong endeavour to please guru and Krishna, what can we do but be enthused by that? You’ve helped us both unlock a new dimension in our lives and our relationship. A dimension that saves us from hellish life, and directs us to saintly life.
After all, that is the purpose of Bhakti which you mentioned in a recently class in Wellington - to develop sadhus.
So on this day and everyday, we would like to thank you for your spiritual depth, attraction to Krishna and dedication to your Guru; for all these glories continue to fuel our relationship in seva to you and add a new otherworldly dimension.
We pray that our marriage can be a pleasing offering to you in helping to spread Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtan mission across cities and continents, and deep within hearts.
Your servants always,
Narasimha Nama das & Suri devi dasi
Nava Tarunya Dd
Nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Sri ate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Prachaar purva daksh cha bhakat chaara pravnita
Pratapi karuna yasya sarv cha te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this highly auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I am deeply humbled to have the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. I find myself completely submerged in the ocean of mercy flowing from both your vapu and vani. Gurudev, you teach us the simple yet profound truth of "walking the talk." In this material world, where people wander blindly without knowing where they are going, what they are doing, or how they are drifting further away from the true purpose of life each day, you have shown us the right path. You have taught us how to live simply, aspire for the highest knowledge of Krishna consciousness, and practice keeping Krishna at the absolute center of every aspect of our lives.
Although I grew up following traditional rituals and knowing about Krishna and the various devas, it was only when I came into connection with you, Gurudev, that I truly understood the difference. You helped me realize that Krishna is our supreme parent, and just like a loving parent, He is always compassionate and will never let us down. The verse from the Sri Chaitanya-charitamria ( Madhya-Lila, 19.151)
ब्रह्माण्ड भ्रमिते कोन भाग्यवान् जीव ।
गुरु-कृष्ण-प्रसादे पाय भक्तिलता-बीज ॥
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
is so vividly real in my life. It is the spiritual master who awakens us to our true potential and shows us that it is genuinely possible for a conditioned jiva to return back to Godhead. Now, whenever my own children do something unfavorable, I catch myself thinking, "This is exactly what I have been doing to Krishna from many many lifetimes” and I am overwhelmed by how incredibly compassionate He remains toward me. Thank you, Gurudev, for picking me up and setting me on the right path.
An instruction that you constantly emphasize is the practice of genuine humility. This is an area where I know I need much more practice. You always teach us by your own example never to forget any devotee who has helped us, even in the smallest way, in our spiritual journey. While people in the world chase fleeting happiness, cycling between success and failure, you exhibit a state of pure, uninterrupted bliss in Krishna consciousness at every single moment.
I still remember the very first day I met you, Gurudev. I felt a presence so divine and loving. Your eyes were filled with deep compassion, and your warm smile completely filled my vision until nothing else mattered. I whispered to myself that this must be exactly how Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu poured His love and mercy upon the living entities. Over the years, through the little association I have been blessed with, I have quietly observed your mood. Every single time you finish a lecture or you have a quiet moment, the cameras are turned off, the microphones are being put away, and the crowd's attention shifts—you quietly begin the joyful Kirtan.
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”
You simply go on singing purely for the pleasure of the Lord. I now eagerly wait for those exact moments just to experience that unalloyed ecstasy. I feel incredibly fortunate to have my heart filled by these quiet, sacred glimpses of your devotion.
Gurudev, just like Srila Prabhupada, you never fail to expertly cure the false ego of your disciples. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing that specific mercy to me. I remember the occasion of Govardhana Puja at the New Gokula Farm in Cessnock, when I eagerly presented you with the recipe book that Radhika and I had compiled. When I handed you the copy, a part of me was pridefully expecting words of appreciation. Instead, you simply passed the book to the Prabhu next to you and said, "Hare Krishna and started walking. At first, I felt uneasy, thinking about the year of hard work we had dedicated to the project. But then, I remembered the pastime when Srila Prabhupada visited your cabin while you were tirelessly distributing his books day and night; Prabhupada simply acknowledged it with a brief sound, "Humm” and moved on. You have given your entire life to this mission without expecting a single word in return, while I am still struggling to learn the basic quality of acting without material expectations. Thank you, Gurudev. Like a perfect doctor, you know exactly what my soul needs, and you prescribe the medicine accordingly. Every single interaction with you provides an invaluable lesson, gradually crafting me into an instrument that can one day be fit to be offered at the lotus feet of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
On this sacred day, I offer my heartfelt prayers to all our Acharyas and to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to always protect you and keep you enlightening us with your divine presence. Thank you for your causeless mercy upon an unqualified soul like me. Please continue to engage me in your devotional service.
Your servant,
Nava Tarunya Devi Dasi
Sri ate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Prachaar purva daksh cha bhakat chaara pravnita
Pratapi karuna yasya sarv cha te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this highly auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I am deeply humbled to have the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. I find myself completely submerged in the ocean of mercy flowing from both your vapu and vani. Gurudev, you teach us the simple yet profound truth of "walking the talk." In this material world, where people wander blindly without knowing where they are going, what they are doing, or how they are drifting further away from the true purpose of life each day, you have shown us the right path. You have taught us how to live simply, aspire for the highest knowledge of Krishna consciousness, and practice keeping Krishna at the absolute center of every aspect of our lives.
Although I grew up following traditional rituals and knowing about Krishna and the various devas, it was only when I came into connection with you, Gurudev, that I truly understood the difference. You helped me realize that Krishna is our supreme parent, and just like a loving parent, He is always compassionate and will never let us down. The verse from the Sri Chaitanya-charitamria ( Madhya-Lila, 19.151)
ब्रह्माण्ड भ्रमिते कोन भाग्यवान् जीव ।
गुरु-कृष्ण-प्रसादे पाय भक्तिलता-बीज ॥
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
is so vividly real in my life. It is the spiritual master who awakens us to our true potential and shows us that it is genuinely possible for a conditioned jiva to return back to Godhead. Now, whenever my own children do something unfavorable, I catch myself thinking, "This is exactly what I have been doing to Krishna from many many lifetimes” and I am overwhelmed by how incredibly compassionate He remains toward me. Thank you, Gurudev, for picking me up and setting me on the right path.
An instruction that you constantly emphasize is the practice of genuine humility. This is an area where I know I need much more practice. You always teach us by your own example never to forget any devotee who has helped us, even in the smallest way, in our spiritual journey. While people in the world chase fleeting happiness, cycling between success and failure, you exhibit a state of pure, uninterrupted bliss in Krishna consciousness at every single moment.
I still remember the very first day I met you, Gurudev. I felt a presence so divine and loving. Your eyes were filled with deep compassion, and your warm smile completely filled my vision until nothing else mattered. I whispered to myself that this must be exactly how Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu poured His love and mercy upon the living entities. Over the years, through the little association I have been blessed with, I have quietly observed your mood. Every single time you finish a lecture or you have a quiet moment, the cameras are turned off, the microphones are being put away, and the crowd's attention shifts—you quietly begin the joyful Kirtan.
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”
You simply go on singing purely for the pleasure of the Lord. I now eagerly wait for those exact moments just to experience that unalloyed ecstasy. I feel incredibly fortunate to have my heart filled by these quiet, sacred glimpses of your devotion.
Gurudev, just like Srila Prabhupada, you never fail to expertly cure the false ego of your disciples. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing that specific mercy to me. I remember the occasion of Govardhana Puja at the New Gokula Farm in Cessnock, when I eagerly presented you with the recipe book that Radhika and I had compiled. When I handed you the copy, a part of me was pridefully expecting words of appreciation. Instead, you simply passed the book to the Prabhu next to you and said, "Hare Krishna and started walking. At first, I felt uneasy, thinking about the year of hard work we had dedicated to the project. But then, I remembered the pastime when Srila Prabhupada visited your cabin while you were tirelessly distributing his books day and night; Prabhupada simply acknowledged it with a brief sound, "Humm” and moved on. You have given your entire life to this mission without expecting a single word in return, while I am still struggling to learn the basic quality of acting without material expectations. Thank you, Gurudev. Like a perfect doctor, you know exactly what my soul needs, and you prescribe the medicine accordingly. Every single interaction with you provides an invaluable lesson, gradually crafting me into an instrument that can one day be fit to be offered at the lotus feet of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
On this sacred day, I offer my heartfelt prayers to all our Acharyas and to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to always protect you and keep you enlightening us with your divine presence. Thank you for your causeless mercy upon an unqualified soul like me. Please continue to engage me in your devotional service.
Your servant,
Nava Tarunya Devi Dasi
Nava-gaurī dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all Glories to Srila Prabhupada and all Glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Gurudeva, I think I don't quite understand what I've been given and what you have done for me and what you are continuing to do for me and for so many others.
I heard accounts from senior devotees about the start of Gaura Yoga and the Loft. The concept of these places was quite a revolutionary idea in ISKCON yet you boldly proceeded in trying out new things to try to attract westerners to Krishna Consciousness. And now we see how preaching centres around the world model their approach around the Bhakti lounge and Loft style. It works. Both in attracting new people and in engaging the devotees that are already there.
I learned so much in my time at Bhakti lounge doing full time service. And I've been taken care of very well by you and by your disciples.
Now that I'm working full time I feel like I'm not contributing much anymore. When other devotees ask me about my service, I tell them that my service is working and giving donations. That's helpful, yet I wish I could do more. I wish I could do some more practical service and I wish I could do the little I'm doing with more purity, more selflessness, more devotion.
Having moved out of the ashrama and living independently I see that I'm not as strong and surrendered as I thought. Bhakti lounge, the ashrama and your blessings have carried me.
Please continue to bless me to make advancement and stick around in spiritual life. And please bless me to be able to help others along the way.
I know I have a long way to go but I'm here for the long run. I'm hoping to be able to attempt to repay my debt to you by following your instructions and sticking around. Honouring what I've been given even though I can't understand the value of it.
Humbly praying to stick around,
Your aspiring servant
Nava-gaurī dd
Please accept my humble obeisances, all Glories to Srila Prabhupada and all Glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Gurudeva, I think I don't quite understand what I've been given and what you have done for me and what you are continuing to do for me and for so many others.
I heard accounts from senior devotees about the start of Gaura Yoga and the Loft. The concept of these places was quite a revolutionary idea in ISKCON yet you boldly proceeded in trying out new things to try to attract westerners to Krishna Consciousness. And now we see how preaching centres around the world model their approach around the Bhakti lounge and Loft style. It works. Both in attracting new people and in engaging the devotees that are already there.
I learned so much in my time at Bhakti lounge doing full time service. And I've been taken care of very well by you and by your disciples.
Now that I'm working full time I feel like I'm not contributing much anymore. When other devotees ask me about my service, I tell them that my service is working and giving donations. That's helpful, yet I wish I could do more. I wish I could do some more practical service and I wish I could do the little I'm doing with more purity, more selflessness, more devotion.
Having moved out of the ashrama and living independently I see that I'm not as strong and surrendered as I thought. Bhakti lounge, the ashrama and your blessings have carried me.
Please continue to bless me to make advancement and stick around in spiritual life. And please bless me to be able to help others along the way.
I know I have a long way to go but I'm here for the long run. I'm hoping to be able to attempt to repay my debt to you by following your instructions and sticking around. Honouring what I've been given even though I can't understand the value of it.
Humbly praying to stick around,
Your aspiring servant
Nava-gaurī dd
Navadvip Vasi Das
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Kṛṣṇa-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious Vyasa-puja day.
Dear Gurudev,
I am in awe of your dedication, focus and discipline in serving the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission and following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Without regard for the restrictions that come with age or the struggles and fatigue that come with the physical body you keep moving, always ready and always eager to preach the holy name of the lord and deliver fallen souls like me with compassion and love.
Thank you Gurudev for guiding me onto the path back to Krishna, just as a father guides his son. I most humbly beg that you allow me the honour of being able to serve your lotus feet, for the rest of this life and in the next.
Navadvip Vasi Das & Family.
Kṛṣṇa-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious Vyasa-puja day.
Dear Gurudev,
I am in awe of your dedication, focus and discipline in serving the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission and following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Without regard for the restrictions that come with age or the struggles and fatigue that come with the physical body you keep moving, always ready and always eager to preach the holy name of the lord and deliver fallen souls like me with compassion and love.
Thank you Gurudev for guiding me onto the path back to Krishna, just as a father guides his son. I most humbly beg that you allow me the honour of being able to serve your lotus feet, for the rest of this life and in the next.
Navadvip Vasi Das & Family.
Netra Dayini Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, you have changed my life. Since receiving your shelter. After initiation, I feel as I have been given a new life. My chanting has become more powerful, and I am beginning to experience a deeper spiritual connection that is difficult to express in words.
The name you so lovingly gave me, “Netra Dayini,” reminds me of the responsibility and purpose of helping others see Krishna. This name has given new meaning to my life, and I will sincerely try my best to live up to your blessings and the beautiful name you have bestowed upon me. I can feel mercy of Radha Rani as you mentioned during initiation that Radha Rani allowed me to see Krishna.
I can never express enough gratitude for your mercy and guidance. Please continue to shower your mercy upon me so that I may grow in devotion, serve sincerely and make my life pleasing to Krishna and you.
Your servant,
Netra Dayini Devi Dasi🙏
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, you have changed my life. Since receiving your shelter. After initiation, I feel as I have been given a new life. My chanting has become more powerful, and I am beginning to experience a deeper spiritual connection that is difficult to express in words.
The name you so lovingly gave me, “Netra Dayini,” reminds me of the responsibility and purpose of helping others see Krishna. This name has given new meaning to my life, and I will sincerely try my best to live up to your blessings and the beautiful name you have bestowed upon me. I can feel mercy of Radha Rani as you mentioned during initiation that Radha Rani allowed me to see Krishna.
I can never express enough gratitude for your mercy and guidance. Please continue to shower your mercy upon me so that I may grow in devotion, serve sincerely and make my life pleasing to Krishna and you.
Your servant,
Netra Dayini Devi Dasi🙏
Nimai (amrita family)
Dear Gurudeva,
We ask shelter from you.
We beg to not leave you ever in our life.
Please bestow mercy on us,
As we are just little specs of dust compared to you.
Please pass our offerings up to the parampara.
You are non different compared to the bhagavad gita or srimad bhagavatam.
Please let us see clearly and from now since we are in the clutches of Maya you can save us.
We are nothing compared to you, all we know is nothing.
You are a great devotee of Krishna. We beg shelter of you.
We wish to become a great devotee of the lord and preach to make more devotees of Krishna so we can make more devotee families who give birth to devotees.
Then from this beautiful preaching we can make more and more Hare krishnas in the world.
From now on, with your blessings I want to do bhagavatam classes each day with my dad.
From Nimai.
We ask shelter from you.
We beg to not leave you ever in our life.
Please bestow mercy on us,
As we are just little specs of dust compared to you.
Please pass our offerings up to the parampara.
You are non different compared to the bhagavad gita or srimad bhagavatam.
Please let us see clearly and from now since we are in the clutches of Maya you can save us.
We are nothing compared to you, all we know is nothing.
You are a great devotee of Krishna. We beg shelter of you.
We wish to become a great devotee of the lord and preach to make more devotees of Krishna so we can make more devotee families who give birth to devotees.
Then from this beautiful preaching we can make more and more Hare krishnas in the world.
From now on, with your blessings I want to do bhagavatam classes each day with my dad.
From Nimai.
Nisha Abrol
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!
O Gurudeva, on your Vyāsa-pūjā, I have no grand offering to impart,
Only a sincere desire to serve you with my pure and sincere heart.
May the words from your lotus mouth become my shelter and guide,
And may the devotion to the Supreme Lord in my heart forever reside.
O my spiritual master, my shelter, my guide,
In the wisdom of the śāstras, you joyfully abide.
Through Srila Prabhupada’s books, you help me clearly see,
The eternal relationship between Lord Krishna and me.
This year I lost my mother, so dear to my heart,
And faced a deep sorrow that tore me apart.
Her loving presence, her blessings, her care,
Are memories I cherish in each heartfelt prayer.
Through chanting Krishna’s holy name and reading śāstras each day,
I find strength to continue along life’s way.
When grief clouds my heart and I struggle to cope,
Your teachings, Gurudeva, rekindle my hope.
Dear Gurudeva, you are my eternal shelter and guide,
Through your teachings, I feel Krishna close by my side.
When I cannot find words for the grief that I bear,
Your love and guidance remind me that Krishna is always there.
My mother was happy, knowing I was in your care,
Safe under your shelter, with your guidance and prayers.
She knew I was in the right place, where my soul could grow,
Doing the right thing, following the path I should know.
May her memory inspire me to serve with devotion,
With Krishna as my shelter through life’s changing ocean.
Following your instructions, I’ll take the next step on my spiritual way,
A humble gift to my beloved mother, offered with love on this sacred day.
Please bless me, Gurudeva, to remain on this way,
To follow your instructions with love each passing day.
May I never forget life’s purpose divine,
And let pure devotion grow by your mercy sublime.
Dear Gurudeva, please keep me beneath your care,
And teach me to serve with devotion and prayer.
At your lotus feet, my humble prayers remain,
May I serve Sri Guru and Gauranga again and again.
Hare Krishna!
Your daughter,
Nisha Abrol
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!
O Gurudeva, on your Vyāsa-pūjā, I have no grand offering to impart,
Only a sincere desire to serve you with my pure and sincere heart.
May the words from your lotus mouth become my shelter and guide,
And may the devotion to the Supreme Lord in my heart forever reside.
O my spiritual master, my shelter, my guide,
In the wisdom of the śāstras, you joyfully abide.
Through Srila Prabhupada’s books, you help me clearly see,
The eternal relationship between Lord Krishna and me.
This year I lost my mother, so dear to my heart,
And faced a deep sorrow that tore me apart.
Her loving presence, her blessings, her care,
Are memories I cherish in each heartfelt prayer.
Through chanting Krishna’s holy name and reading śāstras each day,
I find strength to continue along life’s way.
When grief clouds my heart and I struggle to cope,
Your teachings, Gurudeva, rekindle my hope.
Dear Gurudeva, you are my eternal shelter and guide,
Through your teachings, I feel Krishna close by my side.
When I cannot find words for the grief that I bear,
Your love and guidance remind me that Krishna is always there.
My mother was happy, knowing I was in your care,
Safe under your shelter, with your guidance and prayers.
She knew I was in the right place, where my soul could grow,
Doing the right thing, following the path I should know.
May her memory inspire me to serve with devotion,
With Krishna as my shelter through life’s changing ocean.
Following your instructions, I’ll take the next step on my spiritual way,
A humble gift to my beloved mother, offered with love on this sacred day.
Please bless me, Gurudeva, to remain on this way,
To follow your instructions with love each passing day.
May I never forget life’s purpose divine,
And let pure devotion grow by your mercy sublime.
Dear Gurudeva, please keep me beneath your care,
And teach me to serve with devotion and prayer.
At your lotus feet, my humble prayers remain,
May I serve Sri Guru and Gauranga again and again.
Hare Krishna!
Your daughter,
Nisha Abrol
Nitai jivana dasa
Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to ŚP. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of Vyāsa-pūjā.
Despite my inability in describing your wonderful position and touchstone qualities, I am going forward with confidence, knowing it to be beneficial for my heart.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda remarks on a similar instance of Vyāsa-pūjā in 1936, addressing his assembled Godbrothers in glorification of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Mahārāja, “we should surrender ourselves today at the feet of the representative of Śrī Vyāsadeva for the elimination of all our differences bred by our unsubmissive attitude.”
⸻
Gurudeva, you are truly expert and thoughtful.
In 2024, you were so kind as to allow me to assist you with your health treatment at the GEV.
While having to keep up with my deficiencies in practical communication and behaviour, like my unpredictable movements to and from our quarters, you also sensed my inability to hear direct admonishment.
You expertly resolved the situation by giving me the nickname Vidyādhara - affectionately teasing me by calling me by it a few times.
In this way you gently indicated that I could serve you better.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.8.46), the Vidyādharas offer prayers to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, specifically mentioning that they attained mystic formulas (vidyām) through various mental meditations that allow them to appear and disappear.
I pray to forsake my own mental meditations for attainment of mystic formulas, and instead tune into your inner mood and desires.
I beg to become receptive to the topmost vidyā of devotional service, free from ulterior motives - as you so expertly and thoughtfully present.
I pray to be more grounded and pragmatic, to the point where I can laugh about myself (including the nickname) and change my behaviour, in quick response, not two years later.
⸻
There is also the tenth Canto pastime presented in Kṛṣṇa Book, chapter 34, of the snake attacking Nanda Mahārāja in Vṛndāvana.
After liberation via touch by Kṛṣṇa’s lotus foot, the snake-turned-demigod is asked by the Lord about his identity in his previous life.
He happened to be a vain leader of Vidyādharas (his name is given as Vidyādhara in Kṛṣṇa Book), who, puffed up by material opulence and beauty, ridiculed sages stemming in the lineage of Aṅgirā Muni.
He was subsequently cursed and transformed into a snake.
I pray for my deliverance from the prideful attitude that causes me to offend saintly devotees.
I beg to apply myself truly to devotional service, to ward off the most dangerous type of fear, indeed possible, as Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in this chapter of his Kṛṣṇa Book, of gliding down into the lower species, even after having obtained the human form of life.
I pray to become dear to you, by glorifying devotees for their deep wisdom in applied bhakti-science, instead of finding fault on the superficial level I dwell on.
Having you as my inspiration, I feel confident I can do my part. I beg your mercy on this most auspicious day.
⸻
To see you off from GEV there had gathered a small number of devotees, including a few who helped me in my service to you during that time and whose heart-touching personal conduct and dealings with you are still fond in my memory.
As we were about to board the taxi, you sincerely thanked all those who took care of me in this way, jokingly remarking that through their association, I have become less like a Vidyādhara, and a bit more like a Vaiṣṇava.
I pray to be able to feel more and more dependent on the saṅgha of Vaiṣṇavas for my progress, and to proactively seek out nourishing and purifying loving exchanges with them.
This is how I will be able to undergo real transformation and become free from the disease of selfishness and pride.
Please help me to think of their service, not myself, and pray with a heart desperate for saṅgha.
Please help me see that as the most important thing to help me serve you better.
My dear King Rahūgaṇa, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy [brahmacarya], by strictly following the rules and regulations of householder life, by leaving home as a vānaprastha, by accepting sannyāsa, or by undergoing severe penances in winter by keeping oneself submerged in water or in summer by surrounding oneself by fire and the scorching heat of the sun. There are many other processes to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute Truth is revealed only to one who has attained the mercy of a great devotee.
⸻
This expert treatment of mine is your kindness.
My heart is very unstable. Material desires crowd the head and heat the system.
But from your heart shines forth the soothing atmosphere of the spiritual world - non-enviousness and freedom from false ego.
While being unfazed by the external situation on your touring the world, you show fallen disciples like myself the exalted standard of love devoid of any selfish tinge.
Indeed, you carry that love with you as a sign of your own highly advanced ecstasy, sanctifying your surroundings and all who are fortunate to come in touch with you.
Seeing in you the peak potential, I understand that my own advancement is what makes you happy.
Please help me develop the favourable attitudes that will deepen the process toward pure devotional service, on the way to Kṛṣṇa.
Please kindly offer me the opportunity to remain engaged in your service, focused on the process of purification, not the product.
Please keep fanning this spark.
I desire to blaze for your pleasure.
⸻
Dear Gurudeva,
I see that the individualistic course is not working.
I recently incurred an inflammation of my heart muscle.
Passionate selfishness creeps even into the ‘efficient mode’ adopted for full time saṅkīrtana.
From frustration to anger, anger to “perfect illusion” (BG. 2.63, word-for-word).
Loss of memory how to nourish and rest as needed, through togetherness hearing and chanting.
I rebel against what forces me on - my own relentless mind.
It clung unto mystic attainment of splendid health.
While there is a need for healing, I attempted to bring it about by force, not wisdom.
The mode is still the same, emotion not revoked.
Being secretive because there is so much I would rather forget about.
Routine work.
I pray to be able to go past this conditioning.
To treat the root cause of the disease.
⸻
It is my own consciousness that prohibits me from entering the spiritual world in Wellington, or Auckland, or wherever the service may be.
It is the weeds in my heart that keep me from deepening the process.
If I just keep going, I stray off track into such extremes.
Go big or go home.
I strain and break down.
Just on my own.
As Gauranga Darshan writes in ‘Dhruva’,
“We become weaker than ourselves when we succumb to undue attachments and unfair obligations.
A person with a weak heart loses all discrimination and gives in to temptations. Temptations give immediate pleasure but they result in long-term plight.”
You kindly attempted to safeguard me going off the rails by instructing me to do it for service, not sense gratification.
You are alert and expert at seeing my being deceived by māyā.
I could sense your dissatisfaction, your warning.
On a recent long-distance interval runs I heard you alert me to my feverish condition.
In a class from you in 2011:
So we don’t understand, we don’t realize, how affected we are by passion and ignorance. That is taken for granted in today’s culture.
So, when we consider our situation in terms of society and individuals in society, if we can understand truly what’s going on, we realize that our situation is desperate.
It takes a while for us to humbly accept our situation in a very unadvanced world which is very expert at passionately making progress to destroy itself.
It takes a while for us to humbly accept that. Because after all, we look at the little gadgets and trinkets that surround us. We look at our home entertainment system or the entertainment that’s available in our city and we think, oh, nothing could be better than this.
I heard you too late. I was on course. App tracking with pride in ‘advancement’.
At what cost?
Please protect me and alert me when I take something material to be spiritual, when I over-endeavour.
You have the ability to crack through my false hopes, to pull my heart out of material affairs.
Your admonishing words are what I need.
I pray for the ability to bear them.
To hear from a healthy heart that experiences the joy of service.
In the association of devotees.
While getting well for your service, I pray to be able to apply myself to the actual cleansing and healing.
Apply determination where it matters most.
Otherwise real service will not take place.
Your aspiring servant, bewildered about his own movements,
Nitai jīvana dāsa
All glories to ŚP. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of Vyāsa-pūjā.
Despite my inability in describing your wonderful position and touchstone qualities, I am going forward with confidence, knowing it to be beneficial for my heart.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda remarks on a similar instance of Vyāsa-pūjā in 1936, addressing his assembled Godbrothers in glorification of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Mahārāja, “we should surrender ourselves today at the feet of the representative of Śrī Vyāsadeva for the elimination of all our differences bred by our unsubmissive attitude.”
⸻
Gurudeva, you are truly expert and thoughtful.
In 2024, you were so kind as to allow me to assist you with your health treatment at the GEV.
While having to keep up with my deficiencies in practical communication and behaviour, like my unpredictable movements to and from our quarters, you also sensed my inability to hear direct admonishment.
You expertly resolved the situation by giving me the nickname Vidyādhara - affectionately teasing me by calling me by it a few times.
In this way you gently indicated that I could serve you better.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.8.46), the Vidyādharas offer prayers to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, specifically mentioning that they attained mystic formulas (vidyām) through various mental meditations that allow them to appear and disappear.
I pray to forsake my own mental meditations for attainment of mystic formulas, and instead tune into your inner mood and desires.
I beg to become receptive to the topmost vidyā of devotional service, free from ulterior motives - as you so expertly and thoughtfully present.
I pray to be more grounded and pragmatic, to the point where I can laugh about myself (including the nickname) and change my behaviour, in quick response, not two years later.
⸻
There is also the tenth Canto pastime presented in Kṛṣṇa Book, chapter 34, of the snake attacking Nanda Mahārāja in Vṛndāvana.
After liberation via touch by Kṛṣṇa’s lotus foot, the snake-turned-demigod is asked by the Lord about his identity in his previous life.
He happened to be a vain leader of Vidyādharas (his name is given as Vidyādhara in Kṛṣṇa Book), who, puffed up by material opulence and beauty, ridiculed sages stemming in the lineage of Aṅgirā Muni.
He was subsequently cursed and transformed into a snake.
I pray for my deliverance from the prideful attitude that causes me to offend saintly devotees.
I beg to apply myself truly to devotional service, to ward off the most dangerous type of fear, indeed possible, as Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in this chapter of his Kṛṣṇa Book, of gliding down into the lower species, even after having obtained the human form of life.
I pray to become dear to you, by glorifying devotees for their deep wisdom in applied bhakti-science, instead of finding fault on the superficial level I dwell on.
Having you as my inspiration, I feel confident I can do my part. I beg your mercy on this most auspicious day.
⸻
To see you off from GEV there had gathered a small number of devotees, including a few who helped me in my service to you during that time and whose heart-touching personal conduct and dealings with you are still fond in my memory.
As we were about to board the taxi, you sincerely thanked all those who took care of me in this way, jokingly remarking that through their association, I have become less like a Vidyādhara, and a bit more like a Vaiṣṇava.
I pray to be able to feel more and more dependent on the saṅgha of Vaiṣṇavas for my progress, and to proactively seek out nourishing and purifying loving exchanges with them.
This is how I will be able to undergo real transformation and become free from the disease of selfishness and pride.
Please help me to think of their service, not myself, and pray with a heart desperate for saṅgha.
Please help me see that as the most important thing to help me serve you better.
My dear King Rahūgaṇa, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy [brahmacarya], by strictly following the rules and regulations of householder life, by leaving home as a vānaprastha, by accepting sannyāsa, or by undergoing severe penances in winter by keeping oneself submerged in water or in summer by surrounding oneself by fire and the scorching heat of the sun. There are many other processes to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute Truth is revealed only to one who has attained the mercy of a great devotee.
⸻
This expert treatment of mine is your kindness.
My heart is very unstable. Material desires crowd the head and heat the system.
But from your heart shines forth the soothing atmosphere of the spiritual world - non-enviousness and freedom from false ego.
While being unfazed by the external situation on your touring the world, you show fallen disciples like myself the exalted standard of love devoid of any selfish tinge.
Indeed, you carry that love with you as a sign of your own highly advanced ecstasy, sanctifying your surroundings and all who are fortunate to come in touch with you.
Seeing in you the peak potential, I understand that my own advancement is what makes you happy.
Please help me develop the favourable attitudes that will deepen the process toward pure devotional service, on the way to Kṛṣṇa.
Please kindly offer me the opportunity to remain engaged in your service, focused on the process of purification, not the product.
Please keep fanning this spark.
I desire to blaze for your pleasure.
⸻
Dear Gurudeva,
I see that the individualistic course is not working.
I recently incurred an inflammation of my heart muscle.
Passionate selfishness creeps even into the ‘efficient mode’ adopted for full time saṅkīrtana.
From frustration to anger, anger to “perfect illusion” (BG. 2.63, word-for-word).
Loss of memory how to nourish and rest as needed, through togetherness hearing and chanting.
I rebel against what forces me on - my own relentless mind.
It clung unto mystic attainment of splendid health.
While there is a need for healing, I attempted to bring it about by force, not wisdom.
The mode is still the same, emotion not revoked.
Being secretive because there is so much I would rather forget about.
Routine work.
I pray to be able to go past this conditioning.
To treat the root cause of the disease.
⸻
It is my own consciousness that prohibits me from entering the spiritual world in Wellington, or Auckland, or wherever the service may be.
It is the weeds in my heart that keep me from deepening the process.
If I just keep going, I stray off track into such extremes.
Go big or go home.
I strain and break down.
Just on my own.
As Gauranga Darshan writes in ‘Dhruva’,
“We become weaker than ourselves when we succumb to undue attachments and unfair obligations.
A person with a weak heart loses all discrimination and gives in to temptations. Temptations give immediate pleasure but they result in long-term plight.”
You kindly attempted to safeguard me going off the rails by instructing me to do it for service, not sense gratification.
You are alert and expert at seeing my being deceived by māyā.
I could sense your dissatisfaction, your warning.
On a recent long-distance interval runs I heard you alert me to my feverish condition.
In a class from you in 2011:
So we don’t understand, we don’t realize, how affected we are by passion and ignorance. That is taken for granted in today’s culture.
So, when we consider our situation in terms of society and individuals in society, if we can understand truly what’s going on, we realize that our situation is desperate.
It takes a while for us to humbly accept our situation in a very unadvanced world which is very expert at passionately making progress to destroy itself.
It takes a while for us to humbly accept that. Because after all, we look at the little gadgets and trinkets that surround us. We look at our home entertainment system or the entertainment that’s available in our city and we think, oh, nothing could be better than this.
I heard you too late. I was on course. App tracking with pride in ‘advancement’.
At what cost?
Please protect me and alert me when I take something material to be spiritual, when I over-endeavour.
You have the ability to crack through my false hopes, to pull my heart out of material affairs.
Your admonishing words are what I need.
I pray for the ability to bear them.
To hear from a healthy heart that experiences the joy of service.
In the association of devotees.
While getting well for your service, I pray to be able to apply myself to the actual cleansing and healing.
Apply determination where it matters most.
Otherwise real service will not take place.
Your aspiring servant, bewildered about his own movements,
Nitai jīvana dāsa
Nrikesari Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to reflect on the grace of the spiritual master, the mercy of the Lord, and the ultimate goal of life.
Although this annual occasion invites us to contemplate the position of the spiritual master more deeply, the mercy of the guru is something that we are reminded of every single day.
saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
"In the revealed scriptures it is declared that the spiritual master should be worshiped like the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and this injunction is obeyed by pure devotees of the Lord. The spiritual master is the most confidential servant of the Lord. Thus let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of our spiritual master."
The spiritual master is honoured as the direct representative of Kṛṣṇa, not because he claims to be God, but because he is the Lord's most confidential servant.
God is so great than in him all dualities unite, he is the most distant and the most intimately close. The Personality of Godhead is the supreme male and the supreme female. He pervades everything, yet he remains hidden from our sight.
vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate
“Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.”
Through great intelligence, austerity, and philosophical discrimination, a person may come to understand the impersonal Brahman. Through profound meditation, a yogī may perceive Paramātmā.
]
But who could have ever imagined that the Supreme Absolute Truth is a beautiful blue cowherd boy, adorned with a peacock feather, playing His flute, running barefoot through the forests of Vṛndāvana, while eating with His left hand?
Who could have expected that God, the supreme, all-powerful being likes to steal butter, wrestle with His friends, and dance late at night? That the source of all universes can be bound by the affection of His mother and runs away from her in fear and that the unconquerable Lord willingly accepts defeat at the hands of His friends?
Even Lord Brahmā was bewildered by this (extra) ordrinary display. All his learning, austerities, and mystic powers could not help him comprehend the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa.
Having realized the limitations of his own intelligence, Brahmā prayed:
jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta Eva
jīvanti san-mukharitāṁ bhavadīya-vārtām
sthāne sthitāḥ śruti-gatāṁ tanu-vāṅ-manobhir
ye prāyaśo ’jita jito ’py asi tais tri-lokyām
“Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds.”
What an extraordinary conclusion! The Lord, who cannot be conquered by the greatest philosophers, yogīs, or even the creator of the universe, becomes conquered by those who simply hear about Him in disciplic succcession.
This is the inconceivable mercy of the spiritual master. He makes the otherwise inaccessible Lord accessible. Without such mercy, no one can know Kṛṣṇa, what to speak of developing a loving relationship with him.
The greatest philosophers may spend lifetimes attempting to understand God, while the residents of Vṛndāvana are too busy loving Him to concern themselves with His position. Mother Yaśodā does not need a lecture on the omnipotence of the Supreme Lord. She is far more concerned that her little boy has eaten dirt.
It is the most wonderful. The Absolute Truth, whom the greatest sages struggle to comprehend, becomes completely subordinate to the love of His devotees.
Yet this love of Kṛṣṇa is not something we can manufacture through intellectual endeavour. It is only attainable through the mercy of those who already know and love Him.
Śrīla Prabhupāda himself expressed this dependence upon the spiritual master in his 1936 Vyāsa-pūjā offering to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
“Had you not come Who had told, The message of Krishna Forceful and bold”
Without the spiritual master, who can love Kṛṣṇa? Who would comprehend the opportunity and purpose of this human birth?
The scriptures may have been available, but who would have understood them? The holy name may have been within reach, but who could appreciate its value? The Lord may have been sitting within our hearts all along, but who would have recognised him?
The Lord is so close, yet without the mercy of His devotees, He is so far away.
Now, more than a decade has passed since I first began chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, more than a decade of reading about the pastimes of the Lord, who is glorified by the choicest poetry. Yet my heart is not filled with love for Kṛṣṇa and my mind is continuolsy harassed by material desires. My tongue has little attraction to chanting the holy names, and my thoughts are always occupied with earning money and maintaining my home.
Therefore, I am, all the more amazed to see you preaching so boldly and tirelessly, fully dedicated to Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission. Seeing your example, I know that Kṛṣṇa is truly yours.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings:
kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāro tomāra śakati āche
“Kṛṣṇa is yours. You have the power to give Him to me.”
I pray for opportunities to serve the saṅkīrtana mission and share this greatest treasure of Kṛṣṇa consciousness with others.
During my brahmacārī days, you told me that book distribution is the saṅkīrtana outside, while my morning japa is the saṅkīrtana within. I often think about these words.
Although I currently cannot find the time for book distribution, I am exploring new ways to preach and build bridges between people and Kṛṣṇa consciousness through Vedic astrology, Ayurveda, Yoga, and other avenues. I pray that these efforts may bear meaningful fruit and somehow contribute to your and Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission.
I pray that all these endeavours may bring me closer to the real goal of life. So that one day my heart may become genuinely attracted to Kṛṣṇa. I am desperately calling when will Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and her eight principal sakhīs recognise me as an insignificant soul aspiring for their service?
Dear Gurudeva, I am pleading, please may I never lose sight of this ultimate goal of life, may I develop love for Kṛṣṇa, be always engaged in his service, in the association of his devotee and may I develop compassion for all living entities. May whatever abilities and opportunities I have received be engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees.
Your servant, Nṛkeśarī Dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to reflect on the grace of the spiritual master, the mercy of the Lord, and the ultimate goal of life.
Although this annual occasion invites us to contemplate the position of the spiritual master more deeply, the mercy of the guru is something that we are reminded of every single day.
saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
"In the revealed scriptures it is declared that the spiritual master should be worshiped like the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and this injunction is obeyed by pure devotees of the Lord. The spiritual master is the most confidential servant of the Lord. Thus let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of our spiritual master."
The spiritual master is honoured as the direct representative of Kṛṣṇa, not because he claims to be God, but because he is the Lord's most confidential servant.
God is so great than in him all dualities unite, he is the most distant and the most intimately close. The Personality of Godhead is the supreme male and the supreme female. He pervades everything, yet he remains hidden from our sight.
vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate
“Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.”
Through great intelligence, austerity, and philosophical discrimination, a person may come to understand the impersonal Brahman. Through profound meditation, a yogī may perceive Paramātmā.
]
But who could have ever imagined that the Supreme Absolute Truth is a beautiful blue cowherd boy, adorned with a peacock feather, playing His flute, running barefoot through the forests of Vṛndāvana, while eating with His left hand?
Who could have expected that God, the supreme, all-powerful being likes to steal butter, wrestle with His friends, and dance late at night? That the source of all universes can be bound by the affection of His mother and runs away from her in fear and that the unconquerable Lord willingly accepts defeat at the hands of His friends?
Even Lord Brahmā was bewildered by this (extra) ordrinary display. All his learning, austerities, and mystic powers could not help him comprehend the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa.
Having realized the limitations of his own intelligence, Brahmā prayed:
jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta Eva
jīvanti san-mukharitāṁ bhavadīya-vārtām
sthāne sthitāḥ śruti-gatāṁ tanu-vāṅ-manobhir
ye prāyaśo ’jita jito ’py asi tais tri-lokyām
“Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds.”
What an extraordinary conclusion! The Lord, who cannot be conquered by the greatest philosophers, yogīs, or even the creator of the universe, becomes conquered by those who simply hear about Him in disciplic succcession.
This is the inconceivable mercy of the spiritual master. He makes the otherwise inaccessible Lord accessible. Without such mercy, no one can know Kṛṣṇa, what to speak of developing a loving relationship with him.
The greatest philosophers may spend lifetimes attempting to understand God, while the residents of Vṛndāvana are too busy loving Him to concern themselves with His position. Mother Yaśodā does not need a lecture on the omnipotence of the Supreme Lord. She is far more concerned that her little boy has eaten dirt.
It is the most wonderful. The Absolute Truth, whom the greatest sages struggle to comprehend, becomes completely subordinate to the love of His devotees.
Yet this love of Kṛṣṇa is not something we can manufacture through intellectual endeavour. It is only attainable through the mercy of those who already know and love Him.
Śrīla Prabhupāda himself expressed this dependence upon the spiritual master in his 1936 Vyāsa-pūjā offering to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
“Had you not come Who had told, The message of Krishna Forceful and bold”
Without the spiritual master, who can love Kṛṣṇa? Who would comprehend the opportunity and purpose of this human birth?
The scriptures may have been available, but who would have understood them? The holy name may have been within reach, but who could appreciate its value? The Lord may have been sitting within our hearts all along, but who would have recognised him?
The Lord is so close, yet without the mercy of His devotees, He is so far away.
Now, more than a decade has passed since I first began chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, more than a decade of reading about the pastimes of the Lord, who is glorified by the choicest poetry. Yet my heart is not filled with love for Kṛṣṇa and my mind is continuolsy harassed by material desires. My tongue has little attraction to chanting the holy names, and my thoughts are always occupied with earning money and maintaining my home.
Therefore, I am, all the more amazed to see you preaching so boldly and tirelessly, fully dedicated to Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission. Seeing your example, I know that Kṛṣṇa is truly yours.
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings:
kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāro tomāra śakati āche
“Kṛṣṇa is yours. You have the power to give Him to me.”
I pray for opportunities to serve the saṅkīrtana mission and share this greatest treasure of Kṛṣṇa consciousness with others.
During my brahmacārī days, you told me that book distribution is the saṅkīrtana outside, while my morning japa is the saṅkīrtana within. I often think about these words.
Although I currently cannot find the time for book distribution, I am exploring new ways to preach and build bridges between people and Kṛṣṇa consciousness through Vedic astrology, Ayurveda, Yoga, and other avenues. I pray that these efforts may bear meaningful fruit and somehow contribute to your and Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission.
I pray that all these endeavours may bring me closer to the real goal of life. So that one day my heart may become genuinely attracted to Kṛṣṇa. I am desperately calling when will Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and her eight principal sakhīs recognise me as an insignificant soul aspiring for their service?
Dear Gurudeva, I am pleading, please may I never lose sight of this ultimate goal of life, may I develop love for Kṛṣṇa, be always engaged in his service, in the association of his devotee and may I develop compassion for all living entities. May whatever abilities and opportunities I have received be engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees.
Your servant, Nṛkeśarī Dāsa
Oscar Garcia-Ruiz
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
This past summer was quiet compared to what I am used to. I found myself in a limbo, not sure why my soul led me to Krishna Consciousness. For about a year, I was geeking over New Age and esoteric spirituality, and even after reading the Bhagavad Gita, I was still adamant in finding my own fabricated spiritual path. I was not convinced that I needed to be truly devoted to anything and that I could essentially just improvise my own journey. However, the more I attended Bhagavad Gita class and the more I associated with devotees, I kept hearing a specific Bhagavad Gita verse 18.66: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” In fact, I attended a couple of Bhagavad Gita classes where we recited and had discussions about that verse. So, I decided to take my chanting a little more seriously, and then, I finally felt that melting of the heart devotees and Swamis would talk about. I got a little taste of Krishna’s sweetness, and it was more than enough for me to keep going. Little did I know that this slow paced summer was Krishna’s grace as he allowed me the time to build up my sadhana and get little tastes here and there of the sweetness of chanting the Holy names. And little did I know that that chanting would eventually lead me to your Holiness. Krishna arranged everything nicely, and I am eternally grateful for your allowing me to take shelter under you. I listen to your lectures often, especially when I am driving in traffic or at the gym. They are refreshing for the soul, and I know that even on the days where I feel like the material energy is taking me off my path, I have the Holy names, sastras, and your wisdom to remember what truly matters which is Krishna’s love.
Hare Krishna,
Oscar Garcia
This past summer was quiet compared to what I am used to. I found myself in a limbo, not sure why my soul led me to Krishna Consciousness. For about a year, I was geeking over New Age and esoteric spirituality, and even after reading the Bhagavad Gita, I was still adamant in finding my own fabricated spiritual path. I was not convinced that I needed to be truly devoted to anything and that I could essentially just improvise my own journey. However, the more I attended Bhagavad Gita class and the more I associated with devotees, I kept hearing a specific Bhagavad Gita verse 18.66: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” In fact, I attended a couple of Bhagavad Gita classes where we recited and had discussions about that verse. So, I decided to take my chanting a little more seriously, and then, I finally felt that melting of the heart devotees and Swamis would talk about. I got a little taste of Krishna’s sweetness, and it was more than enough for me to keep going. Little did I know that this slow paced summer was Krishna’s grace as he allowed me the time to build up my sadhana and get little tastes here and there of the sweetness of chanting the Holy names. And little did I know that that chanting would eventually lead me to your Holiness. Krishna arranged everything nicely, and I am eternally grateful for your allowing me to take shelter under you. I listen to your lectures often, especially when I am driving in traffic or at the gym. They are refreshing for the soul, and I know that even on the days where I feel like the material energy is taking me off my path, I have the Holy names, sastras, and your wisdom to remember what truly matters which is Krishna’s love.
Hare Krishna,
Oscar Garcia
Pancajanya Dasa
Dear Gurudeve,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of celebrating your appearance.
Recently, in your talks, you have brought up this point: how, in an ideal human civilization, people would actually pursue a spiritual person for wisdom. However, in this current era, we have to pursue them.
It is no easy task sharing Krishna consciousness with a Western audience. When Krishna consciousness first came to the West, it seemed that the Western people were primed. Indian culture, yoga, spiritual wisdom, gurus, a weariness of mainstream ideals, a search for something deeper, a longing for unity—these interests and attitudes were quite commonly found amongst young Westerners. However, as time has passed, culture has changed. Most young Westerners today have given up hope in the ideas of world peace or unity, often closed off and closed-minded to anything outside their paradigm. Men totally obliterated by porn, alcohol, drugs, video games, etc. At no point in history have these things been more readily available, literally just a phone app away.
Times have changed. To preach Krishna consciousness in a changing world requires a dynamic approach. This, Gurudeve, is a task I believe you have been empowered for. As I've become more aware of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, I've noticed that, while seeing a great flourishing movement in Bharat, the golden era in the West seemingly has passed. Keeping up with a rapidly degrading "society" and culturally shifting young population isn't an easy endeavor, but it's an endeavor you have undertaken. The same endeavor undertaken by your spiritual master, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the very endeavor instructed by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur: preach in the West.
I've found it very inspiring listening to your lectures about city preaching, hearing your realizations about the adjustments that have to be made to a modern Western outreach program, seeing how it plays out in a center like Bhakti Lounge.
It's an endeavor, finding the ripe fruit amongst the rotten and unripe. Dealing with the unpredictable and volatile Kali Yuga minds that come your way. Giving shelter to so many of us. You have given your life to the ISKCON movement, you have invested your intelligence in furthering the movement and sharing Krishna consciousness with the most degraded, and you have given your time and mercy to so many of us Kali Yuga rejects. Thank you, Gurudeve.
I cannot repay my debt to you, but my desire is that I can plug myself into your outreach program and serve to the best of my abilities. You have encouraged me in my cooking, and that has been my main service in Bhakti Lounge over the last couple of years. I have recently begun full-time work, but Krishna has arranged for me a job that allows me to continue my cooking service throughout the week. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take my nature and plug it into this greatest endeavor, serving Lord Chaitanya and spreading the chanting of the holy name to all the ripe fruits.
Hoping and praying for the ability and opportunity to increase the quality of my service to you, Gurudeve.
Your aspiring servant,
Pāñcajanya Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of celebrating your appearance.
Recently, in your talks, you have brought up this point: how, in an ideal human civilization, people would actually pursue a spiritual person for wisdom. However, in this current era, we have to pursue them.
It is no easy task sharing Krishna consciousness with a Western audience. When Krishna consciousness first came to the West, it seemed that the Western people were primed. Indian culture, yoga, spiritual wisdom, gurus, a weariness of mainstream ideals, a search for something deeper, a longing for unity—these interests and attitudes were quite commonly found amongst young Westerners. However, as time has passed, culture has changed. Most young Westerners today have given up hope in the ideas of world peace or unity, often closed off and closed-minded to anything outside their paradigm. Men totally obliterated by porn, alcohol, drugs, video games, etc. At no point in history have these things been more readily available, literally just a phone app away.
Times have changed. To preach Krishna consciousness in a changing world requires a dynamic approach. This, Gurudeve, is a task I believe you have been empowered for. As I've become more aware of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, I've noticed that, while seeing a great flourishing movement in Bharat, the golden era in the West seemingly has passed. Keeping up with a rapidly degrading "society" and culturally shifting young population isn't an easy endeavor, but it's an endeavor you have undertaken. The same endeavor undertaken by your spiritual master, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the very endeavor instructed by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur: preach in the West.
I've found it very inspiring listening to your lectures about city preaching, hearing your realizations about the adjustments that have to be made to a modern Western outreach program, seeing how it plays out in a center like Bhakti Lounge.
It's an endeavor, finding the ripe fruit amongst the rotten and unripe. Dealing with the unpredictable and volatile Kali Yuga minds that come your way. Giving shelter to so many of us. You have given your life to the ISKCON movement, you have invested your intelligence in furthering the movement and sharing Krishna consciousness with the most degraded, and you have given your time and mercy to so many of us Kali Yuga rejects. Thank you, Gurudeve.
I cannot repay my debt to you, but my desire is that I can plug myself into your outreach program and serve to the best of my abilities. You have encouraged me in my cooking, and that has been my main service in Bhakti Lounge over the last couple of years. I have recently begun full-time work, but Krishna has arranged for me a job that allows me to continue my cooking service throughout the week. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take my nature and plug it into this greatest endeavor, serving Lord Chaitanya and spreading the chanting of the holy name to all the ripe fruits.
Hoping and praying for the ability and opportunity to increase the quality of my service to you, Gurudeve.
Your aspiring servant,
Pāñcajanya Dasa
Pandava bandhava das
Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In Bhagavad-gītā 2.55, Lord Kṛṣṇa describes the symptoms of a sthita-prajña, a person whose consciousness is established in transcendence: he has given up all desires for sense gratification arising from mental concoction and finds satisfaction in the self alone. Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in his purport:
“Artificially, such sense desires cannot be stopped. But if one is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then, automatically, sense desires subside without extraneous efforts. Therefore, one has to engage himself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without hesitation, for this devotional service will instantly help one onto the platform of transcendental consciousness. The highly developed soul always remains satisfied in himself by realising himself as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord. Such a transcendentally situated person has no sense desires resulting from petty materialism; rather, he remains always happy in his natural position of eternally serving the Supreme Lord.”
The mantras glorifying the spiritual master describe how his entire existence is dedicated to the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa. He is therefore addressed as “Kṛṣṇānandāya”—one fully immersed in the bliss of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one who derives all happiness he requires only from Krishna consciousness. Disciples are encouraged to meditate on their spiritual master and pray for his blessings so that they, too, may attain such consciousness.
We neophyte devotees live a double life. We are undoubtedly happy in Kṛṣṇa’s service and experience a preliminary taste of spiritual bliss. Yet we have not advanced enough to embrace bhakti fully as our sole source of sustenance—spiritual, emotional, material, and social. We still imagine that certain needs must be fulfilled outside the simple and sublime process of devotional service. Bhagavatam therefore compares us to a person who dreams that he has awaken although he is still sleeping. The simple definition of faith given by Lord Catanya – that by rendering transcendental loving service to Krsna, one automatically performs all subsidiary activities and one will easily achieve all knowledge and the perfection of life, is still mostly theoretical knowledge for us. In other words, we continue to cling to our anarthas. Sometimes we even wonder: Is it really possible to live without them? Can devotional service alone fulfil all our needs, leaving no gaps for māyā?
And here you are, dear Gurudeva, showing us by your example that this is indeed possible. You make it all seem so natural and effortless. Your absorption in devotional service flows spontaneously from your love for Kṛṣṇa. When I listen to your lectures and hear you describe the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya, and Lord Nityānanda, it is clear how deeply you relish them.
The joy you find in Kṛṣṇa consciousness gives us the strongest encouragement to become serious devotees. In you, we see the fruit of bhakti, and it is so attractive: a life full of warmth, humor, spontaneity, and joy—the very things we have always longed for. You show us that spiritual life is an affirmation of our true nature as sat-cit-ānanda: eternity, knowledge, and bliss.
In Bhagavad-gītā 3.17, Lord Kṛṣṇa says:
yas tv ātma-ratir eva syād
ātma-tṛptaś ca mānavaḥ
ātmany eva ca santuṣṭas
tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate
“But for one who takes pleasure in the Self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the Self only, fully satiated – for him there is no duty.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in his purport:
“A person who is fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, and is fully satisfied by his acts in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, no longer has any duty to perform. Due to his being Kṛṣṇa conscious, all impiety within is instantly cleansed, an effect of many, many thousands of yajña performances. By such clearing of consciousness, one becomes fully confident of his eternal position in relationship with the Supreme. His duty thus becomes self-illuminated by the grace of the Lord, and therefore he no longer has any obligations to the Vedic injunctions.”
Thus, great personalities like you have no material duties to fulfill. At the same time, as Śrīla Prabhupāda so beautifully explains, the highest duty becomes clear from within by the Lord’s grace. Out of compassion for the fallen souls, you share your Kṛṣṇa consciousness with us, showing us that by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You patiently explain the obstacles on our spiritual journey, showing us how they hinder our progress and how to overcome them. You help us recognise shortcomings we often overlook. Like an expert physician, you diagnose our illness, explain its causes with patience and compassion, and prescribe the appropriate medicine. I especially appreciate how you always keep us grounded in the basic teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, emphasizing the vital importance of attentively chanting the holy name and hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā.
Dear Gurudeva, I am writing this offering in Varna, Bulgaria, where you came to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness in 1978, during the communist era. This involved great risk, yet you accepted it because you wanted to please Śrīla Prabhupāda. Among those who attended one of your programs in Varna, on Janmāṣṭamī, was a young man, Radha Vallabha Prabhu, who would later become the first preacher of Bulgarian origin and train the first generation of Bulgarian devotees. The same devotees that have trained me.
Today, the Bulgarian yātrā continues to grow, with new young devotees joining and receiving training. And you, who planted those first seeds, continue to visit us regularly, inspiring us to make a meaningful contribution to the saṅkīrtana mission. On behalf of all the Bulgarian devotees, I thank you for your mercy and your enduring care for our spiritual lives.
Dear Gurudeva, you came into my life at a time when I was facing many challenges. You mercifully gave me shelter and have always been there for me, offering guidance and support and teaching me through your own example. For this, I am deeply grateful. You are my spiritual father and eternal well-wisher, guiding me on the path of devotion. Thank you for your faith in me.
On this most auspicious day, I pray that I may become at least a little like you: fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s service and fully satisfied in the simple activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness—hearing, chanting, remembering the Lord, associating with devotees, and striving to share our great treasure with everyone.
Please bless me to develop a taste for the holy name, to understand and realize the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, and to learn to share them in an engaging and inspiring way. Please also bless me to cultivate sweet relationships with the devotees and genuine compassion for all living beings. Please take me to the blisful realm of Krishna’s pastimes where you reside.
Thank you, dear Gurudeva, for everything.
Your servant,
Pandava bandhava dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
In Bhagavad-gītā 2.55, Lord Kṛṣṇa describes the symptoms of a sthita-prajña, a person whose consciousness is established in transcendence: he has given up all desires for sense gratification arising from mental concoction and finds satisfaction in the self alone. Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in his purport:
“Artificially, such sense desires cannot be stopped. But if one is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then, automatically, sense desires subside without extraneous efforts. Therefore, one has to engage himself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without hesitation, for this devotional service will instantly help one onto the platform of transcendental consciousness. The highly developed soul always remains satisfied in himself by realising himself as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord. Such a transcendentally situated person has no sense desires resulting from petty materialism; rather, he remains always happy in his natural position of eternally serving the Supreme Lord.”
The mantras glorifying the spiritual master describe how his entire existence is dedicated to the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa. He is therefore addressed as “Kṛṣṇānandāya”—one fully immersed in the bliss of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one who derives all happiness he requires only from Krishna consciousness. Disciples are encouraged to meditate on their spiritual master and pray for his blessings so that they, too, may attain such consciousness.
We neophyte devotees live a double life. We are undoubtedly happy in Kṛṣṇa’s service and experience a preliminary taste of spiritual bliss. Yet we have not advanced enough to embrace bhakti fully as our sole source of sustenance—spiritual, emotional, material, and social. We still imagine that certain needs must be fulfilled outside the simple and sublime process of devotional service. Bhagavatam therefore compares us to a person who dreams that he has awaken although he is still sleeping. The simple definition of faith given by Lord Catanya – that by rendering transcendental loving service to Krsna, one automatically performs all subsidiary activities and one will easily achieve all knowledge and the perfection of life, is still mostly theoretical knowledge for us. In other words, we continue to cling to our anarthas. Sometimes we even wonder: Is it really possible to live without them? Can devotional service alone fulfil all our needs, leaving no gaps for māyā?
And here you are, dear Gurudeva, showing us by your example that this is indeed possible. You make it all seem so natural and effortless. Your absorption in devotional service flows spontaneously from your love for Kṛṣṇa. When I listen to your lectures and hear you describe the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya, and Lord Nityānanda, it is clear how deeply you relish them.
The joy you find in Kṛṣṇa consciousness gives us the strongest encouragement to become serious devotees. In you, we see the fruit of bhakti, and it is so attractive: a life full of warmth, humor, spontaneity, and joy—the very things we have always longed for. You show us that spiritual life is an affirmation of our true nature as sat-cit-ānanda: eternity, knowledge, and bliss.
In Bhagavad-gītā 3.17, Lord Kṛṣṇa says:
yas tv ātma-ratir eva syād
ātma-tṛptaś ca mānavaḥ
ātmany eva ca santuṣṭas
tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate
“But for one who takes pleasure in the Self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the Self only, fully satiated – for him there is no duty.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in his purport:
“A person who is fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, and is fully satisfied by his acts in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, no longer has any duty to perform. Due to his being Kṛṣṇa conscious, all impiety within is instantly cleansed, an effect of many, many thousands of yajña performances. By such clearing of consciousness, one becomes fully confident of his eternal position in relationship with the Supreme. His duty thus becomes self-illuminated by the grace of the Lord, and therefore he no longer has any obligations to the Vedic injunctions.”
Thus, great personalities like you have no material duties to fulfill. At the same time, as Śrīla Prabhupāda so beautifully explains, the highest duty becomes clear from within by the Lord’s grace. Out of compassion for the fallen souls, you share your Kṛṣṇa consciousness with us, showing us that by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You patiently explain the obstacles on our spiritual journey, showing us how they hinder our progress and how to overcome them. You help us recognise shortcomings we often overlook. Like an expert physician, you diagnose our illness, explain its causes with patience and compassion, and prescribe the appropriate medicine. I especially appreciate how you always keep us grounded in the basic teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, emphasizing the vital importance of attentively chanting the holy name and hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā.
Dear Gurudeva, I am writing this offering in Varna, Bulgaria, where you came to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness in 1978, during the communist era. This involved great risk, yet you accepted it because you wanted to please Śrīla Prabhupāda. Among those who attended one of your programs in Varna, on Janmāṣṭamī, was a young man, Radha Vallabha Prabhu, who would later become the first preacher of Bulgarian origin and train the first generation of Bulgarian devotees. The same devotees that have trained me.
Today, the Bulgarian yātrā continues to grow, with new young devotees joining and receiving training. And you, who planted those first seeds, continue to visit us regularly, inspiring us to make a meaningful contribution to the saṅkīrtana mission. On behalf of all the Bulgarian devotees, I thank you for your mercy and your enduring care for our spiritual lives.
Dear Gurudeva, you came into my life at a time when I was facing many challenges. You mercifully gave me shelter and have always been there for me, offering guidance and support and teaching me through your own example. For this, I am deeply grateful. You are my spiritual father and eternal well-wisher, guiding me on the path of devotion. Thank you for your faith in me.
On this most auspicious day, I pray that I may become at least a little like you: fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s service and fully satisfied in the simple activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness—hearing, chanting, remembering the Lord, associating with devotees, and striving to share our great treasure with everyone.
Please bless me to develop a taste for the holy name, to understand and realize the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, and to learn to share them in an engaging and inspiring way. Please also bless me to cultivate sweet relationships with the devotees and genuine compassion for all living beings. Please take me to the blisful realm of Krishna’s pastimes where you reside.
Thank you, dear Gurudeva, for everything.
Your servant,
Pandava bandhava dasa
Parā-dharma devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
There is Bhakativinoda Thakura, who reveals the glimpses of disciple - Gurudeva relationship. When will I understand and apply that?
You are giving away so many opportunities to serve the Lord, to connect with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is so generous and merciful of you. For every personality, for every situation - there is always a way to progress in Bhakti under your guidance.
I am trying to plug in. I'm trying. However, the rust on the heart is occurring. Please help me to clear it away. Please help me to chant attentivily.
Your disciple,
Parā-dharma devi dasi
There is Bhakativinoda Thakura, who reveals the glimpses of disciple - Gurudeva relationship. When will I understand and apply that?
You are giving away so many opportunities to serve the Lord, to connect with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is so generous and merciful of you. For every personality, for every situation - there is always a way to progress in Bhakti under your guidance.
I am trying to plug in. I'm trying. However, the rust on the heart is occurring. Please help me to clear it away. Please help me to chant attentivily.
Your disciple,
Parā-dharma devi dasi
Paramesvari devi dasi
Hare Krishna, dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, a great great mahatma!
I have such anxiety and avoidance about writing this offering, fear of facing myself and my own ego, and also feel speechless, not knowing how to properly remember you and glorify you. I apologize for the late submission.
You have sacrificed everything so that this tiny soul, along with countless others, will be able to come back to Krishna. You travel around the world at your advanced age, following in Srila Prabhupada's footsteps, just to enliven us, giving us the association of your saintly presence, and inspiring our devotional service. It is the responsibility of the disciple to seek out opportunities to serve the vapu of the spiritual master, yet you are so gracious, you always come to us. You have given us so much care, attention, guidance, and expert sensitivity to each and every one of us, to inspire us, uplift us, empower us, not only to navigate the material world, but also to advance in devotional service.
And yet this foolish soul, at times bewildered, thinks herself so great, forgetting that all the small advancements and whatever insignificant spiritual realizations she has had were only made possible by your mercy. Somehow, through some tiny services I have endeavored to perform, you have been pleased, and thus I have made some spiritual progress. Let me never ever forget that, Gurudeva. Let me never, ever, forget that. This foolish soul has been so fortunate to come under your shelter. You are such a great soul, a perfect representative of Srila Prabhupada, who cares for the well-being, holistically, of his disciples, who is always focused on what is best for Srila Prabhupada's movement, what is best for Mahaprabhu’s service. Through your expert guidance, we all are now being prepared and trained to enter the Kingdom of God.
Translation, translation, translation of Srila Prabhupada's books. You took the time to remind me, practically every single month.
“Without Prabhupada’s books, Viet Nam is lost, with no hope! Always keep in the forefront of your life the infinitely precious service of translating Prabhupada’s SB into Vietnamese.”
Oct 14, 2026
From the dictionary: Keeping something at the forefront of your life means making it your primary focus, top priority, and leading consideration in your daily choices. Translating Prabhupada’s SB is an infinitely precious, endless service.
“As for how you spend your time, which you don’t have much of, always remember your spare moments are meant mainly for translation.” Sep 4, 2026
“Immersion in translating SB” April 2026
“I become enlivened when I hear how you are translating Prabhupada’s books, especially Srimad-bhagavatam—what Prabhupada first brought with him on the boat to the USA. I owe my life to his books.” Feb 2026
Jul 24, 2025 “I am glad to hear you are working on translation.
That is most important.”
Jul 25, 2025 “You focus on translating Prabhupada’s books.
Prabhupada said the BBT is his heart, so it is mine also.”
April 2023, “Prabhupada’s books can be your Deity. You can worship them, as well as read, study, translate, and distribute them.”
These are only a few reminders I have gotten from you. Again and again, you remind me, and yet every month, I still write to you about this endeavor and that endeavor. Again and again, you bring me back to what is most important to prioritize. Srila Prabhupada has said that if we print books and distribute his books all over the world, in every country, in every language, the Hare Krishna movement will automatically increase. You inspire me to realize more and more the importance of Srila Prabhupada's books. The Hare Krishna movement exploded when Srila Prabhupada came to the West, with the translation of the first canto of Bhagavatam completed.
Gurudeva, on this auspicious day of your appearance, kindly beg on my behalf so I can eternally remain your servant, wherever you go, so I can continue assisting you in serving Srila Prabhupada.
Translation is important, yes, but at the end of the day, simply following your instructions is the recipe for my life's perfection. This is the precious treasure that I have, not because I am great, not because I am Vietnamese and have the ability to do this service, but simply because this order has come from you, from Srila Prabhupada, from Parampara. That is the perfection. Executing that with my heart and soul, I will never be lost.
I pray to eternally remain sheltered at your lotus feet, always meditate on your instructions, and execute them. I pray to be protected from maya and to have the intelligence to be more and more effective with my time, so that not a single moment would be lost.
This soul is indebted to you for eternity and begs to follow you wherever you go.
Your insignificant servant,
Paramesvari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, a great great mahatma!
I have such anxiety and avoidance about writing this offering, fear of facing myself and my own ego, and also feel speechless, not knowing how to properly remember you and glorify you. I apologize for the late submission.
You have sacrificed everything so that this tiny soul, along with countless others, will be able to come back to Krishna. You travel around the world at your advanced age, following in Srila Prabhupada's footsteps, just to enliven us, giving us the association of your saintly presence, and inspiring our devotional service. It is the responsibility of the disciple to seek out opportunities to serve the vapu of the spiritual master, yet you are so gracious, you always come to us. You have given us so much care, attention, guidance, and expert sensitivity to each and every one of us, to inspire us, uplift us, empower us, not only to navigate the material world, but also to advance in devotional service.
And yet this foolish soul, at times bewildered, thinks herself so great, forgetting that all the small advancements and whatever insignificant spiritual realizations she has had were only made possible by your mercy. Somehow, through some tiny services I have endeavored to perform, you have been pleased, and thus I have made some spiritual progress. Let me never ever forget that, Gurudeva. Let me never, ever, forget that. This foolish soul has been so fortunate to come under your shelter. You are such a great soul, a perfect representative of Srila Prabhupada, who cares for the well-being, holistically, of his disciples, who is always focused on what is best for Srila Prabhupada's movement, what is best for Mahaprabhu’s service. Through your expert guidance, we all are now being prepared and trained to enter the Kingdom of God.
Translation, translation, translation of Srila Prabhupada's books. You took the time to remind me, practically every single month.
“Without Prabhupada’s books, Viet Nam is lost, with no hope! Always keep in the forefront of your life the infinitely precious service of translating Prabhupada’s SB into Vietnamese.”
Oct 14, 2026
From the dictionary: Keeping something at the forefront of your life means making it your primary focus, top priority, and leading consideration in your daily choices. Translating Prabhupada’s SB is an infinitely precious, endless service.
“As for how you spend your time, which you don’t have much of, always remember your spare moments are meant mainly for translation.” Sep 4, 2026
“Immersion in translating SB” April 2026
“I become enlivened when I hear how you are translating Prabhupada’s books, especially Srimad-bhagavatam—what Prabhupada first brought with him on the boat to the USA. I owe my life to his books.” Feb 2026
Jul 24, 2025 “I am glad to hear you are working on translation.
That is most important.”
Jul 25, 2025 “You focus on translating Prabhupada’s books.
Prabhupada said the BBT is his heart, so it is mine also.”
April 2023, “Prabhupada’s books can be your Deity. You can worship them, as well as read, study, translate, and distribute them.”
These are only a few reminders I have gotten from you. Again and again, you remind me, and yet every month, I still write to you about this endeavor and that endeavor. Again and again, you bring me back to what is most important to prioritize. Srila Prabhupada has said that if we print books and distribute his books all over the world, in every country, in every language, the Hare Krishna movement will automatically increase. You inspire me to realize more and more the importance of Srila Prabhupada's books. The Hare Krishna movement exploded when Srila Prabhupada came to the West, with the translation of the first canto of Bhagavatam completed.
Gurudeva, on this auspicious day of your appearance, kindly beg on my behalf so I can eternally remain your servant, wherever you go, so I can continue assisting you in serving Srila Prabhupada.
Translation is important, yes, but at the end of the day, simply following your instructions is the recipe for my life's perfection. This is the precious treasure that I have, not because I am great, not because I am Vietnamese and have the ability to do this service, but simply because this order has come from you, from Srila Prabhupada, from Parampara. That is the perfection. Executing that with my heart and soul, I will never be lost.
I pray to eternally remain sheltered at your lotus feet, always meditate on your instructions, and execute them. I pray to be protected from maya and to have the intelligence to be more and more effective with my time, so that not a single moment would be lost.
This soul is indebted to you for eternity and begs to follow you wherever you go.
Your insignificant servant,
Paramesvari devi dasi
Patricia
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhpada!
All glories to you!
Everytime im in your presence I always feel I love you more and more, my heart always softens, and immediately I am hit with the reality of all the things im wasting my time doing, and reminded of what I should be doing
Ive always felt such a super STRONG PUUUULL by you, you lift me out of the ocean of material suffering
I thank you for your big service, making it possible for me to be here and to stay in the ashram and for this community .
I pray I never leave the shelter of your lotus feet.
I desire to be a sincere genuine devotee with pure service attitude, I want to help spread Krsna conciousness, Gurudeva I want to please you
Please give me the strength and intelligence to continue hearing and chanting everyday, to follow the rules and regulations, to continue practicing Bhakti for the rest of my life and get steady. I pray for a lifetime full of devotional service and that i will always remember Krsna
Your aspiring servant,
Patricia
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhpada!
All glories to you!
Everytime im in your presence I always feel I love you more and more, my heart always softens, and immediately I am hit with the reality of all the things im wasting my time doing, and reminded of what I should be doing
Ive always felt such a super STRONG PUUUULL by you, you lift me out of the ocean of material suffering
I thank you for your big service, making it possible for me to be here and to stay in the ashram and for this community .
I pray I never leave the shelter of your lotus feet.
I desire to be a sincere genuine devotee with pure service attitude, I want to help spread Krsna conciousness, Gurudeva I want to please you
Please give me the strength and intelligence to continue hearing and chanting everyday, to follow the rules and regulations, to continue practicing Bhakti for the rest of my life and get steady. I pray for a lifetime full of devotional service and that i will always remember Krsna
Your aspiring servant,
Patricia
Prabhuram Subramanian
Dear Gurudev,
Please Accept My Humble Obeissances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you
Gurudev,
I am very happy to write this offering to you on the most glorious occasion of your Vyasa puja. It is only your pure mercy which is keeping me going in Krishna consciousness in spite of all difficulties in my life. I pray to Krishna that he may give you good health so that you may deliver more conditioned souls like me from the clutches of maya.
I pray to your divine self to bless me so that i may remember Krishna and your divine self always.
Trying to be your servant,
Prabhuram Subramanian
Please Accept My Humble Obeissances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you
Gurudev,
I am very happy to write this offering to you on the most glorious occasion of your Vyasa puja. It is only your pure mercy which is keeping me going in Krishna consciousness in spite of all difficulties in my life. I pray to Krishna that he may give you good health so that you may deliver more conditioned souls like me from the clutches of maya.
I pray to your divine self to bless me so that i may remember Krishna and your divine self always.
Trying to be your servant,
Prabhuram Subramanian
Pratima Tah
🌸 एक कृतज्ञ हृदय की भावांजलि 🌸
कैसे कहें गुरुदेव, आपने हमें क्या-क्या दिया,
भक्ति का पथ, कृष्ण का नाम, जीवन को नया अर्थ दिया।
आपके उपकारों को शब्दों में बाँधना आसान नहीं,
आपसे मिली इस कृपा का कोई मूल्य, कोई मोल नहीं।
जब शास्त्रों के गूढ़ अर्थ हृदय तक पहुँच नहीं पाते,
आपके वचन ही हमें उनके मर्म तक ले जाते।
जो ज्ञान केवल सुनकर मन में कहीं ठहर जाता था,
आपकी प्रेरणा से वही जीवन में उतरने लगता था।
आपके उपकारों का प्रतिदान हम कैसे कर पाएँ,
किस भेंट से गुरुदेव, हम आपका ऋण चुकाएँ?
आपने जो भक्ति-धन दिया, वह अमूल्य उपहार है,
हमारे पास तो बस कृतज्ञ हृदय और चरणों में नमस्कार है।
न स्वर्ण, न वैभव, न कोई अनमोल भेंट,
बस सेवा में समर्पित जीवन हो हमारा सच्चा अर्पण।
हमारे आचरण में आपकी शिक्षाओं का प्रकाश हो,
हमारी हर सेवा में श्रीकृष्ण के प्रति प्रेम का विकास हो।
कभी मन डगमगाए, तो आपकी शिक्षा राह दिखाए,
कभी भक्ति में शिथिलता आए, तो आपका उपदेश याद आए।
जीवन की हर परिस्थिति में यह विश्वास बना रहे,
कृष्ण-सेवा का हमारा संकल्प अंतिम श्वास तक रहे।
आज पुष्प अर्पित करके हम अपने कर्तव्य से मुक्त न हों,
हमारे भाव केवल शब्द बनकर व्यास-पूजा तक सीमित न हों।
हमारे जीवन का हर दिन आपकी शिक्षा का सम्मान बने,
हमारा हर कर्म श्रीकृष्ण की प्रसन्नता का विधान बने।
हे गुरुदेव! आपके उपकारों का वर्णन अधूरा ही रहेगा,
यह हृदय जितना भी कहे, कुछ कहना शेष रहेगा।
बस इतनी कृपा हो—आपके चरणों में श्रद्धा बनी रहे,
और हमारा जीवन श्रीकृष्ण की सेवा में समर्पित रहे।
आपके श्रीचरणों में यही हमारा विनम्र उपहार,
एक कृतज्ञ हृदय, एक जीवन—और कोटि-कोटि नमस्कार।🙏🏻
कैसे कहें गुरुदेव, आपने हमें क्या-क्या दिया,
भक्ति का पथ, कृष्ण का नाम, जीवन को नया अर्थ दिया।
आपके उपकारों को शब्दों में बाँधना आसान नहीं,
आपसे मिली इस कृपा का कोई मूल्य, कोई मोल नहीं।
जब शास्त्रों के गूढ़ अर्थ हृदय तक पहुँच नहीं पाते,
आपके वचन ही हमें उनके मर्म तक ले जाते।
जो ज्ञान केवल सुनकर मन में कहीं ठहर जाता था,
आपकी प्रेरणा से वही जीवन में उतरने लगता था।
आपके उपकारों का प्रतिदान हम कैसे कर पाएँ,
किस भेंट से गुरुदेव, हम आपका ऋण चुकाएँ?
आपने जो भक्ति-धन दिया, वह अमूल्य उपहार है,
हमारे पास तो बस कृतज्ञ हृदय और चरणों में नमस्कार है।
न स्वर्ण, न वैभव, न कोई अनमोल भेंट,
बस सेवा में समर्पित जीवन हो हमारा सच्चा अर्पण।
हमारे आचरण में आपकी शिक्षाओं का प्रकाश हो,
हमारी हर सेवा में श्रीकृष्ण के प्रति प्रेम का विकास हो।
कभी मन डगमगाए, तो आपकी शिक्षा राह दिखाए,
कभी भक्ति में शिथिलता आए, तो आपका उपदेश याद आए।
जीवन की हर परिस्थिति में यह विश्वास बना रहे,
कृष्ण-सेवा का हमारा संकल्प अंतिम श्वास तक रहे।
आज पुष्प अर्पित करके हम अपने कर्तव्य से मुक्त न हों,
हमारे भाव केवल शब्द बनकर व्यास-पूजा तक सीमित न हों।
हमारे जीवन का हर दिन आपकी शिक्षा का सम्मान बने,
हमारा हर कर्म श्रीकृष्ण की प्रसन्नता का विधान बने।
हे गुरुदेव! आपके उपकारों का वर्णन अधूरा ही रहेगा,
यह हृदय जितना भी कहे, कुछ कहना शेष रहेगा।
बस इतनी कृपा हो—आपके चरणों में श्रद्धा बनी रहे,
और हमारा जीवन श्रीकृष्ण की सेवा में समर्पित रहे।
आपके श्रीचरणों में यही हमारा विनम्र उपहार,
एक कृतज्ञ हृदय, एक जीवन—और कोटि-कोटि नमस्कार।🙏🏻
Prema Sankirtan das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this glorious occasion of your appearance day, I offer my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet, dear Guru Maharaj.
This human form of life is very rare and difficult to obtain, yet by the laws of karma, I have received this opportunity. It is even rarer to meet a bona fide spiritual master in the line of bona fide disciplic succession within our glorious Gaudiya Madhva Vaishnava sampradaya.
Dear Guru Maharaj, your sublime glories are unfathomable and impossible to describe in their full depth. Therefore, instead, I will humbly try to surrender my body, mind, and soul at your glorious lotus feet. By your causeless mercy, I am sure I will be able to attain the ultimate goal of human life, Krishna-prema, and, at the same time, somehow or other help many conditioned souls understand that same glorious goal.
The sweetness of pure devotional service must be shared without limit. Everything else is a complete and devastating waste of time.
Please, Guru Maharaj, on this glorious day of your Vyasa Puja, I beg for just a drop of your mercy so that I may fulfill the mission of human life (both personally and collectively).
Your insignificant eternal servant,
Prema Sankirtan Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this glorious occasion of your appearance day, I offer my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet, dear Guru Maharaj.
This human form of life is very rare and difficult to obtain, yet by the laws of karma, I have received this opportunity. It is even rarer to meet a bona fide spiritual master in the line of bona fide disciplic succession within our glorious Gaudiya Madhva Vaishnava sampradaya.
Dear Guru Maharaj, your sublime glories are unfathomable and impossible to describe in their full depth. Therefore, instead, I will humbly try to surrender my body, mind, and soul at your glorious lotus feet. By your causeless mercy, I am sure I will be able to attain the ultimate goal of human life, Krishna-prema, and, at the same time, somehow or other help many conditioned souls understand that same glorious goal.
The sweetness of pure devotional service must be shared without limit. Everything else is a complete and devastating waste of time.
Please, Guru Maharaj, on this glorious day of your Vyasa Puja, I beg for just a drop of your mercy so that I may fulfill the mission of human life (both personally and collectively).
Your insignificant eternal servant,
Prema Sankirtan Das
Prema-laharī devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you.
Oh Gurudeva,
You're so brave
You travel everywhere
Travel to reach
People you teach
The truth beyond compare.
All the travel
Can unravel
A persons regulation
Wake up at night
Think “where's the light”
And the way to the wash basin.
You choose to start
With the difficult task
Of making human beings
From those who cheat,
Who consume meat,
Who live life on their screens.
Oh Gurumaharaja,
It’s very hard
To turn mlechas towards bhakti
One who does
Truly has
Vaishnavatā-shakti
To hear you speak
Is such a treat
Liquid love pours out from you
Your meditations
And concentrations
Your words ring clear and true
So clearly you give
The path we must live
To achieve the perfection of life
You give the steps
For how to get
The mercy of Gaura Nitai
I'd like to see
How life would be
So different if I always endeavour
To practice thinking
“How am I helping
Bring this jiva closer to Krishna?”
How to frame
My thoughts this way?
Books! You always stress!
Love to read them
Love to share them
Prabhupada's books are better than the best.
As well as instructions
You give detailed visions
Of the science of spiritual ecstacies
The tree gives pleasure to
The creeper who
Gives pleasure to the leaves.
The creeper gets more
Pleasure in store
From giving the leaves that wealth
Than from trying
To keep enjoying
The tree all by herself.
Oh Gurudeva,
It's hard to say
The lengths to which you go
To share your realizations,
Visions and meditations
Making them so real and accessible.
Oh Gurudeva
In such a penetrating way
You take the trouble to pull apart
The web of desire
For pleasure in maya
wrapped tightly around our hearts.
After reducing
Our grip on illusion
You give us a jivas a chance to claim
The joy of prasadam
Dancing kirtan
And a glimmer of taste for the Holy Name
Gurudeva today
To you I pray
To assist you somehow or other
In your service to
Srila Prabhupada
Our great founder acharya.
Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Prema-lahari dd
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you.
Oh Gurudeva,
You're so brave
You travel everywhere
Travel to reach
People you teach
The truth beyond compare.
All the travel
Can unravel
A persons regulation
Wake up at night
Think “where's the light”
And the way to the wash basin.
You choose to start
With the difficult task
Of making human beings
From those who cheat,
Who consume meat,
Who live life on their screens.
Oh Gurumaharaja,
It’s very hard
To turn mlechas towards bhakti
One who does
Truly has
Vaishnavatā-shakti
To hear you speak
Is such a treat
Liquid love pours out from you
Your meditations
And concentrations
Your words ring clear and true
So clearly you give
The path we must live
To achieve the perfection of life
You give the steps
For how to get
The mercy of Gaura Nitai
I'd like to see
How life would be
So different if I always endeavour
To practice thinking
“How am I helping
Bring this jiva closer to Krishna?”
How to frame
My thoughts this way?
Books! You always stress!
Love to read them
Love to share them
Prabhupada's books are better than the best.
As well as instructions
You give detailed visions
Of the science of spiritual ecstacies
The tree gives pleasure to
The creeper who
Gives pleasure to the leaves.
The creeper gets more
Pleasure in store
From giving the leaves that wealth
Than from trying
To keep enjoying
The tree all by herself.
Oh Gurudeva,
It's hard to say
The lengths to which you go
To share your realizations,
Visions and meditations
Making them so real and accessible.
Oh Gurudeva
In such a penetrating way
You take the trouble to pull apart
The web of desire
For pleasure in maya
wrapped tightly around our hearts.
After reducing
Our grip on illusion
You give us a jivas a chance to claim
The joy of prasadam
Dancing kirtan
And a glimmer of taste for the Holy Name
Gurudeva today
To you I pray
To assist you somehow or other
In your service to
Srila Prabhupada
Our great founder acharya.
Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Prema-lahari dd
Prema-latā Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your tireless efforts in spreading the message of the parampara.
This year, for the first time, I began to understand how devotees can become so surrendered to the will of the Lord that going back to Godhead is no longer simply their own desire. This was one of the points from your recent class at New Varshana. When life becomes fully absorbed in service, it no longer matters whether we are here or there; wherever the Lord places us becomes an opportunity to serve Him. Apart from the limitations of the material body, there is great adventure, magic, and mystery ready to unfold at every step, no matter which planet we are on. Life in Krishna consciousness is never dull or boring. That has been your life so far, and it is how you remain ever fresh and enthusiastic. Thank you for inspiring us in this way.
I have now entered the second stage of grihastha ashrama, and it has opened even more opportunities for self-realisation. Thank you for naming and blessing our first-born child. I am truly grateful for your kind words and attention to our insignificant activities. The life of a mother is challenging on many levels, and I now have a deeper appreciation for all mothers. I can genuinely understand why Mother Devaki and Mother Yashoda wanted the Lord as their child. There can never be a more intense, intimate, and ennobling service than giving birth to and caring for a child. It has unlocked a portal of unconditional love, patience, and dedication that I never knew I had.
The first couple of months were horrific, and my sadhana did take a dip. Hours and days seemed to slip away, like trying to grasp sand in my hands. Now, having lived through every single hour of a twenty-four-hour period over the last four months, I can chant my rounds in the early hours of the morning in a more absorbed and grateful state of mind. I never take time for granted. These realisations help me understand your role in our lives and how much you care for our spiritual health.
Thank you for giving me the strength and motivation to continue in Krishna Consciousness through the turmoils of material life.
May you always remain dear to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna in every lifetime.
Your spiritual daughter,
Prema-latā Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your tireless efforts in spreading the message of the parampara.
This year, for the first time, I began to understand how devotees can become so surrendered to the will of the Lord that going back to Godhead is no longer simply their own desire. This was one of the points from your recent class at New Varshana. When life becomes fully absorbed in service, it no longer matters whether we are here or there; wherever the Lord places us becomes an opportunity to serve Him. Apart from the limitations of the material body, there is great adventure, magic, and mystery ready to unfold at every step, no matter which planet we are on. Life in Krishna consciousness is never dull or boring. That has been your life so far, and it is how you remain ever fresh and enthusiastic. Thank you for inspiring us in this way.
I have now entered the second stage of grihastha ashrama, and it has opened even more opportunities for self-realisation. Thank you for naming and blessing our first-born child. I am truly grateful for your kind words and attention to our insignificant activities. The life of a mother is challenging on many levels, and I now have a deeper appreciation for all mothers. I can genuinely understand why Mother Devaki and Mother Yashoda wanted the Lord as their child. There can never be a more intense, intimate, and ennobling service than giving birth to and caring for a child. It has unlocked a portal of unconditional love, patience, and dedication that I never knew I had.
The first couple of months were horrific, and my sadhana did take a dip. Hours and days seemed to slip away, like trying to grasp sand in my hands. Now, having lived through every single hour of a twenty-four-hour period over the last four months, I can chant my rounds in the early hours of the morning in a more absorbed and grateful state of mind. I never take time for granted. These realisations help me understand your role in our lives and how much you care for our spiritual health.
Thank you for giving me the strength and motivation to continue in Krishna Consciousness through the turmoils of material life.
May you always remain dear to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna in every lifetime.
Your spiritual daughter,
Prema-latā Devi Dasi
Prema-sāgara Dasa
In our first formal meeting, you encouraged me a great deal by informing me that I had an exciting Bhakti career ahead of me. Those words acted like a catapult, launching me into the life of a full-time servant in Lord Caitanya's sankirtan army. From that moment on I truly felt great excitement that I could actually perfect my life.
I would like to thank you endlessly for your incalculable mercy in allowing me to formally accept the position of your disciple.
Recently, upon introspection, I experienced an overwhelming feeling that I haven't given enough importance to the instructions I received from you in our last meeting. So, I would like to state clearly in this offering that I am recommitting myself to making your advice the main focus of my spiritual life. I want implicit faith in your instructions, and the strength to implement them fully in my service.
To follow the instructions of pure devotees, whose association is the rarest gift in existence, is to deny
one's rebellious inclination and re-enter Lord Kṛṣṇa's blissful shelter, our original home.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda states in his purport to verse 4.28.51 of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, "When one becomes serious to follow the mission of the spiritual master, his resolution is tantamount to seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead ... this means meeting the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the instruction of the spiritual master." Your instructions are a merciful invitation to experience Śrī Kṛṣṇa's direct association.
I desire that I can establish a deeper relationship with you, by anchoring your instructions firmly within my stone-like heart. I am confident that, if I make this a main priority, then I can actually advance in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
In my most recent darshan with you, you explained that because we have a material body, not only is it a bag of problems simply waiting to happen, but it also means that material desires will undoubtedly come to haunt the devotee. You quoted the verse from Bhagavad-Gītā, 2.70, 'āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭhaṁ', explaining that a practising devotee has to tolerate material desires because he has a material body. They always enter the mind, like rivers flowing into the ocean, but the devotee remains undisturbed and unagitated because he is full and peaceful in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If I can actually internalise and implement this verse and its purport, then I can increase my steadiness in your service.
You also asked me to specialise in sharing Kṛṣṇa Consciousness; giving out books, teaching the philosophy and learning to cook delicious prasadam.
Dear Mahārāja, I am praying that Kṛṣṇa can give me the intelligence to execute these instructions nicely and please you. To please the spiritual master is the greatest happiness of a disciple.
I hope that my behaviour and service are somehow pleasing to you. I am simply a child in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, so please forgive any evident spiritual immaturity in the writing of this offering.
I am very much eagerly awaiting your next visit to Wales.
Your aspiring servant,
Prema-sāgara Das
I would like to thank you endlessly for your incalculable mercy in allowing me to formally accept the position of your disciple.
Recently, upon introspection, I experienced an overwhelming feeling that I haven't given enough importance to the instructions I received from you in our last meeting. So, I would like to state clearly in this offering that I am recommitting myself to making your advice the main focus of my spiritual life. I want implicit faith in your instructions, and the strength to implement them fully in my service.
To follow the instructions of pure devotees, whose association is the rarest gift in existence, is to deny
one's rebellious inclination and re-enter Lord Kṛṣṇa's blissful shelter, our original home.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda states in his purport to verse 4.28.51 of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, "When one becomes serious to follow the mission of the spiritual master, his resolution is tantamount to seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead ... this means meeting the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the instruction of the spiritual master." Your instructions are a merciful invitation to experience Śrī Kṛṣṇa's direct association.
I desire that I can establish a deeper relationship with you, by anchoring your instructions firmly within my stone-like heart. I am confident that, if I make this a main priority, then I can actually advance in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
In my most recent darshan with you, you explained that because we have a material body, not only is it a bag of problems simply waiting to happen, but it also means that material desires will undoubtedly come to haunt the devotee. You quoted the verse from Bhagavad-Gītā, 2.70, 'āpūryamāṇam acala-pratiṣṭhaṁ', explaining that a practising devotee has to tolerate material desires because he has a material body. They always enter the mind, like rivers flowing into the ocean, but the devotee remains undisturbed and unagitated because he is full and peaceful in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If I can actually internalise and implement this verse and its purport, then I can increase my steadiness in your service.
You also asked me to specialise in sharing Kṛṣṇa Consciousness; giving out books, teaching the philosophy and learning to cook delicious prasadam.
Dear Mahārāja, I am praying that Kṛṣṇa can give me the intelligence to execute these instructions nicely and please you. To please the spiritual master is the greatest happiness of a disciple.
I hope that my behaviour and service are somehow pleasing to you. I am simply a child in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, so please forgive any evident spiritual immaturity in the writing of this offering.
I am very much eagerly awaiting your next visit to Wales.
Your aspiring servant,
Prema-sāgara Das
Premdham das (Anand Munshi)
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
On this most auspicious occasion, I pray for your good health and well-being. May Krishna continue to empower you to be a wonderful instrument in His service and in the service of your Guru Maharaj.
Not a single day passes without my reflecting on how, despite the many distractions, allurements, and challenges surrounding me, I am somehow able to continue my small efforts in bhakti. I know that this is nothing but your causeless mercy upon this most fallen and unworthy soul.
I have no genuine love for the holy name, no real taste for devotional service, and no qualities of my own to speak of. Yet, somehow, I continue to receive opportunities to serve, and by some inconceivable arrangement, I am able to remain in the association of devotees. To me, this is nothing short of a miracle.
I understand how precious it is for a conditioned soul to receive an opportunity to serve the devotees, associate with exalted Vaishnavas, and make even a little progress on the path of bhakti. At the same time, I am painfully aware of my own distractions, insincerity, and lack of genuine taste for devotional service.
Guru Maharaj, may I humbly request you to continue showering your mercy upon me and keep this fallen soul under your loving guidance? Somehow, by your blessings, I hope to make a little progress in devotional life. Without your mercy and the blessings of the Vaishnavas around me, I have no hope of advancing on this path.
With your blessings, whenever an opportunity arises, I try to visit colleges and conduct one-time preaching sessions, through which hundreds of young students are introduced to Krishna consciousness. Some of them subsequently enrol in programmes that gradually encourage them to study Srila Prabhupada’s books more systematically. Whatever little service I am able to render, I see only as an opportunity granted by your mercy.
At times, I feel a deep sense of separation and regret that I could not have had more opportunities to serve you during our years in Melbourne. Therefore, whenever we receive an opportunity to serve you now, we cherish it and try to offer our service to the best of our ability.
Guru Maharaj, I have nothing of my own to offer except this humble prayer: please continue to keep us under your guidance, bless us with the association of Vaishnavas, and help us make even the smallest progress on the path of bhakti. May we never lose the opportunity to serve, despite our many shortcomings.
Your aspiring servant,
Premdham Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
On this most auspicious occasion, I pray for your good health and well-being. May Krishna continue to empower you to be a wonderful instrument in His service and in the service of your Guru Maharaj.
Not a single day passes without my reflecting on how, despite the many distractions, allurements, and challenges surrounding me, I am somehow able to continue my small efforts in bhakti. I know that this is nothing but your causeless mercy upon this most fallen and unworthy soul.
I have no genuine love for the holy name, no real taste for devotional service, and no qualities of my own to speak of. Yet, somehow, I continue to receive opportunities to serve, and by some inconceivable arrangement, I am able to remain in the association of devotees. To me, this is nothing short of a miracle.
I understand how precious it is for a conditioned soul to receive an opportunity to serve the devotees, associate with exalted Vaishnavas, and make even a little progress on the path of bhakti. At the same time, I am painfully aware of my own distractions, insincerity, and lack of genuine taste for devotional service.
Guru Maharaj, may I humbly request you to continue showering your mercy upon me and keep this fallen soul under your loving guidance? Somehow, by your blessings, I hope to make a little progress in devotional life. Without your mercy and the blessings of the Vaishnavas around me, I have no hope of advancing on this path.
With your blessings, whenever an opportunity arises, I try to visit colleges and conduct one-time preaching sessions, through which hundreds of young students are introduced to Krishna consciousness. Some of them subsequently enrol in programmes that gradually encourage them to study Srila Prabhupada’s books more systematically. Whatever little service I am able to render, I see only as an opportunity granted by your mercy.
At times, I feel a deep sense of separation and regret that I could not have had more opportunities to serve you during our years in Melbourne. Therefore, whenever we receive an opportunity to serve you now, we cherish it and try to offer our service to the best of our ability.
Guru Maharaj, I have nothing of my own to offer except this humble prayer: please continue to keep us under your guidance, bless us with the association of Vaishnavas, and help us make even the smallest progress on the path of bhakti. May we never lose the opportunity to serve, despite our many shortcomings.
Your aspiring servant,
Premdham Das
Priti Rati Devi Dasi
Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Guru Maharaj, on this auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I find myself remembering our meeting in 2025.
After your lecture, approached you with a question that had been on my mind. I shared with you that I was following the rituals and practices expected of a devotee, but I felt that I was doing them more out of obligation than out of love. I knew what I was supposed to do, yet I was concerned about what was missing within my heart.
Eight months ago, when I got your mercy as initiation and gave me the name Priti Rati Devi Dasi, that question took on a new meaning for me.
I often reflect on my name and its connection with the concern I had shared with you. Priti reminds me of love, Rati of loving effection , as an eternal servant. I feel that my name is a reminder of the journey I need to undertake—not merely to follow the practices of devotional life, but to gradually develop a genuine desire to serve and please Krishna.
I am still learning what this means in practice. I know that love cannot be forced, but I can continue following the process given by Śrīla Prabhupāda and pray that, by Krishna's mercy, my heart may gradually transform. I hope that my spiritual name will always remind me of this aspiration.
Guru Maharaj, another instruction of yours that has stayed with me is to make devotional services my wealth and You mentioned in one of your lecture that our profession should add some value to our lives other that the money, I am beginning to understand this through my desire to serve. I want to use my abilities and creativity in ways that have a purpose beyond myself, particularly in helping children develop a connection with Krishna. I often think about how Krishna consciousness can be introduced to children in a way that they can understand, relate to, and carry with them as they grow. I wish to expand my services in this area and explore how I can contribute more meaningfully.
Your teaching that bhakti brings us everything reminds me to reconsider where I place my priorities. Rather than making Krishna consciousness something that fits around everything else in my life, I wish to learn to make it the foundation from which I approach everything else. I pray that I may have faith in this process and not become so absorbed in pursuing material goals that I forget the greater purpose of my life.
My services at Bhaktivedanta Academy had remained on hold for a year to take care of my younger daughter, and I have now resumed them. Returning to these services feels like an opportunity to put your instruction into practice. I want to value this opportunity and gradually increase my contribution, especially in areas that can help children become Krishna conscious.
Guru Maharaj, I do not claim to have figured all of this out. I am still trying to understand how to balance my responsibilities, my professional aspirations, and my devotional life while keeping Krishna at the centre. But I want to make a sincere endeavour, guided by your instructions, rather than allow these aspirations to remain only thoughts.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for your guidance and for the instructions that continue to make me reflect on the direction of my life. I pray that I may remain faithful to the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda and sincerely endeavour to follow the path you have shown me.
I hope to have the opportunity to see you in person soon in Noida and receive your association. I pray for your good health and long life.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I offer my humble prayers at your lotus feet and seek your blessings for my continued growth in Krishna consciousness.
A very happy 76th Vyas Puja Guru Dev!
Your insignificant servant,
Priti Rati Devi Dasi
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Guru Maharaj, on this auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I find myself remembering our meeting in 2025.
After your lecture, approached you with a question that had been on my mind. I shared with you that I was following the rituals and practices expected of a devotee, but I felt that I was doing them more out of obligation than out of love. I knew what I was supposed to do, yet I was concerned about what was missing within my heart.
Eight months ago, when I got your mercy as initiation and gave me the name Priti Rati Devi Dasi, that question took on a new meaning for me.
I often reflect on my name and its connection with the concern I had shared with you. Priti reminds me of love, Rati of loving effection , as an eternal servant. I feel that my name is a reminder of the journey I need to undertake—not merely to follow the practices of devotional life, but to gradually develop a genuine desire to serve and please Krishna.
I am still learning what this means in practice. I know that love cannot be forced, but I can continue following the process given by Śrīla Prabhupāda and pray that, by Krishna's mercy, my heart may gradually transform. I hope that my spiritual name will always remind me of this aspiration.
Guru Maharaj, another instruction of yours that has stayed with me is to make devotional services my wealth and You mentioned in one of your lecture that our profession should add some value to our lives other that the money, I am beginning to understand this through my desire to serve. I want to use my abilities and creativity in ways that have a purpose beyond myself, particularly in helping children develop a connection with Krishna. I often think about how Krishna consciousness can be introduced to children in a way that they can understand, relate to, and carry with them as they grow. I wish to expand my services in this area and explore how I can contribute more meaningfully.
Your teaching that bhakti brings us everything reminds me to reconsider where I place my priorities. Rather than making Krishna consciousness something that fits around everything else in my life, I wish to learn to make it the foundation from which I approach everything else. I pray that I may have faith in this process and not become so absorbed in pursuing material goals that I forget the greater purpose of my life.
My services at Bhaktivedanta Academy had remained on hold for a year to take care of my younger daughter, and I have now resumed them. Returning to these services feels like an opportunity to put your instruction into practice. I want to value this opportunity and gradually increase my contribution, especially in areas that can help children become Krishna conscious.
Guru Maharaj, I do not claim to have figured all of this out. I am still trying to understand how to balance my responsibilities, my professional aspirations, and my devotional life while keeping Krishna at the centre. But I want to make a sincere endeavour, guided by your instructions, rather than allow these aspirations to remain only thoughts.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for your guidance and for the instructions that continue to make me reflect on the direction of my life. I pray that I may remain faithful to the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda and sincerely endeavour to follow the path you have shown me.
I hope to have the opportunity to see you in person soon in Noida and receive your association. I pray for your good health and long life.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I offer my humble prayers at your lotus feet and seek your blessings for my continued growth in Krishna consciousness.
A very happy 76th Vyas Puja Guru Dev!
Your insignificant servant,
Priti Rati Devi Dasi
Purna Rasa dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories unto you! 🙏
Dear Gurudev, on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day, I feel deep gratitude for being engaged in service at your lotus feet. Thank you for pulling me out of the deep dungeon of material existence, in which I tend to lose myself, and for engaging me in devotional service.
Dear Gurudev, you are so merciful and compassionate to have taken my husband, Sarva Rasa das, and me under your shelter. We are forever indebted to you. I could never imagine a better spiritual master than you. You possess such profound spiritual knowledge, and your lectures are like nectar to my heart. They are so inspiring, deeply connected to the soul, full of wisdom, and enriched with delicate humour.
You are wholeheartedly dedicating your life and energy to creating auspiciousness in the lives of others. Without your mercy, so many of us would not have the good fortune of being where we are today, on the path of bhakti.
Your grateful spiritual daughter and servant,
Purna Rasa dd
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories unto you! 🙏
Dear Gurudev, on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day, I feel deep gratitude for being engaged in service at your lotus feet. Thank you for pulling me out of the deep dungeon of material existence, in which I tend to lose myself, and for engaging me in devotional service.
Dear Gurudev, you are so merciful and compassionate to have taken my husband, Sarva Rasa das, and me under your shelter. We are forever indebted to you. I could never imagine a better spiritual master than you. You possess such profound spiritual knowledge, and your lectures are like nectar to my heart. They are so inspiring, deeply connected to the soul, full of wisdom, and enriched with delicate humour.
You are wholeheartedly dedicating your life and energy to creating auspiciousness in the lives of others. Without your mercy, so many of us would not have the good fortune of being where we are today, on the path of bhakti.
Your grateful spiritual daughter and servant,
Purna Rasa dd
Purnananda dd
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto you on the most auspicious day of your appearance.
It is very wonderful that you are tirelessly spreading the culture of Srimad Bhagavatam all over the world.
Praying that I can make it to the other side of the ocean with you in your boat.
Your servant,
Purnananda dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto you on the most auspicious day of your appearance.
It is very wonderful that you are tirelessly spreading the culture of Srimad Bhagavatam all over the world.
Praying that I can make it to the other side of the ocean with you in your boat.
Your servant,
Purnananda dd
Purushothama Kaimal
Hare Krishna Maharaj, Dandavat pranamam, Before I found your direction in my life, I felt like a log drifting aimlessly in a stream, simply going wherever the current carried me. But through Your Holiness's guidance, wisdom, and humility, I began to discover a deeper sense of purpose and direction.
You helped me transform my life from one of uncertainty and aimlessness into one that is guided by wisdom, enriched with meaning, and filled with purpose. Your guidance has been a profound blessing, helping me understand not only where I am going, but also how I should live my life with greater awareness, humility, and dedication.
For this, I remain deeply grateful to Your Holiness. Your influence has given my life a clearer path and a renewed sense of meaning.
Harbol,
Your Servant
Maha Divya Das
You helped me transform my life from one of uncertainty and aimlessness into one that is guided by wisdom, enriched with meaning, and filled with purpose. Your guidance has been a profound blessing, helping me understand not only where I am going, but also how I should live my life with greater awareness, humility, and dedication.
For this, I remain deeply grateful to Your Holiness. Your influence has given my life a clearer path and a renewed sense of meaning.
Harbol,
Your Servant
Maha Divya Das
Pushkar Nabha Das (Shalendra Nath)
To My Treasured Guru Dev
Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All Glories unto you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-Puja. All
Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
On this very auspicious day I would like to thank you Gurudeva for all the mercy you have bestowed upon me by accepting me as your disciple.
I am such a fallen and conditioned soul that I do not qualify to echo your glories. However, I thank to Lord Sri Krsna and HDG Srila Prabhupada for delivering me unto your lotus feet.
Guru Maharaj, you have dedicated your entire life in serving and fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s directives and desires and in this aspect you have worked tirelessly to expand sankirtana, print and distribute books and developing youths of ISKCON.
Overtime, you have through articles, messages and the classes educated and inspired many neophyte devotees like me in Krsna consciousness.
Meeting you in person has strengthen my spiritual life and given me better understanding and purpose of life, better understanding of the relationship between Guru and the disciple and how I can enrich my devotional service. Your devotional radiance gives me courage, strength and hopes when I am down and guides me through challenging times in my life.
I pray at your feet that with your blessings someday I will get an opportunity to serve you and the devotees around you with absolute devotion.
Guru Maharaj, I just pray lifetime, after lifetime I shall be your devotee and follow through your instructions faithfully or else my life will be useless.
With your mercy Guru Dev, the poor soul such as my-self will be able to further deepen my spiritual knowledge and apply ISKCON teachings in my daily life, disseminate that knowledge within my family and my community.
Hare Krishna,
Dandvat Pranaam
Your eternal servant,
Pushkar Nabha Das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All Glories unto you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-Puja. All
Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
On this very auspicious day I would like to thank you Gurudeva for all the mercy you have bestowed upon me by accepting me as your disciple.
I am such a fallen and conditioned soul that I do not qualify to echo your glories. However, I thank to Lord Sri Krsna and HDG Srila Prabhupada for delivering me unto your lotus feet.
Guru Maharaj, you have dedicated your entire life in serving and fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s directives and desires and in this aspect you have worked tirelessly to expand sankirtana, print and distribute books and developing youths of ISKCON.
Overtime, you have through articles, messages and the classes educated and inspired many neophyte devotees like me in Krsna consciousness.
Meeting you in person has strengthen my spiritual life and given me better understanding and purpose of life, better understanding of the relationship between Guru and the disciple and how I can enrich my devotional service. Your devotional radiance gives me courage, strength and hopes when I am down and guides me through challenging times in my life.
I pray at your feet that with your blessings someday I will get an opportunity to serve you and the devotees around you with absolute devotion.
Guru Maharaj, I just pray lifetime, after lifetime I shall be your devotee and follow through your instructions faithfully or else my life will be useless.
With your mercy Guru Dev, the poor soul such as my-self will be able to further deepen my spiritual knowledge and apply ISKCON teachings in my daily life, disseminate that knowledge within my family and my community.
Hare Krishna,
Dandvat Pranaam
Your eternal servant,
Pushkar Nabha Das
Rādhā Lakṣmī DD
My respectful obeisances unto you, Gurudev.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to the assembled devotees.
Dear Gurudev,
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet.
First and foremost, thank you for accepting me as your disciple.
I often feel that I am not qualified for the shelter and mercy I have received. I see so many shortcomings within myself, and I know how much I still have to learn. Yet, despite my fallen condition, there remains within me a sincere desire to become a devotee to continue trying, continue serving, and continue moving closer to Kṛṣṇa.
I consider that desire itself to be your mercy.
Gurudev, your mercy has changed my identity.
I was born and brought up in a materialistic environment, and for many years my identity was shaped by this world by my circumstances, my experiences, my fears, my attachments, and the different roles I learned to carry.
But through Śrīla Prabhupāda's mercy and your guidance, I began to discover an identity that was deeper than all of these:
I am a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
This is an identity I want to protect with my life.
It is not always easy. The material world constantly gives us reasons to identify with something else. Sometimes old impressions, fears, attachments, and identities become very strong. But even when I struggle, there is something within me that keeps bringing me back to the same truth:
This is who I want to become.
This is the identity I want to live by.
I will always remember our first elaborate conversation in Gītā Nagari.
There was something so divine and personal about that meeting. I still remember the rain that came during that time. It felt like a small, beautiful divine intervention that made that moment even more unforgettable.
And I especially remember the question you asked me:
“Tell me, what’s your problem?”
That question has stayed with me.
Perhaps I am still discovering the answer.
There are things from my past that I am still learning to release old identities, fears, attachments, limiting beliefs, and impressions that have become deeply intertwined with my mind and heart.
But I don't want my past to define who I become.
I want to become someone whose identity is rooted in service to Kṛṣṇa.
So my prayer to you, Gurudev, is simple:
Please guide me and bless me so that I may let go of the identities that no longer serve my spiritual life and become more firmly situated in my identity as a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
Please bless me with the humility to recognize my shortcomings without losing hope.
Please bless me with the determination to chant, hear, serve, remember, and continue trying even when the mind is difficult.
And please bless me that whatever happens in my life, I never forget the shelter that has been given to me.
Gurudev, thank you for everything.
Without Śrīla Prabhupāda, I would not know who I am in this life.
And without your mercy, guidance, and acceptance, I don't know if I would have recognized this path with the same clarity.
Whatever little devotion I have today, whatever desire I have to serve Kṛṣṇa, and whatever hope I have of becoming a devotee I see Śrīla Prabhupāda's mercy and your mercy behind it.
You have given me something I did not even know I was searching for:
an identity rooted not in the world, but in Kṛṣṇa.
I pray that I may never take this mercy for granted.
On your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my gratitude, my prayers, and my humble aspiration at your lotus feet.
Thank you for accepting me.
Thank you for guiding me.
Thank you for giving me shelter.
Thank you for helping me discover who I want to become.
May I continue walking under your shelter and Śrīla Prabhupāda's shelter, one step at a time, until my life becomes truly centered on service to Kṛṣṇa.
Your aspiring servant,
Rādhā Lakṣmī
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to the assembled devotees.
Dear Gurudev,
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet.
First and foremost, thank you for accepting me as your disciple.
I often feel that I am not qualified for the shelter and mercy I have received. I see so many shortcomings within myself, and I know how much I still have to learn. Yet, despite my fallen condition, there remains within me a sincere desire to become a devotee to continue trying, continue serving, and continue moving closer to Kṛṣṇa.
I consider that desire itself to be your mercy.
Gurudev, your mercy has changed my identity.
I was born and brought up in a materialistic environment, and for many years my identity was shaped by this world by my circumstances, my experiences, my fears, my attachments, and the different roles I learned to carry.
But through Śrīla Prabhupāda's mercy and your guidance, I began to discover an identity that was deeper than all of these:
I am a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
This is an identity I want to protect with my life.
It is not always easy. The material world constantly gives us reasons to identify with something else. Sometimes old impressions, fears, attachments, and identities become very strong. But even when I struggle, there is something within me that keeps bringing me back to the same truth:
This is who I want to become.
This is the identity I want to live by.
I will always remember our first elaborate conversation in Gītā Nagari.
There was something so divine and personal about that meeting. I still remember the rain that came during that time. It felt like a small, beautiful divine intervention that made that moment even more unforgettable.
And I especially remember the question you asked me:
“Tell me, what’s your problem?”
That question has stayed with me.
Perhaps I am still discovering the answer.
There are things from my past that I am still learning to release old identities, fears, attachments, limiting beliefs, and impressions that have become deeply intertwined with my mind and heart.
But I don't want my past to define who I become.
I want to become someone whose identity is rooted in service to Kṛṣṇa.
So my prayer to you, Gurudev, is simple:
Please guide me and bless me so that I may let go of the identities that no longer serve my spiritual life and become more firmly situated in my identity as a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
Please bless me with the humility to recognize my shortcomings without losing hope.
Please bless me with the determination to chant, hear, serve, remember, and continue trying even when the mind is difficult.
And please bless me that whatever happens in my life, I never forget the shelter that has been given to me.
Gurudev, thank you for everything.
Without Śrīla Prabhupāda, I would not know who I am in this life.
And without your mercy, guidance, and acceptance, I don't know if I would have recognized this path with the same clarity.
Whatever little devotion I have today, whatever desire I have to serve Kṛṣṇa, and whatever hope I have of becoming a devotee I see Śrīla Prabhupāda's mercy and your mercy behind it.
You have given me something I did not even know I was searching for:
an identity rooted not in the world, but in Kṛṣṇa.
I pray that I may never take this mercy for granted.
On your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my gratitude, my prayers, and my humble aspiration at your lotus feet.
Thank you for accepting me.
Thank you for guiding me.
Thank you for giving me shelter.
Thank you for helping me discover who I want to become.
May I continue walking under your shelter and Śrīla Prabhupāda's shelter, one step at a time, until my life becomes truly centered on service to Kṛṣṇa.
Your aspiring servant,
Rādhā Lakṣmī
Radha Madhava Das
Dear Srila Gurudev, please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As I've grown up, I've come to realise more and more how much you actually do for the devotees. When I was younger, I would see you travelling, giving classes, speaking with devotees and doing your service, but I don't think I really understood how much you were sacrificing for others. Even at my age, I find travelling difficult, yet you spend your life constantly moving from place to place, often staying no more than a week or two in one place, and using that time to help the devotees and preach as much as you can.
Despite your busy schedule, I am so grateful for the fact that I have never felt like just another face in the crowd. You have always made sure to talk to me, ask me to play mridanga, or just acknowledge me. I remember one time while I was in Australia, you happened to be giving a class at a program in Sydney, and despite the number of devotees there, you quickly singled me out and asked me to play mridanga for you. I remember being surprised that you had noticed me so quickly, and it showed me how much you cared.
While giving a Bhagavad-gita class in Mauritius on October 1st, 1975, Srila Prabhupada described suhṛt as a “well-wisher”—someone who desires the happiness of others and takes the time to guide and instruct them. When I reflect on this, I can see this quality in you and how you are always looking out for those around you.
As I try to develop my Krishna consciousness, I pray that I may be able to develop the same willingness to serve and determination to share what Srila Prabhupada has given us with others.
I am very grateful for all the time I have been able to spend with you over the years. I know I still have a long way to go in my Krishna consciousness, but I hope to continue listening to your classes and being inspired by all the service you are doing for the devotees and Srila Prabhupada. Seeing this inspires me to put more effort into my own services, even if they seem small or insignificant.
Your aspiring servant,
Radha Madhava Das
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As I've grown up, I've come to realise more and more how much you actually do for the devotees. When I was younger, I would see you travelling, giving classes, speaking with devotees and doing your service, but I don't think I really understood how much you were sacrificing for others. Even at my age, I find travelling difficult, yet you spend your life constantly moving from place to place, often staying no more than a week or two in one place, and using that time to help the devotees and preach as much as you can.
Despite your busy schedule, I am so grateful for the fact that I have never felt like just another face in the crowd. You have always made sure to talk to me, ask me to play mridanga, or just acknowledge me. I remember one time while I was in Australia, you happened to be giving a class at a program in Sydney, and despite the number of devotees there, you quickly singled me out and asked me to play mridanga for you. I remember being surprised that you had noticed me so quickly, and it showed me how much you cared.
While giving a Bhagavad-gita class in Mauritius on October 1st, 1975, Srila Prabhupada described suhṛt as a “well-wisher”—someone who desires the happiness of others and takes the time to guide and instruct them. When I reflect on this, I can see this quality in you and how you are always looking out for those around you.
As I try to develop my Krishna consciousness, I pray that I may be able to develop the same willingness to serve and determination to share what Srila Prabhupada has given us with others.
I am very grateful for all the time I have been able to spend with you over the years. I know I still have a long way to go in my Krishna consciousness, but I hope to continue listening to your classes and being inspired by all the service you are doing for the devotees and Srila Prabhupada. Seeing this inspires me to put more effort into my own services, even if they seem small or insignificant.
Your aspiring servant,
Radha Madhava Das
Radha Madhupati 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 76th Vyas Puja
Guru Maharaj at one of the Hall program in your recent Sydney visit you mentioned about me doing book distribution seva in my neighbourhood. I thank you for giving me your special blessings and your kind attention will encourage me to do book distribution more seriously and sincerely. This is challenge for me but I love to take it for Krishna. As you said I do this in my own capacity , my goal is to give Krishna to People.
In one of your quote you said “knowledge changes your vision.” Most people I meet are not aware of Spiritual Knowledge so they don’t know how Krishna Consciousness is important in everyday life. In this material world we think we do activities through physical body but in reality we do through our mind and consciousness. So we should focus to make our mind our best friend and stay in Krishna consciousness
If we evaluate life: What is Life? It is span of time given to all of us and it is up to us we can use it or misuse it. We don’t have anything other than time. We are spending this valuable time we see grow childhood to old age achieving temporary material happiness but still not wake up. People think they have lots of time what’s the hurry, life is running so fast and there is conflict between heart and mind. Life is not race it is journey. Without spiritual knowledge it is not possible to reach at our destination that is back to godhead
As a devotee of Krishna we know Jivera svarupa haya Krishnera nitya das (C.C.Madhya Lila 20.108) I think having this rare human body we have great responsibility to spread the importance of Krishna consciousness to everyone we meet. You always remind us about order of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (C.C.Adi 17.124-126) Jare dekho tare kaho Krishna Upadesh instructing all the devotees to preach Krishna’s teaching to every one they meet.
As devotee of Krishna I am taking my responsibility to preach people through book distribution. I always remember when you say “Don’t just live for yourself, live for others”. Srila Prabhupada gave us Bhagavad Gita As it is, Srimad Bhagavatma, Chaitanya Charitamrita and many more books to understand Krishna as Supreme Lord and our relationship with him. Now We all have to Endeavor to help others to understand importance of Krishna consciousness through practice of bhakti yoga and make their life successful.
I am praying for your continuous guidance and blessings so I can stay in Krishna consciousness all the time.
I pray to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath to keep you in good health and I pray Lord Narsimha to protect you always so we can have your association for many more years. Eagerly awaiting your forthcoming visit.
Your humble servant
Radha Madhupati Devi Dasi
11/10/2026
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 76th Vyas Puja
Guru Maharaj at one of the Hall program in your recent Sydney visit you mentioned about me doing book distribution seva in my neighbourhood. I thank you for giving me your special blessings and your kind attention will encourage me to do book distribution more seriously and sincerely. This is challenge for me but I love to take it for Krishna. As you said I do this in my own capacity , my goal is to give Krishna to People.
In one of your quote you said “knowledge changes your vision.” Most people I meet are not aware of Spiritual Knowledge so they don’t know how Krishna Consciousness is important in everyday life. In this material world we think we do activities through physical body but in reality we do through our mind and consciousness. So we should focus to make our mind our best friend and stay in Krishna consciousness
If we evaluate life: What is Life? It is span of time given to all of us and it is up to us we can use it or misuse it. We don’t have anything other than time. We are spending this valuable time we see grow childhood to old age achieving temporary material happiness but still not wake up. People think they have lots of time what’s the hurry, life is running so fast and there is conflict between heart and mind. Life is not race it is journey. Without spiritual knowledge it is not possible to reach at our destination that is back to godhead
As a devotee of Krishna we know Jivera svarupa haya Krishnera nitya das (C.C.Madhya Lila 20.108) I think having this rare human body we have great responsibility to spread the importance of Krishna consciousness to everyone we meet. You always remind us about order of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (C.C.Adi 17.124-126) Jare dekho tare kaho Krishna Upadesh instructing all the devotees to preach Krishna’s teaching to every one they meet.
As devotee of Krishna I am taking my responsibility to preach people through book distribution. I always remember when you say “Don’t just live for yourself, live for others”. Srila Prabhupada gave us Bhagavad Gita As it is, Srimad Bhagavatma, Chaitanya Charitamrita and many more books to understand Krishna as Supreme Lord and our relationship with him. Now We all have to Endeavor to help others to understand importance of Krishna consciousness through practice of bhakti yoga and make their life successful.
I am praying for your continuous guidance and blessings so I can stay in Krishna consciousness all the time.
I pray to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath to keep you in good health and I pray Lord Narsimha to protect you always so we can have your association for many more years. Eagerly awaiting your forthcoming visit.
Your humble servant
Radha Madhupati Devi Dasi
11/10/2026
Radha Mohan das
Dearest Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day!
On this auspicious occasion, I am meditating on one of the powerful instructions I have heard from you in your lectures. You often remind us that “all services expand from our own japa.” As a neophyte, I often fail to apply this simple yet profound principle while attending to my worldly obligations.
On this sacred day, I humbly beg at your lotus feet for the strength and determination to always remember your instructions and prioritize my sadhana above all other activities.
Thank you, Gurudev, for opening my darkened eyes and guiding me toward the ultimate goal of human life: developing love for Krishna.
I pray for your continued good health and well-being so that many more fortunate souls may receive your mercy and become Krishna conscious in this lifetime.
Your grateful servant,
Radha Mohan das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day!
On this auspicious occasion, I am meditating on one of the powerful instructions I have heard from you in your lectures. You often remind us that “all services expand from our own japa.” As a neophyte, I often fail to apply this simple yet profound principle while attending to my worldly obligations.
On this sacred day, I humbly beg at your lotus feet for the strength and determination to always remember your instructions and prioritize my sadhana above all other activities.
Thank you, Gurudev, for opening my darkened eyes and guiding me toward the ultimate goal of human life: developing love for Krishna.
I pray for your continued good health and well-being so that many more fortunate souls may receive your mercy and become Krishna conscious in this lifetime.
Your grateful servant,
Radha Mohan das
Radha Prasada dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Recently on a morning walk, I was taking in the new surroundings walking behind you. The sun was beaming down with such heat and intensity, I felt like I could be melting. Along the way, trees were occasionally lining the footpath and for a moment I’d feel the relief from the shade of the tree. Just as quickly as I felt that relief, as I walked on again, I’d be scorched by the intensity of the sun’s rays overhead.
Then it hit me, for lifetime after lifetime I’ve been burned by the fire of material existence. Just as a forest fire consumes everything in its wake and leaves nothing behind but ashes. In the same way material desires and materialistic life had burned me to a crisp. The three fold miseries are not for the faint hearted and no one is immune to their burning effects.
You have explained in a lecture previously, that souls are like little children wandering out onto a busy motorway, with no clue of the reactions and suffering that’s heading their way. Material nature tears people apart with birth, old age, disease and death.
Krsna is expert at putting us into situations where we come to the conclusion and realisation that we have to take shelter of him. We have to beg for the shelter of the holy name. We have to beg for the shelter of service and we have to beg for the strength to do the service.
As trees can stand for hundreds of years, they do not complain, they do not protest. They remain steady and solid in their roots and foundation. Through all kinds of weather, extremes of heat and cold, they stand tall, always willing to offer shelter to anyone who seeks shelter under their canopy. They bloom in their own time and offer their fruits to all. Nature showcases such abundance and a mood of truely humbly giving.
You are like the biggest tree to all. Forever giving your shelter and grace to everyone.
Somehow or other, miraculously through mercy I cannot comprehend, you gave me shelter and direction. Like the trees who do not discriminate, you freely give your mercy, care and guidance to anyone and everyone.
You see the Bhakti potential in everyones heart. You don’t see what’s lacking, you lovingly fan whatever spark is there.
You explained to me that we have been given this body to use in Krsna’s service, that every soul has potential. That we should use our body and mind in Krsna’s service. I do not want to waste this opportunity.
Bhakti is the rarest and most priceless gift.
After all these years, you have still not slowed down in your service to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. If anything, it seems like you’re doing even more! You deal with so much trial and tribulation all around the world. There are so many unseen circumstances we are not privy to, but you boldly march forward unwavering, uninterrupted and forever determined. Inspiring us all with your thought provoking lectures, personal interactions and mesmerising kirtans.
Thank you for training me, guiding me and for the personal care you always show us. I pray that I can forever remain trainable and I am eternally indebted to you.
Your spiritual daughter, servant and trainee sapling,
Radha Prasada dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Recently on a morning walk, I was taking in the new surroundings walking behind you. The sun was beaming down with such heat and intensity, I felt like I could be melting. Along the way, trees were occasionally lining the footpath and for a moment I’d feel the relief from the shade of the tree. Just as quickly as I felt that relief, as I walked on again, I’d be scorched by the intensity of the sun’s rays overhead.
Then it hit me, for lifetime after lifetime I’ve been burned by the fire of material existence. Just as a forest fire consumes everything in its wake and leaves nothing behind but ashes. In the same way material desires and materialistic life had burned me to a crisp. The three fold miseries are not for the faint hearted and no one is immune to their burning effects.
You have explained in a lecture previously, that souls are like little children wandering out onto a busy motorway, with no clue of the reactions and suffering that’s heading their way. Material nature tears people apart with birth, old age, disease and death.
Krsna is expert at putting us into situations where we come to the conclusion and realisation that we have to take shelter of him. We have to beg for the shelter of the holy name. We have to beg for the shelter of service and we have to beg for the strength to do the service.
As trees can stand for hundreds of years, they do not complain, they do not protest. They remain steady and solid in their roots and foundation. Through all kinds of weather, extremes of heat and cold, they stand tall, always willing to offer shelter to anyone who seeks shelter under their canopy. They bloom in their own time and offer their fruits to all. Nature showcases such abundance and a mood of truely humbly giving.
You are like the biggest tree to all. Forever giving your shelter and grace to everyone.
Somehow or other, miraculously through mercy I cannot comprehend, you gave me shelter and direction. Like the trees who do not discriminate, you freely give your mercy, care and guidance to anyone and everyone.
You see the Bhakti potential in everyones heart. You don’t see what’s lacking, you lovingly fan whatever spark is there.
You explained to me that we have been given this body to use in Krsna’s service, that every soul has potential. That we should use our body and mind in Krsna’s service. I do not want to waste this opportunity.
Bhakti is the rarest and most priceless gift.
After all these years, you have still not slowed down in your service to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. If anything, it seems like you’re doing even more! You deal with so much trial and tribulation all around the world. There are so many unseen circumstances we are not privy to, but you boldly march forward unwavering, uninterrupted and forever determined. Inspiring us all with your thought provoking lectures, personal interactions and mesmerising kirtans.
Thank you for training me, guiding me and for the personal care you always show us. I pray that I can forever remain trainable and I am eternally indebted to you.
Your spiritual daughter, servant and trainee sapling,
Radha Prasada dd
Radha Sarana dd
Dearest Gurudev,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
As I ponder upon my offering this year, without the help of ChatGPT, it's been challenging.
It's so easy for us to fall into the convenience within a short period of time.
The world has been getting to be a little more chaotic than last year, with more uncertainty than before. Much much more distraction than before.
I am ever more grateful, appreciative, and indebted to Srila Prabhupada for bringing Krishna Consciousness to the West.
And also to Gurudev for continuing the steady bright torch.
Without Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev, I will still be lost.
Wishing you Happy Appearance Day and we are forever grateful.
Your servant,
Radha Sarana dd
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
As I ponder upon my offering this year, without the help of ChatGPT, it's been challenging.
It's so easy for us to fall into the convenience within a short period of time.
The world has been getting to be a little more chaotic than last year, with more uncertainty than before. Much much more distraction than before.
I am ever more grateful, appreciative, and indebted to Srila Prabhupada for bringing Krishna Consciousness to the West.
And also to Gurudev for continuing the steady bright torch.
Without Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev, I will still be lost.
Wishing you Happy Appearance Day and we are forever grateful.
Your servant,
Radha Sarana dd
Radhananda dd
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja.
I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to see you again this year in Hungary, at the Hare Krishna farm, which I visited for the first time. It was a special experience to receive your darśana in such a beautiful and peaceful place. I am especially grateful that my husband and I could speak to you about some personal and sensitive topics, including the possibility of having a child. It means so much to us that we can approach you with such matters and receive your guidance. Thank you for your kindness and for giving us your time and attention.
This year, my husband and I have continued organizing bush walks for the public as a small preaching program. It is a simple way to bring people together in nature, offer them prasādam, share some kīrtana, and introduce them to Krishna consciousness. I feel happy to see that some people have started chanting and becoming more interested in Krishna consciousness through these programs. Although these are only small beginnings, they give me hope that even simple efforts, when made with the desire to share Krishna with others, can have a meaningful effect.
We have also started organizing monthly public kīrtana evenings together with some old friends from Venu Madhurya. It is very heartening to come together in this way and create opportunities for others to experience the joy of chanting the holy names. I pray that these gatherings may continue to grow and become a source of spiritual inspiration for everyone who attends.
Gurudeva, I am deeply grateful for the instructions you share in your lectures, which I listen to online. One point that has especially encouraged me is your emphasis that everyone should try to share Krishna consciousness according to their capacity. This is such a kind and encouraging instruction. Sometimes I feel that I am doing very little and that I should be doing much more in your service and in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission. Yet your words remind me that I should not wait until I am more qualified or capable, but should sincerely try to share whatever little I have received.
I am also deeply inspired by your unique style of preaching. Receantly I have read in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in Prabhupada's purport that an ācārya who comes to serve the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, but must find different ways and means to spread Krishna consciousness. I find this instruction especially meaningful when I see how you put it into practice. You present Krishna consciousness with intelligence, courage, depth, and a remarkable ability to connect Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings with the realities of modern life. You challenge people to think deeply, question their material conditioning, and look at life from the perspective of bhakti.
I feel that this kind of preaching is something greatly needed here in the Czech Republic. Your example shows me that sharing Krishna consciousness does not have to mean simply repeating familiar formulas, but finding thoughtful, relevant, and sometimes unconventional ways to reach people's hearts while remaining faithful to Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings. I am grateful that, even from a distance, I can learn from your example and find inspiration to share Krishna consciousness in my own small way.
Your instruction that everyone should preach according to their capacity gives me courage to continue with our bush walks and kīrtana evenings, even though I sometimes feel that our efforts are very small. Seeing that some people have begun chanting and developing an interest in Krishna consciousness encourages me to keep going. I pray that I may develop more courage, enthusiasm, and sincerity, and learn to use my time and abilities better in Krishna's service. May I never become discouraged by the smallness of my efforts, but always remember that I can try to offer whatever I have received for the benefit of others.
I also want to express my gratitude for the wonderful gift of the internet. Without it, I would hardly have the opportunity to receive so much of your association, living so far away from you. Thanks to the internet, I can listen to your lectures and receive your instructions almost every day. This connection is a great blessing for me, and I cannot imagine how much more distant I would feel without it. Sometimes I feel a little envious of the devotees in New Zealand, who have the good fortune of receiving your association so regularly in person. At the same time, I feel deeply grateful that, through this technology, I can remain connected with you and continue to receive your guidance from afar. Your words accompany me throughout the year and help me remember what is truly important.
Although I live far away from you physically, I pray that I may never become distant from your instructions. I know that hearing is not enough; I must also make a sincere effort to apply what I hear in my daily life, in my relationships, in my household duties, and in my service to others. This remains a work in progress, and I pray for the strength and humility to keep trying.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyasapuja, I want to thank you for your continued dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness and for the inspiration you give to so many people around the world. Your willingness to travel, teach, speak, and encourage devotees to serve according to their capacity is a great source of strength for me. Even from a distance, I feel that your instructions help me find direction and give meaning to my small attempts at devotional service.
Please bless me, Gurudeva, that I may become more sincere and steady in my spiritual life, that my husband and I may learn to cooperate better in Krishna's service, and that together we may continue finding ways to share the mercy of Krishna with others. May I develop a greater desire to serve you, not merely in my aspirations, but through practical and consistent efforts.
With deep respect, gratitude, and prayers for your continued mercy,
Your aspiring servant,
Radhananda devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja.
I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to see you again this year in Hungary, at the Hare Krishna farm, which I visited for the first time. It was a special experience to receive your darśana in such a beautiful and peaceful place. I am especially grateful that my husband and I could speak to you about some personal and sensitive topics, including the possibility of having a child. It means so much to us that we can approach you with such matters and receive your guidance. Thank you for your kindness and for giving us your time and attention.
This year, my husband and I have continued organizing bush walks for the public as a small preaching program. It is a simple way to bring people together in nature, offer them prasādam, share some kīrtana, and introduce them to Krishna consciousness. I feel happy to see that some people have started chanting and becoming more interested in Krishna consciousness through these programs. Although these are only small beginnings, they give me hope that even simple efforts, when made with the desire to share Krishna with others, can have a meaningful effect.
We have also started organizing monthly public kīrtana evenings together with some old friends from Venu Madhurya. It is very heartening to come together in this way and create opportunities for others to experience the joy of chanting the holy names. I pray that these gatherings may continue to grow and become a source of spiritual inspiration for everyone who attends.
Gurudeva, I am deeply grateful for the instructions you share in your lectures, which I listen to online. One point that has especially encouraged me is your emphasis that everyone should try to share Krishna consciousness according to their capacity. This is such a kind and encouraging instruction. Sometimes I feel that I am doing very little and that I should be doing much more in your service and in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission. Yet your words remind me that I should not wait until I am more qualified or capable, but should sincerely try to share whatever little I have received.
I am also deeply inspired by your unique style of preaching. Receantly I have read in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in Prabhupada's purport that an ācārya who comes to serve the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, but must find different ways and means to spread Krishna consciousness. I find this instruction especially meaningful when I see how you put it into practice. You present Krishna consciousness with intelligence, courage, depth, and a remarkable ability to connect Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings with the realities of modern life. You challenge people to think deeply, question their material conditioning, and look at life from the perspective of bhakti.
I feel that this kind of preaching is something greatly needed here in the Czech Republic. Your example shows me that sharing Krishna consciousness does not have to mean simply repeating familiar formulas, but finding thoughtful, relevant, and sometimes unconventional ways to reach people's hearts while remaining faithful to Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings. I am grateful that, even from a distance, I can learn from your example and find inspiration to share Krishna consciousness in my own small way.
Your instruction that everyone should preach according to their capacity gives me courage to continue with our bush walks and kīrtana evenings, even though I sometimes feel that our efforts are very small. Seeing that some people have begun chanting and developing an interest in Krishna consciousness encourages me to keep going. I pray that I may develop more courage, enthusiasm, and sincerity, and learn to use my time and abilities better in Krishna's service. May I never become discouraged by the smallness of my efforts, but always remember that I can try to offer whatever I have received for the benefit of others.
I also want to express my gratitude for the wonderful gift of the internet. Without it, I would hardly have the opportunity to receive so much of your association, living so far away from you. Thanks to the internet, I can listen to your lectures and receive your instructions almost every day. This connection is a great blessing for me, and I cannot imagine how much more distant I would feel without it. Sometimes I feel a little envious of the devotees in New Zealand, who have the good fortune of receiving your association so regularly in person. At the same time, I feel deeply grateful that, through this technology, I can remain connected with you and continue to receive your guidance from afar. Your words accompany me throughout the year and help me remember what is truly important.
Although I live far away from you physically, I pray that I may never become distant from your instructions. I know that hearing is not enough; I must also make a sincere effort to apply what I hear in my daily life, in my relationships, in my household duties, and in my service to others. This remains a work in progress, and I pray for the strength and humility to keep trying.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyasapuja, I want to thank you for your continued dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness and for the inspiration you give to so many people around the world. Your willingness to travel, teach, speak, and encourage devotees to serve according to their capacity is a great source of strength for me. Even from a distance, I feel that your instructions help me find direction and give meaning to my small attempts at devotional service.
Please bless me, Gurudeva, that I may become more sincere and steady in my spiritual life, that my husband and I may learn to cooperate better in Krishna's service, and that together we may continue finding ways to share the mercy of Krishna with others. May I develop a greater desire to serve you, not merely in my aspirations, but through practical and consistent efforts.
With deep respect, gratitude, and prayers for your continued mercy,
Your aspiring servant,
Radhananda devi dasi
Radhastami devi dasi
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Gauranga!
All glories to you, dear Gurudev!
namo 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, who are very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Obeisances to you, who possess such wonderful qualities as exceptional expertise in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.”
Hare Krishna, Gurudev! We pray to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath for your good health, long life and continued service to Srila Prabhupada in spreading Krishna consciousness and uplifting countless souls like myself.
As I reflect on your wonderful qualities and the unlimited mercy you distribute through your instructions and activities, I am reminded of the words of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.47:
“Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: How can such persons, who have rendered unlimited service by explaining the path of self-realization in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and whose explanations are given for our enlightenment with complete conviction and Vedic evidence, be repaid except by folded palms containing water for their satisfaction? Such great personalities can be satisfied only by their own activities, which are distributed amongst human society out of their unlimited mercy.”
Gurudev, I can never repay you for your boundless mercy in accepting me as your spiritual daughter. I would like to glorify some of your wonderful qualities, activities and instructions that deeply inspire me, praying to imbibe even a fraction of these qualities.
Gurudev, your deep absorption in Srimad Bhagavatam
I deeply admire your profound understanding of Srimad Bhagavatam. I remember hearing a few years ago how many times you had read it. Your repeated study, deep contemplation and joyful explanations reveal your love for the scriptures.
Some of your instructions that remain in my heart are:
“Srimad Bhagavatam breaks down the barriers in which we have walled ourselves into a tiny world.”
“The intelligence required to understand Srimad Bhagavatam is not university intelligence.”
“Spiritual intelligence means being willing to hear submissively and apply what we hear.”
“We must enter the bhakti laboratory, apply what we hear and see the results.”
Gurudev, your ability to connect Krishna consciousness to contemporary life
Gurudev, your contemporary way of presenting Krishna consciousness makes eternal spiritual principles relevant to people's mindsets and struggles today. I remember hearing you speak about AI hallucinations when I had barely begun exploring how AI works. I wonder how you remain so informed about developments around us while being deeply absorbed in devotional service.
Whenever we approach you with difficulties concerning the mind or devotional life, you bring us back to the fundamental principles we have overlooked. What I think is a complicated problem, you often help me understand through a simple, foundational instruction.
Gurudev, your extraordinary dedication to Srila Prabhupada
Gurudev, your dedication and servitude to Srila Prabhupada are beyond my comprehension. Despite having had limited personal association with Srila Prabhupada, you became deeply attached to his books and instructions and have dedicated more than 45 years to serving Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Your words about Srila Prabhupada’s association have deeply touched me:
“I was always lamenting that I didn't get much of Srilaprahupad's vapu at all. Meanwhile I was so foolish I didn't notice that Prabhupada was drowning me in his vani, by giving you proofread BBT books, his letters.”
You have taught us that the depth of our relationship with the spiritual master is demonstrated by how seriously we hear, understand, meditate upon and follow his instructions.
You have also shared Srila Prabhupada's repeated emphasis on book distribution, which is your dearmost service and you sincerely followed:
“Distribute books, distribute books, distribute books.”
“Where is book? Where is book? Where is book?”
Gurudev, your austerity, discipline and determination
Your punctuality, austere eating habits, disciplined lifestyle and willingness to travel despite not particularly enjoying it inspire me deeply. You have given up material opportunities and the prospect of a prestigious career to dedicate your life to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Gurudev, Your instruction on patience remains with me:
“Practice divine austerity, not just ordinary austerity of tolerating heat, tolerating cold, tolerating discomforts, but austerities in having patience in the course of pleasing Krishna.”
I pray to learn to place service above personal comfort and remain steady even when circumstances are difficult and the course feels longer.
Gurudev, your teachings on devotional service and selflessness
Your words help me examine my attachment to results:
“Devotional Service in Passion means you're attached to the result. ‘I've got to get a good result for me.’”
“To be transcendental in service means, ‘Let me give to Krishna.’ The result belongs to Krishna.”
“Proper devotional service means you're steady in any kind of circumstance.”
“Preaching is based on impetus coming from the Supreme Lord himself.”
You have taught us to value every service, even something as simple as making kofta balls, while praying to Lord Caitanya for greater opportunities to distribute books. This reminds me to serve sincerely in whatever service I am given while praying for opportunities to serve more.
Gurudev, your explanation of the mood of the preacher is especially inspiring:
“The spiritual master is always making arrangements assisting the gopis for arranging meetings with Radha and Krishna in the groves of Vrindavan and that's the mood of the preacher.”
“Always making arrangements for others to be with Krishna.”
“That is the best way to go deeper in your attraction for Krishna by following Lord Chaitanya's order.”
I pray to develop this selflessness in all my services, finding greater happiness in connecting others with Krishna than in seeking my own enjoyment.
Gurudev, your instructions on appreciating devotees
Your practical instructions help me understand that genuine appreciation requires Krishna's mercy:
“I can only tell you what I try to do. I pray to the deities please let me be empowered with the ability to appreciate devotees.”
“You have to get some empowerment. It's not a mundane social skill.”
You have also encouraged us to express appreciation while praying to Krishna to help us genuinely appreciate the depth of another devotee's bhakti, especially when we disagree with them.
Gurudev, your warning about the desire for recognition
You mentioned, “Once you've controlled your mind and senses, your job, your work isn't done. There's still one thing that's most difficult to control: that's the desire for fame due to your spiritual advancement.”
I pray to recognise these subtle motivations honestly and become more absorbed in pleasing Krishna rather than seeking recognition.
Gurudev, your warning about Maya's allurement
You have warned us about the temptation to enjoy material things for a little while, thinking we can return to Krishna consciousness afterwards.
Your submarine analogy deeply impressed me: we may think we can remain in the middle of the ocean for a while, but we cannot hold ourselves there indefinitely, and without even realising it, we may have already sunk. What a powerful reminder not to underestimate Maya's attraction or overestimate our ability to resist it!
Gurudev, your mercy through this year's Vyasa-puja book distribution
Gurudev, this year’s Vyasa-puja book distribution was a breakthrough in my three years of this service. Usually, I focus on distributing one Bhagavad Gita and one Krishna Book. Once I have distributed them, I tend to feel that my service is done for the day, and I hesitate to approach people, especially when they are reluctant to buy. This year, however, people miraculously came to our table asking for books. The words flowed from me so naturally, as if someone else were speaking through me. Everyone we approached accepted books, and the Bhagavad Gitas and Krishna Books kept going. I experienced this as your special mercy and encouragement to deepen my service.
Please bless me to develop a genuine taste for book distribution and become an instrument in sharing Srila Prabhupada's mercy with others.
Gurudev, you always stress the importance of devotee association and guidance. By your mercy, I have opportunities for association, but often my intelligence is not sharp enough even to know how to ask properly for guidance. Please bless me to become more thoughtful and submissive in seeking guidance and, more importantly, to follow it sincerely.
By your mercy, I am trying to serve in small ways by preparing prasadam for the Bhakti Vriksha classes conducted at our home, participating in book distribution as a family and with our god family, and helping with children's classes in the hall program conducted by my Shiksha Gurus. However, I struggle with consistency, discipline, organisation and punctuality in both my sadhana and service. Please bless me to become more serious in my chanting, reading and service attitude, and to apply your instructions steadily.
By your mercy, my husband, Janmastami Das, and Hemanth are also striving to improve their devotional service and please you. Hemanth attends classes, reads Srimad Bhagavatam, chants his rounds, participates in book distribution and serves alongside us. I humbly seek your blessings for him to develop sincerity, humility and a genuine desire to serve, and to cultivate a deep, heartfelt relationship with the Lord and the devotees.
As a family, we pray for your mercy to overcome our anarthas, karmic obstacles and offenses, align our desires with Krishna's will, and cultivate genuine Vaishnava qualities. Please bless us to serve Srila Prabhupada, you, our Shiksha Gurus and Sri Sri Radha Gopinath with sincerity, humility and selflessness.
Thank you, Gurudev, for your causeless mercy, invaluable instructions and inspiring example.
Praying always to humbly serve at your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant and grateful spiritual daughter,
Radhastamidevidasi
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Gauranga!
All glories to you, dear Gurudev!
namo 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, who are very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Obeisances to you, who possess such wonderful qualities as exceptional expertise in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.”
Hare Krishna, Gurudev! We pray to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath for your good health, long life and continued service to Srila Prabhupada in spreading Krishna consciousness and uplifting countless souls like myself.
As I reflect on your wonderful qualities and the unlimited mercy you distribute through your instructions and activities, I am reminded of the words of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.47:
“Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: How can such persons, who have rendered unlimited service by explaining the path of self-realization in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and whose explanations are given for our enlightenment with complete conviction and Vedic evidence, be repaid except by folded palms containing water for their satisfaction? Such great personalities can be satisfied only by their own activities, which are distributed amongst human society out of their unlimited mercy.”
Gurudev, I can never repay you for your boundless mercy in accepting me as your spiritual daughter. I would like to glorify some of your wonderful qualities, activities and instructions that deeply inspire me, praying to imbibe even a fraction of these qualities.
Gurudev, your deep absorption in Srimad Bhagavatam
I deeply admire your profound understanding of Srimad Bhagavatam. I remember hearing a few years ago how many times you had read it. Your repeated study, deep contemplation and joyful explanations reveal your love for the scriptures.
Some of your instructions that remain in my heart are:
“Srimad Bhagavatam breaks down the barriers in which we have walled ourselves into a tiny world.”
“The intelligence required to understand Srimad Bhagavatam is not university intelligence.”
“Spiritual intelligence means being willing to hear submissively and apply what we hear.”
“We must enter the bhakti laboratory, apply what we hear and see the results.”
Gurudev, your ability to connect Krishna consciousness to contemporary life
Gurudev, your contemporary way of presenting Krishna consciousness makes eternal spiritual principles relevant to people's mindsets and struggles today. I remember hearing you speak about AI hallucinations when I had barely begun exploring how AI works. I wonder how you remain so informed about developments around us while being deeply absorbed in devotional service.
Whenever we approach you with difficulties concerning the mind or devotional life, you bring us back to the fundamental principles we have overlooked. What I think is a complicated problem, you often help me understand through a simple, foundational instruction.
Gurudev, your extraordinary dedication to Srila Prabhupada
Gurudev, your dedication and servitude to Srila Prabhupada are beyond my comprehension. Despite having had limited personal association with Srila Prabhupada, you became deeply attached to his books and instructions and have dedicated more than 45 years to serving Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Your words about Srila Prabhupada’s association have deeply touched me:
“I was always lamenting that I didn't get much of Srilaprahupad's vapu at all. Meanwhile I was so foolish I didn't notice that Prabhupada was drowning me in his vani, by giving you proofread BBT books, his letters.”
You have taught us that the depth of our relationship with the spiritual master is demonstrated by how seriously we hear, understand, meditate upon and follow his instructions.
You have also shared Srila Prabhupada's repeated emphasis on book distribution, which is your dearmost service and you sincerely followed:
“Distribute books, distribute books, distribute books.”
“Where is book? Where is book? Where is book?”
Gurudev, your austerity, discipline and determination
Your punctuality, austere eating habits, disciplined lifestyle and willingness to travel despite not particularly enjoying it inspire me deeply. You have given up material opportunities and the prospect of a prestigious career to dedicate your life to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Gurudev, Your instruction on patience remains with me:
“Practice divine austerity, not just ordinary austerity of tolerating heat, tolerating cold, tolerating discomforts, but austerities in having patience in the course of pleasing Krishna.”
I pray to learn to place service above personal comfort and remain steady even when circumstances are difficult and the course feels longer.
Gurudev, your teachings on devotional service and selflessness
Your words help me examine my attachment to results:
“Devotional Service in Passion means you're attached to the result. ‘I've got to get a good result for me.’”
“To be transcendental in service means, ‘Let me give to Krishna.’ The result belongs to Krishna.”
“Proper devotional service means you're steady in any kind of circumstance.”
“Preaching is based on impetus coming from the Supreme Lord himself.”
You have taught us to value every service, even something as simple as making kofta balls, while praying to Lord Caitanya for greater opportunities to distribute books. This reminds me to serve sincerely in whatever service I am given while praying for opportunities to serve more.
Gurudev, your explanation of the mood of the preacher is especially inspiring:
“The spiritual master is always making arrangements assisting the gopis for arranging meetings with Radha and Krishna in the groves of Vrindavan and that's the mood of the preacher.”
“Always making arrangements for others to be with Krishna.”
“That is the best way to go deeper in your attraction for Krishna by following Lord Chaitanya's order.”
I pray to develop this selflessness in all my services, finding greater happiness in connecting others with Krishna than in seeking my own enjoyment.
Gurudev, your instructions on appreciating devotees
Your practical instructions help me understand that genuine appreciation requires Krishna's mercy:
“I can only tell you what I try to do. I pray to the deities please let me be empowered with the ability to appreciate devotees.”
“You have to get some empowerment. It's not a mundane social skill.”
You have also encouraged us to express appreciation while praying to Krishna to help us genuinely appreciate the depth of another devotee's bhakti, especially when we disagree with them.
Gurudev, your warning about the desire for recognition
You mentioned, “Once you've controlled your mind and senses, your job, your work isn't done. There's still one thing that's most difficult to control: that's the desire for fame due to your spiritual advancement.”
I pray to recognise these subtle motivations honestly and become more absorbed in pleasing Krishna rather than seeking recognition.
Gurudev, your warning about Maya's allurement
You have warned us about the temptation to enjoy material things for a little while, thinking we can return to Krishna consciousness afterwards.
Your submarine analogy deeply impressed me: we may think we can remain in the middle of the ocean for a while, but we cannot hold ourselves there indefinitely, and without even realising it, we may have already sunk. What a powerful reminder not to underestimate Maya's attraction or overestimate our ability to resist it!
Gurudev, your mercy through this year's Vyasa-puja book distribution
Gurudev, this year’s Vyasa-puja book distribution was a breakthrough in my three years of this service. Usually, I focus on distributing one Bhagavad Gita and one Krishna Book. Once I have distributed them, I tend to feel that my service is done for the day, and I hesitate to approach people, especially when they are reluctant to buy. This year, however, people miraculously came to our table asking for books. The words flowed from me so naturally, as if someone else were speaking through me. Everyone we approached accepted books, and the Bhagavad Gitas and Krishna Books kept going. I experienced this as your special mercy and encouragement to deepen my service.
Please bless me to develop a genuine taste for book distribution and become an instrument in sharing Srila Prabhupada's mercy with others.
Gurudev, you always stress the importance of devotee association and guidance. By your mercy, I have opportunities for association, but often my intelligence is not sharp enough even to know how to ask properly for guidance. Please bless me to become more thoughtful and submissive in seeking guidance and, more importantly, to follow it sincerely.
By your mercy, I am trying to serve in small ways by preparing prasadam for the Bhakti Vriksha classes conducted at our home, participating in book distribution as a family and with our god family, and helping with children's classes in the hall program conducted by my Shiksha Gurus. However, I struggle with consistency, discipline, organisation and punctuality in both my sadhana and service. Please bless me to become more serious in my chanting, reading and service attitude, and to apply your instructions steadily.
By your mercy, my husband, Janmastami Das, and Hemanth are also striving to improve their devotional service and please you. Hemanth attends classes, reads Srimad Bhagavatam, chants his rounds, participates in book distribution and serves alongside us. I humbly seek your blessings for him to develop sincerity, humility and a genuine desire to serve, and to cultivate a deep, heartfelt relationship with the Lord and the devotees.
As a family, we pray for your mercy to overcome our anarthas, karmic obstacles and offenses, align our desires with Krishna's will, and cultivate genuine Vaishnava qualities. Please bless us to serve Srila Prabhupada, you, our Shiksha Gurus and Sri Sri Radha Gopinath with sincerity, humility and selflessness.
Thank you, Gurudev, for your causeless mercy, invaluable instructions and inspiring example.
Praying always to humbly serve at your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant and grateful spiritual daughter,
Radhastamidevidasi
Radhika-bhava devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my obeisances and my desire to become humble. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you and your selfless service.
Embarrassingly one of my maya hooks was "reality" TV... I like people, seeing how they live, how they resolve conflict, observing their emotions and I guess having a distraction from my own life.
You introduced me to transcendental reality, what an absolute gift. I love hearing you speak on Gaura lila and Krishna lila. It's so captivating hearing you recollect an event from different angles with varied perspectives and details given from our acaryas. The Caitanya Caritamrita I find particularly satisfies this "reality" TV flaw of mine - it's full of interactions, sarcasm, humour, encouragement, kindness, comradery, joy. And my favourite part is I am reminded of you.
The Lord in His sanyasa form is a wonderful way to remember you, and vice versa.
In chapter 6 of the Antya lila, Raghunatha dasa makes his way to Lord Caitanya after a long-standing desire. The Lord is so happy to see him, just as you are so happy to see a kali yuga refugee wash up on Bhakti Lounge shores. The Lord ensures he is taken away to be cleaned and fed, just as you ensure we are well looked after and of course well fed. The Lord then entrusts him to the care of Svarupa Damodara, just like you have given me wholesome shelter under 3 incredible devotees - Krishnaloka devi, Radha Prasada devi and Damodara Krishna prabhu. Through them I feel your care and support. Then the Lord gives him personal instruction and tells him to get the details from Svarupa Damodara, just see your super excellence following the Lord's example of a mentor system! The Lord is so pleased to see Raghunatha dasa begging at the Simha-dvara gate, and then months later is more pleased to hear him begging alms, just like you are pleased when you see your disciples making advancement. Raghunatha dasa was always thinking of the Lord and His pleasure. I pray that I can fix my mind upon you with even a fraction of his intensity.
Since becoming a mother I have a newfound appreciation of Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The anxiety of Mother Yashoda and the other residents of Vrindavana seeing Krishna in the hands of so many demons - actually so terrifying! Then next minute Krishna is displaying His ultimate cuteness, transfixing everyone's hearts and minds. What a rollercoaster! When reading I really try to put myself in the situation, to imagine what that experience would feel like. This transforms reading from skimming pages to a real heart busting phenomenon - and a lot more exciting than the “reality” garbage on TV. I am so grateful I get to read the same books over and over again, listen to your lectures and try to capture more and more details.
My daughter is a blessing, and she helps me think of Krishna. Through my relationship with her I get ample opportunity to practice patience, tolerance, compassion, determination and faith - both challenging and wonderful. I only have one child, and you have hundreds! And you deal with us all so personally. It's amazing you remember all of our names let alone things we told you years ago... you are extraordinary and you are the kindest parent I know. Thank you for teaching me how to embrace a challenge and take the opportunity to pray to Krishna for help. Today I beg for your blessings to be personal, caring and tolerant with everyone I meet - just like you.
I am nothing without you and your mercy. Thank you for spending your valuable time caring about me and my bhakti development. Thank you for providing me with shelter and inspiring me to be better and do better.
With gratitude and affection,
Your aspiring servant,
Radhika-bhava devi dasi
Please accept my obeisances and my desire to become humble. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you and your selfless service.
Embarrassingly one of my maya hooks was "reality" TV... I like people, seeing how they live, how they resolve conflict, observing their emotions and I guess having a distraction from my own life.
You introduced me to transcendental reality, what an absolute gift. I love hearing you speak on Gaura lila and Krishna lila. It's so captivating hearing you recollect an event from different angles with varied perspectives and details given from our acaryas. The Caitanya Caritamrita I find particularly satisfies this "reality" TV flaw of mine - it's full of interactions, sarcasm, humour, encouragement, kindness, comradery, joy. And my favourite part is I am reminded of you.
The Lord in His sanyasa form is a wonderful way to remember you, and vice versa.
In chapter 6 of the Antya lila, Raghunatha dasa makes his way to Lord Caitanya after a long-standing desire. The Lord is so happy to see him, just as you are so happy to see a kali yuga refugee wash up on Bhakti Lounge shores. The Lord ensures he is taken away to be cleaned and fed, just as you ensure we are well looked after and of course well fed. The Lord then entrusts him to the care of Svarupa Damodara, just like you have given me wholesome shelter under 3 incredible devotees - Krishnaloka devi, Radha Prasada devi and Damodara Krishna prabhu. Through them I feel your care and support. Then the Lord gives him personal instruction and tells him to get the details from Svarupa Damodara, just see your super excellence following the Lord's example of a mentor system! The Lord is so pleased to see Raghunatha dasa begging at the Simha-dvara gate, and then months later is more pleased to hear him begging alms, just like you are pleased when you see your disciples making advancement. Raghunatha dasa was always thinking of the Lord and His pleasure. I pray that I can fix my mind upon you with even a fraction of his intensity.
Since becoming a mother I have a newfound appreciation of Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The anxiety of Mother Yashoda and the other residents of Vrindavana seeing Krishna in the hands of so many demons - actually so terrifying! Then next minute Krishna is displaying His ultimate cuteness, transfixing everyone's hearts and minds. What a rollercoaster! When reading I really try to put myself in the situation, to imagine what that experience would feel like. This transforms reading from skimming pages to a real heart busting phenomenon - and a lot more exciting than the “reality” garbage on TV. I am so grateful I get to read the same books over and over again, listen to your lectures and try to capture more and more details.
My daughter is a blessing, and she helps me think of Krishna. Through my relationship with her I get ample opportunity to practice patience, tolerance, compassion, determination and faith - both challenging and wonderful. I only have one child, and you have hundreds! And you deal with us all so personally. It's amazing you remember all of our names let alone things we told you years ago... you are extraordinary and you are the kindest parent I know. Thank you for teaching me how to embrace a challenge and take the opportunity to pray to Krishna for help. Today I beg for your blessings to be personal, caring and tolerant with everyone I meet - just like you.
I am nothing without you and your mercy. Thank you for spending your valuable time caring about me and my bhakti development. Thank you for providing me with shelter and inspiring me to be better and do better.
With gratitude and affection,
Your aspiring servant,
Radhika-bhava devi dasi
Raju,Manasa,Cakrin
A Humble Vyasa-puja Offering at the Lotus Feet of His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja
Vyasa-puja Offering – 2026
Hare Krishna!
Om Vishnupadaya Krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale,
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine.
Pracare purva- daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah.
Om namo viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale Śrīmate Bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine Namaste Sarasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe Nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe.
Vancha-kalpa-tarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha,
Patitanam pavanebhyo Vaishnavebhyo namo namah.
Jaya Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Nityananda,
Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura Bhakta Vrinda.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!
My dear and most respected Gurudeva, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for your life of dedication to Sri Krishna and the mission of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Despite advancing in age, you continue to travel, preach, guide devotees, and inspire countless people around the world to take up Krishna consciousness. Your selfless service reminds me that devotional service is not merely a part of life; it is the very purpose of our existence.
How Krishna Brought Me to Your Lotus Feet
Gurudeva, when I was around twenty-five years old, I began sincerely seeking to understand who God is and the real purpose of human life. Through prayer and the mercy of the Lord, I gradually developed an attraction to the Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and other sacred scriptures.
Then, by the causeless mercy of Krishna, I had the opportunity to see you. When I first saw you, I felt that I had found the spiritual guide for whom I had been praying. I strongly felt that Krishna had brought you into my life to guide me on my spiritual journey.
Since then, your instructions, lectures, and personal example have strengthened my attraction to Krishna, the chanting of His holy names, hearing about His transcendental pastimes, and devotional service. For this mercy, I shall always remain grateful to you.
Your Instructions Have Changed My Understanding of Life
Gurudeva, one instruction that has deeply touched me is your emphasis on becoming a person of genuine character and integrity. You have taught us that people may gradually forget what it means to be a good human being; therefore, our behaviour, values, and character should set a positive example for others.
You have also taught us that we go to work to give Krishna to others, not merely to receive something from them. This has changed how I view my workplace and daily responsibilities. I now try to see every person I meet as an opportunity to share Krishna consciousness through my words, conduct, and attitude of service.
On one occasion, I humbly asked you to bless me with the ability and strength to speak about Krishna to my family, friends, relatives, and colleagues. Your blessings continue to encourage me. Wherever possible, I try to share something about Krishna or encourage others to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Whatever little service I can perform is possible only through your mercy and the blessings of Srila Prabhupada. Please bless me to continue this service with sincerity, humility, and enthusiasm.
Your Selfless Love for Every Living Being
Gurudeva, what touches my heart most deeply is your extraordinary desire to give Krishna to everyone without expecting anything material in return. You dedicate your time, energy, and life to helping people reconnect with the Supreme Lord and discover their eternal relationship with Him.
Through your example, I have learned that genuine love means sincerely desiring the spiritual welfare of others. I pray that I may develop even a small fraction of your selflessness and learn to serve others with a compassionate heart.
Our Shelter, Aspiration for Initiation, and Gratitude for Our Son’s Name
My dear Gurudeva, my wife and I feel deeply blessed to have already received your shelter. We are sincerely grateful to be under your guidance, and we now humbly look forward to receiving initiation from you when the appropriate time comes and you kindly accept us as your disciples.
We pray that we may continue to grow in Krishna consciousness, follow your instructions sincerely, and prepare ourselves to honour the sacred relationship of guru and disciple. Please bless us with patience, humility, and the determination to serve you faithfully as we await your mercy.
Gurudeva, we also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the name you lovingly gave our son,Cakrin. Through this name, you have brought Krishna even closer to our family and our daily lives. We feel that Krishna is with us, protecting and guiding us, and whenever we say our baby’s name, we remember you, Gurudeva, and the connection to Krishna that you have given us.
Every time we call our son Cakrin, you come to our thoughts and hearts. This is a very precious blessing for our family. Thank you so much, Gurudeva, for giving our son this beautiful name and for bringing Krishna closer to us through it. We shall always cherish this gift with gratitude.
Hare Krishna, Gurudeva!
My First Vyasa-puja Offering in 2026
Gurudeva, this year is especially memorable because, for the first time, I have the opportunity to offer my Vyasa-puja prayers to you together with the devotees. I feel extremely fortunate to be connected with you and to express, however inadequately, the gratitude I hold in my heart.
Your glories and years of selfless service are beyond my ability to describe fully. Nevertheless, I offer these humble words at your lotus feet with the hope that they convey at least a small part of my sincere gratitude.
My Prayer for the Strength to Serve You
Gurudeva, I am aware of my own limitations and shortcomings, but I sincerely wish to serve you and apply your instructions in my life.
Please bless me with the strength, intelligence, determination, and sincerity to follow your guidance. Help me develop genuine humility, respect for all devotees, and the ability to examine and correct my own faults rather than find faults in others.
Please bless me to remain steady in chanting the holy names, hearing about Krishna, serving the Vaishnavas, and sharing Krishna consciousness with those around me.
Please bless my wife and me, who have already received your shelter, to continue following your instructions sincerely and to prepare ourselves for initiation when you kindly accept us. Please also bless our family, and may we always remember Krishna and your mercy through our son,Cakrin, whose name you so kindly gave him.
By your mercy, may we never forget the purpose of this human life: to develop our relationship with Krishna and assist, in whatever small way we can, in Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
My Heartfelt Prayers on Your Vyasa-puja
My dear Gurudeva, on this auspicious occasion, I pray that Sri Sri Radha and Krishna bless you with continued strength and good health so that you may guide and inspire devotees for many more years.
May you continue to help countless souls discover the beauty of Krishna consciousness. May we become sincere instruments in your service and in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Above all, please bless me with the strength to serve you, the intelligence to follow your instructions, the humility to recognise my shortcomings, and the heart to share Krishna’s mercy with others.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for entering my life and giving it a spiritual direction. Whatever little devotion, understanding, or desire to serve I possess today is due to the mercy of Sri Krishna, Srila Prabhupada, the Vaishnavas, and your divine guidance.
At your lotus feet, I offer my humble obeisances and prayers.
Hoping to become a sincere servant in your mission,
Your servants
Raju@Manasa@Cakrin
Hare Krishna!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja!
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!
Vyasa-puja Offering – 2026
Hare Krishna!
Om Vishnupadaya Krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale,
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine.
Pracare purva- daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah.
Om namo viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale Śrīmate Bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine Namaste Sarasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe Nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe.
Vancha-kalpa-tarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha,
Patitanam pavanebhyo Vaishnavebhyo namo namah.
Jaya Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Nityananda,
Sri Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi Gaura Bhakta Vrinda.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!
My dear and most respected Gurudeva, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for your life of dedication to Sri Krishna and the mission of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Despite advancing in age, you continue to travel, preach, guide devotees, and inspire countless people around the world to take up Krishna consciousness. Your selfless service reminds me that devotional service is not merely a part of life; it is the very purpose of our existence.
How Krishna Brought Me to Your Lotus Feet
Gurudeva, when I was around twenty-five years old, I began sincerely seeking to understand who God is and the real purpose of human life. Through prayer and the mercy of the Lord, I gradually developed an attraction to the Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and other sacred scriptures.
Then, by the causeless mercy of Krishna, I had the opportunity to see you. When I first saw you, I felt that I had found the spiritual guide for whom I had been praying. I strongly felt that Krishna had brought you into my life to guide me on my spiritual journey.
Since then, your instructions, lectures, and personal example have strengthened my attraction to Krishna, the chanting of His holy names, hearing about His transcendental pastimes, and devotional service. For this mercy, I shall always remain grateful to you.
Your Instructions Have Changed My Understanding of Life
Gurudeva, one instruction that has deeply touched me is your emphasis on becoming a person of genuine character and integrity. You have taught us that people may gradually forget what it means to be a good human being; therefore, our behaviour, values, and character should set a positive example for others.
You have also taught us that we go to work to give Krishna to others, not merely to receive something from them. This has changed how I view my workplace and daily responsibilities. I now try to see every person I meet as an opportunity to share Krishna consciousness through my words, conduct, and attitude of service.
On one occasion, I humbly asked you to bless me with the ability and strength to speak about Krishna to my family, friends, relatives, and colleagues. Your blessings continue to encourage me. Wherever possible, I try to share something about Krishna or encourage others to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Whatever little service I can perform is possible only through your mercy and the blessings of Srila Prabhupada. Please bless me to continue this service with sincerity, humility, and enthusiasm.
Your Selfless Love for Every Living Being
Gurudeva, what touches my heart most deeply is your extraordinary desire to give Krishna to everyone without expecting anything material in return. You dedicate your time, energy, and life to helping people reconnect with the Supreme Lord and discover their eternal relationship with Him.
Through your example, I have learned that genuine love means sincerely desiring the spiritual welfare of others. I pray that I may develop even a small fraction of your selflessness and learn to serve others with a compassionate heart.
Our Shelter, Aspiration for Initiation, and Gratitude for Our Son’s Name
My dear Gurudeva, my wife and I feel deeply blessed to have already received your shelter. We are sincerely grateful to be under your guidance, and we now humbly look forward to receiving initiation from you when the appropriate time comes and you kindly accept us as your disciples.
We pray that we may continue to grow in Krishna consciousness, follow your instructions sincerely, and prepare ourselves to honour the sacred relationship of guru and disciple. Please bless us with patience, humility, and the determination to serve you faithfully as we await your mercy.
Gurudeva, we also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the name you lovingly gave our son,Cakrin. Through this name, you have brought Krishna even closer to our family and our daily lives. We feel that Krishna is with us, protecting and guiding us, and whenever we say our baby’s name, we remember you, Gurudeva, and the connection to Krishna that you have given us.
Every time we call our son Cakrin, you come to our thoughts and hearts. This is a very precious blessing for our family. Thank you so much, Gurudeva, for giving our son this beautiful name and for bringing Krishna closer to us through it. We shall always cherish this gift with gratitude.
Hare Krishna, Gurudeva!
My First Vyasa-puja Offering in 2026
Gurudeva, this year is especially memorable because, for the first time, I have the opportunity to offer my Vyasa-puja prayers to you together with the devotees. I feel extremely fortunate to be connected with you and to express, however inadequately, the gratitude I hold in my heart.
Your glories and years of selfless service are beyond my ability to describe fully. Nevertheless, I offer these humble words at your lotus feet with the hope that they convey at least a small part of my sincere gratitude.
My Prayer for the Strength to Serve You
Gurudeva, I am aware of my own limitations and shortcomings, but I sincerely wish to serve you and apply your instructions in my life.
Please bless me with the strength, intelligence, determination, and sincerity to follow your guidance. Help me develop genuine humility, respect for all devotees, and the ability to examine and correct my own faults rather than find faults in others.
Please bless me to remain steady in chanting the holy names, hearing about Krishna, serving the Vaishnavas, and sharing Krishna consciousness with those around me.
Please bless my wife and me, who have already received your shelter, to continue following your instructions sincerely and to prepare ourselves for initiation when you kindly accept us. Please also bless our family, and may we always remember Krishna and your mercy through our son,Cakrin, whose name you so kindly gave him.
By your mercy, may we never forget the purpose of this human life: to develop our relationship with Krishna and assist, in whatever small way we can, in Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
My Heartfelt Prayers on Your Vyasa-puja
My dear Gurudeva, on this auspicious occasion, I pray that Sri Sri Radha and Krishna bless you with continued strength and good health so that you may guide and inspire devotees for many more years.
May you continue to help countless souls discover the beauty of Krishna consciousness. May we become sincere instruments in your service and in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Above all, please bless me with the strength to serve you, the intelligence to follow your instructions, the humility to recognise my shortcomings, and the heart to share Krishna’s mercy with others.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for entering my life and giving it a spiritual direction. Whatever little devotion, understanding, or desire to serve I possess today is due to the mercy of Sri Krishna, Srila Prabhupada, the Vaishnavas, and your divine guidance.
At your lotus feet, I offer my humble obeisances and prayers.
Hoping to become a sincere servant in your mission,
Your servants
Raju@Manasa@Cakrin
Hare Krishna!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja!
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!
Ramai Sonthalia
Hare Krishna Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to his divine grace Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasapuja celebration.
O you who have spread bhakti all around the globe, please once again accept my heartfelt and humble obeisances. I have always loved your classes especially when you are discussing in the class about the pastimes of the Lord.
O Maharaja please bless me so I may be empowered to also spread the nectar of bhakti all across earth just like you, Srila Prabhupada and many other enlightened personalities.
Your servant Ramai Das Sonthalia
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to his divine grace Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasapuja celebration.
O you who have spread bhakti all around the globe, please once again accept my heartfelt and humble obeisances. I have always loved your classes especially when you are discussing in the class about the pastimes of the Lord.
O Maharaja please bless me so I may be empowered to also spread the nectar of bhakti all across earth just like you, Srila Prabhupada and many other enlightened personalities.
Your servant Ramai Das Sonthalia
Ramani Siromani Dasi
Hare krsna dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Your lotus feet.
On this special day, I wish to offer my heartfelt grattitude and appreciation for your dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission and your tireless efforts to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the world.
Through my husband, I have had the opportunity to discover a more personal side of you and to appreciate the affection, warmth, and depth of understanding that lie behind your spiritual wisdom. It has been a special experience to glimpse this side of you, which reflects not only your profound spiritual insight but also your genuine care and affection for others.
I feel particularly grateful for the encouragement and support you extend to those who sincerely wish to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. Your guidance and appreciation are a reminder of how even a little encouragement, offered with kindness and understanding, can help devotees find greater confidence and inspiration in their service to Kṛṣṇa.
In a world where people are constantly searching for happiness, meaning, and direction, your commitment to the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds us of the importance of spiritual knowledge and a life centred on service to Kṛṣṇa. Your example inspires us to look beyond the temporary concerns of this world and deepen our connection with the Supreme Lord.
I pray that by your mercy, I may develop greater sincerity in my spiritual life, become more steady in my devotional service, and learn to cultivate humility, gratitude, and genuine care for others.
On this auspicious occasion, I pray to Sri Radhavallabha and Śrīla Prabhupāda to bless you with continued good health, strength, and enthusiasm to carry forward this glorious mission of spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
May I always remain under the shelter of your blessings and find the determination to serve Vaiṣṇavas and contribute, in whatever small way I can, to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.
Thank you, for your blessings and affection towards our family always.
Your daughter,
Ramani Siromani
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Your lotus feet.
On this special day, I wish to offer my heartfelt grattitude and appreciation for your dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission and your tireless efforts to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the world.
Through my husband, I have had the opportunity to discover a more personal side of you and to appreciate the affection, warmth, and depth of understanding that lie behind your spiritual wisdom. It has been a special experience to glimpse this side of you, which reflects not only your profound spiritual insight but also your genuine care and affection for others.
I feel particularly grateful for the encouragement and support you extend to those who sincerely wish to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. Your guidance and appreciation are a reminder of how even a little encouragement, offered with kindness and understanding, can help devotees find greater confidence and inspiration in their service to Kṛṣṇa.
In a world where people are constantly searching for happiness, meaning, and direction, your commitment to the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds us of the importance of spiritual knowledge and a life centred on service to Kṛṣṇa. Your example inspires us to look beyond the temporary concerns of this world and deepen our connection with the Supreme Lord.
I pray that by your mercy, I may develop greater sincerity in my spiritual life, become more steady in my devotional service, and learn to cultivate humility, gratitude, and genuine care for others.
On this auspicious occasion, I pray to Sri Radhavallabha and Śrīla Prabhupāda to bless you with continued good health, strength, and enthusiasm to carry forward this glorious mission of spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
May I always remain under the shelter of your blessings and find the determination to serve Vaiṣṇavas and contribute, in whatever small way I can, to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.
Thank you, for your blessings and affection towards our family always.
Your daughter,
Ramani Siromani
Rangini Dasi
HH Devamrita Swami Maharaj Vyasapuja 2026
*Om Agyana thimirandasya Gyanajana Shalakaya Shakshurunmilitham ena thasmai Sri Guruve Namaha! *
*Namah Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Preshtaya Bhutale*
*Srimate Devamrita Swamin Iti Namine*
*Prachare Purva Dhaksam Ca Bhakti cara Praveenata*
*Paratatapi Karunyam Yasya Sarvachate Namaha*
Dear Gurudev, my spiritual father,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I still vividly remember my very first darshan of you. I had come with my parents, seeking your shelter and blessings. You looked at my parents and asked, “Is she your only daughter?” You then reassured them, saying, “Don't worry, she is in safe hands.”
Those words have remained deeply etched in my heart. At that time, I may not have fully understood the depth of your reassurance, but today, as I reflect on those words, they mean more to me than ever before.
Earlier this year, when my father left this world, I found myself thinking of that moment. I wonder whether, in his heart, he remembered your words and found solace in the assurance that his daughter was in your safe hands.
Dear spiritual father, although I may appear strong on the outside, deep within, my heart is broken by a sense of guilt. I could not see my father's face even once after he left his body, as I reached home only after his final rites were over. I also carry the pain of having left my mother to face that difficult situation without me by her side.
Gurudev, these thoughts weigh heavily on my heart. I know I cannot change what has happened, but I humbly seek your mercy to help me come to terms with this pain. Please give me the strength to overcome this guilt and redirect my heart and mind towards my sadhana. Please help me accept what has happened with faith in Krishna's plan, while continuing to fulfil my responsibilities towards my family with love and care.
Gurudev, whenever I am troubled or confused, the answers somehow come through your lectures. I experience this again and again, and it deepens my faith in your guidance.
Recently, I was feeling anxious about my financial situation. My concern was not about accumulating wealth unnecessarily, but about having some savings to care for my two elderly mothers and to be prepared should an emergency arise. These thoughts sometimes disturbed my mind.
Then, during your recent visit to Melbourne, your words gave me the clarity I was seeking. You explained that we should not go to work merely to get something for ourselves, but rather to give Krishna to our family. Those words touched my heart and helped me look at my responsibilities from a different perspective.
I was also deeply struck by your explanation of the two birds, particularly the importance of becoming more satisfied. Gurudev, I am sincerely trying to bring that bird of satisfaction back into my life. Please bless me so that I may perform my duties diligently without becoming overly anxious about the results, and learn to remain satisfied and grateful for whatever Krishna provides.
Dear Gurudev, I also have a heartfelt desire to cook for you. Yet, at times, I hesitate, wondering whether I am qualified enough or whether I have the proper consciousness and mood to cook for you. I pray that you will bless me with the humility, sincerity, and devotional attitude to serve in this way.
Gurudev, you are truly an ocean of mercy. By your causeless mercy, we continue to be part of the Bhakti Vriksha programme at Wyndham. When I first met you, you asked me about my profession. I told you that I had been a mathematics lecturer back home, and you blessed me, saying, “May you lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam to everyone.”
Those words have stayed with me. By your blessings and mercy, although I am not qualified, I have had the opportunity to teach the children at Wyndham. I see this not as my own achievement, but as an opportunity entrusted to me through your kindness. I pray that I may become a better instrument in your hands and serve these children in a way that helps them develop a loving connection with Krishna.
Whenever I reflect on your mercy, the words of Sri Gurvastakam come to my mind:
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka- tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
The spiritual master is an ocean of mercy, just like a rain cloud that pours water upon a blazing forest fire to extinguish it. In the same way, the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted souls 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.
Dear Gurudev, when I contemplate this verse, I am reminded of how much I depend on your mercy. I cannot even imagine where I would be in my spiritual life without you. You have given us the seed of bhakti, and through your lectures, instructions, and personal example, you continue to nourish and water that seed so that it may grow.
Two teachings that I continually try to meditate upon are learning to see Krishna through the ears by hearing about Him attentively, and cultivating gratitude by appreciating the good qualities of other devotees. These instructions remind me that spiritual advancement is not merely about what I know or how much I do, but about how I hear, how I see others, and how I cultivate the right attitude in my heart.
Dear Gurudev, I am eternally grateful that you have accepted even an insignificant soul like me as your disciple. I know that I have many shortcomings and that I have a long way to go. Yet, your mercy gives me hope and the courage to continue.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I humbly pray at your lotus feet: please continue to shower your mercy upon me. Please bless me so that I may chant the holy names of the Lord with greater attention, sincerity, and devotion, and strive to chant without committing offences. Please help me overcome my anarthas, become more steady in my sadhana, develop genuine humility, and serve Vaishnavas.
On this auspicious day, I also offer my heartfelt prayers to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha for your good health, strength, and continued well-being, so that countless more souls may come in contact with you, receive your mercy, and take up the path of Krishna consciousness.
Gurudev, Whatever little service I am able to render is possible only because of your blessings. Please accept this humble offering, overlooking my many shortcomings, and bless me that I may continue to grow in bhakti under your shelter.
All glories to you, dear Gurudev, the ocean of mercy.
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha!
Your insignificant servant,
Rangini Dasi
Anirudh
Prajna
*Om Agyana thimirandasya Gyanajana Shalakaya Shakshurunmilitham ena thasmai Sri Guruve Namaha! *
*Namah Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Preshtaya Bhutale*
*Srimate Devamrita Swamin Iti Namine*
*Prachare Purva Dhaksam Ca Bhakti cara Praveenata*
*Paratatapi Karunyam Yasya Sarvachate Namaha*
Dear Gurudev, my spiritual father,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I still vividly remember my very first darshan of you. I had come with my parents, seeking your shelter and blessings. You looked at my parents and asked, “Is she your only daughter?” You then reassured them, saying, “Don't worry, she is in safe hands.”
Those words have remained deeply etched in my heart. At that time, I may not have fully understood the depth of your reassurance, but today, as I reflect on those words, they mean more to me than ever before.
Earlier this year, when my father left this world, I found myself thinking of that moment. I wonder whether, in his heart, he remembered your words and found solace in the assurance that his daughter was in your safe hands.
Dear spiritual father, although I may appear strong on the outside, deep within, my heart is broken by a sense of guilt. I could not see my father's face even once after he left his body, as I reached home only after his final rites were over. I also carry the pain of having left my mother to face that difficult situation without me by her side.
Gurudev, these thoughts weigh heavily on my heart. I know I cannot change what has happened, but I humbly seek your mercy to help me come to terms with this pain. Please give me the strength to overcome this guilt and redirect my heart and mind towards my sadhana. Please help me accept what has happened with faith in Krishna's plan, while continuing to fulfil my responsibilities towards my family with love and care.
Gurudev, whenever I am troubled or confused, the answers somehow come through your lectures. I experience this again and again, and it deepens my faith in your guidance.
Recently, I was feeling anxious about my financial situation. My concern was not about accumulating wealth unnecessarily, but about having some savings to care for my two elderly mothers and to be prepared should an emergency arise. These thoughts sometimes disturbed my mind.
Then, during your recent visit to Melbourne, your words gave me the clarity I was seeking. You explained that we should not go to work merely to get something for ourselves, but rather to give Krishna to our family. Those words touched my heart and helped me look at my responsibilities from a different perspective.
I was also deeply struck by your explanation of the two birds, particularly the importance of becoming more satisfied. Gurudev, I am sincerely trying to bring that bird of satisfaction back into my life. Please bless me so that I may perform my duties diligently without becoming overly anxious about the results, and learn to remain satisfied and grateful for whatever Krishna provides.
Dear Gurudev, I also have a heartfelt desire to cook for you. Yet, at times, I hesitate, wondering whether I am qualified enough or whether I have the proper consciousness and mood to cook for you. I pray that you will bless me with the humility, sincerity, and devotional attitude to serve in this way.
Gurudev, you are truly an ocean of mercy. By your causeless mercy, we continue to be part of the Bhakti Vriksha programme at Wyndham. When I first met you, you asked me about my profession. I told you that I had been a mathematics lecturer back home, and you blessed me, saying, “May you lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam to everyone.”
Those words have stayed with me. By your blessings and mercy, although I am not qualified, I have had the opportunity to teach the children at Wyndham. I see this not as my own achievement, but as an opportunity entrusted to me through your kindness. I pray that I may become a better instrument in your hands and serve these children in a way that helps them develop a loving connection with Krishna.
Whenever I reflect on your mercy, the words of Sri Gurvastakam come to my mind:
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka- tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
The spiritual master is an ocean of mercy, just like a rain cloud that pours water upon a blazing forest fire to extinguish it. In the same way, the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted souls 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.
Dear Gurudev, when I contemplate this verse, I am reminded of how much I depend on your mercy. I cannot even imagine where I would be in my spiritual life without you. You have given us the seed of bhakti, and through your lectures, instructions, and personal example, you continue to nourish and water that seed so that it may grow.
Two teachings that I continually try to meditate upon are learning to see Krishna through the ears by hearing about Him attentively, and cultivating gratitude by appreciating the good qualities of other devotees. These instructions remind me that spiritual advancement is not merely about what I know or how much I do, but about how I hear, how I see others, and how I cultivate the right attitude in my heart.
Dear Gurudev, I am eternally grateful that you have accepted even an insignificant soul like me as your disciple. I know that I have many shortcomings and that I have a long way to go. Yet, your mercy gives me hope and the courage to continue.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I humbly pray at your lotus feet: please continue to shower your mercy upon me. Please bless me so that I may chant the holy names of the Lord with greater attention, sincerity, and devotion, and strive to chant without committing offences. Please help me overcome my anarthas, become more steady in my sadhana, develop genuine humility, and serve Vaishnavas.
On this auspicious day, I also offer my heartfelt prayers to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha for your good health, strength, and continued well-being, so that countless more souls may come in contact with you, receive your mercy, and take up the path of Krishna consciousness.
Gurudev, Whatever little service I am able to render is possible only because of your blessings. Please accept this humble offering, overlooking my many shortcomings, and bless me that I may continue to grow in bhakti under your shelter.
All glories to you, dear Gurudev, the ocean of mercy.
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha!
Your insignificant servant,
Rangini Dasi
Anirudh
Prajna
Rasesvari devi dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Thank you for this opportunity to reflect and glorify you. And thank you for accepting my small attempt at an offering. I’m still a spiritual child and still learning your glories.
I’ve been particularly reflecting on your plea for devotional service and am so grateful for the realizations that I’ve been blessed with by being plugged into your mission.
Every time you visit Wellington, you bring a towering wave of devotional service with you. We’re flooded with events to organise, nectar cooking yajnas, special soulfeasts, university programmes, community programmes, classes and kirtans. Not to mention your heart stirring darshans that raise the bar of bhakti. We’re flooded. But that’s your whole life. You carry that wave of devotional service with you wherever you go and you plead with everyone to just jump in. I was so moved at the last university outreach programme you did here in Wellington, you first connected with them and allowed them to relax in your presence. Then you pleaded and practically begged them to wake up and jump in. And then you pack up, leave, and carry that wave with you to the next place. Thank you for willingly taking on the curse of wandering this planet with no fixed residence. Truly - I’m so grateful for every visit you make here and each tidal wave stirs up so much in me. I really rely on the waves of service you’ve kindly given me.
I’ve been relishing a recent experience in devotional service and the realizations that arose from such an experience was confirmation of your mercy and my deepening connection to you. I was in the middle of a life transition and very much bewildered, confused and still digesting what was going to be best for a lifetime of trying to practice bhakti. I was managing a Thursday night event at Bhakti Lounge and was feeling, simply put —- mental. I had walked down the dining area and spotted that someone had split curry on the floor. But at a closer look, it wasn’t curry - someone had vomited all over the carpet. And the lady had vomited just at the very moment that everyone was coming out of the event rooms. While Madhava-Mohini kindly helped the sickly lady, I knew as the duty manager I had to clean up the mess. Most shockingly, that clean up was the most blissful and satisfied I had felt in weeks. Confirmed that bhakti is transcendental.
I had wondered what was so blissful about such an experience. What arose within my heart was a glimmering realization that the only thing that could truly make me happy, through all the mess of life, was to take on some responsibility for you. Bhakti Lounge is so dear to you. It was thrilling to clean up the carpet of your dear Bhakti Lounge. And I was reflecting, what kind of responsibilities did you take to give us this outreach center? What kind of responsibilities did you take to develop this community through hours of guidance? What kind of issues and mess did you have to clean up? And it’s so easy to take for granted that you’ve taken on the responsibility to take us back to Godhead. Your labour of love is so devotionally intense. By your kindness and mercy, I’ve always felt encouraged by you to take on some form of management and the devotees have been kind enough to tolerate my fumbling attempts and help me grow in that way. That taste of sacrifice and trying to carry even just a small amount of the weight is a deep samskara in my heart. Thank you for allowing me to clean up a small mess on the Bhakti Lounge carpet - the perfection of my life!
Since moving out of nandini ashram, my service schedule looks a bit different and my responsibilities are evolving into a different shape. But I’ve been reflecting on how I could still serve you and always carry the weight of responsibility through all phases of life. At the end of the day, it’s our service and responsibility to clean up our hearts so that we can serve sincerely. I’ve always felt that one of my offerings to you was becoming stable and dealing with myself. Actually one of my first instructions from you was “pull yourself together. Pull everything out.” And SO much purification has come out - just like that poor lady on the Bhakti Lounge carpet. Thank you for cleaning up the mess of my life and giving me the greatest gift of devotional service.
“The word guru-prasada indicates that the spiritual master is very merciful in bestowing the boon of devotional service upon the disciple. That is the best possible gift the spiritual master has to offer” (Madhya 19.152 purport)
You have placed a great gift in my hands. Yet I have so much more to work through so that I can take advantage of and really honour that gift. Thank you for kindly tolerating my conditioned nature while I wake up to my fortune. Thank you for investing your energies into me, always encouraging me, hearing me out, instructing me, inspiring me and caring for me. I really do feel your well wishes every time I see you. Thank you for not only setting me up spiritually but also materially. How expertly you’ve guided and supported me. I pray for a grateful heart. I pray to become a wholesome devotee so that I can start contributing something of value to your mission. I pray for more service to you. I pray that I can make my life an offering to you.
“Out of Your causeless mercy, You have delivered me from the materialistic path. Now, by the same causeless mercy, please tell me what my duty is” (Madhya 20.101)
Your aspiring servant & spiritual daughter,
Rasesvari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Thank you for this opportunity to reflect and glorify you. And thank you for accepting my small attempt at an offering. I’m still a spiritual child and still learning your glories.
I’ve been particularly reflecting on your plea for devotional service and am so grateful for the realizations that I’ve been blessed with by being plugged into your mission.
Every time you visit Wellington, you bring a towering wave of devotional service with you. We’re flooded with events to organise, nectar cooking yajnas, special soulfeasts, university programmes, community programmes, classes and kirtans. Not to mention your heart stirring darshans that raise the bar of bhakti. We’re flooded. But that’s your whole life. You carry that wave of devotional service with you wherever you go and you plead with everyone to just jump in. I was so moved at the last university outreach programme you did here in Wellington, you first connected with them and allowed them to relax in your presence. Then you pleaded and practically begged them to wake up and jump in. And then you pack up, leave, and carry that wave with you to the next place. Thank you for willingly taking on the curse of wandering this planet with no fixed residence. Truly - I’m so grateful for every visit you make here and each tidal wave stirs up so much in me. I really rely on the waves of service you’ve kindly given me.
I’ve been relishing a recent experience in devotional service and the realizations that arose from such an experience was confirmation of your mercy and my deepening connection to you. I was in the middle of a life transition and very much bewildered, confused and still digesting what was going to be best for a lifetime of trying to practice bhakti. I was managing a Thursday night event at Bhakti Lounge and was feeling, simply put —- mental. I had walked down the dining area and spotted that someone had split curry on the floor. But at a closer look, it wasn’t curry - someone had vomited all over the carpet. And the lady had vomited just at the very moment that everyone was coming out of the event rooms. While Madhava-Mohini kindly helped the sickly lady, I knew as the duty manager I had to clean up the mess. Most shockingly, that clean up was the most blissful and satisfied I had felt in weeks. Confirmed that bhakti is transcendental.
I had wondered what was so blissful about such an experience. What arose within my heart was a glimmering realization that the only thing that could truly make me happy, through all the mess of life, was to take on some responsibility for you. Bhakti Lounge is so dear to you. It was thrilling to clean up the carpet of your dear Bhakti Lounge. And I was reflecting, what kind of responsibilities did you take to give us this outreach center? What kind of responsibilities did you take to develop this community through hours of guidance? What kind of issues and mess did you have to clean up? And it’s so easy to take for granted that you’ve taken on the responsibility to take us back to Godhead. Your labour of love is so devotionally intense. By your kindness and mercy, I’ve always felt encouraged by you to take on some form of management and the devotees have been kind enough to tolerate my fumbling attempts and help me grow in that way. That taste of sacrifice and trying to carry even just a small amount of the weight is a deep samskara in my heart. Thank you for allowing me to clean up a small mess on the Bhakti Lounge carpet - the perfection of my life!
Since moving out of nandini ashram, my service schedule looks a bit different and my responsibilities are evolving into a different shape. But I’ve been reflecting on how I could still serve you and always carry the weight of responsibility through all phases of life. At the end of the day, it’s our service and responsibility to clean up our hearts so that we can serve sincerely. I’ve always felt that one of my offerings to you was becoming stable and dealing with myself. Actually one of my first instructions from you was “pull yourself together. Pull everything out.” And SO much purification has come out - just like that poor lady on the Bhakti Lounge carpet. Thank you for cleaning up the mess of my life and giving me the greatest gift of devotional service.
“The word guru-prasada indicates that the spiritual master is very merciful in bestowing the boon of devotional service upon the disciple. That is the best possible gift the spiritual master has to offer” (Madhya 19.152 purport)
You have placed a great gift in my hands. Yet I have so much more to work through so that I can take advantage of and really honour that gift. Thank you for kindly tolerating my conditioned nature while I wake up to my fortune. Thank you for investing your energies into me, always encouraging me, hearing me out, instructing me, inspiring me and caring for me. I really do feel your well wishes every time I see you. Thank you for not only setting me up spiritually but also materially. How expertly you’ve guided and supported me. I pray for a grateful heart. I pray to become a wholesome devotee so that I can start contributing something of value to your mission. I pray for more service to you. I pray that I can make my life an offering to you.
“Out of Your causeless mercy, You have delivered me from the materialistic path. Now, by the same causeless mercy, please tell me what my duty is” (Madhya 20.101)
Your aspiring servant & spiritual daughter,
Rasesvari devi dasi
Rasikendra Dāsa
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to your divine appearance day.
In your recent Rādhāṣṭamī lecture, referencing a statement by Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, you said that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī will accept one as a devotee only by the recommendation of Lord Nityānanda, and Lord Nityānanda will only give His recommendation to those who are following the instructions: wherever you go, to whomever you meet, teach the science of Kṛṣṇa. Hearing this profound statement, it became clearer than ever, and I finally understood your position. Without a doubt, you are the most dearest to our beloved and worshipable Queen of Vṛndāvana, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
In each endeavour that you perform, from every word you speak to every town and city you sojourn to, these are all offerings of the most exquisite expression of love and service for the pleasure of the Supreme Couple. Tirelessly preaching this cult of bhakti to all those who are deeply unqualified to hear, facing so many health challenges, travel complications, and so many devotee hardships, you persevere with intense vigour and youthful enthusiasm, wasting not even a single moment in your attempts to share this science of Kṛṣṇa. Thus, you have earned your place at the eternal resting place at the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Oftentimes, I reflect on the unlimited depths of dedication, faith, and absolute servitorship you have towards Śrīla Prabhupāda. One might imagine that you must have had abundant personal association with him, just as many of your Godbrothers did. Yet I am reminded that your only personal interaction with your spiritual master was a brief moment at the BBT headquarters in Los Angeles, when Śrīla Prabhupāda simply acknowledged you with a quiet, wordless “hmmmm.” A transcendental sound, devoid of any mundane words, yet carrying the weight of the entire paramparā, along with the blessings of all the ācāryas and the Lord Himself. Thus, from that simple acknowledgement, you went on to enthrone the eternal instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Lord Caitanya into your heart and have ever since lived a life of pure, selfless service and surrender. Despite receiving only a brief, yet invaluable, moment of personal association with your spiritual master, you have, in turn, generously given each of your disciples ample time, personal attention, and association. From hearing time and time again all the personal stories and cherishable moments that you have shared with all of us, it is beyond conception how one person can have so many relationships yet be equally loving and caring towards each person. You have gifted us a love that is not constrained by the mundane bodily disposition, nor predicated on the usual material criteria of birth, caste, wealth, or any other material designation. This purity of affection is ever fresh and vast, and bound with all spiritual qualities and taste.
Unfortunately, I do not warrant such purity of love and care. Nor could I fathom such an exchange; I am undeserving of all the affection that you give. My existence has no entitlement to this eternal discipleship that you have bequeathed to me. I am such a degenerate Kali-yuga graduate. In the university of Kali-yuga, I have earned the highest distinction in debauchery and self-indulgence. My greatest achievements lie in my insatiable pursuit of grotesque sense enjoyment and material decadence. Without any shame, I plunge into the pool of material misery and disregard all sense of righteousness or decency. My intelligence has long been stolen by the material energy, and the compass of what is true and what is false has been corrupted. My eagerness to participate on the hedonistic treadmill exempts me from receiving all good fortune. I am overqualified to reap the rewards of Yamarāja and undisputedly deserve the hellish destination that awaits me.
Although it seems that the formula of my life has already been well established and the outcome of the experiment already predetermined, Gurudev, you have entered the laboratory and interjected your transcendental mercy and love, eternally altering the results. My trajectory into the hellish life has been hijacked by your transcendental words of pure rasa and invaluable guidance. To drown my desert-like ears with your nectarean revelation of material fallacy and illusion gives me the impetus to reclaim my long-lost intelligence. Though still in its infancy, you have given me the most prized possession of being ‘Kṛṣṇa-tṛṣṇā’, having the thirst for Kṛṣṇa. This long journey towards that most coveted destination of pure devotion to the Supreme Lord has now seemed unexpectedly possible.
Then the question is, what piety or austerity have I performed to receive this abundant gift of love and opportunity for redemption? Well, according to Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, there is no amount of piety that the conditioned soul can perform to attain this transcendental fortune of devotional service. Nor, as he further elucidates, is it even the benevolence of the Supreme Lord. For Kṛṣṇa to give His mercy to one conditioned soul and not another compromises His impartiality, so it is not the mercy of the Lord that gives one devotion. Thus, Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura concludes that the only way any conditioned soul can attain the gift of devotional service is through the mercy given by a devotee. Therefore, it is the bhakti within the bhakta that is gifted to the jīva—and that is what we call causeless mercy. And this is exactly what you have given to me, Gurudev. Thus, for that, I owe you my eternal allegiance, servitorship, and surrender.
I know I may trip and fall, be complacent, and deviate from the path of devotional service again and again. But please I beg of you do not abandon me; embrace me with your unlimited mercy and care, and either by hook or by crook, drag me back to my rightful position at the shelter of your lotus feet. Beyond the abundant desires for material enjoyment and position that I have, please see that, in the depths of my heart, I do have the eagerness to follow your instructions and offer my life to you. So please, I humbly request you to fan this insignificant spark of spiritual desire, nurture my sincerity for devotion, and train me to develop the unrelenting determination to serve your mission, so that one day I can contribute to your glorious endeavour to forever please Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Your aspiring servant,
Rasikendra Dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
All glories to your divine appearance day.
In your recent Rādhāṣṭamī lecture, referencing a statement by Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, you said that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī will accept one as a devotee only by the recommendation of Lord Nityānanda, and Lord Nityānanda will only give His recommendation to those who are following the instructions: wherever you go, to whomever you meet, teach the science of Kṛṣṇa. Hearing this profound statement, it became clearer than ever, and I finally understood your position. Without a doubt, you are the most dearest to our beloved and worshipable Queen of Vṛndāvana, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
In each endeavour that you perform, from every word you speak to every town and city you sojourn to, these are all offerings of the most exquisite expression of love and service for the pleasure of the Supreme Couple. Tirelessly preaching this cult of bhakti to all those who are deeply unqualified to hear, facing so many health challenges, travel complications, and so many devotee hardships, you persevere with intense vigour and youthful enthusiasm, wasting not even a single moment in your attempts to share this science of Kṛṣṇa. Thus, you have earned your place at the eternal resting place at the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Oftentimes, I reflect on the unlimited depths of dedication, faith, and absolute servitorship you have towards Śrīla Prabhupāda. One might imagine that you must have had abundant personal association with him, just as many of your Godbrothers did. Yet I am reminded that your only personal interaction with your spiritual master was a brief moment at the BBT headquarters in Los Angeles, when Śrīla Prabhupāda simply acknowledged you with a quiet, wordless “hmmmm.” A transcendental sound, devoid of any mundane words, yet carrying the weight of the entire paramparā, along with the blessings of all the ācāryas and the Lord Himself. Thus, from that simple acknowledgement, you went on to enthrone the eternal instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Lord Caitanya into your heart and have ever since lived a life of pure, selfless service and surrender. Despite receiving only a brief, yet invaluable, moment of personal association with your spiritual master, you have, in turn, generously given each of your disciples ample time, personal attention, and association. From hearing time and time again all the personal stories and cherishable moments that you have shared with all of us, it is beyond conception how one person can have so many relationships yet be equally loving and caring towards each person. You have gifted us a love that is not constrained by the mundane bodily disposition, nor predicated on the usual material criteria of birth, caste, wealth, or any other material designation. This purity of affection is ever fresh and vast, and bound with all spiritual qualities and taste.
Unfortunately, I do not warrant such purity of love and care. Nor could I fathom such an exchange; I am undeserving of all the affection that you give. My existence has no entitlement to this eternal discipleship that you have bequeathed to me. I am such a degenerate Kali-yuga graduate. In the university of Kali-yuga, I have earned the highest distinction in debauchery and self-indulgence. My greatest achievements lie in my insatiable pursuit of grotesque sense enjoyment and material decadence. Without any shame, I plunge into the pool of material misery and disregard all sense of righteousness or decency. My intelligence has long been stolen by the material energy, and the compass of what is true and what is false has been corrupted. My eagerness to participate on the hedonistic treadmill exempts me from receiving all good fortune. I am overqualified to reap the rewards of Yamarāja and undisputedly deserve the hellish destination that awaits me.
Although it seems that the formula of my life has already been well established and the outcome of the experiment already predetermined, Gurudev, you have entered the laboratory and interjected your transcendental mercy and love, eternally altering the results. My trajectory into the hellish life has been hijacked by your transcendental words of pure rasa and invaluable guidance. To drown my desert-like ears with your nectarean revelation of material fallacy and illusion gives me the impetus to reclaim my long-lost intelligence. Though still in its infancy, you have given me the most prized possession of being ‘Kṛṣṇa-tṛṣṇā’, having the thirst for Kṛṣṇa. This long journey towards that most coveted destination of pure devotion to the Supreme Lord has now seemed unexpectedly possible.
Then the question is, what piety or austerity have I performed to receive this abundant gift of love and opportunity for redemption? Well, according to Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, there is no amount of piety that the conditioned soul can perform to attain this transcendental fortune of devotional service. Nor, as he further elucidates, is it even the benevolence of the Supreme Lord. For Kṛṣṇa to give His mercy to one conditioned soul and not another compromises His impartiality, so it is not the mercy of the Lord that gives one devotion. Thus, Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura concludes that the only way any conditioned soul can attain the gift of devotional service is through the mercy given by a devotee. Therefore, it is the bhakti within the bhakta that is gifted to the jīva—and that is what we call causeless mercy. And this is exactly what you have given to me, Gurudev. Thus, for that, I owe you my eternal allegiance, servitorship, and surrender.
I know I may trip and fall, be complacent, and deviate from the path of devotional service again and again. But please I beg of you do not abandon me; embrace me with your unlimited mercy and care, and either by hook or by crook, drag me back to my rightful position at the shelter of your lotus feet. Beyond the abundant desires for material enjoyment and position that I have, please see that, in the depths of my heart, I do have the eagerness to follow your instructions and offer my life to you. So please, I humbly request you to fan this insignificant spark of spiritual desire, nurture my sincerity for devotion, and train me to develop the unrelenting determination to serve your mission, so that one day I can contribute to your glorious endeavour to forever please Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Your aspiring servant,
Rasikendra Dāsa
Riti Dweep Das
Nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
Shrīmate Devamrita-svāmin iti nāmine
Prachare purv daksham ch Bhaktachar Pravinata,
Pararthapi Kaarunyam yasya sarva cha te namah.
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
Om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
Cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Dear Gurumaharaja Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
The time of year has come when have to write a vyasa puja offering. The words and sentences just stop. How difficult it becomes to put the thoughts into words? ‘cakṣu-dāna dila yei, janme janme prabhu sei’, You are my master, birth after birth. still We are unable to glorify you.
Since, we have been initiated we have been trying to follow your instruction to the best extend. Your most valuable guidance you gave us, great courage and enthusiasm to manage our spiritual life. Your blessing and encouragement has given us great strength to render devotional service and to serve the mission of Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu by spreading the holy name and message of the supreme lord. Please accept our heartily gratitude for keeping us under your shelter and guiding us by taking us through the path of divine knowledge (Krishna Consciousness).
For now We pray at your divine lotus feet to always have your shelter despite our entire shortfall. Thank you for being there when We need you. Thank you for always answering questions and clearing my doubts.
Your Servant
Ritu Dwipa Das
Shrīmate Devamrita-svāmin iti nāmine
Prachare purv daksham ch Bhaktachar Pravinata,
Pararthapi Kaarunyam yasya sarva cha te namah.
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
Om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
Cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Dear Gurumaharaja Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasapuja.
The time of year has come when have to write a vyasa puja offering. The words and sentences just stop. How difficult it becomes to put the thoughts into words? ‘cakṣu-dāna dila yei, janme janme prabhu sei’, You are my master, birth after birth. still We are unable to glorify you.
Since, we have been initiated we have been trying to follow your instruction to the best extend. Your most valuable guidance you gave us, great courage and enthusiasm to manage our spiritual life. Your blessing and encouragement has given us great strength to render devotional service and to serve the mission of Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu by spreading the holy name and message of the supreme lord. Please accept our heartily gratitude for keeping us under your shelter and guiding us by taking us through the path of divine knowledge (Krishna Consciousness).
For now We pray at your divine lotus feet to always have your shelter despite our entire shortfall. Thank you for being there when We need you. Thank you for always answering questions and clearing my doubts.
Your Servant
Ritu Dwipa Das
Rudrarama Pandit das
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and unto your lotus feet.
Recently I traveled overseas to visit my family for the first time in seven years.
As the airplane departed, I experienced mixed emotions. I felt excitement to see my family again after such a long separation. At the same time, I felt sadness knowing that I would be entering once again into family conflicts and material complexities.
Similarly, I felt excitement to visit temples and see Krishna in new and beautiful forms, yet sadness to temporarily leave behind my devotee community and services in New Zealand.
While sitting on the airplane, I was listening to your classes and a question entered my mind:
"Where is this airplane taking me?"
Physically the answer was obvious.
The airplane was taking me to Japan.
But internally, where was I going?
Toward happiness?
Toward sadness?
Toward attachment?
Toward remembrance?
The destination itself seemed neutral. Japan was neither causing my happiness nor my distress. Rather, I was carrying my own attachments, expectations, memories and fears with me.
Then I began to reflect on deeper questions.
Who am I?
What is truth?
Where am I ultimately heading?
In this life I identify myself in many ways.
At different times I think of myself as a son, husband, employee, friend, community member, disciple, or Japanese citizen.
Yet all these identities change according to time, place and circumstance.
Who then is the person experiencing all these changing roles?
Srimad Bhagavatam states:
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."
(SB 11.3.21)
We all encounter these questions at some point in our lives.
Whom shall we ask?
Parents?
Teachers?
Friends?
Technology?
Or perhaps people who themselves are still searching?
How fortunate we are that Krishna sends His representatives into this world.
Guru Maharaja, one statement of yours has remained with me:
"The goal of yoga is to purify the false self and bring out the real self."
Again and again, through your lectures, books, conversations and personal example, you guide us back to the essential question of our real identity.
When I become absorbed in temporary designations and attachments, your teachings help me remember the difference between the changing circumstances of life and the unchanging spiritual self.
Srimad Bhagavatam also states:
durlabho mānuṣo deho dehināṁ kṣaṇa-bhaṅguraḥ
"The human body is rarely achieved and may be lost at any moment."
(SB 11.2.29)
By your mercy, I am gradually learning not to waste this rare opportunity simply travelling from one material destination to another, but instead to move toward Krishna.
You have spent decades travelling around the world so that conditioned souls like me can find genuine answers to life's deepest questions.
For that kindness, I can never repay you.
The only repayment I know is to try, however imperfectly, to assist your mission and serve your devotees.
Please continue to guide me so that wherever I travel physically, I never lose sight of the real destination: service to Krishna and His devotees.
Thank you very much for your causeless mercy.
Begging to humbly serve you and your disciples,
Servant of your servant,
Rudrarama Pandit das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and unto your lotus feet.
Recently I traveled overseas to visit my family for the first time in seven years.
As the airplane departed, I experienced mixed emotions. I felt excitement to see my family again after such a long separation. At the same time, I felt sadness knowing that I would be entering once again into family conflicts and material complexities.
Similarly, I felt excitement to visit temples and see Krishna in new and beautiful forms, yet sadness to temporarily leave behind my devotee community and services in New Zealand.
While sitting on the airplane, I was listening to your classes and a question entered my mind:
"Where is this airplane taking me?"
Physically the answer was obvious.
The airplane was taking me to Japan.
But internally, where was I going?
Toward happiness?
Toward sadness?
Toward attachment?
Toward remembrance?
The destination itself seemed neutral. Japan was neither causing my happiness nor my distress. Rather, I was carrying my own attachments, expectations, memories and fears with me.
Then I began to reflect on deeper questions.
Who am I?
What is truth?
Where am I ultimately heading?
In this life I identify myself in many ways.
At different times I think of myself as a son, husband, employee, friend, community member, disciple, or Japanese citizen.
Yet all these identities change according to time, place and circumstance.
Who then is the person experiencing all these changing roles?
Srimad Bhagavatam states:
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."
(SB 11.3.21)
We all encounter these questions at some point in our lives.
Whom shall we ask?
Parents?
Teachers?
Friends?
Technology?
Or perhaps people who themselves are still searching?
How fortunate we are that Krishna sends His representatives into this world.
Guru Maharaja, one statement of yours has remained with me:
"The goal of yoga is to purify the false self and bring out the real self."
Again and again, through your lectures, books, conversations and personal example, you guide us back to the essential question of our real identity.
When I become absorbed in temporary designations and attachments, your teachings help me remember the difference between the changing circumstances of life and the unchanging spiritual self.
Srimad Bhagavatam also states:
durlabho mānuṣo deho dehināṁ kṣaṇa-bhaṅguraḥ
"The human body is rarely achieved and may be lost at any moment."
(SB 11.2.29)
By your mercy, I am gradually learning not to waste this rare opportunity simply travelling from one material destination to another, but instead to move toward Krishna.
You have spent decades travelling around the world so that conditioned souls like me can find genuine answers to life's deepest questions.
For that kindness, I can never repay you.
The only repayment I know is to try, however imperfectly, to assist your mission and serve your devotees.
Please continue to guide me so that wherever I travel physically, I never lose sight of the real destination: service to Krishna and His devotees.
Thank you very much for your causeless mercy.
Begging to humbly serve you and your disciples,
Servant of your servant,
Rudrarama Pandit das
Ruhan Verma
A Humble Offering on the Auspicious Occasion of Your Vyas Puja
Dearmost Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
When I first heard your lecture, I felt you were like a bird — one that I feared would fly away the moment I tried to come closer. I admired you from a distance, yet somewhere within me, I wondered whether I would ever be fortunate enough to receive your shelter.
When I met you for the first time, I carried so many questions and apprehensions. I feared being judged, and I did not know whether I was worthy of your mercy. Yet, Gurudev, you came towards me like that very bird I had imagined, except this time, you chose to stay.
And instead of questioning my shortcomings, you simply asked, “How can I help?”
Those words meant more to me than I can express. They touched something deep within my heart. In that moment, my focus began to shift from what I could receive to what I could offer. I began to understand that the real aspiration is not simply to seek shelter, but to become an instrument in the service of Guru and Krishna — to serve selflessly and sincerely follow your instructions.
A little poem for you, Gurudev
You came when my life was at its lowest,
Or perhaps, just before a storm began to rise.
As though you knew that the road ahead
Would be one where I would need your shelter by my side.
You are like a mysterious lantern
That appears when your disciples need light the most,
A gentle reminder that even in the darkest moments,
We are never beyond the reach of Krishna’s mercy.
And you are like a fabric, Gurudev,
That once woven can never be the same again.
For when your compassion enters a heart,
It leaves an imprint that time cannot erase.
Your willingness to accept me has been so merciful. I could not see myself as worthy of your protection, yet you continued to extend your kindness and give me the opportunity to come closer. Where I saw my insignificance, you offered me a chance to serve.
Gurudev, thank you for choosing this insignificant spark and allowing it to remain close to your shelter. I pray that this spark may one day become useful in your service, rather than simply seeking its own light.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani, and to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, to bless you with unlimited strength, sound health and continued inspiration to guide us all on the path of bhakti.
Please bless me with the sincerity to follow your instructions, the humility to accept your guidance, the patience to overcome my shortcomings, and the determination to serve you without seeking recognition or personal gain.
I eagerly await your instructions and pray for the opportunity to assist you in your mission, in whatever capacity you deem fit. May I never forget that the greatest fortune is not merely to have found a spiritual master, but to become a sincere servant who strives to bring joy to his heart through service to Sri Krishna.
Thank you, Gurudev, for giving this insignificant soul a chance.
Your aspiring servant,
Hare Krishna 🙏
Dearmost Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
When I first heard your lecture, I felt you were like a bird — one that I feared would fly away the moment I tried to come closer. I admired you from a distance, yet somewhere within me, I wondered whether I would ever be fortunate enough to receive your shelter.
When I met you for the first time, I carried so many questions and apprehensions. I feared being judged, and I did not know whether I was worthy of your mercy. Yet, Gurudev, you came towards me like that very bird I had imagined, except this time, you chose to stay.
And instead of questioning my shortcomings, you simply asked, “How can I help?”
Those words meant more to me than I can express. They touched something deep within my heart. In that moment, my focus began to shift from what I could receive to what I could offer. I began to understand that the real aspiration is not simply to seek shelter, but to become an instrument in the service of Guru and Krishna — to serve selflessly and sincerely follow your instructions.
A little poem for you, Gurudev
You came when my life was at its lowest,
Or perhaps, just before a storm began to rise.
As though you knew that the road ahead
Would be one where I would need your shelter by my side.
You are like a mysterious lantern
That appears when your disciples need light the most,
A gentle reminder that even in the darkest moments,
We are never beyond the reach of Krishna’s mercy.
And you are like a fabric, Gurudev,
That once woven can never be the same again.
For when your compassion enters a heart,
It leaves an imprint that time cannot erase.
Your willingness to accept me has been so merciful. I could not see myself as worthy of your protection, yet you continued to extend your kindness and give me the opportunity to come closer. Where I saw my insignificance, you offered me a chance to serve.
Gurudev, thank you for choosing this insignificant spark and allowing it to remain close to your shelter. I pray that this spark may one day become useful in your service, rather than simply seeking its own light.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyas Puja, I pray to Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani, and to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, to bless you with unlimited strength, sound health and continued inspiration to guide us all on the path of bhakti.
Please bless me with the sincerity to follow your instructions, the humility to accept your guidance, the patience to overcome my shortcomings, and the determination to serve you without seeking recognition or personal gain.
I eagerly await your instructions and pray for the opportunity to assist you in your mission, in whatever capacity you deem fit. May I never forget that the greatest fortune is not merely to have found a spiritual master, but to become a sincere servant who strives to bring joy to his heart through service to Sri Krishna.
Thank you, Gurudev, for giving this insignificant soul a chance.
Your aspiring servant,
Hare Krishna 🙏
Rukmiṇī-Haraṇa Devī Dāsī
Śrīla Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Gurudeva! All glories to your causeless mercy!
On this most auspicious and sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet. Although words can never fully express the depth of my feelings, I wish to make a humble attempt to express how much your mercy means to me and how profoundly your presence has changed my life.
Śrīla Gurudeva, when I look at myself, I see an ordinary person with so many shortcomings, imperfections, and limitations. I often wonder how someone as unqualified as me could receive so much mercy. Yet, when I reflect on the mercy that I have received from Kṛṣṇa through His devotees, and especially through you, I feel extraordinarily blessed. It makes me feel special, not because I possess any special qualification, but because I have been given something so precious that I could never have earned or deserved on my own.
This realization fills my heart with gratitude and humility. It reminds me that spiritual life is not about how qualified I consider myself to be, but about how merciful Kṛṣṇa and His devotees are. Whatever little faith, inspiration, or desire to serve I have is itself a gift. And receiving your mercy has given me renewed hope that, despite all my shortcomings, I too can make progress on this path of bhakti.
Śrīla Gurudeva, one of the greatest gifts I have received through your mercy is the gift of initiation.
For a long time, I carried doubts within my heart. I never truly felt qualified to receive initiation. I would often wonder whether I was ready, whether I was sincere enough, and whether I possessed the necessary determination to accept such a sacred responsibility. A part of me would think that perhaps I needed more time, that perhaps I needed to become a better devotee first.
But your mercy was greater than my doubts. By your kindness, I received initiation even though I did not consider myself qualified for it. When I look back, I realize that if I had waited until I felt completely qualified, I might have continued waiting indefinitely. Your mercy gave me the opportunity to take a step that I was hesitant to take on my own.
I cannot thank you enough for this gift.
I understand that initiation is not merely a ceremony or the receiving of a spiritual name. It is the beginning of a deeper commitment—a renewed life of surrender, responsibility, service, and dedication to the path of bhakti. It is a sacred reminder that my life is no longer meant to revolve only around my own desires, but should gradually become an offering to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His devotees.
I had heard that initiation is like receiving a new birth, but when I experienced it myself, I began to understand the feeling behind those words. Something within me felt renewed. It was as though a new chapter of my spiritual life had begun, bringing with it a fresh sense of purpose, enthusiasm, and responsibility.
The enthusiasm I had felt within me seemed to return with even greater strength. It was not simply happiness about receiving a name; it was the feeling that I had been entrusted with something sacred. I felt a renewed desire to serve, to practise more sincerely, to become more conscious of my thoughts and actions, and to make my life meaningful in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
I know that enthusiasm may rise and fall, and that the real test of devotion is to remain committed even when the heart feels dry or the mind becomes distracted. Yet I pray that this renewed inspiration will not remain a temporary emotion. May it mature into steady determination, sincere practice, and unwavering dedication. May I never forget the responsibility that comes with the mercy I have received.
And then there is my name, Śrīla Gurudeva—Rukmiṇī Haraṇa Devī Dāsī.
This name has become especially dear to my heart. It is no longer merely a name by which I am addressed; it has become a personal reminder of the kind of heart I wish to develop and the kind of devotee I aspire to become.
My parents were extremely happy to be present on this auspicious occasion and felt truly blessed to be personally greeted by you. It was a very special and memorable moment for them, and I feel deeply grateful that they could experience your warmth and mercy.
Every morning, as I begin my prayers, there is one prayer that I wish to share with you:
“Just as Rukmiṇī's heart never wavered from Kṛṣṇa, may my heart remain fixed in devotion and service, trusting in Kṛṣṇa's protection and guidance.”
Śrīla Gurudeva, this prayer expresses a longing that is very dear to me. I pray that, just as Śrīmatī Rukmiṇī Devī's heart was firmly devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa, my heart may also become firmly attached to Him. May my faith not be shaken by the circumstances of life. May my devotion not depend on whether things happen according to my wishes. May I learn to trust Kṛṣṇa even when I do not understand His plans, and may I continue to take shelter of Him through every joy, difficulty, uncertainty, and challenge.
I know that my heart is not yet as steady as I would like it to be. My mind can become distracted, my determination can weaken, and my material conditioning can stand in the way of my spiritual aspirations. But whenever I remember the meaning of my name and repeat this prayer, I am reminded of the person I want to become.
I want my name to inspire my actions. I want it to remind me to choose devotion over distraction, service over selfishness, humility over pride, and faith over doubt. I want to become someone whose heart naturally seeks Kṛṣṇa's shelter and whose happiness comes from serving Him and pleasing His devotees.
I pray that one day this aspiration will become more than a beautiful thought in my morning prayers. May it become the way I live, the way I think, the way I respond to others, and the way I offer every part of my life to Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Gurudeva, your life itself is an inspiration to me.
When I think about how I wish to live my life in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I look towards you for inspiration. Your example reminds me that spiritual life is not simply about speaking beautiful words or experiencing occasional moments of enthusiasm. It is about living with a genuine commitment to Kṛṣṇa, serving with sincerity, and making every effort to remain connected to the devotional path.
I know that I have a long way to go. I have so much to learn, so many habits to improve, and so many aspects of my heart that need to be purified. Sometimes I may not even recognize my own shortcomings. At other times, I may recognize them but struggle to overcome them. Nevertheless, I pray that I will never lose the desire to improve.
I want to follow in your footsteps, not merely by admiring your example, but by sincerely trying to imbibe the values you represent. I want to become more humble, more compassionate, more responsible, and more dedicated to devotional service. I want my spiritual practice to make me a better servant of Kṛṣṇa and a more caring and considerate servant of His devotees.
Most importantly, I want to make the best possible use of the mercy you have given me.
I do not want to take this opportunity for granted. I do not want the sacred gift of initiation to become something I remember only on special occasions. I want to remember it every day, especially when I feel unmotivated, distracted, or discouraged. I want to remind myself that I have received a precious opportunity, and that my responsibility is to nurture it through sincere sādhana, attentive chanting, faithful hearing, service, and a constant desire to improve.
I pray that I may never become complacent about the mercy I have received. Rather, may it make me increasingly grateful and eager to serve.
Śrīla Gurudeva, if there is one thing I wish to ask of you on this auspicious day, it is that I may always remain connected to your instructions and blessings. Please pray for me that I may develop genuine attachment to the holy name, deepen my faith in the Vaiṣṇava teachings, and cultivate a sincere desire to serve Kṛṣṇa without expecting anything in return.
Please pray for me that I may have the strength to continue even when spiritual life feels difficult, the humility to accept correction, the intelligence to learn from my mistakes, and the sincerity to keep trying even when my progress seems slow.
Please pray for me that I may never allow my imperfections to become an excuse for giving up, nor allow any spiritual progress to become a reason for pride. May I always remember that whatever good qualities develop within me are possible only by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the Vaiṣṇavas, and my spiritual master.
And when I inevitably fall short of my own aspirations, may I remember to begin again with humility, faith, and determination.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heart at your lotus feet with deep gratitude.
I cannot fully express how much initiation has changed my life for the better. I cannot measure the value of the spiritual identity you have helped me receive, nor can I adequately express the renewed enthusiasm and sense of responsibility it has awakened within me. I can only pray that I will honour this gift by sincerely striving to live according to the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
My greatest aspiration is not simply to become someone who has received initiation, but to become someone whose life gradually reflects the purpose of that initiation. I want to develop more love for Kṛṣṇa, more appreciation for His devotees, and a deeper desire to serve without selfish motives. I want to become more conscious of how I use my time, how I speak, how I treat others, and how I respond to the opportunities for service that come my way.
I know that love for Kṛṣṇa cannot be manufactured by my own efforts alone. Yet I pray that I may continue making sincere efforts, trusting that by the mercy of the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas, even my small attempts may gradually become meaningful service.
If one day I can look back and see that I have become a little more sincere, a little more humble, a little more steady in my chanting, and a little more eager to serve Kṛṣṇa and His devotees, I will consider that a great blessing.
May I never forget where this renewed journey began and whose mercy made it possible.
All glories to your causeless mercy, Śrīla Gurudeva. All glories to the sacred opportunity you have given me. All glories to the devotees through whom Kṛṣṇa's mercy reaches us, even when we do not recognize how much we need it.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I pray at your lotus feet that you may continue to bless me with the strength, sincerity, and determination to walk this path with faith and enthusiasm. May I always remain eager to learn, ready to serve, and willing to surrender my heart more deeply to Kṛṣṇa.
May my spiritual name always remind me of my highest aspiration. May my morning prayer become the prayer of my entire life. And may every day bring me one step closer to developing genuine love for Kṛṣṇa.
I may be an ordinary person with many imperfections, but by your mercy, I have been given an extraordinary opportunity. I pray that I may never forget this, and that I may spend my life trying to become worthy of the trust and responsibility that come with it.
Thank you, Śrīla Gurudeva, for giving me hope when I doubted myself, for accepting me despite my perceived lack of qualification, and for inspiring me to begin this new chapter of my spiritual life with renewed enthusiasm.
I have also begun learning musical instruments with the heartfelt desire to serve through kīrtana. By your blessings and Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, I pray that I may continue to learn and glorify the holy names with enthusiasm and devotion until my very last breath. May my life always be dedicated to singing Kṛṣṇa’s glories and serving Him with love.
I pray that I may always remain sheltered at your lotus feet and learn, little by little, how to serve Kṛṣṇa with a sincere and loving heart.
Śrīla Gurudeva, I sincerely pray to Śrī Kṛṣṇa for your good health and well-being
Please forgive my shortcomings and bless me so that I may continue making progress on the path of bhakti, under your guidance and the shelter of the Vaiṣṇavas.
With deep gratitude, heartfelt prayers, and humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
Your aspiring servant,
Rukmiṇī Haraṇa Devī Dāsī
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Gurudeva! All glories to your causeless mercy!
On this most auspicious and sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet. Although words can never fully express the depth of my feelings, I wish to make a humble attempt to express how much your mercy means to me and how profoundly your presence has changed my life.
Śrīla Gurudeva, when I look at myself, I see an ordinary person with so many shortcomings, imperfections, and limitations. I often wonder how someone as unqualified as me could receive so much mercy. Yet, when I reflect on the mercy that I have received from Kṛṣṇa through His devotees, and especially through you, I feel extraordinarily blessed. It makes me feel special, not because I possess any special qualification, but because I have been given something so precious that I could never have earned or deserved on my own.
This realization fills my heart with gratitude and humility. It reminds me that spiritual life is not about how qualified I consider myself to be, but about how merciful Kṛṣṇa and His devotees are. Whatever little faith, inspiration, or desire to serve I have is itself a gift. And receiving your mercy has given me renewed hope that, despite all my shortcomings, I too can make progress on this path of bhakti.
Śrīla Gurudeva, one of the greatest gifts I have received through your mercy is the gift of initiation.
For a long time, I carried doubts within my heart. I never truly felt qualified to receive initiation. I would often wonder whether I was ready, whether I was sincere enough, and whether I possessed the necessary determination to accept such a sacred responsibility. A part of me would think that perhaps I needed more time, that perhaps I needed to become a better devotee first.
But your mercy was greater than my doubts. By your kindness, I received initiation even though I did not consider myself qualified for it. When I look back, I realize that if I had waited until I felt completely qualified, I might have continued waiting indefinitely. Your mercy gave me the opportunity to take a step that I was hesitant to take on my own.
I cannot thank you enough for this gift.
I understand that initiation is not merely a ceremony or the receiving of a spiritual name. It is the beginning of a deeper commitment—a renewed life of surrender, responsibility, service, and dedication to the path of bhakti. It is a sacred reminder that my life is no longer meant to revolve only around my own desires, but should gradually become an offering to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His devotees.
I had heard that initiation is like receiving a new birth, but when I experienced it myself, I began to understand the feeling behind those words. Something within me felt renewed. It was as though a new chapter of my spiritual life had begun, bringing with it a fresh sense of purpose, enthusiasm, and responsibility.
The enthusiasm I had felt within me seemed to return with even greater strength. It was not simply happiness about receiving a name; it was the feeling that I had been entrusted with something sacred. I felt a renewed desire to serve, to practise more sincerely, to become more conscious of my thoughts and actions, and to make my life meaningful in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
I know that enthusiasm may rise and fall, and that the real test of devotion is to remain committed even when the heart feels dry or the mind becomes distracted. Yet I pray that this renewed inspiration will not remain a temporary emotion. May it mature into steady determination, sincere practice, and unwavering dedication. May I never forget the responsibility that comes with the mercy I have received.
And then there is my name, Śrīla Gurudeva—Rukmiṇī Haraṇa Devī Dāsī.
This name has become especially dear to my heart. It is no longer merely a name by which I am addressed; it has become a personal reminder of the kind of heart I wish to develop and the kind of devotee I aspire to become.
My parents were extremely happy to be present on this auspicious occasion and felt truly blessed to be personally greeted by you. It was a very special and memorable moment for them, and I feel deeply grateful that they could experience your warmth and mercy.
Every morning, as I begin my prayers, there is one prayer that I wish to share with you:
“Just as Rukmiṇī's heart never wavered from Kṛṣṇa, may my heart remain fixed in devotion and service, trusting in Kṛṣṇa's protection and guidance.”
Śrīla Gurudeva, this prayer expresses a longing that is very dear to me. I pray that, just as Śrīmatī Rukmiṇī Devī's heart was firmly devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa, my heart may also become firmly attached to Him. May my faith not be shaken by the circumstances of life. May my devotion not depend on whether things happen according to my wishes. May I learn to trust Kṛṣṇa even when I do not understand His plans, and may I continue to take shelter of Him through every joy, difficulty, uncertainty, and challenge.
I know that my heart is not yet as steady as I would like it to be. My mind can become distracted, my determination can weaken, and my material conditioning can stand in the way of my spiritual aspirations. But whenever I remember the meaning of my name and repeat this prayer, I am reminded of the person I want to become.
I want my name to inspire my actions. I want it to remind me to choose devotion over distraction, service over selfishness, humility over pride, and faith over doubt. I want to become someone whose heart naturally seeks Kṛṣṇa's shelter and whose happiness comes from serving Him and pleasing His devotees.
I pray that one day this aspiration will become more than a beautiful thought in my morning prayers. May it become the way I live, the way I think, the way I respond to others, and the way I offer every part of my life to Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Gurudeva, your life itself is an inspiration to me.
When I think about how I wish to live my life in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, I look towards you for inspiration. Your example reminds me that spiritual life is not simply about speaking beautiful words or experiencing occasional moments of enthusiasm. It is about living with a genuine commitment to Kṛṣṇa, serving with sincerity, and making every effort to remain connected to the devotional path.
I know that I have a long way to go. I have so much to learn, so many habits to improve, and so many aspects of my heart that need to be purified. Sometimes I may not even recognize my own shortcomings. At other times, I may recognize them but struggle to overcome them. Nevertheless, I pray that I will never lose the desire to improve.
I want to follow in your footsteps, not merely by admiring your example, but by sincerely trying to imbibe the values you represent. I want to become more humble, more compassionate, more responsible, and more dedicated to devotional service. I want my spiritual practice to make me a better servant of Kṛṣṇa and a more caring and considerate servant of His devotees.
Most importantly, I want to make the best possible use of the mercy you have given me.
I do not want to take this opportunity for granted. I do not want the sacred gift of initiation to become something I remember only on special occasions. I want to remember it every day, especially when I feel unmotivated, distracted, or discouraged. I want to remind myself that I have received a precious opportunity, and that my responsibility is to nurture it through sincere sādhana, attentive chanting, faithful hearing, service, and a constant desire to improve.
I pray that I may never become complacent about the mercy I have received. Rather, may it make me increasingly grateful and eager to serve.
Śrīla Gurudeva, if there is one thing I wish to ask of you on this auspicious day, it is that I may always remain connected to your instructions and blessings. Please pray for me that I may develop genuine attachment to the holy name, deepen my faith in the Vaiṣṇava teachings, and cultivate a sincere desire to serve Kṛṣṇa without expecting anything in return.
Please pray for me that I may have the strength to continue even when spiritual life feels difficult, the humility to accept correction, the intelligence to learn from my mistakes, and the sincerity to keep trying even when my progress seems slow.
Please pray for me that I may never allow my imperfections to become an excuse for giving up, nor allow any spiritual progress to become a reason for pride. May I always remember that whatever good qualities develop within me are possible only by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the Vaiṣṇavas, and my spiritual master.
And when I inevitably fall short of my own aspirations, may I remember to begin again with humility, faith, and determination.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heart at your lotus feet with deep gratitude.
I cannot fully express how much initiation has changed my life for the better. I cannot measure the value of the spiritual identity you have helped me receive, nor can I adequately express the renewed enthusiasm and sense of responsibility it has awakened within me. I can only pray that I will honour this gift by sincerely striving to live according to the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
My greatest aspiration is not simply to become someone who has received initiation, but to become someone whose life gradually reflects the purpose of that initiation. I want to develop more love for Kṛṣṇa, more appreciation for His devotees, and a deeper desire to serve without selfish motives. I want to become more conscious of how I use my time, how I speak, how I treat others, and how I respond to the opportunities for service that come my way.
I know that love for Kṛṣṇa cannot be manufactured by my own efforts alone. Yet I pray that I may continue making sincere efforts, trusting that by the mercy of the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas, even my small attempts may gradually become meaningful service.
If one day I can look back and see that I have become a little more sincere, a little more humble, a little more steady in my chanting, and a little more eager to serve Kṛṣṇa and His devotees, I will consider that a great blessing.
May I never forget where this renewed journey began and whose mercy made it possible.
All glories to your causeless mercy, Śrīla Gurudeva. All glories to the sacred opportunity you have given me. All glories to the devotees through whom Kṛṣṇa's mercy reaches us, even when we do not recognize how much we need it.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I pray at your lotus feet that you may continue to bless me with the strength, sincerity, and determination to walk this path with faith and enthusiasm. May I always remain eager to learn, ready to serve, and willing to surrender my heart more deeply to Kṛṣṇa.
May my spiritual name always remind me of my highest aspiration. May my morning prayer become the prayer of my entire life. And may every day bring me one step closer to developing genuine love for Kṛṣṇa.
I may be an ordinary person with many imperfections, but by your mercy, I have been given an extraordinary opportunity. I pray that I may never forget this, and that I may spend my life trying to become worthy of the trust and responsibility that come with it.
Thank you, Śrīla Gurudeva, for giving me hope when I doubted myself, for accepting me despite my perceived lack of qualification, and for inspiring me to begin this new chapter of my spiritual life with renewed enthusiasm.
I have also begun learning musical instruments with the heartfelt desire to serve through kīrtana. By your blessings and Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, I pray that I may continue to learn and glorify the holy names with enthusiasm and devotion until my very last breath. May my life always be dedicated to singing Kṛṣṇa’s glories and serving Him with love.
I pray that I may always remain sheltered at your lotus feet and learn, little by little, how to serve Kṛṣṇa with a sincere and loving heart.
Śrīla Gurudeva, I sincerely pray to Śrī Kṛṣṇa for your good health and well-being
Please forgive my shortcomings and bless me so that I may continue making progress on the path of bhakti, under your guidance and the shelter of the Vaiṣṇavas.
With deep gratitude, heartfelt prayers, and humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
Your aspiring servant,
Rukmiṇī Haraṇa Devī Dāsī
Rupamrita-sindhu 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, Madhurya and I went on pilgrimage to Vrndavan and Jagannath Puri. This was in answer to my prayers to you and Krishna at this time last year. This was my 2nd time at Jagannath Puri and the first for Madhurya. In Vrndavan (which we went with my cousin and his 2 daughters) we had the benefit of a wonderful guide who made it so much more inspirational. We also did the Govardhan parikrama, but not on foot.
This year, we are praying to You and Krishna to give us another opportunity to go to Jagannath Puri and Vrndavan, again.
This year was also extra special because we got Your personal association in Gita Nagari, during the Recharge Retreat. 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. When we had our personal darshan with You, one of Your instructions was for me to read the Srimad Bhagavatham at least for an hour, every day. I am grateful for Your instructions. I have been diligently doing the Srimad Bhagavatham reading every day, as per Your instruction.
We are praying that next year You will come to Dallas and to grace Radha Kalachandji Dham with your presence and to bless the Dallas devotees.
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 enthusiastically 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
Oct 15, 2026
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, Madhurya and I went on pilgrimage to Vrndavan and Jagannath Puri. This was in answer to my prayers to you and Krishna at this time last year. This was my 2nd time at Jagannath Puri and the first for Madhurya. In Vrndavan (which we went with my cousin and his 2 daughters) we had the benefit of a wonderful guide who made it so much more inspirational. We also did the Govardhan parikrama, but not on foot.
This year, we are praying to You and Krishna to give us another opportunity to go to Jagannath Puri and Vrndavan, again.
This year was also extra special because we got Your personal association in Gita Nagari, during the Recharge Retreat. 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. When we had our personal darshan with You, one of Your instructions was for me to read the Srimad Bhagavatham at least for an hour, every day. I am grateful for Your instructions. I have been diligently doing the Srimad Bhagavatham reading every day, as per Your instruction.
We are praying that next year You will come to Dallas and to grace Radha Kalachandji Dham with your presence and to bless the Dallas devotees.
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 enthusiastically 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
Oct 15, 2026
Sammohini Devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Nama on visnu-padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
When I was a new devotee, you encouraged me to stay among the devotees, seek their association, and learn from them. As I travelled alone around the world, you kindly gave me a place to stay and an opportunity to serve. I will always be grateful for your care and guidance.
Guru Maharaja, you have been teaching me from the very beginning and helping me understand that our spiritual journey is not only about finding answers for our own spiritual nourishment. An important part of our realisation comes when we go out to preach and share with others what we have received and discovered through Krishna consciousness.
Throughout the years, you have worked so hard to train young boys and girls to become exemplary human beings and, in the future, exemplary husbands, wives, and parents. The training is full-on, but it is also a lot of fun! There is so much to do, so much to learn, and so much to give in the process of Krishna consciousness.
While living in New Zealand, I have admired the way you manage so many people and help them grow spiritually. You genuinely care for everyone, guiding your disciples and giving them personal instructions according to their needs. I admire how much effort you put into prioritising everything that truly matters in order to build better lives and a better world.
Last year, after ten years away, I decided to attend the New Zealand retreat and reunite with my Godfamily, whose association had inspired me so much eighteen years ago. I really needed that recharge—to reconnect with them, receive their association, and find fresh inspiration through your wonderful classes.
One thing you mentioned at the retreat particularly stayed with me. You spoke about the number of books distributed every year and how, during Srila Prabhupada's book marathons, the numbers continue to increase, yet this does not necessarily reflect how many new people are actually taking up the process of Krishna consciousness.
You told us not to feel discouraged, not to lose our enthusiasm, and not to become attached to the results. Our duty is to do our very best to distribute this transcendental knowledge and share Srila Prabhupada's books with others. What happens after someone receives a book is not entirely in our hands. We already know how powerful Srila Prabhupada's books are and how they can transform someone's life. By placing a book in someone's hands, we are giving them an opportunity—a chance to change their life. Your words encouraged us to keep trying, keep serving, and never lose our desire to help others.
I can see how strong your commitment to Lord Caitanya's mission is through the directness of your instructions and the determination with which you preach to us. You do not allow us to become complacent; instead, you constantly remind us of what is important and encourage us to put our spiritual understanding into practice.
You often speak about the importance of quality in our chanting. I especially remember how, when my mother was experiencing so many health problems and difficulties remembering things, you reassured her not to worry so much about remembering everything or about reading, but simply to please chant. By your mercy and blessings, she is now an initiated devotee who has been chanting twenty rounds daily for the past sixteen years. This is something very special to me, and I will always be grateful for your personal care and encouragement.
In the brahmachari and brahmacharini ashramas, you also emphasise the importance of reading for at least two hours every day. Again and again, you remind us of the importance of preaching, organising programmes for Western audiences, maintaining a constant book-distribution marathon, opening new centres, distributing prasadam, growing organic food, establishing farms, and protecting cows.
I feel deeply inspired by how much you do and by the way you show us, through your own example, what matters most. You do not simply tell us what we should be doing; you demonstrate it through your dedication, hard work, and tireless service. Your example reminds me that Krishna consciousness is something to live, practise, and share with others with all our heart.
And, of course, this year my offering was to make the cake for your Vyasa Puja! Please forgive my little joke, Gurudeva! 😊
Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your guidance, your personal care, your instructions, and your constant encouragement. Thank you for continuing to inspire us to become better devotees and to use our lives in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.
With heartfelt gratitude and prayers to always remain under your guidance,
Your eternal servant,
Sammohini dd
Nama on visnu-padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
When I was a new devotee, you encouraged me to stay among the devotees, seek their association, and learn from them. As I travelled alone around the world, you kindly gave me a place to stay and an opportunity to serve. I will always be grateful for your care and guidance.
Guru Maharaja, you have been teaching me from the very beginning and helping me understand that our spiritual journey is not only about finding answers for our own spiritual nourishment. An important part of our realisation comes when we go out to preach and share with others what we have received and discovered through Krishna consciousness.
Throughout the years, you have worked so hard to train young boys and girls to become exemplary human beings and, in the future, exemplary husbands, wives, and parents. The training is full-on, but it is also a lot of fun! There is so much to do, so much to learn, and so much to give in the process of Krishna consciousness.
While living in New Zealand, I have admired the way you manage so many people and help them grow spiritually. You genuinely care for everyone, guiding your disciples and giving them personal instructions according to their needs. I admire how much effort you put into prioritising everything that truly matters in order to build better lives and a better world.
Last year, after ten years away, I decided to attend the New Zealand retreat and reunite with my Godfamily, whose association had inspired me so much eighteen years ago. I really needed that recharge—to reconnect with them, receive their association, and find fresh inspiration through your wonderful classes.
One thing you mentioned at the retreat particularly stayed with me. You spoke about the number of books distributed every year and how, during Srila Prabhupada's book marathons, the numbers continue to increase, yet this does not necessarily reflect how many new people are actually taking up the process of Krishna consciousness.
You told us not to feel discouraged, not to lose our enthusiasm, and not to become attached to the results. Our duty is to do our very best to distribute this transcendental knowledge and share Srila Prabhupada's books with others. What happens after someone receives a book is not entirely in our hands. We already know how powerful Srila Prabhupada's books are and how they can transform someone's life. By placing a book in someone's hands, we are giving them an opportunity—a chance to change their life. Your words encouraged us to keep trying, keep serving, and never lose our desire to help others.
I can see how strong your commitment to Lord Caitanya's mission is through the directness of your instructions and the determination with which you preach to us. You do not allow us to become complacent; instead, you constantly remind us of what is important and encourage us to put our spiritual understanding into practice.
You often speak about the importance of quality in our chanting. I especially remember how, when my mother was experiencing so many health problems and difficulties remembering things, you reassured her not to worry so much about remembering everything or about reading, but simply to please chant. By your mercy and blessings, she is now an initiated devotee who has been chanting twenty rounds daily for the past sixteen years. This is something very special to me, and I will always be grateful for your personal care and encouragement.
In the brahmachari and brahmacharini ashramas, you also emphasise the importance of reading for at least two hours every day. Again and again, you remind us of the importance of preaching, organising programmes for Western audiences, maintaining a constant book-distribution marathon, opening new centres, distributing prasadam, growing organic food, establishing farms, and protecting cows.
I feel deeply inspired by how much you do and by the way you show us, through your own example, what matters most. You do not simply tell us what we should be doing; you demonstrate it through your dedication, hard work, and tireless service. Your example reminds me that Krishna consciousness is something to live, practise, and share with others with all our heart.
And, of course, this year my offering was to make the cake for your Vyasa Puja! Please forgive my little joke, Gurudeva! 😊
Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your guidance, your personal care, your instructions, and your constant encouragement. Thank you for continuing to inspire us to become better devotees and to use our lives in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.
With heartfelt gratitude and prayers to always remain under your guidance,
Your eternal servant,
Sammohini dd
Sandrananda dd
Dear Gurudeva,
In such a degraded time, I was thinking and wondering how can it be that there is shelter for conditioned spirit souls like me, wishing to return back to Godhead. People including myself are so meagre in their faculties to understand anything spiritual or material. And I am lacking in any good qualities and have forgotten how to show love even materially . Somehow in all this mess despite our forgetfulness of the compassion and authority of the disciplic succession, you open our eyes and give encouragement to go forward. This is certainly a huge accomplishment which no doubt took so much labour of love and mercy to actualise. I beg that one day I will truly understand the huge undertaking you have taken on to save many souls on their path to liberation and/or devotional service. I hope to have the chance to feel what you feel that makes your mind so concrete and set on serving the divine Lordships and their humble servants by helping and nurturing more and more devotees. This is real love. The soul is constitutionally pleasure seeking but the pleasure of society friendship and family life in the material world is like a drop of water, never satisfying, and our hearts desire pleasure like an ocean. You have given us the higher taste and the best example for wherever you go, who ever you meet tell them about Krishna. You are the best preacher. It is unconceivable good fortune to serve you and the devotees and thus swim in the necterian ocean of love of Krishna.
Even today you are giving us mercy just by the act of accepting written offerings to encourage us and give us the chance to glorify devotional service (Krishna Consciousness)
Your mercy is everything to us.
I’m praying to Lord Caitanya for his mercy and forgiveness for my offences.
Please engage me in your humble service.
Your servant
Sandrananda dd
In such a degraded time, I was thinking and wondering how can it be that there is shelter for conditioned spirit souls like me, wishing to return back to Godhead. People including myself are so meagre in their faculties to understand anything spiritual or material. And I am lacking in any good qualities and have forgotten how to show love even materially . Somehow in all this mess despite our forgetfulness of the compassion and authority of the disciplic succession, you open our eyes and give encouragement to go forward. This is certainly a huge accomplishment which no doubt took so much labour of love and mercy to actualise. I beg that one day I will truly understand the huge undertaking you have taken on to save many souls on their path to liberation and/or devotional service. I hope to have the chance to feel what you feel that makes your mind so concrete and set on serving the divine Lordships and their humble servants by helping and nurturing more and more devotees. This is real love. The soul is constitutionally pleasure seeking but the pleasure of society friendship and family life in the material world is like a drop of water, never satisfying, and our hearts desire pleasure like an ocean. You have given us the higher taste and the best example for wherever you go, who ever you meet tell them about Krishna. You are the best preacher. It is unconceivable good fortune to serve you and the devotees and thus swim in the necterian ocean of love of Krishna.
Even today you are giving us mercy just by the act of accepting written offerings to encourage us and give us the chance to glorify devotional service (Krishna Consciousness)
Your mercy is everything to us.
I’m praying to Lord Caitanya for his mercy and forgiveness for my offences.
Please engage me in your humble service.
Your servant
Sandrananda dd
Sangita Vidya 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
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
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.
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you, who scompassionately guide and uplift fallen souls like myself.
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 last year. I still remember when I saw you first time in 2021 at one of the program at D- celebration center that time I was not aware who you were but in my mind i was already surrender to you and was thinking that whoever you are i wanted to hear you for life long. And because of your mercy it happened. And second time when I saw you in the Temple that time you were giving Bhagvatam class and I was listening and thinking and praying Krishna that if you really listening me today so can you please tell my Guru Maharaj to say something to me today and it literally happened on that day, when you were going out from the temple room and I was standing there and yousaid Hare Krishna to me on that day and I literally cried on that day that Krishna really heard me.
And now last year you accept me as your Disciple and connect me with the paramapara.
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
Sangita Vidya Devi Dasi
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
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.
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you, who scompassionately guide and uplift fallen souls like myself.
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 last year. I still remember when I saw you first time in 2021 at one of the program at D- celebration center that time I was not aware who you were but in my mind i was already surrender to you and was thinking that whoever you are i wanted to hear you for life long. And because of your mercy it happened. And second time when I saw you in the Temple that time you were giving Bhagvatam class and I was listening and thinking and praying Krishna that if you really listening me today so can you please tell my Guru Maharaj to say something to me today and it literally happened on that day, when you were going out from the temple room and I was standing there and yousaid Hare Krishna to me on that day and I literally cried on that day that Krishna really heard me.
And now last year you accept me as your Disciple and connect me with the paramapara.
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
Sangita Vidya Devi Dasi
Sarva Rasa das
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
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance’s in your lotus feet.
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On this extremely auspicious occasion—Your Vyasa-puja—I feel truly happy to write to You.
I am deeply grateful to you for bestowing upon me the mercy to embark on the path of Krishna consciousness. Your lectures are so wonderful and profound that they awaken in me a taste for devotion to Krishna, and this is thanks to you.
I am deeply grateful for the patience and compassion with which you guide the devotees. Your desire to interact with the devotees and mentor them on their path of Krishna consciousness is a great example to me. The boundless energy with which you help all of Krishna’s devotees ascend the ladder of Bhakti is a expression of your unwavering service to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.
On this auspicious day, I would also like to sincerely acknowledge that I have a long way to go. There are many areas in which I need to improve, especially in developing greater steadiness, discipline, and genuine attachment to devotional service. I pray to continue to learn, serve, and make sincere efforts to apply your instructions in my life.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your presence in my life and for the mercy you continue to bestow upon so many devotees. I pray to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna for your good health, long life, strength, and continued ability to serve and inspire the devotees.
May I always remain worthy of your guidance and may I sincerely contribute to fulfilling the desire and mission of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances and heartfelt prayers at your lotus feet.
Your servant,
Sarva Rasa das
krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance’s in your lotus feet.
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On this extremely auspicious occasion—Your Vyasa-puja—I feel truly happy to write to You.
I am deeply grateful to you for bestowing upon me the mercy to embark on the path of Krishna consciousness. Your lectures are so wonderful and profound that they awaken in me a taste for devotion to Krishna, and this is thanks to you.
I am deeply grateful for the patience and compassion with which you guide the devotees. Your desire to interact with the devotees and mentor them on their path of Krishna consciousness is a great example to me. The boundless energy with which you help all of Krishna’s devotees ascend the ladder of Bhakti is a expression of your unwavering service to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.
On this auspicious day, I would also like to sincerely acknowledge that I have a long way to go. There are many areas in which I need to improve, especially in developing greater steadiness, discipline, and genuine attachment to devotional service. I pray to continue to learn, serve, and make sincere efforts to apply your instructions in my life.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your presence in my life and for the mercy you continue to bestow upon so many devotees. I pray to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna for your good health, long life, strength, and continued ability to serve and inspire the devotees.
May I always remain worthy of your guidance and may I sincerely contribute to fulfilling the desire and mission of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances and heartfelt prayers at your lotus feet.
Your servant,
Sarva Rasa das
Sarva-Madhurya Das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There were a few different reasons why I chose to take shelter of you.
The first is that your disciples inspire me every day. Abhinandana Gopa prabhu has trained and mentored me. Being so merciful upon me despite all my faults and arrogance.
Aprameya Krsna prabhu is everyone’s best friend. He is the most thoughtful, honest and genuine person I know.
Ojasvi Krsna prabhu is one person I can fully be myself around. He’s non-judgemental and encouraging. Helping me be the best version of myself.
Syamantaka prabhu is the most humble person, truly embodying the mood of a Vaishnava.
I’m realising more and more that I am nothing without the mercy of devotees and when I first came in contact with you, I saw all of these good qualities mentioned above. This alongside the presence you have of being a world-wide spiritual master.
You often say that we should make chanting the holy name our career and I’ve recently been meditating more and more on the Sikshastakam.
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly”.
To chant the holy name in this mood is difficult me. Having 8-years of mayavadi training may have helped me wake up early and be vegetarian but it did not help me with developing the mood of a Vaishnava.
Despite my lack, you took me in as your disciple and gave me the blessings of chanting the holy name. This is the greatest gift that I’ve ever received.
Over my time in the brahmacarya ashram I’ve had phases, or glimpses, of complete ecstasy in the association of devotees. I’ve also had phases of extreme fatigue and at such times, my lower nature kicks in.
But I remember that the chanting of the holy name is the career of the Vaishnava and that is my aspiration.
I want to develop this mood of being the servant of the servant. The austerity that you performed in order to please Srila Prabhupada is incomparable and all of your disciples embody your mood of doing extraordinary service with humility and class in order to please guru and Gauranga.
I pray that I can follow in your mood of giving my heart and soul to help spread Krsna consciousness in the western world.
After all, if it wasn’t for Studio 108 and the CVA I wouldn’t be here myself. Both of which come from you.
I don’t know how I’ve made it this far but I know that it is only down to your mercy and the mercy of the Vaishnavas who follow yourself and Srila Prabhupada in purity and honesty.
ayi nanda-tanuja kiṅkaraṁ
patitaṁ māṁ viṣame bhavāmbudhau
kṛpayā tava pāda-paṅkajasthita-
dhūlī-sadṛśaṁ vicintaya
“O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet”.
Praying to please you and my god brothers.
Your servant,
Sarva-Madhurya Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There were a few different reasons why I chose to take shelter of you.
The first is that your disciples inspire me every day. Abhinandana Gopa prabhu has trained and mentored me. Being so merciful upon me despite all my faults and arrogance.
Aprameya Krsna prabhu is everyone’s best friend. He is the most thoughtful, honest and genuine person I know.
Ojasvi Krsna prabhu is one person I can fully be myself around. He’s non-judgemental and encouraging. Helping me be the best version of myself.
Syamantaka prabhu is the most humble person, truly embodying the mood of a Vaishnava.
I’m realising more and more that I am nothing without the mercy of devotees and when I first came in contact with you, I saw all of these good qualities mentioned above. This alongside the presence you have of being a world-wide spiritual master.
You often say that we should make chanting the holy name our career and I’ve recently been meditating more and more on the Sikshastakam.
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly”.
To chant the holy name in this mood is difficult me. Having 8-years of mayavadi training may have helped me wake up early and be vegetarian but it did not help me with developing the mood of a Vaishnava.
Despite my lack, you took me in as your disciple and gave me the blessings of chanting the holy name. This is the greatest gift that I’ve ever received.
Over my time in the brahmacarya ashram I’ve had phases, or glimpses, of complete ecstasy in the association of devotees. I’ve also had phases of extreme fatigue and at such times, my lower nature kicks in.
But I remember that the chanting of the holy name is the career of the Vaishnava and that is my aspiration.
I want to develop this mood of being the servant of the servant. The austerity that you performed in order to please Srila Prabhupada is incomparable and all of your disciples embody your mood of doing extraordinary service with humility and class in order to please guru and Gauranga.
I pray that I can follow in your mood of giving my heart and soul to help spread Krsna consciousness in the western world.
After all, if it wasn’t for Studio 108 and the CVA I wouldn’t be here myself. Both of which come from you.
I don’t know how I’ve made it this far but I know that it is only down to your mercy and the mercy of the Vaishnavas who follow yourself and Srila Prabhupada in purity and honesty.
ayi nanda-tanuja kiṅkaraṁ
patitaṁ māṁ viṣame bhavāmbudhau
kṛpayā tava pāda-paṅkajasthita-
dhūlī-sadṛśaṁ vicintaya
“O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet”.
Praying to please you and my god brothers.
Your servant,
Sarva-Madhurya Das
Sattva-bhavana Das
Hare Krishna Gurudev,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your divine appearance day!
Dear Gurudev, I came to Australia eight years ago, and I was busy in building my material career. Four years later, I finally came to the temple. By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the mercy of the Lord, I came in contact with the devotees. I attended your first retreat, and I remember that was in December, the time when I started developing a desire to build my spiritual career Maharaj.
It's been four years in bhakti, still pretty new, and by your causeless mercy, you have given me initiation and accepted me as your disciple last week. I am so grateful for that. However, I had zero qualification to attain that position, but you, being so merciful, have shown special mercy on me.
In return, I don't have anything I can do, Guru Maharaj. All I can do is try, to my fullest capacity, to serve you, Srila Prabhupada and serve Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, and the whole disciplic succession.
I've picked up two aspects in Krishna consciousness from the conversations I've had with you, which are very dear to you. The first is that you love Srila Prabhupada’s books specially, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita from the core of your heart. So I will do my best to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books to my capacity and read them daily. In terms of distributing books, I have very little skill and confidence, but I will try my best, starting with distributing books in the temple. Then, slowly, I'll help the devotees sort books in the book shed for the book marathon, and help organize books and deliveries. I'll try to go out with Dvija Pitambar Prabhu and the ashram devotees to distribute this divine knowledge.
The second instruction, Guru Maharaj, is your constant emphasis that chanting Hare Krishna is the real means by which one can purify oneself. You often say it is our life time career.
Even without understanding the meaning of the mantra, simply by chanting, purification comes. I deeply admire that instruction. I will set aside a sacred time and go to a sacred place every day to chant quality rounds.
Maharaj, on this divine, blessed day, I beg for your mercy, so that I may continue Lord's service, following your footsteps and in the disciplic succession line.
Your servant in your service,
Sattva-bhavana Das. 🙏
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your divine appearance day!
Dear Gurudev, I came to Australia eight years ago, and I was busy in building my material career. Four years later, I finally came to the temple. By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the mercy of the Lord, I came in contact with the devotees. I attended your first retreat, and I remember that was in December, the time when I started developing a desire to build my spiritual career Maharaj.
It's been four years in bhakti, still pretty new, and by your causeless mercy, you have given me initiation and accepted me as your disciple last week. I am so grateful for that. However, I had zero qualification to attain that position, but you, being so merciful, have shown special mercy on me.
In return, I don't have anything I can do, Guru Maharaj. All I can do is try, to my fullest capacity, to serve you, Srila Prabhupada and serve Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, and the whole disciplic succession.
I've picked up two aspects in Krishna consciousness from the conversations I've had with you, which are very dear to you. The first is that you love Srila Prabhupada’s books specially, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita from the core of your heart. So I will do my best to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books to my capacity and read them daily. In terms of distributing books, I have very little skill and confidence, but I will try my best, starting with distributing books in the temple. Then, slowly, I'll help the devotees sort books in the book shed for the book marathon, and help organize books and deliveries. I'll try to go out with Dvija Pitambar Prabhu and the ashram devotees to distribute this divine knowledge.
The second instruction, Guru Maharaj, is your constant emphasis that chanting Hare Krishna is the real means by which one can purify oneself. You often say it is our life time career.
Even without understanding the meaning of the mantra, simply by chanting, purification comes. I deeply admire that instruction. I will set aside a sacred time and go to a sacred place every day to chant quality rounds.
Maharaj, on this divine, blessed day, I beg for your mercy, so that I may continue Lord's service, following your footsteps and in the disciplic succession line.
Your servant in your service,
Sattva-bhavana Das. 🙏
Satya-Vāk Krsna Das
Dear Gurudeva,
I remember the day my father & I went to have a darshan with you at the loft. As we were about to leave, I asked you "what duty must a son must fulfil towards his father?"
With a calm and grave expression, you replied: "The shastras advise that a father should be able to deliver his dependents from the cycle of birth and death"
It took me a long time to understand, but it finally sank in, after you gave a class series at the Otaki retreat, spoken on prajapati dakshas accusations against Narada muni. As prabhupada mentions in the 6th Canto, 5th chapter, 20th verse of Srimad Bhagavatam:
Getting a material father and mother is not a problem. In every form of life, birth after birth, the living entity gets a father and mother. In human society, however, if one is satisfied with his material father and mother and their instructions and does not make further progress by accepting a spiritual master and being educated in the śāstras, he certainly remains in darkness.
As instructed by Ṛṣabhadeva (Bhāg. 5.5.18): pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt/ na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum. One should not strive to become a mother or father if one cannot save one’s dependent son from the impending danger of death. A parent who does not know how to save his son has no value because such fathers and mothers may be had in any form of life, even among the cats, dogs and so on. Only a father and mother who can elevate their son to the spiritual platform are bona fide parents.
As you once mentioned, just like a biological parent, being a spiritual parent is not an easy service, in fact, it can be heart crushing. Yet you push on, continuing to extend your mercy & accept disciples in the darkest corners of urban Kali Yuga.
When reading Srimad Bhagavatam with new devotees, I often hear them exclaim in astonishment at how many of these vedic kings had hundreds or thousands of children. What I find even more amazing is that you are the spiritual father of hundreds of spiritual children, scattered around all four corners of the globe, from all kinds of different backgrounds.
I’m deeply grateful to have so much of your association, guidance & mercy here in little New Zealand. And above all for the great risk you have taken to accept a hard case like myself as your disciple. I pray one day to make you proud.
Your aspiring servant,
Satya-Vāk Krsna Das
I remember the day my father & I went to have a darshan with you at the loft. As we were about to leave, I asked you "what duty must a son must fulfil towards his father?"
With a calm and grave expression, you replied: "The shastras advise that a father should be able to deliver his dependents from the cycle of birth and death"
It took me a long time to understand, but it finally sank in, after you gave a class series at the Otaki retreat, spoken on prajapati dakshas accusations against Narada muni. As prabhupada mentions in the 6th Canto, 5th chapter, 20th verse of Srimad Bhagavatam:
Getting a material father and mother is not a problem. In every form of life, birth after birth, the living entity gets a father and mother. In human society, however, if one is satisfied with his material father and mother and their instructions and does not make further progress by accepting a spiritual master and being educated in the śāstras, he certainly remains in darkness.
As instructed by Ṛṣabhadeva (Bhāg. 5.5.18): pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt/ na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum. One should not strive to become a mother or father if one cannot save one’s dependent son from the impending danger of death. A parent who does not know how to save his son has no value because such fathers and mothers may be had in any form of life, even among the cats, dogs and so on. Only a father and mother who can elevate their son to the spiritual platform are bona fide parents.
As you once mentioned, just like a biological parent, being a spiritual parent is not an easy service, in fact, it can be heart crushing. Yet you push on, continuing to extend your mercy & accept disciples in the darkest corners of urban Kali Yuga.
When reading Srimad Bhagavatam with new devotees, I often hear them exclaim in astonishment at how many of these vedic kings had hundreds or thousands of children. What I find even more amazing is that you are the spiritual father of hundreds of spiritual children, scattered around all four corners of the globe, from all kinds of different backgrounds.
I’m deeply grateful to have so much of your association, guidance & mercy here in little New Zealand. And above all for the great risk you have taken to accept a hard case like myself as your disciple. I pray one day to make you proud.
Your aspiring servant,
Satya-Vāk Krsna Das
Saumya-mayī devi dasi
Hare Kṛṣṇa dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most wonderful day of your appearance!
Thank you for appearing in this world. Without you appearing, our lives would have no value.
There is a particular purport in Caitanya Caritamrita which I feel perfectly encapsulates and glorifies your magnanimity, compassion and reveals what stirs your heart to live such a life of selflessness, sacrifice and surrender.
Caitanya Caritamrita explains how Caitanya Mahāprabhu expressed his great unhappiness upon seeing the fallen condition of so many people bereft of vedic culture in Kali yuga. He saw so many yavanas engaged in sinful acts- only concerned with killing cows and brahminical culture.
He compassionately inquired from Haridāsa Thakura:
“How will these yavanas be delivered? To My great unhappiness, I do not see any way.”
In Caitanya Caritamrita Antya lila 3.52 Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied,
"My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence.
In Srila Prabhupada's purport he writes:
These words of Haridāsa Ṭhākura are just befitting a devotee who has dedicated his life and soul to the service of the Lord. When the Lord is unhappy because of the condition of the fallen souls, the devotee consoles Him, saying, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety.”
This is service.
Everyone should adopt the cause of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to try to relieve Him from the anxiety He feels. This is actually service to the Lord. One who tries to relieve Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s anxiety for the fallen souls is certainly a most dear and confidential devotee of the Lord.
Dear Gurudeva, you are this dearmost devotee. You are this most confidential servant of Srila Prabhupada's desires, knowing the heart of Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission and making this your life and soul.
At the height of your youth you surrendered everything and threw yourself into the fire of the sankirtana yajna, tirelessly dedicating decade upon decade to relieving the anxiety of Mahāprabhu.
Bound in transcendental affection to Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet, you have fully made his desires your own. Your heart dances with his instructions, which propel you across the globe year after year to catch so many lost souls in the "unique loving network of Mahāprabhu," in so many dynamic, creative and compassionate ways.
You perfectly understand Prabhupada's mood and mission and expertly follow his footsteps in reaching so many fallen souls in the wild west.
Where would I be without you Gurudeva?
Lost in the wilderness of the western so-called civilization, drowning in the desolate emptiness of the material desert, desperately seeking to quench the thirst of my heart.
You glide into our lives, dancing in the flood of the Pañca-tattva's mercy and pour this upon us parched and desperate creatures of kali yuga. You introduce us to the ocean of devotion and invite us to dive into the sankirtana ocean too- to adopt the cause of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and make that our life and soul. You give us, the lowest, this highest opportunity. What a great fortune!
I cannot even begin to imagine the sacrifice and transcendental anxiety you have taken on for the sake of Mahāprabhu's mission. You literally give every fibre of your being to pull us out of material existence, nourish, teach, instruct, personally care for and guide us back to the shelter of Lord Caitanya's lotus feet.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.17 explains how
"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."
How could one ever repay you Gurudeva?
Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter to his sons and daughters in 1976:
"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."
I cannot even begin to imagine the depths and limits of how pleased Srila Prabhupada must be with you, as your life is completely sold out to preaching Krishna consciousness and thus relieving Lord Caitanya's anxiety.
Gurudeva, I feel so deeply grateful for all the personal instructions and deep care you have given me, especially the fortune of how from the beginning you have always enthusiastically encouraged me to adopt the cause of Mahāprabhu and assist you in this most auspicious sankirtana mission. There is no greater wealth in the world than this opportunity~ Please help me always see this fortune and become a valuable instrument of your heart's desires.
I beg you for the humility, determination, enthusiasm and compassion to make this service of sankirtana and assisting you- my life and soul. I am so fallen, lazy, rough and selfish, so I beg your mercy and strength to overcome my shortcomings, so I can actually be of use to you in your wonderful service to Srila Prabhupada.
In an arrival lecture in Los Angeles, 1972 Srila Prabhupada addressed his boys and girls expressing "So my plan was that "I shall go to America. America is the leading country of the world. If I can convince (the) younger generation of America, they will take up." I am old man. I came here at the age of seventy years; now I am seventy-six. So my warning is already there. In nineteen hundred and seventy-one, I had a severe heart attack, you know. So the mission of Caitanya Mahāprabhu is now in your hands.
Prabhupada begged his young disciples..."If you kindly take this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seriously, your country will be saved, and the whole world will be saved."
You and Prabhupada both have such broad and deep visions for expanding this Krishna Consciousness movement and see so much potential in each of us for how you want us to assist. You fully understand the mood and mission of Prabhupada & fully took Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission into your hands and mercifully gifted us this great mission.
Prabhupada wrote in a letter in 1972:
"There is a lot of ground to be covered to spread Krishna Consciousness to millions and millions of our slumbering brothers and sisters!
You have kindly gifted me this weight of responsibility which I feel heavy pushing on my head and heart. Thank you for never giving up on me and persistently working to awaken my potential.
You have given me so much and I do so little in return for you. I feel ashamed at my selfishness and pray I can offer you more surrendered service and sankirtana assistance at your lotus feet.
Your spiritual daughter and trying servant,
Saumya-mayī dd
P.s: First part of the collective sankirtana offering gift for your pleasure 🎁
https://youtu.be/CZtmxd-QboQ?si=kR-EKUL4ZMZNFkyd
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most wonderful day of your appearance!
Thank you for appearing in this world. Without you appearing, our lives would have no value.
There is a particular purport in Caitanya Caritamrita which I feel perfectly encapsulates and glorifies your magnanimity, compassion and reveals what stirs your heart to live such a life of selflessness, sacrifice and surrender.
Caitanya Caritamrita explains how Caitanya Mahāprabhu expressed his great unhappiness upon seeing the fallen condition of so many people bereft of vedic culture in Kali yuga. He saw so many yavanas engaged in sinful acts- only concerned with killing cows and brahminical culture.
He compassionately inquired from Haridāsa Thakura:
“How will these yavanas be delivered? To My great unhappiness, I do not see any way.”
In Caitanya Caritamrita Antya lila 3.52 Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied,
"My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence.
In Srila Prabhupada's purport he writes:
These words of Haridāsa Ṭhākura are just befitting a devotee who has dedicated his life and soul to the service of the Lord. When the Lord is unhappy because of the condition of the fallen souls, the devotee consoles Him, saying, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety.”
This is service.
Everyone should adopt the cause of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to try to relieve Him from the anxiety He feels. This is actually service to the Lord. One who tries to relieve Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s anxiety for the fallen souls is certainly a most dear and confidential devotee of the Lord.
Dear Gurudeva, you are this dearmost devotee. You are this most confidential servant of Srila Prabhupada's desires, knowing the heart of Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission and making this your life and soul.
At the height of your youth you surrendered everything and threw yourself into the fire of the sankirtana yajna, tirelessly dedicating decade upon decade to relieving the anxiety of Mahāprabhu.
Bound in transcendental affection to Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet, you have fully made his desires your own. Your heart dances with his instructions, which propel you across the globe year after year to catch so many lost souls in the "unique loving network of Mahāprabhu," in so many dynamic, creative and compassionate ways.
You perfectly understand Prabhupada's mood and mission and expertly follow his footsteps in reaching so many fallen souls in the wild west.
Where would I be without you Gurudeva?
Lost in the wilderness of the western so-called civilization, drowning in the desolate emptiness of the material desert, desperately seeking to quench the thirst of my heart.
You glide into our lives, dancing in the flood of the Pañca-tattva's mercy and pour this upon us parched and desperate creatures of kali yuga. You introduce us to the ocean of devotion and invite us to dive into the sankirtana ocean too- to adopt the cause of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and make that our life and soul. You give us, the lowest, this highest opportunity. What a great fortune!
I cannot even begin to imagine the sacrifice and transcendental anxiety you have taken on for the sake of Mahāprabhu's mission. You literally give every fibre of your being to pull us out of material existence, nourish, teach, instruct, personally care for and guide us back to the shelter of Lord Caitanya's lotus feet.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.17 explains how
"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."
How could one ever repay you Gurudeva?
Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter to his sons and daughters in 1976:
"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."
I cannot even begin to imagine the depths and limits of how pleased Srila Prabhupada must be with you, as your life is completely sold out to preaching Krishna consciousness and thus relieving Lord Caitanya's anxiety.
Gurudeva, I feel so deeply grateful for all the personal instructions and deep care you have given me, especially the fortune of how from the beginning you have always enthusiastically encouraged me to adopt the cause of Mahāprabhu and assist you in this most auspicious sankirtana mission. There is no greater wealth in the world than this opportunity~ Please help me always see this fortune and become a valuable instrument of your heart's desires.
I beg you for the humility, determination, enthusiasm and compassion to make this service of sankirtana and assisting you- my life and soul. I am so fallen, lazy, rough and selfish, so I beg your mercy and strength to overcome my shortcomings, so I can actually be of use to you in your wonderful service to Srila Prabhupada.
In an arrival lecture in Los Angeles, 1972 Srila Prabhupada addressed his boys and girls expressing "So my plan was that "I shall go to America. America is the leading country of the world. If I can convince (the) younger generation of America, they will take up." I am old man. I came here at the age of seventy years; now I am seventy-six. So my warning is already there. In nineteen hundred and seventy-one, I had a severe heart attack, you know. So the mission of Caitanya Mahāprabhu is now in your hands.
Prabhupada begged his young disciples..."If you kindly take this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seriously, your country will be saved, and the whole world will be saved."
You and Prabhupada both have such broad and deep visions for expanding this Krishna Consciousness movement and see so much potential in each of us for how you want us to assist. You fully understand the mood and mission of Prabhupada & fully took Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission into your hands and mercifully gifted us this great mission.
Prabhupada wrote in a letter in 1972:
"There is a lot of ground to be covered to spread Krishna Consciousness to millions and millions of our slumbering brothers and sisters!
You have kindly gifted me this weight of responsibility which I feel heavy pushing on my head and heart. Thank you for never giving up on me and persistently working to awaken my potential.
You have given me so much and I do so little in return for you. I feel ashamed at my selfishness and pray I can offer you more surrendered service and sankirtana assistance at your lotus feet.
Your spiritual daughter and trying servant,
Saumya-mayī dd
P.s: First part of the collective sankirtana offering gift for your pleasure 🎁
https://youtu.be/CZtmxd-QboQ?si=kR-EKUL4ZMZNFkyd
Sevamrita
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, my only shelter
During my recent trip to Korea, we walked past two young western men asking an elderly Korean for a direction. Both were wearing a white shirt with a name badge, indicating they were missionaries. Initially, I kept walking minding my own business but I turned back to offer help since the elderly man was not fluent in English. It turned out that despite of their phone navigation, they were not able to figure out how to get to a store located underground of a nearby shopping centre. After they departed, I was reflecting how these foreigners were giving their youthful energy to preach their mission in Korea despite of the language and cultural barriers.
Then I wondered what it would have been like for you to be preaching Krishna consciousness decades ago in Korea: ‘Did you have another devotee to support you? How would you have communicated with the locals? Nowadays a phone makes it convenient for anyone to travel overseas with its apps for translation, navigation, google search on local tour tips. You did not have any of that back then! What attempts and programs would you have done to break through the fast-paced, materialistic and homogenous society?’
Although externally it can look like a place of high-tech, fashion, material convenience, it would have been an austere place for a transcendentalist like yourself. Yet you willingly take up such austerity out of compassion for the conditioned souls. This is explained by Prahlada in his prayer to Lord Nrsimhadeva (Srimad- Bhagavatam 7.9.44):
“My dear Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, I see that there are many saintly persons indeed, but they are interested only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the big cities and towns, they go to the Himalayas or the forest to meditate with vows of silence [mauna-vrata]. They are not interested in delivering others. As for me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know that without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, without taking shelter of Your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. Therefore I wish to bring them back to shelter at Your lotus feet.”
Gurudeva, you too have given your life for the welfare of others - giving classes and spiritual counselling in various cities- instead of seeking your own material and spiritual comfort.
If I was to have met you on a street in Seoul, would I have even stopped to inquire the philosophy? No, I would have been one of those fifty millions pursuing the success of material achievements, disregarding anything – especially a foreign culture or religion- to be unhelpful in life. For that, I am forever grateful for your vision and efforts to have established preaching centres like Gaura yoga in New Zealand. You ‘made it all easy ; to come to Krsna consciousness and to grow in Krsna consciousness. I am simply here now all due to your selfless and loving care. Thank you for being my spiritual master.
Your spiritual daughter,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, my only shelter
During my recent trip to Korea, we walked past two young western men asking an elderly Korean for a direction. Both were wearing a white shirt with a name badge, indicating they were missionaries. Initially, I kept walking minding my own business but I turned back to offer help since the elderly man was not fluent in English. It turned out that despite of their phone navigation, they were not able to figure out how to get to a store located underground of a nearby shopping centre. After they departed, I was reflecting how these foreigners were giving their youthful energy to preach their mission in Korea despite of the language and cultural barriers.
Then I wondered what it would have been like for you to be preaching Krishna consciousness decades ago in Korea: ‘Did you have another devotee to support you? How would you have communicated with the locals? Nowadays a phone makes it convenient for anyone to travel overseas with its apps for translation, navigation, google search on local tour tips. You did not have any of that back then! What attempts and programs would you have done to break through the fast-paced, materialistic and homogenous society?’
Although externally it can look like a place of high-tech, fashion, material convenience, it would have been an austere place for a transcendentalist like yourself. Yet you willingly take up such austerity out of compassion for the conditioned souls. This is explained by Prahlada in his prayer to Lord Nrsimhadeva (Srimad- Bhagavatam 7.9.44):
“My dear Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, I see that there are many saintly persons indeed, but they are interested only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the big cities and towns, they go to the Himalayas or the forest to meditate with vows of silence [mauna-vrata]. They are not interested in delivering others. As for me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know that without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, without taking shelter of Your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. Therefore I wish to bring them back to shelter at Your lotus feet.”
Gurudeva, you too have given your life for the welfare of others - giving classes and spiritual counselling in various cities- instead of seeking your own material and spiritual comfort.
If I was to have met you on a street in Seoul, would I have even stopped to inquire the philosophy? No, I would have been one of those fifty millions pursuing the success of material achievements, disregarding anything – especially a foreign culture or religion- to be unhelpful in life. For that, I am forever grateful for your vision and efforts to have established preaching centres like Gaura yoga in New Zealand. You ‘made it all easy ; to come to Krsna consciousness and to grow in Krsna consciousness. I am simply here now all due to your selfless and loving care. Thank you for being my spiritual master.
Your spiritual daughter,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Sevya Bhagavan dasa
Hare Krishna dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
akṣṇoḥ phalaṁ tvādṛśa-darśanaṁ hi
tanoḥ phalaṁ tvādṛśa-gātra-saṅgaḥ
jihvā-phalaṁ tvādṛśa-kīrtanaṁ hi
su-durlabhā bhāgavatā hi loke
My dear Vaiṣṇava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one’s eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue’s real activity, for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of the Lord.’ ” CC Madhya 20.61
Dear Gurudeva, we are so fortunate that, by the mercy of the Lord, you are in our lives. It is the greatest mercy of Krishna that, through you, we receive the knowledge of Krishna and devotional service. Otherwise, in this vast ocean of material existence, how can I understand why I exist and what I am supposed to do?
A purport deeply struck me while reading CC Madhya 19.167. In this purport, Srila Prabhupada explains how to perform pure devotional service.
"The criterion is that a devotee must know what Kṛṣṇa wants him to do. This understanding can be achieved through the medium of a spiritual master who is a bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī advises, ādau gurv-āśrayam. One who is serious in wanting to render pure devotional service to the Lord must take shelter of a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ. Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, one cannot find out the real purpose of devotional service. Therefore one has to accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and agree to be directed by him. The first business of a pure devotee is to satisfy his spiritual master, whose only business is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And if one can satisfy the spiritual master, Kṛṣṇa is automatically satisfied — yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ. This is the success of devotional service. This is the meaning of the word ānukūlyena — that is, favorable devotional service to the Lord. A pure devotee has no plans other than those for the Lord’s service. He is not interested in attaining success in mundane activities. He simply wants success in the progress of devotional service. For a devotee, there cannot be worship of others or demigod worship. A pure devotee does not engage himself in such pseudo devotional service. He is interested only in satisfying Kṛṣṇa. If one lives only for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, it does not matter whether he belongs to this order of life or that order of life. One’s only business should be to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. This process is completely manifest in the activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. It has been actually proved that the entire world can accept devotional service without failure. One simply has to follow the instructions of the representative of Kṛṣṇa. "
Without you, Gurudeva, I cannot understand anything.
I cannot understand what Krishna wants me to do.
I cannot understand the purpose of devotional service.
We are so fortunate that you are personally guiding us towards the ultimate success of life. You have personally corrected me, instructed me, and directed me to serve you, Srila Prabhupada, and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. I am eternally grateful to you for accepting me as your servant.
Understanding Krishna is very difficult, and what to speak of understanding Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, even within the devotee community.
CC Adi 17.304 says:
sei kṛṣṇa, sei gopī, — parama virodha
acintya caritra prabhura ati sudurbodha
He is Krishna, yet He has accepted the mood of the gopis. How is this possible? It is the inconceivable character of the Lord, which is very difficult to understand.
It is very difficult to understand Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, but you have made it so easy by your mercy. How can I repay you? The only thing I can do is humbly serve your lotus feet, life after life. Through your nectarean narrations of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, you are helping us strengthen our faith in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and accept His lotus feet to perfect our lives in this darkest age of Kali-yuga. Gurudeva, our lives have become successful by licking the nectar flowing from your mouth. Your narrations of Krishna-katha and Gaura-katha are so sweet, mixed with tattva, guna, and lila. I do not think there is anything sweeter than this.
Like a honeybee, you are intoxicated by this sweet nectar of Krishna’s name, form, qualities, and pastimes. While personally relishing this nectar, you have been distributing it all over the world for more than five decades. You are so expert in distributing this nectar. When you are with a general audience, you use it as a therapeutic treatment; when you are among the devotee community, you help them relish its taste; and when you are among other honeybees, you drink it together and become even more intoxicated. You risked your life and witnessed Krishna while distributing this nectar throughout the world. I have tried imitating other bees in my hive, who are your true followers and who relish this nectar to their full capacity. However, I am unable to taste the nectar and am attached only to its outer shell. Gurudeva, because of my diseased condition, I am unable to taste this nectar. Please kindly cure me so that I may relish it and gradually become maddened by drinking it regularly in the association of other bees in my hive, without envying them.
Gurudeva, you represent all the Goswamis, who are the manjaris and gopis of Srimati Radharani. By serving your lotus feet, we are actually elevated towards raganuga-bhakti. In CC Madhya 19.156, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“The Gosvāmīs are represented by one’s spiritual master. One cannot be an ācārya (spiritual master) without following strictly in the disciplic succession of the ācāryas. One who is actually serious about advancing in devotional service should desire only to satisfy the previous ācāryas.”
Gurudeva, I have adopted the dress of a devotee, wearing kanti and tilak, but I do not have any of the qualities of a devotee. I may act, speak, and pose like a devotee, but my heart is very shallow, and I have no real devotion. Without actual love for you and Krishna how can I advance? Therefore, I beg for your mercy. Please kindly make me a devotee. You may ask, “But through chanting and following the sadhana, you gain bhakti.” But let me inform you that all my wealth of sadhana is being plundered by highway thugs like lust, anger, greed, illusion, envy, and madness. They harass me and plunder all the wealth you have given me. Now I am like a low-born prostitute, hankering after honour and distinction without any real substance—bhakti. I humbly beg you to rescue me from this harassment and engage me in your transcendental service so that I may quit this prostitution business and become chaste in serving your lotus feet, as you desire, for your pleasure.
Gurudeva, you have great love for your Guru Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada. As you always mention, you had very little personal association with Srila Prabhupada, but you were directly connected with him through vani, by reading his books and serving his books. You have such a deep understanding of Krishna consciousness and how to spread it throughout the world, this most confidential knowledge, because of your great love for Srila Prabhupada. In the purport to CC Madhya 17.15, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“The words snigdha (‘very peaceful’) and su-snigdha (‘affectionate’) are used in verses fourteen and fifteen respectively, and they are also found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.8): brūyuḥ snigdhasya śiṣyasya 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.’ Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī has commented that the word snigdhasya means prema-vataḥ. The word prema-vataḥ indicates that one has great love for his spiritual master.”
With that great love for Srila Prabhupada and the desire to please him, even at this advanced age, you travel tirelessly, spreading Krishna consciousness throughout the world. You continually find new ways to serve Srila Prabhupada and the parampara. You opened lofts for modern Western outreach. You specialise in university outreach, have in-depth knowledge and understanding of farming communities, and are expert in book distribution. You stir up sleeping souls, inspiring them to rethink what happiness actually means and how to attain sustainable happiness. Through your humorous approach, you strip away the layers of modern politics, making your audience think deeply while expertly presenting Krishna consciousness. You nurture us with pure Krishna-katha, expertly train us in how to serve Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, and teach us the art of devotee dealings through your personal example. With your powerful, ecstatic kirtans, you make us dance like peacocks. You speak so eloquently on a variety of subjects that you mesmerise your audience, making them listen with rapt attention. You are perfect in every aspect and from every angle. You are my superhero, Guru Maharaja.
On this auspicious Sri Vyasa Puja day, I beg at your lotus feet: please bless us with deep love and respect for you, and the obedience and sincerity to carry out your instructions, whether they please us or not. Let my only desire be to please you, without considering honour and distinction. Please bless me with remembrance of the holy name, form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord, and with true love, friendship, and a service attitude towards the devotees.
Your obedient servant,
Sevya Bhagavan dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
akṣṇoḥ phalaṁ tvādṛśa-darśanaṁ hi
tanoḥ phalaṁ tvādṛśa-gātra-saṅgaḥ
jihvā-phalaṁ tvādṛśa-kīrtanaṁ hi
su-durlabhā bhāgavatā hi loke
My dear Vaiṣṇava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one’s eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue’s real activity, for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of the Lord.’ ” CC Madhya 20.61
Dear Gurudeva, we are so fortunate that, by the mercy of the Lord, you are in our lives. It is the greatest mercy of Krishna that, through you, we receive the knowledge of Krishna and devotional service. Otherwise, in this vast ocean of material existence, how can I understand why I exist and what I am supposed to do?
A purport deeply struck me while reading CC Madhya 19.167. In this purport, Srila Prabhupada explains how to perform pure devotional service.
"The criterion is that a devotee must know what Kṛṣṇa wants him to do. This understanding can be achieved through the medium of a spiritual master who is a bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī advises, ādau gurv-āśrayam. One who is serious in wanting to render pure devotional service to the Lord must take shelter of a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession from Kṛṣṇa. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ. Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, one cannot find out the real purpose of devotional service. Therefore one has to accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and agree to be directed by him. The first business of a pure devotee is to satisfy his spiritual master, whose only business is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And if one can satisfy the spiritual master, Kṛṣṇa is automatically satisfied — yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ. This is the success of devotional service. This is the meaning of the word ānukūlyena — that is, favorable devotional service to the Lord. A pure devotee has no plans other than those for the Lord’s service. He is not interested in attaining success in mundane activities. He simply wants success in the progress of devotional service. For a devotee, there cannot be worship of others or demigod worship. A pure devotee does not engage himself in such pseudo devotional service. He is interested only in satisfying Kṛṣṇa. If one lives only for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, it does not matter whether he belongs to this order of life or that order of life. One’s only business should be to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. This process is completely manifest in the activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. It has been actually proved that the entire world can accept devotional service without failure. One simply has to follow the instructions of the representative of Kṛṣṇa. "
Without you, Gurudeva, I cannot understand anything.
I cannot understand what Krishna wants me to do.
I cannot understand the purpose of devotional service.
We are so fortunate that you are personally guiding us towards the ultimate success of life. You have personally corrected me, instructed me, and directed me to serve you, Srila Prabhupada, and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. I am eternally grateful to you for accepting me as your servant.
Understanding Krishna is very difficult, and what to speak of understanding Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, even within the devotee community.
CC Adi 17.304 says:
sei kṛṣṇa, sei gopī, — parama virodha
acintya caritra prabhura ati sudurbodha
He is Krishna, yet He has accepted the mood of the gopis. How is this possible? It is the inconceivable character of the Lord, which is very difficult to understand.
It is very difficult to understand Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, but you have made it so easy by your mercy. How can I repay you? The only thing I can do is humbly serve your lotus feet, life after life. Through your nectarean narrations of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, you are helping us strengthen our faith in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and accept His lotus feet to perfect our lives in this darkest age of Kali-yuga. Gurudeva, our lives have become successful by licking the nectar flowing from your mouth. Your narrations of Krishna-katha and Gaura-katha are so sweet, mixed with tattva, guna, and lila. I do not think there is anything sweeter than this.
Like a honeybee, you are intoxicated by this sweet nectar of Krishna’s name, form, qualities, and pastimes. While personally relishing this nectar, you have been distributing it all over the world for more than five decades. You are so expert in distributing this nectar. When you are with a general audience, you use it as a therapeutic treatment; when you are among the devotee community, you help them relish its taste; and when you are among other honeybees, you drink it together and become even more intoxicated. You risked your life and witnessed Krishna while distributing this nectar throughout the world. I have tried imitating other bees in my hive, who are your true followers and who relish this nectar to their full capacity. However, I am unable to taste the nectar and am attached only to its outer shell. Gurudeva, because of my diseased condition, I am unable to taste this nectar. Please kindly cure me so that I may relish it and gradually become maddened by drinking it regularly in the association of other bees in my hive, without envying them.
Gurudeva, you represent all the Goswamis, who are the manjaris and gopis of Srimati Radharani. By serving your lotus feet, we are actually elevated towards raganuga-bhakti. In CC Madhya 19.156, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“The Gosvāmīs are represented by one’s spiritual master. One cannot be an ācārya (spiritual master) without following strictly in the disciplic succession of the ācāryas. One who is actually serious about advancing in devotional service should desire only to satisfy the previous ācāryas.”
Gurudeva, I have adopted the dress of a devotee, wearing kanti and tilak, but I do not have any of the qualities of a devotee. I may act, speak, and pose like a devotee, but my heart is very shallow, and I have no real devotion. Without actual love for you and Krishna how can I advance? Therefore, I beg for your mercy. Please kindly make me a devotee. You may ask, “But through chanting and following the sadhana, you gain bhakti.” But let me inform you that all my wealth of sadhana is being plundered by highway thugs like lust, anger, greed, illusion, envy, and madness. They harass me and plunder all the wealth you have given me. Now I am like a low-born prostitute, hankering after honour and distinction without any real substance—bhakti. I humbly beg you to rescue me from this harassment and engage me in your transcendental service so that I may quit this prostitution business and become chaste in serving your lotus feet, as you desire, for your pleasure.
Gurudeva, you have great love for your Guru Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada. As you always mention, you had very little personal association with Srila Prabhupada, but you were directly connected with him through vani, by reading his books and serving his books. You have such a deep understanding of Krishna consciousness and how to spread it throughout the world, this most confidential knowledge, because of your great love for Srila Prabhupada. In the purport to CC Madhya 17.15, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“The words snigdha (‘very peaceful’) and su-snigdha (‘affectionate’) are used in verses fourteen and fifteen respectively, and they are also found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.8): brūyuḥ snigdhasya śiṣyasya 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.’ Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī has commented that the word snigdhasya means prema-vataḥ. The word prema-vataḥ indicates that one has great love for his spiritual master.”
With that great love for Srila Prabhupada and the desire to please him, even at this advanced age, you travel tirelessly, spreading Krishna consciousness throughout the world. You continually find new ways to serve Srila Prabhupada and the parampara. You opened lofts for modern Western outreach. You specialise in university outreach, have in-depth knowledge and understanding of farming communities, and are expert in book distribution. You stir up sleeping souls, inspiring them to rethink what happiness actually means and how to attain sustainable happiness. Through your humorous approach, you strip away the layers of modern politics, making your audience think deeply while expertly presenting Krishna consciousness. You nurture us with pure Krishna-katha, expertly train us in how to serve Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, and teach us the art of devotee dealings through your personal example. With your powerful, ecstatic kirtans, you make us dance like peacocks. You speak so eloquently on a variety of subjects that you mesmerise your audience, making them listen with rapt attention. You are perfect in every aspect and from every angle. You are my superhero, Guru Maharaja.
On this auspicious Sri Vyasa Puja day, I beg at your lotus feet: please bless us with deep love and respect for you, and the obedience and sincerity to carry out your instructions, whether they please us or not. Let my only desire be to please you, without considering honour and distinction. Please bless me with remembrance of the holy name, form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord, and with true love, friendship, and a service attitude towards the devotees.
Your obedient servant,
Sevya Bhagavan dasa
Shastra Krit das
Dear Gurudeva Pamho. AgtSP!
I feel like a child who grew up with both parents: Veda Mata and a loving, kind spiritual master who understands me, remembers so many details about my life, and continues to guide and encourage me.
Recently, when you came to Los Angeles and visited our apartment for lunch, upon seeing my wife and I, you immediately said, “You’ve been married for nine years, ah?”
You then asked my wife, “Is Shastra Krit treating you nicely?”
As a husband, even I sometimes struggle to remember exactly how many years we have been married, so it was amazing to see that you remembered the precise number of years. You then asked her, “What do you like most about your husband?”
She blushed, being put on the spot, and took a moment to process your question. Jokingly, you asked, “Oh, you like everything about him?” She laughed and said no. You then replied, “Because he is not Krishna!”
She eventually mentioned one quality she liked about me. Meanwhile, I was preparing myself mentally in case you asked me what I liked most about her. Sure enough, you did!
You noticed the Shilas on our altar and remarked, “You have quite a lineup there!” You then said that my wife and I make such a good team and that we are one devotional family.
Gurudeva, you always seem to catch us doing something right. You notice our good qualities and encourage us so much. Even when you chastise us, it is equally beneficial. It reminds me of the analogy of a person surrounded by gold coins: even when he becomes angry, all he can do is throw gold coins at you !
You somehow see good qualities in us even when we struggle to see them in ourselves. In our books, we learn that an advanced devotee is consistent and that only positive sound vibration emanates from their lotus mouth. Your dealings with us bring these teachings to life.
There are countless examples of you remembering details from many years ago and continuing to show appreciation for devotees.
I remember when you and Svavas Prabhu came to our apartment for lunch. During the meal, Svavas Prabhu noticed a photograph of my mother and asked whether she was still alive. You gently reminded him, “Oh, you don’t remember her, Svavas Prabhu? You used to love Parimala’s cooking!”
Such moments reveal how much you notice, remember, and value the people who have crossed your path.
Your Mercy on the Next Generation :
Last summer, our little family was fortunate to have your association in Gita Nagari. Dhanya was only five years old. During your Caitanya-caritamrita readings on the porch, she was initially just playing with pen and paper.
But you encouraged her so much that this clueless little child began paying attention to such majestic philosophy so that she could ask questions at the end of your classes!
Now, empowered by your love and encouragement, she continues to attend Bhagavatam classes regularly and asks questions at the end of each class.
Gurudeva, you know how to attract people of all ages. You have a special way of teaching and showing mercy to anyone who approaches you. Seeing how you inspired our little daughter gave us a glimpse of your extraordinary ability to awaken spiritual interest in even the youngest souls.
Your Masterful Art of Outreach :
There is an ongoing discussion in our ISKCON society about how to attract Western youth to Krishna consciousness. It was amazing to see you in action as you presented Krishna consciousness to audiences who were not necessarily familiar with our tradition, particularly at Studio OM and other programs.
You have so completely mastered the art of outreach. Sometimes it seems as though you contemplated how to reach people in this way many lifetimes ago!
Everything you do seems thoughtful and purposeful: the way you hold the microphone, how long you speak, your timing, the way you respond to questions, how you drink water, and even your kirtan style. Everything is masterful.
During the private darshans after the program in Studio OM, I could see how ecstatic you were to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gitas . Young men and women, attracted by your aura and effulgence and impressed by your presentation, would enter the room one after another.
You would repeatedly ask them, “So, what’s the plan?”
They would tell you what they were doing with their lives: working, studying, and so on. You would gently challenge them, saying, “You can do better than that.”
They would ask, “What do you mean by that?”
You would encourage them to go deeper. When they asked how to do that, you would explain that they needed knowledge. You encouraged them to read the Bhagavad gita, chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and regularly come for prasadam and the association of devotees.
In this way, you distributed approximately fifty Bhagavad-gitas and other books to the people who came to meet you.
You made your points with such compassion and humor.
One student mentioned that he was interested in sound bathing. You humorously responded that in Los Angeles there are so many sounds—fire engines, garbage trucks, and countless others—and that one must know what kinds of sounds one is bathing in!
Another young man, perhaps wanting to demonstrate his spiritual interests, asked whether you had read Ram Dass’s books. You fearlessly laughed and replied, “Fortunately, I found something deeper!”
One young woman who was searching for direction in life asked about your experience teaching in New Zealand. You compassionately welcomed her to come there. When she asked, “Oh, why not Australia?” you explained that Australia has too much of a beach culture, whereas New Zealand might be better suited to her because she seemed to love nature and was looking for spirituality.
Another young woman, who was struggling with a chronic illness, sought your guidance. You helped her see that she was fortunate in one sense: things that many people come to realize about the nature of the body much later in life were becoming apparent to her at an early age. You encouraged her to use that realization as inspiration to go deeper into spiritual life.
Gurudeva, you continued speaking with these guests for two hours in a small, warm room with bright lights. You had not yet eaten dinner, and you were tired and hungry. It was getting very late, yet you continued to give your time and attention to each person who approached you.
You truly embody *titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ*—forbearing and compassionate.
Watching you in those moments gave me a glimpse of how deeply you care about distributing Krishna consciousness. You were not simply answering questions; you were looking for ways to redirect people’s lives toward something deeper and more meaningful.
Your Vision, Thoughtfulness, and Willingness to Correct Us :
Many of us who joined you three decades ago, some earlier and some later, had little idea of what you envisioned when you began establishing these outreach centers.
We were reading Prabhupad Lilamrita and trying to be old school devotees . But you continued to correct and guide us in so many practical areas: how we dressed, how we cooked, how we interacted with people on the streets, how we led kirtan, how we cared for our health, how we interacted with one another in the ashram, and even how you established working men’s ashrams .
At the time, we could not always understand why you were making these adjustments. Looking back, I can appreciate how much thought you had invested in creating an environment where people from the West could feel comfortable approaching Krishna consciousness.
I remember one time when I had shaved my head but kept a huge sikha\. While I was serving you lunch, you kept looking at it. In my foolishness, I thought, “Maharaj really likes my sikha !”
But it was quite the opposite.
You chastised me, saying, “You never asked whether you should have a sikha or not? This is not a temple to let your flag fly high\. Our guests don’t understand all this, Shave it off !”
I was bewildered because even some senior devotees had encouraged me to keep a sikha and appreciated it so much . It took me some time to understand your point: you wanted Western guests to feel at home when they came to our programs rather than feel uncomfortable or intimidated by unfamiliar cultural expressions.
On another occasion, a young man from India would come to our kirtans, dance wildly, and chant “Radhe Radhe ” You told me to disinvite him from coming to Gaura Yoga.
I protested, “But he is from Vrindavan, Maharaj! He is a Vrajavasi !”
You replied, “No, he is not. He is a Delhi-wala !”
These moments may have seemed small, but they reveal how carefully you considered every aspect of our outreach. You were constantly making adjustments and improvements that we could not fully understand at the time.
You were thinking deeply about how to make Krishna consciousness accessible and attractive to the people we were trying to serve.
For lonely and spiritually starving souls, your extraordinary laughter and childlike curiosity about what is happening in our tiny lives make you so attractive. At the same time, you maintain a healthy distance from us, your disciples, so that we do not become overly familiar and commit offenses.
You combine warmth with wisdom, personal affection with spiritual discipline, and accessibility with the dignity of the spiritual master.
Even in small, everyday interactions, you continue to guide us. Recently, I asked you some questions about booking flights. You kindly shared a few tips, but before I could ask more questions, you sent me a gentle reminder:
“I’m not an airline agent, you know?”
Even in such a simple exchange, you managed to help me while reminding me of the proper boundaries!
The Fortune of Having You as My Spiritual Master :
Having absorbed yourself in Srila Prabhupada’s books for so many decades, you have developed such deep realization and understanding of how both the spiritual and material worlds operate. This is reflected in the confidence and clarity with which you speak and act.
Recently, I saw a second-generation devotee giving initiation, and it reminded me of the extraordinary fortune I have in having a spiritual master of your caliber.
Your realizations, your sacrifices, your experiences, your close connection with Paramatma, your relationships with your disciples, your forgiveness, your compassion, your realized knowledge from studying Srila Prabhupada’s books, your discipline, your character, your cleanliness, and even your appearance—all these qualities inspire me.
And there are so many more divine qualities that I cannot adequately express in my foolish attempt to glorify you.
I understand that these qualities do not exist independently. They are empowered by the disciplic succession, and through you we receive the mercy and teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
Your dealings with your Godbrothers are also so loving, genuine, and impactful. I remember an incident involving Drutakarma Prabhu.
One day, shortly before leaving his body, Drutakarma Prabhu was in hospice. When he saw me there, his devotee servant was trying to remind him who I was. Yet, even in that condition, his presence of mind was so clear that, in a very faint voice, he said, “Please give my respects to Devamrita Maharaj.”
That moment left a deep impression on me. Even then, he remembered you and wanted to convey his respects to you. It was another reminder of the genuine relationships and deep affection you have cultivated with your Godbrothers and fellow devotees.
Thank you for walking this earth, Gurudeva.
To meet a genuine spiritual master like you is one of the rarest fortunes a person can receive in this short human birth.
Sometimes I reflect on how challenging it can be to care for even one wife and one child. Yet you continue to provide shelter, guidance, and encouragement to so many of us, with even more devotees to come as this spiritual family continues to grow.
When I consider all that you carry, all the people you guide, and all the responsibilities you accept, I feel deeply grateful that you continue to make time for us.
Thank you for not giving up on me, Gurudeva. Thank you for continuing to encourage me, guide me, and bless me despite my shortcomings.
I pray that I may learn to appreciate your instructions more deeply, understand your vision more clearly, and become a better servant of Srila Prabhupada and the Vaishnavas under your shelter.
Thank you for your patience, your compassion, your humor, your guidance, and your unwavering dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness with the world.
I remain forever grateful for the opportunity to be your disciple.
Your humble servant,
Shastra Krit das
Shreya Saini
Namo Om Vishnu Padaye Krsna-preshthaya bhutale, Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta, pararthatapi karyunam yasya sarva ca te namah
Hare Krishna my dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. All glories to Prabhupada.
A very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaja
Guru Maharaja, your pictures have been giving me some kind of ecstatic experience lately. I pray that I keep getting those spiritual butterflies.
You, guided by your dedicated mother, were raised as a God-conscious child which later turned into Krishna-consciousness. I'm grateful for your exemplary mother.
Srila Prabhupada has given us such a sparkling and radiating jewel. You guide people from various cultures in ways that feel like it's exactly made for them. You're an excellent personality. May I always remain in the effulgence of the lotus feet of this excellent personality.
I love the ways you alter your lectures with some punches of laughter. In India, we describe such personalities as capable of giving bitter medicines in a sweet manner. I love the way you mould serious scriptures and it's learnings into something very applicable and light. May I keep getting to hear more of these fun lectures.
As stated in the scriptures, You're my torch Guru Maharaja. You're the eye Krishna has given me in return of some bare minimum good deeds I've done in my past lives.
As it's also stated that "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." I'm aspiring to be a doctor Guru Maharaja. Even though I'm at the first step, preparing for getting into a good college. It feels quite challenging these days. I'm not able to handle the minute services of my share. Please bless me so that I can complete this process and offer my degree and services onto your lotus feet.
I pray for your long and healthy life, Guru Maharaja, for I'm really afraid of what will happen to your loving disciples after you're gone.
Thank you so much for giving me the association of your sweet disciples. I'm grateful for this family.
Guru Maharaja, on the pious occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, please bless me so that I can reach that stage of purity where my faith never flickers and I'm not affected by maya so that I can serve you with great devotion.
We miss your physical presence Guru Maharaja. Please visit India soon.
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaja!
Your aspiring servant,
Shreya
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta, pararthatapi karyunam yasya sarva ca te namah
Hare Krishna my dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. All glories to Prabhupada.
A very happy Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaja
Guru Maharaja, your pictures have been giving me some kind of ecstatic experience lately. I pray that I keep getting those spiritual butterflies.
You, guided by your dedicated mother, were raised as a God-conscious child which later turned into Krishna-consciousness. I'm grateful for your exemplary mother.
Srila Prabhupada has given us such a sparkling and radiating jewel. You guide people from various cultures in ways that feel like it's exactly made for them. You're an excellent personality. May I always remain in the effulgence of the lotus feet of this excellent personality.
I love the ways you alter your lectures with some punches of laughter. In India, we describe such personalities as capable of giving bitter medicines in a sweet manner. I love the way you mould serious scriptures and it's learnings into something very applicable and light. May I keep getting to hear more of these fun lectures.
As stated in the scriptures, You're my torch Guru Maharaja. You're the eye Krishna has given me in return of some bare minimum good deeds I've done in my past lives.
As it's also stated that "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." I'm aspiring to be a doctor Guru Maharaja. Even though I'm at the first step, preparing for getting into a good college. It feels quite challenging these days. I'm not able to handle the minute services of my share. Please bless me so that I can complete this process and offer my degree and services onto your lotus feet.
I pray for your long and healthy life, Guru Maharaja, for I'm really afraid of what will happen to your loving disciples after you're gone.
Thank you so much for giving me the association of your sweet disciples. I'm grateful for this family.
Guru Maharaja, on the pious occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, please bless me so that I can reach that stage of purity where my faith never flickers and I'm not affected by maya so that I can serve you with great devotion.
We miss your physical presence Guru Maharaja. Please visit India soon.
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja Guru Maharaja!
Your aspiring servant,
Shreya
Shubhra Bhatnagar
Nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
Dearest Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to your service in spreading Lord Caitanya's mission.
On this special day, I feel grateful for the opportunity to express a little of what I feel in my heart for you. When I read the words of Lord Kapila in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21), I am reminded of your example:
titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ
suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām
ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ
sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ
“The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”
Whenever I think of the word titikṣavaḥ, I think of you, Guru Mahārāja. Despite so much travelling, physical tiredness, and the many challenges that come with preaching, you continue your service without complaint. You also patiently tolerate the shortcomings of so many of us, including myself. Seeing this inspires me to become more patient and learn to serve with a better attitude.
I am also touched by your humility. Although so many devotees respect and look up to you, you always present yourself as a servant of Śrīla Prabhupāda, simply trying to carry out his instructions. Your dedication reminds me that our real purpose is not to seek recognition, but to serve the spiritual master and help others come closer to Kṛṣṇa.
Something else I have always appreciated is the way you understand and encourage others. There have been times when I have felt troubled by things I could not easily put into words. At such times, even a gentle smile or a reassuring glance from you has helped me feel calmer. These may seem like small things, but they have meant a great deal to me.
I especially cherish the opportunities I have had to cook for you. Your kindness and encouragement have touched me deeply. Whether or not a dish turns out exactly as I hoped, you make me feel that the effort and intention to serve matter more than getting everything right. Such simple moments have given me so much happiness and encouragement, especially when I know my own shortcomings.
On this auspicious day, I humbly ask you to please forgive me for all my mistakes and shortcomings in thought, word, and action. I know I have much to learn and many things to improve in my devotional life. I pray that, by your mercy, I may develop even a little of the patience, humility, and dedication that I see in you.
Please bless me so that I may remain sincere in my Kṛṣṇa consciousness and continue serving Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission under your guidance. I pray to remain sheltered at your lotus feet and engaged in service to you, life after life.
Your insignificant servant,
Shubhra
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
Dearest Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to your service in spreading Lord Caitanya's mission.
On this special day, I feel grateful for the opportunity to express a little of what I feel in my heart for you. When I read the words of Lord Kapila in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21), I am reminded of your example:
titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ
suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām
ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ
sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ
“The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”
Whenever I think of the word titikṣavaḥ, I think of you, Guru Mahārāja. Despite so much travelling, physical tiredness, and the many challenges that come with preaching, you continue your service without complaint. You also patiently tolerate the shortcomings of so many of us, including myself. Seeing this inspires me to become more patient and learn to serve with a better attitude.
I am also touched by your humility. Although so many devotees respect and look up to you, you always present yourself as a servant of Śrīla Prabhupāda, simply trying to carry out his instructions. Your dedication reminds me that our real purpose is not to seek recognition, but to serve the spiritual master and help others come closer to Kṛṣṇa.
Something else I have always appreciated is the way you understand and encourage others. There have been times when I have felt troubled by things I could not easily put into words. At such times, even a gentle smile or a reassuring glance from you has helped me feel calmer. These may seem like small things, but they have meant a great deal to me.
I especially cherish the opportunities I have had to cook for you. Your kindness and encouragement have touched me deeply. Whether or not a dish turns out exactly as I hoped, you make me feel that the effort and intention to serve matter more than getting everything right. Such simple moments have given me so much happiness and encouragement, especially when I know my own shortcomings.
On this auspicious day, I humbly ask you to please forgive me for all my mistakes and shortcomings in thought, word, and action. I know I have much to learn and many things to improve in my devotional life. I pray that, by your mercy, I may develop even a little of the patience, humility, and dedication that I see in you.
Please bless me so that I may remain sincere in my Kṛṣṇa consciousness and continue serving Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission under your guidance. I pray to remain sheltered at your lotus feet and engaged in service to you, life after life.
Your insignificant servant,
Shubhra
Shyamavan Das
Dear Śrīla Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
You are a shining representative Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mood and mission in this world. As you said last year, although you were not able to receive much vapu association of Śrīla Prabhupāda, you have been profusely showered upon with so much of Prabhupāda’s vāṇī. You simply repeat his instructions in disciplic succession. You desire only to serve Prabhupada with steadfast determination, and I barely know of the ways in which you have voluntarily taken on so much hardship for such selfless service, giving everything you got. You are a cent per cent sold out servant of Srila Prabhupada. Your surrender, conviction and determination amazes and inspires me. Prabhupada once said to Jayadvaita Maharaja “just try to see how the spiritual master is fully engaged in Krishna’s service.” I am taking shelter of you Gurudeva, desiring to follow your footsteps in serving the guru with full determination and faith.
This quality of yours is very significant for me because I am confident, being under your shelter, that you are following and instructing us according to what Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted and emphasised the most—especially your emphasis on reading and studying Prabhupada’s books, chanting, saṅkīrtana and daivi varnashrama farm communities. This very much enlivens me.
Recently Layas and I have shared news of a new preaching program at Crossways top floor. I was happy to hear that you are so happy with our humble attempts there and encouraged us greatly to continue. You encouraged us to read the additional pastimes book of the Lilamrita to hear special pastimes of the extraordinary tolerance of Srila Prabhupada. You then sent me a letter of Prabhupada explaining preaching energetically but with detachment. (Section that stood out to me from the letter) Prabhupada: “we should do our duty as prescribed by the spiritual master. Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Then both sides, you will be favored: from the spiritual master and from Kṛṣṇa. And that is the success.” … “Our business is to carry out the order, not to see success. Success is not so easy. That is not so easy.”
The next program after that day you gave us your blessings, we had the biggest turnout of guests so far, and all really favourable young men. I’m sure that this was all your mercy and blessings.
I am grateful that you have focused my vision, making me see how this is a most essential need, preaching and cultivating these young local people by such an urban program, I am looking forward to continue under your guidance.
I do not have the personal strength— mentally, physically, nor the enthusiasm, determination or tolerance. Therefore, I’m praying to you to please empower us to fulfil this mission, that I can be used as an instrument in the Lords hands to bring more souls to the shelter of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet.
Please empower us to make progress in manifesting the will of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the previous ācāryas in this world, especially in terms of cultivating a young community of local people, distribution of Srila Prabhupāda’s books, the holy names, and eventually in establishing a daivi varṇāśrama farm community for the sustenance of devotees, freeing them as much as possible from the influence of this unsustainable, destructive, soul-sucking system of the demoniac civilisation — which is considered to be the norm.
I find it difficult living amidst such madness and long for a simpler life, sometimes I feel that I don’t have the strength or tolerance to continue, but I know with your mercy anything is possible.
Praying to somehow be able to use this miserable bag of flesh and bones to please the Lord. Please guide me how I can use this life to manifest these seemingly impossible tasks in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
In Prabhupadas purport to 6.7.23, he writes
“We therefore pray to the spiritual master:
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
(Madhya 17.80)
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains. As advised by Lord Brahmā, one should remember this śāstric injunction if one desires success in his life.”
Your servant,
Shyamavan Das
You are a shining representative Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mood and mission in this world. As you said last year, although you were not able to receive much vapu association of Śrīla Prabhupāda, you have been profusely showered upon with so much of Prabhupāda’s vāṇī. You simply repeat his instructions in disciplic succession. You desire only to serve Prabhupada with steadfast determination, and I barely know of the ways in which you have voluntarily taken on so much hardship for such selfless service, giving everything you got. You are a cent per cent sold out servant of Srila Prabhupada. Your surrender, conviction and determination amazes and inspires me. Prabhupada once said to Jayadvaita Maharaja “just try to see how the spiritual master is fully engaged in Krishna’s service.” I am taking shelter of you Gurudeva, desiring to follow your footsteps in serving the guru with full determination and faith.
This quality of yours is very significant for me because I am confident, being under your shelter, that you are following and instructing us according to what Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted and emphasised the most—especially your emphasis on reading and studying Prabhupada’s books, chanting, saṅkīrtana and daivi varnashrama farm communities. This very much enlivens me.
Recently Layas and I have shared news of a new preaching program at Crossways top floor. I was happy to hear that you are so happy with our humble attempts there and encouraged us greatly to continue. You encouraged us to read the additional pastimes book of the Lilamrita to hear special pastimes of the extraordinary tolerance of Srila Prabhupada. You then sent me a letter of Prabhupada explaining preaching energetically but with detachment. (Section that stood out to me from the letter) Prabhupada: “we should do our duty as prescribed by the spiritual master. Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Then both sides, you will be favored: from the spiritual master and from Kṛṣṇa. And that is the success.” … “Our business is to carry out the order, not to see success. Success is not so easy. That is not so easy.”
The next program after that day you gave us your blessings, we had the biggest turnout of guests so far, and all really favourable young men. I’m sure that this was all your mercy and blessings.
I am grateful that you have focused my vision, making me see how this is a most essential need, preaching and cultivating these young local people by such an urban program, I am looking forward to continue under your guidance.
I do not have the personal strength— mentally, physically, nor the enthusiasm, determination or tolerance. Therefore, I’m praying to you to please empower us to fulfil this mission, that I can be used as an instrument in the Lords hands to bring more souls to the shelter of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet.
Please empower us to make progress in manifesting the will of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the previous ācāryas in this world, especially in terms of cultivating a young community of local people, distribution of Srila Prabhupāda’s books, the holy names, and eventually in establishing a daivi varṇāśrama farm community for the sustenance of devotees, freeing them as much as possible from the influence of this unsustainable, destructive, soul-sucking system of the demoniac civilisation — which is considered to be the norm.
I find it difficult living amidst such madness and long for a simpler life, sometimes I feel that I don’t have the strength or tolerance to continue, but I know with your mercy anything is possible.
Praying to somehow be able to use this miserable bag of flesh and bones to please the Lord. Please guide me how I can use this life to manifest these seemingly impossible tasks in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
In Prabhupadas purport to 6.7.23, he writes
“We therefore pray to the spiritual master:
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
(Madhya 17.80)
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains. As advised by Lord Brahmā, one should remember this śāstric injunction if one desires success in his life.”
Your servant,
Shyamavan Das
Siddha Mantra Das
Hare Krishna Gurudev,
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Please accept my humble obeisances Srila gurumaharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The glorious occasion has come again to reflect and introspect what glorious life you had as a Srila Prabhupada's loyal warrior. So many years of unflinching devotions you had towards Guru and Gauranga. A sankirtan warrior you had been from Srila Prabhupada's time to the time of iron curtain days.
The dedication that you have always showed towards book distribution is so inspiring. I have personally served earlier as a project head of one the book distribution services and I have always found the services to be very heavy. To keep up the momentum and mood as a book distributor is not easy at all. Somehow time and again I have seen how much importance you have given to read Srila Prabhupada's books and distribute as well. That is why devotees all over the world are doing heavy sankirtan to honor your vyas puja but the seed of inspiration is you.
Srila Prabhupada said to please him one should not stop book distribution. An Acarya is one who sets the example by himself and Srila Prabhupada did that personally. At this age of 75 plus you are setting new benchmark for us when we see you doing the same on streets of London or Australia or USA.
We were so sceptical to invite you in our ISKCON Newtown considering your intense travel and health issues. But to our surprise when you came you have surcharged us with the infectious energy. Devotees who got just little association are inquiring from me when maharaj will come again.
Srila Prabhupada writes
sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya
(Cc. Madhya 22.54)
Even by a little association with devotees, the conditioned soul can get out of this miserable material condition.
This lava matra sadhu sanga that we got this year devotees are yearning to get once again. Our zeal to carry on Krishna consciousness very much depends how we derive the inspiration from you.
Thank you gurumaharaj for teaching through your examples and also by your vani. There is so much to learn more and so much miles to walk before I sleep.
Hoping to serve you more in future.
Aspiring servant
Siddha Mantra Das
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Please accept my humble obeisances Srila gurumaharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The glorious occasion has come again to reflect and introspect what glorious life you had as a Srila Prabhupada's loyal warrior. So many years of unflinching devotions you had towards Guru and Gauranga. A sankirtan warrior you had been from Srila Prabhupada's time to the time of iron curtain days.
The dedication that you have always showed towards book distribution is so inspiring. I have personally served earlier as a project head of one the book distribution services and I have always found the services to be very heavy. To keep up the momentum and mood as a book distributor is not easy at all. Somehow time and again I have seen how much importance you have given to read Srila Prabhupada's books and distribute as well. That is why devotees all over the world are doing heavy sankirtan to honor your vyas puja but the seed of inspiration is you.
Srila Prabhupada said to please him one should not stop book distribution. An Acarya is one who sets the example by himself and Srila Prabhupada did that personally. At this age of 75 plus you are setting new benchmark for us when we see you doing the same on streets of London or Australia or USA.
We were so sceptical to invite you in our ISKCON Newtown considering your intense travel and health issues. But to our surprise when you came you have surcharged us with the infectious energy. Devotees who got just little association are inquiring from me when maharaj will come again.
Srila Prabhupada writes
sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya
(Cc. Madhya 22.54)
Even by a little association with devotees, the conditioned soul can get out of this miserable material condition.
This lava matra sadhu sanga that we got this year devotees are yearning to get once again. Our zeal to carry on Krishna consciousness very much depends how we derive the inspiration from you.
Thank you gurumaharaj for teaching through your examples and also by your vani. There is so much to learn more and so much miles to walk before I sleep.
Hoping to serve you more in future.
Aspiring servant
Siddha Mantra Das
Śivānanda Sena dasa
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda, and all glories to you.
Reflecting on the pastime of my namesake, Śivānanda Sena, and his mercy upon a dog, highlights for me the good fortune one has to become the servant of a Vaisnava.
“Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura also sings, tumi ta’ ṭhākura, tomāra kukura, baliyā jānaha more: “O my Lord, O Vaiṣṇava, please consider me your dog.” One must become the dog of a Vaiṣṇava, a pure devotee, for a pure devotee can deliver Kṛṣṇa without difficulty. Kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāra. Kṛṣṇa is the property of His pure devotee, and if we take shelter of a pure devotee, he can deliver Kṛṣṇa very easily.” -SB 7.9.42
Without your mercy, I would certainly be the hopelessly surrendered dog of the illusory energy, working hard for a fruitless existence, not understanding why I was suffering or what solution could be possible.
Thinking back, before encountering your mercy my existence, drenched in tri-guṇa-mayī, was so dry. I was working hard for nothing, struggling so hard to find happiness in a world that seemed to lack meaning. One of my university physics professors even admitted to me that “this educational system is meant to make you a soul-less worker drone for the corporate world”.
“Modern university education practically prepares one to acquire a doggish mentality with which to accept the service of a greater master. After finishing a so-called education, the so-called educated persons move like dogs from door to door with applications for some service, and mostly they are driven away, informed of no vacancy. As dogs are negligible animals and serve the master faithfully for bits of bread, a man serves a master faithfully without sufficient rewards.” - SB2.3.19pp
In contrast, Gurudeva, how grateful I am that you are giving me the opportunity to become a dog under your Vaisnava care.
While attempting to serve as your personal assistant recently, I was amazed to see how you operate - so grave and yet so jolly, deftly guiding so many devotees, even when your service goes unappreciated; and taking on so many headaches to care for devotees and ISKCON, many of which are unseen to us. What ordinary person could travel so relentlessly even in your late 70s, offering personal care and guidance for devotees, staying so astonishingly balanced and regulated, all while so internally absorbed in Krishna and Srila Prabhupada?
And amongst all of this I am repeatedly touched by how you connect with each and every devotee in such a personal way, like when you took the time to ask me how I was doing at the airport and spoke with me on your walk. I vividly remember one time you casually made a comment to another devotee with me that “Śivānanda is everyone’s friend”, just at a time when I was feeling discouraged and frustrated - and I felt such deep appreciation from your simple yet potent words. It’s amazing how Krishna gives you the intelligence to touch the hearts of so many devotees in such a simple yet profound way.
Indeed, the whole community at Bhakti Lounge is an incredible expansion of your personal care. The mentor systems, the service opportunities, the association and the reading culture all feel so natural that it is easy to forget that this miracle is the product of decades of painstaking toil by you and your disciples. I feel so safe and sheltered here under your wing.
And on top of this you relentlessly shower us with potent Krishna katha from your lotus mouth, no doubt imbued with the dust from Krishna’s lotus feet! I can’t forget your ecstatic lectures on the Pingala pastime, the need to become sadhus and sadhvis, or the nature of a real human civilisation, just to name a few - what a luxury it is to hear from you so regularly and be infected by your contagious taste for Krishna’s glories.
Reflecting on the shelter, guidance and opportunities you have mercifully given me, I am reminded of Śrīla Prabhupāda's words in his purport to CC Antya 1.24:
“Our only desire should be to take birth under the care of a Vaiṣṇava. Fortunately we had the opportunity to be born of a Vaiṣṇava father who took care of us very nicely. He prayed to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī that in the future we would become a servant of the eternal consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Thus somehow or other we are now engaged in that service. We may conclude that even as dogs we must take shelter of a Vaiṣṇava. The benefit will be the same as that which accrues to an advanced devotee under a Vaiṣṇava’s care.”
Without your mercy I would certainly be the stubborn, rabid dog of the illusory energy. In contrast, how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to become your dog and pursue the bliss of Krishna Consciousness, made astonishingly accessible by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
On this auspicious day Gurudeva, I wish to express my heartfelt desire to become a better dog of yours, truly aligned with the desires of my glorious master. I pray to cling to your lotus feet through all phases of life, and never take cheaply the opportunity to participate in your masterful offering to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Thank you for transforming my existence in such a wonderful way. I’m begging for the opportunity to please you more and more in the years to come.
Aspiring to become your dog,
Śivānanda Sena dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda, and all glories to you.
Reflecting on the pastime of my namesake, Śivānanda Sena, and his mercy upon a dog, highlights for me the good fortune one has to become the servant of a Vaisnava.
“Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura also sings, tumi ta’ ṭhākura, tomāra kukura, baliyā jānaha more: “O my Lord, O Vaiṣṇava, please consider me your dog.” One must become the dog of a Vaiṣṇava, a pure devotee, for a pure devotee can deliver Kṛṣṇa without difficulty. Kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāra. Kṛṣṇa is the property of His pure devotee, and if we take shelter of a pure devotee, he can deliver Kṛṣṇa very easily.” -SB 7.9.42
Without your mercy, I would certainly be the hopelessly surrendered dog of the illusory energy, working hard for a fruitless existence, not understanding why I was suffering or what solution could be possible.
Thinking back, before encountering your mercy my existence, drenched in tri-guṇa-mayī, was so dry. I was working hard for nothing, struggling so hard to find happiness in a world that seemed to lack meaning. One of my university physics professors even admitted to me that “this educational system is meant to make you a soul-less worker drone for the corporate world”.
“Modern university education practically prepares one to acquire a doggish mentality with which to accept the service of a greater master. After finishing a so-called education, the so-called educated persons move like dogs from door to door with applications for some service, and mostly they are driven away, informed of no vacancy. As dogs are negligible animals and serve the master faithfully for bits of bread, a man serves a master faithfully without sufficient rewards.” - SB2.3.19pp
In contrast, Gurudeva, how grateful I am that you are giving me the opportunity to become a dog under your Vaisnava care.
While attempting to serve as your personal assistant recently, I was amazed to see how you operate - so grave and yet so jolly, deftly guiding so many devotees, even when your service goes unappreciated; and taking on so many headaches to care for devotees and ISKCON, many of which are unseen to us. What ordinary person could travel so relentlessly even in your late 70s, offering personal care and guidance for devotees, staying so astonishingly balanced and regulated, all while so internally absorbed in Krishna and Srila Prabhupada?
And amongst all of this I am repeatedly touched by how you connect with each and every devotee in such a personal way, like when you took the time to ask me how I was doing at the airport and spoke with me on your walk. I vividly remember one time you casually made a comment to another devotee with me that “Śivānanda is everyone’s friend”, just at a time when I was feeling discouraged and frustrated - and I felt such deep appreciation from your simple yet potent words. It’s amazing how Krishna gives you the intelligence to touch the hearts of so many devotees in such a simple yet profound way.
Indeed, the whole community at Bhakti Lounge is an incredible expansion of your personal care. The mentor systems, the service opportunities, the association and the reading culture all feel so natural that it is easy to forget that this miracle is the product of decades of painstaking toil by you and your disciples. I feel so safe and sheltered here under your wing.
And on top of this you relentlessly shower us with potent Krishna katha from your lotus mouth, no doubt imbued with the dust from Krishna’s lotus feet! I can’t forget your ecstatic lectures on the Pingala pastime, the need to become sadhus and sadhvis, or the nature of a real human civilisation, just to name a few - what a luxury it is to hear from you so regularly and be infected by your contagious taste for Krishna’s glories.
Reflecting on the shelter, guidance and opportunities you have mercifully given me, I am reminded of Śrīla Prabhupāda's words in his purport to CC Antya 1.24:
“Our only desire should be to take birth under the care of a Vaiṣṇava. Fortunately we had the opportunity to be born of a Vaiṣṇava father who took care of us very nicely. He prayed to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī that in the future we would become a servant of the eternal consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Thus somehow or other we are now engaged in that service. We may conclude that even as dogs we must take shelter of a Vaiṣṇava. The benefit will be the same as that which accrues to an advanced devotee under a Vaiṣṇava’s care.”
Without your mercy I would certainly be the stubborn, rabid dog of the illusory energy. In contrast, how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to become your dog and pursue the bliss of Krishna Consciousness, made astonishingly accessible by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
On this auspicious day Gurudeva, I wish to express my heartfelt desire to become a better dog of yours, truly aligned with the desires of my glorious master. I pray to cling to your lotus feet through all phases of life, and never take cheaply the opportunity to participate in your masterful offering to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Thank you for transforming my existence in such a wonderful way. I’m begging for the opportunity to please you more and more in the years to come.
Aspiring to become your dog,
Śivānanda Sena dasa
Smita-Kānti devi dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Recently I’ve been reading the pastime of when Srila Prabhupada first came to the West. On the surface it looked like poor timing to launch a spiritual movement- in the midst of world conflict, recession and moral corruption. Prabhupada landed in a foreign land, with no money, no support, and no real plan. Only the intense desire and absorption in serving the instruction of his spiritual master. In the space of a few years, by Krishna’s arrangement, a window of mercy was opened in which the Krishna consciousness movement flooded the world. Similarly, you went through so much, and materially sacrificed so much, just on the faith of your spiritual master. It is only through you, and your mercy, that I can experience the good fortune of connecting to this movement, and experience true satisfaction through Krsna Consciousness. Thankyou for allowing me to take shelter of you and linking me to the Supreme wealth.
Thankyou also for all the opportunities you have given me, and continue to give me, through your association and instructions. My life becomes so much simpler when I just try to remember Krsna, and attempt to enact what you have said. Several times I have experienced that when I really apply myself to actioning your instructions, I feel empowered to carry them out. I pray to remember this more and more, so I can reach the stage when I am thinking solely of what will please you. I have so much appreciation for how your instructions blend together both pragmatism and the highest esoteric topics of Krsna- whether you’re instructing me on what bhajan to learn, how to navigate my work-life, or what to plant in the garden. I remember once, about 6 years ago, while I was serving at New Gupta Vraja, another devotee and myself were telling you of a plan to plant a flower garden out the front of Gaura Haven. Your response was something reminiscent of “why just plant flowers, plant something you can both offer to Krsna and eat to nourish your body”. Seeing New Kulina-grama develop is a wonderful fructification of this point.
Thankyou for your classes and kirtans. They give me a glimpse of what it means to be truly, deeply, Krsna conscious- to be always in Vrndavana Dhama. Thankyou for your shelter and example. Thankyou for being my spiritual father and for giving me life beyond my body. Please allow me to keep serving you, and your disciples, so that eventually I may eternally rest in full Krsna consciousness.
Aspiring to be a true devotee and please you,
Smita-Kānti devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Recently I’ve been reading the pastime of when Srila Prabhupada first came to the West. On the surface it looked like poor timing to launch a spiritual movement- in the midst of world conflict, recession and moral corruption. Prabhupada landed in a foreign land, with no money, no support, and no real plan. Only the intense desire and absorption in serving the instruction of his spiritual master. In the space of a few years, by Krishna’s arrangement, a window of mercy was opened in which the Krishna consciousness movement flooded the world. Similarly, you went through so much, and materially sacrificed so much, just on the faith of your spiritual master. It is only through you, and your mercy, that I can experience the good fortune of connecting to this movement, and experience true satisfaction through Krsna Consciousness. Thankyou for allowing me to take shelter of you and linking me to the Supreme wealth.
Thankyou also for all the opportunities you have given me, and continue to give me, through your association and instructions. My life becomes so much simpler when I just try to remember Krsna, and attempt to enact what you have said. Several times I have experienced that when I really apply myself to actioning your instructions, I feel empowered to carry them out. I pray to remember this more and more, so I can reach the stage when I am thinking solely of what will please you. I have so much appreciation for how your instructions blend together both pragmatism and the highest esoteric topics of Krsna- whether you’re instructing me on what bhajan to learn, how to navigate my work-life, or what to plant in the garden. I remember once, about 6 years ago, while I was serving at New Gupta Vraja, another devotee and myself were telling you of a plan to plant a flower garden out the front of Gaura Haven. Your response was something reminiscent of “why just plant flowers, plant something you can both offer to Krsna and eat to nourish your body”. Seeing New Kulina-grama develop is a wonderful fructification of this point.
Thankyou for your classes and kirtans. They give me a glimpse of what it means to be truly, deeply, Krsna conscious- to be always in Vrndavana Dhama. Thankyou for your shelter and example. Thankyou for being my spiritual father and for giving me life beyond my body. Please allow me to keep serving you, and your disciples, so that eventually I may eternally rest in full Krsna consciousness.
Aspiring to be a true devotee and please you,
Smita-Kānti devi dasi.
Smitamrta Dasi
Dear Gurudeva.
All glories to you and all glories to your beloved spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
I wanted to start by thanking you for your endless effort to spread your love and knowledge of Krsna to the world. I'm sure I take your mercy for granted but I am very grateful for your consitet guidance through your endless lectures and meditations.
I admire your taste to be able to dive deeply into the micro details of the pastimes that you read and hear about. It's so apparent how much pure joy you receive from them. As an aspiring devotee, I just swim on the surface, constantly at risk of Maya's grip, yet you dive deeply into the ocean of bhakti with excitement and fulfillment.
Thank you for sharing your passion dedication, it tends to be my only lifeline. A hope that one day I can swim past the violent waves of distractions and join you in the depth of that ocean.
My words will never match your glories and I feel foolish to even try so I will end again with a heart felt thank you and I pray that you will always keep me safety protected at your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant
Smitamrta Dasi.
All glories to you and all glories to your beloved spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
I wanted to start by thanking you for your endless effort to spread your love and knowledge of Krsna to the world. I'm sure I take your mercy for granted but I am very grateful for your consitet guidance through your endless lectures and meditations.
I admire your taste to be able to dive deeply into the micro details of the pastimes that you read and hear about. It's so apparent how much pure joy you receive from them. As an aspiring devotee, I just swim on the surface, constantly at risk of Maya's grip, yet you dive deeply into the ocean of bhakti with excitement and fulfillment.
Thank you for sharing your passion dedication, it tends to be my only lifeline. A hope that one day I can swim past the violent waves of distractions and join you in the depth of that ocean.
My words will never match your glories and I feel foolish to even try so I will end again with a heart felt thank you and I pray that you will always keep me safety protected at your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant
Smitamrta Dasi.
Sri Goloka das
namah om visnu-padaya krishna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble and repeated obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your divine appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your tireless dedication to his mission!
Before anything else, thank you, Gurudeva, for the countless years of unconditional kindness, patience, correction, protection and affection you have bestowed upon me and my family. From my early years in Sydney to my life today in California, you have remained my spiritual father, teacher, mentor and constant friend.
Your compassion has been especially evident during the most painful moments of my life. You stood beside me through the final days and departures of both my parents, offering not merely consolation but spiritual guidance, wisdom and the shelter of Krsna consciousness. I cannot begin to repay such kindness.
Reflecting upon this truth and the many years you have so mercifully guided me, I humbly offer these few words of gratitude.
Your Mercy, My Eternal Shelter
In London, before Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda,
I prayed for guidance to find my way;
Then Krsna brought me to your shelter,
A mercy that remains with me today.
In Sydney, beneath Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha's grace,
You nurtured me through years of doubt and pride;
With patient correction and boundless kindness,
You became my spiritual father and guide.
In Denver, where Sri Sri Radha Govinda reign,
You taught us that true devotion begins at home;
That steadiness in our ashram and service
Keeps Krsna near wherever we roam.
From Denver, I flew to Sydney in sorrow,
To bid my dying father one last farewell;
Before, during and after his departure,
Your loving guidance sustained me so well.
Even as Father lay gravely ill,
You offered initiation, such mercy rare;
You gave him shelter at your lotus feet,
And held our grieving family in your care.
At Gita Nagari, I cherished your association,
And drove you onward, nervous yet blessed;
Even that journey became a lesson,
How Prabhupada's mission fills your every breath.
In California, serving Sri Sri Panca Tattva,
My mother departed within our home;
Before, during and after those painful days,
Your wisdom assured me I was not alone.
Through Bhagavatam's eternal teachings,
You helped my grieving heart to see;
Beyond the body's temporary nature,
The soul's eternal identity.
You taught me that genuine devotion
Is not measured by what others see;
But by attentive chanting and sincere service,
And the heart's desire for purity.
You traverse the world for Srila Prabhupada,
Sacrificing comfort to uplift each soul;
Yet amidst your countless responsibilities,
You make each struggling disciple feel whole.
I have resisted, failed and faltered,
Yet your compassion has seen me through;
What can I offer an ocean of mercy,
Except a life more faithful to you?
So at your lotus feet I humbly pray,
Through every birth, wherever I may be;
May I serve your beloved Prabhupada's mission,
And remain your servant eternally.
All glories to your Vyasa-puja!
All glories to your tireless service to Srila Prabhupada!
On behalf of my late father and your disciple, His Grace Giriraj Prabhu, and my late mother, Manjula Mataji.
Your insignificant and eternally grateful aspiring servant,
Sri Goloka das
srimate devamrita-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble and repeated obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your divine appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your tireless dedication to his mission!
Before anything else, thank you, Gurudeva, for the countless years of unconditional kindness, patience, correction, protection and affection you have bestowed upon me and my family. From my early years in Sydney to my life today in California, you have remained my spiritual father, teacher, mentor and constant friend.
Your compassion has been especially evident during the most painful moments of my life. You stood beside me through the final days and departures of both my parents, offering not merely consolation but spiritual guidance, wisdom and the shelter of Krsna consciousness. I cannot begin to repay such kindness.
Reflecting upon this truth and the many years you have so mercifully guided me, I humbly offer these few words of gratitude.
Your Mercy, My Eternal Shelter
In London, before Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda,
I prayed for guidance to find my way;
Then Krsna brought me to your shelter,
A mercy that remains with me today.
In Sydney, beneath Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha's grace,
You nurtured me through years of doubt and pride;
With patient correction and boundless kindness,
You became my spiritual father and guide.
In Denver, where Sri Sri Radha Govinda reign,
You taught us that true devotion begins at home;
That steadiness in our ashram and service
Keeps Krsna near wherever we roam.
From Denver, I flew to Sydney in sorrow,
To bid my dying father one last farewell;
Before, during and after his departure,
Your loving guidance sustained me so well.
Even as Father lay gravely ill,
You offered initiation, such mercy rare;
You gave him shelter at your lotus feet,
And held our grieving family in your care.
At Gita Nagari, I cherished your association,
And drove you onward, nervous yet blessed;
Even that journey became a lesson,
How Prabhupada's mission fills your every breath.
In California, serving Sri Sri Panca Tattva,
My mother departed within our home;
Before, during and after those painful days,
Your wisdom assured me I was not alone.
Through Bhagavatam's eternal teachings,
You helped my grieving heart to see;
Beyond the body's temporary nature,
The soul's eternal identity.
You taught me that genuine devotion
Is not measured by what others see;
But by attentive chanting and sincere service,
And the heart's desire for purity.
You traverse the world for Srila Prabhupada,
Sacrificing comfort to uplift each soul;
Yet amidst your countless responsibilities,
You make each struggling disciple feel whole.
I have resisted, failed and faltered,
Yet your compassion has seen me through;
What can I offer an ocean of mercy,
Except a life more faithful to you?
So at your lotus feet I humbly pray,
Through every birth, wherever I may be;
May I serve your beloved Prabhupada's mission,
And remain your servant eternally.
All glories to your Vyasa-puja!
All glories to your tireless service to Srila Prabhupada!
On behalf of my late father and your disciple, His Grace Giriraj Prabhu, and my late mother, Manjula Mataji.
Your insignificant and eternally grateful aspiring servant,
Sri Goloka das
Sri Jiva Charan das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you!
You are the emblem of Śaraṇāgati. To me your very form radiates this quality. The amount of love you have for Srila Prabhupada must be vastly deep. Perhaps one day I will understand. I hope to. I pray to one day have a drop of your guru-bhakti. You have given everything to Srila Prabhupada. Your body, your intelligence, your mind, your words, your time, your life, your very existence. The depths of what fuels your ever consistent surrender, what is moving your unconditional giving, year after year, decade after decade, is simultaneously magnificent, wonderous, and enigmatic. An enigma to me because, even though I long for it, I simply to not have such Śaraṇāgati, such unconditional surrender. Gurudeva, please be merciful to me so that I can one day be qualified to understand and sincerely walk the path of true Śaraṇāgati, as you have and continue to do.
Recently I have been reading the 12th chapter of the 10th canto, the killing of the demon Aghāsura. There it describes the cowherd boy’s exclusive dependency on Krishna. In text 27 the words ananya-nāthān are used to indicate the cowherd boy’s utter fearlessness, knowing no one except Krishna as their protector.
Srila Prabhupada translates:
“Krishna saw that all the cowherd boys, who did not know anyone but Him as their Lord, had now gone out of His hand and were helpless, having entered like straws into the fire of the abdomen of Aghāsura, who was death personified…”.
Earlier in text 24 Śukadeva Goswami shares:
“Then the boys said, “Has this living creature come to swallow us? If he does so, he will immediately be killed like Bakāsura, without delay.” Thus, they looked at the beautiful face of Krishna, the enemy of Bakāsura, and, laughing loudly and clapping their hands, they entered the mouth of the python”.
In reading this pastime I am reminded of your “ananya-nāthān”, your excusive dependence on Krishna and consequential fearlessness. I am reminded of your heroic escapade in which you entered the serpent like jaws of the Soviet Union, risking your life out of love for Srila Prabhupada and the suffering souls ‘behind the iron curtain’. How could anyone do this, risk their life, without exclusive surrender, love and fearlessness knowing that Krishna would personally protect them. I am reminded of the pastime where you came face to face with a KGB officer at an outreach program. Just as Krishna used his mystic potency to save his dear friends, by expanding his form within the abdomen of Aghāsura and thus choked him to death, Krishna similarly saved you. Krishna used his mystic power to ‘choke’ the officer’s vision. It seemed they became temporarily blind, their eyes hazed over. Thus, the officer could not see you even though you stood facing each other, eyes apparently locked. How wonderful! I am reminded how, by Krishna’s grace, you and the other devotees were then able to leave the apartment safety, having been granted continual life in your outreach adventures. Similarly, in the same way Krishna revivified the cowherd boys and were then able to effortlessly escape Aghāsura’s belly with newfound life, attachment, and love for their Krishna.
I sometimes wonder how much that experience must have even further deepened your surrender and love for Krishna. I don’t know, who am I to know. I am simply a fool. However, I am reminded of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura's words in his song book Śaraṇāgati. There he describes the fourth principle of surrender: Avaśya Rakṣibe Krishna Viśvāsa Pālana – Faith in Krishna as Protector.
In song two, verse one, he proclaims:
“If You wish to slay someone, then who could possibly protect them?”
And in verse four:
“Your name is Bhakta-vatsala, for You are the eternally affectionate Lord of Your dear devotees. If You wish to protect someone, then who could possibly slay them?”.
Thus, he concludes in verse five:
“Your servant Bhaktivinoda has bowed down submissively at Your lotus feet, O Lord! He cherishes the faith, O master, that You will surely protect him from all dangers”.
Gurudeva, I have very little knowledge, realisation, devotion, and understanding. All I can say from this past time in which Krishna mystically protected you, is that you are obviously very, very, very dear to Krishna. Krishna must love and care for you so much. Inconceivably so.
All glories to you and your “ananya-nāthān”, your Śaraṇāgati, your divine love.
Begging for the shade and shelter of your lotus feet. Pleading for the protection from maya at your lotus feet. Begging for the purification of my sinful heart at your lotus feet. Begging for the love and mercy that Srila Prabhupada and Krishna have bestowed upon you at your lotus feet.
With eternal gratitude,
Your servant Sri Jiva Charan das.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you!
You are the emblem of Śaraṇāgati. To me your very form radiates this quality. The amount of love you have for Srila Prabhupada must be vastly deep. Perhaps one day I will understand. I hope to. I pray to one day have a drop of your guru-bhakti. You have given everything to Srila Prabhupada. Your body, your intelligence, your mind, your words, your time, your life, your very existence. The depths of what fuels your ever consistent surrender, what is moving your unconditional giving, year after year, decade after decade, is simultaneously magnificent, wonderous, and enigmatic. An enigma to me because, even though I long for it, I simply to not have such Śaraṇāgati, such unconditional surrender. Gurudeva, please be merciful to me so that I can one day be qualified to understand and sincerely walk the path of true Śaraṇāgati, as you have and continue to do.
Recently I have been reading the 12th chapter of the 10th canto, the killing of the demon Aghāsura. There it describes the cowherd boy’s exclusive dependency on Krishna. In text 27 the words ananya-nāthān are used to indicate the cowherd boy’s utter fearlessness, knowing no one except Krishna as their protector.
Srila Prabhupada translates:
“Krishna saw that all the cowherd boys, who did not know anyone but Him as their Lord, had now gone out of His hand and were helpless, having entered like straws into the fire of the abdomen of Aghāsura, who was death personified…”.
Earlier in text 24 Śukadeva Goswami shares:
“Then the boys said, “Has this living creature come to swallow us? If he does so, he will immediately be killed like Bakāsura, without delay.” Thus, they looked at the beautiful face of Krishna, the enemy of Bakāsura, and, laughing loudly and clapping their hands, they entered the mouth of the python”.
In reading this pastime I am reminded of your “ananya-nāthān”, your excusive dependence on Krishna and consequential fearlessness. I am reminded of your heroic escapade in which you entered the serpent like jaws of the Soviet Union, risking your life out of love for Srila Prabhupada and the suffering souls ‘behind the iron curtain’. How could anyone do this, risk their life, without exclusive surrender, love and fearlessness knowing that Krishna would personally protect them. I am reminded of the pastime where you came face to face with a KGB officer at an outreach program. Just as Krishna used his mystic potency to save his dear friends, by expanding his form within the abdomen of Aghāsura and thus choked him to death, Krishna similarly saved you. Krishna used his mystic power to ‘choke’ the officer’s vision. It seemed they became temporarily blind, their eyes hazed over. Thus, the officer could not see you even though you stood facing each other, eyes apparently locked. How wonderful! I am reminded how, by Krishna’s grace, you and the other devotees were then able to leave the apartment safety, having been granted continual life in your outreach adventures. Similarly, in the same way Krishna revivified the cowherd boys and were then able to effortlessly escape Aghāsura’s belly with newfound life, attachment, and love for their Krishna.
I sometimes wonder how much that experience must have even further deepened your surrender and love for Krishna. I don’t know, who am I to know. I am simply a fool. However, I am reminded of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura's words in his song book Śaraṇāgati. There he describes the fourth principle of surrender: Avaśya Rakṣibe Krishna Viśvāsa Pālana – Faith in Krishna as Protector.
In song two, verse one, he proclaims:
“If You wish to slay someone, then who could possibly protect them?”
And in verse four:
“Your name is Bhakta-vatsala, for You are the eternally affectionate Lord of Your dear devotees. If You wish to protect someone, then who could possibly slay them?”.
Thus, he concludes in verse five:
“Your servant Bhaktivinoda has bowed down submissively at Your lotus feet, O Lord! He cherishes the faith, O master, that You will surely protect him from all dangers”.
Gurudeva, I have very little knowledge, realisation, devotion, and understanding. All I can say from this past time in which Krishna mystically protected you, is that you are obviously very, very, very dear to Krishna. Krishna must love and care for you so much. Inconceivably so.
All glories to you and your “ananya-nāthān”, your Śaraṇāgati, your divine love.
Begging for the shade and shelter of your lotus feet. Pleading for the protection from maya at your lotus feet. Begging for the purification of my sinful heart at your lotus feet. Begging for the love and mercy that Srila Prabhupada and Krishna have bestowed upon you at your lotus feet.
With eternal gratitude,
Your servant Sri Jiva Charan das.
Sri Yasoda dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā celebration.
In a transcendental room conversation with Śrīla Prabhupāda and the most fortunate Irish Poet Desmond O’Grady, on the 23rd May, 1974 in Rome.
Śrīla Prabhupāda:
“Yes. Spiritual master means who solves all confusion. That is spiritual master. When one is confused, he goes to a spiritual master, and the spiritual master’s duty is to save him from all confusion. That is the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple. If the spiritual master cannot save him from confusion, then he is not spiritual master. That is the test.
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
This whole world is confusion, just like a blazing fire in the forest. When there is forest fire, all the animals become confused, ‘Where to go? How to save life?’ It is very good example. When there is fire in the forest, all the animals become confused. Similarly, this material world is just like a blazing fire in the forest. Everyone is confused.
Now, how the blazing fire in the forest can be extinguished? You cannot take there your man-made fire brigade. That is not possible. Neither bucketful of water. So in this confused state of the human society you cannot manufacture the solution. The only solution is that when there is rain from the cloud on the forest fire, then it is extinguished. That is not in your hand; that is mercy of God.
So spiritual master means who has received the mercy of God, and he can deliver to the confused man. Then the solution is there. This is very good verse, saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam, prāptasya. One who has received mercy of God, he can become spiritual master. He can deliver the mercy of God.”
In the same way, the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya inquired from Sūta Gosvāmī:
“O Sūta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.15)
In the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda mentions:
“Anyone, therefore, who takes shelter of the lotus feet of a pure devotee by accepting the pure devotee as his spiritual master, can at once be purified. Such devotees of the Lord are honored equally by the Lord because they are engaged in the most confidential service of the Lord, for they deliver out of the material world fallen souls whom the Lord wants to return home, back to Godhead.”
Dear Guru Maharaja,
On this most auspicious day, my favourite day of the year, I am very grateful to be in the association of your dear disciples and well wishers to meditate upon our connection to you, Śrīla Prabhupāda the paramparā, and how greatly fortunate we are to have such a loving, kind, personal and merciful spiritual father.
When you were recently here in Melbourne, one afternoon my husband and I happened to see you as you were returning. You kindly came and spoke with us. It is always a sublime, most precious experience to be in your personal presence, even if only for a few moments, at that time it feels as though we have just visited all holy places and swam in all holy rivers.
In that moment I was thinking how wonderful you are, how compassionate you are, and how, just by seeing your beautiful smile, I instantly feel the deepest peace and satisfaction in my heart.
I am so grateful to have had your shelter for over half my life. Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your wonderful mercy and compassion.
I pray that my head may always remain at your lotus feet and that I may always have the great good fortune to experience your gentle smile, your cooling personal presence and direct guidance, pulling weeds from the heart with such tolerance and expertise.
Guru Maharaja, you are always able to see the bigger picture. One simple example comes to mind.
This year, at the Otaki Easter Bhakti Festival, Candidasa Prabhu gave his presentation on The Consequences of AI. Candidasa mentioned how AI cannot be truly creative and when asked for a solution to a problem, it will give some good answers, but it is not able to think outside the box.
We did a small-group experiment. The question was, ‘I ate the pizza while it was still…?’ The answers we gave were all quite predictable, along the lines of ‘hot, warm, cold, cooking, frozen’, etc. You instantly gave the exact example that was needed: ‘Flying through the air’!
Candidasa then pointed out that AI will give the most likely answers - all the answers we gave, except for yours, Guru Maharaja, the truly creative, innovative and far-seeing genius that you are.
Dear Guru Maharaja, on this most blessed and wonderful day, I humbly bow down to you with folded hands, requesting you to please kindly look far into my future. Whatever small and insignificant propensity I have to serve you, please propel me forwards to that place.
Aspiring to keep my head forever at your lotus feet, with my heart and mind in line with your instructions, vision and desire.
Forever your indebted servant and daughter,
Your servant, Śrī Yaśodā dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā celebration.
In a transcendental room conversation with Śrīla Prabhupāda and the most fortunate Irish Poet Desmond O’Grady, on the 23rd May, 1974 in Rome.
Śrīla Prabhupāda:
“Yes. Spiritual master means who solves all confusion. That is spiritual master. When one is confused, he goes to a spiritual master, and the spiritual master’s duty is to save him from all confusion. That is the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple. If the spiritual master cannot save him from confusion, then he is not spiritual master. That is the test.
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
This whole world is confusion, just like a blazing fire in the forest. When there is forest fire, all the animals become confused, ‘Where to go? How to save life?’ It is very good example. When there is fire in the forest, all the animals become confused. Similarly, this material world is just like a blazing fire in the forest. Everyone is confused.
Now, how the blazing fire in the forest can be extinguished? You cannot take there your man-made fire brigade. That is not possible. Neither bucketful of water. So in this confused state of the human society you cannot manufacture the solution. The only solution is that when there is rain from the cloud on the forest fire, then it is extinguished. That is not in your hand; that is mercy of God.
So spiritual master means who has received the mercy of God, and he can deliver to the confused man. Then the solution is there. This is very good verse, saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam, prāptasya. One who has received mercy of God, he can become spiritual master. He can deliver the mercy of God.”
In the same way, the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya inquired from Sūta Gosvāmī:
“O Sūta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.15)
In the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda mentions:
“Anyone, therefore, who takes shelter of the lotus feet of a pure devotee by accepting the pure devotee as his spiritual master, can at once be purified. Such devotees of the Lord are honored equally by the Lord because they are engaged in the most confidential service of the Lord, for they deliver out of the material world fallen souls whom the Lord wants to return home, back to Godhead.”
Dear Guru Maharaja,
On this most auspicious day, my favourite day of the year, I am very grateful to be in the association of your dear disciples and well wishers to meditate upon our connection to you, Śrīla Prabhupāda the paramparā, and how greatly fortunate we are to have such a loving, kind, personal and merciful spiritual father.
When you were recently here in Melbourne, one afternoon my husband and I happened to see you as you were returning. You kindly came and spoke with us. It is always a sublime, most precious experience to be in your personal presence, even if only for a few moments, at that time it feels as though we have just visited all holy places and swam in all holy rivers.
In that moment I was thinking how wonderful you are, how compassionate you are, and how, just by seeing your beautiful smile, I instantly feel the deepest peace and satisfaction in my heart.
I am so grateful to have had your shelter for over half my life. Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your wonderful mercy and compassion.
I pray that my head may always remain at your lotus feet and that I may always have the great good fortune to experience your gentle smile, your cooling personal presence and direct guidance, pulling weeds from the heart with such tolerance and expertise.
Guru Maharaja, you are always able to see the bigger picture. One simple example comes to mind.
This year, at the Otaki Easter Bhakti Festival, Candidasa Prabhu gave his presentation on The Consequences of AI. Candidasa mentioned how AI cannot be truly creative and when asked for a solution to a problem, it will give some good answers, but it is not able to think outside the box.
We did a small-group experiment. The question was, ‘I ate the pizza while it was still…?’ The answers we gave were all quite predictable, along the lines of ‘hot, warm, cold, cooking, frozen’, etc. You instantly gave the exact example that was needed: ‘Flying through the air’!
Candidasa then pointed out that AI will give the most likely answers - all the answers we gave, except for yours, Guru Maharaja, the truly creative, innovative and far-seeing genius that you are.
Dear Guru Maharaja, on this most blessed and wonderful day, I humbly bow down to you with folded hands, requesting you to please kindly look far into my future. Whatever small and insignificant propensity I have to serve you, please propel me forwards to that place.
Aspiring to keep my head forever at your lotus feet, with my heart and mind in line with your instructions, vision and desire.
Forever your indebted servant and daughter,
Your servant, Śrī Yaśodā dd
Sriman Nrsimha Das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to your divine appearance!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
As followers of Srila Rupa Goswami, we are instructed by the abhideya-acarya to first take shelter of a bonafide spiritual master and then inquire from him about the spiritual path. I have been tremendously fortunate to have attained shelter of your divine grace in this lifetime. Please allow me to enunciate some of your outstanding qualities by taking support of verses quoted by Srila Sanatana Goswami in his Hari Bhakti Vilasa. These verses describe the 28 amazing qualities of a genuine spiritual master:
<i>avadātānvaya-śuddhaḥ
svocitācāra-tat-paraḥ
āśramī krodha-rahito
veda-vit sarva-śāstra-vit</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>1. Saintly:</strong> Guru Maharaj, you are saintly because you are a dedicated follower of the greatest saint, Srila Prabhupada.
<strong>2. Born in a pure family:</strong> You were born into a devoted, God-fearing Christian family and later took your birth again in the family of Vaishnavas headed by Srila Prabhupada.
<strong>3. Diligent in performing his prescribed duties:</strong> You diligently perform an extensive variety of services headed by your top-most prescribed duty of chanting a fixed number of rounds.
<strong>4. A follower of Varnashrama:</strong> You are a jewel amongst the Sannyas order and also push forward Srila Prabhupada’s Varnashrama vision with zeal by maintaining devotional farm communities.
<strong>5. Devoid of anger:</strong> During the 18 years that I have known you, I have never seen even a hint of anger in your personality.
<strong>6. Learned in the scriptures:</strong> You are an expert student of Srila Prabhupada’s books. You once mentioned that if someone asked you a question and you did not know the answer off the top of your head, you would be able to direct them to the appropriate section of Srila Prabhupada’s books where they could find the answer.
<i>śraddhāvān anasūyaś ca
priya-vāk priya-darśanaḥ
śuciḥ su-veṣas taruṇaḥ
sarva-bhūta-hite rataḥ</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>7. Faithful:</strong> You are a faithful servant of Srila Prabhupada as well as the organisation that he established, ISKCON.
<strong>8. Free of envy:</strong> You have no envy amongst your Godbrothers. In fact, you make it a point to demonstrate to your disciples the loving camaraderie you share with your Godbrothers.
<strong>9. A pleasing speaker:</strong> There is nothing to prove regarding this point as it is self-evident when you speak. You are an expert orator in the science of Krishna Consciousness.
<strong>10. Pleasing to the eye:</strong> You are both physically and spiritually attractive. When others see you, they are reminded of Krishna.
<strong>11. Pure:</strong> Purity is the force. Your radiating glow and magnetic aura due to your spiritual purity immediately attracted me as an aspiring devotee.
<strong>12. Well-dressed:</strong> You always appear clean and presentable and adorned with the Vaishnava markings of tilak, neck beads and shikha.
<strong>13. Young:</strong> You have a resplendent and eternally youthful spiritual body.
<strong>14. A person who works for the welfare of all living beings:</strong> You have been circling the globe for the last five decades, travelling to all continents (except Antarctica as you often point out) for the benefit of the conditioned souls.
<i>dhīmān anuddhata-matiḥ
pūrṇo ‘hantā vimarśakaḥ
sad-guṇo ‘rcāsu kṛta-dhīḥ
kṛtajñaḥ śiṣya-vatsalaḥ</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>15. Intelligent:</strong> You are the most intelligent amongst human beings because you have dedicated yourself to the chanting of the Holy Name of Krishna and the process of Harinam Sankirtan.
<strong>16. Humble at heart:</strong> You always consider yourself a lowly servant of your spiritual master.
<strong>17. Perfect:</strong> You are perfect because you have realised your position as an infinitesimal servant of Krishna.
<strong>18. Non-violent:</strong> You have perfected the art of non-violence by not denying the conditioned souls an opportunity to practise Krishna Consciousness. You are also demonstrated empathy towards Krishna’s favourite pet animal, the cow.
<strong>19. Thoughtful:</strong> You are always thinking and scheming how to share the Vedic wisdom especially to non-traditional audiences.
<strong>20. Virtuous:</strong> You are virtuous because thousands of devotees look up to you for guidance and inspiration in their practise of Krishna Consciousness.
<strong>21. Intent on worshipping the Lord:</strong> You once led an otherworldly kirtan at New Gupta Vraj during New Year’s Eve in front of Sri Sri Doyal Nitai Gaurahari. You were intently calling out for Their mercy and each one of us in attendance felt the reciprocation. I will never forget that experience.
<strong>22. Grateful:</strong> You are grateful to Srila Prabhupada and the sankirtan devotees. You often mention that Srila Prabhupada saved you from the hellish New Yorker lifestyle.
<strong>23. Affectionate to his disciples:</strong> You have mentioned that when you visit Mayapur and take darshan of the Panchatattva, you take your time to ardently pray to Them for the spiritual wellbeing of your disciples all over the world.
<i>nigrahānugrahe śakto
homa-mantra-parāyaṇaḥ
uhāpoha-prakāra-jñaḥ
śuddhātmā yaḥ kṛpālayaḥ
ity-ādi-lakṣaṇair yukto
guruḥ syād garima-nidhiḥ</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>24. Capable of both punishment and mercy:</strong> A mere glance or expression of your face can make a disciple repentant or ecstatic.
<strong>25. Devoted to both mantras and yajnas:</strong> You are dedicated to hearing and chanting the Mahamantra and performing the Sankirtan Yajna, particularly in the form of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.
<strong>26. Examining all sides of an issue:</strong> You have demonstrated yourself to be an expert and fair devotional manager in the higher levels of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON organisation.
<strong>27. Pure at heart:</strong> I was reminded by a Godbrother that you once said that we should strive to develop the Vrindavan consciousness. What is that? It is thinking, “what is the best thing that I can be doing now to please Krishna’s senses?”
<strong>28. Merciful:</strong> You have rescued insignificant me.
Dear Guru Maharaj! As a genuine spiritual master, you have these and many other qualities — indeed, you are a treasure house of virtues! How blessed I am to have received the shelter of such a spiritual master as you. I pray that I may never forget this and always remain in service to your lotus feet.
Your insignificant servant,
Sriman Nrsimha Das
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to your divine appearance!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
As followers of Srila Rupa Goswami, we are instructed by the abhideya-acarya to first take shelter of a bonafide spiritual master and then inquire from him about the spiritual path. I have been tremendously fortunate to have attained shelter of your divine grace in this lifetime. Please allow me to enunciate some of your outstanding qualities by taking support of verses quoted by Srila Sanatana Goswami in his Hari Bhakti Vilasa. These verses describe the 28 amazing qualities of a genuine spiritual master:
<i>avadātānvaya-śuddhaḥ
svocitācāra-tat-paraḥ
āśramī krodha-rahito
veda-vit sarva-śāstra-vit</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>1. Saintly:</strong> Guru Maharaj, you are saintly because you are a dedicated follower of the greatest saint, Srila Prabhupada.
<strong>2. Born in a pure family:</strong> You were born into a devoted, God-fearing Christian family and later took your birth again in the family of Vaishnavas headed by Srila Prabhupada.
<strong>3. Diligent in performing his prescribed duties:</strong> You diligently perform an extensive variety of services headed by your top-most prescribed duty of chanting a fixed number of rounds.
<strong>4. A follower of Varnashrama:</strong> You are a jewel amongst the Sannyas order and also push forward Srila Prabhupada’s Varnashrama vision with zeal by maintaining devotional farm communities.
<strong>5. Devoid of anger:</strong> During the 18 years that I have known you, I have never seen even a hint of anger in your personality.
<strong>6. Learned in the scriptures:</strong> You are an expert student of Srila Prabhupada’s books. You once mentioned that if someone asked you a question and you did not know the answer off the top of your head, you would be able to direct them to the appropriate section of Srila Prabhupada’s books where they could find the answer.
<i>śraddhāvān anasūyaś ca
priya-vāk priya-darśanaḥ
śuciḥ su-veṣas taruṇaḥ
sarva-bhūta-hite rataḥ</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>7. Faithful:</strong> You are a faithful servant of Srila Prabhupada as well as the organisation that he established, ISKCON.
<strong>8. Free of envy:</strong> You have no envy amongst your Godbrothers. In fact, you make it a point to demonstrate to your disciples the loving camaraderie you share with your Godbrothers.
<strong>9. A pleasing speaker:</strong> There is nothing to prove regarding this point as it is self-evident when you speak. You are an expert orator in the science of Krishna Consciousness.
<strong>10. Pleasing to the eye:</strong> You are both physically and spiritually attractive. When others see you, they are reminded of Krishna.
<strong>11. Pure:</strong> Purity is the force. Your radiating glow and magnetic aura due to your spiritual purity immediately attracted me as an aspiring devotee.
<strong>12. Well-dressed:</strong> You always appear clean and presentable and adorned with the Vaishnava markings of tilak, neck beads and shikha.
<strong>13. Young:</strong> You have a resplendent and eternally youthful spiritual body.
<strong>14. A person who works for the welfare of all living beings:</strong> You have been circling the globe for the last five decades, travelling to all continents (except Antarctica as you often point out) for the benefit of the conditioned souls.
<i>dhīmān anuddhata-matiḥ
pūrṇo ‘hantā vimarśakaḥ
sad-guṇo ‘rcāsu kṛta-dhīḥ
kṛtajñaḥ śiṣya-vatsalaḥ</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>15. Intelligent:</strong> You are the most intelligent amongst human beings because you have dedicated yourself to the chanting of the Holy Name of Krishna and the process of Harinam Sankirtan.
<strong>16. Humble at heart:</strong> You always consider yourself a lowly servant of your spiritual master.
<strong>17. Perfect:</strong> You are perfect because you have realised your position as an infinitesimal servant of Krishna.
<strong>18. Non-violent:</strong> You have perfected the art of non-violence by not denying the conditioned souls an opportunity to practise Krishna Consciousness. You are also demonstrated empathy towards Krishna’s favourite pet animal, the cow.
<strong>19. Thoughtful:</strong> You are always thinking and scheming how to share the Vedic wisdom especially to non-traditional audiences.
<strong>20. Virtuous:</strong> You are virtuous because thousands of devotees look up to you for guidance and inspiration in their practise of Krishna Consciousness.
<strong>21. Intent on worshipping the Lord:</strong> You once led an otherworldly kirtan at New Gupta Vraj during New Year’s Eve in front of Sri Sri Doyal Nitai Gaurahari. You were intently calling out for Their mercy and each one of us in attendance felt the reciprocation. I will never forget that experience.
<strong>22. Grateful:</strong> You are grateful to Srila Prabhupada and the sankirtan devotees. You often mention that Srila Prabhupada saved you from the hellish New Yorker lifestyle.
<strong>23. Affectionate to his disciples:</strong> You have mentioned that when you visit Mayapur and take darshan of the Panchatattva, you take your time to ardently pray to Them for the spiritual wellbeing of your disciples all over the world.
<i>nigrahānugrahe śakto
homa-mantra-parāyaṇaḥ
uhāpoha-prakāra-jñaḥ
śuddhātmā yaḥ kṛpālayaḥ
ity-ādi-lakṣaṇair yukto
guruḥ syād garima-nidhiḥ</i>
A genuine spiritual master is:
<strong>24. Capable of both punishment and mercy:</strong> A mere glance or expression of your face can make a disciple repentant or ecstatic.
<strong>25. Devoted to both mantras and yajnas:</strong> You are dedicated to hearing and chanting the Mahamantra and performing the Sankirtan Yajna, particularly in the form of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.
<strong>26. Examining all sides of an issue:</strong> You have demonstrated yourself to be an expert and fair devotional manager in the higher levels of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON organisation.
<strong>27. Pure at heart:</strong> I was reminded by a Godbrother that you once said that we should strive to develop the Vrindavan consciousness. What is that? It is thinking, “what is the best thing that I can be doing now to please Krishna’s senses?”
<strong>28. Merciful:</strong> You have rescued insignificant me.
Dear Guru Maharaj! As a genuine spiritual master, you have these and many other qualities — indeed, you are a treasure house of virtues! How blessed I am to have received the shelter of such a spiritual master as you. I pray that I may never forget this and always remain in service to your lotus feet.
Your insignificant servant,
Sriman Nrsimha Das
Srivana devi dasi
Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupad and all glories to you and Parampara!!
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja dear Gurudev.
Guru maharaj we were fortunate to attend last year in-person Vyasa puja in Melbourne. I want to offer my gratitude by recollecting some of the highlights of the Vyasa puja.
HG Vaisesika maharaj had glorified some of your qualities in his VP address to you.
Some of them are your loyalty to Srila Prabhupad which has been the case throughout your life.
Courageousness in service: which meant that you risked your own life for service.
Advocacy: You advocated what Srila Prabhupad advocated for meaning You don’t deviate an inch from Srila Prabhupad’s teachings.
Soft hearted: You always bring gifts when meeting God brothers and by being warm hearted and humble encouragement to others.
GM also I want to recollect on how you encourage others based on their strengths.
I was listening to Gauranga Darshan das lectures on Brihad Bhagavatamrita.
In that he mentioned how You inspired him to write Brihad Bhagavatamrita Subodhini and how he took that instruction seriously and asked permission from his Spiritual master and wrote subodhini. This was really inspiring Gurudev.
Also in the VP address toward the end you mentioned that we should always keep in mind 2 things
One is the “Jewel” and the other is the “setting of the jewel”
Jewel refers to the Parampara and the knowledge coming from the Parampara.
Setting of the Jewel refers to the institution here(ISKCON) where devotees from various backgrounds come together. You emphasised the need of all of us to stick together amidst various differences in order to accomplish Srila Prabhupad’s mission.
Also Maharaj more than Vapu seva how important is Vani seva and meditating on the instructions of Guru is important was highlighted by you and I want to carry them at the back of my head always.
This year I had to go thru’ some health challenges one after the other.At the beginning I was concerned that my normal life would be disrupted. But when I informed of my health challenge to my Shiksha Guru and to our Bhakti Vriksha devotees help and prayers came pouring and much to my surprise I came out with very minimal pain and I could continue normal life. Then I realised how much grateful we should be for leading a normal life filled with Sadhana and Seva.
Guru Maharaj I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the key points from your lectures that resonated with me.
In one lecture you mentioned that things in material world can change very quickly …this is so true Maharaj like when I think back we were all stuck badly in COVID,then devastating bush fire and floods all followed one after another reminding us that this place is temporary and filled with miseries.
You time and again emphasise in the lectures that the miseries of this world are like the passing of the summer and winter months…they come and go…
Also Maharaj, we as a family try to participate in the monthly sankirtan book distribution along with our God family.
This is something new as we are not that eloquent in convincing others but then just by showing up and trying to do our bit I think we please you in that way.
I also get encouraged to read more Srila Prabhupad and other BBT books in this way.
Not but not the least I want to thank my Shiksha Guru’s who are guiding us in our spiritual path by encouraging, involving us in various hall program services, correcting us wherever required and teaching by their behaviour how to develop Vaishnava qualities besides getting knowledge.
I am grateful for whatever little spiritual progress I have made in this life.
Guru maharaj I beg you to give aorta of your mercy to this fallen conditioned soul so that I can progress and go deeper in realisations and also develop Vaishnava qualities.
I pray to Lord Narasimha dev to protect you and bless you with good health so that you may continue to inspire millions of wandering souls like me.
Hare Krishna
Your insignificant Spiritual daughter
Srivana devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupad and all glories to you and Parampara!!
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja dear Gurudev.
Guru maharaj we were fortunate to attend last year in-person Vyasa puja in Melbourne. I want to offer my gratitude by recollecting some of the highlights of the Vyasa puja.
HG Vaisesika maharaj had glorified some of your qualities in his VP address to you.
Some of them are your loyalty to Srila Prabhupad which has been the case throughout your life.
Courageousness in service: which meant that you risked your own life for service.
Advocacy: You advocated what Srila Prabhupad advocated for meaning You don’t deviate an inch from Srila Prabhupad’s teachings.
Soft hearted: You always bring gifts when meeting God brothers and by being warm hearted and humble encouragement to others.
GM also I want to recollect on how you encourage others based on their strengths.
I was listening to Gauranga Darshan das lectures on Brihad Bhagavatamrita.
In that he mentioned how You inspired him to write Brihad Bhagavatamrita Subodhini and how he took that instruction seriously and asked permission from his Spiritual master and wrote subodhini. This was really inspiring Gurudev.
Also in the VP address toward the end you mentioned that we should always keep in mind 2 things
One is the “Jewel” and the other is the “setting of the jewel”
Jewel refers to the Parampara and the knowledge coming from the Parampara.
Setting of the Jewel refers to the institution here(ISKCON) where devotees from various backgrounds come together. You emphasised the need of all of us to stick together amidst various differences in order to accomplish Srila Prabhupad’s mission.
Also Maharaj more than Vapu seva how important is Vani seva and meditating on the instructions of Guru is important was highlighted by you and I want to carry them at the back of my head always.
This year I had to go thru’ some health challenges one after the other.At the beginning I was concerned that my normal life would be disrupted. But when I informed of my health challenge to my Shiksha Guru and to our Bhakti Vriksha devotees help and prayers came pouring and much to my surprise I came out with very minimal pain and I could continue normal life. Then I realised how much grateful we should be for leading a normal life filled with Sadhana and Seva.
Guru Maharaj I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the key points from your lectures that resonated with me.
In one lecture you mentioned that things in material world can change very quickly …this is so true Maharaj like when I think back we were all stuck badly in COVID,then devastating bush fire and floods all followed one after another reminding us that this place is temporary and filled with miseries.
You time and again emphasise in the lectures that the miseries of this world are like the passing of the summer and winter months…they come and go…
Also Maharaj, we as a family try to participate in the monthly sankirtan book distribution along with our God family.
This is something new as we are not that eloquent in convincing others but then just by showing up and trying to do our bit I think we please you in that way.
I also get encouraged to read more Srila Prabhupad and other BBT books in this way.
Not but not the least I want to thank my Shiksha Guru’s who are guiding us in our spiritual path by encouraging, involving us in various hall program services, correcting us wherever required and teaching by their behaviour how to develop Vaishnava qualities besides getting knowledge.
I am grateful for whatever little spiritual progress I have made in this life.
Guru maharaj I beg you to give aorta of your mercy to this fallen conditioned soul so that I can progress and go deeper in realisations and also develop Vaishnava qualities.
I pray to Lord Narasimha dev to protect you and bless you with good health so that you may continue to inspire millions of wandering souls like me.
Hare Krishna
Your insignificant Spiritual daughter
Srivana devi dasi.
Srivas sharan das
Hare Krishna Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
I find this service of sitting down and writing my Vyasa Puja offering to you to be a particularly humbling and purifying experience. In the midst of a busy schedule of sadhana and service, it forces me to stop for a little while and contemplate the gravity of what has been done for me, and how incapable I am of properly reciprocating.
How fortunate I am to have you as my spiritual master. Life, which once seemed like such an empty and frustrating mystery, now has such a clear purpose: keep my vows, follow your instructions, and serve your servants.
Nevertheless, last year I managed to find a rather effective way of making things complicated again. While in Mayapur, I decided to visit a palm reader. I was hoping to get some guidance on what sort of service would be best for me, but he very confidently told me that I should leave the brahmacari ashram and get married. I was not expecting that at all, and my mind became very disturbed. When I returned to New Zealand, I knew that if I could just come before you and reveal my mind to you, you would fix me up. And I was right. After hearing me out, you simply replied, “So that’s just one person’s opinion.”
Your unwavering chastity to Srila Prabhupada and his books gives me so much faith in your guidance. You have seen it all before, and you always know the right thing to say. I know that whatever confusion I bring before you, your concern is simply how to bring me closer to Krishna.
I remember another small moment at the last Recharge Festival that has stayed with me. At the time, my back pain had become quite bad, and during the sankirtan presentation I was struggling to stand. While another devotee was speaking, I moved quietly to the back of the room and leaned against the windowsill to get some relief. I remember glancing over and seeing you looking at me with such concern in your eyes. With everything that was going on in the room, you noticed. Whenever I think back on that small moment, I am reminded of the deep affection with which you care for your disciples.
By your mercy, last year I had the opportunity to visit Vrindavan and Mayapur for the first time. You plucked me and so many others off the streets of Kali Yuga and placed me at the foot of Govardhan Hill, on the banks of Radha Kund and at the Lotus Feet of Sri Panca Tattva in Mayapur.
And I am just one of so many souls whose lives you have transformed. When I look around at my godbrothers and godsisters, each with their own story of how they came to Krishna consciousness, I get a glimpse of the extraordinary reach of your compassion. So many different people, from so many different backgrounds, each carrying their own struggles, attachments and conditioning, yet somehow you have made room for all of us at your lotus feet. You have dedicated your life to bringing others closer to Krishna, and the countless lives you have touched are a testament to your magnanimity and compassion.
You have given me everything, and yet I am ashamed that I still only give you part of myself.
My dear Gurudev, I pray that I may never leave the shelter of your Lotus Feet and your service. Serving you is my life and soul. Please bless me so that I may always remember this and never take your mercy for granted.
Your grateful servant and son,
Srivas sharan das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
I find this service of sitting down and writing my Vyasa Puja offering to you to be a particularly humbling and purifying experience. In the midst of a busy schedule of sadhana and service, it forces me to stop for a little while and contemplate the gravity of what has been done for me, and how incapable I am of properly reciprocating.
How fortunate I am to have you as my spiritual master. Life, which once seemed like such an empty and frustrating mystery, now has such a clear purpose: keep my vows, follow your instructions, and serve your servants.
Nevertheless, last year I managed to find a rather effective way of making things complicated again. While in Mayapur, I decided to visit a palm reader. I was hoping to get some guidance on what sort of service would be best for me, but he very confidently told me that I should leave the brahmacari ashram and get married. I was not expecting that at all, and my mind became very disturbed. When I returned to New Zealand, I knew that if I could just come before you and reveal my mind to you, you would fix me up. And I was right. After hearing me out, you simply replied, “So that’s just one person’s opinion.”
Your unwavering chastity to Srila Prabhupada and his books gives me so much faith in your guidance. You have seen it all before, and you always know the right thing to say. I know that whatever confusion I bring before you, your concern is simply how to bring me closer to Krishna.
I remember another small moment at the last Recharge Festival that has stayed with me. At the time, my back pain had become quite bad, and during the sankirtan presentation I was struggling to stand. While another devotee was speaking, I moved quietly to the back of the room and leaned against the windowsill to get some relief. I remember glancing over and seeing you looking at me with such concern in your eyes. With everything that was going on in the room, you noticed. Whenever I think back on that small moment, I am reminded of the deep affection with which you care for your disciples.
By your mercy, last year I had the opportunity to visit Vrindavan and Mayapur for the first time. You plucked me and so many others off the streets of Kali Yuga and placed me at the foot of Govardhan Hill, on the banks of Radha Kund and at the Lotus Feet of Sri Panca Tattva in Mayapur.
And I am just one of so many souls whose lives you have transformed. When I look around at my godbrothers and godsisters, each with their own story of how they came to Krishna consciousness, I get a glimpse of the extraordinary reach of your compassion. So many different people, from so many different backgrounds, each carrying their own struggles, attachments and conditioning, yet somehow you have made room for all of us at your lotus feet. You have dedicated your life to bringing others closer to Krishna, and the countless lives you have touched are a testament to your magnanimity and compassion.
You have given me everything, and yet I am ashamed that I still only give you part of myself.
My dear Gurudev, I pray that I may never leave the shelter of your Lotus Feet and your service. Serving you is my life and soul. Please bless me so that I may always remember this and never take your mercy for granted.
Your grateful servant and son,
Srivas sharan das
Sruti-cari dd
Dear Guru Deva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It breaks my heart that I am not able to be there to celebrate your Vyasa Puja with you and my god family. I hate that, due to poor health, I often can’t attend your classes and kirtanas at Bhakti Lounge or the festivals you arrange for us. I know you put so much into delivering these things for our upliftment and I know I miss out.
Many, many years ago I was dithering about whether to attend one of the programs you were giving, and a disciple of Tamala Krishna Goswami said to me: “Always take every opportunity to hear your Guru Deva speak live, because you never know when he may leave his body.” (Tamala Krishna Goswami had left his body not long before, and the emotion of his disciples was still raw.) I think of that devotee’s comment often when I can’t attend your programs.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Please help me to take your instructions seriously. Please help me to hear and chant attentively. And please forgive me for falling short of the standards you desire.
Your servant and spiritual daughter
Sruti-cari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It breaks my heart that I am not able to be there to celebrate your Vyasa Puja with you and my god family. I hate that, due to poor health, I often can’t attend your classes and kirtanas at Bhakti Lounge or the festivals you arrange for us. I know you put so much into delivering these things for our upliftment and I know I miss out.
Many, many years ago I was dithering about whether to attend one of the programs you were giving, and a disciple of Tamala Krishna Goswami said to me: “Always take every opportunity to hear your Guru Deva speak live, because you never know when he may leave his body.” (Tamala Krishna Goswami had left his body not long before, and the emotion of his disciples was still raw.) I think of that devotee’s comment often when I can’t attend your programs.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Please help me to take your instructions seriously. Please help me to hear and chant attentively. And please forgive me for falling short of the standards you desire.
Your servant and spiritual daughter
Sruti-cari dd
Suhel Jain
Dearest Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your continued mercy, your patient guidance, and the priceless opportunity to serve under your shelter.
Quoting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.3.21)
tasmād gurūṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam
"Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation."
Dear Mahārāja, I am forever indebted to you for accepting me into your shelter. When I was blessed with your personal darśana, I asked how I might improve my japa chanting. You mercifully replied that I should first focus on my external environment before going inwards. That instruction has remained with me ever since, and I strive to follow it with diligence in my daily sādhana.
Please bless this conditioned and fallen soul with the strength and sincerity to serve you and your disciples one day.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Suhel Jain
Sukanthi Radha dasi
To my dear most Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Gurudev, it is the world’s incredible fortune that your presence has graced its land and skies for the past 76 years.
All your actions are saturated with Krishna consciousness, it’s an inconceivable mercy to cross paths with someone so extraordinary; what a tragedy for anyone who doesn’t get this chance.
“One should discharge one’s duty on Lord Kṛṣṇa’s behalf, and all one’s actions will be saturated with Kṛṣṇa thought, the highest pattern of trance in spiritual realization.” -SB 2.7.31 (purport)
You exemplify this above excerpt from Srila Prabhupadas purport as you demonstrate the “highest pattern of trance in spiritual realisation” Your every move is to benefit others, whether it be speaking to a lecture theatre full of university students or doing exercise to maintain your body for Krishnas service, your time is spent purposefully and with full realised knowledge of who you are, who Krishna is and what your relationship with Him is. How wonderful! To think we can even get a glimpse of your person, what to speak of getting a glance from your eyes, a word from your mouth, care from your heart, or an instruction from your soul, is something beyond comprehension.
“A devotee Bhāgavata is as good as the book Bhāgavata because the devotee Bhāgavata leads his life in terms of the book Bhāgavata and the book Bhāgavata is full of information about the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees, who are also Bhāgavatas. Bhāgavata book and person are identical.” -SB 1.2.18 (purport)
You are certainly the person Bhāgavata. Due to the purity of your existence, you are miraculously turning ships around from their suicide course and setting them sail towards the bright Krishna horizon. By your spiritual strength you lift sunken ships from the bottom of the ocean and give them renewed hope, fuel and direction. Wow!
I thank you on this day and eternally for the gift of your existence in my life. On a day where traditionally one receives gifts and service from others, instead I receive another gift from you, another undeserving but ever grateful year of your life mercifully intertwining with mine. How unfathomable!
I come ashamed and empty handed to your lotus feet, begging forgiveness for my shortcomings and offering whatever potential you may see in my meagre existence to be forever used in your service.
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Gurudev, it is the world’s incredible fortune that your presence has graced its land and skies for the past 76 years.
All your actions are saturated with Krishna consciousness, it’s an inconceivable mercy to cross paths with someone so extraordinary; what a tragedy for anyone who doesn’t get this chance.
“One should discharge one’s duty on Lord Kṛṣṇa’s behalf, and all one’s actions will be saturated with Kṛṣṇa thought, the highest pattern of trance in spiritual realization.” -SB 2.7.31 (purport)
You exemplify this above excerpt from Srila Prabhupadas purport as you demonstrate the “highest pattern of trance in spiritual realisation” Your every move is to benefit others, whether it be speaking to a lecture theatre full of university students or doing exercise to maintain your body for Krishnas service, your time is spent purposefully and with full realised knowledge of who you are, who Krishna is and what your relationship with Him is. How wonderful! To think we can even get a glimpse of your person, what to speak of getting a glance from your eyes, a word from your mouth, care from your heart, or an instruction from your soul, is something beyond comprehension.
“A devotee Bhāgavata is as good as the book Bhāgavata because the devotee Bhāgavata leads his life in terms of the book Bhāgavata and the book Bhāgavata is full of information about the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees, who are also Bhāgavatas. Bhāgavata book and person are identical.” -SB 1.2.18 (purport)
You are certainly the person Bhāgavata. Due to the purity of your existence, you are miraculously turning ships around from their suicide course and setting them sail towards the bright Krishna horizon. By your spiritual strength you lift sunken ships from the bottom of the ocean and give them renewed hope, fuel and direction. Wow!
I thank you on this day and eternally for the gift of your existence in my life. On a day where traditionally one receives gifts and service from others, instead I receive another gift from you, another undeserving but ever grateful year of your life mercifully intertwining with mine. How unfathomable!
I come ashamed and empty handed to your lotus feet, begging forgiveness for my shortcomings and offering whatever potential you may see in my meagre existence to be forever used in your service.
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Sukeshi Gopi
Hare Krishna Srila Gurudev, Your lifelong dedication to Krishna Consciousness is a joyous inspiration to fortune souls who come into contact with you. The older I become, the more I am in awe of the decades you have spent fully immersed in spreading the holy names across the world. Every day we become so bogged down by work, family obligations, and the difficulties of the material world. But thinking of you and your lifetime spent reading, chanting, and preaching gives me a glimmer of hope that I too can progress in my spiritual life. Thank you for giving shelter and protection to so many of us who try to make use of this rare opportunity of a human birth. Your servant Sukeshi Gopi
Sukha krida dasi
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you.
On this auspicious occasion of your vyasa puna, I earnestly pray for your good health and well being. Although words arent enough, I still make a humble attempt to write an offering
Gurudeva, your causeless mercy taught me that being in Bhakti means to have a character of a compassionate vaishnava which you naturally display in your demeanour. The level of your compassion reflects on how you have accepted me as your disciple despite my unlimited anarthas. For sure I am fallen but not failing because i have you as my only hope
You have mentioned few times how your only close vaapu association with Srila Prabhupada was when he walked into your office in BBT once and a senior devotee glorified your efforts .. SP looked at you and sai hmmm..and thats it!"
However, that didnt matter to you so much because as part of your role in BBT , you to get valuable access to the letters of of Srila Prabhupada.. you felt intimate to Prabhupadas mood and instructions and you took them to your heart and dedicated your life to Srila Prabhupada's movement. By your example you taught me that I need to keep close to your vaani association each single day which is focussed on taking the shelter of the Holy Name and Srimad Bhagavatam. Your instructions inspired me to Bhagavatam every day and Bhagavatam indeed has been my savior during some of the most rough patches in my life.
You have mentioned in your lectures that
Our illusion is based on sound vibration and the escape is based on sound vibration
You would say:
If you want to accelerate your spiritual life then increase your spiritual sound vibration
Increase Krishna katha and chanting
Preach in a way so others can hear the sound vibration from authority
When it comes to preaching, you were pleased with our humble attempt to host a Bhakti Vriksha 4 years back but when it was coming to finish, I asked for your guidance for next steps.. ,
You stressed upon me as always to look after my family with everything I got. You told me to be intelligent in keeping Krsna in the centre of your family and involve everyone in seva. Somehow with that instruction came empowerment due to which we as a family could take up hosting seva by your mercy for the next Bhakti Vriksha that started new the following year.
You would say in your lectures that
We are not the believers of Krishna, we are the hearers and chanters of Krishna .
You would quote in your lectures that
We have to transcend from wanting inner peace to serving only for the pleasure of Krishna
That transformation is based on hearing and chanting.. if we help others, ours become magnified.
Therefore, on your vyasa puja day i pray to selflessly serve the Vaishnava community and serve everyone, so I can contribute towards Lord Caitanya's movement in the right spirit, a spirit that pleases you and Srila Prabhupada.
Yours aspiring servant
Sukha krida dasi
Sumit Verma
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet, Gurudev.
My dearest Gurudev,
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I humbly offer my heartfelt gratitude and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
As I navigate the responsibilities, uncertainties and challenges of material life, I am increasingly beginning to realise how temporary everything around us is, and how precious the gift of Krishna consciousness truly is.
Gurudev, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, your unwavering service to Lord Krishna and your compassion towards conditioned souls are a constant source of inspiration.
Last year, my wife and I prayed sincerely to Lord Nityananda, seeking His mercy and guidance. Our humble prayer was that He would illuminate our spiritual path and bless us with the shelter and guidance of a genuine spiritual master who could help us progress in Krishna consciousness.
Little did we know how mercifully Lord Nityananda would respond to our prayers.
This year, by His causeless mercy, we had the wonderful fortune of meeting you, Gurudev.
I find it difficult to adequately express what we both experienced in your presence. From the very first moment, there was an instant connection, an overwhelming sense of warmth, comfort and protection. It was as though our hearts had found something they had been searching for, even before we fully understood what that was.
Your radiant personality, the warmth in your voice and the genuine compassion that emanates from you made us feel completely at ease. There was no hesitation, no unfamiliarity, only a deep sense of belonging and reassurance.
In that moment, without needing many words, we both felt in our hearts that we had found the spiritual guide we had been praying for.
Looking back, I cannot help but feel immense gratitude towards Lord Nityananda. What began as a humble prayer last year became such a beautiful blessing this year. It has strengthened our faith that when we sincerely seek spiritual guidance, Krishna and His devotees mercifully make arrangements beyond our understanding.
Gurudev, I often find myself struggling with the distractions of material life, becoming absorbed in responsibilities, expectations and anxieties. Yet I am gradually learning that true success is not measured by material accomplishments but by how sincerely we endeavour to remember Krishna and serve Him.
I know that I have countless shortcomings and that my spiritual understanding and determination are still very limited. But I sincerely aspire to become a better devotee, a more humble servant and an instrument in the service of Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
On this auspicious day, my humble prayer is that I may develop the sincerity, strength and determination to practise Krishna consciousness steadily, serve the Vaishnavas wholeheartedly and make genuine spiritual progress.
Gurudev, I also pray that my wife and I may continue to grow together in Krishna consciousness, supporting one another on this spiritual journey and gradually making our home and family life more centred around the loving service of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
Please bless us that we may become worthy of the spiritual guidance and shelter we so deeply aspire to receive, and that we may always remain grateful for the extraordinary mercy that has brought us to your lotus feet.
Above all, please bless me that, despite my imperfections, I may never lose the desire to seek shelter in Krishna consciousness and serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you, Gurudev, for illuminating the path that leads us back home, back to Godhead.
On this sacred occasion, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Lord Nityananda for hearing our prayers and leading us to you.
Your insignificant aspiring servant.
Hare Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet, Gurudev.
My dearest Gurudev,
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I humbly offer my heartfelt gratitude and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
As I navigate the responsibilities, uncertainties and challenges of material life, I am increasingly beginning to realise how temporary everything around us is, and how precious the gift of Krishna consciousness truly is.
Gurudev, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, your unwavering service to Lord Krishna and your compassion towards conditioned souls are a constant source of inspiration.
Last year, my wife and I prayed sincerely to Lord Nityananda, seeking His mercy and guidance. Our humble prayer was that He would illuminate our spiritual path and bless us with the shelter and guidance of a genuine spiritual master who could help us progress in Krishna consciousness.
Little did we know how mercifully Lord Nityananda would respond to our prayers.
This year, by His causeless mercy, we had the wonderful fortune of meeting you, Gurudev.
I find it difficult to adequately express what we both experienced in your presence. From the very first moment, there was an instant connection, an overwhelming sense of warmth, comfort and protection. It was as though our hearts had found something they had been searching for, even before we fully understood what that was.
Your radiant personality, the warmth in your voice and the genuine compassion that emanates from you made us feel completely at ease. There was no hesitation, no unfamiliarity, only a deep sense of belonging and reassurance.
In that moment, without needing many words, we both felt in our hearts that we had found the spiritual guide we had been praying for.
Looking back, I cannot help but feel immense gratitude towards Lord Nityananda. What began as a humble prayer last year became such a beautiful blessing this year. It has strengthened our faith that when we sincerely seek spiritual guidance, Krishna and His devotees mercifully make arrangements beyond our understanding.
Gurudev, I often find myself struggling with the distractions of material life, becoming absorbed in responsibilities, expectations and anxieties. Yet I am gradually learning that true success is not measured by material accomplishments but by how sincerely we endeavour to remember Krishna and serve Him.
I know that I have countless shortcomings and that my spiritual understanding and determination are still very limited. But I sincerely aspire to become a better devotee, a more humble servant and an instrument in the service of Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
On this auspicious day, my humble prayer is that I may develop the sincerity, strength and determination to practise Krishna consciousness steadily, serve the Vaishnavas wholeheartedly and make genuine spiritual progress.
Gurudev, I also pray that my wife and I may continue to grow together in Krishna consciousness, supporting one another on this spiritual journey and gradually making our home and family life more centred around the loving service of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
Please bless us that we may become worthy of the spiritual guidance and shelter we so deeply aspire to receive, and that we may always remain grateful for the extraordinary mercy that has brought us to your lotus feet.
Above all, please bless me that, despite my imperfections, I may never lose the desire to seek shelter in Krishna consciousness and serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you, Gurudev, for illuminating the path that leads us back home, back to Godhead.
On this sacred occasion, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Lord Nityananda for hearing our prayers and leading us to you.
Your insignificant aspiring servant.
Hare Krishna.
Sundarangi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Thank You for almost 20years of Your merciful shelter Gurudeva! Your seemingly ever increasing shelter Gurudeva!
The first time I remember hearing you speak Srimad Bhagavatam - live at a morning program at Wellington Centre (then called Gaura Yoga) hearing You chant 'Jaya Radha-Madhava' I was enthralled - Thank You! I continue to relish this with increasing appreciation.
Hearing and rehearing Your classes, Your kirtans, Your guidance, Your podcasts You give potential for true connection/clarity/inspiration, a gateway beyond this material world and certainly a barometer reading on my consciousness.
Deeply appreciating Your disciples and the Bhakti Lounge community in Wellington as precious gems into sanga and service in Krsna consciousness.
Thank You for the dawning realisation that any development in my Krsna Consciousness is due to Your mercy Gurudeva. Hare Krsna!
Aspiring to be your lively and bubbly servant
Sundarangi devi dasi
CC Madhya 18.99 Purport
One must see things as they are through the mercy of a spiritual master; otherwise, if one tries to see Kṛṣṇa directly, he may mistake an ordinary man for Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa for an ordinary man. Everyone has to see Kṛṣṇa according to the verdict of Vedic literatures presented by the self-realized spiritual master. A sincere person is able to see Kṛṣṇa through the transparent via medium of Śrī Gurudeva, the spiritual master. Unless one is enlightened by the knowledge given by the spiritual master, he cannot see things as they are, even though he remains constantly with the spiritual master. This incident at Kālīya-daha is very instructive for those eager to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Thank You for almost 20years of Your merciful shelter Gurudeva! Your seemingly ever increasing shelter Gurudeva!
The first time I remember hearing you speak Srimad Bhagavatam - live at a morning program at Wellington Centre (then called Gaura Yoga) hearing You chant 'Jaya Radha-Madhava' I was enthralled - Thank You! I continue to relish this with increasing appreciation.
Hearing and rehearing Your classes, Your kirtans, Your guidance, Your podcasts You give potential for true connection/clarity/inspiration, a gateway beyond this material world and certainly a barometer reading on my consciousness.
Deeply appreciating Your disciples and the Bhakti Lounge community in Wellington as precious gems into sanga and service in Krsna consciousness.
Thank You for the dawning realisation that any development in my Krsna Consciousness is due to Your mercy Gurudeva. Hare Krsna!
Aspiring to be your lively and bubbly servant
Sundarangi devi dasi
CC Madhya 18.99 Purport
One must see things as they are through the mercy of a spiritual master; otherwise, if one tries to see Kṛṣṇa directly, he may mistake an ordinary man for Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa for an ordinary man. Everyone has to see Kṛṣṇa according to the verdict of Vedic literatures presented by the self-realized spiritual master. A sincere person is able to see Kṛṣṇa through the transparent via medium of Śrī Gurudeva, the spiritual master. Unless one is enlightened by the knowledge given by the spiritual master, he cannot see things as they are, even though he remains constantly with the spiritual master. This incident at Kālīya-daha is very instructive for those eager to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Sundaresvara Das
Om Namah Vishnu-Padaya Krishna-
Presthaya Bhu-Tale
Shrimate Devamrita Swamin Iti Namine
Prachare purve dakshyam ca bhaktachara pravinta,
Parathatapi karunya yasya sarvecha te namah.
Hare Krsihna 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 2026.
Please forgive me for my mistakes, and please accept this humble prayer offered at your lotus feet.
You have taken me under the shelter of your initiation this year; I can never repay this debt to you.
You have changed our lives. You know everything, Gurudev. Every single word
proceeding from your lotus mouth is true, real, and auspicious.
We are extremely fortunate to receive your association and your darshan.
Your smile and your kirtan fill our lives with immense positivity. Dear Gurudev, you are our inspiration
.
I pray for your good health and long life.
Your Humble servant,
Sundaresvara Das
Iskcon Noida
Presthaya Bhu-Tale
Shrimate Devamrita Swamin Iti Namine
Prachare purve dakshyam ca bhaktachara pravinta,
Parathatapi karunya yasya sarvecha te namah.
Hare Krsihna 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 2026.
Please forgive me for my mistakes, and please accept this humble prayer offered at your lotus feet.
You have taken me under the shelter of your initiation this year; I can never repay this debt to you.
You have changed our lives. You know everything, Gurudev. Every single word
proceeding from your lotus mouth is true, real, and auspicious.
We are extremely fortunate to receive your association and your darshan.
Your smile and your kirtan fill our lives with immense positivity. Dear Gurudev, you are our inspiration
.
I pray for your good health and long life.
Your Humble servant,
Sundaresvara Das
Iskcon Noida
Sura Sreshta Das (Venkata Brahmanandarao Nelluri)
nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale, srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥnama
vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha🙏🙏
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Hare Krishna to you 🙏🙏
1) Please let me pay my respectful obeisance onto your lotus feet🙏🙏, guru maharaja. Please also let me do my koti koti dandavat pranams and lot of thanks to your holiness's partents and to your family members.
2) Your holiness involved in bringing up Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (5 voume series) books to the public and this shows that your holiness is serving srila prabhupada from your whole heartedly. Love you guru maharaj.
3) I am fallen soul, your holiness helped me by providing hari nama deeksha and your holiness's teachings/classes are guides to me to refer to in order to find solutinos whenver I stuck in living. Thank you so much guru maharaj.
Please stay healthy and be safe wherever you are located now, I love you 💕💞, guru maharaja🙏🙏 I am so sorry 😔
I am indebted to your holiness a lot & I do not know whether I am able to repay it in future or not. Please forgive me for my misdeeds and for my mistakes too please, guru maharaja.
Thank you for letting me to write this offering onto your lotus feet, guru maharaja.
Guru maharaj's vyasa puja mahotsav ki jai. HDG srila prabhupad ki jai. Guru parampara ki jai. Sri sri Radha Krishna ki jai jai jai.
Your insignificant tiny servant,
Sura Sreshta Das (Harinama deeksha disciple)
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥnama
vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha🙏🙏
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Hare Krishna to you 🙏🙏
1) Please let me pay my respectful obeisance onto your lotus feet🙏🙏, guru maharaja. Please also let me do my koti koti dandavat pranams and lot of thanks to your holiness's partents and to your family members.
2) Your holiness involved in bringing up Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (5 voume series) books to the public and this shows that your holiness is serving srila prabhupada from your whole heartedly. Love you guru maharaj.
3) I am fallen soul, your holiness helped me by providing hari nama deeksha and your holiness's teachings/classes are guides to me to refer to in order to find solutinos whenver I stuck in living. Thank you so much guru maharaj.
Please stay healthy and be safe wherever you are located now, I love you 💕💞, guru maharaja🙏🙏 I am so sorry 😔
I am indebted to your holiness a lot & I do not know whether I am able to repay it in future or not. Please forgive me for my misdeeds and for my mistakes too please, guru maharaja.
Thank you for letting me to write this offering onto your lotus feet, guru maharaja.
Guru maharaj's vyasa puja mahotsav ki jai. HDG srila prabhupad ki jai. Guru parampara ki jai. Sri sri Radha Krishna ki jai jai jai.
Your insignificant tiny servant,
Sura Sreshta Das (Harinama deeksha disciple)
Suranga Dasa
HH Devamrita Swami Maharaj Vyasapuja 2026
*Om Agyana thimirandasya Gyanajana Shalakaya Shakshurunmilitham ena thasmai Sri Guruve Namaha! *
*Namah Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Preshtaya Bhutale*
*Srimate Devamrita Swamin Iti Namine*
*Prachare Purva Dhaksam Ca Bhakti cara Praveenata*
*Paratatapi Karunyam Yasya Sarvachate Namaha*
This year’s theme is ALWAYS IN PRASADAM QUEUE.
Sri Guruashtakam has the lines ‘Yasya Prasadad Bhagavad Prasado’ meaning that by the mercy of the Spirtual Master one receives the Supreme benediction of Krishna. In Guru Vandhana prayers also has the lines ‘Jahara prasade bhai ye bhava toriya jai’ meaning that by the Spirtual Master’s mercy one can escape the forest fire of material suffering. As I was initially learning these prayers, these were the first lines I memorized as they contain the word ‘Prasada’. There are some devotees who have mentioned to me that they were attracted by the samosa and then stayed back for the philosophy. However, your journey is so unique. As you have often mentioned, you read Srila Prabhupada’s books for 3-4 hours daily for many months even before meeting any devotees. How often does that happen? It could be concluded that you obtained Srila Prabhupada’s grace, prasada, through His books.
In my native language, there is a saying that never eat a sweet in isolation. It means that one is always supposed to share any sweets before eating. And that is exactly what you subsequently did and continue to do every moment till now. Just last week in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, devotees somehow convinced you to personally hand over some prasada sweets to all assembled devotees. Usually, such queues are restricted to kids but on this occasion, it was open to all and immediately I was in the prasadam line. The day before this happened, as you finished the temple Bhagavatam class, headed for the car, I was obstructing your way by standing in the prasadam queue until a senior devotee prompted me from behind. Going back a couple of years in NZ wherein you served extraordinarily sweet classes in the recharge festival, I had stepped out during kirtan time secretly having some prasadam and suddenly you emerged outside and instead of chastising me, you put your lotus arms around my shoulder, enquiring about how NZ devotees were. Through this, my humble realization is that you possess qualities like Krishna, such as Soushilyam and Soulabyam, meaning incredible greatness and simplicity. Such qualities seldom go together.
Your teachings also have these seemingly contradicting qualities together perfectly embodies the spirit of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21. While including highest concepts from Upanishads and leelas from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, simultaneously you make your classes simple and sweet. In other words, palatable. As Srila Prabhupada often pointed out that sugarcane juice is both medicine and pleasurable depending on one’s condition or level, I am still very much at the medicinal stage, struggling to follow your instructions. Many years ago, you did a series of lectures on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita in Melbourne, you asked how many had the book and urged everyone to finish Srimad Bhagavatam quickly and get to Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. At the very least, 1 verse per day. I took that as a personal message but still my reading is like a phone number. Nevertheless, I am pleased to report that I am halfway through 4th canto now. By your blessings, as a family, we are involved in a small bhakti vrksha program, trying to encourage 10 or so families. Without your blessings, prasada, I will fall behind for sure. So, on this special occasion of your appearance day, I pray to Krishna for your health as there are many souls out there waiting in the prasadam queue.
Aspiring to be your humble servant,
Suranga Dasa
*Om Agyana thimirandasya Gyanajana Shalakaya Shakshurunmilitham ena thasmai Sri Guruve Namaha! *
*Namah Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Preshtaya Bhutale*
*Srimate Devamrita Swamin Iti Namine*
*Prachare Purva Dhaksam Ca Bhakti cara Praveenata*
*Paratatapi Karunyam Yasya Sarvachate Namaha*
This year’s theme is ALWAYS IN PRASADAM QUEUE.
Sri Guruashtakam has the lines ‘Yasya Prasadad Bhagavad Prasado’ meaning that by the mercy of the Spirtual Master one receives the Supreme benediction of Krishna. In Guru Vandhana prayers also has the lines ‘Jahara prasade bhai ye bhava toriya jai’ meaning that by the Spirtual Master’s mercy one can escape the forest fire of material suffering. As I was initially learning these prayers, these were the first lines I memorized as they contain the word ‘Prasada’. There are some devotees who have mentioned to me that they were attracted by the samosa and then stayed back for the philosophy. However, your journey is so unique. As you have often mentioned, you read Srila Prabhupada’s books for 3-4 hours daily for many months even before meeting any devotees. How often does that happen? It could be concluded that you obtained Srila Prabhupada’s grace, prasada, through His books.
In my native language, there is a saying that never eat a sweet in isolation. It means that one is always supposed to share any sweets before eating. And that is exactly what you subsequently did and continue to do every moment till now. Just last week in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, devotees somehow convinced you to personally hand over some prasada sweets to all assembled devotees. Usually, such queues are restricted to kids but on this occasion, it was open to all and immediately I was in the prasadam line. The day before this happened, as you finished the temple Bhagavatam class, headed for the car, I was obstructing your way by standing in the prasadam queue until a senior devotee prompted me from behind. Going back a couple of years in NZ wherein you served extraordinarily sweet classes in the recharge festival, I had stepped out during kirtan time secretly having some prasadam and suddenly you emerged outside and instead of chastising me, you put your lotus arms around my shoulder, enquiring about how NZ devotees were. Through this, my humble realization is that you possess qualities like Krishna, such as Soushilyam and Soulabyam, meaning incredible greatness and simplicity. Such qualities seldom go together.
Your teachings also have these seemingly contradicting qualities together perfectly embodies the spirit of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21. While including highest concepts from Upanishads and leelas from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, simultaneously you make your classes simple and sweet. In other words, palatable. As Srila Prabhupada often pointed out that sugarcane juice is both medicine and pleasurable depending on one’s condition or level, I am still very much at the medicinal stage, struggling to follow your instructions. Many years ago, you did a series of lectures on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita in Melbourne, you asked how many had the book and urged everyone to finish Srimad Bhagavatam quickly and get to Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. At the very least, 1 verse per day. I took that as a personal message but still my reading is like a phone number. Nevertheless, I am pleased to report that I am halfway through 4th canto now. By your blessings, as a family, we are involved in a small bhakti vrksha program, trying to encourage 10 or so families. Without your blessings, prasada, I will fall behind for sure. So, on this special occasion of your appearance day, I pray to Krishna for your health as there are many souls out there waiting in the prasadam queue.
Aspiring to be your humble servant,
Suranga Dasa
Surapala dasa
Dearest Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your genuine, faithful following of his footsteps.
Every year, a Vyāsa-pūjā offering is an opportunity to celebrate your noble glories, to contemplate your pure devotion and dedication to your Guru Maharaja’s mission, and to meditate on your teachings and instructions, from which I draw inspiration to reinstate myself at your lotus feet. Please accept this humble attempt to satisfy you as an offering of my heart and soul.
As far as I understand on the basis of the descriptions of the śāstras, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet is the embodiment of pure bhakti. Your loving attitude in serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission is the epitome of devotion and a perfect example of compassionate care for the well-being of conditioned souls. Your exalted position is also reflected in the humble words you offer to Srila Prabhupada in your Vyāsa-pūjā homages every year. I love everything you write to him. One statement from an offering some years back touched my heart so deeply that I adopted it as my aim in life: “Like a child seeking to touch the moon, I desire to understand as much about loving Krsna as the transcendental system allows. I am sure that by my humbly and selflessly serving your lotus feet, a glimpse of that real love will be mine, to share with others.”
These two sentences are the very essence of your mood, your personality, your focus, and your dedication. Although I am too fallen to reach even the shadow of the dust of any word of that statement, I pray: please allow and help me to develop a desire to desire such a desire as you desire, and to follow in your footsteps eternally.
Such dedication and devotion as you manifest is no ordinary thing. In the purport to Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 25.9), Srila Prabhupada quotes Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, who comments: “Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master... he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Kṛṣṇa’s effulgence throughout the world. Such an ācārya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa, that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s potency. Such a personality is kṛṣṇāliṅgita-vigraha, that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself teaches us how to regard such a personality, giving the most important instruction for a human being to understand and follow. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.17.27), quoted in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 1.46), Krishna says: “One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.” Srila Prabhupada comments in the purport: “A 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. The spiritual master is also called ācārya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science.” And further: “Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an ācārya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called āśraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter.”
By Lord Krishna’s mercy, for the last few decades I have witnessed your steadfast Krishna conscious life, your activities, and your words. They are a living proof of the fundamental principle of bhakti: that by glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, all the problems of material existence subside and are vanquished. Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.16: “The servants of God come to propagate God consciousness, and intelligent people should cooperate with them in every respect. By serving the servant of God, one can please God more than by directly serving the Lord. The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God. The eagerness to hear about God is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of God.”
Gurudeva, in savoring Krishna katha, you are transcendentally addicted to digging deeper and deeper into Krishna’s pastimes. Following in the footsteps of Sukadeva Gosvami and other great souls and ācāryas who were totally absorbed in Krishna katha, you dispel the illusion of our conditioned minds, which think, “Oh, we already heard that one before.” You show the full potential of hearing and chanting about Krishna, and you prove to all the conditioned souls of this temporary world of constant change that Krishna katha is the everlasting, unchanging solution to all the problems of this world of miseries. In this way you tirelessly teach us that “Back to Godhead” is not about relocating from one geographical place to another, but about the transformation of our conditioned consciousness into Krishna consciousness. The Lord also says in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.26.34): “My devotees bestow divine eyes, whereas the sun allows only external sight, and that only when it is risen in the sky. My devotees are one’s real worshipable deities and real family; they are one’s own self, and ultimately they are nondifferent from Me.” In the purport Srila Prabhupada writes: “Foolishness is the wealth of the impious, who place great value on their treasure and firmly make up their minds to remain in the darkness of ignorance. Saintly devotees of the Lord are just like the sun. By the light of their words, the living entities’ eyes of knowledge are opened and the darkness of ignorance is destroyed. Thus the saintly devotees are one’s real friends and relatives.”
You, Gurudeva, are that sun for me: a shining torchlight of knowledge, the authorized source of trustworthy spiritual knowledge about the soul and the Supreme Soul, and a unique treasure-house of wisdom in Krishna consciousness. You know who Krishna is, you love Him wholeheartedly, and you are engaged day and night in lovingly spreading His glories all over the world, even to a fallen soul like myself. My mind and heart are still contaminated by the ignorance of Kali-yuga, and I have no love for Krishna yet. But under your influence, by your causeless mercy, I am becoming attracted to the knowledge of Krishna that you so lovingly present. Please allow and help me to develop pure, spiritual love for you, as you are helping me to develop it for Krishna. Srila Prabhupada writes in Krsna Book: “This is confirmed in the Brahma-saṁhitā: One may search for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, through the pages of the Vedas and Upaniṣads, but it is difficult to find Him there. However, one who is fortunate enough to associate with a devotee can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.” [Krsna Book, Ch. 12]
Every moment spent in your presence has felt like a priceless jewel, each one purifying my existence. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.1.16): “If a sinful person engages in the service of a bona fide devotee of the Lord and thus learns how to dedicate his life unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, he can be completely purified.” Srila Prabhupada further elaborates: “As fog is vanquished at the first glimpse of sunlight, one’s sinful reactions are automatically vanquished as soon as one begins serving a pure devotee; no separate endeavor is required.”
Gurudeva, I am deeply and eternally indebted for the opportunity to be under your shelter. From the core of my heart, I thank Lord Krishna again and again for the priceless gift of your saintly association, your patient guidance in devotional service, and the causeless mercy you extend to me despite my countless shortcomings. I am also grateful for every service you have allowed me to render directly to your lotus feet, and for your loving protection. Even as you allow me to serve you, you treat me in such a way that my false ego cannot feel special or distinct. In this way you protect the little creeper of bhakti in my heart from being destroyed by external respect, recognition, or fame, and you help it grow properly. As my spiritual father, you are carefully guarding my spiritual life, and it is only by your grace that I have any hope of progress.
As a caring spiritual father, you keep reminding us: “The more we embrace upadhis, bodily designations, the more we become trapped by material nature.” And you ask us: “What do you do to break free from the clutches of material existence?” You have always presented the genuine, eternal solution. Recently, by your causeless mercy, I noticed how strongly you emphasize the perfection of attachment, by developing attachment to a mahātmā, a genuine sādhu, and the perfection of desire, by developing the desire to love Guru and Krishna. I am trying to develop the desire to genuinely love you, and to learn from you how to love Guru and Krishna.
By the causeless mercy of Sri Krishna, I have been placed under your protective wings, where I feel the warmth of your guidance and the soothing shelter of your embracing mercy. To express what is in my heart, I offer a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.19: “I consider your good self the most exalted master of mystic power. You know the spiritual science perfectly well. You are the most exalted of all learned sages, and you have descended for the benefit of all human society. You have come to give spiritual knowledge, and you are a direct representative of Kapiladeva, the incarnation of God and the plenary portion of knowledge. I am therefore asking you, O spiritual master, what is the most secure shelter in this world?” Gurudeva, you are that most secure and steadfast shelter in this turbulent world. As a pure Vaishnava and a direct representative of Lord Krishna, you are engaged in His most confidential service, rescuing fallen souls like myself from the clutches of Maya. Your position as a spiritual master is so dear to Krishna that if you recommend even an ignorant sinner like me, He mercifully accepts him, bestowing grace that I could never deserve on my own.
This year at Gita Nagari, I was blessed to see this mercy in action. As I was driving you to the temple before your Sunday kirtan, you said, “The weather is so nice during the retreat.” It reminded me of your earlier explanation, and I said, “Gurudeva, as you explained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class yesterday, Lord Krishna submits to His pure devotee’s desires.” You replied rapidly, “Your desire!” That brief answer embarrassed me, and my mind froze. Only later, when I gathered my thoughts, did I understand that you were right. I had wished for nice weather for your retreat, and since I am helpless and powerless in fulfilling my desires, you mercifully took my wish into your generous heart and offered it to Krishna as your own. In this way, the Supreme Lord submitted to your pure, loving desire.
In your last class at Gita Nagari, you spoke about the “mythological quintet” of the five C’s: country, culture, creed, color, and class. You explained that people under the influence of modern politicians are developing more and more upadhis, bodily designations, and are hoping to find a permanent, deep unifying factor, a lasting bond that will keep them together and satisfy them. In this world of constant change, and especially in Kali-yuga, these ignorant tendencies spread like a viral epidemic, so we must guard against them with great vigilance. As a spiritual doctor, you know exactly how, when, and to whom to apply the proper treatment. Thank you, Gurudeva, for being so careful with all of us, your disciples, and for always looking after our spiritual health.
Lord Krishna said to Sudama Vipra: “My dear friend, you may remember that many such incidents occurred while we were in the āśrama of our spiritual master. Both of us can realize that without the blessings of the spiritual master no one can be happy. By the mercy of the spiritual master and by his blessings, one can achieve peace and prosperity and be able to fulfill the mission of human life.” [Krsna Book, Ch. 80] Therefore, Gurudeva, with a trembling heart I beg you for the mercy to remain at your lotus feet as a menial servant, fully absorbed in loving devotional service to you and to your mission of serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission of spreading Krishna’s glories. Please help me to hear your instructions very clearly, and also the instructions of Lord Krishna, who as Paramatma in my heart is constantly trying to advise me how I can serve and satisfy You both. Please help me to follow your orders with great love, devotion, and enthusiasm. Please continue to guide and uplift this fallen soul, so that I may grow into a more sincere, humble, and dedicated servant of your lotus feet. This alone is the perfection of attachment, of desire, and of my life.
Aspiring to be your qualified servant,
Your humble and grateful disciple,
Surapala dasa
Every year, a Vyāsa-pūjā offering is an opportunity to celebrate your noble glories, to contemplate your pure devotion and dedication to your Guru Maharaja’s mission, and to meditate on your teachings and instructions, from which I draw inspiration to reinstate myself at your lotus feet. Please accept this humble attempt to satisfy you as an offering of my heart and soul.
As far as I understand on the basis of the descriptions of the śāstras, your dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet is the embodiment of pure bhakti. Your loving attitude in serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission is the epitome of devotion and a perfect example of compassionate care for the well-being of conditioned souls. Your exalted position is also reflected in the humble words you offer to Srila Prabhupada in your Vyāsa-pūjā homages every year. I love everything you write to him. One statement from an offering some years back touched my heart so deeply that I adopted it as my aim in life: “Like a child seeking to touch the moon, I desire to understand as much about loving Krsna as the transcendental system allows. I am sure that by my humbly and selflessly serving your lotus feet, a glimpse of that real love will be mine, to share with others.”
These two sentences are the very essence of your mood, your personality, your focus, and your dedication. Although I am too fallen to reach even the shadow of the dust of any word of that statement, I pray: please allow and help me to develop a desire to desire such a desire as you desire, and to follow in your footsteps eternally.
Such dedication and devotion as you manifest is no ordinary thing. In the purport to Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 25.9), Srila Prabhupada quotes Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, who comments: “Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master... he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Kṛṣṇa’s effulgence throughout the world. Such an ācārya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa, that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s potency. Such a personality is kṛṣṇāliṅgita-vigraha, that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself teaches us how to regard such a personality, giving the most important instruction for a human being to understand and follow. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.17.27), quoted in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 1.46), Krishna says: “One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.” Srila Prabhupada comments in the purport: “A 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. The spiritual master is also called ācārya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science.” And further: “Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an ācārya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called āśraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter.”
By Lord Krishna’s mercy, for the last few decades I have witnessed your steadfast Krishna conscious life, your activities, and your words. They are a living proof of the fundamental principle of bhakti: that by glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, all the problems of material existence subside and are vanquished. Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.16: “The servants of God come to propagate God consciousness, and intelligent people should cooperate with them in every respect. By serving the servant of God, one can please God more than by directly serving the Lord. The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God. The eagerness to hear about God is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of God.”
Gurudeva, in savoring Krishna katha, you are transcendentally addicted to digging deeper and deeper into Krishna’s pastimes. Following in the footsteps of Sukadeva Gosvami and other great souls and ācāryas who were totally absorbed in Krishna katha, you dispel the illusion of our conditioned minds, which think, “Oh, we already heard that one before.” You show the full potential of hearing and chanting about Krishna, and you prove to all the conditioned souls of this temporary world of constant change that Krishna katha is the everlasting, unchanging solution to all the problems of this world of miseries. In this way you tirelessly teach us that “Back to Godhead” is not about relocating from one geographical place to another, but about the transformation of our conditioned consciousness into Krishna consciousness. The Lord also says in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.26.34): “My devotees bestow divine eyes, whereas the sun allows only external sight, and that only when it is risen in the sky. My devotees are one’s real worshipable deities and real family; they are one’s own self, and ultimately they are nondifferent from Me.” In the purport Srila Prabhupada writes: “Foolishness is the wealth of the impious, who place great value on their treasure and firmly make up their minds to remain in the darkness of ignorance. Saintly devotees of the Lord are just like the sun. By the light of their words, the living entities’ eyes of knowledge are opened and the darkness of ignorance is destroyed. Thus the saintly devotees are one’s real friends and relatives.”
You, Gurudeva, are that sun for me: a shining torchlight of knowledge, the authorized source of trustworthy spiritual knowledge about the soul and the Supreme Soul, and a unique treasure-house of wisdom in Krishna consciousness. You know who Krishna is, you love Him wholeheartedly, and you are engaged day and night in lovingly spreading His glories all over the world, even to a fallen soul like myself. My mind and heart are still contaminated by the ignorance of Kali-yuga, and I have no love for Krishna yet. But under your influence, by your causeless mercy, I am becoming attracted to the knowledge of Krishna that you so lovingly present. Please allow and help me to develop pure, spiritual love for you, as you are helping me to develop it for Krishna. Srila Prabhupada writes in Krsna Book: “This is confirmed in the Brahma-saṁhitā: One may search for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, through the pages of the Vedas and Upaniṣads, but it is difficult to find Him there. However, one who is fortunate enough to associate with a devotee can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.” [Krsna Book, Ch. 12]
Every moment spent in your presence has felt like a priceless jewel, each one purifying my existence. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.1.16): “If a sinful person engages in the service of a bona fide devotee of the Lord and thus learns how to dedicate his life unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, he can be completely purified.” Srila Prabhupada further elaborates: “As fog is vanquished at the first glimpse of sunlight, one’s sinful reactions are automatically vanquished as soon as one begins serving a pure devotee; no separate endeavor is required.”
Gurudeva, I am deeply and eternally indebted for the opportunity to be under your shelter. From the core of my heart, I thank Lord Krishna again and again for the priceless gift of your saintly association, your patient guidance in devotional service, and the causeless mercy you extend to me despite my countless shortcomings. I am also grateful for every service you have allowed me to render directly to your lotus feet, and for your loving protection. Even as you allow me to serve you, you treat me in such a way that my false ego cannot feel special or distinct. In this way you protect the little creeper of bhakti in my heart from being destroyed by external respect, recognition, or fame, and you help it grow properly. As my spiritual father, you are carefully guarding my spiritual life, and it is only by your grace that I have any hope of progress.
As a caring spiritual father, you keep reminding us: “The more we embrace upadhis, bodily designations, the more we become trapped by material nature.” And you ask us: “What do you do to break free from the clutches of material existence?” You have always presented the genuine, eternal solution. Recently, by your causeless mercy, I noticed how strongly you emphasize the perfection of attachment, by developing attachment to a mahātmā, a genuine sādhu, and the perfection of desire, by developing the desire to love Guru and Krishna. I am trying to develop the desire to genuinely love you, and to learn from you how to love Guru and Krishna.
By the causeless mercy of Sri Krishna, I have been placed under your protective wings, where I feel the warmth of your guidance and the soothing shelter of your embracing mercy. To express what is in my heart, I offer a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.19: “I consider your good self the most exalted master of mystic power. You know the spiritual science perfectly well. You are the most exalted of all learned sages, and you have descended for the benefit of all human society. You have come to give spiritual knowledge, and you are a direct representative of Kapiladeva, the incarnation of God and the plenary portion of knowledge. I am therefore asking you, O spiritual master, what is the most secure shelter in this world?” Gurudeva, you are that most secure and steadfast shelter in this turbulent world. As a pure Vaishnava and a direct representative of Lord Krishna, you are engaged in His most confidential service, rescuing fallen souls like myself from the clutches of Maya. Your position as a spiritual master is so dear to Krishna that if you recommend even an ignorant sinner like me, He mercifully accepts him, bestowing grace that I could never deserve on my own.
This year at Gita Nagari, I was blessed to see this mercy in action. As I was driving you to the temple before your Sunday kirtan, you said, “The weather is so nice during the retreat.” It reminded me of your earlier explanation, and I said, “Gurudeva, as you explained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class yesterday, Lord Krishna submits to His pure devotee’s desires.” You replied rapidly, “Your desire!” That brief answer embarrassed me, and my mind froze. Only later, when I gathered my thoughts, did I understand that you were right. I had wished for nice weather for your retreat, and since I am helpless and powerless in fulfilling my desires, you mercifully took my wish into your generous heart and offered it to Krishna as your own. In this way, the Supreme Lord submitted to your pure, loving desire.
In your last class at Gita Nagari, you spoke about the “mythological quintet” of the five C’s: country, culture, creed, color, and class. You explained that people under the influence of modern politicians are developing more and more upadhis, bodily designations, and are hoping to find a permanent, deep unifying factor, a lasting bond that will keep them together and satisfy them. In this world of constant change, and especially in Kali-yuga, these ignorant tendencies spread like a viral epidemic, so we must guard against them with great vigilance. As a spiritual doctor, you know exactly how, when, and to whom to apply the proper treatment. Thank you, Gurudeva, for being so careful with all of us, your disciples, and for always looking after our spiritual health.
Lord Krishna said to Sudama Vipra: “My dear friend, you may remember that many such incidents occurred while we were in the āśrama of our spiritual master. Both of us can realize that without the blessings of the spiritual master no one can be happy. By the mercy of the spiritual master and by his blessings, one can achieve peace and prosperity and be able to fulfill the mission of human life.” [Krsna Book, Ch. 80] Therefore, Gurudeva, with a trembling heart I beg you for the mercy to remain at your lotus feet as a menial servant, fully absorbed in loving devotional service to you and to your mission of serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission of spreading Krishna’s glories. Please help me to hear your instructions very clearly, and also the instructions of Lord Krishna, who as Paramatma in my heart is constantly trying to advise me how I can serve and satisfy You both. Please help me to follow your orders with great love, devotion, and enthusiasm. Please continue to guide and uplift this fallen soul, so that I may grow into a more sincere, humble, and dedicated servant of your lotus feet. This alone is the perfection of attachment, of desire, and of my life.
Aspiring to be your qualified servant,
Your humble and grateful disciple,
Surapala dasa
Suresvari dd
Dear Gurudeva,
I offer my humble obeisances to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Recently, while walking towards the station, I observed people of different ages seemingly searching for happiness. It struck me how much of our lives we spend pursuing material possessions, maintaining our appearance, and seeking validation, while the soul within is often neglected. Even when we attain what we desire, the happiness is temporary, and we soon begin searching for something else. Reflecting on this, I recognised my own conditioning and how easily I, too, can become absorbed in the illusory attractions of this world, neglecting what truly matters.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21, purport states:
“A bona fide spiritual master is one who is expert in all of these subject matters, not by his personal imagination or speculation but by mature understanding of the authorized Vedic literatures, which are the literary manifestation of the causeless mercy of God.”
Gurudeva, these words remind me how fortunate I am to have your shelter. In a world that constantly directs us towards temporary happiness, you guide us towards our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa through the teachings of śāstra. Like a loving spiritual father, you gently awaken us from spiritual forgetfulness and guide us towards a deeper understanding of life’s true purpose.
Over the years, I have become increasingly aware of my shortcomings and how much I still need to grow in sincerity and humility. Whatever little devotion, understanding, or desire to serve I possess is not due to any qualification of my own, but is the result of the causeless mercy of guru, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and the Vaiṣṇavas. By your mercy, I have received the opportunity to chant Kṛṣṇa’s holy name, hear about Him, engage in devotional service, and assist in outreach. Yet, I know I have so much more to learn and improve.
I am deeply grateful for your patience, loving guidance, and compassionate corrections, which help me recognise my shortcomings and continue trying to progress in bhakti. Your sacrifices and constant efforts to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness remind me how much you give for our benefit and for the fallen souls of this world. Even your merciful teasing is something I feel fortunate to receive.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I humbly pray that I may become more sincere in following your instructions, serve without personal motivation, and gradually develop the humility to become a small instrument in your mission.
Gurudeva, please forgive my many shortcomings and offences. May I never take your shelter and causeless mercy for granted. I pray to remain faithful to your instructions and somehow become useful in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Vaiṣṇavas, and Kṛṣṇa.
Thank you for continuing to guide us towards our true home, despite our many imperfections.
Your aspiring servant,
Suresvari devi dasi
I offer my humble obeisances to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Recently, while walking towards the station, I observed people of different ages seemingly searching for happiness. It struck me how much of our lives we spend pursuing material possessions, maintaining our appearance, and seeking validation, while the soul within is often neglected. Even when we attain what we desire, the happiness is temporary, and we soon begin searching for something else. Reflecting on this, I recognised my own conditioning and how easily I, too, can become absorbed in the illusory attractions of this world, neglecting what truly matters.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21, purport states:
“A bona fide spiritual master is one who is expert in all of these subject matters, not by his personal imagination or speculation but by mature understanding of the authorized Vedic literatures, which are the literary manifestation of the causeless mercy of God.”
Gurudeva, these words remind me how fortunate I am to have your shelter. In a world that constantly directs us towards temporary happiness, you guide us towards our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa through the teachings of śāstra. Like a loving spiritual father, you gently awaken us from spiritual forgetfulness and guide us towards a deeper understanding of life’s true purpose.
Over the years, I have become increasingly aware of my shortcomings and how much I still need to grow in sincerity and humility. Whatever little devotion, understanding, or desire to serve I possess is not due to any qualification of my own, but is the result of the causeless mercy of guru, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and the Vaiṣṇavas. By your mercy, I have received the opportunity to chant Kṛṣṇa’s holy name, hear about Him, engage in devotional service, and assist in outreach. Yet, I know I have so much more to learn and improve.
I am deeply grateful for your patience, loving guidance, and compassionate corrections, which help me recognise my shortcomings and continue trying to progress in bhakti. Your sacrifices and constant efforts to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness remind me how much you give for our benefit and for the fallen souls of this world. Even your merciful teasing is something I feel fortunate to receive.
On this auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I humbly pray that I may become more sincere in following your instructions, serve without personal motivation, and gradually develop the humility to become a small instrument in your mission.
Gurudeva, please forgive my many shortcomings and offences. May I never take your shelter and causeless mercy for granted. I pray to remain faithful to your instructions and somehow become useful in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Vaiṣṇavas, and Kṛṣṇa.
Thank you for continuing to guide us towards our true home, despite our many imperfections.
Your aspiring servant,
Suresvari devi dasi
Surya-prakāśa Dāsa
nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
pracare ’purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Respected Guru Maharaj, I hope you are doing fine. Here’s wishing you a happy and prosperous Vyasa Puja. A simple thank you or sincere appreciation will never be enough for whatever you have done for me. Krsna is so merciful that he showered my life with pure mercy by getting an unqualified and undeserving soul like me, with zero self-control, shelter and initiation at your lotus feet on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima on 3rd March 2026. I miss your mellifluous kirtan that showers pure nectarian mercy of the holy name. I wait for the moment when I get to see you, run towards you with enthusiasm, open the car gate and welcome you like an overexcited kid or get the blissful opportunity to help you open your jacket or attend your jaggery-coated lecture or get the blissful opportunity to help you remove your shoes. I enjoy when you loudly chant the pancha-tattva mantra with thrill and enthusiasm before the start of your lecture. I beg at your lotus feet for your blessings so that I can distribute more Srila Prabhupada books and your books. I beg at your lotus feet for your blessings and mercy so that I can rise, prosper and be successful in my career and life with humility. I sincerely apologise for any sins committed at your lotus feet.
Your servant
Surya-prakāśa Dāsa
srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
pracare ’purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Respected Guru Maharaj, I hope you are doing fine. Here’s wishing you a happy and prosperous Vyasa Puja. A simple thank you or sincere appreciation will never be enough for whatever you have done for me. Krsna is so merciful that he showered my life with pure mercy by getting an unqualified and undeserving soul like me, with zero self-control, shelter and initiation at your lotus feet on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima on 3rd March 2026. I miss your mellifluous kirtan that showers pure nectarian mercy of the holy name. I wait for the moment when I get to see you, run towards you with enthusiasm, open the car gate and welcome you like an overexcited kid or get the blissful opportunity to help you open your jacket or attend your jaggery-coated lecture or get the blissful opportunity to help you remove your shoes. I enjoy when you loudly chant the pancha-tattva mantra with thrill and enthusiasm before the start of your lecture. I beg at your lotus feet for your blessings so that I can distribute more Srila Prabhupada books and your books. I beg at your lotus feet for your blessings and mercy so that I can rise, prosper and be successful in my career and life with humility. I sincerely apologise for any sins committed at your lotus feet.
Your servant
Surya-prakāśa Dāsa
Sushant subedi
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day of Vyasa Puja. I have tried to put words together and composed a short song for your pleasure, which I will sing as my Vyasa Puja offering.
The song goes:
I offer my respectful obescience
Until his holiness
Devamrita Swami Maharaj
Jaya gurudev
You are very dear to Krsna
And you’re always situated at his lotus feet
I offer my respectful obescience
In vaishnava dealings you have all the competence
In devotion service, you have selflessness
You have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching Krsna consciousness
You have all the compassion for conditional souls
Devamrita Swami maharaj
Jaya gurudev
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Your servant,
Sushant
Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day of Vyasa Puja. I have tried to put words together and composed a short song for your pleasure, which I will sing as my Vyasa Puja offering.
The song goes:
I offer my respectful obescience
Until his holiness
Devamrita Swami Maharaj
Jaya gurudev
You are very dear to Krsna
And you’re always situated at his lotus feet
I offer my respectful obescience
In vaishnava dealings you have all the competence
In devotion service, you have selflessness
You have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching Krsna consciousness
You have all the compassion for conditional souls
Devamrita Swami maharaj
Jaya gurudev
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Your servant,
Sushant
Svarupa Sakti devi dasi
Please accept my obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to your auspicious appearance day!
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I feel deeply grateful for the immeasurable fortune of receiving your guidance and association over the years. Your spiritual journey is a beautiful testament to the transformative power of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy. Having pursued higher education at Yale University, you encountered the timeless wisdom of Kṛṣṇa consciousness through Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. You chose the path of bhakti, eventually accepting sannyāsa in 1982 and dedicating your life to serving Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. Gurudeva, what inspires me most is your unwavering dedication to carrying Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings throughout the world.
Through your scholarship, penetrating philosophical insights, powerful preaching, and tireless efforts to awaken spiritual consciousness, you demonstrate that genuine education culminates in understanding our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Your ability to connect timeless Vedic wisdom with the challenges of modern life offers hope and direction to countless searching souls. Your life reminds us that real success lies not in personal achievement, but in surrendering one’s knowledge, abilities, and very existence to the service of the spiritual master.
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(11.3.21) instructs: 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.” Through your example, I can appreciate how the spiritual master guides sincere souls toward the highest welfare by transmitting the wisdom of the scriptures and connecting us with the Supreme Lord. Your dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda exemplifies the sacred responsibility of the disciplic succession: to preserve the teachings faithfully, embody them through personal practice, and compassionately share them with others. Your willingness to travel, teach, write, establish spiritual communities, and continually share Kṛṣṇa consciousness demonstrates a heart committed to the welfare of others. You encourage us to look beyond our own comfort and limited concerns, reminding us that human life reaches its highest purpose when it is engaged in loving service to Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. On this auspicious day, I beg for your blessings so that I may deepen my faith, become more serious in my sādhana, chant the holy names attentively, study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, and serve the Vaiṣṇavas with humility. May I learn to honour your instructions not merely with words of appreciation, but through practical service and sincere efforts to please you. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.13.10), Yuddhisthira Maharaj speaks to his uncle Vidura as he welcomes him back to the palace in Hastinapura.
In the purport, we hear of the divine manifestations of the Supreme Lord, who descends to protect dharma and guide all beings towards spiritual perfection. In the same spirit, the Spiritual master is a radiant instrument of the Lord's mercy. By the association of such devotees, ordinary places and ordinary lives can become sanctified.
I pray that through your mercy, this ordinary soul may develop even a fraction of the sincerity, determination, compassion, and steadfast dedication that you demonstrate in serving your spiritual master.
Thank you for seeing me through the toughest years of my life and for never loosing faith or trust in me when all others seemed to have.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for dedicating your life to bringing Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy to the world and for giving us the opportunity to participate in this glorious mission. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to your lotus feet.
Praying to remain always under your shelter and to become a sincere servant of your servants,
Your disciple
Svarupa Sakti Devi Dasi
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to your auspicious appearance day!
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I feel deeply grateful for the immeasurable fortune of receiving your guidance and association over the years. Your spiritual journey is a beautiful testament to the transformative power of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy. Having pursued higher education at Yale University, you encountered the timeless wisdom of Kṛṣṇa consciousness through Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. You chose the path of bhakti, eventually accepting sannyāsa in 1982 and dedicating your life to serving Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. Gurudeva, what inspires me most is your unwavering dedication to carrying Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings throughout the world.
Through your scholarship, penetrating philosophical insights, powerful preaching, and tireless efforts to awaken spiritual consciousness, you demonstrate that genuine education culminates in understanding our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Your ability to connect timeless Vedic wisdom with the challenges of modern life offers hope and direction to countless searching souls. Your life reminds us that real success lies not in personal achievement, but in surrendering one’s knowledge, abilities, and very existence to the service of the spiritual master.
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(11.3.21) instructs: 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.” Through your example, I can appreciate how the spiritual master guides sincere souls toward the highest welfare by transmitting the wisdom of the scriptures and connecting us with the Supreme Lord. Your dedication to Śrīla Prabhupāda exemplifies the sacred responsibility of the disciplic succession: to preserve the teachings faithfully, embody them through personal practice, and compassionately share them with others. Your willingness to travel, teach, write, establish spiritual communities, and continually share Kṛṣṇa consciousness demonstrates a heart committed to the welfare of others. You encourage us to look beyond our own comfort and limited concerns, reminding us that human life reaches its highest purpose when it is engaged in loving service to Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. On this auspicious day, I beg for your blessings so that I may deepen my faith, become more serious in my sādhana, chant the holy names attentively, study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, and serve the Vaiṣṇavas with humility. May I learn to honour your instructions not merely with words of appreciation, but through practical service and sincere efforts to please you. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.13.10), Yuddhisthira Maharaj speaks to his uncle Vidura as he welcomes him back to the palace in Hastinapura.
In the purport, we hear of the divine manifestations of the Supreme Lord, who descends to protect dharma and guide all beings towards spiritual perfection. In the same spirit, the Spiritual master is a radiant instrument of the Lord's mercy. By the association of such devotees, ordinary places and ordinary lives can become sanctified.
I pray that through your mercy, this ordinary soul may develop even a fraction of the sincerity, determination, compassion, and steadfast dedication that you demonstrate in serving your spiritual master.
Thank you for seeing me through the toughest years of my life and for never loosing faith or trust in me when all others seemed to have.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for dedicating your life to bringing Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy to the world and for giving us the opportunity to participate in this glorious mission. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to your lotus feet.
Praying to remain always under your shelter and to become a sincere servant of your servants,
Your disciple
Svarupa Sakti Devi Dasi
Syama-gauri dd
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
When I saw you earlier this year, it dawned on me how I have taken for granted that we get to see you every year. I have had the opportunity to see and hear you speak in various countries throughout the years, but I had never given much thought on the effect all that travel has on you. One night during your recent visit here, you looked tired and in that short moment I felt very grateful for all your decades of tirelessly travelling to enthuse and inspire us all. Your ageing body and health have not been an obstacle for you. You have always been exemplary at taking such meticulous care of your health and after so many decades of that attention I can see that your determination to please Srila Prabhupada has been the central focus of why you do anything whether it be health-related or otherwise.
I have heard you speak on the same topics in so many different ways, each year with renewed energy and even deeper insights and always remaining relevant to the ever changing things of this world.
Thank you for this great sacrifice you have taken up, continuously remaining focused on giving others the opportunity to hear about the wonderful process of devotional service.
Thank you for all the known and unknown hiccups you have likely overlooked as you travel to your many destinations around the world. Within each visit you pour so much of your realised knowledge into each class, sharing the depths of Bhakti knowledge with such clarity, transformation and tangibility.
Years back you would often say ‘ Bhakti is a marathon, a life long career’. Through your actions, we are seeing what a life long career in Krsna consciousness looks like.
Thank you once again.
Your aspiring servant
Syama-gauri dd
Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
When I saw you earlier this year, it dawned on me how I have taken for granted that we get to see you every year. I have had the opportunity to see and hear you speak in various countries throughout the years, but I had never given much thought on the effect all that travel has on you. One night during your recent visit here, you looked tired and in that short moment I felt very grateful for all your decades of tirelessly travelling to enthuse and inspire us all. Your ageing body and health have not been an obstacle for you. You have always been exemplary at taking such meticulous care of your health and after so many decades of that attention I can see that your determination to please Srila Prabhupada has been the central focus of why you do anything whether it be health-related or otherwise.
I have heard you speak on the same topics in so many different ways, each year with renewed energy and even deeper insights and always remaining relevant to the ever changing things of this world.
Thank you for this great sacrifice you have taken up, continuously remaining focused on giving others the opportunity to hear about the wonderful process of devotional service.
Thank you for all the known and unknown hiccups you have likely overlooked as you travel to your many destinations around the world. Within each visit you pour so much of your realised knowledge into each class, sharing the depths of Bhakti knowledge with such clarity, transformation and tangibility.
Years back you would often say ‘ Bhakti is a marathon, a life long career’. Through your actions, we are seeing what a life long career in Krsna consciousness looks like.
Thank you once again.
Your aspiring servant
Syama-gauri dd
Syamanga das
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to you!
Thank you for constantly travelling and for kindly gracing us with your presence when you visit the Auckland region, giving Loft outreach talks and temple classes. Recently, during your visit to Auckland, you kindly gave me the opportunity to help you with a physical ailment. I feel very grateful to have been able to assist you in some small way. It was through your instruction to learn from Mark, the chiropractic teacher you recommended to me, that I was able to offer this help.
Back in 2020, you told me that if I learned even “one quarter of what he knows,” I would be able to outpace the competition. You also encouraged me by saying that I would be able to help devotees. I have always remembered those words, and I feel grateful that your guidance has helped me reach a point where I can begin to offer some service in this way. I am always available to help devotees, and through the ongoing mentoring I am receiving in Pain Neutralisation Therapy (PNT), I am continuing to learn about its wide potential for helping people with various physical conditions.
During your recent visit, you also spoke about the importance of hearing, and how making time for this in our daily lives should be our highest priority. During the question-and-answer session, you further explained how hearing helps us develop a higher perspective on our material desires. By becoming aware of these desires and understanding them from a higher perspective, we have already won “half the battle.”
Gurumahārāja, I sincerely hope that by continuing to hear your classes, my own mundane desires will gradually diminish and be replaced by a deeper spiritual desire to engage in devotional service. Bhagavad Gita 4.34: “Tad viddhi praṇipātena, paripraśnena sevayā, upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ, jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ”. I wish to try to learn and be instructed while you remain available here to do so. Thank you for the opportunities to be engaged in devotional service, and continued example to strengthen my devotional life
Your servant,
Syamanga das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to you!
Thank you for constantly travelling and for kindly gracing us with your presence when you visit the Auckland region, giving Loft outreach talks and temple classes. Recently, during your visit to Auckland, you kindly gave me the opportunity to help you with a physical ailment. I feel very grateful to have been able to assist you in some small way. It was through your instruction to learn from Mark, the chiropractic teacher you recommended to me, that I was able to offer this help.
Back in 2020, you told me that if I learned even “one quarter of what he knows,” I would be able to outpace the competition. You also encouraged me by saying that I would be able to help devotees. I have always remembered those words, and I feel grateful that your guidance has helped me reach a point where I can begin to offer some service in this way. I am always available to help devotees, and through the ongoing mentoring I am receiving in Pain Neutralisation Therapy (PNT), I am continuing to learn about its wide potential for helping people with various physical conditions.
During your recent visit, you also spoke about the importance of hearing, and how making time for this in our daily lives should be our highest priority. During the question-and-answer session, you further explained how hearing helps us develop a higher perspective on our material desires. By becoming aware of these desires and understanding them from a higher perspective, we have already won “half the battle.”
Gurumahārāja, I sincerely hope that by continuing to hear your classes, my own mundane desires will gradually diminish and be replaced by a deeper spiritual desire to engage in devotional service. Bhagavad Gita 4.34: “Tad viddhi praṇipātena, paripraśnena sevayā, upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ, jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ”. I wish to try to learn and be instructed while you remain available here to do so. Thank you for the opportunities to be engaged in devotional service, and continued example to strengthen my devotional life
Your servant,
Syamanga das
Tarakeshvara Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your mercy, guidance, and the opportunities you have given me to serve. As my circumstances change, I am increasingly grateful for the direction your presence brings to my life.
This year, I moved from Wellington to Christchurch. Leaving Wellington after 15 years has brought both gratitude for the relationships formed there and the challenge of beginning again. As I settle into Christchurch, I wish to continue my bhakti service and find ways to contribute to the local devotee community. Please bless me that, amidst the practical demands of moving and establishing a new routine, I remain attentive to my spiritual life and willing to serve wherever I can be useful.
I continue to remember with gratitude your kindness in arranging your visits to China and giving me opportunities to serve. It touches me that, amidst your many responsibilities, you make such thoughtful arrangements to engage me. I pray that I may respond to your care with greater sincerity and become someone you can utilise in service.
My work at Lincoln University has also brought new responsibilities in teaching and research. As I guide students and work with colleagues, I pray to develop humility, patience, and genuine care for others. I wish to learn how to use my abilities and opportunities in a way that supports my devotional life and is pleasing to you.
In Bhagavad-gita 9.27, Krsna instructs Arjuna to offer his activities to Him: “do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.” These words express an aspiration I wish to carry into this new chapter of my life, to remember Krsna in my daily responsibilities and gradually develop a more sincere spirit of service.
Gurudeva, on this Vyasa-puja day, I pray for the determination to follow your instructions faithfully, to seek the association of devotees, and to recognise and accept opportunities for service. Please help me to become more consistent in my practice and more generous with my time and energy.
Thank you for your continued guidance and for giving me opportunities to grow in devotional service. Wherever I live, may I remain connected to you through sincerely trying to follow your instructions. May my life in Christchurch become an opportunity to deepen that commitment and offer whatever service I can to you, Srila Prabhupada, and Krsna.
Your menial servant,
Tarakeshvara Das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your mercy, guidance, and the opportunities you have given me to serve. As my circumstances change, I am increasingly grateful for the direction your presence brings to my life.
This year, I moved from Wellington to Christchurch. Leaving Wellington after 15 years has brought both gratitude for the relationships formed there and the challenge of beginning again. As I settle into Christchurch, I wish to continue my bhakti service and find ways to contribute to the local devotee community. Please bless me that, amidst the practical demands of moving and establishing a new routine, I remain attentive to my spiritual life and willing to serve wherever I can be useful.
I continue to remember with gratitude your kindness in arranging your visits to China and giving me opportunities to serve. It touches me that, amidst your many responsibilities, you make such thoughtful arrangements to engage me. I pray that I may respond to your care with greater sincerity and become someone you can utilise in service.
My work at Lincoln University has also brought new responsibilities in teaching and research. As I guide students and work with colleagues, I pray to develop humility, patience, and genuine care for others. I wish to learn how to use my abilities and opportunities in a way that supports my devotional life and is pleasing to you.
In Bhagavad-gita 9.27, Krsna instructs Arjuna to offer his activities to Him: “do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.” These words express an aspiration I wish to carry into this new chapter of my life, to remember Krsna in my daily responsibilities and gradually develop a more sincere spirit of service.
Gurudeva, on this Vyasa-puja day, I pray for the determination to follow your instructions faithfully, to seek the association of devotees, and to recognise and accept opportunities for service. Please help me to become more consistent in my practice and more generous with my time and energy.
Thank you for your continued guidance and for giving me opportunities to grow in devotional service. Wherever I live, may I remain connected to you through sincerely trying to follow your instructions. May my life in Christchurch become an opportunity to deepen that commitment and offer whatever service I can to you, Srila Prabhupada, and Krsna.
Your menial servant,
Tarakeshvara Das
Tarunyamrta Devi Dasi
Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you.
It is a great privilege to be able to glorify you today.
In the small amount I have read, I notice your dear Guru Srila Prabhupada uses the sun as an example regularly.
Theres a beautiful verse about the sun in the Bhagavatam that hit a cord with me and made me think of you alot.
It's the 4th canto chapter 12 text 36.
"The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets."
In this verse the realisation occurred to me that you can be likened to the sun. Krsna being the source of light, then, through your service to the Parampara and your loving relationship with Krsna, He illuminates you. The sun being the material manifestation of Krsnas light, you spread His illumination on the other stars, moons, planets and their inhabitants.
In this dark and cloudy age of Kaliyuga, the sun is so kind that he distributes his sunshine everywhere, without consideration.
And like the sun, fixed in orbit around the earth, you too punctually orbit, incessantly engaged in real welfare work. Shedding the light of Bhagavat.
The sun is known to have a way of cleansing, and where ever you are you bring the spiritual world with you, sanctifying the area and the fortunate living entities. And more than that, you give so much of your association, you charge up the devotees, empowering them with your mercy, radiating and reaching more conditioned souls.
In the brief absence of the sun in its setting and traveling around the opposite side of the planet there is material darkness, but the sun is so considerate that he illuminates the star and moon like devotees, and in your absence, in the darkness, there is still beautiful guiding light.
With the rising hue of the sun, darkness is at once dissipated and there is a sense of hope.
Prabhupada mentions in his purport to this verse, (paraphrasing) he who is engaged in this continuous 24hour Krsna Conscious welfare work is always planning how he can take all the suffering humanity home. And even if he does not achieve this, his path home is assured. If anyone follows such a devotee, he also enters into Vaikunthaloka.
You are such a devotee Gurudeva, a bright reflection of Krsnas illumination. Your life is perfection of everything for Krsnas pleasure.
Although this cloudy, dirty, dark, cold world can sometimes feel devoid of light, I am beginning to realise if we truly endeavour to listen to your instruction, spiritually you never leave and there is no darkness, how can there ever be darkness with Krsnas illumination. You are so kind accepting me into your shelter. And I know I'm not grasping the full gravity of your kindness.
I am inconceivably indebted to you and I desire to reciprocate.
Like an insignificant glow worm in your blazing sun like glory, I beg. Please help me dissipate the thick fog covering my consciousness, so I can hear your instructions clearly and execute them whole heartedly. I hope and pray, by your grace, I qualify to understand the depths and glories of devotional service and follow your guiding light back home.
Your aspiring servant,
Tarunyāmrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you.
It is a great privilege to be able to glorify you today.
In the small amount I have read, I notice your dear Guru Srila Prabhupada uses the sun as an example regularly.
Theres a beautiful verse about the sun in the Bhagavatam that hit a cord with me and made me think of you alot.
It's the 4th canto chapter 12 text 36.
"The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets."
In this verse the realisation occurred to me that you can be likened to the sun. Krsna being the source of light, then, through your service to the Parampara and your loving relationship with Krsna, He illuminates you. The sun being the material manifestation of Krsnas light, you spread His illumination on the other stars, moons, planets and their inhabitants.
In this dark and cloudy age of Kaliyuga, the sun is so kind that he distributes his sunshine everywhere, without consideration.
And like the sun, fixed in orbit around the earth, you too punctually orbit, incessantly engaged in real welfare work. Shedding the light of Bhagavat.
The sun is known to have a way of cleansing, and where ever you are you bring the spiritual world with you, sanctifying the area and the fortunate living entities. And more than that, you give so much of your association, you charge up the devotees, empowering them with your mercy, radiating and reaching more conditioned souls.
In the brief absence of the sun in its setting and traveling around the opposite side of the planet there is material darkness, but the sun is so considerate that he illuminates the star and moon like devotees, and in your absence, in the darkness, there is still beautiful guiding light.
With the rising hue of the sun, darkness is at once dissipated and there is a sense of hope.
Prabhupada mentions in his purport to this verse, (paraphrasing) he who is engaged in this continuous 24hour Krsna Conscious welfare work is always planning how he can take all the suffering humanity home. And even if he does not achieve this, his path home is assured. If anyone follows such a devotee, he also enters into Vaikunthaloka.
You are such a devotee Gurudeva, a bright reflection of Krsnas illumination. Your life is perfection of everything for Krsnas pleasure.
Although this cloudy, dirty, dark, cold world can sometimes feel devoid of light, I am beginning to realise if we truly endeavour to listen to your instruction, spiritually you never leave and there is no darkness, how can there ever be darkness with Krsnas illumination. You are so kind accepting me into your shelter. And I know I'm not grasping the full gravity of your kindness.
I am inconceivably indebted to you and I desire to reciprocate.
Like an insignificant glow worm in your blazing sun like glory, I beg. Please help me dissipate the thick fog covering my consciousness, so I can hear your instructions clearly and execute them whole heartedly. I hope and pray, by your grace, I qualify to understand the depths and glories of devotional service and follow your guiding light back home.
Your aspiring servant,
Tarunyāmrita devi dasi
Teresa Tauu
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Please forgive me for my late submission and my foolish attempt to glorify you.
What a wonderful day it is to celebrate you. I can’t think of anyone more deserving to glorify. For one, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this offering to you in appreciation, what to speak of continuing to practice Bhakti yoga at all if it weren’t for you. You have always inspired me to give my utmost best in Bhakti and even though I have strayed away from practicing properly many times, you continue to nurture my desire to keep “getting back on that horse” with patience and persistence.
My parents separated when I was just 1 years old so naturally my father was hardly around and then not at all. Eventually I had a step dad, but even after that I never felt fulfilled with having a ‘father figure’ as his behaviours and/or habits weren’t ideal. When I met you however, everything changed. I had a darshan with you when I had first moved to the Wellington ladies’ ashram in 2020 and you had asked to see Kamala Mukhi and I. There I was your typical damsel in distress and you had completely and ever so delicately eradicated my self-doubts, telling me how much value I have and my worth. That darshan shot straight to my heart and hit me where I didn’t expect it to. Tears fell uncontrollably down my face and I remember sitting in front of you, feeling like a little girl being embraced by a teddy-bear-like warm hug. No one has ever told me those things to such an extent and it was then I knew and had the realisation, that you were the father figure I had been longing for. After being chewed up so many times in material existence and in a sense, feeling abandoned, you picked me up and selflessly put me back together. Thank you Gurudeva. These moments I have never forgotten and will continue to use them as an impetus to soldier on in my spiritual life.
I am truly indebted to you Gurudeva. I pray I can use whatever gifts I have to try and please you and Krishna in this lifetime. That my life is inspired by your example, your exalted qualities, well wishes and simple, sincere instructions. Please, I pray by your mercy, that I continue to have the intelligence, determination and perseverance to stay strong in Bhakti so I can continue to assist you in your mission.
Hare Krishna.
Your spiritual daughter and ever-aspiring servant,
Teresa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Please forgive me for my late submission and my foolish attempt to glorify you.
What a wonderful day it is to celebrate you. I can’t think of anyone more deserving to glorify. For one, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this offering to you in appreciation, what to speak of continuing to practice Bhakti yoga at all if it weren’t for you. You have always inspired me to give my utmost best in Bhakti and even though I have strayed away from practicing properly many times, you continue to nurture my desire to keep “getting back on that horse” with patience and persistence.
My parents separated when I was just 1 years old so naturally my father was hardly around and then not at all. Eventually I had a step dad, but even after that I never felt fulfilled with having a ‘father figure’ as his behaviours and/or habits weren’t ideal. When I met you however, everything changed. I had a darshan with you when I had first moved to the Wellington ladies’ ashram in 2020 and you had asked to see Kamala Mukhi and I. There I was your typical damsel in distress and you had completely and ever so delicately eradicated my self-doubts, telling me how much value I have and my worth. That darshan shot straight to my heart and hit me where I didn’t expect it to. Tears fell uncontrollably down my face and I remember sitting in front of you, feeling like a little girl being embraced by a teddy-bear-like warm hug. No one has ever told me those things to such an extent and it was then I knew and had the realisation, that you were the father figure I had been longing for. After being chewed up so many times in material existence and in a sense, feeling abandoned, you picked me up and selflessly put me back together. Thank you Gurudeva. These moments I have never forgotten and will continue to use them as an impetus to soldier on in my spiritual life.
I am truly indebted to you Gurudeva. I pray I can use whatever gifts I have to try and please you and Krishna in this lifetime. That my life is inspired by your example, your exalted qualities, well wishes and simple, sincere instructions. Please, I pray by your mercy, that I continue to have the intelligence, determination and perseverance to stay strong in Bhakti so I can continue to assist you in your mission.
Hare Krishna.
Your spiritual daughter and ever-aspiring servant,
Teresa
Thakura Murari das
Hare Krishna Maharaj. PAMHO AGTSP. I would like to express my appreciation to you for your service to Srila Prabhupada's mission. On the occasion of your auspicious Vyasa Puja,I would also like to thank you for the mentorship over the years. I wish for you good health and strength to continue the mission . Hare Krishna. Your servant Thakura Murari das
Tīrtha Kīrti dās
Dear Gurudev,
As I fumble around trying to find words to offer you on this most auspicious day of your appearance, I feel more and more gratitude growing in my heart, for every visit you have made to Wales, every class you have given here and elsewhere (thanks to your disciples diligently sharing them online), and every time you have accepted my service.
Since being engaged in pūjārī service for Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi, I have learnt that I am not actually the one performing the service; I am simply assisting you in serving Them. For this opportunity, I am also very grateful, because it has kindled my relationship with Their Lordships, and subsequently inspired me to chant Their names.
Last weekend, Krishna kindly arranged a retreat for the āśrama devotees, and in the first class, Gopala Raya prabhu read a transcript from a class you gave on the Nectar of Instruction, about chanting. This class has become an essential element of our bhakta course, and we all found it a really helpful reminder that this is the most important part of our day—or, as you expertly put it, “everything expands from the chanting”. Although I am still severely afflicted by the jaundice of ignorance and offences, I found this very reassuring to hear from someone who has followed the process given by Śrīla Prabhupāda and the other ācāryas.
Your eagerness to please Śrīla Prabhupāda, and your pioneering of modern preaching, is also very inspiring, for it has taken you deep into the hostile Eastern Bloc, Gītā-nagarī farm, Australasia, Europe, and around the world, more times than I can count! Such a diverse and impressive range of services and responsibilities demonstrates your willingness to do anything to satisfy our Founder-Ācārya.
For all these qualities and pastimes, you are truly admired.
Ready to do whatever is required,
to fulfil the order of Lord Caitanya, that His name will be sung in every town and village.
Through words and behaviour, you teach Krishna's message.
Passed down ever so carefully, like a ripe mango through the paramparā.
Whether in the same room or from afar,
Training the next generation,
With utmost dedication,
To nurture our creepers of devotion.
This year, I wasn't planning to write a poem, but somehow the lines just started rhyming.
Although, amongst other shortcomings, I can never get the timing...
Right.
Your insignificant servant,
Tīrtha Kīrti dāsa
As I fumble around trying to find words to offer you on this most auspicious day of your appearance, I feel more and more gratitude growing in my heart, for every visit you have made to Wales, every class you have given here and elsewhere (thanks to your disciples diligently sharing them online), and every time you have accepted my service.
Since being engaged in pūjārī service for Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi, I have learnt that I am not actually the one performing the service; I am simply assisting you in serving Them. For this opportunity, I am also very grateful, because it has kindled my relationship with Their Lordships, and subsequently inspired me to chant Their names.
Last weekend, Krishna kindly arranged a retreat for the āśrama devotees, and in the first class, Gopala Raya prabhu read a transcript from a class you gave on the Nectar of Instruction, about chanting. This class has become an essential element of our bhakta course, and we all found it a really helpful reminder that this is the most important part of our day—or, as you expertly put it, “everything expands from the chanting”. Although I am still severely afflicted by the jaundice of ignorance and offences, I found this very reassuring to hear from someone who has followed the process given by Śrīla Prabhupāda and the other ācāryas.
Your eagerness to please Śrīla Prabhupāda, and your pioneering of modern preaching, is also very inspiring, for it has taken you deep into the hostile Eastern Bloc, Gītā-nagarī farm, Australasia, Europe, and around the world, more times than I can count! Such a diverse and impressive range of services and responsibilities demonstrates your willingness to do anything to satisfy our Founder-Ācārya.
For all these qualities and pastimes, you are truly admired.
Ready to do whatever is required,
to fulfil the order of Lord Caitanya, that His name will be sung in every town and village.
Through words and behaviour, you teach Krishna's message.
Passed down ever so carefully, like a ripe mango through the paramparā.
Whether in the same room or from afar,
Training the next generation,
With utmost dedication,
To nurture our creepers of devotion.
This year, I wasn't planning to write a poem, but somehow the lines just started rhyming.
Although, amongst other shortcomings, I can never get the timing...
Right.
Your insignificant servant,
Tīrtha Kīrti dāsa
Trailokyanatha dasa
Dear Gurumaharaj,
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
During your last visit to Mayapur, you gave lectures, and afterwards, I heard from two devotees—complete strangers to me, yet inspired by your speech—that you are one of the best speakers in ISKCON.
You know what and how to say to touch the hearts of the audience, which is confirmed by your pranama mantra: "obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching."
I learn how to preach by listening to your lectures; before giving a lecture myself, I ask for your blessings so that I do not deviate or invent anything, but rather present the message in a way that the listeners can truly receive it. Sometimes, I simply say: "Listen to Gurumaharaj's lecture."
Thank you, dear Gurumaharaj, for teaching us through your example and for inspiring us with lectures where everyone—from exalted devotees to neophytes like myself—can find nectar.
Hare Krishna!
Your servant,
Trailokyanatha dasa
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
During your last visit to Mayapur, you gave lectures, and afterwards, I heard from two devotees—complete strangers to me, yet inspired by your speech—that you are one of the best speakers in ISKCON.
You know what and how to say to touch the hearts of the audience, which is confirmed by your pranama mantra: "obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching."
I learn how to preach by listening to your lectures; before giving a lecture myself, I ask for your blessings so that I do not deviate or invent anything, but rather present the message in a way that the listeners can truly receive it. Sometimes, I simply say: "Listen to Gurumaharaj's lecture."
Thank you, dear Gurumaharaj, for teaching us through your example and for inspiring us with lectures where everyone—from exalted devotees to neophytes like myself—can find nectar.
Hare Krishna!
Your servant,
Trailokyanatha dasa
Tulavati dd
Dear Gurudeva please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day.
It’s hard to not find reasons to glorify you.
Your life is an example of surrender and selfless service and your glories are unlimited.
Today I thought to focus on your incredible ability to preach to the western people.
Living far from your outreach centers made me realize even more how special they are, and how determined you were to please your beloved spiritual master whose mission was to also spread Lord Caitanyas message in this side of the globe.
Recently I was talking to a devotee, and after I asked what was her main services, she mentioned: “ohh not much, it’s quite hard to get any service here, so many people and so little service”. When I heard that, I immediately thought about your endless mercy and how you’re so expert in creating opportunities so we can be engaged in Krishna’s service.
Your outreach centers are a hub for devotional service - service is always on tap. They are a sacred space created so devotees can come together, hear and chant about Krishna while also giving Krishna to others and engaging as many people as possible in devotional service. There is never a shortage of opportunities. You gave us the tools and the space to experience the taste for serving Krishna, and how satisfying that can be!
Now living far away from these centers made me realize how dependent on them I’m, and how expert you are in creating such places.
You dropped all the cultural barriers so Krishna could be accessible for everyone.
Sometimes I meet some nice “ripe” students and I think “oh, I wish we had a Bhakti lounge here…”. They are so lost Gurudeva, I wish I could do something to help them and give them the same opportunity I had - experience serving Krishna in such a fun way!
I can see that starting something like Bhakti Lounge is not an easy or ordinary job. There is so much involved. But you did it all Gurudeva. Not once, not twice, but many times around the world - and you did it all in such a personal way. You trained us to be clean, to cook, to lead kirtan, to manage, to give talks in a digestible and relatable way, to present ourselves properly, to care for ourselves and for other, and you trained us in so many other areas, so we can be the best instruments for Krishna’s pleasure. All this keeping the main thing, the main thing… Read and study Srila Prabhupada’s books, have attentive chanting, develop loving relationship with devotees and learn to swim in the ocean of devotional service.
Meanwhile you’re also carrying on GBC responsibilities, writing books, personally mentoring devotees, giving talks, starting and running farm projects, staying up late at night meeting new guests and many other responsibilities that I don’t even know... You’re my hero Gurudeva! What an inspiration….
Oh Gurudeva, I wish everyone in the planet could meet you! I wish they could also have your shelter. What a safe place to be!
I’m forever grateful for your patience, guidance and all opportunities you gave me.
On this auspicious day I pray that I never forget the special taste we get by giving Krishna to others, and that I always remain eager to receive your corrections, instructions and guidance.
I also pray that if you so desire you empower myself and my husband to do some nice service while far from your outreach centers. I feel very powerless Gurudeva, so please sharpen us, so we can be of some assistance in your mission.
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Tulavati dd
Tungi Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna, my most beloved spiritual father and Gurudev!
Please accept my Heart Full of Gratitude and humble obediences at Your Lotus Feet
A humble offering on the auspicious occasion of Your 76th Vyasa Puja
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this most auspicious and sacred occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, I offer my heart, my gratitude, and my countless prayers at your lotus feet. Gurudev, words will never be sufficient to express what you mean to me. Whatever little devotion I have, whatever small steps I have taken in Krishna consciousness, and whatever service Krishna has allowed me to render are all gifts of your causeless mercy. I have no qualification of my own to claim; I can only stand before you with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that whatever is good in me is a reflection of your mercy.
I feel like a Blessed Daughter of Your Mercy
Gurudev, I still remember your 75th Vyasa Puja last year in Melbourne. Being physically present with you on that most sacred occasion, accompanied by our entire family, was a blessing that filled my heart with immense joy. Yet, amidst all that happiness, Krishna gave me a moment that made me realise just how extraordinarily fortunate I am to have your association.
One senior devotee had travelled with us to Melbourne to attend your Vyasa Puja. With tears in her eyes, she shared how, despite so many years of devotion, this was the very first time she had the opportunity to attend and witness a Vyasa Puja in person. Her words touched something deep within my heart. As I watched her overwhelmed with emotion, I suddenly became aware of a blessing I had perhaps taken for granted. How often Krishna has allowed me to have your association, to see you, to hear from you, and to receive your loving guidance.
Gurudev, at that moment, I felt both humbled and deeply grateful. What she was experiencing for the first time, Krishna had mercifully allowed me to experience with my own Gurudev. I realised that your association is not something to be taken lightly; it is a priceless treasure, a gift that my unqualified heart can never repay. That devotee’s tears became a gentle reminder to me to cherish every moment of your association as a precious opportunity to receive your mercy.
Gurudev, I also remember that, after I took your shelter, you once told me that I would lead the girls and become an example for them.
At that time, I thought you were referring to my own daughters. I could never have imagined that your words carried a much deeper meaning.
Later, when I began the Vaishnavi Sanga, Naimisharanya Mataji reminded me of what you had said. At that moment, I was left speechless. I began to understand that perhaps you had seen a possibility in me that I could never see in myself.
Gurudev, I am not learned in shastra, I have so much to learn, and I know how many shortcomings remain within me. I have no qualification to lead or inspire anyone. Yet, somehow, by your mercy, Krishna has allowed me to be involved in serving Vaishnavis and their families, encouraging them in their spiritual journey, and creating opportunities for them to come closer to Krishna.
What amazes me most is that you entrusted me with a vision long before I could even imagine myself being involved in such service.
This has taught me that a spiritual master does not merely see what a disciple is today; by his mercy, he can inspire the disciple to become what they never imagined possible.
May I always remember and have this rooted in my mind that I am merely an instrument, and even that instrument needs your constant mercy to remain useful. How merciful Krishna has been to me! How mercifully you have accepted me as your spiritual daughter!
Gurudev, one of the most profound transformations in my spiritual life has been my ability to chant my sixteen rounds during Brahma-muhurta.
Even after coming into bhakti, I would struggle throughout the day to complete my sixteen rounds. I knew my own mind, my limitations, and my lack of determination. By my own strength, I could not bring about the transformation I so desperately needed. Yet, after receiving your shelter and initiation, by your mercy alone, I began completing my sixteen rounds in the sacred hours of Brahma-muhurta.
When I reflect on this transformation, I know in my heart that it was not my achievement. It was your mercy working through my life. You empowered me to do something that I had struggled to do even after coming into Krishna consciousness.
This experience has taught me a lesson I will never forget: what we cannot accomplish by our own strength can become possible by the mercy of a genuine spiritual master. Guru-kripa can awaken within us a strength, determination, and taste for bhakti that we could never have imagined possessing.
I share this not to glorify myself, but to glorify the mercy of a Guru. If someone as unqualified and struggling as me can experience such a transformation, then there is hope for all of us when we sincerely take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and strive to follow their instructions.
We cannot walk this path successfully by our own strength alone. We need the shelter, guidance, and blessings of those who can lead us closer to Krishna. I am living proof of whatever little progress I have made is only because Guru have mercifully held my hand and helped me take steps towards Krishna.
Gurudev, there is one precious memory that remains forever engraved in my heart.
Soon after my initiation, when we came to meet you, you lovingly asked me, “Do you like your name?”
I replied, “I love it!”
You smiled and asked, “Why?”
I told you that when my parents named me at birth, I was too young to understand the meaning or feel any particular connection to my name. But when you, my spiritual father, personally gave me the name Tungi, it became something infinitely more precious. It was no longer merely a name; it was a gift from the person whom I had accepted as my spiritual father, a name given to me at the beginning of a new life dedicated to serving Krishna.
The thought that you had personally thought of me and considered me and given me this name touched the deepest part of my heart. Even now, when I think about that moment, my eyes fill with tears of gratitude. How fortunate I am that you accepted me as your daughter and gave me a spiritual identity to cherish throughout my life!
Sometimes, I wonder how much affection and spiritual significance can be contained within a single name. Every time I hear someone call me Tungi, I am reminded of you, of my initiation, of the shelter I have received.
My beloved Gurudev, I pray that I may become worthy of the name you have so mercifully given me, that I may remain small and humble at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundara, always dependent on Their mercy and yours.
On this auspicious day, I humbly beg you to bless me with the ability to speak Krishna-katha in a way that pleases you and Their Lordships. Whenever I share Krishna’s glories, please guide my thoughts, my words, and my heart. Let the right words come at the right time, in the right mood, and with the right understanding.
Please protect me from speaking anything contrary to siddhanta, from using inappropriate examples, or from allowing pride to enter my heart. Let my words never become a means of seeking recognition, but always a humble attempt to glorify Krishna, Srimati Radharani, Srila Prabhupada, and the devotees.
Please bless me with a heart that is sincere, a consciousness that is pure, and a spirit of service that remains humble.
And if ever I begin to forget my position, Gurudev, please correct me, guide me, and bring me back to the humble understanding that I am simply your servant, aspiring to become a servant of the servants of the Vaishnavas.
Gurudev, we feel immensely blessed to receive both your vapu and vani association, the opportunity to serve and be in your physical presence, as well as to receive your instructions and teachings.
One of my most cherished moments whenever you visit Adelaide is seeing you off at the airport. To others, it may simply appear to be a farewell before a flight, but for me, those moments are among the most treasured parts of your visit.
I sometimes think of Srila Prabhupada’s “morning walks” with his disciples, when they had the precious opportunity to ask questions, hear instructions, and receive his association in an intimate setting. In our own small way, we are blessed with our little “airport talks” with you!
Those moments are so dear to me. Even the journey to the airport, the conversations in the waiting lounge, and the final moments before you leave become memories that I carry in my heart long after you have departed.
There is always a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happiness that we have had your association, and sadness that the time has passed so quickly. Yet, those moments strengthen my determination to treasure every opportunity to hear from you, serve you, and follow your instructions.
Gurudev, I do not want to be satisfied merely with the privilege of seeing you. Please bless me that I may become sincere followers of your instructions, because your vani is the true treasure that can remain with us wherever we are.
May I never take your presence for granted. May every visit deepen our gratitude, every conversation strengthen our faith, and every instruction become an opportunity to make a meaningful change in our lives.
My beloved Gurudev, on this most auspicious occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, I have no great offering to place before you. I have no extraordinary qualification, no profound realisation, and no achievement worthy of your lotus feet.
All I have is this imperfect heart, filled with gratitude for all that you have done for me.
You have given me a spiritual name to cherish, a path to follow, the shelter of a spiritual father, and opportunities to serve that I could never have imagined for myself. You have encouraged me when I could not see my own potential and have helped me take steps towards Krishna that I could not take by my own strength.
I pray that I may never become complacent about the great fortune of having received your shelter. May I never allow familiarity to diminish my gratitude, may I never allow service to give rise to pride, and may I never forget that the real success of my life is not how much I accomplish, but how sincerely I learn to serve.
Please bless me and our entire family to remain firmly connected to your lotus feet. Please guide my husband and our daughters in their Krishna consciousness, and help us build a home where Krishna is always at the centre, where the Vaishnavas are welcomed with love, and where devotional service is cherished above all else.
Please bless me that, for the remainder of this life, I may continue to chant with sincerity, hear with attention, serve with humility, care for the Vaishnavas with genuine affection, and follow your instructions without seeking personal recognition.
And when my mind becomes restless, when my weaknesses overwhelm me, or when I feel incapable of serving, please let me remember that I am not alone. I have a spiritual father whose mercy has already transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
Gurudev, I do not ask to become a great devotee. I only beg to remain a sincere and grateful daughter at your lotus feet, never forgetting the mercy through which I have been given the opportunity to serve.
Thank you for accepting me as your spiritual daughter. Thank you for giving me a name that has become so dear to my heart. Thank you for seeing possibilities in me that I could not see in myself. And thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all, the opportunity to walk towards Krishna under your loving guidance.
On this sacred day, my only prayer is that I may bring even the smallest happiness to your heart through my sincere service and my endeavour to follow your instructions.
May I remain forever sheltered at your lotus feet, aspiring to become a humble servant of your servants.
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja, my most beloved Gurudev, my spiritual father, and the greatest blessing Krishna has mercifully placed in my life.
With a heart full of gratitude, love, and humble prayers,
Your eternal aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Tungi Devi Dasi
Please accept my Heart Full of Gratitude and humble obediences at Your Lotus Feet
A humble offering on the auspicious occasion of Your 76th Vyasa Puja
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this most auspicious and sacred occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, I offer my heart, my gratitude, and my countless prayers at your lotus feet. Gurudev, words will never be sufficient to express what you mean to me. Whatever little devotion I have, whatever small steps I have taken in Krishna consciousness, and whatever service Krishna has allowed me to render are all gifts of your causeless mercy. I have no qualification of my own to claim; I can only stand before you with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that whatever is good in me is a reflection of your mercy.
I feel like a Blessed Daughter of Your Mercy
Gurudev, I still remember your 75th Vyasa Puja last year in Melbourne. Being physically present with you on that most sacred occasion, accompanied by our entire family, was a blessing that filled my heart with immense joy. Yet, amidst all that happiness, Krishna gave me a moment that made me realise just how extraordinarily fortunate I am to have your association.
One senior devotee had travelled with us to Melbourne to attend your Vyasa Puja. With tears in her eyes, she shared how, despite so many years of devotion, this was the very first time she had the opportunity to attend and witness a Vyasa Puja in person. Her words touched something deep within my heart. As I watched her overwhelmed with emotion, I suddenly became aware of a blessing I had perhaps taken for granted. How often Krishna has allowed me to have your association, to see you, to hear from you, and to receive your loving guidance.
Gurudev, at that moment, I felt both humbled and deeply grateful. What she was experiencing for the first time, Krishna had mercifully allowed me to experience with my own Gurudev. I realised that your association is not something to be taken lightly; it is a priceless treasure, a gift that my unqualified heart can never repay. That devotee’s tears became a gentle reminder to me to cherish every moment of your association as a precious opportunity to receive your mercy.
Gurudev, I also remember that, after I took your shelter, you once told me that I would lead the girls and become an example for them.
At that time, I thought you were referring to my own daughters. I could never have imagined that your words carried a much deeper meaning.
Later, when I began the Vaishnavi Sanga, Naimisharanya Mataji reminded me of what you had said. At that moment, I was left speechless. I began to understand that perhaps you had seen a possibility in me that I could never see in myself.
Gurudev, I am not learned in shastra, I have so much to learn, and I know how many shortcomings remain within me. I have no qualification to lead or inspire anyone. Yet, somehow, by your mercy, Krishna has allowed me to be involved in serving Vaishnavis and their families, encouraging them in their spiritual journey, and creating opportunities for them to come closer to Krishna.
What amazes me most is that you entrusted me with a vision long before I could even imagine myself being involved in such service.
This has taught me that a spiritual master does not merely see what a disciple is today; by his mercy, he can inspire the disciple to become what they never imagined possible.
May I always remember and have this rooted in my mind that I am merely an instrument, and even that instrument needs your constant mercy to remain useful. How merciful Krishna has been to me! How mercifully you have accepted me as your spiritual daughter!
Gurudev, one of the most profound transformations in my spiritual life has been my ability to chant my sixteen rounds during Brahma-muhurta.
Even after coming into bhakti, I would struggle throughout the day to complete my sixteen rounds. I knew my own mind, my limitations, and my lack of determination. By my own strength, I could not bring about the transformation I so desperately needed. Yet, after receiving your shelter and initiation, by your mercy alone, I began completing my sixteen rounds in the sacred hours of Brahma-muhurta.
When I reflect on this transformation, I know in my heart that it was not my achievement. It was your mercy working through my life. You empowered me to do something that I had struggled to do even after coming into Krishna consciousness.
This experience has taught me a lesson I will never forget: what we cannot accomplish by our own strength can become possible by the mercy of a genuine spiritual master. Guru-kripa can awaken within us a strength, determination, and taste for bhakti that we could never have imagined possessing.
I share this not to glorify myself, but to glorify the mercy of a Guru. If someone as unqualified and struggling as me can experience such a transformation, then there is hope for all of us when we sincerely take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and strive to follow their instructions.
We cannot walk this path successfully by our own strength alone. We need the shelter, guidance, and blessings of those who can lead us closer to Krishna. I am living proof of whatever little progress I have made is only because Guru have mercifully held my hand and helped me take steps towards Krishna.
Gurudev, there is one precious memory that remains forever engraved in my heart.
Soon after my initiation, when we came to meet you, you lovingly asked me, “Do you like your name?”
I replied, “I love it!”
You smiled and asked, “Why?”
I told you that when my parents named me at birth, I was too young to understand the meaning or feel any particular connection to my name. But when you, my spiritual father, personally gave me the name Tungi, it became something infinitely more precious. It was no longer merely a name; it was a gift from the person whom I had accepted as my spiritual father, a name given to me at the beginning of a new life dedicated to serving Krishna.
The thought that you had personally thought of me and considered me and given me this name touched the deepest part of my heart. Even now, when I think about that moment, my eyes fill with tears of gratitude. How fortunate I am that you accepted me as your daughter and gave me a spiritual identity to cherish throughout my life!
Sometimes, I wonder how much affection and spiritual significance can be contained within a single name. Every time I hear someone call me Tungi, I am reminded of you, of my initiation, of the shelter I have received.
My beloved Gurudev, I pray that I may become worthy of the name you have so mercifully given me, that I may remain small and humble at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundara, always dependent on Their mercy and yours.
On this auspicious day, I humbly beg you to bless me with the ability to speak Krishna-katha in a way that pleases you and Their Lordships. Whenever I share Krishna’s glories, please guide my thoughts, my words, and my heart. Let the right words come at the right time, in the right mood, and with the right understanding.
Please protect me from speaking anything contrary to siddhanta, from using inappropriate examples, or from allowing pride to enter my heart. Let my words never become a means of seeking recognition, but always a humble attempt to glorify Krishna, Srimati Radharani, Srila Prabhupada, and the devotees.
Please bless me with a heart that is sincere, a consciousness that is pure, and a spirit of service that remains humble.
And if ever I begin to forget my position, Gurudev, please correct me, guide me, and bring me back to the humble understanding that I am simply your servant, aspiring to become a servant of the servants of the Vaishnavas.
Gurudev, we feel immensely blessed to receive both your vapu and vani association, the opportunity to serve and be in your physical presence, as well as to receive your instructions and teachings.
One of my most cherished moments whenever you visit Adelaide is seeing you off at the airport. To others, it may simply appear to be a farewell before a flight, but for me, those moments are among the most treasured parts of your visit.
I sometimes think of Srila Prabhupada’s “morning walks” with his disciples, when they had the precious opportunity to ask questions, hear instructions, and receive his association in an intimate setting. In our own small way, we are blessed with our little “airport talks” with you!
Those moments are so dear to me. Even the journey to the airport, the conversations in the waiting lounge, and the final moments before you leave become memories that I carry in my heart long after you have departed.
There is always a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happiness that we have had your association, and sadness that the time has passed so quickly. Yet, those moments strengthen my determination to treasure every opportunity to hear from you, serve you, and follow your instructions.
Gurudev, I do not want to be satisfied merely with the privilege of seeing you. Please bless me that I may become sincere followers of your instructions, because your vani is the true treasure that can remain with us wherever we are.
May I never take your presence for granted. May every visit deepen our gratitude, every conversation strengthen our faith, and every instruction become an opportunity to make a meaningful change in our lives.
My beloved Gurudev, on this most auspicious occasion of your 76th Vyasa Puja, I have no great offering to place before you. I have no extraordinary qualification, no profound realisation, and no achievement worthy of your lotus feet.
All I have is this imperfect heart, filled with gratitude for all that you have done for me.
You have given me a spiritual name to cherish, a path to follow, the shelter of a spiritual father, and opportunities to serve that I could never have imagined for myself. You have encouraged me when I could not see my own potential and have helped me take steps towards Krishna that I could not take by my own strength.
I pray that I may never become complacent about the great fortune of having received your shelter. May I never allow familiarity to diminish my gratitude, may I never allow service to give rise to pride, and may I never forget that the real success of my life is not how much I accomplish, but how sincerely I learn to serve.
Please bless me and our entire family to remain firmly connected to your lotus feet. Please guide my husband and our daughters in their Krishna consciousness, and help us build a home where Krishna is always at the centre, where the Vaishnavas are welcomed with love, and where devotional service is cherished above all else.
Please bless me that, for the remainder of this life, I may continue to chant with sincerity, hear with attention, serve with humility, care for the Vaishnavas with genuine affection, and follow your instructions without seeking personal recognition.
And when my mind becomes restless, when my weaknesses overwhelm me, or when I feel incapable of serving, please let me remember that I am not alone. I have a spiritual father whose mercy has already transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
Gurudev, I do not ask to become a great devotee. I only beg to remain a sincere and grateful daughter at your lotus feet, never forgetting the mercy through which I have been given the opportunity to serve.
Thank you for accepting me as your spiritual daughter. Thank you for giving me a name that has become so dear to my heart. Thank you for seeing possibilities in me that I could not see in myself. And thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all, the opportunity to walk towards Krishna under your loving guidance.
On this sacred day, my only prayer is that I may bring even the smallest happiness to your heart through my sincere service and my endeavour to follow your instructions.
May I remain forever sheltered at your lotus feet, aspiring to become a humble servant of your servants.
Happy 76th Vyasa Puja, my most beloved Gurudev, my spiritual father, and the greatest blessing Krishna has mercifully placed in my life.
With a heart full of gratitude, love, and humble prayers,
Your eternal aspiring servant and spiritual daughter,
Tungi Devi Dasi
Ujjvala Smita DD
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale / śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāra-pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā / parārthāpi-kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
All glories to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga!
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda and his sincere followers!
All glories to the disciplic succession of Vaiṣṇava ācāryas!
My most humble obeisances unto your lotus feet, Gurudev.
Dear Gurudev,
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to offer a few words at your lotus feet. Yet, I feel that no words can truly express the gratitude I carry in my heart, and no amount of glorification can adequately describe the invaluable gift of having a spiritual master in my life. I remember the verse:
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
(Śrī Gurvaṣṭaka 8)
“By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives the mercy of Kṛṣṇa; without his mercy, one cannot make spiritual advancement.”
These words remind me that my relationship with you is not something ordinary. It is a sacred opportunity and a responsibility. I pray that I may never take your instructions, your guidance or the opportunity to serve you for granted.
I do not know how much I have truly pleased you through my service. I know only that I wish to continue trying. If there are shortcomings in me, please bless me with the sincerity to recognise them and the determination to improve. If I become proud of whatever little I do, please help me remember that everything is possible only by mercy. And if I ever become discouraged by my own imperfections, please bless me with the determination to continue serving sincerely.
My dear Gurudev, my prayer is not that I may become a great devotee in the eyes of others, but that I may become sincere in your eyes.
Gurudev, your instruction to read Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is very precious to me. In one of your lecture you mentioned on mārkaṭa-vairāgya especially touched my heart:
markaṭa-vairāgya nā kara loka dekhāñā
yathā-yogya viṣaya bhuñja’ anāsakta hañā
“Do not make a show of monkey renunciation. Accept things appropriately, without attachment.”
— Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.238
Please bless me that I may remain faithful to your instructions, deepen my taste for chanting and hearing, develop genuine appreciation for the Vaiṣṇavas, and continue growing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without becoming complacent.
Gurudev, just as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, from Ādi-līlā through Madhya-līlā, reveals such deep philosophical truths, I can see your deep philosophical realisations and profound observations in your classes. And now, over the last few months, hearing you speak about the Lord’s transcendental pastimes has felt truly nectarean. Hearing these līlās from you brings me great joy and makes me long to hear more. I pray that, by your mercy, I may develop a deeper taste for hearing about Kṛṣṇan and always remain eager to learn from your instructions and realisations.
Gurudev, your instructions have helped me appreciate the importance of reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books more deeply, not simply to gain knowledge, but to understand their teachings and allow them to transform my heart.
As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.17):
śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ-stho hy abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt-satām
“Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is the well-wisher of the sincere devotees, cleanses the undesirable things from their hearts when they hear His messages.”
I pray that, by your mercy, I may develop a genuine taste for reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and hearing from you, so that this knowledge does not remain merely intellectual but gradually transforms my heart and helps me serve Śrī Guru and Śrī Kṛṣṇa more sincerely.
Thank you, Gurudev, for accepting me as your disciple and giving me the opportunity to learn this path. I pray that, by your causeless mercy, I may continue to take small but sincere steps towards becoming a better servant.
Please forgive my offences and kindly keep me under your shelter.
With my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
Your aspiring servant.
Ujjvala Smita DD
Urjjesvari dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Rupa Goswami says that while atonement is prescribed for various grave sins, there is no ritual or penance that can purify a person who is ungrateful to their benefactors.
And as Vyasa Puja is a day for recognising what we’ve received, I want to express my gratitude for what you’ve given me and the part you’ve played in bringing me to where I am in my spiritual journey.
But first, I want to acknowledge the role you’ve taken on as guru.
I’ve heard that you once described yourself as “sprinting back to Godhead” when you were asked to accept disciples.
And yet you took that responsibility, to bring others with you, in the service of Srila Prabhupada and his movement.
And you take it seriously.
I think that seriousness was one of the first things I noticed when I met you. It’s never been enough for us to just know the philosophy. You want us to live it.
I often hear you say, disciple means discipline.”
I didn’t exactly come from a disciplined background, and my relationship with authority has never been very conventional.
At high school, I once locked my PE teacher in the changing rooms to try and avoid the consequences of forgetting my PE gear. I superglued another teacher to her chair. And after clashing several times with my very short dean, I diagnosed him with a short-man complex and decided the best way to meet his latest confrontation was to stand up and look down at him while he chastised me.
Naturally, I didn’t last very long there.
When I was 16, Seva Kunja brought me to stay in the ashram at the Wellington Loft. That’s where I met you.
And you, you were all about training.
I remember then, at 16, complaining to you that I had to get up early and do lots of service.
You asked me if I was an invalid.
I didn’t know what that was at the time.
But apparently I wasn’t.
You trained us in the practices of bhakti: to rise early and chant, read every day, chant all our rounds in one sitting, accept guidance, and learn to serve out of duty and commitment, not just because we happened to feel inspired that day.
I didn’t always appreciate it back then, but I think I can understand it more now.
I am still very much a work in progress when it comes to being trained, but I do recognise the value of what you have given me.
The standards. The spiritual framework. The training in practices I never naturally gravitated to.
I don’t think I was an obvious candidate for this kind of life.
But somehow, I got it anyway.
In the words of Sacinandana Swami: “Nothing in bhakti is obtained; everything is given.”
Whatever I have received in Krishna consciousness has come through mercy.
And you have been one of the people through whom that mercy has come to me.
So, on your Vyasa Puja, I want to acknowledge that.
Thank you.
Urjjesvari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Rupa Goswami says that while atonement is prescribed for various grave sins, there is no ritual or penance that can purify a person who is ungrateful to their benefactors.
And as Vyasa Puja is a day for recognising what we’ve received, I want to express my gratitude for what you’ve given me and the part you’ve played in bringing me to where I am in my spiritual journey.
But first, I want to acknowledge the role you’ve taken on as guru.
I’ve heard that you once described yourself as “sprinting back to Godhead” when you were asked to accept disciples.
And yet you took that responsibility, to bring others with you, in the service of Srila Prabhupada and his movement.
And you take it seriously.
I think that seriousness was one of the first things I noticed when I met you. It’s never been enough for us to just know the philosophy. You want us to live it.
I often hear you say, disciple means discipline.”
I didn’t exactly come from a disciplined background, and my relationship with authority has never been very conventional.
At high school, I once locked my PE teacher in the changing rooms to try and avoid the consequences of forgetting my PE gear. I superglued another teacher to her chair. And after clashing several times with my very short dean, I diagnosed him with a short-man complex and decided the best way to meet his latest confrontation was to stand up and look down at him while he chastised me.
Naturally, I didn’t last very long there.
When I was 16, Seva Kunja brought me to stay in the ashram at the Wellington Loft. That’s where I met you.
And you, you were all about training.
I remember then, at 16, complaining to you that I had to get up early and do lots of service.
You asked me if I was an invalid.
I didn’t know what that was at the time.
But apparently I wasn’t.
You trained us in the practices of bhakti: to rise early and chant, read every day, chant all our rounds in one sitting, accept guidance, and learn to serve out of duty and commitment, not just because we happened to feel inspired that day.
I didn’t always appreciate it back then, but I think I can understand it more now.
I am still very much a work in progress when it comes to being trained, but I do recognise the value of what you have given me.
The standards. The spiritual framework. The training in practices I never naturally gravitated to.
I don’t think I was an obvious candidate for this kind of life.
But somehow, I got it anyway.
In the words of Sacinandana Swami: “Nothing in bhakti is obtained; everything is given.”
Whatever I have received in Krishna consciousness has come through mercy.
And you have been one of the people through whom that mercy has come to me.
So, on your Vyasa Puja, I want to acknowledge that.
Thank you.
Urjjesvari dd
Uttama Bhakti Das & Raga Bhakti Devi Dasi
Nama om visnu padaya
Krishna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrita swamin
iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthathapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your auspicious appearance day!
This year we have been contemplating on the wonderful qualities of a Vaiṣṇava described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.21:
“The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”
When we hear this verse, we naturally think of how you exemplify these qualities- your tolerance, humility, compassion, fearlessness in preaching and dedication to Srila Prabhupāda’s mission.
Your words continually remind us never to lose sight of the ultimate goal of human life. Your powerful kathās immerse us in spiritual bliss, lifting our consciousness beyond the intoxication of material existence. We simply long for the day when the nectar of your kathās will flow into our ears eternally, without cessation.
O! When, O when will that time be ours!
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.274 describes the vision of an exalted devotee:
sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti
sarvatra haya nija iṣṭa-deva-sphūrti
The mahā-bhāgavata, the advanced devotee, certainly sees everything mobile and immobile, but he does not exactly see their forms. Rather, everywhere he immediately sees manifest the form of the Supreme Lord. Such is the vision of an exalted Vaiṣṇava, whose eyes are anointed with the ointment of love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
We understand from the scriptures that a pure devotee sees everything in connection with Kṛṣṇa. For such a devotee, no situation is independent of the Lord's arrangement. Even an apparently unpleasant interaction becomes an opportunity to remember Kṛṣṇa and cultivate humility. In this connection, HG Prabhava Prabhu once shared with us an incident from his personal interaction with you. One day, when you happened to walk past him without saying Hare Kṛṣṇa, he remarked, “You are too proud. You don’t even say Hare Kṛṣṇa.”
To this, you simply replied: Thank you for teaching me humility.
Gurudeva, those few words taught us a profound lesson. Rather than taking offence, you humbly accepted the situation as an opportunity to learn. Your response reminds us to see Kṛṣṇa’s hand in every circumstance, rather than allowing our false ego to dictate our reactions.
Gurudeva, your life also shows us what it means to carry the preaching spirit of our paramparā. You travel tirelessly, simply to give Kṛṣṇa consciousness to others.
In our recent meeting you said: Preaching is the cake; everything else is icing. These words brought back another memory. Once, while I was driving you to Dr. Dan, I asked, Gurudeva, what pleases you the most? You gravely replied: Become Kṛṣṇa conscious and make others Kṛṣṇa conscious.
What a simple yet profoundly powerful instruction!
Gurudeva, these words have become a guiding principle for our lives. They remind us that the greatest offering we can make to you is not merely through words of glorification, but through sincerely transforming our own consciousness and helping others come closer to Kṛṣṇa.
We pray that we may never forget this instruction and that our lives may gradually become instruments in your hands for fulfilling Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission.
At the same time, despite being engaged in such an enormous worldwide preaching mission, you never fail to reciprocate personally with your disciples.
Your personal reciprocation has touched our hearts with deep love and affection.
I still remember one particular incident. I was chanting in the temple courtyard when Gopavrindesh Prabhu approached me and said, I sent you a message from Gurudeva. Excitedly, I checked the message and read that you needed some medicine to be picked up from the chemist, and you had asked Gopa Prabhu to ask Uttama Bhakti if he could go.
Gurudeva, this may appear to be a very small incident, but for me it was an unforgettable moment.
I was so touched by your remembrance of this insignificant soul. The very thought that, amidst your countless responsibilities and the many devotees serving you, you had remembered me and given me an opportunity to render even a tiny service filled my heart with gratitude.
It made us realize that the spiritual master's love is not merely expressed through grand instructions or public discourses, but also through these seemingly small, deeply personal exchanges that leave an everlasting impression upon the heart. Thank you, Gurudeva, for allowing us to experience such affection and for making us feel connected to your service.
Mahārāja, you are a valiant preacher, purifying every place you choose to visit on this planet through your powerful preaching, transcendental association and ecstatic kīrtanas.
Whenever you visit us here in Melbourne, we find that all of us become surcharged with bhakti and electrified with spiritual enthusiasm. Your power-packed kīrtanas lift our consciousness so much that, for those precious moments, we forget our material anxieties and become drowned in bliss. Your powerful voice, your enthusiasm, your absorption and your determination to engage everyone in glorifying the holy names of the Lord create an atmosphere in which the material world seems so distant.
Yet, Gurudeva, that bliss fades away as soon as you leave us, and separation takes over. The same places that were filled with your transcendental presence suddenly feel empty. We eagerly wait for your next visit, longing once again to hear your words, participate in your kīrtanas and receive your merciful glance.
Perhaps this feeling of separation is also your mercy, reminding us that our real connection with you must deepen through following your instructions, sincerely chanting the holy names and serving your mission, even when we are physically far away.
Gurudeva, we still remember how you instructed all your disciples to chant attentively. We are trying our best to chant attentively, Mahārāja, but still there is a struggle. Our restless minds, countless distractions and deeply rooted material conditioning repeatedly expose our helpless condition. Although we understand the importance of the holy name, we find ourselves struggling to offer the attention and affection that Kṛṣṇa so mercifully deserves. Therefore, we beg for your mercy so that we can chant attentively and affectionately.
May your instructions remain alive in our hearts. May we develop a genuine taste for the holy name, and may our chanting gradually become an expression of loving service rather than merely a daily obligation.
Oh, our merciful spiritual father, today on this most auspicious occasion, we would like to draw your attention to our most pitiable condition in this human experience and beg for the dust of your lotus feet.
Just as Jaḍa Bharata instructed Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.12.12):
vinā mahat-pāda-rajo-'bhiṣekam
“My dear King Rahūgaṇa, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth.”
Gurudeva, these words describe our only hope. We have no spiritual qualifications to claim, no significant service to boast of and no genuine realization to offer at your lotus feet. Whatever little connection we have with devotional service is simply the result of your mercy and the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda. We are painfully aware of our shortcomings, yet we remain hopeful because your compassion is far greater than our disqualifications.
Thank you for accepting such insignificant souls under the shelter of your lotus feet. Thank you for your unconditional love as our spiritual father, for your patience with our imperfections and for continuously reminding us of the real purpose of human life.
On this auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we also earnestly pray to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa for your good health, strength and long life, so that you may continue to rescue many souls from the catastrophes of material existence.
And may we, despite our insignificance, somehow become useful instruments in your divine service.
Our only prayer is that we may always remain sheltered at your lotus feet, life after life, never forgetting your mercy, your instructions and the priceless gift of Kṛṣṇa that you are so mercifully giving to others.
Please bless us so that we may become Kṛṣṇa conscious and make others Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Your eternally indebted and insignificant servants,
Uttama Bhakti Dāsa
Rāga Bhakti Devī Dāsī
Radhe and Vrindaa
Krishna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrita swamin
iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthathapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your auspicious appearance day!
This year we have been contemplating on the wonderful qualities of a Vaiṣṇava described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.21:
“The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”
When we hear this verse, we naturally think of how you exemplify these qualities- your tolerance, humility, compassion, fearlessness in preaching and dedication to Srila Prabhupāda’s mission.
Your words continually remind us never to lose sight of the ultimate goal of human life. Your powerful kathās immerse us in spiritual bliss, lifting our consciousness beyond the intoxication of material existence. We simply long for the day when the nectar of your kathās will flow into our ears eternally, without cessation.
O! When, O when will that time be ours!
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.274 describes the vision of an exalted devotee:
sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti
sarvatra haya nija iṣṭa-deva-sphūrti
The mahā-bhāgavata, the advanced devotee, certainly sees everything mobile and immobile, but he does not exactly see their forms. Rather, everywhere he immediately sees manifest the form of the Supreme Lord. Such is the vision of an exalted Vaiṣṇava, whose eyes are anointed with the ointment of love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
We understand from the scriptures that a pure devotee sees everything in connection with Kṛṣṇa. For such a devotee, no situation is independent of the Lord's arrangement. Even an apparently unpleasant interaction becomes an opportunity to remember Kṛṣṇa and cultivate humility. In this connection, HG Prabhava Prabhu once shared with us an incident from his personal interaction with you. One day, when you happened to walk past him without saying Hare Kṛṣṇa, he remarked, “You are too proud. You don’t even say Hare Kṛṣṇa.”
To this, you simply replied: Thank you for teaching me humility.
Gurudeva, those few words taught us a profound lesson. Rather than taking offence, you humbly accepted the situation as an opportunity to learn. Your response reminds us to see Kṛṣṇa’s hand in every circumstance, rather than allowing our false ego to dictate our reactions.
Gurudeva, your life also shows us what it means to carry the preaching spirit of our paramparā. You travel tirelessly, simply to give Kṛṣṇa consciousness to others.
In our recent meeting you said: Preaching is the cake; everything else is icing. These words brought back another memory. Once, while I was driving you to Dr. Dan, I asked, Gurudeva, what pleases you the most? You gravely replied: Become Kṛṣṇa conscious and make others Kṛṣṇa conscious.
What a simple yet profoundly powerful instruction!
Gurudeva, these words have become a guiding principle for our lives. They remind us that the greatest offering we can make to you is not merely through words of glorification, but through sincerely transforming our own consciousness and helping others come closer to Kṛṣṇa.
We pray that we may never forget this instruction and that our lives may gradually become instruments in your hands for fulfilling Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission.
At the same time, despite being engaged in such an enormous worldwide preaching mission, you never fail to reciprocate personally with your disciples.
Your personal reciprocation has touched our hearts with deep love and affection.
I still remember one particular incident. I was chanting in the temple courtyard when Gopavrindesh Prabhu approached me and said, I sent you a message from Gurudeva. Excitedly, I checked the message and read that you needed some medicine to be picked up from the chemist, and you had asked Gopa Prabhu to ask Uttama Bhakti if he could go.
Gurudeva, this may appear to be a very small incident, but for me it was an unforgettable moment.
I was so touched by your remembrance of this insignificant soul. The very thought that, amidst your countless responsibilities and the many devotees serving you, you had remembered me and given me an opportunity to render even a tiny service filled my heart with gratitude.
It made us realize that the spiritual master's love is not merely expressed through grand instructions or public discourses, but also through these seemingly small, deeply personal exchanges that leave an everlasting impression upon the heart. Thank you, Gurudeva, for allowing us to experience such affection and for making us feel connected to your service.
Mahārāja, you are a valiant preacher, purifying every place you choose to visit on this planet through your powerful preaching, transcendental association and ecstatic kīrtanas.
Whenever you visit us here in Melbourne, we find that all of us become surcharged with bhakti and electrified with spiritual enthusiasm. Your power-packed kīrtanas lift our consciousness so much that, for those precious moments, we forget our material anxieties and become drowned in bliss. Your powerful voice, your enthusiasm, your absorption and your determination to engage everyone in glorifying the holy names of the Lord create an atmosphere in which the material world seems so distant.
Yet, Gurudeva, that bliss fades away as soon as you leave us, and separation takes over. The same places that were filled with your transcendental presence suddenly feel empty. We eagerly wait for your next visit, longing once again to hear your words, participate in your kīrtanas and receive your merciful glance.
Perhaps this feeling of separation is also your mercy, reminding us that our real connection with you must deepen through following your instructions, sincerely chanting the holy names and serving your mission, even when we are physically far away.
Gurudeva, we still remember how you instructed all your disciples to chant attentively. We are trying our best to chant attentively, Mahārāja, but still there is a struggle. Our restless minds, countless distractions and deeply rooted material conditioning repeatedly expose our helpless condition. Although we understand the importance of the holy name, we find ourselves struggling to offer the attention and affection that Kṛṣṇa so mercifully deserves. Therefore, we beg for your mercy so that we can chant attentively and affectionately.
May your instructions remain alive in our hearts. May we develop a genuine taste for the holy name, and may our chanting gradually become an expression of loving service rather than merely a daily obligation.
Oh, our merciful spiritual father, today on this most auspicious occasion, we would like to draw your attention to our most pitiable condition in this human experience and beg for the dust of your lotus feet.
Just as Jaḍa Bharata instructed Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.12.12):
vinā mahat-pāda-rajo-'bhiṣekam
“My dear King Rahūgaṇa, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth.”
Gurudeva, these words describe our only hope. We have no spiritual qualifications to claim, no significant service to boast of and no genuine realization to offer at your lotus feet. Whatever little connection we have with devotional service is simply the result of your mercy and the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda. We are painfully aware of our shortcomings, yet we remain hopeful because your compassion is far greater than our disqualifications.
Thank you for accepting such insignificant souls under the shelter of your lotus feet. Thank you for your unconditional love as our spiritual father, for your patience with our imperfections and for continuously reminding us of the real purpose of human life.
On this auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we also earnestly pray to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa for your good health, strength and long life, so that you may continue to rescue many souls from the catastrophes of material existence.
And may we, despite our insignificance, somehow become useful instruments in your divine service.
Our only prayer is that we may always remain sheltered at your lotus feet, life after life, never forgetting your mercy, your instructions and the priceless gift of Kṛṣṇa that you are so mercifully giving to others.
Please bless us so that we may become Kṛṣṇa conscious and make others Kṛṣṇa conscious.
Your eternally indebted and insignificant servants,
Uttama Bhakti Dāsa
Rāga Bhakti Devī Dāsī
Radhe and Vrindaa
Vaishnava Charan Das and Yasomati Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you Gurudeva.
How are we so blessed to have such an exalted transcendental
personality like you take an interest in our welfare?
Your extraordinary devotional example resembles that
of the great devotee and Bhakti Acharya Narada Muni.
As Sri Narada appears in every Bhagavatam Canto,
you perform varieties of expert devotional service
all over ISKCON - writing, preaching, guiding disciples,
leadership, appreciating devotees and leading glorious kirtans.
Sri Narada instructs a variety of personalities such as
Srila Vyasadeva, Dhruva Maharaj and Prahlada Maharaj,
King Pracinabarhi and the sons of Kuvera. You Gurudeva
have a variety of disciples across all the walks of life
and even more extraordinarily - different speeds in Bhakti.
You are so kind and patient to be an all service hospital
welcoming both fast trackers and slow-bumpy-roaders.
Some of Sri Narada's services appear particularly
challenging like instigating Kamsa's animosity to
accelerate Krishna's appearance. You risked your life
to share Bhakti Yoga in the former Soviet Union -
a service so exalted yet you humbly rarely speak of it.
As the transcendental space man Sri Narada is
perpetually moving you Gurudeva
have travelled the globe, repeatedly starting over
in a new place, dealing with the unique blend of
modes from each country and local. An ordinary person
would find this a harrowing situation being perpetually
uprooted and transplanted. Only a person acting
as Krishna's humble instrument could do this and
thrive as you have.
As Sri Narada recounts in SB 1:6:26
"Chanting and remembering the transcendental
pastimes of the Lord is benedictory.
So doing I travel all over the earth fully satisfied,
humble and unenvious."
It is awe-inspiring how your satisfaction, Gurudeva,
in Bhakti is so fucused yet jolly, with what you
call a sporting attitude towards maya.
You humbly attribute your advancement
to the mercy of your spiritual master and
the Holy Name. Your lack of envy shines inconceivably
when you describe how you see and appreciate
the good intention that had to be there behind a
fellow Bhakti Practitioner telling you he had to
cut you down in your service.
Only by your mercy Gurudeva is there any hope
of our serving Krishna in a pleasing way.
In the words of Sri Narottama Das Thakur:
"Krishna is yours, you are able to give Him
to us, for such is your power. We are simply
wretched running after you crying
Krishna Krishna"
May we always be blessed to hear and chant
about Krishna in you association, eternally.
Your humble servants,
Vaishnava Charan Das and Yasomati Devi Dasi
Please accept our humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you Gurudeva.
How are we so blessed to have such an exalted transcendental
personality like you take an interest in our welfare?
Your extraordinary devotional example resembles that
of the great devotee and Bhakti Acharya Narada Muni.
As Sri Narada appears in every Bhagavatam Canto,
you perform varieties of expert devotional service
all over ISKCON - writing, preaching, guiding disciples,
leadership, appreciating devotees and leading glorious kirtans.
Sri Narada instructs a variety of personalities such as
Srila Vyasadeva, Dhruva Maharaj and Prahlada Maharaj,
King Pracinabarhi and the sons of Kuvera. You Gurudeva
have a variety of disciples across all the walks of life
and even more extraordinarily - different speeds in Bhakti.
You are so kind and patient to be an all service hospital
welcoming both fast trackers and slow-bumpy-roaders.
Some of Sri Narada's services appear particularly
challenging like instigating Kamsa's animosity to
accelerate Krishna's appearance. You risked your life
to share Bhakti Yoga in the former Soviet Union -
a service so exalted yet you humbly rarely speak of it.
As the transcendental space man Sri Narada is
perpetually moving you Gurudeva
have travelled the globe, repeatedly starting over
in a new place, dealing with the unique blend of
modes from each country and local. An ordinary person
would find this a harrowing situation being perpetually
uprooted and transplanted. Only a person acting
as Krishna's humble instrument could do this and
thrive as you have.
As Sri Narada recounts in SB 1:6:26
"Chanting and remembering the transcendental
pastimes of the Lord is benedictory.
So doing I travel all over the earth fully satisfied,
humble and unenvious."
It is awe-inspiring how your satisfaction, Gurudeva,
in Bhakti is so fucused yet jolly, with what you
call a sporting attitude towards maya.
You humbly attribute your advancement
to the mercy of your spiritual master and
the Holy Name. Your lack of envy shines inconceivably
when you describe how you see and appreciate
the good intention that had to be there behind a
fellow Bhakti Practitioner telling you he had to
cut you down in your service.
Only by your mercy Gurudeva is there any hope
of our serving Krishna in a pleasing way.
In the words of Sri Narottama Das Thakur:
"Krishna is yours, you are able to give Him
to us, for such is your power. We are simply
wretched running after you crying
Krishna Krishna"
May we always be blessed to hear and chant
about Krishna in you association, eternally.
Your humble servants,
Vaishnava Charan Das and Yasomati Devi Dasi
Vamsi-Lalita devi dasi
Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, Guru Maharaja!
Dear Guru Maharaja,
On this exceptionally auspicious day—the day of your Appearance — I offer my sincere prayers and express my deep gratitude for your presence in my life, as well as for the spiritual guidance and blessings you so graciously bestow.
By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and through the chain of disciplic succession, I have been given the opportunity to learn about Krishna consciousness and engage in devotional service. I am especially grateful for the chance to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books together with my husband, Dhira-Lalita Prabhu, and to share this transcendental knowledge with many people. This service reminds me that Srila Prabhupada’s books are an invaluable gift to humanity, and that I am merely an instrument in the hands of my spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada.
I pray to attain genuine humility, purity of heart, and steadfastness in devotional service. May I always remember the importance of serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission sincerely, with enthusiasm and faith, and without seeking personal recognition.
On this sacred day, I ask for your blessings to become a better servant of Srila Prabhupada, to remain consistent in my spiritual practice, and to continue distributing his books with compassion and determination. May I always have the strength to follow your instructions and to deepen my relationship with Krishna through service. Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your mercy, instructions, and inspiration. I pray that I may never take this rare opportunity for granted, and that my entire life may become an offering—a service to you, Srila Prabhupada, and Sri Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu.
On the day of your auspicious Appearance Day, I pray for your good health and inexhaustible strength to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Appearance Day Guru Maharaja!
Your insignificant servant,
Vamsi-lalita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, Guru Maharaja!
Dear Guru Maharaja,
On this exceptionally auspicious day—the day of your Appearance — I offer my sincere prayers and express my deep gratitude for your presence in my life, as well as for the spiritual guidance and blessings you so graciously bestow.
By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and through the chain of disciplic succession, I have been given the opportunity to learn about Krishna consciousness and engage in devotional service. I am especially grateful for the chance to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books together with my husband, Dhira-Lalita Prabhu, and to share this transcendental knowledge with many people. This service reminds me that Srila Prabhupada’s books are an invaluable gift to humanity, and that I am merely an instrument in the hands of my spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada.
I pray to attain genuine humility, purity of heart, and steadfastness in devotional service. May I always remember the importance of serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission sincerely, with enthusiasm and faith, and without seeking personal recognition.
On this sacred day, I ask for your blessings to become a better servant of Srila Prabhupada, to remain consistent in my spiritual practice, and to continue distributing his books with compassion and determination. May I always have the strength to follow your instructions and to deepen my relationship with Krishna through service. Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for your mercy, instructions, and inspiration. I pray that I may never take this rare opportunity for granted, and that my entire life may become an offering—a service to you, Srila Prabhupada, and Sri Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu.
On the day of your auspicious Appearance Day, I pray for your good health and inexhaustible strength to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Appearance Day Guru Maharaja!
Your insignificant servant,
Vamsi-lalita devi dasi
Vamsidhari das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisance's,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his empowered servants,
Every disciple who yearns to feel the warmth of the Kṛṣṇa sun shining upon their bhakti-latā-bīja prays with deep and sincere longing for the blessings of their spiritual master.
You are certainly glorious and most magnanimous, for every year I see spiritual seekers approach you for shelter and guidance, hoping against hope to receive that mercy, the life-giving rays of the Kṛṣṇa sun. As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
"Wandering throughout the universe, some fortunate soul receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa."
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.151)
At the risk of oversimplifying the glorious Vyāsa-pūjā ceremony, this is the essential principle being venerated: the door home cannot be opened from this side. It requires someone from the other side to hear our call, our prayers, and our heartfelt cries. In our conditioned state we cannot find our own way back to Kṛṣṇa. Yet by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa, the path is revealed through the parampara, and the journey home begins.
That relationship between the qualified spiritual master and the sincere disciple is dynamic and rich with loving exchange, founded upon the teachings and examples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. There is perhaps no more beautiful illustration of this sacred relationship than Śrīla Prabhupāda's exquisite masterpiece, Teachings of Lord Caitanya.
Each page is saturated with inspiration, realization, and potent instruction. Thank you, Gurudeva, for inspiring me to lose my heart within those pages and to deepen my appreciation for the gift of devotional service. When I reflect upon this life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that I have received through your mercy: the association of devotees, formal initiation into the chanting of the holy name, and even the sacred Gāyatrī mantra. You have given me access to treasures for which I could never repay you. You are most munificent and benevolent.
Despite being showered with so many blessings, we cannot forget that this path home is no light undertaking. It is strewn with every imaginable temptation. It is traversed by the venomous serpents of Vaiṣṇava aparādha, ever ready to strike at the slightest provocation. In many places it is blanketed by the dense fog of pride and arrogance. Along this path, many souls who once sought the flowering groves of Vraja have forfeited their eternal goal for temporary titles and fleeting adoration.
How relevant, then, are the instructions of Mahāprabhu:
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
"One should be humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all desire for personal honour, and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 17.31)
Again and again, I find myself returning to this instruction and realizing how dependent I am upon the living siksa of the empowered and authorized spiritual master to embody even a fraction of its meaning.
What hope is there for us but the mercy of the spiritual master? In truth, without their mercy there is no hope at all. It is the lifeline that carries us through treacherous waters. It is the antidote to every poison. It is the instruction of the spiritual master that calls us through the blinding fog until we once again feel the soft, warm sands of home beneath our feet.
I pray this year that I may remain forever attached to the lotus feet I have accepted as my eternal shelter. Without that protection, there would be no hope for me. I would be overcome by the illusion of material identification, mistaking myself for this temporary body. I would become engrossed in the false prestige, entitlement, and arrogance that so easily arises from bodily consciousness. How dangerous this is for we who are entrapped within these male bodies. How quickly we become infected with the belief that as a result of this karmic covering, we’re somehow more entitled to this path than others. How frightening the behaviours that result from this toxic misidentification while poisonously criticising the soft hearted ‘others’. The infected and insecure male ego, what a tragic short story.
On this auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā day, I pray only for the intelligence and determination to faithfully follow that sacred siksa which has warmed this once stone-cold heart. May I never lose sight of the immense fortune of having received this shelter. May I always remember that the mercy flowing through the spiritual master is Kṛṣṇa's greatest gift to the conditioned soul.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for your patience, your sacrifice, your example, and your unwavering commitment to carrying the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the world.
Your servant,
Vamsidhari das
Please accept my humble obeisance's,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his empowered servants,
Every disciple who yearns to feel the warmth of the Kṛṣṇa sun shining upon their bhakti-latā-bīja prays with deep and sincere longing for the blessings of their spiritual master.
You are certainly glorious and most magnanimous, for every year I see spiritual seekers approach you for shelter and guidance, hoping against hope to receive that mercy, the life-giving rays of the Kṛṣṇa sun. As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches:
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
"Wandering throughout the universe, some fortunate soul receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa."
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.151)
At the risk of oversimplifying the glorious Vyāsa-pūjā ceremony, this is the essential principle being venerated: the door home cannot be opened from this side. It requires someone from the other side to hear our call, our prayers, and our heartfelt cries. In our conditioned state we cannot find our own way back to Kṛṣṇa. Yet by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa, the path is revealed through the parampara, and the journey home begins.
That relationship between the qualified spiritual master and the sincere disciple is dynamic and rich with loving exchange, founded upon the teachings and examples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. There is perhaps no more beautiful illustration of this sacred relationship than Śrīla Prabhupāda's exquisite masterpiece, Teachings of Lord Caitanya.
Each page is saturated with inspiration, realization, and potent instruction. Thank you, Gurudeva, for inspiring me to lose my heart within those pages and to deepen my appreciation for the gift of devotional service. When I reflect upon this life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that I have received through your mercy: the association of devotees, formal initiation into the chanting of the holy name, and even the sacred Gāyatrī mantra. You have given me access to treasures for which I could never repay you. You are most munificent and benevolent.
Despite being showered with so many blessings, we cannot forget that this path home is no light undertaking. It is strewn with every imaginable temptation. It is traversed by the venomous serpents of Vaiṣṇava aparādha, ever ready to strike at the slightest provocation. In many places it is blanketed by the dense fog of pride and arrogance. Along this path, many souls who once sought the flowering groves of Vraja have forfeited their eternal goal for temporary titles and fleeting adoration.
How relevant, then, are the instructions of Mahāprabhu:
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
"One should be humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all desire for personal honour, and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 17.31)
Again and again, I find myself returning to this instruction and realizing how dependent I am upon the living siksa of the empowered and authorized spiritual master to embody even a fraction of its meaning.
What hope is there for us but the mercy of the spiritual master? In truth, without their mercy there is no hope at all. It is the lifeline that carries us through treacherous waters. It is the antidote to every poison. It is the instruction of the spiritual master that calls us through the blinding fog until we once again feel the soft, warm sands of home beneath our feet.
I pray this year that I may remain forever attached to the lotus feet I have accepted as my eternal shelter. Without that protection, there would be no hope for me. I would be overcome by the illusion of material identification, mistaking myself for this temporary body. I would become engrossed in the false prestige, entitlement, and arrogance that so easily arises from bodily consciousness. How dangerous this is for we who are entrapped within these male bodies. How quickly we become infected with the belief that as a result of this karmic covering, we’re somehow more entitled to this path than others. How frightening the behaviours that result from this toxic misidentification while poisonously criticising the soft hearted ‘others’. The infected and insecure male ego, what a tragic short story.
On this auspicious Vyāsa-pūjā day, I pray only for the intelligence and determination to faithfully follow that sacred siksa which has warmed this once stone-cold heart. May I never lose sight of the immense fortune of having received this shelter. May I always remember that the mercy flowing through the spiritual master is Kṛṣṇa's greatest gift to the conditioned soul.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for your patience, your sacrifice, your example, and your unwavering commitment to carrying the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the world.
Your servant,
Vamsidhari das
Vanamālā devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to You on this auspicious day.
Recently I was reflecting on the past few years in the ladies ashram and feeling surprised and fortunate for this experience that I am having here at the Bhakti Lounge. I’ve been thinking- I don’t know how this has happened but somehow I’ve been swept up and saved from material existence without knowing that that was happening. Everything is set up so expertly in a way that someone can just join and have the support to gradually make their life krishna conscious.
I feel really fortunate to be getting this training in the ladies ashram to learn how to be more human and that there’s a purpose to human life.
It’s been sometimes humbling to realise how much I need to learn even just about basic human things as cleaning, eating, let alone spiritual life. But by your expertise, this knowledge is coming down to me through your senior disciples and I’m starting to learn all these things. I never previously considered chemicals in vegetables for example, but im becoming more aware of it by your New Kulina Gram initiative.
Earlier in the year I heard some recordings online of Yourself explaining to HH Sivaram maharaj in Hungary about the ‘loft style’ preaching. I was very amazed at how well you understood the mentality of todays westerners and what kind of presentation would be attractive to them. It dawned on me that my feeling surprised that “wow, my practicing Bhakti doesn’t have to be a short term thing, but that I have the support to live a Bhakti filled life if I continue on” isn’t just by chance, but a part of greater plan, of a greater personality who’s established all this.
I hope that I can invest myself in service at Bhakti lounge and help to benefit other people too.
Thank you for your kind personal encouragement and genuine care. It’s really touched my heart and I hope to give back.
Hoping for the sincerity and spiritual strength to serve you
Your aspiring servant
Vanamala devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to You on this auspicious day.
Recently I was reflecting on the past few years in the ladies ashram and feeling surprised and fortunate for this experience that I am having here at the Bhakti Lounge. I’ve been thinking- I don’t know how this has happened but somehow I’ve been swept up and saved from material existence without knowing that that was happening. Everything is set up so expertly in a way that someone can just join and have the support to gradually make their life krishna conscious.
I feel really fortunate to be getting this training in the ladies ashram to learn how to be more human and that there’s a purpose to human life.
It’s been sometimes humbling to realise how much I need to learn even just about basic human things as cleaning, eating, let alone spiritual life. But by your expertise, this knowledge is coming down to me through your senior disciples and I’m starting to learn all these things. I never previously considered chemicals in vegetables for example, but im becoming more aware of it by your New Kulina Gram initiative.
Earlier in the year I heard some recordings online of Yourself explaining to HH Sivaram maharaj in Hungary about the ‘loft style’ preaching. I was very amazed at how well you understood the mentality of todays westerners and what kind of presentation would be attractive to them. It dawned on me that my feeling surprised that “wow, my practicing Bhakti doesn’t have to be a short term thing, but that I have the support to live a Bhakti filled life if I continue on” isn’t just by chance, but a part of greater plan, of a greater personality who’s established all this.
I hope that I can invest myself in service at Bhakti lounge and help to benefit other people too.
Thank you for your kind personal encouragement and genuine care. It’s really touched my heart and I hope to give back.
Hoping for the sincerity and spiritual strength to serve you
Your aspiring servant
Vanamala devi dasi
Vaṁśī-vilāsi dāsa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
I submit a humble aṣṭakam for your pleasure. I have tried to glorify you to the best of my ability, expressing my true feelings.
(1)
yasyendriyā hi kali-pāvana-kārya-magnāḥ
yac-cetaso madana-mohana-rūpa-lagnaḥ
vikṣipta-dhīr vimukha-bhāva-niviṣṭa-dīnas
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
Your senses are ever-engaged in the missionary work of Lord Caitanya, the saviour from the age of Kali. Your mind is fixed on the beauty of Cupid’s enchanter. With scattered intelligence and a mind turned away from the Lord, I am very lowly. I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(2)
kiṁ paṅkajāṅghri-yugalaṁ tava śrāmyatīti
sarvāṁ kṣitiṁ carasi vr̥ddha-vayo ‘pi nityam
ko ‘pi prabhāvam iha nūnam u dattavān te
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees. Do your lotus feet not sometimes become tired as you wander across the whole earth, even at an advanced age? It seems someone must have empowered you with extraordinary potencies.
(3)
kāmo ‘tibhakṣayati mūḍha-janān sahasrān
garjan pravaktum iha tad-vijayam samantāt
bhītasya me hr̥di-sthito ‘pi nilīyate he
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
Lust devours thousands of bewildered persons all around, bellowing to declare its own victory. Indeed, that lust lurks in my heart. Afraid, I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(4)
kr̥ṣṇānurāgaṁ api bhāvayituṁ sadhr̥tyā
etaj-januḥ kila samarpitavān tathāpi
santrastatām u kr̥payārhasi bho nihantum
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
Although I have committed this lifetime determinedly to developing my attachment to Kr̥ṣṇa, still I am terrified. O Gurudeva, you are competent to destroy my fear, by your mercy. I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(5)
adyāpi tiṣṭhati bhavān prabhupāda-pādau
śuśrūṣur eva tad-acintya-susīdhu-vāṇīm
yācan tvad-aṅghri-kamaleṣu tad-ārya-niṣṭhām
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
To this very day you remain eager to serve the lotus of feet of Śrīla Prabhupāda, along with his inconceivably nectarean teachings. Begging to develop similar chasteness at your own lotus feet, I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(6)
he śrī-guro katham ahaṁ saralo bhaveyam
śuddho bhavann iha tadocitam ābhajeyam
mā pūpayat kapaṭateti purīṣa-garte
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees. O Śrīla Gurudeva, how will I become simple? Being pure, I would thus be able to worship you properly. Please don’t let me rot in a cess-pit of crookedness.
(7)
gaurāṅga-premṇi bata ātma-pravāñcito ‘smi
yadyapy adāt tam anavadhy aham aśmavad dhi
manye prabho tvad-anusāraṇam āśrayo me
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I must have cheated myself of Lord Caitanya’s love, for although He gave it freely, I am still as hard as stone. I conclude that to follow in your footsteps is my only shelter, and I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(8)
yācāmi te bhavatu tad-vidha-bhaktatā me
yena prasīdasi ca tuṣyati me ‘pi gauraḥ
rādhā-mukunda-pada-dāsya-pradaḥ kadācit
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I am praying to you Gurudeva, for the kind of devotion by which you will be pleased. Thus, Lord Caitanya will be pleased and one day perhaps He will make me into a servant of Rādhā and Kr̥ṣṇa. I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
Your servant,
Vaṁśī-vilāsi dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
I submit a humble aṣṭakam for your pleasure. I have tried to glorify you to the best of my ability, expressing my true feelings.
(1)
yasyendriyā hi kali-pāvana-kārya-magnāḥ
yac-cetaso madana-mohana-rūpa-lagnaḥ
vikṣipta-dhīr vimukha-bhāva-niviṣṭa-dīnas
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
Your senses are ever-engaged in the missionary work of Lord Caitanya, the saviour from the age of Kali. Your mind is fixed on the beauty of Cupid’s enchanter. With scattered intelligence and a mind turned away from the Lord, I am very lowly. I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(2)
kiṁ paṅkajāṅghri-yugalaṁ tava śrāmyatīti
sarvāṁ kṣitiṁ carasi vr̥ddha-vayo ‘pi nityam
ko ‘pi prabhāvam iha nūnam u dattavān te
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees. Do your lotus feet not sometimes become tired as you wander across the whole earth, even at an advanced age? It seems someone must have empowered you with extraordinary potencies.
(3)
kāmo ‘tibhakṣayati mūḍha-janān sahasrān
garjan pravaktum iha tad-vijayam samantāt
bhītasya me hr̥di-sthito ‘pi nilīyate he
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
Lust devours thousands of bewildered persons all around, bellowing to declare its own victory. Indeed, that lust lurks in my heart. Afraid, I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(4)
kr̥ṣṇānurāgaṁ api bhāvayituṁ sadhr̥tyā
etaj-januḥ kila samarpitavān tathāpi
santrastatām u kr̥payārhasi bho nihantum
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
Although I have committed this lifetime determinedly to developing my attachment to Kr̥ṣṇa, still I am terrified. O Gurudeva, you are competent to destroy my fear, by your mercy. I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(5)
adyāpi tiṣṭhati bhavān prabhupāda-pādau
śuśrūṣur eva tad-acintya-susīdhu-vāṇīm
yācan tvad-aṅghri-kamaleṣu tad-ārya-niṣṭhām
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
To this very day you remain eager to serve the lotus of feet of Śrīla Prabhupāda, along with his inconceivably nectarean teachings. Begging to develop similar chasteness at your own lotus feet, I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(6)
he śrī-guro katham ahaṁ saralo bhaveyam
śuddho bhavann iha tadocitam ābhajeyam
mā pūpayat kapaṭateti purīṣa-garte
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees. O Śrīla Gurudeva, how will I become simple? Being pure, I would thus be able to worship you properly. Please don’t let me rot in a cess-pit of crookedness.
(7)
gaurāṅga-premṇi bata ātma-pravāñcito ‘smi
yadyapy adāt tam anavadhy aham aśmavad dhi
manye prabho tvad-anusāraṇam āśrayo me
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I must have cheated myself of Lord Caitanya’s love, for although He gave it freely, I am still as hard as stone. I conclude that to follow in your footsteps is my only shelter, and I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
(8)
yācāmi te bhavatu tad-vidha-bhaktatā me
yena prasīdasi ca tuṣyati me ‘pi gauraḥ
rādhā-mukunda-pada-dāsya-pradaḥ kadācit
tubhyaṁ prapanna-maṇaye gurave namāmi
I am praying to you Gurudeva, for the kind of devotion by which you will be pleased. Thus, Lord Caitanya will be pleased and one day perhaps He will make me into a servant of Rādhā and Kr̥ṣṇa. I offer my obeisances unto you, my spiritual master, a jewel among surrendered devotees.
Your servant,
Vaṁśī-vilāsi dāsa
Veda Dharma Das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I offer my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. You have transformed many of your disciple life, I am a new kid on the block and have not yet had the fortune of serving you personally, but your teachings have already begun to reshape the way I see the world, myself, and the purpose of human life.
Your books have been my first real doorway into your heart. Every page carries a clarity that cuts through confusion, a compassion that uplifts, and a spiritual intelligence that feels urgently relevant for the modern world.
In Hiding in Unnatural Happiness, you write that “real happiness begins when we stop negotiating with illusion.” This single line has stayed with me, challenging me every day to examine my choices and I try, I try, & I sincerely keep trying to align myself with Krishna’s will.
From Searching for Vedic India, your reminder that “the human being is meant for higher inquiry” awakened something deep within me — a sense that spiritual life is not an escape, but the most responsible and meaningful engagement with reality.
In one of your session, you mentioned that “the world changes when our consciousness changes” gave me hope that transformation is possible, even for someone like me who is just beginning.
Guru Maharaj, your ability to connect ancient wisdom with contemporary struggles is a gift to this world. You speak to students, professionals, thinkers, and seekers with a boldness that is rare and a compassion that is unmistakable. Even without direct interaction, I feel guided by your voice — a voice that is both intellectually sharp and spiritually soothing.
On your appearance day, I pray for just one thing: the strength and sincerity to follow your instructions, serve your mission, and gradually become a disciple worthy of your shelter.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for giving me direction, courage, and a higher purpose. May I always remain under your guidance and contribute, in whatever small way I can, to your vision of a spiritually awakened society.
Your servant, praying for qualification
Veda Dharma Das
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I offer my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. You have transformed many of your disciple life, I am a new kid on the block and have not yet had the fortune of serving you personally, but your teachings have already begun to reshape the way I see the world, myself, and the purpose of human life.
Your books have been my first real doorway into your heart. Every page carries a clarity that cuts through confusion, a compassion that uplifts, and a spiritual intelligence that feels urgently relevant for the modern world.
In Hiding in Unnatural Happiness, you write that “real happiness begins when we stop negotiating with illusion.” This single line has stayed with me, challenging me every day to examine my choices and I try, I try, & I sincerely keep trying to align myself with Krishna’s will.
From Searching for Vedic India, your reminder that “the human being is meant for higher inquiry” awakened something deep within me — a sense that spiritual life is not an escape, but the most responsible and meaningful engagement with reality.
In one of your session, you mentioned that “the world changes when our consciousness changes” gave me hope that transformation is possible, even for someone like me who is just beginning.
Guru Maharaj, your ability to connect ancient wisdom with contemporary struggles is a gift to this world. You speak to students, professionals, thinkers, and seekers with a boldness that is rare and a compassion that is unmistakable. Even without direct interaction, I feel guided by your voice — a voice that is both intellectually sharp and spiritually soothing.
On your appearance day, I pray for just one thing: the strength and sincerity to follow your instructions, serve your mission, and gradually become a disciple worthy of your shelter.
Thank you, Guru Maharaj, for giving me direction, courage, and a higher purpose. May I always remain under your guidance and contribute, in whatever small way I can, to your vision of a spiritually awakened society.
Your servant, praying for qualification
Veda Dharma Das
Vedasara farmer
Hare krsna maharaj, please accept my humble obeisances at your merciful lotus feet, all glories to Srila prabhupada and youre life of service dedicated to him.
Thankyou maharaj for being so kind and compassionate to me although I am not worthy, you have helped me so much and I hope I will be able to render some service to your lotus feet through my attempts to preach the holy name and any possibilities you would be kind enough to offer me in the future. Thankyou mahraj.
Your servant Vedasara.
Thankyou maharaj for being so kind and compassionate to me although I am not worthy, you have helped me so much and I hope I will be able to render some service to your lotus feet through my attempts to preach the holy name and any possibilities you would be kind enough to offer me in the future. Thankyou mahraj.
Your servant Vedasara.
Vegavan Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
This world is duḥkhālayam, it is only a place of misery for those who are still bound by the ropes of material nature. Yet, how is it that you are able to traverse the globe with such enthusiasm and joy, even though you must go through so much material austerity to perform your work, Krsna explains that only one who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. (BG18.54) The joy that surrounds you is therefore not accidental, it is the direct symptom of your transcendence of the modes.
I confess my offering is being made from false identification of a so-called comfortable position in material existence, all the while you demonstrate what real surrender to a spiritual master looks like through decades of unwavering service to Srila Prabhupada's mission. Carried out not under the comfortable spell of an illusory home, but in the fire of bhakti, performing the work that is the highest and most dearest to Krsna.
A devotee in the mode of pure goodness is naturally forgiving, humble, and eager for the welfare of all beings, seeing no one as an enemy. This is exactly what I experience from your association. You do not restrict or limit Bhakti to anyone. Your fan is running 24/7 to keep alive the flames of those who can only manage partial surrender.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
"Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service." (CC Madhya 19.151)
I have done nothing to deserve this seed. It was simply placed in my hands, by your causeless mercy, at a moment when I did not even know I needed it. Gurudeva, I cannot repay this gift, I can only try to water and nurture it in return, as you have shown us all by your great enthusiasm, careful attention and unshakable faith in Bhakti. My fortune is immeasurable that the mercy of the entire disciplic succession is continuously flowing through you unobstructed. Please continue to bless this struggling servant.
Your Aspiring Servant,
Vegavan Das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
This world is duḥkhālayam, it is only a place of misery for those who are still bound by the ropes of material nature. Yet, how is it that you are able to traverse the globe with such enthusiasm and joy, even though you must go through so much material austerity to perform your work, Krsna explains that only one who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. (BG18.54) The joy that surrounds you is therefore not accidental, it is the direct symptom of your transcendence of the modes.
I confess my offering is being made from false identification of a so-called comfortable position in material existence, all the while you demonstrate what real surrender to a spiritual master looks like through decades of unwavering service to Srila Prabhupada's mission. Carried out not under the comfortable spell of an illusory home, but in the fire of bhakti, performing the work that is the highest and most dearest to Krsna.
A devotee in the mode of pure goodness is naturally forgiving, humble, and eager for the welfare of all beings, seeing no one as an enemy. This is exactly what I experience from your association. You do not restrict or limit Bhakti to anyone. Your fan is running 24/7 to keep alive the flames of those who can only manage partial surrender.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
"Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service." (CC Madhya 19.151)
I have done nothing to deserve this seed. It was simply placed in my hands, by your causeless mercy, at a moment when I did not even know I needed it. Gurudeva, I cannot repay this gift, I can only try to water and nurture it in return, as you have shown us all by your great enthusiasm, careful attention and unshakable faith in Bhakti. My fortune is immeasurable that the mercy of the entire disciplic succession is continuously flowing through you unobstructed. Please continue to bless this struggling servant.
Your Aspiring Servant,
Vegavan Das
Vicaksana Das
Dear Spiritual Master,
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On this most auspicious day of Your Vyāsa-Pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for Your mercy, guidance, and inspiration on my journey in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
Looking back on this past year, I feel especially blessed to have met You and received Your darśana. These encounters brought me great joy and encouragement. I was particularly happy about the darśana with Bhakta Martin, which remains a very special and cherished memory.
In my daily practice, I continue to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā mantra, and at present I am chanting seventeen rounds a day. I am also reading the Seventh Canto of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, though my progress is very slow. Lately I have felt very tired, and I do not fully understand the reason. The sight in my right eye and the hearing in my left ear have also weakened. Still, I do not wish to dwell on these difficulties. I simply try to go on according to my present capacity, counting it a privilege to chant the holy name and study Śrīla Prabhupāda's books.
Your teachings remind me that real progress is within, in the heart and consciousness, not in external achievements. I remember Your lecture *"Real Progress Is Within, Not Without"* (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.27). Its message encourages me to look beyond external circumstances and to cultivate sincerity, humility, and remembrance of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
As I grow older, I increasingly appreciate that spiritual life is not a matter of speed or outward accomplishment, but of earnest endeavour and dependence on the mercy of the Lord and His devotees. Even when I seem to move slowly, I pray to remain steady in my chanting and study, and to deepen my attachment to the holy name.
On this sacred occasion, Gurudeva, I humbly pray for Your blessings, that I may continue serving Śrī Kṛṣṇa under Your guidance with devotion, patience, and a joyful heart.
**Happy Vyāsa-Pūjā, dear Śrīla Gurudeva!**
May Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa bless You with good health, strength, and unwavering enthusiasm in Your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Vaiṣṇavas. May You continue to illuminate the path of bhakti for all who seek shelter in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
With deepest gratitude and humble obeisances,
Your servant,
Vicakṣaṇa dās
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On this most auspicious day of Your Vyāsa-Pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for Your mercy, guidance, and inspiration on my journey in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
Looking back on this past year, I feel especially blessed to have met You and received Your darśana. These encounters brought me great joy and encouragement. I was particularly happy about the darśana with Bhakta Martin, which remains a very special and cherished memory.
In my daily practice, I continue to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā mantra, and at present I am chanting seventeen rounds a day. I am also reading the Seventh Canto of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, though my progress is very slow. Lately I have felt very tired, and I do not fully understand the reason. The sight in my right eye and the hearing in my left ear have also weakened. Still, I do not wish to dwell on these difficulties. I simply try to go on according to my present capacity, counting it a privilege to chant the holy name and study Śrīla Prabhupāda's books.
Your teachings remind me that real progress is within, in the heart and consciousness, not in external achievements. I remember Your lecture *"Real Progress Is Within, Not Without"* (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.27). Its message encourages me to look beyond external circumstances and to cultivate sincerity, humility, and remembrance of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
As I grow older, I increasingly appreciate that spiritual life is not a matter of speed or outward accomplishment, but of earnest endeavour and dependence on the mercy of the Lord and His devotees. Even when I seem to move slowly, I pray to remain steady in my chanting and study, and to deepen my attachment to the holy name.
On this sacred occasion, Gurudeva, I humbly pray for Your blessings, that I may continue serving Śrī Kṛṣṇa under Your guidance with devotion, patience, and a joyful heart.
**Happy Vyāsa-Pūjā, dear Śrīla Gurudeva!**
May Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa bless You with good health, strength, and unwavering enthusiasm in Your service to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Vaiṣṇavas. May You continue to illuminate the path of bhakti for all who seek shelter in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
With deepest gratitude and humble obeisances,
Your servant,
Vicakṣaṇa dās
Vinita devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Appearance.
Over the past year, we've continued our Foster Care service. We've had some very favourable children and also a baby come to stay at our house, and make progress in Krishna Consciousness.
This has included kids watching Darshan Arati in Mayapur from my phone with rapt attention, being absorbed in picture books of Krishna's pastimes, attending Arati at home, attending Temple programs, having Prasad, and playing while listening to Kirtana.
We had just been doing Respite Care, but the week after Lord Nrisimhadeva's Appearance, we got a call for Emergency Care. It wasn't easy, and went longer than planned, but the kids got a safe house when needed, and made a start in Krishna Consciousness.
And after that Yajna, we got the most favourable kid ever, who seemed to have come straight from the Spiritual World. Throughout the weekend, she kept putting Ganga water from the Altar side table on her head (and mine too!), rang the bell during Arati, attended the Temple program and clapped during the Kirtana, made friends with another devotee child, was peaceful during the class, and played kartals during the final Kirtana. She also gave lots of lovely smiles, showing she was happy in Krishna Consciousness.
There's been so much mercy for these kids.
And it's because of your mercy for me.
Thank you so much for your ongoing efforts to preach Krishna Consciousness, and for your devotee support and care.
And thank you that I can help these kids to have a better life, and a hope of becoming practicing devotees in the future.
Your aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Appearance.
Over the past year, we've continued our Foster Care service. We've had some very favourable children and also a baby come to stay at our house, and make progress in Krishna Consciousness.
This has included kids watching Darshan Arati in Mayapur from my phone with rapt attention, being absorbed in picture books of Krishna's pastimes, attending Arati at home, attending Temple programs, having Prasad, and playing while listening to Kirtana.
We had just been doing Respite Care, but the week after Lord Nrisimhadeva's Appearance, we got a call for Emergency Care. It wasn't easy, and went longer than planned, but the kids got a safe house when needed, and made a start in Krishna Consciousness.
And after that Yajna, we got the most favourable kid ever, who seemed to have come straight from the Spiritual World. Throughout the weekend, she kept putting Ganga water from the Altar side table on her head (and mine too!), rang the bell during Arati, attended the Temple program and clapped during the Kirtana, made friends with another devotee child, was peaceful during the class, and played kartals during the final Kirtana. She also gave lots of lovely smiles, showing she was happy in Krishna Consciousness.
There's been so much mercy for these kids.
And it's because of your mercy for me.
Thank you so much for your ongoing efforts to preach Krishna Consciousness, and for your devotee support and care.
And thank you that I can help these kids to have a better life, and a hope of becoming practicing devotees in the future.
Your aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Vira-gopi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. And all glories to you.
You are the gold standard example in every department. We are all so fortunate to have a living example of someone who has completely dedicated their body, mind and words to spreading Lord Caitanya’s movement by serving your own spiritual master. Everything you do is purposeful, expert and completely for Krishna’s pleasure.
Having services within management I am becoming aware of the types of day to day ‘issues’ you have to deal with and I know I don’t even see a fraction of it. My appreciation of you continues to considerably deepen as I hear about how you expertly deal with situations in a practical yet transcendental way simultaneously. You could be simply relishing hearing and chanting about Krishna, but instead you’re choosing to take on many burdens and anxieties to help us all.
I can see you have given me everything I need. The maha mantra, Srila Prabhupada’s books, incredible devotee association, a flood of engaging and expanding services, many personal instructions, encouragement and the potential to perfect the purpose of human life. I don’t have anything to ask you for, except the ability to take full advantage of it all.
I especially thank you for the unlimited amount of service you have given me access to plug in to. Although you often express your appreciation, I know it’s actually for my benefit and that if I wasn’t doing it, someone else would.
I am gaining a deeper understanding of and feeling incredibly grateful for your protection-especially recently, both personally and through your senior disciples who have tirelessly offered their guidance and support, even when it seemed unlikely I was going to listen. Thank you for setting up such solid and supportive mentoring structures, which are an extension of your care. You said in one of your recent classes, ‘Guidance is the wealth of the Vaisnava’, and I have seen first hand how this is so.
We have the choice to be in spiritual anxiety or material anxiety. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take on spiritual anxieties for your pleasure. I feel my service to you is literally my lifeline and you’re the one giving me the strength to even cling on.
I am convinced more than ever that I want a simple life filled with sacrifice and to take on responsibility for you. This is the only way I can start to show my gratitude to you.
Begging to become a sincere disciple,
Vira-gopi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. And all glories to you.
You are the gold standard example in every department. We are all so fortunate to have a living example of someone who has completely dedicated their body, mind and words to spreading Lord Caitanya’s movement by serving your own spiritual master. Everything you do is purposeful, expert and completely for Krishna’s pleasure.
Having services within management I am becoming aware of the types of day to day ‘issues’ you have to deal with and I know I don’t even see a fraction of it. My appreciation of you continues to considerably deepen as I hear about how you expertly deal with situations in a practical yet transcendental way simultaneously. You could be simply relishing hearing and chanting about Krishna, but instead you’re choosing to take on many burdens and anxieties to help us all.
I can see you have given me everything I need. The maha mantra, Srila Prabhupada’s books, incredible devotee association, a flood of engaging and expanding services, many personal instructions, encouragement and the potential to perfect the purpose of human life. I don’t have anything to ask you for, except the ability to take full advantage of it all.
I especially thank you for the unlimited amount of service you have given me access to plug in to. Although you often express your appreciation, I know it’s actually for my benefit and that if I wasn’t doing it, someone else would.
I am gaining a deeper understanding of and feeling incredibly grateful for your protection-especially recently, both personally and through your senior disciples who have tirelessly offered their guidance and support, even when it seemed unlikely I was going to listen. Thank you for setting up such solid and supportive mentoring structures, which are an extension of your care. You said in one of your recent classes, ‘Guidance is the wealth of the Vaisnava’, and I have seen first hand how this is so.
We have the choice to be in spiritual anxiety or material anxiety. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take on spiritual anxieties for your pleasure. I feel my service to you is literally my lifeline and you’re the one giving me the strength to even cling on.
I am convinced more than ever that I want a simple life filled with sacrifice and to take on responsibility for you. This is the only way I can start to show my gratitude to you.
Begging to become a sincere disciple,
Vira-gopi devi dasi
Viracandra 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
Wishing you a very happy krishna conscious appearance day. Though I try to meditate on you everyday, however this special day of Vyasapuja helps me to concentrate deeper on your unlimited qualities and I feel very blessed and greatful to you.
he guro jnana-da dina-bandho
svananda-datah karunaika-sindho
vrindavanasina hitavatara
prasida radha-pranaya-prachara
Translation - "O spiritual master, O giver of divine wisdom, O friend of the fallen, you are the giver of your own bliss and you are the only ocean of mercy. Although dwelling in Vrindavana, you have descended for the welfare of fallen souls like myself and you are preaching the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Please be kind upon me."
In your recent lecture on Sri Radha Ashtami, you gave an anology, that twigs happiness is million times more than the creeper itself, even thought the creeper is connected to the tree.
In this, krishna is a tree --- radha rani is it's creeper -- Gopis are the twigs and flowers.. How Gopis are always thinking to connect Radha Rani to Krishna.
You mentioned that understanding this is entering into the deepest mystery of the spiritual world --- connecting others with krishna is more pleasing to krishna and is more satisfying to you. -- PRINCIPLE IS THAT pleasure lies in uniting others with krishna.
When I was thinking about this point, I naturally thought of you that how you are always in bliss and satisfied because you are always thinking of different ways for connecting jivas from different walks of life to krishna.
It has been long time that I have not come for either pick up or drop off at the airport, however, I always remember you chanting in car and in between all of the sudden you would call out loudly "Krishna - Krishna" and thay would put me in so much bliss. That remeberance helps me to chant better.
It is said "āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya", by your personal example you guide us how to chant seriously. You always say in your lectures that chanting Hare Krishna is a life time carrier. Recently, in your melbourne trip, I happened to ask you a question in Bhagvatam class and in response you told me If I am bewildered about what to do, then chant Hare Krishna and I Will not die if I chant extra. I am seeking your blessings to take my chanting seriously.
Also, recently I begged for blessings on birthday, you asked me if am still serving at Crossways, and I said yes, you looked at me with smile and said very nice.
It took me back 16 years ago, when first time I met you during youth retreat, and in our first meeting, you asked me what am I doing and I replied that I manage a food chain, in response to that you told me why dont you manage for krishna.
In 11.14.26, Srila Prabhupada said cakṣu-dāna dila yei, janme janme prabhu sei: the bona fide spiritual master, the representative of Lord Kṛṣṇa, restores our spiritual sight, and thus he is our eternal lord and master.
Seeking your blessings to continue my service for temple seriously and sincerely with proper consciousness.
On this auspicious occasion, I beg you to please bless me that I should never let you down and I pray to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha to please bless you with good health, so that you continue to save more and more jivas and put them in Krishna consciousness.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Viracandra Dasa
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Wishing you a very happy krishna conscious appearance day. Though I try to meditate on you everyday, however this special day of Vyasapuja helps me to concentrate deeper on your unlimited qualities and I feel very blessed and greatful to you.
he guro jnana-da dina-bandho
svananda-datah karunaika-sindho
vrindavanasina hitavatara
prasida radha-pranaya-prachara
Translation - "O spiritual master, O giver of divine wisdom, O friend of the fallen, you are the giver of your own bliss and you are the only ocean of mercy. Although dwelling in Vrindavana, you have descended for the welfare of fallen souls like myself and you are preaching the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Please be kind upon me."
In your recent lecture on Sri Radha Ashtami, you gave an anology, that twigs happiness is million times more than the creeper itself, even thought the creeper is connected to the tree.
In this, krishna is a tree --- radha rani is it's creeper -- Gopis are the twigs and flowers.. How Gopis are always thinking to connect Radha Rani to Krishna.
You mentioned that understanding this is entering into the deepest mystery of the spiritual world --- connecting others with krishna is more pleasing to krishna and is more satisfying to you. -- PRINCIPLE IS THAT pleasure lies in uniting others with krishna.
When I was thinking about this point, I naturally thought of you that how you are always in bliss and satisfied because you are always thinking of different ways for connecting jivas from different walks of life to krishna.
It has been long time that I have not come for either pick up or drop off at the airport, however, I always remember you chanting in car and in between all of the sudden you would call out loudly "Krishna - Krishna" and thay would put me in so much bliss. That remeberance helps me to chant better.
It is said "āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya", by your personal example you guide us how to chant seriously. You always say in your lectures that chanting Hare Krishna is a life time carrier. Recently, in your melbourne trip, I happened to ask you a question in Bhagvatam class and in response you told me If I am bewildered about what to do, then chant Hare Krishna and I Will not die if I chant extra. I am seeking your blessings to take my chanting seriously.
Also, recently I begged for blessings on birthday, you asked me if am still serving at Crossways, and I said yes, you looked at me with smile and said very nice.
It took me back 16 years ago, when first time I met you during youth retreat, and in our first meeting, you asked me what am I doing and I replied that I manage a food chain, in response to that you told me why dont you manage for krishna.
In 11.14.26, Srila Prabhupada said cakṣu-dāna dila yei, janme janme prabhu sei: the bona fide spiritual master, the representative of Lord Kṛṣṇa, restores our spiritual sight, and thus he is our eternal lord and master.
Seeking your blessings to continue my service for temple seriously and sincerely with proper consciousness.
On this auspicious occasion, I beg you to please bless me that I should never let you down and I pray to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha to please bless you with good health, so that you continue to save more and more jivas and put them in Krishna consciousness.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Viracandra Dasa
Vraj keli and vrnda keli
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre-pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
• On this very special day of your 76th Vyasa-Puja, Keli family want to thank you from the bottom of our heart for your love and guidance. We feel so lucky to have you in our life. Even though we have many faults your kindness gives us hope and strength.
• Gurudev your dedication for your spiritual master (srila parbhupad) mission is such that you travel every part of the world nonstop to spread Krishna consciousness.
• Gurudev whenever you speak or write, you make deep spiritual truths so easy to understand. You know exactly how to speak to modern people, students, and youths, helping us see the real purpose of life.
• You have given everything to serve Srila Prabhupada. Hearing how you bravely risked your safety to give out spiritual books in dangerous places(everyone knows how Krishna saved you in Moscow) . You live completely for others.
• You do not just teach spiritual life; you show us how to live it. Your pure habits, strict dedication, and sweet care for every devotee show me what a real spiritual master looks like.
• In this confusing world, you are like a safe, strong lighthouse. Your classes, your books, and your kind smile give me shelter and keep me moving forward on the path back to Krishna.
• Thank you, Gurudeva, for never giving up on fool like us . On your appearance day, We pray to Krishna to give you good health so you can keep saving lost souls. Please bless all of us in room today so that we can follow your instructions and become a better devotees.
Happy Vyasa-Puja, Gurudev!
Your humble servant.
__keli family___________________
vraj keli , vrenda keli,Lalita and Hari das
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre-pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
• On this very special day of your 76th Vyasa-Puja, Keli family want to thank you from the bottom of our heart for your love and guidance. We feel so lucky to have you in our life. Even though we have many faults your kindness gives us hope and strength.
• Gurudev your dedication for your spiritual master (srila parbhupad) mission is such that you travel every part of the world nonstop to spread Krishna consciousness.
• Gurudev whenever you speak or write, you make deep spiritual truths so easy to understand. You know exactly how to speak to modern people, students, and youths, helping us see the real purpose of life.
• You have given everything to serve Srila Prabhupada. Hearing how you bravely risked your safety to give out spiritual books in dangerous places(everyone knows how Krishna saved you in Moscow) . You live completely for others.
• You do not just teach spiritual life; you show us how to live it. Your pure habits, strict dedication, and sweet care for every devotee show me what a real spiritual master looks like.
• In this confusing world, you are like a safe, strong lighthouse. Your classes, your books, and your kind smile give me shelter and keep me moving forward on the path back to Krishna.
• Thank you, Gurudeva, for never giving up on fool like us . On your appearance day, We pray to Krishna to give you good health so you can keep saving lost souls. Please bless all of us in room today so that we can follow your instructions and become a better devotees.
Happy Vyasa-Puja, Gurudev!
Your humble servant.
__keli family___________________
vraj keli , vrenda keli,Lalita and Hari das
Vraja Kumuda Das
Hare Krishna Gurudev
Please accept my sincere obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this 76th Vyasapuja and all glories to your beloved spiritual father Srila Prabhupada.
This time of the year gives us an opportunity to reinstate our position as your indebted disciple and strengthen our relationship as the servant and master. Although born in India, my mind deep in kali-yuga degradation, and I opposed authority, institutionalized religion, and I never trusted anyone to be my well-wisher. However, it wasn’t until I met you that I realized that saintly people do exist in this world. Out of 3.9 million people in Los Angeles, what could have been the chances that I got your association. As it is famously said in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 19.151):
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
Certainly, I was wandering through the streets of LA trying to chew what had already been chewed, sucked and thrown away. Somehow or other, maybe my piety of being born in India brought me to your lotus feet. Whatever the reason may be, whatever I have become today — as a devotee, as a professional, as a preacher, as a husband, as a father, is all by your guidance, mercy and your deep love and care for me. I cannot imagine what life would have been like had I not met you 9 years ago. I’d be a nobody, just another Indian trying to make his way up the corporate ladder without a purpose. Thank you Gurudev for saving me.
Thank you for giving me shelter and refugee as a spiritual father, mentor, friend and guide. Although you travel all over the globe multiple times a year, having thousands of disciples everywhere, yet you are able to capture our hearts and increase our attachment to you through your love and care. Your penetrating classes make Bhakti so real, a science, not a religion or a belief.
Thank you Gurudev for training me in devotional service and guiding me through various phases of life. Where will I be in Bhakti without you? You gave us direction, a mission to embark on to share this science of Krsna. You gave me the life that I was always looking for — one of adventure, thrill and miracles. You patiently tolerate my inadequacies in serving you. During your visit in LA as I was arranging the paraphernalia for a devotee’s 2nd initiation, you asked me if I knew how to untie the brahman thread. And in my false pride, I thought what’s the big deal I can just untangle it on the spot, not knowing there’s a method to open the thread. As you patiently watched me entangle my fingers in the thread, until I give up. But it didn’t stop there, as I forgot to provide the mantra sheet to the devotee, you again patiently called me over the phone requesting me to arrange one quickly. Your corrections and chastisements show your care & compassion for us as a loving father.
Thank you Gurudev for teaching us what real love is. You show love and care for everyone as you see them as part of the Supreme Lord. Whether it be staying up till midnight for an outreach event, or delaying your dinner till 10pm to interact with new people, you always prioritize giving Krsna to others to show your love and dedication to Srila Prabhupada. During your visit in LA, it was heartfelt to see your love and care for your godbrother Drutakarma prabhu as you spend 4 to 5 hours in the hospital just to be with him. Thank you Gurudev for showing by your example how we can have loving relationships amongst our godbrothers and other devotees.
Thank you Gurudev for trusting me and handing your daughter to me in marriage. I feel truly grateful to be in partnership in enlightenment with Kunja-mandana devi dasi. Since being with her, my Sankirtan appetite has increased twofold and I feel I can do more than I could before. Thank you Gurudev for training her in devotional service like many of your other daughters and pouring your hearts into them to become a dedicated devotee.
Despite my unworthiness, incompetence, and imperfections in serving you Gurudev, you invest in me and trust me with your personal service. I pray to become your strong son who can carry your instructions through thick and thin. I pray to become your real disciple who can assist you in fulfilling your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada. I pray to make you proud one day.
Thank you Gurudev for giving us a life filled with devotional service. We will forever be indebted to you.
Your Unworthy Son
Vraja Kumuda Das
Please accept my sincere obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you on this 76th Vyasapuja and all glories to your beloved spiritual father Srila Prabhupada.
This time of the year gives us an opportunity to reinstate our position as your indebted disciple and strengthen our relationship as the servant and master. Although born in India, my mind deep in kali-yuga degradation, and I opposed authority, institutionalized religion, and I never trusted anyone to be my well-wisher. However, it wasn’t until I met you that I realized that saintly people do exist in this world. Out of 3.9 million people in Los Angeles, what could have been the chances that I got your association. As it is famously said in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 19.151):
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
Certainly, I was wandering through the streets of LA trying to chew what had already been chewed, sucked and thrown away. Somehow or other, maybe my piety of being born in India brought me to your lotus feet. Whatever the reason may be, whatever I have become today — as a devotee, as a professional, as a preacher, as a husband, as a father, is all by your guidance, mercy and your deep love and care for me. I cannot imagine what life would have been like had I not met you 9 years ago. I’d be a nobody, just another Indian trying to make his way up the corporate ladder without a purpose. Thank you Gurudev for saving me.
Thank you for giving me shelter and refugee as a spiritual father, mentor, friend and guide. Although you travel all over the globe multiple times a year, having thousands of disciples everywhere, yet you are able to capture our hearts and increase our attachment to you through your love and care. Your penetrating classes make Bhakti so real, a science, not a religion or a belief.
Thank you Gurudev for training me in devotional service and guiding me through various phases of life. Where will I be in Bhakti without you? You gave us direction, a mission to embark on to share this science of Krsna. You gave me the life that I was always looking for — one of adventure, thrill and miracles. You patiently tolerate my inadequacies in serving you. During your visit in LA as I was arranging the paraphernalia for a devotee’s 2nd initiation, you asked me if I knew how to untie the brahman thread. And in my false pride, I thought what’s the big deal I can just untangle it on the spot, not knowing there’s a method to open the thread. As you patiently watched me entangle my fingers in the thread, until I give up. But it didn’t stop there, as I forgot to provide the mantra sheet to the devotee, you again patiently called me over the phone requesting me to arrange one quickly. Your corrections and chastisements show your care & compassion for us as a loving father.
Thank you Gurudev for teaching us what real love is. You show love and care for everyone as you see them as part of the Supreme Lord. Whether it be staying up till midnight for an outreach event, or delaying your dinner till 10pm to interact with new people, you always prioritize giving Krsna to others to show your love and dedication to Srila Prabhupada. During your visit in LA, it was heartfelt to see your love and care for your godbrother Drutakarma prabhu as you spend 4 to 5 hours in the hospital just to be with him. Thank you Gurudev for showing by your example how we can have loving relationships amongst our godbrothers and other devotees.
Thank you Gurudev for trusting me and handing your daughter to me in marriage. I feel truly grateful to be in partnership in enlightenment with Kunja-mandana devi dasi. Since being with her, my Sankirtan appetite has increased twofold and I feel I can do more than I could before. Thank you Gurudev for training her in devotional service like many of your other daughters and pouring your hearts into them to become a dedicated devotee.
Despite my unworthiness, incompetence, and imperfections in serving you Gurudev, you invest in me and trust me with your personal service. I pray to become your strong son who can carry your instructions through thick and thin. I pray to become your real disciple who can assist you in fulfilling your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada. I pray to make you proud one day.
Thank you Gurudev for giving us a life filled with devotional service. We will forever be indebted to you.
Your Unworthy Son
Vraja Kumuda Das
Vraja-gopi dd
Dear Gurudev! Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet. Please accept our congratulations on this auspicious day — the day of Your Vyasa-puja. Wishing You strong health, inspiration, transcendental achievements, and good disciples!
Dear Gurudev, I remember our very first meetings at the festivals in Odessa with deep gratitude. I received divine inspiration that touched my soul directly, bypassing all existing material conditionings. I understand the immense significance of that meeting for me. I always remember those meetings and the words spoken at your seminars. As time passes, You provide new knowledge in Your lectures, and I work through new spiritual realisations and new spiritual emotions. Thanks to You, I constantly strive to remember that I am a servant of Krishna, and I continue to participate in devotional service together with the Vaishnavas. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to ask questions and for believing in us. May Krishna continue to inspire You.
Thank you for Your hard work! For Your books! Gurudev, I admire the scientific work You have done by writing "In Search of Vedic India"! I really want to learn these approaches and apply them in my future preaching! May people learn about the Supreme Absolute Truth, about Krishna! I am also very glad about Your work on the book "Nectar of Devotion," which I will definitely read.
Dear Gurudev, I hope and look forward to our next meeting.
Dear Gurudev, on this blessed day of Your Vyasa-puja, please accept our congratulations and best wishes for health and inspiration! We are grateful to You and happy to serve and follow the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the cause of Srila Prabhupada. Heartfelt congratulations and low obeisances are also offered by Lalasamayi and Paramamangala.
Your inept disciple, Vradja-gopi dd
Dear Gurudev, I remember our very first meetings at the festivals in Odessa with deep gratitude. I received divine inspiration that touched my soul directly, bypassing all existing material conditionings. I understand the immense significance of that meeting for me. I always remember those meetings and the words spoken at your seminars. As time passes, You provide new knowledge in Your lectures, and I work through new spiritual realisations and new spiritual emotions. Thanks to You, I constantly strive to remember that I am a servant of Krishna, and I continue to participate in devotional service together with the Vaishnavas. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to ask questions and for believing in us. May Krishna continue to inspire You.
Thank you for Your hard work! For Your books! Gurudev, I admire the scientific work You have done by writing "In Search of Vedic India"! I really want to learn these approaches and apply them in my future preaching! May people learn about the Supreme Absolute Truth, about Krishna! I am also very glad about Your work on the book "Nectar of Devotion," which I will definitely read.
Dear Gurudev, I hope and look forward to our next meeting.
Dear Gurudev, on this blessed day of Your Vyasa-puja, please accept our congratulations and best wishes for health and inspiration! We are grateful to You and happy to serve and follow the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the cause of Srila Prabhupada. Heartfelt congratulations and low obeisances are also offered by Lalasamayi and Paramamangala.
Your inept disciple, Vradja-gopi dd
Vrndavana-madhurya dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda and to you.
To a question I asked you recently, you replied, “We’ll try to save you! You can come travelling with me.”
Those words reminded me of how much your physical presence is a solace for me. It’s kept me alive in Kṛṣṇa consciousness through all these years.
The next day, on a car ride, I remarked to you how fortunate we are to have you. You replied: “Take it while you can! Until Kṛṣṇa decides to move me. To wherever He wants me to go!”
In those words, I sensed your contemplation of the inevitable. It prompted me to contemplate the subject more deeply, although it is frightening and difficult to bear.
Although Guru-vāṇī is eternal, Guru-vapu is transient. Understandably, such contemplation is often avoided because of the fear that comes with love:
“A relative or intimate friend is always fearful of some injury to his beloved.”
— CC Antya 18.40
Due to love, Kṛṣṇa’s Mausala-līlā, for example, is not a favorite topic of discussion for devotees.
Yet I don't want my fear, born of affection, to become an obstacle to service, which is the true expression of that affection. If anything, contemplating it now makes me realize how much more seriously I need to take my service to you—To stand the test of time & tide.
“When the ācārya leaves, a dark period comes.”
Some disciples become bewildered, some quarrel, and some even fall away. It takes time to recover, and some things are rightfully never the same again.
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes:
“...when he [the ācārya] disappears things again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the ācārya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.28.48, purport
“As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.28.47, purport
The instruction of the spiritual master seems to become even more important when the physical presence is no longer there.
There is a need for Attachment to Guru vāpu to mature into attachment to Guruvāṇī.
Your own relationship with Srila Prabhupada exemplifies this attachment. You show what it means to be deeply attached to the physical presence of one's spiritual master while simultaneously being rooted in his instructions and desire.
You received only one direct “sound” from Srila Prabhupada—a drawn-out “Hmmmmmmm.” And yet that one sound says more than we can imagine- It says that Śrīla Prabhupāda NOTED you. He saw WHAT you are and foresaw what you would DO for his movement.
You always embodied his vāṇī without being limited by his vāpu. As time goes on, I can see more clearly how imperative it is to hold tightly to your vāṇī.
Your desires, instructions, mood, teachings, and presence are forever encapsulated in your words.
Just as a father wants to see that what he has given to his children is not squandered, but cared for, protected, and built upon, you would be pleased to see everything you have given us increase rather than diminish. You would want your mission to continue.You would want your disciples to carry what you have given them to greater heights.
The Acarya is thinking “There is a mission to carry but “Who can do it?” “
Just as Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati saw it in Srila Prabhupada. Just as Srila Prabhupada saw it in you. You are also looking.
I am sorry to be too afflicted and incapable as a carrier of your mission but I sincerely pray that all your desires may be fulfilled and that ,if I can assist in some way, you may grant me the necessary purity and empowerment.
“..The duty of the disciples is to take charge of the mission of the spiritual master and execute it properly. Otherwise, the disciple should decide to die along with the spiritual master. In other words, to execute the will of the spiritual master, the disciple should be prepared to lay down his life and abandon all personal considerations.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.28.50, purport
I therefore have to ask myself some uncomfortable questions…
How surrendered am I to give up my personal considerations in carrying on your work?
It is challenging to contemplate but perhaps contemplating this now, while we have you with us, is itself a form of preparation. Preparation to serve you more deeply.
My extraordinary good fortune is having you in my life: In your physical presence and through your words. You've shaped my life and given me undeserved kindness.
For an advanced soul, the presence of Guru is always felt. As Srila Prabhupada would say “there is not one moment when my Guru Maharaja is not with me” I pray for the necessary advancement to have you with me in the same way. Our dear-most well-wisher. Our shelter. Our best friend.
We pray that you may remain with us forever to come and that we become capable servants who can carry your desire.
Your aspiring servant,
Vrndavana-madhurya das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda and to you.
To a question I asked you recently, you replied, “We’ll try to save you! You can come travelling with me.”
Those words reminded me of how much your physical presence is a solace for me. It’s kept me alive in Kṛṣṇa consciousness through all these years.
The next day, on a car ride, I remarked to you how fortunate we are to have you. You replied: “Take it while you can! Until Kṛṣṇa decides to move me. To wherever He wants me to go!”
In those words, I sensed your contemplation of the inevitable. It prompted me to contemplate the subject more deeply, although it is frightening and difficult to bear.
Although Guru-vāṇī is eternal, Guru-vapu is transient. Understandably, such contemplation is often avoided because of the fear that comes with love:
“A relative or intimate friend is always fearful of some injury to his beloved.”
— CC Antya 18.40
Due to love, Kṛṣṇa’s Mausala-līlā, for example, is not a favorite topic of discussion for devotees.
Yet I don't want my fear, born of affection, to become an obstacle to service, which is the true expression of that affection. If anything, contemplating it now makes me realize how much more seriously I need to take my service to you—To stand the test of time & tide.
“When the ācārya leaves, a dark period comes.”
Some disciples become bewildered, some quarrel, and some even fall away. It takes time to recover, and some things are rightfully never the same again.
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes:
“...when he [the ācārya] disappears things again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the ācārya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.28.48, purport
“As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.28.47, purport
The instruction of the spiritual master seems to become even more important when the physical presence is no longer there.
There is a need for Attachment to Guru vāpu to mature into attachment to Guruvāṇī.
Your own relationship with Srila Prabhupada exemplifies this attachment. You show what it means to be deeply attached to the physical presence of one's spiritual master while simultaneously being rooted in his instructions and desire.
You received only one direct “sound” from Srila Prabhupada—a drawn-out “Hmmmmmmm.” And yet that one sound says more than we can imagine- It says that Śrīla Prabhupāda NOTED you. He saw WHAT you are and foresaw what you would DO for his movement.
You always embodied his vāṇī without being limited by his vāpu. As time goes on, I can see more clearly how imperative it is to hold tightly to your vāṇī.
Your desires, instructions, mood, teachings, and presence are forever encapsulated in your words.
Just as a father wants to see that what he has given to his children is not squandered, but cared for, protected, and built upon, you would be pleased to see everything you have given us increase rather than diminish. You would want your mission to continue.You would want your disciples to carry what you have given them to greater heights.
The Acarya is thinking “There is a mission to carry but “Who can do it?” “
Just as Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati saw it in Srila Prabhupada. Just as Srila Prabhupada saw it in you. You are also looking.
I am sorry to be too afflicted and incapable as a carrier of your mission but I sincerely pray that all your desires may be fulfilled and that ,if I can assist in some way, you may grant me the necessary purity and empowerment.
“..The duty of the disciples is to take charge of the mission of the spiritual master and execute it properly. Otherwise, the disciple should decide to die along with the spiritual master. In other words, to execute the will of the spiritual master, the disciple should be prepared to lay down his life and abandon all personal considerations.”
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.28.50, purport
I therefore have to ask myself some uncomfortable questions…
How surrendered am I to give up my personal considerations in carrying on your work?
It is challenging to contemplate but perhaps contemplating this now, while we have you with us, is itself a form of preparation. Preparation to serve you more deeply.
My extraordinary good fortune is having you in my life: In your physical presence and through your words. You've shaped my life and given me undeserved kindness.
For an advanced soul, the presence of Guru is always felt. As Srila Prabhupada would say “there is not one moment when my Guru Maharaja is not with me” I pray for the necessary advancement to have you with me in the same way. Our dear-most well-wisher. Our shelter. Our best friend.
We pray that you may remain with us forever to come and that we become capable servants who can carry your desire.
Your aspiring servant,
Vrndavana-madhurya das
Yādava Vīrya Dāsa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day.
Last year I asked you for intelligence and strength to know what to do. Your answer was simple. You told me to be practical and to do what needs to be done. It is hard sometimes to understand how to keep doing my duties as a student and follow the norm and have a corporate career. But I am taking that up because it will help me keep my spiritual life steady.
My senior Godfamily has carried me. Watching them stay fixed in their service because they follow your instructions from the heart has taught me a lot.
Introducing students to Krishna Consciousness in a way they can feel is for them is the work I would choose forever.
Please bless me to be steady, in my sadhana and in my service.
Your servant,
Yādava Vīrya Dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this auspicious day.
Last year I asked you for intelligence and strength to know what to do. Your answer was simple. You told me to be practical and to do what needs to be done. It is hard sometimes to understand how to keep doing my duties as a student and follow the norm and have a corporate career. But I am taking that up because it will help me keep my spiritual life steady.
My senior Godfamily has carried me. Watching them stay fixed in their service because they follow your instructions from the heart has taught me a lot.
Introducing students to Krishna Consciousness in a way they can feel is for them is the work I would choose forever.
Please bless me to be steady, in my sadhana and in my service.
Your servant,
Yādava Vīrya Dāsa
Yamuna Jivan Das
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this most sacred day of your Vyasa-puja.
On this auspicious day, I offer my deepest gratitude for your unyielding dedication to the mission of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the sankirtana movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Through your untiring travels, your piercing lectures, and your uncompromising fidelity to the parampara, you continuously illuminate the true depth of Krishna consciousness.
I was particularly moved and deeply inspired by your Radhastami lecture this year. It brought genuine goosebumps to hear you present the highest tattva and lila of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with such profound depth, clarity, and spiritual gravity. You magnificently dispelled the common misconception that we do not discuss Srimati Radharani in ISKCON, clarifying with sharp philosophical precision how we revere and discuss Her under the exact guidance, mood, and boundaries established by Srila Prabhupada. That lecture was an absolute masterclass in devotional integrity—showing us how to cherish the highest spiritual truths with deep respect rather than superficiality.
Gurudeva, I wish to humbly express how your mercy personally saved and anchored me during one of the most testing periods of my life.
When I was without a job for many months and feeling the heavy weight of uncertainty after final interview rounds didn't materialise, I wrote to inform you. In the midst of my anxiety, your brief and reassuring reply became my absolute sanctuary:
"Somehow or other Krishna will arrange for the maintenance of your saintly family."
Those were not merely words of comfort; they were a potent blessing. During the long months of waiting, your lectures provided my daily spiritual nourishment, and your words kept my mind fixed on Krishna's protection rather than material despair.
And truly, Lord Krishna acted exactly as you assured. Out of nowhere, the Lord arranged suitable employment—an opportunity I least expected—proving that the blessings and vision of a pure devotee are never in vain. You sheltered my consciousness when the external world was uncertain, and Lord Krishna arranged the rest.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for your endless compassion, your sharp wisdom, and for constantly anchoring me to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radhavallabha. I pray to Their Lordships, to Lord Nityananda, and to Srila Prabhupada to grant you robust good health, long life, and continued strength as you continue to lead, inspire, and deliver souls across the world.
Your humble servant,
Yamuna Jivan Das
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet on this most sacred day of your Vyasa-puja.
On this auspicious day, I offer my deepest gratitude for your unyielding dedication to the mission of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the sankirtana movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Through your untiring travels, your piercing lectures, and your uncompromising fidelity to the parampara, you continuously illuminate the true depth of Krishna consciousness.
I was particularly moved and deeply inspired by your Radhastami lecture this year. It brought genuine goosebumps to hear you present the highest tattva and lila of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with such profound depth, clarity, and spiritual gravity. You magnificently dispelled the common misconception that we do not discuss Srimati Radharani in ISKCON, clarifying with sharp philosophical precision how we revere and discuss Her under the exact guidance, mood, and boundaries established by Srila Prabhupada. That lecture was an absolute masterclass in devotional integrity—showing us how to cherish the highest spiritual truths with deep respect rather than superficiality.
Gurudeva, I wish to humbly express how your mercy personally saved and anchored me during one of the most testing periods of my life.
When I was without a job for many months and feeling the heavy weight of uncertainty after final interview rounds didn't materialise, I wrote to inform you. In the midst of my anxiety, your brief and reassuring reply became my absolute sanctuary:
"Somehow or other Krishna will arrange for the maintenance of your saintly family."
Those were not merely words of comfort; they were a potent blessing. During the long months of waiting, your lectures provided my daily spiritual nourishment, and your words kept my mind fixed on Krishna's protection rather than material despair.
And truly, Lord Krishna acted exactly as you assured. Out of nowhere, the Lord arranged suitable employment—an opportunity I least expected—proving that the blessings and vision of a pure devotee are never in vain. You sheltered my consciousness when the external world was uncertain, and Lord Krishna arranged the rest.
Thank you, Gurudeva, for your endless compassion, your sharp wisdom, and for constantly anchoring me to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radhavallabha. I pray to Their Lordships, to Lord Nityananda, and to Srila Prabhupada to grant you robust good health, long life, and continued strength as you continue to lead, inspire, and deliver souls across the world.
Your humble servant,
Yamuna Jivan Das
Yashodara das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you and your devoted service to Guru and Gauranga; all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Dear Gurudeva,
I wish to express my deepest gratitude for everything you have bestowed upon me. You illuminated the true path of human life by introducing me to Krishna consciousness. It is impossible to ever fully repay you for the vast ocean of knowledge regarding Krishna Bhakti that you have so generously shared. Out of your boundless kindness, you welcomed me into the Brahmachari ashram, despite my complete lack of qualification.
I still cherish your guiding words: completing sixteen rounds of chanting in one sitting and immersing oneself in the Shastras for two hours daily allows one to maintain Krishna consciousness with ease. You often noted that the Brahmachari ashram naturally facilitates this focus. Having now entered the Grahastha ashram, I realize the profound truth of your words.
By your grace and the mercy of Krishna, I found the ideal partner for my Grahastha life in 2023. Guided by your teachings, she embraced her Bhakti path that same year and dedicated herself to chanting sixteen rounds daily. Inspired by the devotees and her service, she aspired to take initiation under your guidance, and you compassionately accepted her as your disciple this past April.
She had always deeply desired to receive initiation from you in front of Sri Radha Giridhari here in New Varsana. Although we were initially uncertain if this would be possible, as you normally grant initiations at the Otaki festival, her heartfelt wish was fulfilled by your and Krishna’s mercy.
This year, during your visit to the New Varsana Auckland temple for Janmashtami and Radhashtami, we earnestly hoped to cook for you but were unsure if the opportunity would arise. By your and Krishna’s grace, we were blessed with the chance to prepare lunch for you.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, we pray at the lotus feet of Sri Radha Giridhari that always keep you healthy so that we can hear and learn more about Krishna consciousness and also can serve you. We are seeking your blessings on this occasion of your appearance so that we can remember Krishna and your instructions throughout our life.
Thank you so much, Gurudeva, for all that you have given us.
Your insignificant servants,
Yashodara Das & Vinayi Devi Das
Dear Gurudeva,
I wish to express my deepest gratitude for everything you have bestowed upon me. You illuminated the true path of human life by introducing me to Krishna consciousness. It is impossible to ever fully repay you for the vast ocean of knowledge regarding Krishna Bhakti that you have so generously shared. Out of your boundless kindness, you welcomed me into the Brahmachari ashram, despite my complete lack of qualification.
I still cherish your guiding words: completing sixteen rounds of chanting in one sitting and immersing oneself in the Shastras for two hours daily allows one to maintain Krishna consciousness with ease. You often noted that the Brahmachari ashram naturally facilitates this focus. Having now entered the Grahastha ashram, I realize the profound truth of your words.
By your grace and the mercy of Krishna, I found the ideal partner for my Grahastha life in 2023. Guided by your teachings, she embraced her Bhakti path that same year and dedicated herself to chanting sixteen rounds daily. Inspired by the devotees and her service, she aspired to take initiation under your guidance, and you compassionately accepted her as your disciple this past April.
She had always deeply desired to receive initiation from you in front of Sri Radha Giridhari here in New Varsana. Although we were initially uncertain if this would be possible, as you normally grant initiations at the Otaki festival, her heartfelt wish was fulfilled by your and Krishna’s mercy.
This year, during your visit to the New Varsana Auckland temple for Janmashtami and Radhashtami, we earnestly hoped to cook for you but were unsure if the opportunity would arise. By your and Krishna’s grace, we were blessed with the chance to prepare lunch for you.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, we pray at the lotus feet of Sri Radha Giridhari that always keep you healthy so that we can hear and learn more about Krishna consciousness and also can serve you. We are seeking your blessings on this occasion of your appearance so that we can remember Krishna and your instructions throughout our life.
Thank you so much, Gurudeva, for all that you have given us.
Your insignificant servants,
Yashodara Das & Vinayi Devi Das
Yasodeva das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and glories to this divine day of your appearance.
It was my incredible good fortune to travel with you from New Zealand to North America in the summer of 2007. During this whirlwind tour of Mexico, Canada and the USA, you made a visit to the San Diego temple of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari and to Their “Loft-style” outreach center, the Krishna Lounge. In that august assembly, surrounded by thirty-odd San Diego beach-goers, hippies and vagabonds, with their stereotypical whimsy and exaggerated self-confidence, in an overcrowded room with colorful walls and dim lights, and incense smoke billowing around the leaves of potted plants which hung from the ceiling, you sat on a thin cushion on a floor covered by overlapping carpets and mismatched tapestries. Your posture on that meager seat was uncharacteristic of your typically regal demeanor. You always carry yourself with such class and sophistication because you are a truly worshipable personality, but at this particular preaching program, in a way reminiscent of Lord Caitanya’s merciful deliverance of the mayavadi Prakasananda Sarasvati, you sat down on the ground like a lounging hipster with an arm resting on one raised knee while leaning back into your other arm which was planted firmly behind you. You looked like a cool sunglasses model for Gucci or Dior, or a beatnik poised to pontificate, but the product you were selling was the realest and the words you spoke were the most valuable thing that anyone in that room had ever heard. You cited the revolutionary Bhagavad Gita verse in chapter two, text thirteen. “Asmin dehe…”; you repeated these words so many times during the lecture. “The real self is in the body. So if you wanna be for real, you gotta look beyond this temporary body to the real self, to the soul.” The audience was transfixed, poring over your every word, amazed by your wit and lyricism, no doubt, but they were especially touched by your realness because after the lecture and kirtan you continued to recline on the floor, on that small, gaudy cushion, and met with individuals on their level – culturally and geographically. There was no ornamented stage. No pomp and gaiety. There was no tribute, or praise, or any indication that you were there to exert institutional authority. You were so real, and you really touched everyone’s heart, including my own. I walked with you back to the apartment where you stayed the night, accompanied you right up to the entranceway and, despite being a brahmacari trained in discipline and docility, I couldn’t help but disregard the usual etiquette and gush with appreciation for your flawless presentation of Krishna consciousness and the incredible way you vibed with the lucky participants. But you looked at me with a bemused expression and immediately dismissed your personal credit asserting, “I didn’t say anything new! I just say what Krishna says.” Then you closed the door, leaving me stunned and alone just outside the apartment entrance. But just as I was about to leave you quickly opened the door, with a cheeky smile on your face, adding, “...and you had better do the same.”
Gurudeva, you are the realest person I’ve ever met. By your example I’ve learned that the realest thing one can do is to be a servant of Krishna, and a servant of His devotees. From this experience and many like it I’ve seen that you don’t care for position or profit or critical acclaim. You have realized your real identity as a devotional servant and you evince that real identity in everything that you do, and with everyone you serve, even with people who don't know anything about Krishna. Therefore you are bhaktacara pravinata – expert in demonstrating the behavior of a devotee.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, Gurudeva, I pray to you that I may also be a real representative of Lord Krishna, just like you.
Your servant,
Yasodeva das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and glories to this divine day of your appearance.
It was my incredible good fortune to travel with you from New Zealand to North America in the summer of 2007. During this whirlwind tour of Mexico, Canada and the USA, you made a visit to the San Diego temple of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari and to Their “Loft-style” outreach center, the Krishna Lounge. In that august assembly, surrounded by thirty-odd San Diego beach-goers, hippies and vagabonds, with their stereotypical whimsy and exaggerated self-confidence, in an overcrowded room with colorful walls and dim lights, and incense smoke billowing around the leaves of potted plants which hung from the ceiling, you sat on a thin cushion on a floor covered by overlapping carpets and mismatched tapestries. Your posture on that meager seat was uncharacteristic of your typically regal demeanor. You always carry yourself with such class and sophistication because you are a truly worshipable personality, but at this particular preaching program, in a way reminiscent of Lord Caitanya’s merciful deliverance of the mayavadi Prakasananda Sarasvati, you sat down on the ground like a lounging hipster with an arm resting on one raised knee while leaning back into your other arm which was planted firmly behind you. You looked like a cool sunglasses model for Gucci or Dior, or a beatnik poised to pontificate, but the product you were selling was the realest and the words you spoke were the most valuable thing that anyone in that room had ever heard. You cited the revolutionary Bhagavad Gita verse in chapter two, text thirteen. “Asmin dehe…”; you repeated these words so many times during the lecture. “The real self is in the body. So if you wanna be for real, you gotta look beyond this temporary body to the real self, to the soul.” The audience was transfixed, poring over your every word, amazed by your wit and lyricism, no doubt, but they were especially touched by your realness because after the lecture and kirtan you continued to recline on the floor, on that small, gaudy cushion, and met with individuals on their level – culturally and geographically. There was no ornamented stage. No pomp and gaiety. There was no tribute, or praise, or any indication that you were there to exert institutional authority. You were so real, and you really touched everyone’s heart, including my own. I walked with you back to the apartment where you stayed the night, accompanied you right up to the entranceway and, despite being a brahmacari trained in discipline and docility, I couldn’t help but disregard the usual etiquette and gush with appreciation for your flawless presentation of Krishna consciousness and the incredible way you vibed with the lucky participants. But you looked at me with a bemused expression and immediately dismissed your personal credit asserting, “I didn’t say anything new! I just say what Krishna says.” Then you closed the door, leaving me stunned and alone just outside the apartment entrance. But just as I was about to leave you quickly opened the door, with a cheeky smile on your face, adding, “...and you had better do the same.”
Gurudeva, you are the realest person I’ve ever met. By your example I’ve learned that the realest thing one can do is to be a servant of Krishna, and a servant of His devotees. From this experience and many like it I’ve seen that you don’t care for position or profit or critical acclaim. You have realized your real identity as a devotional servant and you evince that real identity in everything that you do, and with everyone you serve, even with people who don't know anything about Krishna. Therefore you are bhaktacara pravinata – expert in demonstrating the behavior of a devotee.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, Gurudeva, I pray to you that I may also be a real representative of Lord Krishna, just like you.
Your servant,
Yasodeva das
Yoginatha Krishna Das
Hare Krishna Maharaj
I would like to offer my humble obeisances to our founding Acarya Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to offer my gratitude to you and all your efforts towards this wonderful movement. As I know you have experienced , in a small town it is challenging to be starting a Krishna community ,without having others in the same mindset to help spread the word of Krishna. Fortunately I have your association through your words and deeds and the endless inspiration you offer . Whether that is through the yearly recharge festival, listening to you on line , or personal connection. I thank you for finding this lost soul and allowing me to be in your presence.
Your servant Yoginath Krishna Das
I would like to offer my humble obeisances to our founding Acarya Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to offer my gratitude to you and all your efforts towards this wonderful movement. As I know you have experienced , in a small town it is challenging to be starting a Krishna community ,without having others in the same mindset to help spread the word of Krishna. Fortunately I have your association through your words and deeds and the endless inspiration you offer . Whether that is through the yearly recharge festival, listening to you on line , or personal connection. I thank you for finding this lost soul and allowing me to be in your presence.
Your servant Yoginath Krishna Das
Yuga-Mukunda Das
Hare Krsna Gurudev,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet.
Today, on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day, I, an unqualified servant of yours, am endeavouring to glorify you with whatever ability has been bestowed upon me.
Dear Guru Maharaj, being constantly engaged in vanik seva, manoratha, and always being swept along and guided by karmic reactions, it is very difficult for me to understand how “causeless mercy” acts. But to some extent, I have begun to understand it through experience.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
Yes, that seed of bhakti you sowed, and you are guiding me in how to water that seed.
I remember once, in a meeting with my senior godbrother and mentor, Sriman Narsimha Prabhu, he was clarifying the difference between compassion and mercy. He said, “Compassion means someone is in a miserable condition and you feel deep empathy and want to help, while mercy means you act to liberate them from that misery.”
Since you came and planted the seed of devotion without any endeavour on my part, or perhaps even a desire to receive it, what else can I call it but mercy?, a causeless mercy.
Lord Brahma prays(SB 10.14.29):
athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-
prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi
jānāti tattvaṁ bhagavan-mahimno
na cānya eko ’pi ciraṁ vicinvan
Lesa means a fraction. Only one who has received even a tiny fraction of the mercy of the Lord’s two lotus feet can understand Him. Others may go on speculating for millions of years, but without that mercy, understanding Him is not possible.
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta
jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
Therefore, one who seriously desires the highest good must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him.
Besides this, you are the commander in our battle against Maya. You are expert in presenting the Supreme Truth of personalism in a palatable fashion. Your loyalty as a disciple of Srila Prabhupada is evident both in your character and in your words. I especially realise this when I read Srimad Bhagavatam and find your words echoing Srila Prabhupada’s purports. What I hear from you, I find again in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.
Oh my dear lord and master, you are an obedient son of Srila Prabhupada. “Like father, like son.” You are a bona fide representative of the Guru Parampara and my only shelter. I aspire to become qualified to assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada, please use me as an instrument.
Your insignificant servant,
Yuga Mukunda Das
All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet.
Today, on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day, I, an unqualified servant of yours, am endeavouring to glorify you with whatever ability has been bestowed upon me.
Dear Guru Maharaj, being constantly engaged in vanik seva, manoratha, and always being swept along and guided by karmic reactions, it is very difficult for me to understand how “causeless mercy” acts. But to some extent, I have begun to understand it through experience.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
Yes, that seed of bhakti you sowed, and you are guiding me in how to water that seed.
I remember once, in a meeting with my senior godbrother and mentor, Sriman Narsimha Prabhu, he was clarifying the difference between compassion and mercy. He said, “Compassion means someone is in a miserable condition and you feel deep empathy and want to help, while mercy means you act to liberate them from that misery.”
Since you came and planted the seed of devotion without any endeavour on my part, or perhaps even a desire to receive it, what else can I call it but mercy?, a causeless mercy.
Lord Brahma prays(SB 10.14.29):
athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-
prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi
jānāti tattvaṁ bhagavan-mahimno
na cānya eko ’pi ciraṁ vicinvan
Lesa means a fraction. Only one who has received even a tiny fraction of the mercy of the Lord’s two lotus feet can understand Him. Others may go on speculating for millions of years, but without that mercy, understanding Him is not possible.
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta
jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
Therefore, one who seriously desires the highest good must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him.
Besides this, you are the commander in our battle against Maya. You are expert in presenting the Supreme Truth of personalism in a palatable fashion. Your loyalty as a disciple of Srila Prabhupada is evident both in your character and in your words. I especially realise this when I read Srimad Bhagavatam and find your words echoing Srila Prabhupada’s purports. What I hear from you, I find again in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.
Oh my dear lord and master, you are an obedient son of Srila Prabhupada. “Like father, like son.” You are a bona fide representative of the Guru Parampara and my only shelter. I aspire to become qualified to assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada, please use me as an instrument.
Your insignificant servant,
Yuga Mukunda Das
