Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada 2005

(view 2005 offerings by disciples)

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

Although my attempt to glorify you will be pitifully inadequate, I thank you for the precious opportunity. I'll jump at any chance to attempt reciprocation for your gift of the greatest love.

You gave me the association of saintly devotees. Certainly without their friendship and succor, the path back home, back to Godhead is fraught with roadblocks, pitfalls, and, even worse, self-delusion. With their support, the ahankara wondrously shrinks, like a defeated tumor. When the spoon of Prabhupadanuga-sanga stirs the nectar of Krsna's glories, then the tongue, ears, heart, and mind can rejoice.

You gave me your books. Through them you speak to me, and the Lord does too. Because of your extraordinary level of bhakti, Krsna cooperates fully with your literary words and illuminates their meaning deep within the heart. As the Supersoul, He teams up with you to reveal the bhakti-marga to the dedicated reader. I especially relish the unparalleled Caitanya-caritamrta. You wrote in its dedication: "Presented to my friends and devotees who like to read my books and who approached me to request that I render the great Caitanya-caritamrta into English." Each turning page elicits an aching sigh: "Will the full rasa-saturated depths of this text ever become known to me?" The more I enter within, the more I drown. Even just a quick dip becomes a massive immersion: preaching-tattva, bhakti-tattva, gaura-lila, krsna-lila, and radha-maha-bhava all dance in the reader's head and heart.

You gave me the maha-mantra. Although from my daily japa it is hard to believe I am chanting the same mantra that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Haridasa Thakura, and the six Goswamis vibrated, I do see the ever-increasing ocean of namamrta just ahead.

You gave me the best goals in life, so that I could strive beneficially and thus effectively sacrifice my insignificant energies for Mahaprabhu and you. Otherwise, as the years pass, Maya's incessant plundering would render any assets and abilities useless, and I would certainly stray and fade away. Certainly a life without a sublime mission is no life at all. You gave the best lifestyle, the best career goals, and the best organization - all for the best human spiritual development.

The Krsna consciousness movement is teaching people how to come to the stage of dedicating everything to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead....If whatever we do, whatever we eat, whatever we think, and whatever we plan is for the advancement of the Krsna consciousness movement, this is oneness. There is no difference between chanting for Krsna consciousness and working for Krsna consciousness. On the transcendental platform, they are one. But we must be guided by the spiritual master about this oneness; we should not manufacture our own oneness. [ Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.65]

Twenty-eight years after your departure, I don't see the slightest material improvement in the world. Information technology has proliferated to every desktop, pocket and palm. Quasi-spirituality abounds on every bookshelf; its so-called holistic fantasies and indulgences have become a global folk religion. Meanwhile, the inpidual behavior of humanity continues to slide deeper into the Kali abyss, as Western pop culture, more bewildered than ever, seeks to spellbind the entire planet.

You explained that expert management means creating a situation of interest in Krsna even when apparently there is none. Now more than ever, let us push to return your love by giving to the world the only meaningful progress: understanding Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in a conducive, favourable ambience and setting.

Still struggling to be your unconditional servant

Devamrta Swami