2016 - English - Jayapataka Swami Vyasa Puja
Transcription
2016 - English - Jayapataka Swami Vyasa Puja
1 2 67 th Sri Vyasa-puja 3 Sri Vyasa-Puja April 17th, 2016 Printed in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu This book is for private circulation only Not to be sold or distributed For electronic viewing of this book please visit www.jayapatakaswamivyasapuja.com 4 www.victoryflag.com The Most Blessed Event Kamada Ekadasi, Gaurabda 530 (April 17th, 2016) 67 Sri Vyasa-Puja th The Most Auspicious Appearance Day of Our Beloved Spiritual Master His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya astorrara sata-srimad Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaja Initiating Spritual Master The International Society for Krishna Consciousess 5 6 An offering unto the Lotus Feet of Our Beloved Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaja on His 67th Appearance Day Anniversary on Kamada Ekadasi, Gaurabda 530 (April 17th, 2016) 7 8 CONTENTS Meaning of Vyasa Puja........................................................................ 12 Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaj’s Vyasa Puja homage to Srila Prabhupada.............................................. 15 Vyasa-puja Homages from God-Brothers........................................... 19 Vyasa-puja Homages from Sannyasa Disciples................................... 27 Homages from Disciples and Well-wishers: AFRICA....................................................................................32 ASIA..................................................................................................... 33 AUSTRALASIA......................................................................................219 EUROPE............................................................................................. 264 MIDDLE EAST................................................................................... 306 NORTH AMERICA............................................................................ 403 RUSSIA............................................................................................... 446 SOUTH AMERICA............................................................................448 MORE OFFERINGS..........................................................................453 AKNOWLEDGEMENT.....................................................................456 9 ISKCON The International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 10 11 Meaning of Sri Vyasa Puja 12 Himself in the incarnation of Vyasadeva has SRILA VYASADEVA: tvam atmanatmanam avehy amogha-drk delineated the transcendental pastimes of the parasya pumsah paramatmanah kalam Lord. SPIRITUAL MASTER: ajam prajatam jagatah sivaya tan rsaya ucuh mahanubhavabhyudayo ‘dhiganyatam “Your Goodness has perfect vision. You yourself tvaya khalu puranani can know the Supreme Personality of Godhead setihasani cana gha because you are present as the plenary portion akhyatanya apy adhitani of the Lord. Although you are birthless, you have dharma-sastrani yanyuta appeared on this earth for the well-being of all “The sages said: Respected Suta Goswami, you are completely free from all vice. You people. Please, therefore describe the transcendental pastimes of the are well versed in all the scriptures famous for Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna religious life, and in the Puranas and the more vividly.” histories as well, you have gone through - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.21 them under proper guidance and have also explained them.” Srila Vyasadeva is the empowered plenary portion incarnation of the Supreme Personality - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.6 of Godhead Sri Krishna. The purpose of His The spiritual master is one who is acquainted advent in the material world is only for the deliv- with the knowledge of Srila Vyasadeva, the erance of the fallen souls who have detached incarnation of Godhead. He is blessed by themselves from the service of the Supreme Lord his spiritual master, who must be a bonafide Sri Krishna. representative of Srila Srila Vyasadeva has put the Vedic literatures Vyasadeva, because of his being a per- into systematic order so that those who are fect and submissive disciple. Thus he also be- forgetful of their real positions as eternal come a pure representative of Srila Vyasade- servants of Krishna can take advantage of such va. In this way only, one who is completely free literatures to become freed from the bondage from all vice and is spotless in character can of material existence. Although formally, Srila dare sit on the Vyasasana. Along with this the Narada Rsi is his spiritual master, Srila Vyasadeva spiritual master must also be acquainted with the is not at all dependent on a spiritual master Vedas. He must have assimilated the knowledge because in essence he is the spiritual master and have properly grasped the essence to ex- of everyone else. But because he is doing the plain it for the good of all living beings who are work of an acarya, he has taught us by his own suffering the pangs of material existence. conduct that one must have a spiritual master This material existence is like a blazing fire even though. He be God Himself Lord Sri in the forest, which can be extinguished only Krishna, Lord Rama and Lord Caitanya Maha by the mercy of Lord Sri Krishna. The spiritual prabhu, all incarnations of Godhead, accepted master is the mercy representative of the Lord. formal their Therefore, a person burning in the flames of transcendental nature. They were cognizant of material existence may receive the rains of all knowledge. In order to direct people in gen- mercy of the Lord through the transparent eral to the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Krishna, the Lord medium of the self-realized spiritual master. The spiritual masters although by 13 spiritual master, by his works, can penetrate SRI VYASA PUJA: into the heart of the suffering person and The devotees take advantage of the day inject knowledge transcendental, which alone when can extinguish the fire of material existence. appeared on this planet, to express their deep DISCIPLE: the spiritual master has Mercifully gratitude and intimate love for the guru. karpanya-dosapahatp-svabhavah During the Vyasa Puja celebration, many preccami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah beautiful arrangements of fragrant flowers and yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me gifts are offered to the Guru along with many sisyas te ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam varieties of tasty transcendental foodstuffs. “Now I am confused about my duty and have Authorized verses of glorification are chanted lost all composure because of weakness. In this on this auspicious occasion and the devotees condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what recite their own personal prayers of apprecia- is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a sould tion for the pure representative of God. Thus the surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.” devotee worship and respects the guru as good (Bhagavad-Gita 2.7) The most confidential representative as God, because he is delivering God. of While so many wonderful offerings are being God mercifully appears on this planet for the made, the disciple humbly thinks, “Actually, purpose of relieving all the suffering living what do I have offer to the one who has giv- entities who take advantage of His Divine pres- en me everything?” In this sincere mood of self- ence. surrender the disciple is inspired on this most glo- The disciple is aware that due to his many rious Vyasa Puja day to strengthen his vows and sinful activities and offences in the past, dedication to assist his Guru in this mission. he deserves to undergo mush severe pain. The Vyasa-puja celebration is transcendental- But the spiritual master is so kind, like a fa- ly purifying for everyone. All devotees relish to ther who cannot bear to see his own children hear the pure devotee being properly glorified, suffering he takes responsibility for the disciple’s because by this, everyone increases their at- activities, relieving them from the reactions. tachment for him and thus the Supreme Lord is The disciple must take the orders of the pleased. spiritual master as his life and soul. Appreciation for each other’s god-broth- Keeping aloof from bodily activities, he only endeavours to execute his Guru’s instructions. ers and other devotees who are offering their All necessities of life are automatically provid- sincere expressions of love for the pure dev- ed by the Grace of Krishna. When the spiritu- otee are also increase. Thus Sri Vyasa-Puja al master is pleased, he bestows his blessings day when properly celebrated in a respectful on the disciple and thus the disciple becomes mood, brings all devotees nearer to each other, perfect nearer to the confidential servant of God and and develops ecstatic devional nearer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. service to Lord Krishna. In making such tangible progress in spiritual life, In presenting the transcendental glories of His the disciple feels so much appreciation that he Divine Grace Srila Jayapataka Swami Acarya- spends every moment trying to repay this debt pada on His Divine Appearance Day, we hope to his spiritual master, although he knows it is not that the readers heart’s will become infused with possible. the deep significance of Sri Vyasa-puja. 14 Vyasa-Puja Homage to Srila Prabhupada 15 Senäpati-Bhakta Jaya Çréla Prabhupäda Author: His Holiness Jayapatäkä Swami Mahäräja nitäi gauräìga nitäi gauräìga | patéta pävana nitäi gauräìga | jaya prabhupäda jaya jaya prabhupäda | jaya prabhupäda jaya çréla prabhupäda ||1|| Nitäi Gauräìga, Nitäi Gauräìga, Nitäi Gauräìga are the saviors of the fallen. All glories to Prabhupäda! All glories, all glories to Prabhupäda! All glories to Prabhupäda! All glories to Çréla Prabhupäda! prati yuge ajïäna bäåe kali andhakära | ei kalite nitäi gaura kare patita uddhära ||2|| Yuga after yuga, ignorance of reality increases and in the Age of Kali, there is total darkness. In this Kali-yuga, Nitäi Gaura deliver the conditioned souls. satya-treta-dväpare kåñëa kare asura vinäça | ei kaliyuge gaura äse baddha-jévera äça ||3|| In Satya, Tretä and Dväpara yugas, Kåñëa destroys the asuras. Gaura comes in this Kali-yuga to deliver the conditioned souls. Thus, He is their hope. gaura-astra prema-bhakti harinäma vaiñëava äcära | kevala mätra bhärata-deçe karila kåñëa-pracära ||4|| Gaura doesn’t use weapons of violence. His weapons are love of Godhead, the holy name of Hari and advanced Vaiñëava behavior. He preached about Kåñëa Consciousness only in the land of Bhärata (Subcontinent of India). düra-deçera bhakti-héna-jévake uddhärite | gaura tära senäpati-bhakta päöhiyäche päçcätye ||5|| In order to deliver the human beings and other conditioned souls devoid of devotional service to Kåñëa in remote parts of the world, Gaura sent His commander-in-chief devotee to the West. bhaktivedänta svämé çréla prabhupäda | senäpati-bhakta jaya çréla prabhupäda ||6|| That commander-in-chief devotee is A.C. Bhaktivedänta Swami Çréla Prabhupäda. All glories to Çréla Prabhupäda! bhaviñyat-väëé guru-sädhu-çästra kahila | prabhupädera käryera dvärä se pramäëa haila ||7|| 7. The Sädhus, Çästras and Gurus predicted, in various ways, that a devotee would bring Gauranga’s väëé or Kåñëa Consciousness all over the world, outside of India. Çréla Prabhupäda, by his activities, 16 has proven these predictions to be true. gurura ajïäya prabhupäda grantha prakäçila | koöi-koöi grantha-vitaraëa bhakata karila ||8|| 8. On the order of his spiritual master, Prabhupäda published books and the devotees distributed millions of copies of these transcendental literatures (Bhagavad Gétä, Srémad Bhägavatam, Caitanya Caritämrta, etc.). khola karatäla nåtya harinäma pracära | kåñëa mahäprasäda çakti apürva-vyapära ||9|| 9. He showed the unprecedented potency of propagating the chanting and singing of the holy name of Hari along with mådaìga, karatälas, dancing in kértana and the distribution of sanctified foodstuffs (prasädam). deçe-deçe kåpä çikñä-dékñä çraddhä dila | divya-jïäna pracära-çakté bhakata bäåila ||10|| 10. In every place that he spread his movement to, by his mercy, he gave spiritual teachings (çikñä), initiation into the Vaiñëava process (dékñä), and faith in the process of Kåñëa consciousness (çraddhä). He gave spiritual realized knowledge (divya-jïäna) and increased the potency for propagating Kåñëa Consciousness. As a result, the number of devotees increased. mandire kértana-utsava-püjä dekhe pariträëa | gåhe kåñëa-sevä nämahaööa-ädi çikñä däna ||11|| 11. The temples established on his order were filled with kértana, worship, and festivals. Anyone who would witness or participate could be delivered. He instructed the householder devotees to perform the service to Kåñëa, and participate in Näma-haööa, etc. programs, sharing the message of Lord Kåñëa with everyone. viçva-vaiñëava navadvépa-parikramä karila | jaya gaura bale ärya-bhrätä äliìgana karila ||12|| 12. He established the Navadvépa-maëòala-parikramä for the Vaiñëavas of the whole world to participate in. The Indian and Western devotees embraced each other as brothers chanting “Jaya Gaura!” viçva paricälana-maëòalé karila sthäpana | mile-miçe sevä kara ei nirdeça arpaëa ||13|| 13. He established the Governing Body Commission (GBC) for ISKCON and instructed them to cooperatively manage the affairs of the society, and for the devotees of ISKCON, to accept the GBC as the ultimate managing authority. påthvéte prabhupäda dila kåñëa-cetana | svarëa yugera jayapatäkä haibe uttolana ||14|| 14. Prabhupäda gave Kåñëa consciousness to the entire world. Certainly, the victory flag of the golden age will be raised very soon, as long as we continue to follow the instructions of Çréla Prabhupäda. 17 18 HOMAGES FROM GOD-BROTHERS 19 Bhakti Caru Swami Dear Jayapataka Maharaj! the way, we all walked to the main gate. And when we got there, we could see a crowd of people in the distance with burning torches, coming our way. As they approached, however, we heard shouts of “Bolo Hari, Hari Bol!” the customary invocation of the Lord’s mercy while carrying a dead body. It was a funeral procession — judging from its size, for someone important. Jayapatäka Mahäräja did not say a thing. He just turned and strode back to his room, the rest of us following behind. * *Mahäräja was a natural leader — full of energy and working from morning till night. But we had a lot of fun together, too. At one point he received bows and arrows from America, and we used to practice archery in the garden in front of the Lotus Building. He was an excellent marksman and hit the bull’s eye practically every time. He was an expert swimmer too, and he not only crossed the Gaìgä effortlessly but on more than one occasion saved devotees who were drowning. And when there actually was a threat of attack from dacoits, Mahäräja would be standing right in front to face them. We always felt well protected under his leadership.* *Many of us would go to the nearby bank of the Gaìgä together, and sometimes there would be wrestling matches between the Näma-haööa and Mäyäpur devotees. One day I had to wrestle one of the Näma-haööas, and when he defeated me (quite easily), his group cheered in jubilation. Jayapatäka Mahäräja was watching, however, and he would not accept the humiliation. He sprang up like a lion and roared a challenge to anyone who would dare face him. For a moment there was total silence. Then Guru-kåpa Swami gestured to one of his men — a tall, powerful-looking devotee, an appropriate match for Mahäräja — to take up the challenge. It was quite a sight: Jayapatäka Mahäräja looked like he had been empowered by some special potency, and after a bit of grappling, he simply picked up the devotee and smashed himto the ground. * *We were all sitting in Jayapatäka Mahäräja’s room one night, reading Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, the transcendental biography of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, when Abhimanyu Däsa, an English devotee who had been appointed head of security due to his military training as a commando in the British army, came running in with an alert that dacoits (bandits) were coming to attack the temple. But Mahäräja did not believe him. A little annoyed at being interrupted in the middle of our reading, he said, “Abhimanyu, that’s just your paranoia.” But Abhimanyu was upset and argued his case, and finally, just to pacify him, Mahäräja got up and said, “Okay — let’s go and meet the ‘dacoits.’ ”* - Bhakti Caru Swami *Sticks in hand, with Mahäräja leading 20 21 BVV Narasimha Swami Hare Krishna! To Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Many thanks for your example of surrender and service to Srila Prabhupaa and Lord Caitanya’s mission. I feel very fortunate to know such a great personality. Actually I can never fully know you because you are so great and special devotee but still what ever I know about you is a great fortune for me. You never allow your mind to be disturbed despite so many difficult situations. Although it would appear that you are in a miserable condition due to bodily condition and sometimes nasty opponents but you always remain blissful and happy. Your classes are full of life and action. You are simply amazing. Please never leave this world. We all need your presence to guide us. Best wishes, B V V Narasimha Swami 22 Dear Jayapataka Maharaja and dear devotees Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. It is my great honor to address you on the 67th Sri Vyasa Puja Day of His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja. The appearance of such a devotee is very auspicious to the world. What would the world be without His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja? How many souls has he inspired? How many souls are maintained on their spiritual path by him? How many projects has Maharaja founded? How many countries has he guided? Where would Mayapur be without HH Jayapataka Maharaja? Where the Temple of Vedic Planetarium? Many, many projects, devotees and lives are carried by this wonderful Vaisnava. I have no doubt that His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja is one of these great devotees empowered by Krishna and I request all his disciples and followers to take his example very seriously and whole heartedly engage in the merciful missions of Maharaja, which he does in the service of Srila Prabhupada. My dear Jayapataka Maharaja, please know that I am greatly appreciating your service and personal example and I wish you a lot of health and strength so that it will be easy for you to live your glorious life in Krishna consciouness. Wishing you all the best, Sacinandana Swami 23 oà ajïäna-timirändhasya jïänäïjana-çaläkayä cakñur unmélitaà yena tasmai çré-gurave namaù çré-caitanya-mano-’bhéñöaà sthäpitaà yena bhü-tale svayaà rüpaù kadä mahyaà dadäti sva-padäntikam 24 nama oà viñëu-pädäya kåñëa-preñöhäya bhü-tale çrémate jayapatäkasvämin iti nämine nama äcaryapädäya nitäi-kåpa-pradäyine gaura-kathä-dhäma-däya nagara-gräma-täriëe 25 26 HOMAGES FROM SANNYASI DISCIPLES 27 Bhakti Purusottama Swami Dear Guru Maharaj, On this most auspicious appearance day of your Divine Grace, I offer my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to your divine grace. You have given your heart to Mayapur. Actually you are the heart of ISKCON Mayapur. You are existing for ISKCON Mayapur and ISKCON Mayapur is existing for your divine grace. This is my realisation and the realisation of thousands of devotees. To harm ISKCON Mayapur means to harm you and to harm you means to harm ISKCON Mayapur. No one feels so much concern as you feel for ISKCON Mayapur. Srila Prabhupada has selected the right person for his most dear project in Sri Mayapur. What would happen to this project without your divine grace? You will never let Mayapur go down even until the last breath of your life. You have proved this many times, even in the most precarious condition of being in ICU, you had attended crucial meeting through Skype and gave amazing lifesaving proposals. Although your love for the devotees is universal, still you have given a very special place in your heart for devotees of Bengal.By your unconditional love for them, you have incredibly purchased the hearts of these devotees. There is a very unique relationship of deep love, gratitude and appreciation between you and Mayapur devotees, for whom you are their life & soul. Your Divine Grace has been under great pressure to push forward this movement. Infact, you had to take intense pressure dealing with burning issues. As the gold dazzles and shines in brilliance when more heat pressure is applied, similarly, your glories are revealed more & more in such intense situations. Your determination, steadiness, dedication, loving nature, caring mood, tolerance, mood of offering respects to others and many more great qualities are manifesting in due course of time. The Whole world is understanding your greatness. You are one of the rarest pure devotees still remaining on this earthly planet. But yet there are still some people left to understand this fact. On this auspicious day, I simply pray and hope for your long life on this planet, which will bring all auspiciousness to the whole humanity. Your humble servant, Bhakti Purusottama Swami, ISKCON Sridham Mayapur, India 28 Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Dear Guru Mahäräj, Daëòavat Präëäàs in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Çréla Prabhupäda! In a sense it appears so surreal, time goes by, you have travelled so much encouraging/introducing Kåñëa Consciousness to unlimited numbers and in to teach, train and inspire. How many have the material facilities but do not display such a level of unalloyed devotion and unwavering dedication to guru? Despite the raging waters of the times, your focus on Çréla Prabhupäda based on the personal ex- you have had a handicap sent your way; actually in your offerings there is no handicap at all, however for those of us who are observers, there is only the test whether we can perceive your glory in the right light. Kåñëa consciousness has it internal and external features, here the garden variety may fall short in a balanced immersion between the two. The position of guru and services related to guru sometimes may not be fully understood. How you have endured so many obstacles in service to Çréla Prabhupäda, illustrates an example of a topmost internal focus amidst external impediments. What an offering! Beyond the sphere of normal travel, preaching programs, deity installations, initiations, meetings and safaris, is your present example of service amidst external obstacles. Actions speak far better than words. Certainly this is the medium by which Lord is presently using you change is the elixir of Kåñëa consciousness; yad yad äcarati çreñöhas tat tad evetaro janaù For the society you are a perfection balance of East and West, western externals with eastern spirituality and heart. Wasn’t this what Çréla Prabhupäda wanted? Where two fields come together for a mighty presentation of Kåñëa Consciousness? A unity in diversity? Of course the mortar to this relation is ‘honesty’ and ‘integrity’ in relation. Your example is a medicine to cure the present differences. And better yet in the future, for those who follow/respect you, if they could do the same, then Çréla Prabhupäda’s mission will have an unstoppable momentum to truly change the world. Please allow us all to assist you in some small way. Best Wishes Your servant, Bhaktisiddhänta Swami 29 30 HOMAGES FROM DISCIPLES & WELL-WISHERS 31 Africa Durban My Beloved Spiritual Father, unlimited mercy, and guiding me. I took your Please accept my most respectful and humble mercy for granted when I was in Malaysia and obeisances unto your divine lotus feet. Mayapur. Now I'm living in South Africa and On this most auspicious and glorious day of I never get a chance to meet you. Gurudev, when your Vyasa puja, I pray to their Lordships Sri Sri I'm sad and lonely due to separation from your Radha Madhava Astasakhi, Sri Sri Pancatattva lotus feet, I cry. My husband reminds me that lam- and Sri Sri Prahalad Nrsimhadeva to give you very entation is for sudra-like people, and that you have good health and remove all the obstacles from the given me Brahman initiation having faith in me. path of your constant preaching for saving the He says that I can remain strongly connected to fallen condition souls like me. you by serving your instructions. That's why I'm Gurudeva, as Rukmini heard Krishna's glories looking after my baby, serving my dharm-pati and and wanted to marry Him, I heard your glories and distributing books so seriously, training group of wanted to become your disciple. On May 2001 young girls to distribute books, giving class now when I met you for the 1st time, I saw you sitting and then and also starting children's class here in on Vyasasan at SJMKL and giving class, I didn't New Jagannath Puri Phoenix Durban. This is my understand anything you spoke expect the word love for you and offering all this service at your Krishna. But I knew that you are my Gurudev. lotus feet. Since then you have given and are giving me Gurudeva recently one devotee asked me ”who 32 Bangladesh Asia is your Guru Maharaj?" I said H.H. Jayapataka Dear Guru Maharaj, take my humble pranam. Swami and Immediately she said she must touch You are very dear to Krishna. my feet because I’m such a great personality' s I am feeling so lucky that I found a pure disciple. Since that day I'm meditating, "Yes you Gurudeva as like you. I always try to preying to are great personality but am I worth it to be your Krishna for your good health. Please Gurudeva disciple. engage me at your service always. Your servant, What can I do to make myself to be worthy, Brihat Gaur Das, Diksha Gurudev? I will never let you down, Gurudeva. Comilla, Bangladesh. I will make myself worthy by your grace, love and trust you have on me. Kindly forgive me for all the offences that Dear Guru Maharaj, take my humble pranam. I have committed and I am committing everyday You are a great soul. You are pure devotee of knowingly or unknowingly. Also please bless me lord Krishna. Please bless me that I always follow that I serve Your Divine Grace and your servants your instruction. You show me the right path way with unflinching faith, love and devotion without in this life. May Krishna always protect you and committing offences. keep you body in good. My one request to you that I always engage Krishna service under your guidYour insignificant daughter, ance. Sumalini Lalita Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Your servant, Durban, South Africa Chinmoyi Sakhi Devi Dasi, Diksha Comilla, Bangladesh Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj! All glories to Srila Prabhupada & Gauranga! My Dear Gurudeva, Please take my humble Please accept my humble prostrated obeisances obeisances at your lotus feet. Wish you very happy at your lotus feet. vyasa puja day. You are my daily inspiration every smallest ac- Oh! Dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, you are tion u take every word u utter is an instruction to very dear to lord Nittyananda. You always save me. This instruction is my life line connecting me fallen soul as like me. Dear Guru Maharaj I am to your divine lotus feet, Sirla Prabhupada and Sri your most sinner disciple, I have no quality after Krishna. that you till now showering your mercy unto me. I wish my spiritual father my deepest love Gurudeva, I am nothing without you. Please save and best wishes on the auspicious occasion of his me and protect me from maya and engage me in vyasa puja and humbly request that your divine your mission of distributing Krishna nama all over grace make me worthy of being in His constant the world Your servant, association life time after life time. Pranesvara Nitai Rama Das (Diksha) Your Servant, Radhika Ballavi Devi Dasi (Diksha) Suvilas Sakhi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Mridul Dey (Shelter disciple) Durban, South Africa Comilla, Bangladesh 33 Asia China Hare Krishna! Happy birthday to you, vrnda! Today is our spiritual master HH Jayapa- my dearest Gurudeva! taka Swami GuruMaharaja’s birthday, Gurudeva, Please accept the most humble obeisances of Happy birthday to you and wish you a long life...! your disciples, Jivananimai das and his wife Hari On this auspicious day, we eagerly hope to follow premi! Obeisances the lotus feets of all vaisnava! your instructions,and have the strong desires to The most beloved spiritual master! We are so do service...... ! We pray for the causeless mercy of fallen, but you lighten us with the knowledge of the Lord Gauranga, offer the most sincere bless- the torch.. For a long time. I don’t understand ings and good wishes to you! At the same time, the preaching mission of disciplic succesion, you we also hope we can do our devotional service by had given a good example for us to know the music, drama and movie, we hope this service can meanings of good virtues of bhakti succesion. please Gurudeva and please Srila Prabhupada, we We are was disqualified to share your every little hope we can do our best in preaching the Krishna bit, but your little bit is our desire to maintain the consciousness movement! nectar of life! Jivana nimai das, Hari premi Devi Dasi, We During the 2012 and 2015, you made me would like to being at your disposal and be- and my wife, these two humble fallen souls to ing at the Lord’s disposal this life, firmly fol- catch your train of devotional, we are so ig- low you to walk on the way of bhakti, engage in norant, mistakenly thought that we can take devotion service to the Lord with all our have! your devotional train without qualification, we Dear Gurudeva, grateful for your kindness! We was shameful and proudly cheating ourselves offer our obeisances to your lotus feets tens of that we can sit on your devotional train with- millions of times! We wish your eternal, transcen- out any devotional service, but you are so kind, dentaland blissful birthday would perform every you didn’t leave us time after time... We, yours day! Hare Krsna! Yours the most fallen disciples, the most foolish disciples, would like to worship Jivana Nimai Das and your lotus feets a million times! Hare Krishna! Gurudeva: your love just like the mighty sun and Hari premi Devi Dasi the moon, you continually giving your love to millions China of conditioned souls, your glory is incomparable...... ! Day by day passed, now its the time of your most My dear Jayapataka Swami! Guru Maharaja, auspicious birthday, we are the most useless disci- Please accept my most humble obeisances ples of you,we cannot repay anything to you, we unto your lotus feet. have no gift to you, we cannot personally presence All glories to Srila Prabhupada! and give our sincerely blessings, we only can pray All glories to You! for is... Please give us the power of humble quality I am your Chinese disciples of Dalian city. and service! Dear Gurudeva, we are willing to ac- I took the first initiate and the second initiate in cept any kinds of situation which you put us into, Dec 12, 2015.My spiritual name is Jyotirdhama we are begging for being at your disposal! Caitanya das. During this auspicious day which Jaya sri-krishna-caitanya prabhu nityananda, sri-advaita gadadhara your Vyasa puja approaching, I was full of emo- srivasadi-gaura-bhakta- tional thoughts. Even thousands of words can not 34 35 Asia China express my gratitude to you. As a fallen soul con- Everybody is eager to set up a Hare Krishna band fused by maya, I am hopeless except take shelter when conditions become ripe. For this reason, we unto your lotus feet. ask the professional music teacher teaching us. Dear Guru Maharaja, Dear Guru Maharaja, in a few core members ef- I cannot able to honor your lotus feet properly. forts and by your mercy, I had made progress, my But I felt strongly more and more that your lo- enthusiasm and confidence were increasing. tus feet are so amazing. Just watching your photo Dear Guru Maharaja, which on my home altar and chanting HareKrish- I offensived ISKCON vaishnavas many times na, I can feel your presence. Your mercy made me in different degrees. It is your mercy that make me no doubt and realized that we should make obei- still continuely to learn to do devotional service. sance to all the devotees and all living entities at You repeatedly stressed the importance of devo- any time, and continuely to pray to you. When I tees association and told us do not leave in any do so, I desire to chant the holy names constant- case. You set a good example how to unite the dev- ly. This desire make me never stop chanting. The otees and service devotees. You never carp. Every more I focused on chanting the holy names, the morning at the guru puja, I thought uncontrolla- more stable in take shelter of your lotus feet, the bly for your overcomeing all the difficulties to do more desire to spread the holy names and service the transcendental service, all these touched me. your mission of preach. Your mercy made me realized the importance of Dear Guru Maharaja, after took initiate, worshiping and servicing Krishna and all vaish- I strive hard to regularize my services, chant navas time after time. In fact, I was a hypocrite, focusly as far as possible, also chant in the preach- but I eager your never-ending mercy. Every time ing wechat group. Try hard to arrange my own life when I obeisance to you with my heart, I could in the centre of bhakti. By your mercy, a few days feel the charm of bhakti. ago, in my wechat preaching group,there is a new Dear Guru Maharaja, Prabhu who bought the Bhagavad Gita and chant- It is the greatest fortunate to be your disciple. ing beads. Now, my wechat group in Dalian had I pray to the Lord that I may always remember more than 90 peoples. A new Prabhu who works your teachings. I pray to the Lord that I will be in Dalian University had built two Hare Krsna able to follow you and dedicate all my life to you. chanting group, he urged each member chanting I pray to the Lord, that I may be useful to you. Hare Krishna daily. At present, the members of I pray to the Lord, that let you live in my heart these two groups had started to create the Hare forever, and give me the true love unto your lotus Krishna mantra group. A few people show a high feet! enthusiasm. Now the local people in the We Chat Your most humble servant, group have nearly 100 peoples. Dear Guru Maha- Jyotirdhama Caitanya Das raja, The mercy of your lotus feet encouraged me China and attracted me more and more. Dear guru maharaja, Now I organize devotee association twice every week, Dear Gurudeva: How do you do! I am your studying to Chinese disciple Marhura Devi Dasi, Your birth- play harmuni midamga and kata in samkirtana. day is coming soon, Now my family send our miss 36 India Asia and wishes to you, we wish you a speedy recov- from u, I just hope by ur desire & blessings, I can ery of your physical body, get rid of the disease continue do nicely my BV service!!! Always keep as soon as possible. Hare Krishna.!Now I reported strong KC in my life, Never foget RadhaKrishna !!! my daily activities, I get up at 5: 45 every day, after Always always always keep Sincerely and warmly take a bath I chant, I chant 18 rounds every day,- in my devotion service !!!! Thanks you soooooo follow the four regulative principles, I try my best much, my dearest GM! Hope Nriximhadeva to share the holy name with friends and prasadam Give u blessing have good health! distribution, I did not dare to give a yearly plan, I just try to do the daily service what I can do well, Your humble spiritual daughter, Gurudeva: you have given us too much mercy, Lilagopi Devi Dasi, I do not dare to beg for your blessing and anything Foshan, China else, we will remember your teachings and follow your steps to spread the holy name. Obeisance Dear Guru Maharaja, your lotus feets. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, No glorification of yours will be sufficient from all glories to the Lord! an insignificant soul like me whom you have very lovingly and caringly uplifted from the nescience Your humble servants of servants, of this material world. Yet I make a humble at- Marhura Devi Dasi tempt in doing so and pray that you will bear with China me. Every single day we wait to hear from your Dearest Guru Maharaj: Please accept my hum- personal associates on how you touch hearts and ble obeisances. All Glories To Srila Prabhupada. reach out to people in ways that are so unique and All Glories To Guru Maharaj. By once year one innovative. We in the material & professional life time ‘s Vyasa Puja ‘s rare opportunity, I can here strive to be innovative but you show hundreds of express my love & gratitude to u! Thank u for save ways of how we can serve Krishna and please our me from this suffering world, Thank you so much spiritual master. for give my one special horizon can understand All your acts are directed towards pleasing spriture knowledge ! Thank you so much give me Prabhupada and saving the souls in this yuga of the opportunity start devotion service...Thousands godlessness, sense gratification and hatred. When- of thanks can’t express your Unselfish love to me!!! ever someone asks me about my spiritual master, Can’t easy find any word to express my gratitude to I swell with happiness and bliss taking Your Divine u ! My dearest spiritual father ur unuseless daugh- name and then the series of glorification from the ter without ur mercy even can’t normal breathe other person humbles me, I realize that you have any minute! Please mercy to me, allow me offer my touched thousands of hearts and that I am just life and all to please u, To assist you To complete one miniscule individual amongst them. the SP’s mission! In China pratice KC such diffi- Another time I would pray/ chant for your cult, by your special mercy, I can lead the devotees well-being, foolishly thinking that I’m doing a together start BV in China ! I know this is by your great job praying for my master and I forget that blessing! What even happen all good things that these acts are driven by your causeless mercy to 37 Asia India help us get more serious and dedicated in our de- My beloved Spiritual father, votional service. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhuapada. Even your god brothers do not get tired of glorifying you, such is your charisma. It is indeed All glories to your divine grace. most appropriate to say that you are an Icon and Srila Gurudeva, on this most auspicious Inspiration to our generation and the future to occasion of your Vyasapuja I sincerely pray to come. You are so compassionate that you reach Sri Sri Prahalad Nrsimhadeva, Sri Sri Pancatat- out to all of us at regular intervals to update your tva and Sri Sri RadhaMadhav Astasakhi for your status, knowing that we would remain in anxiety good health. Guru maharaja, last year your divine grace when you are physically unwell. At your lotus feet, I offer my humble obeisance made our greatest fortune by giving your personal and prayers on this most auspicious day that I am association to all the devotees in Baroda and gave able to serve you through preaching, book distri- us all opportunity to do vapu seva, which could be bution and being sincere in my japa. I also pray so rare and first such experience for all the Bhakti that you please keep me under your protection vriksha devotees and for myself and prabhu also always. to serve you with a responsibility. All the days Your Spiritual Daughter, when your divine grace was here in Baroda, it was Indulekha Sevini Devi Dasi, like spiritual world serving you all the time with Ahmedabad, India only one thought.. which service next! Now I am 38 India Asia realizing that only because we were in such con- empower me and engage me in your service the sciousness of your service, in your presence... it way you like. was so different. And It gave me another realiza- Guru maharaja, please bless all the Bhakti tion that only when I have such consciousness of vriksha devotees of Baroda yatra, so that we can serving your divine grace, I will be able to become together put extra efforts to give Krishna Con- little Krishna conscious. sciousness to more and more people and expand I know though I plan to serve you better ev- this mission of Srila Prabhupada. Please engage us ery time, I fail to actually do It. I really want to all in this service which is most pleasing to all the serve you to the best of my ability. And I sincerely previous acaryas and your divine grace. desire to engage whatever Krishna has given me Dear father, I also beg for your forgiveness for to serve you. But I am understanding that I lake all the offences I’ve committed and committing determination! Please help me become more fix everyday knowingly/unknowingly. and determine in serving your divine grace. Only Please keep me at the dust of your lotus feet eter- by your mercy it is possible that with all the odds nally. Also please bless me, my prabhu and all our of material life, maya’s tests and with all the con- Bhakti Vriksha members that we serve Your Divine tamination that I possess so dearly, I serve and Grace and your servants with unflinching faith, surrender unto your lotus feet!!! Gurudeva, please love and devotion without committing offences. engage me in your service. Whenever I remem- Your insignificant daughter, ber your words that a disciple should also grow Nitya yogini Devi Dasi (Diksha) and take some responsibility for spiritual father, I Baroda, India feel ashamed that even after almost 13 years of my Respected Guru Maharaj, All glories to Cait- initiation I am not taking any responsibility to anya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Sril Prabhupada! serve your divine grace. My consciousness is like All Glories to Acaryapada! garbge, how will I ever serve you properly Guru Please accept my most respectful obeisance at maharaj? Please help me. your lotus feet. We are unable to glorify your di- Guru maharaja, your exemplary life of unal- vine even though you are beyond all these. All the loyed devotion and love for Srila Prabhuapada is time you are spreading holy name throughout the exceptional. You divine grace’s life is like an open world and giving your mercy to most fallen soul book all the time with devotees, no time of your like me which never thought for this. I’m so ad- own! only and only service to Srila Prabhupada to dicted to this material world and always affected fulfill his desires. Your lilas of falling sick is also by maya. By your causeless mercy you have given to make us more serious in Krishna consciousness. me shelter at your lotus feet. I beg for your bless- To make us understand the importance of seem- ing forever. ingly smallest and easiest services that we can do Also I want to request your divine for visiting to please the Lord and thereby purify ourselves. Ajmer on behalf of all devotees because all are Guru Maharaja, I am your child just trying to eager for that auspicious moment. learn to become sincere and steady on the path of Your children, Krishna Consciouness. Please help me and inten- Bhavita Ahuja and all Ajmer devotees, sify my desire to serve your divine grace. Please Ajmer, Rajasthan, India 39 Asia India My Dear Spiritual Master, Please accept my Parampara. most humble obeisances unto Your Lotus Feet Please accept this as an offering on the aus- I am always thankful to You for having accept- picious occasion of your Vyas Puja. Please bless ed me as a disciple of Yours, through my Siksha us so that we can progress in our spiritual life & Guru. Even after I being a most fallen soul, You render little service to Srila Prabhupada's mission. have taken the trouble of accepting me as a disYour humble servants, ciple, and given me a chance to chant the holy Praneshwar Nitai Gaura Das & names of The Lord. Neither am I educated enough, nor I have the Prema Dayini Tulsi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) vocabulary to glorify You, the way I m required to Ambala City, India do. But I have a great ambition to glorify You. My Dear Gurudeva, even after undergoing so To our beloved Guru Maharaja, difficult situations with respect to Your health, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories You are so merciful to dedicate all Your time to to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.! Please accept our look after all of us. most humble and respectful obeisances unto Your I pray to Lord Narasimhadeva, to remove all Divine Lotus Feet. the obstacles from the path of Devotional Ser- On this very auspicious and glorious day of vice, and keep me engaged in Yours and Krishna’s your Vyasapuja, though unqualified, we sincerely Service. pray to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhav Asta I also pray to Lord Jagannatha, to keep You Sakhi Vrinda, Sri Narsimhadeva and Sri Panca- physically fit, so that you can guide us all, in Krish- tattva for your complete physical health recov- na Consciousness. ery and to always protect your divine grace from Rupanuga Jivana Das, whatever obstacle that may come in the path of Aluva, Kerala, India your incessant preaching and in achieving the ob- Respected Guru Maharaj jectives to fulfill the desires of Srila Prabhupada. Please accept our humble obeisance's Guru We (my family) took shelter of your lotus feet Maharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. on 16th of September 2015, at Baroda, where you Guru Maharaj, on this most auspicious occa- blessed all the devotees by distributing causeless sion of your Vyasa Puja celebrations, we take this mercy. We were fortunate to have your limitless opportunity to pray Lord Narsimha Dev & Sri Sri mercy. We were very blissful to have your lotus Radha Madhav to bless you with good health, long feet here in baroda inspiring all the fallen soul to life and to remove all the obstacles, if at all any, serve Krishna. I remember, our sikha guru His from your path of selfless preaching activities, Grace Mantresh Gauranga Das said that we all are in order to relieve as much conditioned souls as now hooked in Krishna consciousness by limitless possible from their life of ignorance. We discuss and causeless mercy of Guru Maharaja and we will about your preaching activities, travelling around definitely progress in our spiritual life. Really that’s the world and your sound & unflinching faith in true, we felt that without your mercy we would never Srila Prabhupada despite of your health which are be able to join Krishna conscious. I and my family do attend Bhakti vriksha really motivational factors for all the people in our 40 41 Asia India program, Srimad Bhagavad-gita study class and follow devotional practice. You are the source of Bhagvatam class which are conducted by His inspiration. Even with such a health condition, Grace Mantresh Gauranga Das and Nitya Yogini your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada is most won- Devi Dasi. Now we are thinking to go to outskirts derful and looking up to your wonderful activities; of Baroda and preach Krishna conscious moment. it motivates me to perform devotional service. We will be conducting special lectures in tuition I always want to serve your lotus feet so that classes so that the youth gets inspire. So we beg for I can just taste the nectar of transcendental love. your divine and limitless mercy for us so we may I wish to serve you lotus feet life after life. I request contribute our best in the mission of His Divine you to please engage me in your service to Srila Grace Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada. Srila Gurudeva, we don’t have any qualifica- Praying to their lordships, Sri Sri Radha tion or eligibility to progress on the path of devo- Madhava, Sri Sri Panca-tattva and Sri Sri Nara- tional service. Ignoring all our bad qualities, your simha deva to keep your health in good condition. causeless mercy has made us walk on the path of devotional service and saved us from the most Your eternal servant, dangerous material nescience. We beg for your Adi Krishna Das, (Diksha) blessings to remain Krishna Conscious forever as Bangalore, India it is not possible otherwise. We pray to Your DiWishing you a very Happy 67th Vyasa puja! vine Grace to always keep us in your service. Srila Gurudeva, we beg for your forgiveness for what- Dear Father, I, Aprameya Govinda Das and ever offences we have committed and committing Vraja Lila Devi Dasi, offer our obeisances unto everyday unto your divine lotus feet. Please for- your Divine lotus feet give us and kindly shower your blessings so that Dear Father, it gives us great happiness and en- we can serve your divine grace with unflinching thusiasm when we see you preaching to fallen souls faith and devotion, without committing offences. like us and help us to take us back home Back to Godhead thus giving us the mercy of Krishna and Your insignificant servants, all the acharyas in the parampara. By your cause- Shreyas Zaveri (aspiring), less mercy, you are teaching us how to take to this Kamal Zaveri (sheltered), sublime process of Krishna consciousness and how Sushma Zaveri (sheltered), to come out of this cycle of birth and death and Shraddha Zaveri (sheltered), to attain a permanent life where we can eternally Shreyas Zaveri (aspiring), serve the Lord. Baroda, India. We offer our humble obeisances at your lotus feet and thank you for accepting us as your Dear Guru Maharaja, spiritual children. Please forgive us father for the Please accept my respectful obeisance’s, innumerable vaishnava apradha we are commit- All glories to Srila Prabhupada, ting knowingly and unknowingly. Praying to Lord Narasimhadev to protect you All glories to Your Divine Grace, from all dangers and pray that he gives you good Its only because of you Gurudeva, I am able to 42 India Asia health by which so many souls suffering in this messages of your updates which helps me to samsara get your mercy and take to this wonderful connect to you. I would really thank all the process of Krishna consciousness, and serve Guru personal servants and Doctors who are so nicely and Gauranga. taking care of you at the sacrifice of so many things Yours, which I am not aware. The dust of their feet on Aprameya Govinda Das and my head is much needed even before I can dream Vraja Lila Devi Dasi, (Diksha) of taking shelter at the dust of your lotus feet. Bangalore, India I pray to be connected to you and understand even a fraction of your glories life after life. Dear Guru Maharaj, Your insignificant servant and son, Please accept my humble obeisances. Asoka Gaura Das, (Diksha) All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Bangalore, India Guru Maharaj, year on year since 2008, I have seen more and more of your glories are being revealed to the whole world. Your enthusiasm to Please accept my respectable obeisances unto serve Srila Prabhupada and your determination your lotus feet on this very auspicious appearance to go on and on is simply amazing. I have no reali- day of yours. zations of all these and I just follow the whatsapp I also offer my obeisances to the footprint of all 43 Asia India the gurus, Srila Swarup Damodar Goswami, Srila many souls into this movement. Rupa Goswami, Srila Sanatana Goswami, Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, Srila Jiva Goswami, Your useless servant, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Srila Raghnath Bala Murari Das, (Diksha) Bhatta Goswami, the devotees beginning with (ISKCON-New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham) Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Bangalore, India Saraswati, Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Dear Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj “According to the deliberate opinion of all Please accept our respectful obeisances. revealed scriptures, the spiritual master is non On your 67th Vyasapuja, we are feeling proud to different from Krishna. Lord Krishna in the form be connected to this glorious parampara through of the spiritual master delivers His devotees. By you. We are feeling greatly blessed to be your the mercy of the spiritual master one is benedicted disciples and a follower of the greatest acharya of to the mercy of Krishna. Without the grace of the modern age His Divine Grace AC Bhativedanta spiritual master one cannot make any advance- Swami Srila Prabhupada. By some causeless mercy ment. Sri Guru is the bestower of prema-bhakti that we happened to get a human form of body just and the destroyer of ignorance. The Vedic scrip- after Lord Caitanya Mahaparabhu had appeared tures sing of his character.” in this kali yuga. By some causeless mercy we Guru Maharaj, you have always been an in- happened to be directly connected with glori- spiration to us. In spite of all your bodily discom- ous acharyas like Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bhakti fort you travel all over the world to give Krishna siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, etc. By some consciousness to others. Your only reason to causeless mercy we happened to be part of this continue to live in this material world is to full magnanimous movement of Srila Prabhupada. By fill the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Just by a some causeless mercy of your dear disciples we got momentary association of your so many Jivas have this opportunity to be connected with you. This got attracted towards Krishna consciousness and make us be feel proud and along with it comes are ready to live a regulated life. Kindly bestow a greater responsibility of carefully carrying the your mercy on me that I always remain in Krishna mood of our parampara - to distribute the mercy consciousness and be an instrument in bringing of Mahaprabhu to as many people as possible. Over these years, we have observed that you many others into this process. Guru Maharaj, soon I will be entering into are very keen to follow the instruction of Srila Grihasta Ashram this year. She is your disciple Prabhupada. Your life's goal is to simply carry named Gandharvi Gopika Devi Dasi. She takes out the orders of His Divine Grace. And Srila care of kids and girls youth program. And Prabhupada has ordered you to preach Krishna I conduct Bhakti Vriksha program and Boys youth Consciousness unlimitedly. You have many times program. We both are under the guidance of His said that Prabhupada gave you such unbounded Grace Caitanya Avatari Prabu and Her Grace task and no measure to quantify it. You have many Rasamayi mataji. Please bless us that we live an times sought the support of all your disciples for exemplary Krishna conscious life and connect this task. We would like to support you. Please 44 45 Asia India accept us. We wish to be good soldier in Srila ing an unworthy life, always marooned in sense Prabhupada's army under your command. Please enjoyment thereby increasing my stock of sin accept our service. without realizing that I’m passing it all to you! In On your vyasapuja, we would like recommit this drunken state, I have caused great anxiety to ourselves to help you in this missionary activity others and have offended many vaishnavas. What a lowly life I’m leading! of preaching Krishna Consciousness and making many devotees. To remain focused on this mission Envy and ego are my two best friends and in strongly, we will chant minimum 16 rounds of their association I’m always busy planning for Hare Krishna Maha-mantra everyday; Read Srila my sense gratification. They help me fuel my un- Prabhupada's books and hear his lectures regularly. limited material desires which work without any Guru Maharaj, please take care of your health rest. And I feel proud and happy being in this state! and continue to inspire us always. Please bless us My laziness and sleep have taken me to great that our words and behavior set a good example heights of illusion. to all those to whom we preach to. Please bless us My lust has reached a new level without me that we get some of the auspicious good vaishnava realizing and I feel there is no chance that I can qualities you have. come down from this in this life time. When I’m not lazy and sleepy, my other two Your loving son & daughter at your service, brothers ‘name and fame’ make me comfortable by Bandhu Madhava Das (Diksha) pushing me to a pedestal from which I don’t feel Sumathi Jahnava Devi Dasi (Diksha) like stepping down. These two brothers make me Bangalore, India fly sky high by saying I am the best in the three worlds. Dear Gurudeva! After many, many millions of lifetimes I have Please accept my respectful obeisances unto got a guru but all these "friends" make me forget your lotus feet! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada this and are leading me to the door of hell! the savior of the whole world! Vaishnavas and the general populace of the Wish you a happy Vyasa Puja 2016! world glorify Srila Prabhupada for bringing this On this most auspicious occasion of your human race back on track in this dark age of divine graces Vyasa Puja, please accept this hum- kali. And of the many followers of Srila Prabhu- ble offering unto your lotus feet! pada, you stand tall like a mountain, a crest jew- Gurudev doyamoy! el in serving Srila Prabhupada irrespective of all I have read in the scriptures given by Srila material situations. Prabhupada that Krishna if He has decided to Gurudeva, you revealed me the treasure of kali- give anyone His mercy, He does so through His yuga “Chanting Hare Krishna” and taught me confidential servitor. Srila Prabhupada says this to serve and please the Acaryas. Yet I didn’t take special soul, the Guru is called Karuna Avatar and these seriously in following in your footsteps. Srila Prabhupada has said you are Sri Caitanya I don’t realize the power and potency of your Mahaprabhu’s associate. lotus feet! I hope by your causeless mercy within Gurudeva! In spite of knowing this, I’m lead- this life time I’ll get out of my miserable condition 46 India Asia with my so called attachments and be fixed up in along with my wife Rasamayi Devi Dasi and son serving your instructions. Cidananda Nimai Das in serving the vaishnavas I’m completely incapable and insincere, still and Srila Prabhupada whatever be the material your mercy is unstoppable and your empowerment condition. mind boggling! I’m a fool who is incapable of un- Please bless me to be always at the dust of your derstanding this causeless mercy! lotus feet! Gurudeva! Please bless me that I’ll get out Your useless son, my illusion to realize the urgency to be Krishna Caitanya Avatari Das, (Diksha) Conscious and to spread the glories of Srila Bangalore, India Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Please bless me that I become capable of ful- Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, filling my responsibilities in serving Srila Pra- Please accept my humble obeisances. bhupada. With your blessings impossible become All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! possible and without your blessings possible becomes All Glories to you Srila Gurudeva!!! impossible! In my last year vyasa puja offering letter, Please allow me to follow in your footsteps I requested for your blessings to preach and attract 47 Asia India new people to Krishna consciousness through yoga Roses are red, violets are blue classes. In fact, during your last visit to Bangalore, Lust anger greed, overflow me true when we showed the pamphlet, you hold on to it World of sadness, mind of grief and read "Transcendental Yoga... The Topmost Running by natures, royal fief Yoga System" and prayed for almost a minute. Heart full of bitterness, separation by lust Trust me, before this, I don't have any clue on how Mind in madness, and forever strussed to teach the yoga even though I can do myself al- But, most all the difficult asanas. Overflowing with holy, compassion thou With your blessings and constant encourage- Relieved me wholly, of material love ment and guidance from senior vaishnavas now, I pay obeisances, unto your shoelace I have created a website called "www.transcen- Teacher father mother, oh! divine grace dental-yoga.jigsy.com" and also started teaching Oh! Flag of victory, you accepted me surely yoga from Feb' 2016 and the response is good from Placing me under, your lotus feet truly the local crowd. Here I noticed that we need not Cidananda Nimai Dasa deeply prays have to go to public personally; instead they only To spread your glories and never go astray… Bangalore, India call and ask for the details and later they join our Bhakti Vriksha classes/Sunday Program. This class is for an hour, where I teach yogasanas, pranayama Dearest Gurudeva, and followed by one round of Hare Krishna Please accept my respectful obeisances at the Mantra Meditation and Krishna Prasadam. I would dust of your divine lotus feet. On the most auspi- like to extend this to the worldwide as one of the cious day of your appearance I beg that you please outreach way to attract the new people and slowly accept this offering as a humble attempt to glorify bring it onto the Bhakti yoga level which is the your infinite qualities. topmost yoga system. So, kindly continue show- “By the mercy of the spiritual master, one ering your mercy so that this endeavor may bring receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the more souls to Krishna consciousness. grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any advancement.” Gurudeva, I beg for your mercy as Your insignificant servant, I attempt to glorify you. Chaitya Guru Gaura Das Your unlimited qualities mesmerize everyone. Bangalore, India Your very glance can plant the seed of bhakti in one’s heart. Your compassion has no bounds and Dear Gurudeva! can soften even a stone hearted person. Your Please accept my respectful obeisances unto causeless mercy is the only asset to get out of this your divine lotus feet! ocean of material nescience. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Srila Prabhupada’s instructions are your life Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja 2016! and soul. Serving him is your only goal. You have On this auspicious day of your appearance always been leading us by example. Every ac- please accept my humble offering at your lotus tion of yours has a learning Gurudeva. The tran- feet! scendental diary of your Holiness instills faith 48 India Asia more and more. Whatever be the condition you instructions. Both of us have been taking guid- preach. It amazes me how you can connect every- ance from H.G Caitanya Avatari Prabhu and thing to Krishna and explain in the way that the H.G Rasamayi Mathaji. Right now he is handling other person can understand. You want to dis- Bhakti Vrikshas and program for the youth boys tribute love of Godhead in every nook and corner and I have been handling programs for the kids of the world. Praying for your mercy to be deter- and the youth girls. We are also trying to help mined in following your instructions. Even an iota in value education for school children. All this of the devotion you have for Srila Prabhupada’s has been possible only by your causeless mercy instructions, would bring a tremendous change in Gurudeva. Preaching is very dear to you Gurudeva. my life. Please bless us that we can please you by preach- Gurudeva, just like a gardener who nurtures the ing more and more and to get lot of souls serve barren land and sows seeds and flourishes a lovely Srila Prabhupada through you. garden, you are nurturing our hearts and planting Gurudeva, I pray to Lord Narasimha deva to seeds of bhakti. You give us all your love and care. give you a healthy long life. You are our only hope. You have given us our life’s aim – mission of Srila Kindly forgive me for the offenses that I have Prabhupada. Many many souls await to get a won- committed knowingly or unknowingly. Please give derful spiritual master like you Gurudeva. me the strength to continue serving your lotus feet Gurudeva, just like the captain of the ship is with devotion life after life. very important to cross over the ocean safely, you are our captain guiding us to cross over this ocean Your useless daughter, of material nescience. Faith is all we need to have Gandharvi Gopika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) in your instructions and words. Begging at your New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, divine lotus feet that I develop this faith in your Bangalore, India instructions and be determined to serve you. Any soul who comes in touch with you, gets Dear Guru Maharaj, the taste for the holy name. Just like a sculptor Please accept my respectful obeisances at your who takes a piece of rock, rubs it and carves it divine lotus feet. and makes a beautiful statue, you dear Gurude- All glories to Srila Prabhupada. va are molding our lives and making our hearts All glories to you. beautiful. In the diary of your Holiness’s transcen- This is the first time I am writing vyasa puja dental activities I read how you were giving the offering to you. I am not qualified to glorify you tally counters to people to chant and how much and speak about your transcendental qualities. care you showed to them. And how amazingly Guru Maharaj only by your causeless mercy they started chanting the holy names of the Lord a fallen soul like me can come out of ignorance. instantly. You are so amazing Gurudeva. You care for us so much. Your love is beyond Gurudeva, by your causeless mercy I have comparison. I might have done a lot of offences at been betrothed to your disciple Bala Murari Das. your lotus feet knowingly or unknowingly. Please Please bless us that both of us together serve Srila forgive me. Prabhupada for your pleasure through your Please bless me that I can chant my rounds 49 Asia India nicely and serve you nicely. elder daughter Sulakshana Gopi Devi Dasi are preaching in School and college. And only by your Your insignificant servant, kind mercy they are responding. This is especially Bhakta Giriraja true in the school where they are in the fourth New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham year of preaching as the realisation the children Bangalore, India come up with can only happen by your kind Mercy. Dearest Guru Maharaj, 3. My younger daughter, Palika Vraja Gopi Please accept my most humble obeisances at Devi Dasi is performing abhishek for our Gaura the dust of your lotus feet! Nitai deities and dresses them with great care and All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! performs arati for Gaura Nitai and Gopal on your All Glories to your divine grace! behalf daily. Since our last visit to Mayapur for the Vyasa As a prayer to Your Good Health we are all Puja our whole family has increased the preaching continuing our Sadhana, preaching and chanting activity by Your Kind Mercy. extra rounds. We beg for your continued Mercy 1. During the last year of Adhika Purusha and pray that we shall be under your shelter in the month with your kind blessings and Mercy I service of Srila Prabhupada. started preaching in the central pri at Bangalore. I just wished to distribute books in the prison Your eternal servant, during this month and this turned out to an Hari Purushottham Das (Diksha), opportunity to preach. This has over 4000 Bangalore, India inmates and I am preaching to about 80 under trials and some group of senior prisoners who Jai Gurudeva! are teachers. Kindly accept my respectful obeisance unto By your kind mercy some have started chanting. your lotus feet. And two senor prisoners took parole and visited I derive a lot of inspiration from reading and Vrindavan. In my wildest imagination I could hearing about Prahalad Maharaj, how he was never think I could preach in a prison, there were practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness many hurdles of permission etc, but this was all in odds. He also prayed that let me stay till the cleared by your mercy Guru Maharaj. Every week last living entity is there in this world and I will go the prisoners eagerly look forward to the Kirtan at the end after liberating everyone. Krishna and and prasad taken to them. And they participate in Lord Caitanya is very merciful to me that I have the discussion. I could only preach in English and got Your association by which I can practically here I am able to preach in Kannada and Hindi see mood of Prahalad Maharaj. You are the best from the very first day without any conscious example for practicing and preaching Krishna effort... Guru Maharaj, I am realised and fully Consciousness in odds, your preaching in hospitals convinced that the mercy of the Guru can make and even in ICU is simply a display of your deep even the dumb speak. love for Krishna and deep compassion for all 2. My wife Devaki Madhavi Devi Dasi and living entities. Your unending flow of mercy to 50 India Asia save more and more conditioned souls is simply them, by forgetting Krishna is the ultimate doer amazing. and he is kala (time) every minutes is important, On the auspicious occasion of this Vyasa Puja any time any second we may leave this body. I re-confirm my initiation vows and will assist You Oh most merciful Maharaj, please bless me and in full-filling Srila Prabhupada 's instructions. my family to do more seva and help you to achieve On this occasion I also beg You to bless me your goal to full fill Prabhupada's order. so that I can become sincere, non-envious, nonpolitical devotee, giving pleasure to all vaish- Your humble servant, navas and taking pleasure seeing other vaishnavas Jagadisvara Madhava Das (Diksha), Bangalore, India advance. Dear Guru Maharaj, Your unworthy servant, Please accept my humble prostrated obeisances Hariksetra Das, (Diksha Disciple) unto your lotus feet. Sri Narasimha Giridhari Mandir, We Bangalore, India are maintaining the standards of devotional service due to chanting 16 rounds in the morning, short morning program, evening Our beloved Guru Maharaj, program and reading Bhagavad Gita As It Is every Please accept my humble obeisances unto your day. lotus feet. Family members’ wife and son (4 years old My name is Jagadeeshwara Madhava Das, your now) are also a source of inspiration to practice insignificant disciple. devotional service. To the extent possible, I am I'm writing this letter while traveling from assisting in Back to Godhead magazine sub- Kazakhstan to India, so that I could write without scription and distribution seva at ISKCON Sri any disturbances. Narasimha Giridhari Mandir. We also try to take as- This is the day, all your disciple eagerly wait sociation of visiting senior devotees to Bangalore. whole year to show their love towards most compassionate Guru Maharaj. This is our be- health. Kindly forgive us for all the offences what loved Guru Maharaj's day, may Lord and all our we had committed. We request you to bless us parampara bless you with full of health and so that we will progress nicely in our spiritual strength, so that you can uplift more and more lives and serve eternally Yourself and the Guru- fallen souls like me. Parampara. We pray to Sri Sri Gour-Nitai for your good Guru Maharaj, please bless me, just I'm doing my daily sadhana and no other services. Your Servant, I'm completely lost in material affairs, too much Jagadguru Balarama Das (Diksha), involved in so called job by foolishly thinking that Bangalore,India. get enough money, so that I can do devotional My dear Guru Maharaj, service at later stage without any financial Please accept my most respectful obeisances. problems! By thinking that I'm the doer, I'm the All glories to Srila Prabhupada & Guru Parampara. only earner in my family and I'm taking care of First of all, we are grateful to you that you have 51 52 India Asia accepted us as your disciple and taken such a big All glories to Srila Prabhupada! risk of delivering us. Guru Maharaj, of course if All glories to Your Divine Grace! you do not take such big risks, where is the hope of I draw inspiration towards devotional service getting Krishna’s mercy for the fallen souls like us. from you Gurudeva. Your desire to serve Srila We are amazed to see your compassion to provide Prabhupada is so immense that even with such a shelter to so fallen souls. critical health situation you are always concerned By Srila Prabhupada ’s mercy, we got you and how to implement Srila Prabhupada’s instruction again by your mercy, we are getting to know more in each and every activity. Gurudeva, even you about Srila Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya and Lord had so critical health, you were inspiring so many Krishna. Your senior disciples are distributing devotees by giving your association in parikrama. your divine mercy by running a spiritual hospital Gaura Katha becomes more and more nectarian (Sri Jagannath Mandir, Sheshadripuram) where by hearing from you, dear Gurudeva. Hearing no. of materially diseased souls are taking regular from you, my faith on Navadvip and Gaura Nitai treatment and some take occasional treatment. increased to a greater extent. We are taking the regular treatment and also Praying to their lordships, Sri Sri Radha trying to serve the senior disciples to run the Madhav, Sri Sri Panca-tattva and Sri Sri Nrsimha hospital. We get your divine mercy through your deva to keep your health in good condition. senior disciples only. We are thankful to your senior disciples for providing such nice facilities for our Your eternal servant, purification. We wonder at their compassion in Karunya Radhika Devi Dasi (Diksha), Bangalore, India accommodating all types of fallen souls. Guru Maharaj, by your mercy, we were able to bring down our Anarthas and sense gratification Dear Guru Maharaj attitude and hope that one day we can become Please accept our humble obeisance at your completely free. lotus feet. Guru Maharaj, please shower your mercy All glories to Srila Prabhupada & Gauranga. on us so that we can exhibit our love to you by We are very fortunate, we got the human form co-operating with all your servants. at this time to aspire you as Guru Maharaj. But Glorification attempted we are very insignificant souls, because of your by your servant of your servants, ocean of mercy flowing through your representa- Jyotishvara Madhava Das, (Diksha) tives we could able to practice Krishna conscious- Rasesvari Padma Devi Dasi, (Diksha) ness Guru Maharaj with your blessings. You are R. J. Kanishkar, (Son) & precious jewel from Srila Prabhupada Gauranga R. J. Sanghamitra, (Daughter) Army, your service to Srila Prabhupada always ISKCON, SJM, Sheshadripuram, innumerable and inconceivable, you are the Bangalore, India greatest inspiration for us. When we taken your darshan first time at Sridham Mayapur you gave Dear Guru Maharaja, your blessings to us you spoke very kindly to Please accept my most respectful obeisances. every one of us. We are stuck in front of your care, 53 Asia India unlimited love and affection. You asked us did you and I feel very happy to be one of its member un- liked Mayapur, we said yes Guru Maharaj but we der your care. My life would have been useless don’t know how to talk to you, we have complete- without your mercy. ly lost in front of your kind heart Guru Maharaj. With your blessings and guidance of senior We got purified by hearing from you, even though devotees, have started doing deity worship at we are not qualified souls. You are empowered by home. Offering Bhoga for deities, changing dresses Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, through you only and ornaments, buying new dresses and jewelry we can able to cross the ocean of this material for them, doing Abhisek at home in the associ- world at this lifetime. You are serving to Srila ation of devotees is very blissful. Every year we Prabhupada nicely, please let us know how can are learning a number of shlokas and hearing a we serve you better. As a Servant we don't have number of pastimes of Lord Krishna and Gauranga any qualifications, we just want to serve you by Mahaprabhu, from senior devotees which inspires meditating with understanding your instructions me a lot. through you and your representatives. Gurudev, you are a living example of an acarya Your aspiring servants, practicing what you preach. Though you are Krishnamurthy, (Aspiring) having a number of physical constraints and Jamuna, undergoing treatment, still you are constantly doing Bangalore, India Krishna conscious services throughout your life Dear Guru Maharaj, and encouraging the devotees by travelling Please accept my respectful obesiances, throughout the world and inspiring the devotees All glories to Srila Prabhupada. to take preaching Krishna consciousness. Many All glories to you, Gurudev. families have taken up Krishna consciousness due Gurudev, you are the most compassionate per- to Bhakti vriksa happening in their areas. Many son I have seen. Your compassion has no limits. devotees in Bangalore are chanting, Ugram viram You are an ocean of mercy. The lotus feet of the mantra many rounds daily and have also learned spiritual master are the abode of pure devotional to chant the Rina Mocana Narsimha stotram and service. I bow down to your lotus feet with are reciting the Sloka in the evening daily. The great care and attention. It is only through your spiritual master is representative of Lord Krishna. mercy and guidance can this material existence The lord Krishna is most pleased when we glorify be crossed and love of Krishna can be developed. his devotees. Attachment to the lotus feet of spiritual master I have no qualification to glorify you. Please is the best way of spiritual advancement. By your be merciful to me and give me the shade of your mercy all desires for spiritual perfection are ful- lotus feet. Please guide me to be more compas- filled. To be under your care and your guidance sionate and tolerant, so that I can do the Krishna is my good fortune. With the guidance of your conscious services and advance nicely in Krishna guru, Srila Prabhupada and senior acharyas in the conscious activities. parampara and your compassion, you have guided Your servant, many fallen souls like me into Krishna conscious- Lakshita Lalita Devi Dasi, (Diksha) ness. Now there is a very big family of devotees New Rajapur dham, Bangalore, India 54 India Asia All glories to Gaura Nitai! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to you Srila Gurudeva! Please accept my humble obeisances unto your Srila Gurudeva, on the occasion of your lotus feet dear Gurudev! Vyasa puja this year, it is my sincere prayers to Many more HAPPY KRISHNA CONSCIOUS Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Gaura Nitai and Nara- VYASA PUJA DAY GURUDEV... simha Deva to protect you and bless you with good Maybe due to some good karma in my past health and renewed energy to guide all of us, your life or present and by the mercy of the Lord disciples and other vaisnavas. and blessings of the Guru parampara, I'm very I am so insignificant as to recount your glories, fortunate that YOU have given me shelter. yet for my own purification I would like to Kindly bless me and my family to always be in mention some instances by which you have association with the devotees and serve Krishna. inspired so many people like me. Gurudev, since 2013 September, I have been In spite of your ill health and physical diffi- diagnosed with panic attacks and in 2015 it got culties that you were facing recently it was really worst where I was scared to even go out of the house amazing how due to your sheer desire and determi- or stay inside the house. I always used to hold my nation to be in Mayapur before Gaur Purnim you mother's hand. I'm now 34 years old, married and were back in Mayapur, inspiring and encouraging have 2 kids. But the medical report clearly says my all the devotees, in the service of Srila Prabhupada marterial body is fit but fearness kept eating me and Their Lordships. from inside and my Radha seva in Jagannath tem- Recently I also heard from senior devotees as ple ISKCON Bangalore, got stagnant. to how you are always encouraging every devotee, Gurudev, in my previous birth I was a man overlooking any faults you are always engaging who at the age of 24, was paralysed and was bed- your devotees in the service of Lord Krishna. ridden, at the age of 44, I left that body. Maharaj, I was also inspired by your talk during the since 2013 I have this strange feeling that my face, celebration for the Book Marathon. You also head,hands and legs are getting numb. When I go continue to be among the top book distributors. to the emergency room, all my reports are normal. Your dedication to be enthusiastically engaged in Sometimes I can sense that suffering my the service of Prabhupada for his pleasure is really previous body had. Sometimes I'm scared of my amazing. own self. Guru Maharaja, please keep me engaged in Please please please... advice me Gurudev. serving you and Gauranga, inspite of the fact that I need to get back to track, attend bhakti-vriksha, I do not have any qualification or ability to do any- do my Radha seva to the Lord. thing. Please help me and guide me to overcome my anarthas and become a nice devotee, in the Your humble servant, service of The Lordships. Lavanga Radha Devi Dasi (Diksha), Bangalore, India Your insignificant disciple, Lilamayi Rukmini Devi Dasi (Diksha), Dear Gurudeva, Bangalore, India Please accept my most respectful obeisances. 55 Asia India Wishing a very Happy 67th Vyasa Puja Gurudev!!! me with your touchstone like quality that one day Gurudev, kindly accept my humble obeisances this Jagai & Madhai like me also becomes a devotee unto the dust of Your Divine Lotus Feet. in a true sense and spread your glories. Gurudev, kindly forgive me for the countless offences I keep All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti- committing at the feet of so many Vaishanavas. vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your Divine Grace Thank you so Praying to Radha-Madhava, Asta-sakhi vrind, much Gurudev for accepting this unworthy soul Nrsingadev, Pancha-tattava, and Srila Prabhupa- as your disciple. Gurudev, you are like a touch- da to give you good health and to always protect stone, that whoever comes into contact with you you, so that we eternally reside under the shade of is guaranteed of Nitai-Gaur's mercy. Krishna is your Lotus Feet. the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I learnt this only after coming into this ISKCON move- Your unworthy son, ment; more merciful and benevolent is Lord in Maheshwar Advaita Das, (Diksha) the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, delivering Bangalore, India the souls, in this Kali yuga; and more merciful is the Lord in the form of Nityananda prabhu who Dear Gurudev, delivered the greatest of the sinners, Jagai and Wish You a very Happy Krishna Conscious Vyasa Puja. Madhai. Therefore, Gurudev please always touch 56 India Asia I am glad that you have turned 16+(51)... I am life after life. You have kindly accepted me as your reminded of the sweet pastime where there were spiritual daughter even though I am not fit for it, some young devotees and you asked them their your cousless mercy lifted me from the material age and one of them said - “I am 16+”. Immedi- pain and now I am happy in Krishna consciousness. ately you said, “I am also 16+16 +something...” Just Gurudev you always carry and meditate Prabh- love your sense of humour. Even when you were upada's words and instruction and your constant- in ICU you made everyone laugh just by abbrevi- ly serving Srila Prabhupada, it shows how much ating ICU as Intensive Cold Unit. MY KRSNA!! your devoted and commited it is always inspires I just cannot find anyone so caring like you my me to do more services. dear Gurudev. Even though you’re not near to me you'll hear I just love to hear your wonderful pastimes my prayers give solutions to my spiritual and ma- from your senior disciples and other devotees. It is terial problems. simply nectar and I always cherish them. This has Oh! Ocean of mercy please be merciful unto increased my conviction that guru-disciple rela- this fallen and wrecked soul, please keep me tionship is a heart-to-heart relationship, distance always under your lotus feet shelter. Recently I had never matters and my Gurudev understands my big spiritual problem I lost all the hopes in bhakti, desires and mood. Thank you so much. It is only I was in a hopeless condition, I don't know your by your causeless mercy, am able to understand mercy just made miracle in my life and I regained some of your transcendental qualities. lost enthusiasm in my Krishna consciousness. Every time I meditate on your transcendental In this auspicious day I thank Srila Prabhupada quality of SELFLESSNESS, I feel the word ‘SELF- and supreme Lord Madhava for giving me a such a LESS’ in the dictionary must be defined as ‘JAY- wonderful spiritual father. APATAKA SWAMI’. Gurudev please bless our Guru Maharaj please forgive me if I have com- family that selflessly we serve you eternally. Thank mitted any offenses at your lotus feet. you for all the wonderful prayers and blessings. I am chanting extra rounds and vrata for your quick health recovery. Your insignificant servant, Maheshwari Vishnupriya Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Thank you my dear spiritual father. ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannath Dham, Your's spiritual daughter, Bangalore, India Manoharini Gandharvika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Bangalore, India Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisences to your lotus feet. Dear Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj in your auspicious appearance Please accept my respectful obeisances, day I pray at your lotus feet please always fix my All glories to Srila Prabhupada All glories to mind to your lotus feet service and druda bhakti, unto your lotus feet! please remove all bad qwalitees which dis pleas- I’m so insignificant soul but still Im trying to ing to u and make me humble and respected to all glorify you. You are very merciful. All the time you the devotees in any situation,please be my master are thinking about how to give mercy to devotees. 57 Asia India You are so merciful that you even accepted me by your spark of mercy. You are an ocean of love though I have lot of anarthas. Whereever you go and mercy. You have been very merciful to all you the change the whole environment and you conditioned soul and tirelessly working on fulfill- make it like a dham. Inspite of your health condi- ing Srila Prabhupada's mission. In this occasion, tion you are serving Srila Prabhupada all the time, I seek your blessings and mercy so that I can follow but I'm healthy but still I do not get the thought of Krishna consciousness, read and distribute Sri- serving you all the time I feel very guilty. Kindly la Prabhupada's book and serve his divine grace bless me so that I serve you all the time. Guru Maharaj and Gauranga and fullfill Guru Whenever someone asks me Whose disciple Maharaj mission. you are and I say Jayapataka swami. They Your Servant, immediately say, "wow! you are Jayapataka swami Pradeep Moondra, (Aspiring) disciple" But Im not understanding its value. Kindly Bangalore, India bless me that I understand the value of being your Hare Krishna! disciple and share the same to Marwadi commu- Please accept my humble obeisences! nity where I am preaching. I feel I am not so qual- All glories to SriGuru and Gauranga! ified to take bhakti vriksha classes for Whatever Dear Gurudev! I read I also forget, but I have the desire to preach. You are an ocean of mercy. There is no words Please bless me that I share Krishna consciousness to explain how much mercy you have shown to efficiently and bring as many souls as possible unto me.You have taken me from the dark material ex- your lotus feet. istence to spiritual bliss. Sometimes knowingly or unknowingly I am Pranasakhi Lasika Devi Dasi (Diksha), doing vaishnava aparadh, kindly forgive me and Bangalore, India bless me so that I do not repeat it again. Please bless me that I improve my sadhana Respected Guru Maharaja, and always be in the association of His Grace Please accept my humble obeisances on this Caitanya Avatari Prabhu and Her Grace Rasamayi auspicious day of your appearance. All Glories to mataji and all the devotees here through out my Guru Prabhupada. All Glories to Guru Maharaj. life time. I am a conditioned soul who has been touched Your useless servant, by your spark of mercy. I don't feel equipped to Om Krishna Das, glorify his divine grace Guru Maharaj, however ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, don't want to miss this 1st opportunity. You are an Bangalore. India ocean of love and mercy. In this occasion, I seek your blessings so that I can serve my Guru Ma- Respected Guru Maharaja, haraj and Gauranga. Your Servant, Please accept my humble obeisances on this Priti Maheshwari, (Shelter) auspicious day of your appearance. Bangalore, India All Glories to Guru Prabhupada! All Glories to Guru Maharaja! My Dearest Gurudev, I am a conditioned soul who has been touched Please accept my respectful obeisance’s unto 58 India Asia your Lotus Feet. On your most auspicious Vyasa Maha-Mantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Puja Day. All I can say is thank you so much Gu- Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare rudev for your causeless mercy on us. Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, the only savior You are really Causeless Mercy Personified, grace for this age of Kali. you are truly a well-wisher of every soul bring- Queen Kunti prayed, “I wish that all those ing everyone closer to Krishna. You take such calamities would happen again and again so that personal interest in each of us and are amazing tran- we could see You again and again, for seeing You scendental spiritual father and mother. Proof of means that we will no longer see repeated births and Krishna mercy is you accepting us as your disciples. deaths.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.25) You teach us by your own example and have I am not exalted enough to be seeking calami- given your 100% and more to Srila Prabhupada, ties in the course of my service, but when miseries Your Divine Grace is an example of how we are do befall me I think of the intense struggles you not the body but consciousness. How can every faced as you preached and of how you overcame cell of you just give out mercy and preach and them, and in this way I receive the strength to be totally Krishna Conscious? Gurudev in local push on. language Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! I was simply wandering in this material world, You are transcendentally amazing. I am most grateful by your arrangement, I am very Dear Gurudev you have been so kind to me fortunate to have your association and very kind and always been concerned asking me about my and you gave me mercy. The only way that I can back pain and also about our daughter. express my gratitude is by following your instruc- Please forgive me for being so useless and to- tions, trying to preach, chanting sixteen rounds, tally unlike you. Please forgive my offences Dear associating only with devotees, distributing your Gurudev. books, eating only prasadam, becoming very humble and non-offensive towards all Vaiṣṇavas, Seeking your Causeless Mercy, visiting Your unworthy daughter, the Deities, remembering Krishna constantly, and never forgetting Krishna! When Radha Shakti Devi Dasi, (Diksha) we practice this remembrance, we feel safe and ISKCON Seshadripuram, Balanced; and when we don’t, we are frustrat- Bangalore, India ed and unhappy. We can actually feel this love, and as you have said this process is easy for the My Dearmost Gurudev, simple-heated. Please accept our humble obeisances at your Thank you again and again for your cause- lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glo- less mercy and love. Although I do not have any ries to Guru Maharaja! material or spiritual qualification, by the mercy of My dear spiritual father His Holiness Jayapa- your sincere servants and real followers I can still taka Swami Maharaja. continue to be connected to Your service. On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa- My wife Savita is aspiring from you, please Puja, First of all, I Thank You for accepting me bless her in spiritual growth. as your disciple Thank you for giving me the We both have great concern about your 59 Asia India health, since you take so much of allopathic med- that Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna be pleased icine, its good to turn towards holistic treatment by your untiring and relentless service on preach- like Ayurveda and panchagavya. We both pray ing the glories of holy names across towns and to Lord Narashima Dev for your quick recovery villages across the globe. You are so dedicated in so that may Lord give you strength to fulfill Srila serving you spiritual master in all circumstances, Prabhupada mission. disregarding your bodily discomforts that you in- I serve in Sri Jaganatha Mandri, Seshadri spire so many souls to take up chanting the holy puram, Bangalore. I am sector servant overseeing names of Sri Krishna. As sastras proclaim, our 4 Bhakti Vriksha programs. I used to preach in debt to our spiritual master can never be repaid. office during lunch time. Recently I am very much We pray that the supreme Lord always give you the disturbed, since I have lost my IT job. Unable ability to serve him always and that you always re- to perform my seva perfectly. I am looking for- main dear to him and Srila Prabhupada. We pray ward to change my profession to organic farming, for your mercy (although, we are unqualified) so seeking your blessings for the same. Please forgive that we can continue whatever little that we can me for all of the offenses that I may have committed. do to help you in your mission I pray that I may always somehow serve you in the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu eternal- Your insignificant servant, ly! Please forgive me for my innumerable offenses! Ranachora Govinda Das I would like to say “Thank You” for your thank- Bangalore, India less service which you have been doing to the whole world! My dear Gurudeva! Please shower your blessings on us so that we Please accept my respectful obeisances unto can serve you and Sirla Prabhupada mission. your divine lotus feet! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Your insignificant servant of your servant, Wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja! Radhapathi Madhava Das & Family, (Diksha) I pray to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Savita - My Wife, Madhava, Sri Sri Panchatattva, Sri Prahalad Archit - elder Son, 22 years Narasimha deva and Srila Prabhupada to bless you Nitaichandra - younger Son, 14 years, with 108% good health! Bangalore, India My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was lonely and bored, but I tried meditating on your divine lotus Please accept my humble obeiscesnces, feet. All Glories to Guru and Gauranga! My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was fearful, but All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude for My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was depressed, saving me from this ocean of material existence. but I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. If not for your mercy we would have been in the My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was angry, but darkness and be wandering across different uni- I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. verses life after life in different bodies. We pray My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was in-consid60 61 Asia India erate and unable to avoid offending vaishnavas, anarthas which are stumbling blocks in my service to but I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. Srila Prabhupada through your instructions. My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was puffed up Ami to kangala… I’m just a beggar, a beggar at with pride, but I tried meditating on your divine your lotus feet! I beg you to please keep me under the lotus feet. shelter of your divine lotus feet. But for your lotus My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was lusty, but feet, I have no other hope! I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was imperson- Your useless daughter, alistic and empty, but I tried meditating on your Rasamayi Devi Dasi, (Ms. Caitanya avatari Das) (Diksha) divine lotus feet. Bangalore, India My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was confused, but I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. Dearest Guru Maharaj! My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I felt so helpless, Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. but I tried meditating on your divine lotus feet. All glories unto you My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was ashamed of Wish you a very Happy Vyasa Puja 2016. my mind and thoughts, but I tried meditating on On this most auspicious day, would like to take your divine lotus feet. this opportunity to thank you for your unlimited My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was sad and mercy, love and care you have been showering on complaining, but I tried meditating on your all of us. divine lotus feet. Only with your mercy so many new people My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I doubted your have been able to progress in devotional life by love and compassion, but I tried meditating on attending Bhakti Vriksha. So many kids are also your divine lotus feet. taking to Krishna consciousness due to the kids My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was filled with program through showers of your mercy on them. self-pity and agonized, but I tried meditating on The mercy, love and care you show on new your divine lotus feet. members leaves an everlasting impression on My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was embar- their minds inspiring them to progress nicely in rassed, but I tried meditating on your divine lotus devotional life. feet. We were able to witness your unlimited cause- My dear Gurudeva, yesterday I was bitten by less mercy on a recent incident when you were the snake of maya, but I tried meditating on your waiting outside the airport for a new member who divine lotus feet. was on his way to meet you for the first time but Today, my dear Gurudeva, on your divine Vya- was stuck in traffic. He had just started chanting sa Puja, I want to do whatever is necessary to earn since 2 weeks but your showers of kindness on him your friendship and love. With your personal counsel surely touched not only his heart so deeply but there is no place for any kind of confusion. Please! all of us who were there witnessing the incident. Please, bless me and allow me to serve your devotees. Please accept our humble thanks with sincere You are Karunanidhi, an ocean of mercy! Without gratitude for your showers of mercy on all the new your mercy I can NEVER! NEVER! Get over my members and inspiring them to progress nicely in 62 India Asia their devotional services. You are the shining light and inspiration for It is wonderful to see the progress of new thousands of us fallen souls, and have been relent- members with their kids. Many of them are lessly preaching and taking forward the message actively participating in preaching and bringing of Lord Caitanya in spite of all the obstacles and in other new members as well. challenges. With your mercy my brother who was an This made me realise that there is really no atheist had started to chant 16 rounds and is study- room for excuses when it comes to following the ing Srila Prabhupadas books very intensely with instructions of the spiritual master. You're a living so much interest and started preaching Krishna example of what an ideal disciple should be like! consciounesss to friends and family. Your determination to serve Srila Prabhupa- With your mercy, there is a Bhakti Vriksha da is beyond explanation, and it’s because of the being conducted in my parents house as well since deep love and connection that you have with 2 months hosted by mother. Srila Prabhupada - your spiritual father, that On this most auspicious day we thank you for you’re unshakable in any circumstances. A great your unlimited mercy, support, guidance, love and lesson that we all need to learn from you Gurudev. care on all of us. I pray that I may get even a small spec of that We seek your blessings for all of us to make determination and love towards your holiness, so very nice progress in our devotional life and al- that I can live my life more centred around pleasing ways remain under your guidance bring several you and fulfilling your mission & commitments to new people to Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada. Please forgive me for any offenses & I remember one time during the 2006 Mayapur inabilities. parikrama, I had a great fortune to be able to serve Your servant always, you personally. It was late in the evening and Reena while washing your divine lotus feet with warm Bangalore, India water, you were conversing with one of your per- Dear Guru Maharaj sonal servants and as you were speaking to them, Please accept my respectful obeisance at the you suddenly looked into my eyes and said “I want dust of your divine lotus feet. a clean heart!… I want a clean heart…!!”. I was All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. completely in shock for a few minutes. All Glories to your Holiness. I will never forget this moment, as it had a deep On the most auspicious occasion of your 67th impact in my life. I later realised that it’s ONLY Vyasa Puja day, I submit myself to you once again by having a clean heart, that anyone will be able as a helpless child who’s struggling in this material to understand your true position and glories - and world, at your lotus feet. the true essence of our glorious parampara and I beg for your mercy that I may purify myself sublime philosophy. thru this heartfelt offering, so that I can serve you The dangerous vices such as lust, greed, anger with even more determination and faith in the and excessive desire for materialism and prestige months and years to come, for your pleasure and quick cover the heart like a “black blanket”, which the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. makes it hard for us to realise & relish the real 63 Asia India taste of Krishna Consciousness and the position All Glories to Srila Prabhupad! of the Guru. All Glories to Guru Maharaj! Guru Maharaj, today I just want to express my My Dearmost Spiritual Father, heart to you, and submit myself completely to you, Please accept my respectful obeisances! as your spiritual son whose sole purpose and goal It’s your Vyasa Puja day, this is the most auspi- of life is to please you. cious day in my life and in the history of the world. I’ve been tossed around by the three modes of Srila Prabhupada has saved this world, by material nature in the various situations of life giving devotional service in its purity and perfec- over the past few years, and really feel that I need tion. His Divine Grace gave us the most valuable to get more focused and do more. Transcendental gems... The Holy Name, The De- Please give us (our family) the boon of positive ities, The Books, The Temples, The Festivals and association with devotees who can inspire us to The unparalleled personality of your Holy Self... surcharge our devotional practices - to help purify "Srila Jayapataka Swami - The profound disciple of our hearts more and more. Srila Prabhupada..". You are one of the greatest Please forgive me for any offences that I might gift Srila Prabhupada left for us in this world... have committed unto your lotus feet knowingly or Your life in entirety, I see, dedicated solely unknowingly. I yearn to be able to serve you with to your Spiritual Master His Divine Grace, His more focus and determination. Teachings and Mission. In you I see the perfection My wife Vanita and my son Rishabh also share as a disciple. His instructions are the very life-line their heartfelt wishes to your holiness on this most of your existence. auspicious day, and we need your blessings that we People feel transcendental purity, quality in may be able to be the best examples as a Krishna all the temples of our society and you, my dear Conscious family, and perfect our lives by always Father has given the world of devotees opportuni- keeping Krishna in the centre. ty to dwell in Krishna Consciousness unlimitedly On this most auspicious day we pray to Lord Nrsingadeva to protect you at all times, so that you can continue traveling and preaching in every town and village. Please give us the taste in chanting the holy names, and executing positive devotional service. Guru Maharaj Ki Jaya! Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya!! Your eternal spiritual son, Shabda Hari Das, Vanita Siddharth, Rishabh, Bangalore, India 64 India Asia in Mayapur Dham. It is an unlimited treasure may miss the greatest of opportunity for such an of devotional service, well perceived from Srila association, due to some complications. But with Prabhupada and well Implemented to the core of a simple change of attitude one can see you. perfection. Insignificant souls like me get to live My Dear Gurudeva! inside the campus, the facility automated so every Today on this most auspicious day, I beg for devotional service is performed with great bliss your mercy to bless me with a tinge of dedication "Thushyanti Ca Ramanthi Ca"... The experience to serve your holy self, for your mission is non-dif- of living as a dust particle in the Lotus Feet of ferent from Srila Prabhupad's mission practically Lord Caitanya "Aslisya va patha Rathaam"!!! implemented. "Srila Prabhupada mano bishtam You revealed the Holy Dham to the world and sthapitham ena bhuthale" the innermost confidential secret treasure houses of devotional services in Navadweep, unknown to the world before. We are all blissfully enjoying the such dedication and clarity beyond all odds. facilities... created by you with great effort and Kindly bless me so that I remain your servant dedication. We are yielding unlimited amount of even life after life... I cannot imagine a life with- Spiritual benefits and still you stay humble... out you, you are the life-line of my very existence! Kindly bless me so that I will serve you with In the world where we see hypocrisy, With love, command, control and great proudness for tiny Your humble servant and spiritual daughter, contribution... Even after distributing all the Santha Gopi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) greatest wealth, you stay simple and approach- Bangalore, India -able... Many times I wonder is it a dream, does a personality like this can ever exist?!! Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja, comes to attract the conditioned souls back to Please accept my respectful obeisances, His abode... and you are one of His magic for this All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! purpose! Guru Maharaja, it is indeed a great fortune for You are a perfect "Model" of the spiritual world. me to write this mail to you, on the occasion of This magic has simply worked wonders on me and your Vyasa Puja celebrations. so many others and have transformed "coal to It has been over three years now since I have soul"!!! been introduced to the Krishna Consciousness You are visible to a simple and uncomplicated process. Ever since I took my first step in this heart. My heart cry for those who are missing to spiritual journey, my whole life has changed and know a personality like Yourself being present on my perception about everything around me has this earth. changed. Alas! First of all, Guru Maharaja, I would like to What a loss for them! What a loss for them! express my sincere gratitude to you for accepting Its really bewildering how conditioning a worthless soul like me as your initiated disciple. works... As mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.1.1.1 The Lord showered His blessings on me last year Despite you are just there... and they don't see during Narasimha Chaturdasi when He consid- you. Krishna's Maya is really powerful and one ered me worthy enough to meet you for the first 65 Asia India time and to be initiated under your lotus feet. fallen soul like me and giving me an opportunity Although my first meeting with you was very to serve you in my limited capabilities. I look short, I felt as though I had known you for ages! forward to more such opportunities in future. I recollected some of my seniors mentioning the Guru Maharaj, I know that there is a lot more same when they met you for the first time. that I can do to serve you and the Lord. I seek After initiation, life took a big turn in a your blessings and pray for your mercy so that I am positive way. While I felt more secure than before, constantly in the association of devotees who guide I realised the need and desire to do more ser- me in my spiritual journey. I pray to Sri Sri Radha vice at your lotus feet. In addition to continuing Madhav and Lord Jagannath for your good health my humble services like chanting, reading Srila so that you may continue to spread the message of Prabhupada’s books, listening to your lectures, Srila Prabhupada and uplift more fallen souls. doing small transcriptions, helping in projects Your humble servant, on value education, I have also been helping Shobhamayi Kesavi Devi Dasi, my husband (Rangamaya RamaKrishna Das) in New Rajapur Jagannath Dham, his preaching endeavors. I seek your blessings, Bangalore, India Guru Maharaj, to increase the intensity of my Dear Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, devotional service with the guidance of my Please accept my respectful obeisance. seniors. I have joined ISKON couple of years back I was truly blessed when I got the golden through Caitanya Avatari prabhu – New Rajapur opportunity to be in your association when you Jagannath Dham- Bangalore. I like preaching were in transit via Singapore in January 2016. methodology which clarifies the doubt if any From the moment I saw you at the airport till the and guidance given to individual enhancing in time I left your hotel room, I would like to cherish spiritual life. I have realized power of maha mantra every moment spent in your association. It was a and I have been always active in kirtan/chanting completely blissful evening!! I was truly amazed I am thankful to Guru Maharaj for his at your humility and the compassion that you devotional support and always inspired us. showed on all your devotees was overwhelming!! Due to my ignorance, I did commit many mistakes Your ever servant, that evening. I would like to mention a few here. Smita Lambe, I cut an apple into many small pieces when you Bangalore, India had asked only six pieces. I called you Maharaj a couple of times instead of Guru Maharaj. Just the My Dear Guru Maharaj way a parent would correct a small child, you were On this event please accept my humble very merciful to correct my mistakes. I considered offerings. I pray to lord Nrisingh dev to give myself the most fortunate child at that time. strength to take care of surrendered and sheltered Finally when you mentioned that the apples souls and guide with your teachings and blessings were very tasty because they were filled with BQ to go back to God head Sri Krishna. (Bhakti Quotient), I was completely speechless!! I was not sure how can I make my parents Thank you Guru Maharaj, for understanding a Krishna's devotees. But with your causeless 66 India Asia mercy both are sheltered at lotus feet and waiting All glories to you on this auspicious day of for initiation. Also Myself and Vishnu priya are your vyasapuja.” chanting 16 rounds aspiring initiation from you. om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjan- salakaya Please shower your mercy upon us guide these caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah surrendered souls. "I offer my respectful obeisance’s unto my We always feel You are living force in us and spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. you always guide us in our preaching Krishna dhyana mulam guru murti Consciousness. puja mulam gurur padam, mantra mulam gurur vakyam, We all need your Guidance to attain Krishna moksha mulam guru kripa prema. Please accept my humble obeisances, I pray Translation: The Guru's form is the best Lord Nrisimha deva to shower his mercy in you to to meditate upon; the Guru's feet are the best take care of these fallen souls. for worship; the Guru's word is the mantra; the Your humble servant, Guru's Grace is the root of liberation. (Guru Gita Srinivasa Varada & Vishnu priya, - Skanda Purana Dialogue between Siva and Uma Bangalore, India (Shakti)). By your mercy upon me I am indebted to you, Dear Srila Guru Maharaja as a disciple I am trying to serve you in the ar- Please accept my humble obeisance. eas of Bhakti Vriksha, youth preaching and cor- All glories to Srila Prabhupada. porate preaching as well. Not much advanced in 67 Asia India my own bhakti because of lots of confusion in me. aspiring devotees. I want to dedicate my life for Krishna, that way Wishing you a glorious and most wonderful and I can serve more and more to spread this Gaura transcendental vyasa puja. Wishing you the best Katha. In daily life having so many challenges to and best of physical health and may you inspire lead life both in spiritual and material as well if us and shower us with your compassion and love. I don’t have this Love of Chanting the maha On this auspicious day, I, the most insignificant mantra that would have been worst to me, at least and fallen soul, pray that you may accept me and I saved by your unlimited mercy. Whenever forgive me for all my faults and uplift me. Kindly I am not able to manage I used to remember also bless and forgive all my family members and your holiness and Krishna nama that is the only all the conditioned living entities with the best hope to this poor soul. Gurudev I am not able to and purest of Krishna Prema. carry your orders as I committed please forgive me, Thanking you again and again for accepting I don’t know since how long I have been taking this me and showering your causeless mercy and com- material bodies without purpose, as I realized this passion. Will always remember to pray for your health. is the right and meaningful life as Krishna’s plan I met you, in this process I can achieve to reach Your most insignificant servant, the supreme abode by performing bhakti yoga Subhadra Mayi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) with potency of all great vaishnava’s, acharyas and Bangalore, India sadhus. I beg you to your lotus feet please allow me to serve you life after life after life that is my All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! dream. Please show your mercy on me to survive. All Glories to Gurudeva! Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Lord Krishna is an ocean of mercy, but Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Gauranga gives flood of devotion in which we Hare Rama Hare Rama can drown and achieve Krishna prema very easily. Rama Rama Hare Hare Nityananda mahaprabhu is even more compas- Your Insignificant Disciple sionate that he delivers Jagai and Madhai. And Srivatsa Syamasundara Das (Diksha), Gurudeva you are His parshad. You are here to Bangalore, India. give us Nitai Krpa. How much more lucky can this soul get! Your encouragement and enthusiasm is My dear Guru Maharaj. what is my driving force for my sadhana. Without Please accept my humble obeisances. you this fallen soul is nothing but just immersed All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. in the material world. But Gurudev, your presence All glories to Guru and Gauranga! makes everything possible. Your mercy can make a All glories to Sri Radha Madhava. blind man see n a lame man walk. Your mercy and All glories to Sri Narasimhadev. compassion opens my eyes from the darkness of All glories to Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, ignorance. Please let me be in your service always Subhadramayi. even though I am too wretched to deserve that. Your eternal daughter, All glories to Srimati Tulasi Maharani. Shruti sheth (Subhashini Gopi) All glories to all the glorious Vaisnavas and all 68 India Asia (Daughter of H.G.Sahishnu Krishna Das and become a proper disciple. I feel, in the last one H.G. Ishani Radhika Devi Dasi- ex Balaramdesh) year, Krishna has kindly blessed my family of your disciples (Hari Purushotham Das, Devai Madhavi Dearest Guru Maharaj, Devi Dasi and Palika Vraja Gopi Devi Dasi) and Please accept my humble obeisances at the me with some more attachment to your lotus feet. I've had several questions on vaishnava dealings dust of your lotus feet! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! and by your mercy, I have somewhat become more All Glories to your Holiness & this auspicious peaceful and understood how to go about spiritual life in trying situations. I have a very long way appearance day! Gurudev, as always I do not know where to be- to go to become even an apparent vaishnava. Gu- gin to thank you or glorify you or find the right rudev, I beg you for your mercy to always keep me words to say the right things. I'm dumbfounded at the service of your lotus feet and never keep me by the extreme causeless mercy you continuously away from this only real treasure. I'm hard hearted shower on me! Whether it is my day to day deal- and desperately in need of your mercy, Gurudev. ings or some service I am trying for your pleasure, You are an Acarya in every sense of the term and I feel your mercy more and more, blessing me. I I beg Krishna to keep me forever engaged in your know my crippled mind and empty heart would service and increase my engagement in the not be able to do much or handle situations or do service of your lotus feet. Please kindly bless me any service; if anything works out for the better, it with understanding that I stop being arrogant is only by your causeless mercy. I sincerely pray to and am blessed with remembrance of Krishna and Lord Gauranga that I may understand this better. Gauranga. Dear Gurudev, you give us disciples instruc- I sincerely pray to Srimati Tulsi Maharani and tions to carry out services, but it is actually your Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Ananta Dev for your mercy that even makes the service happen and we well being Gurudev. We pray at all temples during end up getting the spiritual credit - this is your our pilgrimages for your health and well being. amazing causeless mercy! Your astounding preaching spirit, commitment to Srila Prabhupada, Your eternal servant and disciple, vaishnava dealings and love for all living Sulakshana Gopi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) beings is a constant flow of inspiration for the en- Bangalore, India tire vaishnava community. Every step of the way, Dear Guru Maharaj, you guide us so lovingly, even in your apparent Please accept my respectful obeisances, bodily unwell state. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, All glories to unto your lotus feet, By the mercy of our godbrothers and god sisters who serve you personally, we are able to When I first met you I prayed that you be my hear about your glories on a regular basis and spiritual master and after 3 years I took initiation this infuses an ever fresh inspiration in my heart. from you.Inspite of that I’m so insignificant, you By Krishna's mercy I have come to understand a still accepted me as your disciple. Thank you so little more deeply that your Holiness is our real much Guru Maharaj. You are very merciful, I had a little desire to ultimate savior. I still have a very long way to even 69 Asia India serve you when I came to mayapur dham and you lotus feet. immediately fulfilled it by giving some kitchen Guru Maharaj, we have no qualification to service. speak about you. But on this auspicious occasion Whatever I read or hear I do not remember; of your appearance day it is a great opportunity please bless me so that I remember them. Kindly for us to speak about you and get purified. Two bless me to be in the association of devotees and years back we went door to door for damodara always serve Jagannath, Baladeva and Subadra.I arati in Kartik month for your pleasure. Although would love to preach to matajis in Marwadi com- you were undergoing treatment for your liver that munity. Kindly bless me.Please bless that soon my time, you were also constantly thinking about husband Om Krishna Das's sister and my sister suffering souls in this material world and helping take up Krishna consciousness. them. That gave us a lot of inspiration to serve you. You are an ocean of mercy. From Prabhupada Your useless servant, you are receiving lord Chaitanya's mercy and giv- Sumukhi Nandini Devi Dasi, (Diksha) ing it to every one unlimitedly and uncondition- ISKCON New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, ally gaura-prema. We don’t know any one more Bangalore, India merciful than you, Guru Maharaj. We are more fortunate to take your darshan on Radhastami I offer my respectful unto your lotus feet. time at Mayapur. Even though it was late you Dear Guru Maharaj, spoke to each one of us and bestowed your mercy Happy Krishna conscious birthday! I must be and blessings on us like a rain. Your personal blessed that I'm even writing this letter to you. attention to every devotee has deeply impressed And have this opportunity to glorify you. us. Whenever we get chance to take your dar- I have been in Krishna conscious for 8 years shan or hear Lord Caitanya's pastimes or Prabhu- now. And it is all because of your mercy that our pada's katha it turned out to be always transcen- family has got Krishna consciousness today. My dental. Dear Guru Maharaj recently Mayapur mom and dad are initiated and looking at them parikrama Gaura! Gaura! Gaura! pastime at help you to reach your goal, I'm inspired by them. Gaura-dhaha was nectarian. Your smile, your And have a strong desire to join you in this jour- laugh, every action is sweet and nectarian. There ney to spread Krishna consciousness. I hope that is no hope for us without your mercy to cross this by yours and gaurangas mercy I can join all the material world. We pray to you to bestow your wonderful devotees to spread Krishna conscious- blessings, so that we can always remember and ness and be of some help. meditate on your's and Srila Prabhupada's instructions. Your servant, Sunaina, (Shelter) Your insignificant servants, Bangalore, India Sureshbabu A, Viniya, (Shelter) Bangalore, India Dear Guru Maharaj Please accept our respectful obeisance to your My Dear Guru Maharaj, 70 India Asia Please accept our respectful obeisance’s unto Your insignificant servants, your lotus feet. Tirth Caitanya Das, (Diksha), All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Saranagathi Gopika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) All Glories to your Holiness!!! Bh Puja,Bh Abhishek, This day the Vyasa Puja of my Guru Maharaj ISKCON Jagannath mandir, Seshadripuram, is a very glorious moment, for only on this day we Bangalore, India have the rare opportunity of glorifying you even though we are not qualified to do so. You also men- Dear Guru Maharaja, tioned in one of your Vyasa Puja address that by Please accept my respectful obeisances. glorifying ones Spiritual master on his Vyasa Puja All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! day the disciple becomes free from all offenses I came into Krishna Consciousness about four committed knowingly or unknowingly. You have years back and I have been practising it by attend- accepted foolish conditioned souls like us as your ing Bhakti Vriksha classes under the guidance of disciples even though we don’t have any qualities His Grace Caitanya Avatari Das, His Grace Rasa- to be so. But still out of your causeless mercy you mayi Devi Dasi and His Grace Vaisnavananda have kept us under your shelter suffering, because Nitai Das. After coming to Krishna Conscious- of our Karmas. In spite of your age and health ness, I have been able to attain peace of mind. limitations, you are travelling untiringly spread- I have been chanting 16 rounds of Hare ing the message of Lord Caitanya, in every nook Krishna Mahamantra and 10 rounds of Ugram and corner of this world trying to deliver fallen Viram mantra daily, which makes me happy for souls like us from this material world. You are a the whole day. true representative of Srila Prabhupada always Last year, I was fortunate to get initiated by engaged in serving him. You have taken up the you during Narasimha Caturdasi. I feel extremely mission of Srila Prabhupada as your life and soul. grateful to you for having initiated me. I also feel But we feel that we have done nothing for the thankful for receiving the opportunity of visiting shelter that you given us. Please shower your mer- the holy place of Mayapur. cy so that we may serve you in every possible way At the latter half of 2015, I got the wonderful to the best of our capacities. opportunity of meeting you in close proximity in On this glorious Vyasa puja day, I would like Bangalore and receiving your blessings. to inform you that we have crossed the 50 plus I have had the good fortune of learning mark of Bhakthi Vrkshas including some manjaris some of the important slokas like Narayaniyam, in Seshadripuram temple. This has been possible Bhagavad Gita, Visnu Sahasranamam, etc. (all by your causeless mercy. being glorification of the Supreme Lord) at a very We pray that you shower your mercy, so that young age. Over the past two decades, I have, in we may achieve the target discussed between us my limited capacity, been passing this knowledge during your last visit to Bangalore. on the various shlokas among devotees across On this day our sincere prayers to Lord multiple geographies through online sessions. Nrsimhadev to keep you always under his While the focus of these sessions has been more protection. on reciting the shlokas with the correct pronun71 Asia India ciation and tune, I have strived to also incul- Guru Maharaja. Never have I seen you speak cate the meaning behind some of the important independent of Srila Prabhupada. You always slokas as a part of these sessions. recollect and relate what Srila Prabhupada said Further, I have also taken the opportunity of or did when you speak on any subject. I have sharing my experiences of being with the Krishna always listened to your speech with Awe and Consciousness movement among these devotees Reverence and amazed at however after so many so that they can also benefit and consider being a years, all of Srila Prabhupada 's memories are part of this great journey. deeply imbedded in your memory. I realize Lastly, through my culinary skills, I have made that without complete surrender, Deep Love, the most of any opportunity wherein I can prepare Attachment and Respect such recollection cannot nice bhoga / prasadam for the Lord. happen. Guru Maharaj, the above are some of my in- I also had a personal realization of this significant attempts to help you in your untir- aspect of you Srila Gurudeva, which I would like ing efforts to abide by your commitments to Srila to share here. In August 2014, while I was your Prabhupada, in spreading the word of Guru and sheltered disciple, I wrote my Vyasa Puja Gauranga. Offering to Srila Prabhpada. In that offering I was I seek your blessings to be able to continue on sharing my realization that Srila Prabhupada 's this path and help you in this journey. appearance on Earth was just to give out his causeless mercy. While doing so, I landed up Your humble servant, begging him to bless me so that his wonderful Varadayini Yasoda Devi Dasi, (Diksha) spiritual son, your Divine Grace may accept New Rajapur Jagannath Dham, me as your initiated disciple soon. Your health Bangalore, India condition at that timeGuru Maharaja, was very poor and I was not even sure as to when I could My dear Guru Maharaja, evenget to meet you let alone get initiation from All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, All Glories to you. To add to my distress, you were also taken ill Guru & Gauranga! seriously due to your liver condition, admitted Please accept my humble Obeisancesat your to a hospital in Delhi and remained in ICU for Lotus feet. few months. The entire ISKCON Community On this auspicious occasionof Vyasa Puja of and other well wishers were praying to Srila Pra- your Holiness, please permit me to place my hum- bhupada and Krishna for your recovery. To my ble offering at your lotus feet. While I am fully amazement, In January2015, in about 4 months conscious of the fact that I have no qualification, time of my request to Srila Prabhupada, you came I certainly know that by your causeless mercy directly from Delhi Hospital to Chennai and I can speak a few words in your glorification. Guru showered your mercy on myself, my wife and my Maharaja, I have no words to describe your mood ageing parents and initiated us. I can contribute of Surrender and attachment to your Guru this turn of events to nothing other than your Maharaja Srila Prabhupada. This realization direct keeps coming to me every time I hear you speak Prabhupada and your complete surrender to him, 72 communication channel with Srila India Asia due to which you took great risk with your health completely attached and surrendered to your condition to fulfill a request made by an insignif- lotus feet. Please forgive me for all the offenses icant servant to your beloved Spiritual Master that I have knowingly or unknowingly committed Srila Prabhupada. How else should I understand at your lotus feet, to all my God Brothers and God this pastime Guru Maharaja? I would also like Sisters and to all theVaishnavas & Vaishnavis at to recollect your mood of how a disciple sees his large and bless me so that I can remain your faith- Service in comparison to his Guru Maharaja's ful servant eternally. Service. You had in Aug 2015, visited Bangalore Your insignificant servant, and also participated in the Ratha Yatra festival. Vidhura Madhava Das (Diksha), While everyone was really amazed and glorify- Bangalore, India ing you for your tireless service to ISKCON in spite of your severe health condition for the past Dear Gurudev, several years, you simply talked about the difficul- Please accept our respectful Obeisances! ties that Srila Prabhupada underwent at such a We are very insignificant souls to glorify you. ripe age to establish ISKCON and give Krishna We have heard from senior devotes instances that Consciousness to everyone and that whatever when you are present whole place get a dham is being done now is nothing compared to Sri- vibration and every individual soul from duki get la Prabhupada 's Service under such difficult transformed to suki. In the kirtan mela 2015 when circumstances and age. I seek your blessings the devotees asked you to participate you said that so that I could follow in your footsteps and be I am not great singer to participate but when you 73 Asia India sang the kirtan the Pancha Tattva started shower- to perform their devotional service properly. ing their happiness which was visible by everyone. Your advice and instruction are coming true Even in a tireless condition you make sure you once you travel to African countries you plan to preach to the condition souls to awaken the dor- go for preaching places you advice the care takers mant Krishna consciousness like when you are hos- that we take the darshan of deities and leave for pitals you preach to the doctors, nurses and other the program but it was too late they took you for patients and you have given them shelter at your the preaching place but on the way the car met lotus feet. As we understand that when Narada with an accident then you explained them that Muni gave a minute association to the hunter he why I told you to take the darshan of the deities became a devotee same way any conditional soul and when attend the preaching program you nev- associates with you he becomes a great devotee. er expressed that you have met with an accident and your total consciousness about how to deliver Your love for god brothers and Srila Prabhupa- the condition soul. da is very exuberant you try to serve them every We can declare that we are very fortunate to minute of your life. Every time you try to glorify have spiritual father like you but you mercifully Srila Prabhupada and gratitude shown by you to accepted us as your disciples. We pray at your lo- his divine grace is un explainable. Please bless us to tus feet to bless us to get the love of godhead. have the same gratitude to our senior vaishnavas. Your insignificant servants, Your song written on Srila Prabhupada “yadi Pra- Vijaygaura Krishna Das, (Diksha) bhupada na hoito” is eye weeping song which you Daivi prakriti Devi Dasi, (Diksha) love the Srila Prabhupada so much. We under- Bangalore, India stand from your care takers that whenever your My dear spiritual father, BP levels are high and when get an opportunity to Please accept my respectful obeisances. see devotees at that instant your BP level reduces All glories to Srila Prabhupada! drastically that shows that you given every inch All glories to Your Divine Grace! of your life for devotees. You mercy on the condi- This last year, we have seen challenge after tion soul is very amazing like a honey bee it try to challenge thrown at you, ranging from continuous find the honey in the flowers same way you find physical issues you face, whenever you strain your un identifiable goodness in the condition soul body beyond limits, to the most thorny manageri- and encourage them serve the lordship and make al conundrums which get created. them great vaishnava’s by taking all there karma Each such challenge only seems to make you even the deva devatas will not do the same. more determined to increase your service to Srila You are so self less whenever you pray for Prabhupada. the lordship you are only concerned about the We generally talk about devotees being beyond ISKCON projects, Srila Prabhupada instructions the modes of material nature, but talk is cheap. and disciples all your prayers are surround this When it comes to action, we quickly compromise things not even a second you pray for yourself with our strongest material and spiritual desires even at the helpless condition. Even at helpless or aversions. condition you make others happy and make them But we have a wonderful magic formula to save 74 India Asia us at these times: with the same vigor as you used to do before your The moment we remember you and your stroke! pastimes, we realise what is the actual standard Please shower your causeless mercy and bless for devotees: to be in a happy mood whenever we me, my family, and our services to you! are with devotees and serving them, no matter Your spiritual son, WHAT unpleasantness we face from others, or Vijay Venugopal Das, (Diksha) Bangalore, India from material nature, or from our own minds. Even more difficult is to be steady in mind My dear Srila Gurudeva, even when we receive the best gratification for Please accept my respectful obeisances at your our senses and mind. lotus feet and please shower your causeless mercy But nowadays we are so fortunate, thanks to on this fallen disciple of yours. Today is such an our dear godbrothers and -sisters worldwide, that auspicious day. On this day I would like to remem- every single day someone sends the latest news of ber and glorify all the qualities of yours. They are your pastimes. Or extracts from your pastimes. Or unlimited. your action photographs. So we are always with Without your mercy we cannot cross over the you. This is our biggest protection from Maya. ocean of material nescience and obtain Krishna A couple of days ago, in the last hour of sleep, Prema (Devotional service) Today is the auspi- I dreamt of you. You were fully cured, and you em- cious appearance day of your Holiness and a very braced me in a very special way! That joyous feel- important day in our lives, your disciples. Oh Gurudeva just by totally depending on you all the difficulties can be solved. Oh Gurudeva again I beg for your mercy because I have no other hope. Please help me to overcome my anarthas and all I desire is to be in your divine service always and to fulfill your mission to Srila Prabhupada. I want to preach, please give me your mercy so that they can all surrender unto your lotus feet. I pray at your lotus feet to please bless me so that I can accept your instructions as my life and soul. Please allow me to serve you eternal- ing is still with me. I believe dreams one gets at ly without any deviation. this time come true!!!! On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja I Please stay with us for decades more. You are pray that Sri Sri Narasimha Deva protects you al- more important to ISKCON than one million of ways in your preaching mission. Please forgive me us. There are many small children who already for any mistakes committed while trying to glorify love you deeply, and you must give them initiation your divine qualities. Your Unworthy Daughter, when they grow up. And their children too! We humbly pray to Lord Caitanya, that soon Vijaya Bhakti Devi Dasi, (Diksha) he should make you walk, talk, swim, and dance New Rajapur Jagannatha Dham, Bangalore 75 Asia India Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, shelter to my niece when in Singapore. With this, Please accept my humble Obeisance, all members from our family feel safe under your All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! care..a la Vasudeva kutumbakam. Dear Guru Maharaja, In our own limited ways, we have been carry- Another year has passed by since I last wrote to ing our Bhakti Vriksha preaching – both online you as part of my last Vyasa puja offering. During and through face-to-face. These sessions include this period, you have faced tougher challenges on participation from people of all age groups spread the health front. across multiple geographies. We do see some of Each time, you have exemplified your deter- these participants changing into serious devotees. mination and will power to fight against all odds Further my experiments with my culinary skills to continue with your single-minded mission of continue to develop through my cooking and dis- spreading the commitments to Srila Prabhupada. tributing prasadam among devotees praying for For anyone to thus go on spreading message of the their spiritual progress. I also had an opportunity Lord during the most difficult of times is really of being part of the cooking team when you were inspiring to ordinary souls like us. A case in point in Bangalore last year. That I could be in your is even when you were admitted to the ICU, your proximity and be in the same room during this effort to give Krishna to the doctors and nurses time gave me great joy and satisfaction. across all communities and religions, reiterating Also, my passion for singing kirtans has also to them the importance of chanting and while you helped us to start a monthly session purely fo- were in the ICU is so very humbling. cused at singing Kirtans with a good participation I am really humbled by your energy levels, from devotees. I also had the chance to lead a kir- positivity, devotion and determination exhibited tan among devotees while awaiting your arrival in at all times oblivious of all the challenges you Bangalore last year. encounter, Guru Maharaja. Your eagerness to meet As the Lord says in the Bhagavad Gita, if we new devotees, ability to converse with all and all take one step towards the Lord, He takes many on varied subjects, patience to listen and empa- more steps towards us. So true in my own instance, thize with concerns expressed by many, keenness wherein my forays into unchartered pursuits like to get into minute details, memory to recount from cooking and singing have both found reasonable incidents and meetings that happened decades acceptance among the devotees who are always back etc. have all enhanced my respect and love encouraging. for you more and more. While pursuing these activities, I feel I am only I wish to again express my gratitude and thank- contribution a fraction of my abilities. My mind fulness to you for accepting someone like me under still meanders to activities that are more direct- your spiritual care and guidance. I hope and pray ed to pleasing the senses at the mundane material that I am inspired further and able to imbibe even platform. a fraction of the above stated qualities of yours. We continue to pray for your speedy recov- During this year gone by, my brother and his ery so that you can continue with your mission to wife along with our mother were provided initi- spread the word of the Lord to more people. Please ation by you. Further, you were also kind to offer feel free to order me to take up any service which 76 India Asia can help your mission albeit even in a small way. distribution as usual at different places. Your humble servant, I was meditating on your above instruction. Vishweshwar Govinda Das, (Diksha) So I tried to go out and assist other devotees who Bangalore, India were doing book distribution. However stock of books collected by me were Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj, as it is. Please accept my humble obeisances at the By your causeless mercy something miraculous dust of your lotus feet. was awaiting. I'm not yet all qualified to glorify your great- I gave one Bhagavad Gita as it is to one ness. visitor in a Hanuman temple. After few days this Like a small child's broken words bring plea- person kept calling for few days and placed order sure to parent. Hope this offering bring pleasure for his friends, relatives, office colleagues. Soon, to you. the stock of books I had got, distributed without I would like to narrate an instance which took any effort. place some time back for your pleasure. Thank you Guru Maharaja for your causeless When you visited ISKCON Jagannath Mandir mercy. in 2008-9, in lecture your mentioned, help other Also in your recent visit you mentioned the devotees to excel in their devotional service. example of Dhruva maharaj, how when he was Then Krishna will be very much pleased and going back home his mother was also going in we can make good progress. another plane. This seems to be a simple statement. However You mentioned similarly one who is involved this turned out to be great miracle. in the Bhakti Vriksha preaching will also have a In that year, during book marathon, group chance to go back home. of bhakti vriksha devotees were doing book This is such a great inspiration. 77 Asia India You are practically demonstrating every mo- and organ both collectively and individually ment, preaching is the essence in spite of so much starting from brain and made your body to be just physical inconvenience. a static deity and the pujaris are maintaining this On this auspicious occasion of your vyasa puja wonderful talking deity. We as a family pray to their lordship Sri Sri Jagan- Despite her such attempt and attempt of my nath, Baladev Subadra, sudarshan, Sri Sri Laxmi being sinful, you have accelerated the velocity of Narasima, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabh- your loving devotional service mani a times than upada to give you good health and protect you ever before, to Guru and Gauranga! And on the from all dangers. So that you continue to spread other side, You gave maya a new temple along the mission and inspire many thousands of souls with association of Sri Caitanya Mahprabhu and to take up devotional service to Krishna. reminded her of her name Simantini devi and her We beg forgiveness for any offence committed chanting the holy name. Srila Haridas Thakur did at your lotus feet and seek blessings to practice a similar thing to maya. high standard of sadhana bhakti which will please Your magnanimity forgives my anarthas and Hari, Guru, Vaisnavas mistakes/aparadas each time and giving more and more chances to me with a hope that someday Your humble insignificant servants, I shall turn into a devotee of Lord Caitanya! Visvapti Krishna Das, (Diksha) 24 Hours both day and night you are con- Suvarna Vihar Lila Devi Dasi, (Diksha) stantly engaged in the service of our beloved Gauranga and Rangarupa, Srila Prabhupada blissfully. When Prabhupada says Bangalore, India don't waste time or how emergency is this Krishna Consciousness for each and every soul or words My dear eternal Spiritual Father Guru Ma- with meaning to this effect, I appreciated and felt haraj! the seriousness to become Krishna Conscious. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! But however, when I try to observe your thoughts, Nobody is qualified to glorify you or con- words, and activities irrespective of time place and ceive your glories. But by your mercy even a very circumstances, I was able to understand a little bit very fallen and wretched person can glorify you. as to how should I engage my time each moment Taking advantage of this mercy my humble attempt in the service of Guru Maharaj. It is amazing to would express my mind in your glorification. see you spending each moment of your time so You are sakshad Hari and perfect repre- expertly to be used every bit of it in unadulter- sentative of Govinda! You are a non-stoppable ated service to Srila Prabhupada and Gauranga!. exalted personality in the service of Srila You are one of the perfect live examples to exhibit Prabhupada which is the mission of Sri Caitanya the loving relationship of a true disciple to Srila Mahprabhu. Am seeing in you the ahaituki and Prabhupada! apratihata attitude of service in separation from Your love is unlimited, Your mercy flow in all Guru and Gauranga! directions to reach out to every one in every nook Taking advantage of my anarthas and being and corner of the world. Your munificientness sinful nature, maya has crushed your every limb in giving Nityananda Prabhus Krupa to one and 78 79 Asia India all ensures no one is deprived of it including the more than this! tribes! Oh my dear Guru Maharaj, I can understand how merciful Lord Caitanya Jagannatha Swami Nayanapatakami and Nityananda Prabhu without reservations, by Nayanapatakami Bhavatume. observing how merciful you are to me. I heard you sing this and repeated after you. But My dear Lord! Am so fallen, so fallen, so But in my heart following the above stanza auto- fallen that even after you give me several chances matically raised from inside again and again and again and again, still I lose all Jayapataka Swami Nayanapatakami tastes, the moment am away from you. Am such Nayanapatakami Bhavatume. a rascal that despite getting special and personal Now the alter of my heart seem complete! mercy from your amazing lotus feet still I did not At the end of my offering, on this most develop any taste for the chanting of the Holy- auspicious day of my life I beg from you dear Guru name. I have no other shelter but you! Kindly Maharaj, please energise me, engage me and make forgive my offenses and mistakes on this most me do what you desire me to do while blessing me auspiscious day of my life, by giving an extra ounce in such a way that the mood and consciousness of your divine mercy and accept me as one of the of me at this time of writing to you as fully ab- dust particles under your lotus feet and kindly sorbed in your thoughts never vanish from me and don't cast me away. increase love for you and gauranga and Radha I am surprised to see in myself exactly what Madhav unlimitedly within my heart. I heard that Srila Bhakti Siddanta Saraswati Goswami Takore, the life and soul of Srila Your good for nothing disciple very very fallen, Prabhupad, said that, "this is not soul, but coal. Vrajesvara Gaura Das (Diksha), How much ever you wash it remains black" Guru Bangalore, India Maharaj!. Am sure you have taken an uncalculated risk for me selflessly by showering Jai Srila Prabhupada please accept my humble Your mercy causelessly on me, oh dear father! obedience. Jai Guru Maharaj! Oh Sri Caitanya Mahprabhu! Oh Nityananda Please consider this fallen soul prayers and Prabhu! Oh Advaita Acarya! Oh Srila Prabhu- make my life purified by serving you & Gauranga pada!! You all gave me such a wonderful merci- Mahaprabhu all through my life and life after life... ful exalted perfect Spiritual Master, where as I am Jai Gurudev! so wretched and conditioned and so fallen that You are merciful to all conditional soul... I just I don't have any qualification to even see His love my Guru Maharaj for unconditional love and shadow. So On this most auspiscious day of my life mercy on all living creatures such a live example I pray and beg this one benediction that please as every devotees knows about this how merciful make this good for nothing Vrajeshwar Gaura and gloryfing nature and dedication towards the Das to capture the mood and vibration of my be- mission of Srila Prabhupada., you are simply won- loved spiritual father and be a wonderful suitable derful my Guru Maharaj. disciple to Him as He took the risk for me and He I am blessed to be your disciple. My life will is very very dear to you all!!! I ask of you nothing complete only when I fulfill certain orders give by 80 India Asia you... Please kindly guide me and keep me at your recovery. service Guru Maharaj. Your Holiness is a living testimony for one to develop firm faith trust and belief at the lotus feet Yeshaswini, (Diksha) of the Lordship & His Holy words " My Devotee Bangalore, India Will Never Perish". Guru Maharaj, Please accept as our homage at All Glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga! Your Feet; like every year, our family has offered All Glories to His Divine Grace on Your behalf at Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Temple, A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada! Sri Vrindavan Dham "One Day Seva in Vrindavan" All Glories to Your Divine Grace His Holiness On this Auspicious day at the Divine Lotus Feet Jayapataka Swami Acaryapada, Guru Maharaj! of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, Sri Sri Radha Shyam- Dear Beloved Spiritual Father, Guru Maharaj, sunder, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai & Srila Prabhupada. Your Humble Servants at the service of Please accept our respectful humble obeisances Vaishnavas & Vaishnavis, at Your Lotus Feet, our hermitage. On Your Holiness's most Auspicious, Glorious Dr. Arvindaksha Govind Das (Ph.D)(Diksha) & Gracious Sixty Seventh Vyasa Puja Mohotsava. GBC Guest Deputy, Member of ICC, We submissively offer our prayers at the Divine Member of NIDC Member of ILS & SPN, Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha Madhava Asta-sakhi Patron & Ex-Chairman ISKCON, The Indian to shower their choicest mercy, blessings and Religious & Social Group, Balaramdesh, anukampa on Your Holiness for Your full and fast Bhopal, India 81 Asia India My only prayer is that I develop undeterred unflinching strong faith, love, devotion and attach- Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj (my eternal ment to the lotus feet of my wonderful spiritual spiritual father), master and this bhakthi should be never deterred in Please accept my humble obeiscances at Your whatever condition of life, in the phase of whichever divine lotus feet again and again... All glories to Srila Prabhupada my spiritual form of agents of Kali who try to be great obstacle grandfather. All glories to my dear Guru Maharaj... in our progress of Bhakthi. If this unflinching I somehow can feel that I have been a very nas- sincere strong bhakthi to my Gurudev happens, ty person in my previous lives and then somehow then my life will be truly successful. Otherwise You out of Your causeless mercy recognized this my very existence is simply, a great waste and a fallen piteous condition of this soul and showered burden for the world. I pray to the merciful Gaura mercy upon me by praying to Gaur Nitai to forgive Nitai to fulfill this prayer for devotion to Sri this soul and have mercy upon me (The same way Guru Charana, and in fact actually speaking. as Nitai prayed for Jagai to Gauranga) because of my only true desire for my real wellbeing rest of which this birth I finally took to be rescued by the the desires are only floating clouds, silly, and use- boat of Krishna consciousness and now working less, coming & going. as Your instrument through preaching activities. I pray to them to kindly make me one of the Though this preaching activity is insignificant... most sincere disciples of my Gurudeva as soon as Still it is a wonderful feat happening... that possible, forever. Also Please pray for me Gurudeva making this fallen jiva to act on behalf of Guru to let my devotion to your lotus feet increase for- Paramapara. This is a part of your glorious lila. ever and to protect me from its obstacles. Krishna Her Grace Siromani mataji and her Prabhu, will listen to such a pure dear devotee only. SEVA AT NIT CALICUT: His Grace Acintya Caitanya Das have been very very kind in connecting me with You and thus Regarding the seva at NIT Calicut... there are understand a pinch of Your unlimited glories. totally around 60 devotees who are more or less This connection took me miles forward in my serious in developing their Krishna consciousness Krishna consciousness by helping me increase the and 30 more who come rarely. Of these, as of now, most treasured wealth of Guru Bhakthi. My heart- I felt 30 of them desire to pursue it in their life felt gratitude to them, the foremost of my Siksa very seriously. As of now, about Gurus. It is difficult to understand the full 17 among final fourth year B.Tech students glories of pure devotees of Krishna. In fact O (everyday around 6 devotees gather... the individuals my Gurudev, I feel Krishna is revealing Your un- attending are floating though they actually wish to -limited greatness and glories... More and more... attend more regularly) through Your physical ailments... melting the hard * 13 PG students (M.Tech, M.Sc, M.B.A of all rocky hearts of the people of this age of Kali and semesters.), taking to Krishna Consciousness simply by observ- * 4 PHD students. (For PG and Phd students ing You. Krishna is revealing you more and more. class is kept together, everyday strength around 10 Gurudeva. I thank the Lord for this kindness, even and they are very regular...) * 18 from B.Tech 3rd years (Everyday strength the most nasty people's eyes are opening... 82 India Asia 13... these 13 are highly regular) understanding of the philosophy of Krishna con- * 11 from B.Tech 2nd years (all are regular at- sciousness... To take classes for other batches. least 8 daily, last month the everyday strength was I asked my father Udara Kirthi Chaitanya Das quite low as they went for other college functions at (currently serving as temple president in Balaram- night) desh) about it and he encouraged to proceed The class schedule is daily class for B.Tech 2nd with the same... Telling that this was one of the years and alternate days class - one day for B.Tech reasons of success in Balaramdesh... Developing 4th years and next day 2 classes... 1 for PG, Phd and new preachers. Siromani mataji for some period other for B.Tech 3rd years. We do daily Bhaga- did careful nurturing of these new preachers so vad Gita class for 15-30 minutes. On Sunday hear that they get minimum qualification to preach Siromani Mataji's class on phone. Friday and As It Is... the message of Srila Prabhupada that is Saturaday- Sankirtan for different batches. chanting fixed rounds minimum 8 and read regu- Siromani mataji once called a get together for larly Srila Prabhupada's books and be a strict veg- all girls at South Vrindavan. But only few could etarian. turn up from Calicut. However we were fortunate Gayathri mataji, one of the most serious among to get association from Mataji and the devotees of the 3 new preachers followed all the principles Manipal whom she had been carefully nurturing that mataji set very carefully and in fact absorbed from so long. Their association had an electrifying herself completely into it. Now she is a wonderful effect... I felt like I was with disciples of Srila sincere devotee at Your lotus feet serving Prabhu- Prabhupada... As they were so... Absorbed in pada's mission. She took shelter at your Lotus Feet Krishna Consciousness... They thus showed how this Gaura Purnima. She passed out from NIT in colleges people could definitely turn their Calicut and is now a faculty at NIT Andhra whole life to Krishna even without the support Pradesh. She has started regular classes for from their family members at all. I was convinced students there daily... Around 12 attending and... that this same could happen in Calicut as well. A bigger program on weekends when many more They told their secret was - service and devotion join. to Guru Maharaj & Guru Maharaj's unlimit- The other 2 preachers not able to prepare for ed mercy. I was very inspired from all of them class this year. But a new set of 4 preachers have and... Their association encouraged me as well... come up who are taking classes turn by turn for To preach more enthusiastically in NIT Calicut. their juniors... (i.e,) 3rd years for 2nd years. Siromani Mataji does that always... Care and The students are getting solution for their encouragement at every step... And connecting material aspect of life as well from Bhagavad Gita with you at every step. Thus keeping us enthused by remembering that all these actually just affect always... Thus remembering and understanding the body and not the real self... And to depend that we are indeed... pleasing the spiritual master more on Krishna by chanting. Sometimes those and the Guru Parampara. interested sit to discuss for hours together on spir- After coming back to college, using intelligence itual topics... It is so... Nice experience, Gurudev. that You blessed me with I thought to assign the Our heartfelt gratitude to You Father and. most sincere girls who had an overview/ broader Srila Prabhupada... for gifting so many of us... such 83 Asia India a beautiful life of color and fulfillment because... fallen soul that I always remain as a faithful ser- It is centered around the most attractive Lord vant at your divine lotus feet. I sincerely seek your Krishna. blessings for my family(me, my wife & our child All glories to You. to be born) to always remain firm in our Krishna All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! consciousness & help you in your service to Srila I know Krishna and Lord Nityananda are very Prabhupada. carefully taking care of You. But I am also praying Please bless that my child should become a nice as. I love my Gurudev. preacher, always preaching your glories to one & With lots of love and gratitude, all. Lastly, please bless that I should always remain Your fallen wretched servant, under the guidance of our mentors, His Grace Srilalite, (Diksha) Caitanya avatari prabhu & Her Grace Rasamayi Calicut, India mataji, who have been mercifully engaging me in your services. Your useless spiritual son, My dear Guru Maharaj, Gauranga Prasada Das, Please accept my respectful obeisances! Chennai, India All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories unto your lotus feet! Gurudev, on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj, Puja, I beg at your lotus feet to kindly bless this Please accept my humble obeisances, 84 India Asia All glories to Srila Prabhupada! The way you make everybody around you to be All glories to your Divine grace! happy. It is not possible for me to write your glories The way you encourage the people to do more without your blessings Guru Maharaj because preaching your glories are endless. please bless me so that at Your intelligence least I will be able to write few things. Very sharp memory power even after the stroke Dear Guru Maharaj it is very difficult to see (generally people who got stroke they will be having any person in this world like you, because you poor memory). have so many wonderful qualities especially your Being in a very high position still not having love & care towards devotees. We have not seen any ego. Krishna but we hear that Krishna is very merci- Always showing extraordinary mercy towards ful, he likes us, he is waiting for us to come devotees back to him. still it is difficult to understand & Following your spiritual father words strictly develop love towards him, because of our forgetful in all the situations nature & also what we see in this material world These are all the things which I have seen is if anybody shows love & affection means they personally that too I have seen you only after the will be expecting something in return for them. stroke,only once I have seen you before the stroke, but the way you show love & care for the devotees so I'm sure senior devotees will be knowing so much to engage them some or other way in the service about you & they will be knowing your wonderful of Krishna without expecting anything in return qualities than me. is really amazing. Through your love & care we In Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.19 verse says are getting attachment towards Krishna. In this yatra yatra ca mad-bhaktaḥ way you are engaging all of us in the service of praśantaḥ sama-darśinaḥ Krishna. sadhavaḥ samudacaras As we know your glories are endless & 'it's te pūyante ’pi kīkaṭaḥ difficult to explain everything, still with my Whenever and wherever there are peaceful, limited ability I will try to list out few of your equipoised devotees who are well-behaved and wonderful qualities. decorated with all good qualities, that place and Complete faith on your spiritual master the dynasties there, even if condemned, are puri- Compassion towards the fallen souls fied. Extraordinary tireless preaching Dear Guru Maharaj, since you have lot of Engaging the fallen souls in some or other way good qualities, because of your association we in the service of Krishna. all are getting purified.where ever you go, who- The way you narrate Gauranga pastimes ever you meet, we are really seeing how people Even with so much bodily discomforts strictly are taking up Krishna Consciousness, just as a following your sadhana & fulfilling the services example during your hospital visits, even if people which Srila Prabhupada has given you. are coming from different religions just by your The way you attract the people around you association they are taking up the process of chant- through your purity. ing hare Krishna maha mantra. 85 Asia India and having as prasadam. Thank you so much Guru Maharaj for showing mercy towards me always, need your blessings I sincerely pray to Radharani and Krishna to to advance in Krishna Consciousness & also for give my Gurudeva long life and speedily recover preaching. from all physical ailments, so that I shall see my Your insignificant spiritual daughter, Gurudeva singing and dancing again in Harinaam Geetha, (Shelter) Sankirtan. Hope Radharani and Krishna will soon Chennai, India hear my prayers for you Gurudeva!! I kindly submit this homage at your lotus feet My dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances at and beg your forgiveness for any mistakes that your lotus feet. All glories to your holy self. All I have done out of my ignorance. Out of your glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Gaura causeless mercy, I request you to kindly accept this Nitai. All glories to all the vaishnavas. childish homage. Thank you very much... Gurudeva! Gurudev, you are the personification of Krishna's mercy. Without your merciful glance Hare Krishna! upon this insignificant, conditioned, fallen soul I offer my humble obeisances at your lotus feet and taking the holy dust on my head, I do not have any ability to do anything spiritually and materially. You being so merciful upon this fallen soul, you accepted me as your disciple Your insignificant servant, by giving Harinaam diksha in Chennai on 17th Kesidamana Krishna Das, Jan 2016 and given me a new birth with name Chennai, India Kesidamana Krishna Das. Being your Das, I humbly submit myself at your lotus feet and Please Accept my Humble Obeisances, humbly begging your blessings upon this igno- All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! rant to please provide me an insignificant place All Glories to Guru Maharaj! at the dust of your lotus feet and to always serve I am very happy now in this movement you unconditionally and unmotivated. Gurudev, because of my guru mercy and Prabhupada mercy without your empowerment, that is not possible at and Krishna's mercy. all. Therefore, I sincerely beg at your lotus feet to First of all I owe maharaj because for him only bless me to serve you following your instructions I came to know who is Supreme Personality of God- sincerely. head and what is the goal of my life and then why Gurudev, with your mercy, I'm currently I taken this birth and who am I, why am suffering doing 16 rounds chanting and I'm offering here, where is my original home, what is bhakthi I 1 round chanting for your wellness also. I'm reading got all the answer. Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam of Srila Thank you so much maharaj you gave me new Prabhupada every day. In weekends, I'm trying to life. Kindly bless me maharaj I want to steady in hear a lecture of yours or Srila Prabhupada. Also my bhakthi life and also I want to marry a devotee. attending Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavat- Hari Bol!!! am classes and getting devotees association in the Krishna Priya, (Shelter) weekends. We everyday are offering bhoga to Lord Chennai, India 86 India Asia My dear Guru Maharaj, Divine Grace! Please accept my humble obeisances from my I hope this finds you all in the best of health heart. and cheerful spirit as usual! Please accept my re- HAPPY APPEARANCE DAY to you, my dear spectful obeisances at your divine lotus feet. Guru Maharaj. When your birthday is coming, I am blessed to write this offering to you on please bless me with Krishna prema. your 67th Vyasa Puja celebrations to be held at the You have given me name, Mandakini. I am Spiritual Capital of the World Sri Dham Mayapur chanting one round in morning and one round on 17-Apr-2016. in evening. And I worship RadhaSyamsundar and Meditation on your lotus feet is my only strength Ladoo Gopal. I wake up Them All and do arati, and hope in this miserable material world where every day, morning and evening. I make Them to there is danger and every step. Your instructions, sleep and I also go to sleep. So..please my Guru divine presence and your disciples’ constant care Maharaj bless me with Krishna bhakti and Krish- gives me protection all the time. Please keep this na prema and purify me. My dear Guru Maharaj, I soul always under your divine shelter. offer flowers on your birthday and to Srila Prabh- Though you are undergoing lots… of discom- upada and to Krishna too. I put flowers to Krishna, forts, you are always enthusiastic in delivering all everyday. I put flowers to you and Srila Prabhua- the conditioned souls irrespective of whether they pada, everyday. When I am sleeping, please bless are fit or unfit for your mercy. You are converting me. My prayers for you. When I grow.. Please get the material hospitals into spiritual hospitals by back me to Krishna, when I die. preaching to nurses and doctors by distributing clickers to make them chant. Thank you very much. Your technological initiative of “JPS Archives” With my humble obeisances at your lotus feet, and “Nithyam Bhagavata Sevaya” gives me a sense Mandakini, (6years) of constant association with you and gives me more Chennai, India spiritual strength on a daily basis. I am completely and absolutely indebted to you for your divine care. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, As a disciple I am not doing anything for you. Please accept my humble obeisances, Thank you soo much, Guru Maharaj By your causeless mercy I am able to assist your se- and wishing you a happy appearance day. nior disciples in Bhakta Prahalad School kids program and other school preaching activities. Please At your service, bless me to be an instrument in bringing your R,Poonguzhali, (Aspiring) dream of making 1000 bhakti vrksas in Chennai. Chennai, India Please give me the spiritual strength and humility without pride to practice and preach Krish- Dear Guru Maharaj, na Consciousness. I am begging for your causeless mercy to en- Hare Krishna! gage me and my family constantly in your eternal All Glories to Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga! All service of pushing Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Your 87 Asia India Please forgive me for all my offences. Begging mistakes. I try to be sincere in my sadhana and I for your causeless mercy. know there is a lot to be improved. Praying to Lord Narasimha Deva for your Please bless me Guru Maharaj that one day health. I become a worthy disciple you can be proud of Please keep this faithful dog always under your and can recommend me to Radharani without any divine shelter. hesitation. My husband (HG Srinivas Nitai Das, 2nd Your unworthy servant, initiated by you) preaches in IIT Madras and Premabhaktilata Devi Dasi, so far I have assisted him by trying to connect Chennai, India personally with each of the students. I am starting girls preaching in IIT Madras this weekend (on Dear Guru Maharaj, Saturday evening) and take a Krishna Club class Please accept my respectful obeisances. for devotee children in the Chennai temple on All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Sunday morning. Apart from this, I am answer- Firstly, I wish you a very happy birthday. This ing the questions raised online on www.iskcon is the first time I am writing to you as Vyasa Puja desiretree.com for aspiring sadhakas. I help in offering, so please forgive any offences I commit preparing breakfast prasadam for His Holiness at your lotus feet unknowingly. Bhanu Swami Maharaj once a week. Guru Maharaj, I got initiated by you at Sri- Please tell me which other way to serve you dham Mayapur on Radhastami in September and ISKCON. I would like to offer my services for 2015. During my initiation interview, the Chen- your pleasure. Please shower your mercy on me nai temple authorities had mentioned to me that and my family. one of the ways to serve you is to distribute books. I had done other services but never distributed Your servant, any book earlier nor was I inclined to because of Radha Rasamayi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) my own mental block of asking people for moey. Chennai, India This time, I got your mercy and am trying to distribute books. By your mercy, I have so far been My dear spiritual father, able to distribute Rs. 12,000 worth of books – All glories to Sri Sri Guru & Nitai Gauranga mainly Gita, Ramayan, Krishna, small books set, Please accept my humble obeisances. calendar. It is addictive and now wherever I see I am not qualified to glorify you on this most auspicious day of your 67th vyasa puja. 5 -10 people, I think they must buy a book!!! I will continue my endeavor to distribute as You are most merciful because you have many books as possible. Please continue to shower accepted this most wretched soul as your disciple. your mercy so that this drive to distribute books is You are most magnanimous that even in such a there in me. serious health condition you are more tolerant & sincere in executing Sri Srila Prabhupada’s in- After initiation, I feel a sense of responsibility structions. to conduct myself in a manner so that I am worthy I humbly beg at your lotus feet that you please to be called your disciple; still I make a lot of 88 India Asia forgive me for all my offences that I knowingly or you are taking treatment in the hospital. You are unknowingly committed at your lotus feet.Please patita pavana. While you are coming to Chennai bless my son,husband & me with spiritual strength last trip my brother, sub inspector of police, at the so that we can preach nicely and offer more souls air port got a golden opportunity to serve you, at your service. before that I informed him about your arrival and All glories to your divine appearance day!!!! he utilized this opportunity, and he surprised and All glories to Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga’s asked me that how Guru Maharaja, at this health Sankirtan movement. condition he is doing preaching, really great. Vanakkam (like you saying vanakkam every- And I told him that is the mercy of Krshna and time when you come to Chennai). I requested him please chant Hare Krshna for our Guru Maharaj. Gurudeva please bless me and my The most wretched soul family to serve you and the devotee of the Lord in In your service, my whole life. Ramani Tungavidya Devi Dasi. Your Humble servant, Raseswar Gopal Das, Hare Krshna Guru Maharaj, Chennai, India Kindly accept my humble pranams unto your lotus feet. I wish you Happy Appearance Day Gurudeva. In this very auspicious occasion, I want Dear Guru Maharaj, to say about my spiritual father. Mainly at this Please accept my sincere glorification and my health condition you are travelling all over the prostrated obeisances at the dust of Your Lotus world and giving Krshna Conscious to all people, Feet. Doctor, nurse, workers,etc... Particularly while All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 89 Asia India By your mercy I was Harinam Initiated in the multiple forms, each a distinct individual with year 2003 and Brahmin Initiated in the year 2011. a specific and unique contribution. All acaryas I have not personally served you or associated deliver the same message but with differing style with you, but I am not sad about that because you and emphasis. Guru is to be understood in terms stay in the heart of your disciple, I just have to of the parampara he represents. follow your instructions and do my duties. Hence, Without understanding the subtle points of I am engaged in the process of devotional service Guru Tattva no one can be a genuine disciple even in the most difficult situations, which I could hence for spiritual progress it is essential to learn overcome only by your mercy. in depth your activities, achievements, teachings, One should serve the Spiritual master. ‘One philosophical explanations, essays, and discourses. should not bypass the spiritual master and desire Without bhakti siddhanta it is impossible to to serve the Supreme Lord (Srimad Bhagavatam appreciate the qualities and activities of Your 7.9.28).” In Bhakti Sandarbha.2.37 “without sur- Holiness. Actual benefit will accrue to those who render to guru one cannot become the servant pursue the entire contents thoughtfully and pray of the Lord.” Srila Prabhupada is your heart and fully with faith that imbibing your message will soul, serving His mission is your goal. You are lead to the summit of spiritual perfection. always expertly engaged in Srila Prabhupada’s Your existence is quite distinct from that service in any physical condition. All your lectures of a conditioned soul. Even sickness and other are firmly pointing at the conclusion that Krishna apparent is the only way if we want to get out of the Bhagavata it must be accepted as Leela and not clutches of Maya by reading Srila Prabhupa- misconstrued as equivalent to karma, suffering of da’s books, distributing them, preaching to the the conditioned soul. ignorant to awaken them, chant, dance and honor adversities undergone by Maha When I was participating in Navadvipa Prasadam. Mandal Parikrama I saw how wonderfully dedicat- You are the touchstone which makes one a ed are the devotees from all over the world. I am devotee when one contacts you. Wherever happy to be in this family. I always remember my you go you are inspiring everyone to chant and fallen condition before I met Srila Prabhupada’s become a devotee. You are always concerned about books and Your Holiness. everyone. From all this I understand that this I am 74 years old now and I spend the whole is the perfect movement, which cares for other day reading various commentaries of Our acaryas. living entities. By glorifying You on this day we I have completed reading Srila Prabhupada’s simultaneously glorify the whole Disciplic succes- books (Srimad Bhagavatam three times) and have sion, the Sankirtana Movement, and eventually read Jaiva Dharma, Laghu Bhagavatamrita, Brihad the Supreme Lord. Bhagavatamrita, Gopala Champu, Sandarbas, etc. I often reflect upon your unflinching devo- (most of them translated by His Holiness Bhanu tion to the Lotus Feet of Sri Radha Madhava, Swami Maharaj). I have read these books in the Sri Panca-tattva, Lord Narasimha Dev. You are association of my godsisters and have encouraged always them to read on their own also. glorifying the erudition of Srila Prabhupada. Guru is one but manifests in Please bless me with your mercy so that I may 90 India Asia continue this sadhana as an offering to your lotus very fortunate in the midst of my Godbrothers & feet without obstruction. Godsisters association here in Chennai for the past 3 years. We had multiple opportunities to Your humble servant, have Your darshan during Chennai Rath Yatra & Sesa Rupini Radha Devi Dasi other occasions. Yesterday (31-Mar-2016), we had Chennai, India the opportunity to hear about Your glories from His Grace MahaVaraha Prabhu & His Grace Dear Guru Maharaj, Ganga Prabhu during their visit to Chennai. Please accept my Dandavat pranams at your Indeed we were very much impressed by hearing lotus feet, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Your glorious pastimes of Your early years of All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! preaching & also especially the recent pastimes Guru Maharaj, I consider myself as most fortu- of Your preaching activities despite Your criti- nate to have you as my Guru and accepted condi- cal health. On the occasion of Your Vyasa Puja, tioned soul like me as your disciple. We pray at Your lotus feet to bless us to stay I am writing an offering for your Vyasa Puja connected with You in the form of Your teachings for the first time so unable to find suitable words & grow in our devotional service. to describe your causeless mercy and compassion Your servant, towards the fallen and conditioned souls. I beg your mercy so that I can improve my Srivasa Narada Das(Diksha) chanting and devote myself to the service of the Hema Ramani Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Lord and His devotees sincerely. Please help me to Bhakta NandaKishore, engage my mind and senses in serving you and the Chennai, India mission of Srila Prabhupada. Recently I heard your pastimes from Gan- Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj ga Prabhu and Maha Varaha Prabhu in JSSS at First time when I had chance to meet you at Chennai. I then got inspiration like how you are Mayapur I did not get Aspiring but from that time thinking always about serving Srila Prabhupada I had urge to get Aspiring fortunately it got ful- and Sri Gauranga. Please bestow your causeless filled this January. Thank you so much Maharaj. mercy on me to continue sincerely on spreading I need your blessings always. Krishna Consciousness through Namahatta, Thank you. Subashree, (Aspiring) Bhakti Vriksha programs and then serve ISKCON Chennai, India Congregational Development Ministry. Your humble servant, My Dear Guru Maharaj, Sri Vrindavaneswari Devi Dasi (Diksha) A million humble prostrations to the dust of Chennai, India your lotus feet. Please accept them, out of your causeless Dear Guru Maharaja, mercy. All glories to Sri Gauranga. All glories to Please accept our humble obeisance. We feel Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your Holiness. All 91 Asia India glories to all the Vaishnavas. got this beautiful Krishna’s samsaara. You are Guru Maharaj, Wish you a very Happy and one of the few rarest and greatest blessings of my Joyous Appearance day!! life, other blessings being my entry into Krishna I am Susila Kamala Devi Dasi – the insignif- Consciousness and the causeless mercy of Krishna icant and unworthy disciple of your holy self. and all the Guru Parampara. With your kind permission, I am under the loving It’s your causeless mercy upon us that, on care of His Grace Adbhuta Gauranga prabhuji of 17th Jan 2016, you have very mercifully given my Hyderabad. I am a congregational member, prabhuji (Krishna prabhuji) and me, Harinaam attached to ISKCON Chennai. diksha at Chennai temple. It is completely out Guru Maharaj, I have started writing this of your causeless mercy that you accepted us as Vyasa puja offering letter to your holy self, but your disciples, though I do not have any qualifica- not able to understand how to express myself tion to receive this causeless mercy from you. The about your glorious personality. Being a very in- moment I stood in the queue to get the holy significant and fallen soul, I do not at all have any chanting beads from your lotus hands, our dear qualification whatsoever to approach as exalted Krishna revealed me that how much fallen a personality as your holy self, with my this tiny I am even to stand in front of you. I really do not Vyas puja offering. Your magnanimous person- deserve to even beg for giving me diksha since ality is just cannot be comprehend with in my I hardly can understand the glories of getting insignificant human capacity. From morning diksha from an exalted Acharya, as your holy I keep praying to you and Krishna, to bless me self. I am really very much fallen, I am so much to write this homage as my loving offering of my fallen that, I cannot even do a full fasting while love, respect and gratitude to you, my dear Guru receiving the rare blessings of yours as Harinama Maharaj! I am like a small lamp trying to see diksha. I am actually not fit even for getting and describe the glories of luminous sun. Your shelter at the dust of your lotus feet. It’s absolutely magnanimous personality is just cannot be the love and compassion of your loving heart, comprehend with in my insignificant human because of whom I and Krishna prabhu got your capacity. Its only and only with your and protection as diskha and Mandakini got your Krishna’s causeless mercy that, I am trying to blessings, on that auspicious and very important attempt to offer my heart’s feelings to you, on your day of our lives. mukam karoti vachalam auspicious Vyasa puja celebration. panghum langhayate girim Guru Maharaj, as you are kindly aware, it is out of the causeless mercy of Krishna alone we yat kripatamaham vande get the right Guru, and it is out of the causeless sri gurum dina tarinam mercy of Guru alone we get Krishna. And a bona Every day, I feel this verse being true in my life. fide Guru is none other than the mercy-incarna- I am an apanga and moodha too. What is the hope tion of Krishna Himself. You are that mercy-incar- for me to sustain in this vast material ocean!! Your nation of Krishna for me. Every day, in my prayer causeless mercy alone is my only hope, my dear I remember that, you are my only saviour and Guru Maharaj. With your blessings and mercy, because of your causeless mercy alone we have this insignificant jiva is trying to continue in 92 India Asia Krishna Consciousness by trying to serve your holy Bhagavatam class in our home, every Sunday. self, Gauranga and His dear devotees, with in my With your blessings, Mandakini (6 years old) insignificant capacity, for His pleasure. It’s because chants two rounds per day and sometimes chants of your selfless love and sincere prayers alone, we extra rounds and prays for your speedy recovery. are continuing in Krishna consciousness - the With your mercy, we three as a family are engaged biggest and rarest blessing one can get in this Kali- in deity worship too at home. With Krishna’s yuga. All glories to our beloved Srila Prabhupada. mercy, regularly I listen to lectures. My heart All glories to your holy self, for rescuing all fills with so much of joy and enthusiasm towards fallen souls like me from the clutches of maya, Krishna Consciousness, while listening to your by generously and widely distributing Krishna’s very unconditional and unlimited love to all of us, by amaze me with your rock like Guru-nistha and sacrificing all your comforts, even in your current dedication to our Srila Prabhupada’s this glori- physical condition. Not any material condi- ous movement. Your humility and love for all liv- tion and situation dare to stop you from giving ing entities is heart-melting.Your absolutely non- Krishna to all fallen souls, since you are com- envious nature has touched my heart very deeply. pletely in soul platform and ever protected and Your soul-elevating prayers and kirtans, your tire- nourished by our dear Nitai-Gaura-Candra. You less visits all around the world to preach Krishna are truly giver of Nitai’s causeless mercy, my dear Consciousness, your deep love for Krishna and fire Guru Maharaj. I offer my koti koti humble obei- like enthusiasm to engage everybody in Krishna’s sances at your lotus feet. loving devotional service is extra-ordinary and Guru Maharaj, with Krishna's inspiration and much inspiringdiscourses. You always very inspiring, my dear Guru Maharaj. with your causeless mercy, I pray every day for Guru Maharaj, I earnestly desire to dedicate your speedy recovery to fulfil your heart's desire myself to you and serve you and your mission with to serve Srila Prabhupada' s mission by rendering so much of enthusiasm and dedication. However, more and more loving services to Krishna. Now, I do not at all have any strength whatsoeverof my on the auspicious occasion of your appearance own. Your mercy alone is the one and only hope day, from the very depth of my heart, I sincerely for me. I exclusively depend upon your descend- pray to our beloved Radha and Krishna, Srila ing mercy alone to fulfil my this earnest desire. Prabhuapada and all the Guru parampara to please Your mercy alone can do this miracle. give you Their merciful blessings in your mission My dear Guru Maharaj, I sincerely beg you to please Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. from the core of my heart, for your blessings in Guru Maharaj, with your mercy, I try to chant my begging bowl to bless me that, my love for you my 16 rounds attentively, while following four becomes really pure, unconditional, uninterrupted regulative principles. With Krishna’s inspiration, and limitless, and itkeeps on ever-increasing, I chant one round for you, daily, as a loving offer- and my Guru-nistha and my commitment to your ing of my love and gratitude to your lotus feet. We mission keeps on deepening. I sincerely beg you, attend Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam Guru Maharaj, to bless this conditioned soul to class in weekends. And recently, with your develop deep attachement for Hari naam and a blessings, we got the service of hosting Srimad pure consciousness towards all devotees and all 93 Asia India living entities without having any discrimination, Dear His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaj, enviousness and judging mentality... And I render All glories to Srila Prabhupada. pure, loving, unconditional, uninterrupted and I have come far away from my home (Krishna limitless devotional services to your holy self, Katha Desh) for educational purposes. Srila Prabhupada, all the Guru parampara, all I thought I might loose the connection with the vaishnavas and to our dear most Radha and Radha-Krishna because of the lack of association Krishna, in the way it pleases our Krishna. Your with devotees. merciful blessings alone can make this possible. But, by praying to You and chanting the Holy With a million humble prostrations unto the dust Name, I realised that the saying "Mata Pita Guru of your lotus feet. Daivam" is a true saying as You bring me closer to Thank you very much, my dear Guru Maharaj. Radha-Krishna. When Krishna katha desh visited Mayapur, With a million humble prostrations unto the You gave us special attention and showered us dust of your lotus feet, with Your love. Aspiring to be the servant of the servant of Thank You Guru Maharaj, for being very the servant of your holy self, kind to this weak souls. Susila Kamala Devi Dasi, (Diksha) On this auspicious day of your appearance, Chennai, India I would like to… Thank You for blessing me at the time of dif- 94 India Asia ficulties and making me realize all my mistakes. commitment to serving Srila Prabhupada's follow- Thank You for blessing me with more strength, ers, regardless of Your external health condition, so I can serve Sri Sri Radha Madhav more than Your regular listening to Srila Prabhupada's books before. (I once got the service of reading Srimad Bhagava- Thank You for spreading Krishna concious- tam aloud for You), Your example of preaching to ness around the globe even after suffering a health and caring for EVERYONE - be they ISKCON problem. You have shown us the freedom from the devotee or a nurse in a new hospital - are per- bodily concept of life. formed with such a pure attitude that even my ice Thank You for blessing all the devotees through cold heart desires to get a glimpse of that attitude your prayers. - selfless surrender! Guru Maharaj, I have noted I pray that Sri Sri Radha Madhav bless you that the more selfless devotees are, the more they with more good health and strength. are surrendered to serving Guru, that much they are happy. Your aspiring servant, I pray that my attitude also shift, inch by inch, Swathi, (Aspiring) from selfish to selfless, from self-righteous to sur- Chennai, India rendered. I have to admit that this shift is very painful to my false ego. But, as Srila Prabhupada My dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my re- writes in Krishna book, it is possible when one is spectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet. All glo- favored by the spiritual strength of Lord Balaram ries to Srila Prabhupada! Guru Maharaj, this year (Lord Nityananda), which comes through the me and my parents were fortunate to come home grace of the spiritual master. But although Your to Sridham Mayapur for the ILS. But unfortu- mercy is available, I understand that individual nately we missed Your Divine Grace's darshan as endeavor is also required. Therefore on a personal we departed two days prior to Your arrival. During front, I take a sankalpa to chant my daily 16 rounds the various ILS seminars, the powerful words, ex- with greater effort to be attentive, sincerely fol- ample and association of so many pure, advanced, low 4 regulative principles, sing Guru Puja prayers happy devotees forced me to reflect on my own at- regularly, read Srila Prabhupada's books cover to titude towards Guru, Vaishnavas, Srila Prabhupa- cover attentively all over again (Bhagavad-gita, da's books, the Holy Name and towards preaching. Srimad Bhagavatam, CC and other books), take In the introduction to Nectar of Instruction, care of my health in the consciousness that my Srila Prabhupada gives the strong statement that body belongs to You, serve the devotees in my advancement in Krishna Consciousness depends local area and most importantly, unconditionally on the attitude of the follower. Guru Maharaj, beg forgiveness for the innumerable offenses that Your Divine Grace's attitude of complete - as I have caused to devotees in Coimbatore last year. complete as complete can be - surrender to Your I pray for their kindness and mercy. beloved spiritual father Srila Prabhupada is such a Last year since moving to Cochin, His Holi- wonderful example! Your spoken Enlightenment ness Bhakti Vinoda Swami Maharaj has engaged lectures full with love for Sri Navadvip Dham me in assisting the local congregation in conduct- and the holy name of Lord Gauranga, Your 100% ing various festivals and preaching programs. In 95 Asia India October 2015 we organized under Maharaj's pada. We beg for the opportunity to continue as guidance a major event to commemorate the 50th Your insignificant servants and steadily increase anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's visit to Cochin our service both in quality and quantity. during the Jaladuta voyage. Devotees from all On this Most Auspicious VyasaPuja occasion over Kerala attended the two-day festival which we offer our most respectful obeisances at Your was blessed by the presence of Their Holinesses lotus feet. We also beg for the mercy of all the Lokanath Swami previous acaryas in order to offer ourselves - grad- Maharaj, Bhakti Dhira Damodara Maharaj, His ually, steadily and surely - in selfless surrender to Grace Anuttama Prabhu, Braja Bihari Prabhu Your Divine Grace's service to Srila Prabhupada, (VIHE) and Govardhan Prabhu (BBT Trustee helping Lord Chaitanya's holy name and informa- South Africa). The Malayalam version of Sri- tion about His holy dham spread to every part of mad Bhagavatam was globally released during the Cochin city and around Kerala. Seeking shelter at occasion. On the second day there was also a the shade of Your lotus feet, Swami Maharaj, Bhanu boat kirtan and harbour cruise with His Holiness Your unworthy son, Lokanath Swami Maharaj and Bhanu Swami Gopal Gaura Guru Das, (Diksha) Maharaj. A granite plaque has been installed at Cochin, Kerala, India the Mattancherry Wharf to mark the area where Srila Prabhupada arrived. Since installation, the Dear Guru Maharaj, plaque is now becoming famous in the area because Hare Krishna! Dandavat Pranam! it is located close to the new international cruise All Glories To Guru & Gauranga! terminal and many international travelers who I am very lucky to see you in Chennai are familiar with ISKCON are preaching about Ratha-yatra.But I am sad that you didnt come to its importance to the local people! We pray to be ISKCON Coimbatore.Every year, You came to able to continue the Srila Prabhupada Memorial ISKCON Coimbatore but you didnt come for this festival every year around October, and of course year Rathayatra.We all devotees want you to visit the devotees are very much eager to have Your ISKCON Coimbatore & stay here for one year. divine presence for this year's festival!!! Apart We all chanted 64 rounds of japa for your health from the regular festivals and Sunday programs, problem. I CHANTED for you 72 rounds. devotees in Cochin are planning to sincerely I also couldn't have your association at Sri- take up Bhakti Vriksha preaching supported by dham Mayapur in my recent visit for ILS with my School, Corporate outreach, meeting people door parents. to door, as well as book distribution. The devo- I want to seek your blessings in your Vyasa tees have formed an Advisory Committee which Puja celebration.Wishing you a very very Happy is planning arrangements for devotee care, siksa/ Krishna Conscious Appearance day!! in advance. training, moving our center to a bigger and more Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj ki! Jai! accessible location, Sastra study, devotional yatras Your Servant, and other things. We wish to submit these efforts as a small Ambarish, (Aspiring) offering in Your divine service to Srila Prabhu- Coimbatore, India 96 India Asia Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja!!! sciousness and the soul in my womb. By your bless- All glories to Guru and Gauranga! ings and mercy, I wish both kids will serve Vaish- All glories to Srila Prabhupada! navas and Krishna nicely.\ Your humble servant, Please accept my humble obeisances unto your Bhuvaneswari (Aspiring), lotus feet. Coimbatore, India I'm very low birth to write the glorification but still I would like to mention that because of your extreme mercy I m still in KrishnaConsciousness My dear Guru Deva His Divine Grace, even after lot of falling. By your mercy I m able to Srila JayapatakaSwami Maharaj, do little service to Krishna (believing Prabhupada Please accept my humble respectful obesiances and Krishna accepting the service). at your lotus feet. I seek for your blessings to improve in Krishna All glories to your divine grace. All glories to Consciousness and do more service. Also please my Parama guru Srila Prabhupada. bless my kid Vamsi Venkat to follow Krishna Con- I am not qualified enough to glorify you Guru 97 Asia India Maharaj. But as insructed by Srila Prabhupada, It is I pray for yours blessings and mercy to execute my my duty as a disciple to glorify my spritual master devotional service to you and Krishna in perfect on his viyasa puja day and to perform puspanjali ways, and forgiveme for my offencees, perfect me to his lotus feet, Hence I am sending my humble in my japa seriously and tastefully chanting. offering to your lotus feet. please accept. It is not Gurudeva I hear your health conditions, your possible for me to glorify you with all your qual- ARE very weak, I pray Lordships Sri Jagannath, ities here. However I glorify you with few quali- Baladev, Subhadradevi, Narasingadeva Gournitai ties which makes me to admire you Guru Maharaj. to protect your health so that you can save many Infact you are a pure devotee of Krishna and be- more fallen souls like me and help and guide us to loved disciple of Srila Prabhupada who made all go back home back to god head. of us Krishna Conscious by his causeless mercy. All glories to guru and gouranga, all glories to Without you Guru Maharaj, I would not have be Srila Prabhupada ! a devotee of Krishna, Guru Maharaj you made me All glories to Gurudeva Guru Maharaj Vyasa- twice born (Dvija bandu) so that I could to do de- puja Ki Jaya! votional service to Sri Sri Sri Jagannath,Baladeva and,subadraDevi, at Coimbatore temple I am very Your loving disciple, fortunate to have you as my guru who guide me in Gopathi Govinda Das, (Diksha) many ways in the path of spiritual life. You gurude- Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India va guide me by appearing in my dreams. Here one evidence I would like state as follows: My mother Respected Srila Guru Maharaj, passed away on 15/10/2015, Guru Maharaj you Please accept Our Prostrated Humble Obei- appeared in my dream about one or two weeks sances unto Your Lotus feet! All Glories to Your before the incident. In that dream you saw me Divine Grace! All Glories to Gauranga! with observing SILENCE for few minitues and All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! then disappeared. First I did not understand the This year Marks the 50th anniversary of dream. After my mother left the world I under- ISKCON's inception and Your Divine Grace's stood that it is Guru Maharja’s, LILAMIRTHA Vyasapuja celebration is very special, Thousands that in informing me the depature of my moth- of mails, letters, replies, counselings, sessions, er from this world in advance. This gives me the seminars, discourses, travels, meetings, festi- faith that guru and Krishna are always protecting vals filled these 50 golden spreading Krishna his disciples and His devotees when they are sin- Consciousness in exponential phase. cerely executing their devotional services to guru We read in scriptures and hear pastimes on and Krishna. Also one can understand that guru the determination and compassion that great knows present,past, future, which is one quality personalities had for the fallen souls. Beloved of pure devotee of Krishna. Like this Guru Ma- Guru Maharaj is manifestation of these qualities haraj you have so many qualities (for example, expressing concern and care for others. Your humorous, mercifull, very kind, forgiving, devoteec divine grace is embodiment of trancedental are, etc.) qualities. In-spite of our personal shortcomings, On this vyasapuja day of yours, Gurudeva we consider our self very fortunate to have your 98 India Asia divine grace association. Your Servant, Doctors, physicians come closer to treat and Madhu Gopal Das, diagnose but in-turn get treated for their illusion, Manjari Gopi Devi Dasi, Ambarish, get self-realized, purified by merciful prasadham Coimbatore, India by your holy association. Inreality your stay and visits in hospitals are becoming enlightenment Dear Guru Maharaja, stupas for many. I offer my respectful obeisances unto your lo- Intensive care and regress treatments are of- tus feet! I humbly beg to submit this unqualified course extended by these expert medicos but offering unto your lotus feet because I am totally simultaneously we see they too are getting an unqualified. higher dimensional spiritual care and nourish- You are the perfect example of a bonafide ment under your personal association.Your divine spiritual master. Your every action shows your grace is always on lookout of preaching oppor- affection and love for your Guru Maharaja, Srila tunities and avenues to distribute Gauranga Prabhupada. Mahaprabhu’s mercy. Although your health condition is not so good, When many enter mental trauma inside the you are still in full swing of spreading Krishna four walls of hospitals, you reach all over the world consciousness and cross continents filling every body’s eyes, programs. Guru Maharaja, I am really wonder ears with the purpuorts and deep realizations struck by your determination to serve Guru and of devotional service through your online dis- Krishna. You are one of the wonders of the world, courses, Facebook comments,Whatsapp messages for with the kind of health issues you are having, and Inspiring speeches. you are still worrying for the upliftment of the The health crisis as they often describe couldn’t through various preaching fallen souls. stand your determination to serve Srila Prabhu- mjprank mjprapf;Fk; FUnt*** c';fSf;F vd; pada and your desire to spread Lord Caitanya’s rpuk] jhH]e;j nfhlhdhnfho tzf;f';fs;*** Sankirtan movement.Your divine grace is the Guru Maharaja, my son had asked my husband distributor of Lord Nithyananda’s mervy (Nitai also to share his appreciation for you and the fol- Kripa Dayine) and the pastimes of Lord Gauranga lowing is his offering. becomes many fold times nectarean (Gaura Katha Jai Guru Maharaja! Daya) when you narrate. Your divine grace is the Really, I am very much delighted to write about representation of Sridham Mayapur. the great Guru Maharaja. God is always merciful In this auspicious occasion of your divine to help the world through some great and holy grace’s Vyasapuja,We beg unto You for mercy for people like you. I have no doubt that you are sent by Lord spiritual progress and strength for assisting in your Krishna to spread Krishna consciousness to all the preaching mission. places in this world. We offer our sincere prayers to Sri Jgannatha Baladev Shubhadra Devi! Sri Nitai Gaursundar! Guru Maharaja, your mercy, love, kindness, Sri Prahlad NirshingaDev! for your Health and forgiving quality, etc, etc are unforgettable by me. Protection!Jai Srila GuruDev!!! Even though your health is not in good condition, 99 Asia India your spiritual services go on very soundly. is none other than the glorious close associate of I am getting excellent spiritual knowledge Lord Caitanya. through the nice hearted devotees of ISKCON As Srila Bhaktivinod Takur rightly puts it You and by your continuous and non-stop activi- are the majestic master and let me serve you like a ties. You are guiding not only our family, but all. humble kukur life after life. We are happy and living peacefully because of Kindly grace me to remove my anarthas and to Krishna consciousness and you are the base for develope Krishna Prem in this life time. You are all this. gloriously carryimg out the missiom of Srila Pra- You are living for us; you are suffering for us; bhupada by Your ceaseless preaching all over the you are working for us. Even though I am not world. I pray to Lord Narasinga Dev to bestow You qualified to write about great people like you, good health and long life to carry out Your mis- I am heartfully thanking you and praying for your sion. I request You to turn my stone like heart to sound health and long life, to serve the society a soft flower so that I may spread Your fragrance and guide us. Hare Krishna! through out my life. Wishing to be Your humble servant for ever. Always your well wisher and servant, Radheswari bhakti Devi Dasi Your insignificant daughter, & Balasubramanian, SaciRadhika Devi Dasi (Diksha), Coimbatore, India Coimbatore, India My Dear Guru Maharaj, Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances unto Your Dear Guru Maharaja my spiritual father, lotus feet. Dandavat pranams. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to You. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! You are the source of inspiration to me Guru Happy 67th vyasapuja unto you. Maharaj in all my activities in day to day life. But You are the embodiment of ocean of mercy. for you I would be drowning in the darkest region Great commander in chief of Mahaprabhu’s army. of ocean of material life. You are the sunlight All glories unto you. dissipating the darkness in my life. It gives immense strength to me when I see You in person Perfect disciple to your Guru Srila Prabhupada. All glories unto you. Saviour of the fallen conditioned souls. and read Your books. All glories unto you. You are so glorious that your vani gives me great peace of mind to my agitated state in differ- By your holiness mercy I am blessed with a baby girl last year during the last day of purush- ent circumstances. Kindly continue to shower Your mercy so that ottama adhika masa at Sridham Mayapur. I seek I may be fixed in Yours and Krishna's service your blessings to raise her properly in Krishna eternally. consciousness. I thank the Supreme Lord for connecting me Only by your mercy I am sustaining In my spiri- in Krishna Conscious activities through You who tual life by overcoming difficulties and challenges. 100 India Asia Though I fail to be a perfect disciple still your love desirable. You travel around the world carrying and caring towards me is boundless. The enthusi- the message of LORD GAURANGA Mahapra- asm to preach Krishna consciousness irrespective bhu.You purify a place by your Divine presence of your health issues is beyond imagination. By and deliver the most fallen souls like us.Your glo- this you exhibit the quality of sincerity,and also rious Padma vakya’s are the only hope and shelter teach everyone how a disciple should be. for us. I have so many memorable moments with you namera ruchi, jivera daya In parikrama (2016) You chant very enthu- since 1996. In all those I admired your greatness. I beg forgiveness unto your lotus feet if I have com- siastically LORD GAURANGA’S Holy name mitted any offence knowingly or unknowingly. GAURA GAURA GAURA GAURA GAURA I also desire to stay under your lotus feet shelter GAURA GAURA GAURA GAURA GAURA ever and ever and help you in Srila Prabhupada’s in this way you shower the mercy unconditionaly mission to my best capability. to the all living entities. We thank LORD GAURANGA who has Your insignificant daughter, given You to us. Satarupa Vrnda Devi Dasi, Coimbatore, India And we thank You who has given LORD GAURANGA to us. Your only interest and ambition is in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desire to Our beloved GURU MAHARAJ! spread KRISHNA consciousness every where. Please accept our humble obeisances at your We pray to LORD NARASIMHA DEV, for your lotus feet All glorious to SRI SRI JAGANNATH, speedy health recovery.We always remember your Lotus feet. BALADEV,& SUBADRA DEVI! We once again offer our obeisances, begging All glorious to SRI SRI RADHA MADAVA! your blessings on this auspicious day of your vyada All glorious to SRI SRI GAURA NITAI! puja, so that we can advance on the path of pure All glorious to SRILA PRABHUPADA! bhakthi. All glorious to YOU, as you are always spreading Their glorious and representing Them in Your humble and unworthy servants, delivering so many fallen conditioned souls like us. Seva Parayana Dasa (Diksha) We would like of offer you our words of appreci- Sundareshwari Radha Devi Dasi (Diksha) ation for so kindly giving us, unqualified souls,the Tulasi, Padma Sri great benediction, KRISHNA Consciousness. We know we are very low and cannot properly glorify Dear Guru Maharaja, you, but please kindly accept this offering at your Please accept my sincere & grateful obeisances! lotus feet. Recently when your Divine Grace All glories to you and your glorious disciples who visited chennai RathaYatra,we got inspired by carry your mood! seeing Your Divine Grace. Somehow we got your Guru Maharaja, I do not know what to tell... causeless mercy.Your Grace is just like the desire But would like to share a certain experience tree from whom we can have on request everything and the realizations which came out of that 101 102 India experience. Asia and the beautiful devotees! Last year, suddenly my husband was diagnosed Guru Maharaja, me and my husband sin- with some serious problems in one of the nerves in cerely thank you, and pray for your good health the brains. It was a very serious situation. During and a very long life, so that so many souls may that time, where someone could feel so lonely and benefit from your presence. Hare Krishna Guru fearful, because of the presence of your wonderful Maharaja! Feeling very thankful to you and devotees, disciples here in Coimbatore, I felt so secure and happy. I would really like to thank you so much for giving some very nice disciples of yours, who Your servant, carry your heart – which is to help when some- Shyamanandi Gopi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) one is so badly in need. I would like to sincerely & Neelakantan, thank His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Maharaja, HG Coimbatore, India Bhakta Das Prabhu, HG Srinivasa Hari Prabhu, HG Madhu Gopal Prabhu, HG Shankarshan Respected and dear Guru Maharaja, Gaura Prabhu and other devotees, who gave me so much help during one of the most difficult times Please accept my most respectful, appreciative of my life and when I needed their help the most. and affectionate obeisances unto your glorious I preserve the garland remnants and other auspi- self! All glories to you, all glories to the most cious items which they gave me during this time, selfless class of vaisnavas - the acaryas! because the gifts from devotees are too precious. Guru Maharaja, writing a vyasa puja offering The doctor who was treating my husband saw to you, and through you, to the whole parampa- a photo of Lord Narasimha deva which we had ra is a serious business. Its basically an opportuni- kept in the room. He inquired about Krishna con- ty for me to have a direct conversation with the sciousness and even visited ISKCON Delhi when whole of Guru parampara as well as with Krish- he went for a conference to Delhi. The compli- na, through the transparent medium of yourself. cated surgery for my husband was so easily done. You speak the following in a lecture on Srimad When I thanked the doctor, he said it was only Bhagavatam 6.9.46 on May 1999. In that lecture you because the God you worship, that the operation explain the science of prayers. 'Prayers are a very important means of commu- was so easily and successfully done. Guru Maharaja, due to the presence of these nication with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. kind-hearted disciples of yours, never ever did Prayers tell something...When we make a prayer we I feel alone or lost. I feel even my so-called rel- first focus on the glories of the Lord. We say some- atives would not have supported me as much as thing which is factual. Its not just like some kind of how devotees did. Guru Maharaja, I saw the very flattery that does not mean anything. Its actually a same qualities of yours in these devotees. Thank declaration of the Lord's glories...which also reveals you once again for giving them to me. I am feeling we understand who the Lord is... we also include our that devotees are my actual relatives. It is you who own unfortunate hopeless situation we are in and has given me the temple of ISKCON Coimbatore, our limited and fallen nature. And also may request the deities of Lord Jagannath Baladeva Shubadra some mercy...some special kind of blessing or some103 Asia India thing. Sometime prayers are just glorifying the Lord... they talk to the Lord and the Lord talks to them'. So, prayer is actually our talking to Krishna. I am sure that you are one of those elevated When we talk to Krishna, we call it a prayer. Some persons who can speak to the Lord. Will you devotees are so elevated that they talk to the Lord please put forward my case to Krishna and Lord and the Lord talks to them. Gaurasundara... Guru Maharaja, I know I am Prayer is one of the very most important activity having some serious internal struggles going on. we have. Prayer is a very important activity we have... But the sad fact I am not even able to put to words It also helps us establish our personal relationship exactly what is the struggle that is going on with- with Krishna. We also pray to the Guru. We offer in myself. Its like a patient knows something is our vyasa puja homage.' terribly wrong with the system but is not able to Though technically, the science or the concept exactly tell what is wrong. Heart is craving to love of disciplic succession is to offer an unadulterated and serve the Lord, but something is blocking transparent passage to and from the Supreme in between in the glorification of His... I am not Lord, at the present state of being I am in, I am against submission, respect, servitude and love. more inclined to just accept and glorify one end But I am more and more concerned about the of this chain - the most merciful compassionate nature, quality and heart of the Person whom selfless acaryas like yourself, Srila Bhakti Tirtha I want to submit to, respect and serve. As I write, Swami, Ramanuja acarya, Lord Nityananda, my only shelter and solace are the beautiful Jesus Christ and other such great souls, who, hearted acaryas like yourself and some wonder- despite being beaten, offended, and what not, still ful vaisnavas whom Krishna has arranged me to continue to give compassion to the ignorant souls know in this life, to whom I would love to submit, and taking suffering on themselves. It is this surrender and serve. But seems like He has giv- glorious quality of the acaryas which inspires en you all to me and He Himself has taken a me to surrender to you all as compared to the back seat... Now, like the child Narada who was Supreme Lord, Who punishes with sin on slight craving and crying for the Lord, He has let me in a disobedience or unsubmission to Him, or rewards desolate mid-air-hanging Trishanku kind of state people who submit to Him. So, I am endeavouring where neither am I a full atheist nor a realized to write this Vyasa puja offering just aimed at the lover of His... I am in-between struggling to acarya-class and begging you all to please protect understand Him, coupled with the bad expe- whatever devotion I might be having. And if you riences life presents itself with of leaders and so feel it is ok, please pass this further up so that it controllers in this material world, which to my may reach Krishna,Who I am desiring to love and agony, bears a striking similarity with the gover- serve as a servant of a servant of a servant, and nance and system of God. may He, Who created me, remove all the clouds Your beloved spiritual master and my dear of doubts and calamities which have come upon Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport of the simple hearted devotion I used to be having Bhagavad-gita 4.10. '...And because they are too materially absorbed, towards Him. In the above lecture which I have quoted, you the conception of retaining the personality after lib- tell this line - 'Some devotees are so elevated that eration from matter frightens them. When they are 104 India Asia informed that spiritual life is also individual and of Godhead. This statement suggests that the com- personal, they become afraid of becoming persons plete unit of the Personality of Godhead includes again, and so they naturally prefer a kind of merging His parts and parcels also. He saw, therefore, His into the impersonal void. Generally, they compare different energies, namely the internal energy, the the living entities to the bubbles of the ocean, which marginal energy and the external energy. He also merge into the ocean. That is the highest perfection saw His different plenary portions and parts of the of spiritual existence attainable without individual plenary portions, namely His different incarnations personality. This is a kind of fearful stage of life, also, and he specifically observed the unwanted mis- devoid of perfect knowledge of spiritual existence...' eries of the conditioned souls, who are bewildered by Though philosophically I am not an adher- the external energy. And at last he saw the remedial ent to this merging concept or anything like that, measure for the conditioned souls, namely the pro- the alternative spiritual reality seems to be fear- cess of devotional service. ' ful, because apparently, the Personality of God- I know you are representing Vyasa-deva and head seems to be possessing of the same type of this is Vyasa puja, and thus, am pleading to you as virtues which the autocratic leaders of this world well as Vyasa deva to bless me with the above real- seem to be possessed with. Guru Maharaja, just ization. Lord Caitanya came to give love of Krish- because someone is a Supreme Lord or a Supremo na to all. That is the greatest gift which he brought like President or Prime Minister, does not mean with Himself and that is one of the most import- I have submit and love them. Though in Krishna ant primary purposes of His appearance. And it is consciousness movement or rather, as a matter the same gift I want to receive from Him. I do not of fact, in any true spiritual path, there are many want anything else from Him at this point. Love descriptions of this world, the spiritual world and is a concomitant result of a relationship and re- so on. At this juncture of my spiritual journey, lationship is a concomitant effect of respect and I have known lots of whats and hows. But right appreciation of a person. As a representative of now I am more and more craving to know the Lord Gauranga, please bless me with that gift and whys and deeper whys of the whats and hows. Are also please convey my struggles and cravings to the same principles we see in this planet earth the most beautiful of all dancers. Am so sorry if I also present in the spiritual and higher material am questioning like a renegade or a rebel, please systems, albeit in a different and a higher para- bear with me, for all these questions are born with digm. Primarily I want to realize, not just know, a desire to realize the Truth and love with clarity the dawn of my creation, my sambandha with Lord when I am in this body, than to be awaken to an and everyone around me, the heart of the Lord, un-encountered reality after I quit this body. the reason behind the apparently strict system of This prayer and expression of the current pri- His, the management style... basically am going to mary burning desire in the heart out of the way, the bare root fundamentals. Thus, I am submit- let me continue... ting this prayer unto you. I very very badly want Guru Maharaja, though I am struggling to this realization as written by Srila Prabhupada in understand certain aspects of Krishna and His Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.6 purport... system, many aspects of His are so so so endearing 'Śrīla Vyasadeva saw the all-perfect Personality which makes me so much want to love and serve 105 Asia India Him. Just for the sake of having the continuity of ation, they were able to continue on for years the relationship between each of the souls and and years... Though from one perspective, de- Him, He continues to come here millennium after spite your health, you are travelling around to try millennium and sends some beautiful lovers of His serve the orders given to you by Srila Prabhupada, like your beautiful self and other great acaryas. from another perspective, just as an iron rod be- Unlike the previous couple of years, last year, comes fire due to continuous contact with fire, I was blessed to see your physical form couple you have become like your own spiritual master to of times. After all the health chaos of the 2013, be able to infuse people with a loving experience 2014 and 2015, for the first time I travelled and when they interact with you. We had a beautiful it was for a beautiful purpose of having your program in a school auditorium and you seem to darshan and association in Bangalore. The be liking the whole set up where so many devotees beautiful setting of the Godrej apartments and could gather together in an organized way. And as the graciousness of the devotees hosting you, you were leaving the hall, the chaos (in a positive made the whole experience beautiful. Having sense) surrounding your car was the same as I had seen you walk majestically like a huge male lion, experienced the first time I saw such a thing many it was sad to see the sight which first greeted many years ago. People of all categories throng- me – you doing your exercises by pedalling the ing around the car to get your blessings, have a wheeling chair. I offered my obeisances and it glimpse of you and you, as usual, trying to recipro- was as if you were coming straight for me. Not cate to them. wanting to be obstructing your way, I moved aside Though I could not get any sort of interaction and you pedalled around purifying the whole with you, a few minutes before I was to leave the atmosphere with your presence. How bless- apartments, got a glimpse of you. Krishna pre- ed were the various living entities embodied as sented me with a picture of yours with your feet various plants, trees and grasses in this remote part stretched... sitting and doing gayatri. I was able to of Bangalore, away from any sort of holy dhamas, see you only side on and from a distance, but you to be able to get the blessings and vibrations of a were looking so bright and effulgent. pure devotee like you. There are few memories of Guru Maharaja, but this serenity and happi- this visit which shall remain ever etched in the ness of seeing you thus, had a difficult 2-3 months heart. We had 2 moons in the same place at the preceding it. Over the months of May, June, July same time. HG Pankajangrhi Prabhu also came 2015... It was very very intense Guru Maharaja. to Bangalore at the same time you were there. I had thought that after the time spent at ILBS And in the evening, you came to a hall where hospital in the early months of 2015 and after the you gave darshan and encouraged the devotees emphatic declaration by our dear and respected of various Bangalore yatras. How much it would Dr.Sarin in 2015 Vyasa puja, I had thought that mean to those devotees who are struggling hard the worst was over and breathed a sigh of relief. preaching the message of the Lord and fighting But seems like the months which followed were Kali to get the loving blessings of you? Many Srila the worst since 2008 October. It was quite stressful Prabhupada disciples just saw him once or twice and anxious. It was as if your breathing had almost and with the power of that lava matra associ- gone and we may never see you again... But these 106 India Asia 2-3 months were also the time when the practice disciples, it is He who has created these systems, of Krishna consciousness was also very intense. I right?...and so cant He override it? And He has was in Coimbatore... And as far as a I recall, it was overridden so many of His own systems...and what the first time since so many devotees of the con- is big karma for Him... and what is karma – the re- gregation came together in the temple to chant 64 sultant reactions to certain actions. And all these rounds on an ekadasi in the Purushottama month, action-reaction rules are laid down by Him and exclusively for your recovery. One particular day, administered by universal administrators appoint- a message came from the jpsdisciples mailing list ed by Him. Why should you be subject to all this, which said of the intensity of the situation you even if its due to disciples’ karma? As this struggle were in. It read thus – was going on inside, a revelation came, that it is 'Please can you all pray for Guru Maharaj very hard just one more time from the bottom of your actually very very befitting that you experience all this. Why? hearts!' On that particular day, tried to chant and pray As we look into the pastimes of the Lord, who has borne the maximum injuries? as intensely as I could... and as I was doing it, it In Ramayana, despite the presence of Lord was more and more puzzling as to why Krishna – Rama just beside him, Lakshmana was serious- under whose control the whole universal system ly wounded and almost dead.It was not some or- functions, is allowing such a devotee like you to dinary injury in the battlefield but it was a life go through such health calamities. Even if the threatening injury caused by a powerful astra. And argument is given, its because of karma of the how much anxiety the vanara sena, Lord Rama, 107 Asia India Vibhishana and other devotees would have gone when Madhai came to beat him for the second time, through that night when Lakshman’s survival was and for this one reason, Lord Caitanya benedict- hanging by the thread. Had it not been for Hanu- ed him with love of Krishna. Of so many services, man’s heroics, Lakshmana would have been gone more than when Hanuman reported the news of that night. Why is it that Lakshmana had to go finding Mother Sita, Hanuman’s service of bring- through such a catastrophe, for all his life He had ing the special celestial leaves to cure Lakshmana only one thing – that is to serve Lord Rama self- was most appreciated and thanked by Lord Rama. lessly day and night...but it happened. So, just like that, out of extreme extreme extreme Of course, as a result of Ramayana, Balaram ji kindness and compassion, you go through such did not agree to be a younger brother of Krishna unthinkable pains, just so that so many many of in Krishna lila and we do not hear of any instance us could get a chance to selflessly pray for you, and where Balarama was badly injured in Krishna lila. thus endear ourselves to Lord Caitanya and Srila But in Gaura lila, again, Lord Nityananda took Prabhupada. My only redemption from the eyes of a subservient mood to Lord Gaurasundara and Lord Caitanya would be, like Jagai, – ‘Despite all what happened? He was so badly beaten by Mad- his wrong doings and disqualifications, this soul Sri hai right on the head and almost bleeding to death. Nrsimha Das chanted one extra round for my dear What did Lord Nityananda do? All He did was to Jayapataka when he was in hospital’. That may be give the mercy of the Lord to Jagai and Madhai... my only saving grace. So, irrespective of what you and the result was the grievous injury on Himself. might be going through, I just need to be doing Here, instead of a person like Hanuman, Lord what the various vanaras did – pray and do my Gauranga took it directly upon himself to protect part as if your well being depended on what I am Lord Nityananda. But the fact remains that Lord doing. But everything happening to you is special- Nityananda Prabhu was so badly injured. ly orchestrated by Lord Caitanya as part of His lila And as you repeatedly cite that Srila Prabhupada had to go through a severe stroke which incapacitated him head below, but how he continued to preach and help elevate the conditioned souls and serve his Guru Maharaja, despite his condition. – for what higher purpose, I do not know. Such selfless heart of compassion is the beauty of the acaryas, whose class you belong to. Jesus Christ was crucified, but yet he prayed for others’ well being. Khuresha was blinded, but he prayed for the So, it dawned that, it is so befitting that a dedicated servant of Lord Lakshamana, Lord liberation of the guards who blinded him and the envious disciple who betrayed him and his guru. Nityananda Prabhu and Srila Prabhupada like Ramanuja acarya was ready to goto Hell and yourself, would voluntarily take some of the suffer for all the sins for disobeying the order of bodily pains which your master had to go through. his guru, if only, by getting the Narayana mantra, Its all part of your lila to heighten the glory of millions of others would goto Vaikunta. your spiritual master and also to give an oppor- Vasudeva dutta was ready to take up the suf- tunity for the jivatmas to get some benefit by fering of all jivatmas of this world and suffer, and doing some service for you. The greatest deed they all go back to Godhead. which Jagai did was to protect Lord Nityananda 108 And seeing you more and more as days go by, India Asia you more and more exhibit these wonderful qual- A few days later I had to travel to Melkote along ities, which I have only heard in the shastras. You with my parents, and like how devotees took some are right up there amongst these acaryas, who are special paraphernalia of Lord Narasimha deva known for their selfless compassion. You are such when you were in ICU in 2015, this year also it a hope for me Guru Maharaja, in this dull dark was suggested that those be couriered to Delhi so world of selfishness, competition, egotism and all that it might reach you. There I was speaking to negative virtues. Thank you so much for being pujaris who knew you so well since the Hare Krish- such an embodiment of Truth, Compassion and na Hill installation days. One nice hearted pujari Selflessness!!!!! I sincerely hope and desire that I was very fondly recalling how during the instal- may be a source of happiness to you. lation ceremony some 30-40 Sri Vaisnavas from Guru Maharaja, the second instance I got Melkote had come there. And how you visited to witness your person was in February 2016. them personally inquiring about their well-being, After Bangalore, you went to Malaysia and then stay and also inquired quite elaborately about the other places. You were actively taking part in various procedures and agamas which they were various programs, when the news reached that doing. You are loved not only within ISKCON but your health again went down in Australia. You also by devotees from other bonafide sampradaya were to come to Coimbatore for Rath yatra, but like Sri and Madhva. And your very large heart because of the change in schedule caused by ill- has well-wishing feelings for all the devotees and health you could not make it here. You came to you are not sectarian about just ISKCON. And Chennai and from there to Mayapur. Things seem likewise, devotees of other parampara are also re- to be going on well, when suddenly after opening ciprocating with you for your kind disposition of of Ekachakra temple, we heard that your health heart towards them. The pujaris were very pained again went down. And things developed so rapidly to hear of your health condition and one was even around that time, before something could sink in, telling that the devotees who do not understand you were in ILBS, and apparently back to square 1 such a glorious broad hearted personality like you, as it was in May 2015!!... at times there is a limit to do not deserve your association on this planet and which the nerves can take. To be honest, my first it would be better if you could have a trouble free internal reaction deep inside, of which I was very body and serve the Lord in Vaikunta. I interjected ashamed of thereafter was – a feeling of Oh! No! telling that you need to stay to complete all the Not again...the plans which I had made, all had to services which Srila Prabhupada has given you. To be changed again. It was a sort of not a response that he retorted back saying – that is why you dis- of love but as if it was a burden to chant those ex- ciples are there. To serve the mission of the guru tra rounds, prayers and the extra tension we have is the duty of the disciple he said. to take... Because, when you fall sick, every other Anyways, because I was to offer some puja for priority changes till the time I hear you are back you, though I was dressed in pant-shirt, I was let to normal, just like how if someone falls sick at into the inner chambers of the sanctum sancto- home, all the travel plans, etc had to be dropped. rum, very close to Lord Narasimha deva, where I But that feeling was momentary, but I was and am got to stand for an indefinite long period of time. very ashamed of it. Sorry Guru Maharaja. It was so cooling an experience near Lord Nara109 Asia India simha deva. Just because of you, I got such close of the day and to remove any trace of inauspicious- darshan of the Lord. Sri Prahlada Maharaja’s ness that might be there due to the planetary posi- prayers in 7th canto Bhagavatam so fondly came tions(though you are beyond all that). And finally to heart... by evening you were extubated and we got to hear evaà janaà nipatitaà prabhavähi-küpe you were doing good. A good news after few days kämäbhikämam anu yaù prapatan prasaìgät of anxious waiting. I, along with other devotees kåtvätmasät surarñiëä bhagavan gåhétaù were in the ICU waiting room. It was then, sit- so ’haà kathaà nu visåje tava bhåtya-seväm ting there, it stuck to me the miserable nature of And so did Srila Prabhupada’s purport and a this material world and how much material nature class in which you spoke the following same thing can shock the most happiest of families by means “How can I give up the service of my spiritual of health catastrophes. There were tears, there master, who has favored me in such a way that I am were sorrowful faces...and amidst all this was you now able to see You face to face?” in the ICU – ever active, always joyful, high with Guru Maharaja, I was seeing Lord Narasimha energy and enthusiasm... what a contrast it was!! deva face to face, very very closely. But because of The ICU staff were pretty strict about whom to who? You, even from an external perspective. You allow and not allow inside the ICU. Before me, were the only reason why I, someone in pant and another senior devotee whom I respect, came to shirt, without even tilak on my forehead, no visi- see you and after him, somehow they allowed me ble kanti mala nor anything worth identifying me in. They were very strict and thus, I was the only as a devotee (save my chanting bag), was allowed person inside along with another senior devotee inside a traditional strict Sri Vaisnava temple’s with whom I do not share much relationship with... inner chambers. Hg Shyama Rasika Prabhu, my good friend since And they did give some special paraphernalia many years, wanted to come in, but he was not of the Lord and asked me to ensure that it reach- allowed. So, I was sort of alone and came inside es you. Instead of couriering Lord’s paraphernalia, the ICU. I was so shocked to see you in that state I thought I could personally hand over them in Del- of being. As a kid growing up seeing the gigantic hi. Thanks to some nice friendly service-minded and powerful Guru Maharaja, to see you in that devotees in Delhi who helped me so much despite condition was a hard pill to swallow. And I did my last-minute notice to them, I was able to settle not swallow and have not yet swallowed it. For me, down and reach ILBS. I was pleasantly surprised your image in my heart is still of the old Jayapataka and happy to see couple of old devotees whom I Swami, who can lift 10 persons simultaneous- know and also of other devotees who were serving ly, who reminded me of the past gigantic acaryas you. It was a bit nervous day because I was told like Madhvacarya and Ramanujacarya; and whom they were going to be extubating you and the day’s I got to interact with and appreciate. This change progress would determine how the next course of of physical form is just some maya being played treatments would go. There was this parapherna- out. You were very active, using the alphabet lia which Lord Narsimha deva had sent for you, chart to communicate and checking with doctors. Krishna Balaram had sent some special blessings I was just standing there and offering some prayers of Theirs...it all was adding to the auspiciousness to you. I had a flower from Vrindavan which was 110 India Asia given to me just before I entered the ICU and devotee told me of the interaction he had with you. the senior devotee who was present, offered it to Guru Maharaja, you being one of the oldest mem- you. After some 3 minutes of me standing there... bers of ISKCON, have seen 100s of very sincere you seem to raise your left hand as if to bless souls who wanted to dedicate their life for serving me. I do not know if you wanted me to call some this movement and who spend the best of their doctor or what... but I took it was your kind bless- youth and energies in serving this great mission, ings upon me. At the same instant, the senior but still, for whatsoever reasons change the ashra- devotee asked me to take my leave. He said that ma or services or leave active devotional service had I stayed longer you might try to speak and your in the movement. You know very well of all these situation might relapse. Though I came out, there stories and the struggles they all go through...this was some feeling dissatisfaction which I could not senior devotee was one such soul whom I know explain. May be I should have introduced myself for many years. He is still daily doing his strict to you or you wanted speak something to me and sadhana and somehow wading through all the I came out...do not know what, at some corner of struggles which life is offering to him, yet keep- the heart something was not correct. ing his faith intact in you and Krishna. He is one A senior devotee, I and another friend were of your very old servant and the grateful master walking out of the ILBS hospital, when this senior that you are, you seem to have never forgotten the 111 Asia India servant and his services to you. He said that stands out as one of the most incredible points of when he had come to the ICU, you, despite the 2015-2016. It reinstated the conviction that what- condition you were in -- there was a bed which ever qualities which embellished your beautiful had powder on it to ensure you do not get bed- heart, has only increased and increased over the sores, oxygen mask on your face, cant move, cant gap of 2-3 years where I could not get to observe speak, some clips on your hand, devices monitoring you in person. Beautiful Guru Maharaja!!!... you and you had just been extubated after many One of the beautiful things which has hap- days of painful treatments – you welcomed this pened over the last few months is, after many many devotee. You made him feel so much loved by your years I am getting to render some seva to my dear personal words. You exchanged some very personal Lord Jagannatha directly. Though on one side the loving words. You especially asked about his aforementioned struggle about certain aspects of family, his child, and even went to the extent of God and His system is going on, the Causeless taking a photograph with that devotee, something unending which may not happen in ICU. This devotee, when Jagannatha (in Coimbatore), Shri Shri Radha he was speaking all this was feeling so joyful, loved Shyamasundara (in Vrindavan) have given me, and cared for. I could feel how much, by these gives rise to so much grateful feelings, that any loving gestures of yours, you had made his heart so human would not live without wanting to recip- soothed and happy. The hard struggles he had to rocate to Them. By mercy of one of your dear go through, I am sure, would have vanished in the devotees, Hg Bhaktadas Prabhu, he has given me radiance of your fatherly affection and concern. a weekly seva to prepare the evening fruit offering When I heard this, whatever slight dissatisfaction to Lord Jagannatha. Its really a beautiful seva and I might have had in the heart vanished. THIS is at times I think, if Lord Jagannath is having a good the person whom I am desiring and endeavouring laugh at seeing my struggles at one end and on the to serve. Whatttaaa person he is!! Guru Maharaja, other end, Him commissioning me to render some you are amazing! How much these sweet gestures seva to Him directly. Guru Maharaja, I try to serve of yours affect people, you may never know. How on your behalf, but I am sure I am making so many sensitive... how loving... What a wonderful person mistakes and careless handling of things as I am you are to be able to be so sensitive and share your doing this seva. I try to be as careful as possible love and appreciation for this wonderful disciple but please forgive me for any lapses in this service of yours despite the precarious condition you were to my dear Supreme Father, Mother, Friend and in. At almost the same instant the fond memories what not, and bless me so that I may be a source of of couple of other personalities in whom I got pleasure to Him for all the affection He has given to witness similar qualities like yours flooded to me over time immemorial! affection and love which Lord my heart making it more joyful. Overall, it was a Guru Maharaja, compared to how I was 2-3 happy one-day interlude in Delhi. And of course years ago, my health is lot better though there is this health episode of yours had only nicer news still some 5-10% which needs to improve. At times to follow, for you recovered very quickly and went I wonder, may be I should have died at that time back to Mayapur in time for Gaura Purnima. only, when heart was full of feelings for Krishna. This singular experience of mine in Delhi 112 Though external health is better, some expe- India Asia riences in this world is sowing in some seeds of so much power and control, they can twist and hatred at certain qualities which I see in people, turn as they want to and control and punish and especially persons in leadership and management reward. Guru Maharaja, the worst part is, when positions. His Grace Pankajangrhi Prabhu made a I extrapolate this Bhu-loka thing to the upper plan- very striking statement when he spoke the pre-ini- etary system, its the same thing seen even there. tiation lecture in Bangalore. He said bhakti is all Despite all the mis-doings of Indra and demi- about having an experience. How true that is? It gods, they get away with anything and everything, is experience which acts as a filter in perceiving because they are closer to the upper management things. Isn’t it? Guru Maharaja, majority of my and worse, they get praised and rewarded. Who is life, I grew up with focus primarily on academics, a demon and who is a demigod? So, it all appears being a meritorious student, amongst gentlemen to be boiling up to the Supreme Leadership to devotees and academics and always have been label someone as good and someone as bad. And taught to put others before me and be straight why should there be such a vertical hierarchical forward. But it turns out all that I thought to be system of management in Krishna’s system? the right thing, does not sell in this world. It ap- Guru Maharaja, to end, I would like to sing pears that one has to be diplomatic, one has to the same note with which I started this commu- twist-tongues and speak words as per situations to nication with the parampara. I know this is not gain self-advantage. And the negative experience just to Jayapataka Swami I am writing this but to I have been having since the few years, all seems the whole lot of acaryas and pure hearted souls to be having some effect on the fine feeling of spanning across other sampradayas also, because bhakti which I had for Krishna and His system. end of the day, each of the acaryas have a loving World seems to be wicked place, and though I try relationship with each other in the eternal realm to not hate anything, some qualities – especial- of selfless service. And I hope they would be kind ly duplicity in motives, controllership, political/ enough to bless me the realizations which my heart diplomatic behaviour, flattering speech, favou- is craving for. ritism (where merit is superseded by proximity to State of heart right now is just like what the leader), being a yes-man to the leader, speak Maharaja Parikshit was asking in the beginning of something having something else in mind, selfish- the 7th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam 7.1.1 — King ness, uninspiring leadership, not playing by the Parékñit inquired: My dear brähmaëa, the Supreme rules, subjectivity, having a hierarchical kind of Personality of Godhead, Viñëu, being everyone’s management structure where you can’t approach well-wisher, is equal and extremely dear to every- the top person, etc all seem spring hatred straight one. How, then, did He become partial like a com- away. Many successful business tycoons, political mon man for the sake of Indra and thus kill Indra’s leaders, statesmen, and who all the world deems enemies? How can a person equal to everyone be to be successful seem to have employed some of partial to some and inimical toward others? those qualities which I am beginning to despise, to 7.1.2 — Lord Viñëu Himself, the Supreme get where they have gone and continue to be. I am Personality of Godhead, is the reservoir of all plea- beginning to hate management and persons in sure. Therefore, what benefit would He derive from management positions – because, they wield siding with the demigods? What interest would He 113 Asia India fulfill in this way? Since the Lord is transcendental, the external energy. And at last he saw the remedial why should He fear the asuras, and how could He be measure for the conditioned souls, namely the pro- envious of them? cess of devotional service. ' 7.1.3 — O greatly fortunate and learned bräh- The presence of loving selfless no-non-sense maëa, whether Näräyaëa is partial or impartial acaryas like you and few other loving vaisnavas has become a subject of great doubt. Kindly dispel and inspirational leaders in my life, and the re- my doubt with positive evidence that Näräyaëa is lationship which you share with me and what I always neutral and equal to everyone. share with you, is the hope which I am holding Guru Maharaja, this struggle has in way, had an effect in reduction of intensity of chanting, hear- onto over the last 2 years or so, as mind is going through these struggles. ing, reading and rendering of services. At times, Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja! Sorry for the humility and earnest calling out of His names, rant...its just an expression of a soul who genu- seems to be not philosophically appealing. And inely wants to love the Absolute Truth in full at times, thinking too much about Krishna trying knowledge and to negate out all the apparent un- to reconcile so many contradictions of His per- desirable virtues which I get to see and experience sonality becomes so stressful to the mind. With- in this world, from Supreme Personality of God- out this philosophical foundation, the mood of head. Just thought I could use this opportunity of sikshastakam 5 seems to be not a consistent com- Vyasa puja to communicate to Vyasa deva and panion during the process of sravanam and kirta- other acaryas expressing things. nam. I have heard that Lord Gaura Hari is a very Please take care of your health. So many many straightforward person and does not like duplici- souls like me are dependent on the presence of tousness or any shortcuts. So, can you please bless good hearted souls like you in this dark world of me and also place my request for the realization selfishness and duplicitousness! of the following to Him and also to Vyasa deva, so that I may be able to chant, hear, read, and do With sincere respects, services with true sincere feelings of respect, grat- thanks and tears unto your lotus feet, itude, love, hankering and separation with respect Desiring to be a loving servant of to that Heart which created me and is sustaining yours and senior vaisnavas, Sri Nrsimha Das, me. Coimbatore, India 'Śrīla Vyasadeva saw the all-perfect Personality of Godhead. This statement suggests that the complete unit of the Personality of Godhead includes Respected Guru Maharaj, His parts and parcels also. He saw, therefore, His Hare Krishna. Please accept my most respect- different energies, namely the internal energy, the ful obeisances unto your Lotus Feet. marginal energy and the external energy. He also All glories to your Divine Grace. saw His different plenary portions and parts of the All glories to Srila Prabhupada. plenary portions, namely His different incarnations On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, also, and he specifically observed the unwanted mis- I am sincerely praying to Lord Nrsingadeva for the eries of the conditioned souls, who are bewildered by quick and full recovery from your illness and for 114 India Asia the long duration of life so that many conditioned in the form of transcendental realizations. Guru souls like me will get your valuable association. Maharaj, You are like a very big fish swimming al- It is mentioned in Sri Siksastaka, “aslisya va ways deep inside the Bhakti ocean and relishing pada-ratam pinastu mam…”, that is, “I know no transcendental ecstasies every moment. Only a one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain small fish like me is swimming on the surface of so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace the ocean and I know that I will be under attack or makes me brokenhearted by not being present at any time by the Eagle of Maya. Guru Maharaj, before me. He is completely free to do anything and I need your causeless mercy and blessings so that everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, I can go deep inside the Bhakti ocean. unconditionally”. Guru Maharaj, You are teaching Guru Maharaj, I am so amazed to see Your self- all of us by Your personal behavior that how one less character. You are always in the mood of giving should be completely surrendered to Krishna even Yourself to others, irrespective of your dangerous in the midst of extremely adverse situations. Your health conditions. Even while lying down in ICU Divine Grace is perfectly practicing the 8th sloka in the hospital, Your Divine Grace is somehow of Siksastaka. finding a way to give Krishna Consciousness to In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.29.8, 3.29.9 & 3.29.10) others. Hamsa or Swan is expert in separating the it is mentioned that Devotional Service can be milk from the water and will take only the milk. In done in a rajasic platform or in a tamasic platform the same way, You are always absorbed in Krishna also. It depends upon the living entity’s choice. Consciousness and giving the same to others with- I am learning from Your personal example that as out any botheration to the external situations. long as I have some ‘hetu’ or ‘material expectation’ Guru Maharaj, You are a true Paramahamsa. I am apart from the desire of serving Guru & Krishna, so fortunate to have such a glorious Spiritual Mas- my devotional service will not be uninterrupt- ter. Please bless me also with the same mood. ed. Guru Maharaj, please bless me for doing unconditional Bhakti. Generally, majority of devotees will think that Yukta Vairagya means utilizing all the external Srila Rupa Goswami is comparing Bhakti to a material objects in Krishna’s service. But, Your deep ocean. As long as a person is swimming on Divine Grace is teaching all of us that utilizing the surface of the ocean, he will be constantly dis- our own body and mind in Krishna’s service is also turbed by the waves and the scorching heat of the Yukta Vairagya principle. Even though You are Sun. But if he goes deep inside the ocean, he will physically very weak, still You are enthusiastically not at all be disturbed by the waves and the heat. spreading Lord Gauranga’s glories with whatev- Instead, water will be standstill inside the deep er least bit energy left in Your body. In this way ocean and he will be able to get the valuables from you are utilizing Your body in Krishna’s service to the ocean. In the same way, if anyone practices the maximum extent. I am understanding that my Bhakti on the superficial platform, then he will material body is deteriorating every moment and be constantly disturbed by the 3 modes. But if he I will be surely getting some major health chal- dives deep inside the ocean i.e., vigorously practic- lenges, because that is the nature of this material es Bhakti, then he will come out of the influence body. But I am getting great inspiration and de- of the 3 modes and he will be able to get valuables termination from Your personal example to utilize 115 116 India Asia each and every bit of energy in Guru & Krishna’s one thereby connecting the living entities with service. Guru Maharaj, You are the source of in- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Your transcendental spiration for all the devotees. While engaging all activities are glorious. the external material objects in Krishna’s service, Krishna and Gauranga will always use His if we don’t engage our mind in thinking about dearest devotees to do some confidential / Krishna, then 100% Yukta Vairagya principle special devotional services. Krishna used Arjuna is not followed. Your Divine Grace is always to do special tasks in Mahabharata war. Krishna engaging Your mind in thinking about Krishna and also utilized Bhishmadev to give instructions to Gauranga’s pastimes and You are fully absorbed Yudhishtira Maharaja while lying down in the bed in thinking about how to spread Lord Gauranga’s of arrows. In the same way, Krishna and Gauranga glories in a more refined way. Srila Prabhupada is utilizing Your Divine Grace very much in Their told that the devotee means Daksha – expert. confidential devotional services and You are also Guru Maharaj, You are also very expert in util- simply surrendered to Them. Such a Spiritual ising all the material objects to the fullest extent Master is very dear to Krishna and He is the con- in Krishna’s service. Guru Maharaj, You are the fidential representative of Krishna, and glorifying living example for the Yukta Vairagya principle. & serving Him will please Krishna very much. Recently I read in Sri Caitanya Caritamrita that how Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya acted Your insignificant disciple, as a Guru to King Prataparudra. Simply because Srinivasa Hari Das, (Diksha) of Bhattacarya’s association, King Prataparudra ISKCON, Sri Jagannath Mandir, developed so much hankering to have darshan of Coimbatore, India Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He even went to the extent of renouncing the Kingdom and becoming Hare Krishna! a mendicant if he doesn’t get the opportuni- Dear Guru Maharaj, ty to have darshan of the Lord. Srila Sarva Please accept my humble obeisances unto your bhauma Bhattacarya moulded the King very nice- lotus feet, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! ly by giving proper spiritual instructions and fi- I am not eligible even to glorify your grace nally the King received the mercy of Sri Caitanya but it is a duty of a disciple to glorify his spiritual Mahaprabhu only by the mercy and recom- master I am doing this. The capacity to post this mendation of his Guru Srila Sarvabhauma Bhat- glorification is even the mercy of Guru Maharaj. tacarya. This incident touched my heart and If I am missing the chance to glorify your grace I strongly realized that nobody can go near to then what will be the use of being a disciple. Gauranga or Krishna without the Guru’s recommendation and mercy. I realized that how Guru In his verses praising the spiritual master, Śrīla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura writes: is playing a very important role in bringing the säkñäd-dharitvena samasta-çästrair uktas tathä conditioned souls to the Lotus feet of Krishna bhävyata eva sadbhiù "The spiritual master is and Gauranga. Guru Maharaj, You are coming honoured as much as the Supreme Lord because in the same parampara carrying the mood of pre- he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord." vious acharyas and distributing widely to every- First instance, When I was serving Guru Ma117 Asia India haraj last year in the April and May months. Some Maharaj and insist him to tell them to start Chant- of the things which moved me much and made me ing Hare Krishna Japa. We were close to the lotus very much absorbed in Guru Maharaj and made building, Guru Maharaj was coming in the wheel me to aspire to have his qualities. This was very chair and was rushing to some festival near to close to the day of second crisis. One day we start- Samadhi. My mother went close to Guru Maharaj ed the night shift, those days Guru Maharaj used but she was unable to get the blessings. My moth- to have Oxygen cylinder to help his breathing in er went to close to the barigate of TOVP con- better during the night sleep. It was transition struction area and she was taking darsan of Guru time of the afternoon shift and night shift. so lot Maharaj from far away. I was close to Guru Maharaj's of us were there together Ruchi Rangada Prabhu, window after he got into the car to receive bless- Golokeswar Govinda Prabhu, Subhal Sudama Pra- ings. To my surprise Guru Maharaj called my bhu, Sri Caitanya Srivas Prabhu, Nrsingha prasad mother by action, My mother came close to the Prabhu were together. Jaya Radha Krishna Prabhu window of the car and received the blessings. was reading "Life comes from life book" for Guru "I understood there are no accidents, it is all the Maharaj. We found very lately that the A/C unit causeless mercy and compassion of Guru and in Guru Maharaj room was not working. and as Gauranga". after that I asked my mother, she told well as the oxygen cylinder was not working. We that she felt that Guru Maharaj might be busy and were all running here and there making sounds wont have time since he was in the car. but he is with screw driver and other tools to rectify the very merciful that I got blessings. A/C unit and as well as the Oxygen Cylinder. But Third instance, back in 2011 when Guru I was idle for sometime and standing in the room Maharaj came for the treatment in AVP, Coim- making sure that Guru Maharaj dont gets disturb batore. I got opportunity to serve him in shifts. due to this noice., to my surprise Guru Maharaj It was the last day of that visit, so it was planned was so much observed in hearing to Jaya Radha that Guru Maharaj will go to temple for darsan Krishna Prabhu. Suddenly Guru Maharaj told, and leave from there for Airport. He took dar- "repeat". I thought he was telling, "keep quiet" and san and came back to his room. it was about 5 went close to His bed and asked Guru Maharaj pm and the flight departing time was 7 pm. Guru said again, "repeat"... Jaya Radha Krishna Prabhu Maharaj was rushing everybody really because was repeating the passage or conversation he read checkin time was very close ahead. So before leav- already. If we were in that situation, then proba- ing the room, Janakiramachandra prabhu, Gopati bly we don't be having the tolerance level of not Govinda Prabhu and myself were there and dress- minding what is happening environmentally and ing Guru Maharaj. It was over and Guru Maharaj concentrating to one person reading books. was in the wheel chair and was to leave the room. Second instance, Guru Maharaj shows unlim- Gopati Govinda Prabhu was trying to offer a ited compassion to everybody who is a new practi- garland which was old, I stopped him saying that tioner of Krishna Consciousness. This was in 2012 it is old garland we can offer Guru Maharaj a new in during the Gaura Purnima Festival, I took my garland from dieties. But Guru Maharaj got that parents to Sri Mayapur Dham for the first time. and garlanded me. Immediately I was thinking I planned to introduced my parents to Guru nothing I have done very effectively in my years in 118 India Asia K.C. when I tried to remove from my neck again your association Guru Maharaja but I always get Guru Maharaj asked why you are removing? Then so astonished to see so much of your love and com- I removed after a while, While Guru Maharaj was passion for all of us. You always make me speech- moving out of the room he reminded me to collect less by the way you reciprocate with all of us. It's the garland. I accepted the order! This was an- totally amazing to see. Like Krishna reciprocates swer to a question which was in my foolish mind with us in much much more ways than to what we that Guru Maharaj has so many disciples... he will offer Him and with so much of Love in exchange be knowing or remembering me out of so many of a ting of love in the same way I see you Guru thousands of disciples. He is always equal to all his Maharaja reciprocating to all of us in such differ- disciples and god brothers and well wishers. ent and huge ways with tons tons of love for all I had an opportunity to work with Congrega- us who don't even deserve it. It's always said that tional Development Ministry on Bhakti marriag- we have some connection with the spiritual mas- es (A premarital online course project). If there is ter. And I actually realize that it's so true in your some credit out of it, I would like to dedicate it for case. I always feel such a special connection with your health recovery. u and it's not only with me with all your disciples you have that special connection and it's lovely to Unqualified son and disciple, hear such different realizations from the various Vikrama Nityananda Das, God brothers and sisters. Not only to your disciples Satarupa Vrnda Devi Dasi & Harynee Priya, I have seen Guru Maharaja you are so merciful to Coimbatore, India even those who just pay you obeisances unknowingly. I remember how you protected and blessed Hare Krishna. my friend also who just paid you obeisances seeing Please accept my humble obeisances unto your your Lotus Feet in my WhatsApp profile picture. Lotus Feet my beloved spiritual father. All Glories to Srila Prabhupadaji and Sri Gauranga. All Glories to you Guru Maharaja! I was totally in tears Gurudeva to see you being so compassionate for everyone. You are always a true inspiration to us Guru Maharaja. The way you are A very happy 67th vyasa puja Guru Maharaja. so determined to follow the instructions of your We all are so happy Guru Maharaja to have this spiritual master His Divine Grace AC Bhakti opportunity to celebrate your vyasa puja and to vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Ji is really take this opportunity to give little bit of offerings amazing. Pls bless me also Guru Maharaja so that to you although you have everything by the mercy I also can try my best to follow your instructions of Sri Sri Radha Madhava Ji and we can't give you and can always remain in your service wherever anything Guru Maharaja. All we have is because I may be. Guru Maharaja what this fallen soul can of you only so that only we can offer you. On this speak in your Glories. They are unlimited and special day I would like to first of all thank you for even the words are less to explain your Glories. being so merciful and to accept this most fallen Still I dared little bit to say what my heart always soul unto your Lotus Feet. It's totally your cause felt. less mercy on this most fallen soul. Although I never got that much chance to have Guru Maharaja in lieu of your Vyasa Puja last time by your mercy I was able to have a Harinama 119 Asia India Sankirtan n little bit of Hari Katha here in because you took the hardships to construct it on Vikasnagar, Dehradun. You always emphasize on the order of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. preaching thus by your mercy Guru Maharaja When I read Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita I find how I am trying to have some regular programs here much endeavour you all put to develop this King- as we don't have any temple or Centre or Nam- dom of God. The result of that is now we come to hatta here. Pls bless me Guru Maharaja that on Mayapur, stay here with all facilities and take part this Vyasa Puja also we can have some Harina- in grand festivals with thousands of devotees. ma Sankirtana and Hari Katha here as an offering for your Vyasa Puja. Your teachings in your discourses are giving me more enthusiasm and determination to take Thank you so much Guru Maharaja for all up Krishna Consciousness. You are giving tireless- your mercy and Blessings on this most fallen soul. ly the most valuable and extremely rare thing in I can never ever pay you back by any of my do- whole creation, Krishna prema through Sankir- ings. But at least I can try my best to do anything tan started by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But how you want me to do. Guru Maharaja Please give me unfortunate it is that I still have so much mate- some instructions on how can I constantly serve rial attachment which is stopping me to take the you. Its my sincere prayer from the core of my maximum benefit and help others to take it. heart to Srila Prabhupada Ji, all the Acaryas, Nir- However, you told in one lecture that although simha Deva Ji, Srila Panchtattva Ji, Jagannathaji one has material attachment still don’t give up. Subhadraji Baladevaji and Sri Sri Radha So I am determined to continue practice under Madhavaji to always keep you healthy and to give the guidance of devotees at the same time seeking us your prolonged association. We always need your blessings the most. you Guru Maharaja. Please forgive me for all my offenses Guru Maharaj considering my fallen condition. Your insignificant servant, Please! Please! Please! Pray for me because Ratika Arora, (Shelter), your prayers Sri Sri RadhaMadhava will certainly Coimbatore, India hear. Our Most respected Guru Maharaj!!! Your most insignificant servant, Please accept my humble obeisances. Deepak Kumar (shelter), This Gaura Purnima I visited Mayapur. In spite Under care of His Grace Srinivas Gopal Pra- of thousands of devotees I got accommodation in bhu, NIT DURGAPUR Cakra Bhavan dormitory at ground floor. I was considering myself so fortunate to be connected All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, to one of the most greenish branch (ISKCON) All glories to Srila Prabhupada. of the tree which starts from Sri Caitanya Maha O My Dear Spiritual Master please accept my prabhu. I could get this opportunity because of humble obeisances unto your devine lotus feet. the causeless endeavour of the devotees which Vyasapuja day is very auspicious day of your you send to claim fallen souls like me. I was Divine appearance and is much honorable to me thinking I am sitting in this room is only possible being your disciple. I am a great sinner, fallen soul 120 India Asia just because of your causeless and unconditional mercy please engage this fallen soul in the service mercy even though I don’t have any qualification of Krishna and his pure devotees. you gave shelter at your lotus feet by giving initiation. I don’t deserve to glorify you on this auspi- Your insignificant and humble servant, cious day but just you are even more merciful than Utkarshini Gopika Devi Dasi (Diksha) Gaziabad, India Gaya, India Lord Chaitanya I could think of expressing it. I am ignorant of the troubles you are facing just because to deliver this fallen soul,(as a All glories to Srila Prabhupada. father undergoes to protect and maintain his You are pure devotee of the lord. You are ocean child) and take back to Godhead which is the real of mercy. The very meaning of vaishnava means home. Please forgive this fallen soul and i hum- para dukha dukhi. Krishna doesnot have any bus- bly beg you to please continue to shower your siness in this material world. We are the ones who mercy upon me to have Swift progress in Krishna have to take care of all the people and give them consciousness which can happen only by your Krishna consciousness. You are always thinking of blessings. Please help me to do offenseless how to give Krishna consciousness to people. sadhana and execute your instructions. I once Like Mayura dwaja, After the accident 80% of again humbly request you to protect me so that your body is almost lost, still with the 20% of the I will never get deviated from Spiritual path and body you are thinking how to do paropakar. Krish- stick to your and lotus feet of Krishna. With your na blessed Mayura Dwaja, you will be standing as 121 Asia India dwaja at the entrance of his temple and people af- we can write something to glorify you. We do not ter taking MayuraDwaja's darshan and offer obes- know how to write or what to write. Our attempt ciances only will come to take darshan of Krishna. is just like showing a “Ghee-Lamp” to the all efful- In the same way the whole of ISKCON The gent Sun, but somehow, we wish to write sincerely victory plan of Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, that in order to just purify ourselves. dwaja with his blessings we are getting Krishna's We cannot express in words the blessing be- blessings. The history will talk of you,Maharaj. stowed by Your Holiness on us. Guru Maharaja, we The history will sing songs of your glory. So we simply had some good fortune of associating with are glad that we have such a glorious spiritual the blessed disciples of Your Holiness at Balara- master and we understand your mood. we will al- madesh and this is the sole reason for the begin- ways try to please your mood and serve you life ning of a spiritual journey which is sure to lead us after life. Guru Mukha padma vakya. What ever to achieve the ultimate goal of life through Your comes to your mouth it will be 100% true.Because causeless mercy, Guru Maharaja. Rajamundray temple Inauguration you said this Certainly, we did not deserve any of this and temple is situated in the heart of the state so like were not at all eligible for this. Guru Maharaja, out heart pumps blood to the whole body Krishna con- of your unlimited kripa and mercy for the fallen sciousness will spread from this temple to all of souls, You have blessed us immensely just to pull the state. In 9 years we have opened 9 centers and away from the deep well of ignorance and shown four big full fledged temples we have inaugarated the light of knowledge. with your blessings What ever is coming through During our stay at Balaramadesh, we enjoyed your mouth is come true. We will have faith and the wonderful association of Your Holiness’ dis- will serve you. Sky is the limit to glorify you. ciples which helped us to follow the regulative As an offering to you, We are building Gold- principles, do extra rounds and have regular en Temple at Kondaveedu in Andhra Pradesh, In- Bhakti-vriksha dia under the guidance of Sriman Satya Gopinath Vaisnavas, Deity Dressing, Radha seva and engage Prabhu. We owed to complete it by December to in other devotional services to whatever little please you. extent possible. classes, serve the visiting At present, after having shifted to Gurgaon, Krishna Nama Kirtana Das, (Diksha) due to Your causeless mercy and association of Guntur, India Your Holiness’ disciples and other vaisnavas, a humble beginning has been made by starting a Dear Guru Maharaja and our beloved spiritual father new Bhakti-Vriksha class at our home and preaching at two existing Bhakti-Vriksha classes in Dandavat Pranams! Gurgaon. Also, felt unlimitedly blessed on getting Please accept our humble obeisances unto your the opportunity to serve “the personally serving Lotus Feet! All glories to Guru Maharaja, disciples of Your Holiness”. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! We fondly cherish the special blessings and Hare Krishna, O dear father and spiritual mas- favour bestowed by Your Holiness, when you very ter, kindly bless us and bestow your mercy so that kindly agreed to visit and purify our home at 122 India Asia Gurgaon during November 2015. Further, the Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj!! zeal and commitment exhibited by Your Holi- Please accept my humble obeisances. ness, practically seen and experienced by all your All glories to Srila prabupada! disciples, has proved beyond that no amount of All glories to you! material difficulties and obstacles can hinder a Happy vyasa Puja Guru Maharaj!! pure devotee, like Your Holiness, in rendering Thank you for showing your causless mercy pure devotional service and progressing on the upon me and accepting me as your Deciple. spiritual path. I remember, how much care and love you showed Guru Maharaja, you have practically shown us upon me through my mails to you. When I think how a true Bhagavata should live! Whenever, we about you my stone like heart becomes soft like get the opportunity to meet Your disciples, we al- sponge. You are such merciful Father. You are ways come to know of some new experiences and simply waiting to accept all fallen souls and realizations about Your Holiness. The more we deliver them. Knowing your value I want to be come to know about your pastimes, the more we sincere and serious in my Krishna Consciousness realize that we cannot know your true glory. Sim- life and services. I am sacred to preach to others, ply, we feel extremely blessed by being just your thinking what if they don't accept, what if they say disciples, Guru Maharaja. something, etc etc. In this auspicious day I shall O father, you have bestowed your unlimited pray to you to remove all these negative thoughts mercy, but we do not know what we can do to and preach about Krishna to others. Please em- please you? kindly bless us with the instructions power me for the same. and mercy in order to be able to serve you better. Thank you for the opportunity Guru Maharaj! Finally, we just humbly and earnestly pray to the Lord Shri Krishna, Shrimati Radharani, Your eternal Servant, Lord Sri Laxmi Prahlad Narsimha Dev, Lord Sri Sriprada Gaurangi Devi Dasi, Caitanya & Nityananda Mahaprabhu and Srila Hosur, India Prabhupada, for your well being and also to regain full physical healthy state. Kindly bless us for this Hare Krishna! prayer to fructify at the earliest. Please accept my respectful obeisances at Submitted unto the lotus feet of Guru your Lotus Feet! Maharaja, Your Holiness Srila Jayapataka Swami All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Guru Maharaja. Dear Guru Maharaj, All Glories to You, Guru Maharaj, on this ausYour Humble servants, picious occasion of Your Vyasa Puja! Mridula Govinda Das, The first time I met Your Holiness after Gaura Visakha sevini Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Aarati, many years back, I had asked why we can- Sweta Agrawal (daughter), not sing the kirtans in our native language? You Ashish Agrawal (son) very patiently explained the meaning of Gaura Gurgaon, Haryana, India Aarati and told me that the mood of the Acharyas of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya is 123 Asia India very important. You further told me that Bengali I would be eternally grateful for You have been is a very easy language. I realized the true mean- extremely Merciful by accepting me and my hus- ing of the “mood of the Acharyas” when I started band Madhu Prabhu unto the Shelter of Your learning the kirtan “Yadi Gaur Na Hoito” from Lotus Feet. Your Disciple in Bangalore on Skype. As a rainy cloud showers equally on a barren I read daily from the Srimad Bhagavatam, land and the fertile land, similarly Your Divine Bhagavad Gita, and other books because you had Grace is showing Your kindness on all the fallen mentioned that Srila Prabhupada was very par- souls indiscriminately. we are like a barren land ticular about reading. I also listen to your lectures Guru Maharaj who is unable to utilize the kind- frequently, which help me a lot in preaching. I ness you have been showing on us though we dont usually use my mobile phone to show people pic- deserve it. tures of Deities in our ISKCON Temples and then But I have complete faith as said in "...Pangum give them some introduction to Srila Prabhupada langhayate girim..." that we can one day develop Books. During the Damodar Month I invite people that essential pure love at Your Lotus Feet not by to my home to offer lamps throughout the month our efforts but only through Your Unlimited com- and give them kits to continue in their homes. passion upon us, the fallen souls. (A Damodar Picture, a song book and a small lamp). We are no good and feel highly unqualified to Last year on the first day of Damodar month glorify Your Divine Grace on this auspicious occa- my aunt had passed away in Chennai so I told her sion of Vyasa Puja. Hence all we can do is PRAY family about Sri Mayapur Dham and showed them and BEG You to kindly keep Blessing us including on Mayapur.tv. So they visited Mayapur Dham in the new born to be always in the humble mood of December to do Ganga Puja, Sastra-Dhan and serving Your Divine Grace Lotus Feet, Gauranga Go-Dhan there and were very pleased. and the Vaishnavas and forgive us for all the of- Due to some constraints I am not able to take fenses we committed knowingly or unknowingly up full-fledged preaching program; so please bless me that I can do so very soon by Your mercy. at Your Lotus Feet. Thank you, All Glories to Guru Maharaj!! I am always indebted to Your Holiness for Aspiring to be Your eternal servants, having accepted me as Your Harinam Initiated Prashanthi (Shelter) & Madhu (Aspiring), disciple. Hyderabad, India Your humble servant, Mangalamayi Malini Devi Dasi, Hyderabad, India Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Please accept our humble obeisances unto the dust of Your lotus feet! Dear Guru Maharaj, Every moment You are giving instructions by Please accept our humble obesiances unto your Lotus Feet. Your words and actions while dealing with day to day different situations. Just one instruction is enough All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!! to meditate upon and if we make it our life and All Glories to Srila Guru Dev!! soul, it is definitely going to make us accept the 124 India Asia ultimate path to Krishna. You had told Guru mercy we are able to preach Krishna consciousness Maharaj that, "So many fishes are swimming for a group of new people through the whatsapp upstream inspite of the rapids. So when we see media. Hope everyone takes it up more seriously. that everything is Krishna's energy and when we We beg Your forgiveness for any offences com- become one of the fishes in Krishna's energy, we mitted. As the years progress after taking initia- can swim upstream". This instructs us that we tion, more than the bhakthi lata, let us not water have to become a fish in Krishna's energy, the rest the weeds. follows. Though You have bestowed us all con- Please bless that ducive environment to practice good Krishna flowers of Your dreams. consciousness, the conditioned mind keeps happy Appearance day, we can bloom as Wishing You a very complaining about so many things Guru Maharaj. Kindly make us become free from this endan- Your servants, gering enemy of complaining nature and finding Premavinodhini Devi Dasi(Diksha), faults, offending devotees. Let us develop more Govinda Sundara Das, (RNS) tolerance and patience in our lives. You are an Lalitha Sakhi, embodiment of these divine qualities. You are so Hyderabad, India determined to fight with any hard situation to continue giving Krishna consciousness to the fallen Please accept my obeisances. souls. May we follow Your divine instructions with All glories to Srila Prabhupada, All glories proper attitude and right mood. By Your causeless to Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan ji, All glories to 125 Asia India Gaura Nitai. All glories to Jagannath, Baladeva Gurudev, because I don't know much in English. and Subhadra Devi. Vinodini Kalindi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Gurudeva, Jammu, India Wish you a Happy appearance day in Advance. May Jagannatha Swami always keep you in good health. Hare Krishna, For the first time, I am writing a vyasa offering. I have no qualification to take your shelter. But by the mercy of your dear disciples I got the chance to take your shelter. Please accept my humble obeisance unto your lotus feet. Maharaji you have acted like sunshine in my life, your energy and enthusiasm just has Gurudeva, I once heard that Guru doesn't accept anything for Himself just on behalf of Krishna he takes that position. Gurudeva, please give me the strength to follow your and Srila always motivated me. I have left non veg and I chant 16rounds n read Bhagavad Gita. Please bless me so that I can progress in my life keeping Krishna in center. Prabhupada's instructions which are given by my Aman sainky, siksha guru. Your servant, Jamshedpur, India Sunitha Rani, (Shelter) Hyderabad, India All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Dear Gurudev, All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! Please accept my humble obesiances. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept my humble obeisances onto Your All glories to Srila Gurudeva! lotus feet. Gurudev, You are very great in the world, This past year I have struggled a lot in my chant- because you are giving mercy to every fallen souls ing as well as my Krishna consciousness in general in this material world. Even though your health but I only had to open my facebook account to see is not cooperating, then also u are travelling all you and read about your activities to inspire me around the world &preaching Krishna conscious to keep persevering. It is only your prayers for all to everyone. Our family always felt that, we are of us and never ending causeless mercy on us that very proud to such compassionate Gurudev we has protected me. got. We are doing little bhakti seva with your However much I thank you it will never be mercy. We are always praying Lord Narasimha enough but I want to take this opportunity to ex- deva for your good health. press my gratitude for all you have done and con- Guru Maharaj, Please bless us that we always tinuously keep doing for us. The recent Whatsapp be in your service. I am very happy thankful about audio excerpts of your lectures sent by JPS archives JPS archives, so that we get this lovely opportuni- helps me tremendously in feeling connected with ty to glorify my Guru Maharaj in auspicious Vyasa You. In a lecture you had given in Mayapur (1999) Puja festival. So thank u so much. If any mistakes you speak on how you care for each one of us. In are there in my glorification, please forgive me every interaction I have had with you I have al- 126 India Asia ways felt deeply cared for by you. Even when you me preserver and have faith in Krishna. Thank were admitted last May in the ICU in Delhi and you Guru Maharaj for this and the countless oth- later on in Her Grace Siromani mataji's house you er things you do for us. always allowed us to take darshan of you, taking Aspiring to be a servant of your servant, time to always ask about us our Krishna conscious- Parshika Panwar, (Shelter) ness no matter how seriously ill you were. Jamshedpur, India I humbly pray to Lord Narsimhadev and Srila Prabhupada to always protect you and keep you in their loving care so that we may to continue to Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, receive your association for many more years to My dear most, merciful worshipable Eternal come. We desperately need you. spiritual Master, I hope that I may be able to develop for you an We are taking this opportunity to wish and live iota of the attitude of service that you have for long boom from lord Krishna to serve our beloved Srila Prabhupada so that I may be able to please Guru Maharaj in this Vyasa Puja 2016. you in any small way that I can. After a long illness Guru Maharaj's power and glory is unlimited.We pray with our full heart and Aspiring to be a servant of your servant, soul to Sri Pancatatva, Sri Sri Radha Madhava Krishna, (Shelter) and Ashta sakhi's and Sri Narsimhadev Bhagavan Jamshedpur to protect our Guru Maharaj from all illness, enemies and bless us for the coming years in Krishna All glories to Srila Prabhupada! bhakthi and take back home back to godhead. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! I am a small servant of Guru Maharaj and if Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, any mistakes from my words or actions... Please Please accept my humble obeisances unto Your forgive me and my family. We are praying to Lord lotus feet. Sri Krishna to protect my Guru Maharaj and live Recently I have felt as if I have been going more years do Vyasa Puja and bless us and every through some really tough times in my life but as touching souls in this earth. We are doing a small soon as I see you my difficulties seem so inconse- satsangam, Namahatta in Kannur, Talap, Kerala. quential compared to what you go through on a daily basis, and for whom? For all of us! When I Guru Maharaj's humble, obedient servant, look at you it really makes me realise that happi- Raghava caitanya Das, ness does not stem from material things rather one Vikram Gauranga Das, can only be happy when one comes to be situated Jagannatha patitha pavana Das, on the spiritual platform, performing devotional Ajay Caitanya Chandra Das, service. A small cold and I become miserable but Vichitra Caitanya Das, to see your cheerfulness and optimism in the face All Guru Ashraya disciples and satsangam devo- of so many impediments inspires me. I pray that tees and well wishers. Lord Krishna keep you strong and protects you Kannur, Talap, Kerala, India because you are the strength in my life, helping Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, 127 Asia India All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga casion and opportunity to recollect our spiritual Srila Prabhupada ki jai! father's glories and hard work and seva towards His Divine Grace Jayapataka Swami this Krishna consciousness movement and hu- Guru Maharaj ki jai! manity. Please accept our humble respectable pranam to our eternal spiritual master's lotus feet. On this Vyasa Puja 2016 we are all praying for good health and live more and more years to All glories on this auspicious day of Vyasa Puja celebrations. serve us bless us protect us from maya and send all of us go back home back to godhead. We have a small namahatta satsangam in Kannur, Talap, Kerala state. Here we have some Guru Maharaj's most humble servant of ser- brahmanical, initiated and Guru Ashraya disci- vant of servant, ples and well wishers attending in this satsangam, Hare Krishna Satsangam(Namahatta), daily morning and evening programs going on. Talap, Kannur, Kerala, India Special events are also celebrating in this centre. Every Sunday 70 to 100 peoples attending the pro- Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, grams. We have Srila Prabhupada book distribu- Please accept my humble obeisances unto your tion team and books selling. BBT Coimbatore is lotus feet and bless me for always remembering helping us to promote in this and sending books your lotus feet. whenever we needed, KMC members visiting and taking classes to our bhaktas. Praying to Lord Caitanya, Jagannathji and Lord Narasimhadev to always protect your health All this is working under our Guru Maharaj's for preaching and delivering again more and more kind mercy and bless only. We are all take this oc- fall down souls like me in all over the world from 128 India Asia this material ocean. I humbly offer my crores of youth preaching problem for Engineering boys to pranams to your lotus feet again and again dear convince them. Please bless me so that even there Guru Maharaj, please bless me for advancing my is so much difficulties I can continue to follow spiritual consciousness and activities, and serve superior authority. By your preaching and doing activities you wash out maya from this Ananthakodi Vaishnavas and martial earth. Another side you are very merciful Your ever humble servant, towards your disciples. That’s why I am begging Adinath Krishna Das, (Diksha) your mercy specially on preaching the glories of Kerala, India Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by which I can always attached to devotees and able to conquer maya. My Dear Guru Maharaja, At last I humbly pray my respectful obeisences at Please accept my humble obeisance. your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Your very fallen servant, All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Gunagrahi Gouranga Das, (Diksha) Vyasa Puja! Kolkatta, India In the past few months during especially in the time of Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama, by your presence, I have observed several things, which Dear Gurudev, I would like to mention briefly. Your classes of- Please accept my humble obeisances at your tentimes reflect the genuine caring and love for two beautiful and soft lotus feet. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada. This is very exemplary and of and your appearance day! high standard, of not only being Prabhupada’s I am not being able to understand how a con- disciple, but as an acting Guru of ISKCON. By ditioned soul like me can realize the greatness of your causeless mercy only last year I have got ini- the pure devotee of Lord Caitanya and glorify tiation at the time of Kolkata Rath yatra. I am try- Him. But today I am trying to do so just because ing to please my superior authority sincerely by once I read you saying that a disciple should glo- youth preaching due the power of mercy which is rify his Spiritual Master even if he is not a very coming through You. Its great fortune for me that good speaker because it is also a seva of the disci- one day You have coming in my dream and said ple towards his Spiritual Master. to me to take initiation although I am not qual- I joined ISKCON in 2014. That year during ified to take that. So, it is my humble to request Damodar month Your health deterioted and You please bless me so that I can become instrument were admitted in a hospital in Delhi. It was when of Krishna's dedicated devotees by properly follow- I intensely felt a strong connection with You and ing the rules and regulation to please Srila Prabh- without having Your darshan or hearing Your voice upada. Please bless me so that I can carry out the I decided to dedicate my life to You. I became very order under the footsteps of superior authority much eager to serve You but did not know how as with proper attitude as you are showing us prac- that time I would know nothing much about the tical example. You are a perfect follower of Srila rendering service to the Spiritual Master. I knew Prabhupada. At the present moment I am facing only about Vapu-seva but as I have got a female 129 Asia India body, it was not possible to render vapu-seva to Your Servant, You. But a devotee friend solved my problem by Isvari Lalita Devi Dasi, suggesting that I can render the Vani-seva to my Kolkatta, India beloved Spiritual Master. I accepted his sugges- My Dear Spiritual Master, tion immediately and decided to do Book-distribu- Please accept my humble obeisances at your tion and by Your mercy I distributed many books lotus feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! as per my capacity. Last year that is, in 2015 in There is nobody more compassionate than you. Kolkata during Rathayatra, out of Your causeless It is only by your prayers, your merciful glance, by mercy You accepted me as Your spiritual daughter, your deep concern and your unlimited love for us though I had no qualification. But as an eternal that we are still on the path of devotional service. associate of the most merciful Lord Caitanya and Whenever I get disheartened or discouraged in a representative of Lord Nityananda, You never devotional service, I remember you. I remember judge anyone by their qualification. Qualified or how my spiritual father is putting such a tremen- unqualified, every soul gets benefitted by hear- dous effort to encourage us always and to spread ing Gaura-katha from Your Lotus-mouth and get- the movement far and wide. It helps me to dis- ting Your divine association. I feel I am that one solve all my negativity and again walk ahead. The fortunate soul out of many thousands who by the thought that I may be useless but my compassion- mercy of Sri Guru and Krishna has finally got the ate spiritual master still loves me and cares for me seed of devotion and it was placed in my heart by inspires me to go ahead. I am also so amazed that You only with great care and affection. The beads how you endeavour always to be personal to all of which I got on my Initiation Day from You, is the us, your disciples. most valuable asset of my life as I feel Your soft touch in it. You never hesitate to give yourself away to anyone. Like Lord Nityananda would humbly request On this most auspicious day of Your divine ap- to the most fallen and wretched souls to take to pearance, a worthless servant like me can do noth- Krishna Consciousness, in the same mood you re- ing except praying only to Lord Nrisimhadev for quest and encourage everyone always to take to Your good health so that You uplift many thou- this movement. sands of fallen and conditioned souls like me and You always encourage and also show by your distribute Gaura-prema among them. As well as, own example how to behave in a non-envious and I am always in need of more and more mercy and friendly manner towards all Vaishnavas. If we meet blessings of Yours so that I can rise above the ig- juniors then in a tolerant and humble service spirit norance and apply the transcendental knowledge we should try to uplift them by good instructions, in my own life and distribute the same among oth- if we meet seniors we should offer all respect and ers who are suffering in this material world like learn from them, and if we meet equals we should me. My life belongs to You only, so please bless me be friendly and non-envious towards them. With Guru Maharaja so that I may remain Your Dasi a devotee community with all devotees behaving FOREVER. There is no one whom I love the most in the line of these principles, everyone will be except YOU… encouraged to make spiritual advancement. Please bless me that I may always be engaged 130 India Asia in your service. the international party devotees reach the ghat Your Servant, & then before the devotees board the boat you Kusum Badlani (Shelter), Kolkatta, India started giving lecture on the pastimes of Lord My dear Spiritual Father, Caitanya in the ganges. When I saw you sitting in Please accept my most humble obeisances wheelchair in boat floating towards us I was thrilled at your lotus feet on this day of your auspicious to see your enthusiasm to give love for gauranga to appearance. I am feeling myself very fortunate to the conditioned soul like us. I was thinking to how write this offerings for the pleasure of Krishna, much extent you can extend yourself out of com- your Holiness, Vaisnavas & for my purification. passion for us to give us enthusiasm for parikrama. For the last 3 years I am attending festival start- 3. Guru Maharaj, I felt you are a walking ing from Navadvip Parikrama to Gaura purnima. talking Bhagvata whose every expression carries Every year this festival gives me an opportunity to the deep love, compassion & mercy for the living have your divine association. Every year I carry entities. This year before two days of gaur purni- some newer & newer realizations regarding your ma you gave a Bengali lecture in Namahatta hall. greatness in the core of my heart. In this offering When you were describing how Abhirama thakura I would like to mention some of them. is coming from the spiritual world & planning to 1. So many times we are hearing that you preach ISKCON could not understand whether are getting admitted to ICU for severe health you were laughing or crying. In parikrama when crisis. I become panicked when such news come you were describing how the suka bird was flying to us by mail, whatsapps, jpsapps. But at the core chanting the name of Gaura you were making of heart I feel that you not going to leave us so everybody to fly like the suka bird chanting the soon as some of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions name of Gaura & at the same time you were also are yet to be fulfilled by you. Then when I see you flying. I felt that you were in those pastimes & again in the preaching field it seems that nothing you were taking us also in those pastimes. happened to you. Your determination to serve the 4. In the lecture you gave on 21st march desires of your Gurudev is so high perhaps there in the namahatta hall you were training us how is no limit of that. should we preach. You were telling that we should This year as soon as you came out from ICU of preach in such a way that we should not loose delhi lever hospital you came to your Gurudutta- the existing devotees in the fight against the on- desh which is the land of Mayapur. When I saw slaught of Maya. You were describing how one of you in the adhivas ceremony of Parikrama by see- your disciples suffering tremendously leaving the ing your enthusiasm to make everybody drowned chanting & breaking four regulative principles & in Gaurlila I got the conviction that nothing has how he now wants to come back. Throughout the happed to you & there is no question of your early lecture tears were flowing from my eyes constantly departure from this material world. by seeing your unfathomable compassion on the 2. Last year in Navadvip parikrama I got suffering soul. dumbstruck when I saw you in boat coming to- These are few drops of my experiences you wards pratapnagar ghat through which we were made me taste. there are many more but scope about to go to shankarpur of Rudradvip before is limited to express. Guru Maharaj, I am simply 131 Asia India trying to prepare myself to shoulder as many as Festival held on 13th of March 2015 at Netaji possible the responsibilities to fulfil the instruc- Indoor Stadium Kolkata, devotees of Kolkata tions handed down to you by your spiritual mas- launched our book "The Hidden Treasures of ter. I am simply begging your mercy to be able to Kolkata"- which was the fruit of effort by His do so. Guru Maharaj, we are missing very much Grace Ananga Mohan Prabhu, my siksa guru, and your association in Kolkata. Please give us your many other devotees. I could fortunately also take divine association through your vani & vapu to part in the making of that book which serves as the devotees of Kolkata when you are going out of the guide book of the places connected to Srila Bengal or Mayapur or coming back to Mayapur. Prabhupada in and around Kolkata, so our team could please Your Divine Grace and the GBCs a Your insignificant servant, bit by that service. Please bless me so that I can do Premananda Caitanya Das (Diksa) many of such services which will please You more ISKCON, KOLKATA and can bring real big smiles on Your Lotus Face! I've got a transferable job, I was very worried Dear most Guru Maharaja, about taking prasad and associating with dev- All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! otees wherever I'll be posted for my job, and I'd All glories to Srila Prabhupada! prayed hard to have my first place of posting to be All glories to Your Divine Grace! near Sri Mayapur Dham. Thank You so much for Please accept my most respectful obeisances listening to my prayers and gifting me to start unto Your lotus feet. Thank You so much for my posting at Krishnanagar and my temporary everything good that happened in my life. Thank residence at Swarupgunj for around 6 months - You so much for tolerating me in Srila Prabhupa- I could attend nearly all the festivals in Sri da's society for all these years, and for the time to Mayapur during the period and attend Your come. It is only by Your causeless mercy that I'm ecstatic classes at Your rooftop the whole able to continue to have taste in the process, and Damodar month on Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. please continue to bestow that on this fallen soul. Thank You for letting me in the most wonderful Thank You Guru Maharaja for gifting us with place in this universe. But I have to move on - so many Godbrothers and Godsisters whom I can I've again been posted near Berhampore (West consult and take guidance from, in case of any Bengal) for now and I'll be posted in many plac- need. Last year when I needed to clear my one es in future. Please bless me dear Guru Maharaja very big doubt about the course of my life and I'd so that wherever I go, I can spread the glories of sent a mail to You - though with guilty feelings Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada, can represent to take away Your precious time for this good-for- You properly, can maintain all the initiation vows nothing- His Grace Madhava Kanta prabhu, Your perfectly - and thus can always please You with my very able representative, gave me the solution and actions. I got my answer. Thank You for this glorious asso- At the beginning of this year when You fell ciation with devotees - which is my driving force ill during Nityananda Trayodashi and again made for devotional service. all of Your disciples and well wishers, I realized On the 50th Anniversary of the Jaladuta 132 one thing - I knew whole heartedly that Your India Asia Divine Grace is safe in the hands of Their Lord- mercy I can do that, so please do not let Your grip ships, but this was one way of making us more and off my hands forever. more serious into devotional service and prepar- Praying to remain at Your lotus feet eternally, ing us to be fit to go back to Godhead. Your exe- Your most fallen servant, cution and practice of devotional service amidst Sasvata Nimai Das (Diksha), the great physical hindrance is going on creating Kolkata, India. new heights of examples of Acaryas- and no doubt for devotees today and yugas to come this will be Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj set as an eternal example of how can devotional Please except my humble obisenes unto your service be performed even at times of great lotus feet. Guru Maharaj I am the one of you use- apparent physical trouble. Please bless me Guru less disciple. I heard many of your lectures that Maharaja so that I can always follow Your instruc- when one get initiated by Guru in parampara that tions and no matter what, I may always be fixed in person gets extra benefit to execute his devotional my bhakti. service. When I have got initiated by you last year Please tolerate a fool like me Guru Maharaj, Kolkata Ratha yatra I fully realized. Guru Maharaj I promise to make You extremely pleased with my I have seen whenever was in duality on any mental service someday. I've not been able to do anything problem between my devotional live and outside much, but I desire to do it someday. Only by Your world, I simply meditate on your lotus feet then 133 134 India Asia only I get many solutions from scriptures. Guru Maharaj to serve you personally but it is depends Your unqualified servant, on you mercy. Guru Maharaj on this divine fes- Sneha Majumder, Kolkatta, India tival of your Vyasa Puja my deepest prayer unto Dear Srila Acharayapada, your lotus feet I can obey the orders of my author- Please accept my humble obeisances unto your ity I can respect all devotees and protect me to not lotus feet and to Srila Prabhupada. involve in any gurus and I represent Srila Pabhupada properly in my family and friend circle. On this special day I request your special blessings to all of our devotees. Though I am practicing Your Servant, Krishna consciousness very often I fall down to Sevanidhi Balaram Das (Diksha), the prey of maya. Please shower your blessings to Kolkatta, India me and my family and to come out of it, so that we would become pure and serve your Lotus feet. My Dear Guru Maharaj, desire is to serve you and to preach, through that Please accept my humble obeisance. Thanks I can follow it and get good association & I should for giving me the opportunity to glorify you on come out of all dualities, name, fame, position and your Vyasa Puja ceremony. Every year I wait for thereby remove all obstacles on the path of spir- this day to come. You are my inspiration. It's your itual progress. I pray To Lord Radha Govindji & mercy which made me to take active participation Gaur Nitai for your good health. in Srila Prabhupada's mission. Your smile inspires me to give Krishna to others. Your dedication All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Gauranga! All glories to Gurudev! towards your spiritual master is magnanimous. Although you were in the hospital, your preach- Yours humble servant, ing never stopped. You have taught me in what- Anuradha prema Devi Das (Diksha), ever situation we may be in but our first priority Madurai, Tamilnadu, India should be Krishna. Your love for Srila Prabhupada motivates us to serve you. Dear Srila Acharayapada, Once you told in your Vyasa Puja adhivas Please accept my humble obeisances unto your ceremonies lecture that we are to keep Krishna lotus feet and to Srila Prabhupad. I am so lucky the centre of the family. Though I couldn't un- to have you as Guru in this kali yuga.You are very derstand that time, now I feel how important it merciful to all, especially a fallen soul like me. is to keep Krishna in centre. You gave me the sec- Guru is one who takes us to bhagavan. I would like ond chance to leave a life for Krishna and Srila to serve you and to Krishna in a humble way. Prabhupada. Your unlimited cause less mercy has helped me to serve Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Gauranga! All glories to Gurudev! Thank you so much for giving me a life to serve Yours humble servant, you and Srila Prabhupada. If you so desire then please shower a drop of Sacidananda Kesava Das (Diksha), your unlimited cause less mercy on me so that Madurai, Tamilnadu, India I can serve you as your faithful and sincere servant. 135 Asia India Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! Please accept my humble obeisances at the Thank you so much Guru Maharaja for giving dust of Your lotus feet. initiation to this insignificant soul. Till now I have All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! tried to find shelter in everything namely parents, All Glories to Your Divine Grace! relatives, TV, friends, dreams, food, etc but have Wishing You a very Happy Vyasa Puja :) been baffled again and again. Now I have come I am very thankful to The Lord to give us this to your lotus feet begging for shelter and I have wonderful chance once again to trying to unfold never felt so safe as I feel now and I want to tell the unlimited treasure of mercy Your Divine Grace this to everyone in this world but I find myself bestows upon us. very insignificant to do this. But you do it Guru There have been a lot of occasions when Maharaja every day tirelessly, preaching the glo- I wonder what is my goal and how am I actual- ries of Krishna and the disciplic succession, kindly ly supposed to surrender to Krishna. By Krishna's engage me in your service because that would be arrangement You have always been there to guide the perfection of my life. me - through Your personal association thorough Insignificant servant, Astasakhi Apurvaseva Devi Dasi (Diksha), lectures, books and Your sincere followers. Manipal, India Recently during the Gaura Purnima festivals in Mayapur in one of Srimad Bhagvatam classes it Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj, was mentioned how the mercy of Spiritual Master All glories to Srila Prabhupada! is inconceivable. We cannot even try to under- All glories to Your Divine Grace. stand it. You are an embodiment of the mercy of Please accept my humble obeisances at Lord Nityananda. your lotus feet. I wish Your Divine Grace a very Being grateful, obliged eternally indebted are very small words to express our gratitude to You for accepting me as Your spiritual daughter. happy Krishna Conscious Appearance day. Guru Maharaj, you are an ocean of mercy and have been showering mercy on us in different If you so desire may we be able to develop a ways and forms and encouraging us to take to the similar dedication to You as You have for Srila path of Bhakti. You are distributing love of God- Prabhupada. head so freely and liberally to each and everyone May we be able to serve and please You always without considering who deserves it and who does and develop Love of Godhead soon. not. We see how enthusiastically you go beyond Praying for Your good health. the bodily platform, taking all tribulations just to touch our heart so that we may take up to Krishna Trying to be Your servant, Consciousness strongly. You are so compassionate Apara Gaurangi Devi Dasi (Diksha), spiritual master, father, and person. How you take Manipal, India care of every disciple via sending them mails, personal meetings and sweet kind words and love is Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj! very heart touching. You are always taking a very Please accept my humble obeisances! humble position and requesting us to perform some All glories to Srila Prabhupada! service and make our lives successful. Like the way 136 India Asia you were admitted in ICU and were preaching to Dham. You deliver and pick up the most fallen. all highly materially qualified doctors and nurses. Guru Maharaj, I am unable to maintain so much You are preaching in every way possible even in of sincerity in the process. Many a times I get dis- the most critical stage while you were admitted in appointed also when I find devotional process is ICU. Your irresistible great compassion and will working so slow for me to achieve my spiritual power to impart mercy on conditioned souls keeps goals. So I pray to you that you continually show- you stretching and extending your mercy despite er your kindness on this great fool. I have no sense so much of bodily inconveniences. But like a great of humility and is always proud. So sometimes I fool, I am unable to capture your mercy due to the am hard and heavy on those who stay close to me, numerous anarthas lodging in my heart. My hard even to my husband. I pray and aspire that I can heart fails to grasp your instructions and thus be of some use in your service to Srila Prabhupada keeps me morose. Your Divine Grace has shown and Lord Krishna. I thank you again for being so exclusive mercy on me by gracing our wedding oc- kind and loving towards me. Every day we get the casion in Jagannath temple in Rajapur. All my rel- experience how this world is full of miseries and atives and family members could get your mercy dualities, still I fail to surrender completely to the and blessings. Even you blessed my brother who infallible words of my dear spiritual father. Please help me. would not bow down so easily. By this marriage arrangement, they could also visit the Mayapur 137 Asia India Your unworthy disciple, any offence unto the dust of Your lotus feet or your Priya Sakhi Madhavi Devi Dasi (Diksha), dear devotees, knowingly or unknowingly! And Manipal, India give me the intelligence not to commit in future.. Thank you very very much Guru Maharaj for all your love and care and everything!! Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj.! Please accept my humble obeisances at the Trying to be a humble servant of your servants, Rasapriya Gandharvika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) dust of your lotus feet. Manipal, India All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! All glories to Your Divine Grace! Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, I have no words to express my Gratitude for All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. the kind of mercy you showered on this fallen Please accept my humble obeisiances..it’s a soul.. Although I deserved nothing but you gave great honor to write a Vyasa Puja offering for such me everything! A new life, to begin my devotional a transcendental and an extraordinary figure like service!! Since years I have been seeing your mer- you. cy on so many fallen souls, to help them develop Guru Maharaj you are an extremely magnan- the taste for Krishna consciousness. And now, the imous soul I really want to thank you for all the kind of mercy you gave me on Gaur Purnima is mercy that you have bestowed unto me. You are unimaginable for me! the real driving force in our devotional service You are the mercy representative of the and your enthusiasm to serve Guru and Gauranga Supreme Lord. Without you, how can we, the fallen is so amazing that it breaks away all the impedanc- souls, even think of serving the supreme! es that come in the way...I am extremely inspired om ajnana timirandhasya jnanan Jana salakya, by your humility and by your attitude of service caksur unmilitam yena tasmai Sri guruve namah. to Srila Prabhupada. No matter what service I It is You, Gurudev, who sew the bhakti lata bija do -it may be book distribution or conducting in our hearts. It is You, Gurudev, who is nurturing bhakti vriksha in hostel or making prasadam etc this seed. It is You, Gurudev, who is instructing your mercy is always overflowing and helping us us to lead a healthy kc life. It is You, Gurudev, who so much.Otherwise how is it possible for a fallen is inspiring us to serve Srila Prabhupada's soul like me to do anything? It’s my earnest desire instructions. It is You, Gurudev, who is taking to be always be in your association by serving your us closer to Krishna! instructions flawlessly. And I also humbly pray to What can we think of our lives without your you to bless me so that I may always be able to imbibe the mood of being the servant of the servant mercy..! I beg you Guru Maharaj, to please please bless me that serving your instructions can be my life of the servant of all vaishnavas, and can follow your example in every walk of my spiritual life. and soul.. Please keep inspiring us and bless us to always Your most insignificant servant, stick to the principles which Srila Prabhupada Somya (shelter) gave, despite all kinds of hindrances in the world.. Manipal,India Please forgive me if I would have committed 138 India Asia Hare Krishna, Dearest Guru Maharaj. Sumukhi Vasudha Devi Dasi (Diksha), Please accept my most respectful humble obei- Manipal, India sances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Your Divine Grace & Gauranga! My dear Guru Maharaja, Guru Maharaj, even though there is danger at I offer my humble obeisances to your lotus feet, every step in this material world, but you being to his divine grace Srila Prabhupada. our spiritual father, protect us at every single step. Your spirit to serve your guru's mission under You are unlimited Guru Maharaj. You literally give all circumstances always inspires me. You have out your causeless mercy even to those who are given me wonderful spiritual inspiration in Juhu very much reluctant for Krishna Consciousness. temple. I want to tell you that with your blessings You acknowledge even for the slightest amount of I have started chanting on beads and visiting the the so called service. Even though you are having temple more frequently than before. thousands of disciples, still you are so unlimited that you know every tiniest bit of whats going on I pray that I can constantly serve you and your disciples and have your darshan frequently. in their lives and reciprocate in the sweetest way possible. I was speechless after seeing (on Face- May Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Srila Prabhupada always protect you. book) a part of the list of your responsibilities that's assigned to you! And I could somehow imag- Aspiring to be your servant, ine what's called as the 'burden of love'. Guru Ma- Aditi Tripathi (Shelter), haraj, I cannot imagine my life without you and Mumbai, India your disciples, especially Bhaktipriya Di. By Your extreme causeless mercy, under the I offer my respectful obeisances to His Holiness guidance of Siromani Mataji, Manipal congrega- Jayapataka Swami maharaj on his Vyasa Puja day. tion is growing as almost all the girls who have May he continue the most important work of been practicing Krishna Consciousness for quite blessing especially me and[all of us with pure love some time, like Ashtasakhi Apoorva Seva, Apa- of Godhead exactly like Srila Prabhupada and we ra Gaurangi, Somya Lakshmi Priya, Govinda Pri- sincerely pray to our Radharasbihariji Prabhupa- ya, Rasapriya, Malvika, Krishna n Nandini, take da and Narsimhadev for his speedy recovery. Bhakti Vriksha in the some of the hostels. So now we have many new members who are chanting! Chandrakant Pujari, (Siksha), Your Glories can never end Guru Maharaj, my Mumbai, India most merciful spiritual father. Guru Maharaj, my condition is so fallen that even dogs are more loy- My Dear Spiritual Father, al than me... Guru Maharaj please bless me so that Please accept my humble obeisances! I can at least come to the platform of being a dog All glories to Srila Prabhupada! at your most auspicious Lotus Feet, and engage my Wish you a very happy Vyasapuja Guru Ma- entire life in faithfully serving you. haraj. On this most auspicious day, I take the opportunity to humble myself and express my heart- Your worst servant, felt gratitude unto You for giving shelter to this 139 Asia India fallen soul and showering fatherly love and care, blessings and so much mercy. I shall consider my life successful, if someday I can understand Your heart and mood and be- Guru Maharaj I have no qualification to describe your divine glories which is unlimited in it- come an instrument in your hands in this life and also eternally. self. But it is only for my own purification that I am trying to do so, and it would be just like a tiny sparrow trying to measure the length and breadth of the vast sky. Such is Your glories and qualities Guru Maharaj. It is Unlimited, inconceivable, indescribable, unfathomable, and wonderful. Of all Your wonderful qualities Guru Maharaj, what has captivated my heart the most is your concern for each and every soul and the fact that You want everyone to be happy which is the basis of 'Pure Love'. And although pure love deesn't exist in this material world, simply by coming in contact with Your divine self one can get a glimpse of what the spiritual world is like. You are an ocean of mercy and compassion Gurudev. You have done so much for the future generation to take to Krishna Consciousness and become happy in this temporary world of miseries and anxieties. And you continue to tirelessly travel all around the world, against all odds, fighting bravely against the Kali, distributing your mercy. We are eternally indebted to You Gurudev for all Your humble servant, that you are doing for Srila Prabhupada and for Madhuri Mamatamayi Devi Dasi (Diksha), Mumbai, India uplifting the fallen souls like us. How can I describe your greatness Guru Maharaj with just one small mouth and a tiny All glories to Guru and Gauranga! brain. All I wish to do is humbly offer my most All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! respectful obeisances at Your divine Lotus feet Dear Maharaj, and ask for one benediction from You," Please Please accept my humble obeisances at your give me just one drop of Love and Devotion that lotus feet. Wish you a very happy vyasa puja. You have for Lord Nityananda and Sri Caitanya I am grateful to have you as an example in Mahaprabhu, for Sri Sri Radha Madhava and for my life. I have heard in lectures that one’s life Srila Prabhupad. Please bless me that I may ren- should be devoted to serving the Lord and der Pure Loving Devotional Service. his devotees. When I see your example I under140 India Asia stand what it means to be truly devoted to serving Bhagavad Gita which was very satisfying. this mission of Lord Chaitanya. There are no im- In this New Year, Srila Guru Maharaj, we are pediments to pure devotional service - you exem- praying that we could have more of your associa- plify this. I had heard a clipping of your lecture in tion and become instruments in assisting you to which you say that you just can’t help it but reach spread Krishna Consciousness. Thank you, Srila out to everybody to give them Krishna conscious- Guru Maharaj for all that you have given us and ness, that you care for everybody,Despite any praying that you are in the best of health and pray- criticism that you might get for taking many ing that we could get more of your association. disciples you just can’t help it as you care for Happy Vyasa Puja, Srila Guru Maharaj. everybody. I was so touched to hear this. I pray for your good Health and that you may go on Your insignificant servants, distributing your mercy worldwide. I beg forgive- Medhavini Sakhi Devi Dasi (Diksha) Harinama Krishna Das, Dhanya, Dayita ness for any offence I have committed. Mumbai, India Thank you for loving all of us. Your servant Manasi Radhika Devi Dasi. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Shiksha disciple All Glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga!! Mumbai, India Please accept my humble obeisances! Dear Guru Maharaj!!! Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, For me it’s that time of the year which is the Please accept our humble obeisances most auspicious, Your appearance Day! I have no All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! words or qualification to glorify or speak about On this most auspicious occasion of Your you but still with your mercy whatever, possible I Vyasa Puja, Srila Guru Maharaj, we would like to will try to put in words. take this opportunity to thank You for accepting As Krishna confirmed in Bhagavad Gita that us as Your Disciples and guiding us. Your instruc- without the mercy of spiritual master, one can’t tion to us was "krsne matir astu" – reach him, we can see this through your example, "Always Remember Krishna, Never Forget that without being tied by your mercy it is not pos- Krishna"...we have taken this instruction as our sible to be able to chant or even think of Krish- life and soul. na. Only can we chant and think or speak about We had taken initiation from you Srila Guru Krishna through your mercy. Maharaj in Kuala Lumpur in December 2004 and You are like a life guard saving people who are it has been 11 years that you have been guiding us drowning in the ocean of material existence. Oh and helping us progress in Krishna Consciousness Gurudev! What would have happened had you and have Krishna in the centre of our lives. not come to help us cross the material ocean of Last year, during Gita Jayanti, by your mercy, birth and death…? Srila Guru Maharaj, we were able to distribute few I really pray to Gour Nitai, that They bless you Bhagavad Gitas in our office. Many senior offi- with all good health, wealth and long life so that cers in the organization were interested and took you may preach more and more and more and bring 141 Asia India all fallen souls back to Krishna. And being your ing, and talking scriptures. You are living what disciple, encourage me also that I may help you in you are preaching and thus thereby encouraging whatever way possible in your mission, though I your disciples and people in general to follow your am not qualified. path. There is absolutely nothing which can stop Let your name always be glorified throughout you from preaching, and that’s what we as your the world. You do so many pastimes which are not disciples need to learn and understand that no easy for a fallen soul like me to understand, but situation is so worst that can stop us from execut- gives me bliss when I hear it. Let me always be in ing our Krishna conscious duty. your service. Jai Gurudev!!!! Guru is the one who is heavy with knowlYour servant, edge and you yourself through your knowledge Navadvipishwari Radhika Devi Dasi (Diksha), guide people towards Krishna. You preach Srila Juhu, Mumbai, India Prabhupada vani, and a great Gauranga lover. I pray that Gouranga gives you good health All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! and long life!!!! Jai Gurudev!! All Glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga!! Please accept my humble obeisances! Your servant, Dear Guru Maharaj!!! Nirmala Nandini Devi Dasi, Juhu, Mumbai, India On the most auspicious day of your Appearance, I am getting this opportunity to pour my heart. By your mercy, I can put it into words. You Dearest Guru Maharaja, are a living example of a Bhagavata. Acharya is Please accept my respectful obeisances at your one who is showing by example how to live, and Lotus Feet! All glories to your Divine Grace on that’s what you are doing, living scriptures, walk- this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja! 142 India Asia Words fall short and can never be enough to Please accept my respectful obeisances. highlight your transcendental attributes. How ever, on this special day of your appearance, a very All glories to You on this most joyous occasion of Your Vyasa Puja day. fallen soul is making a humble attempt at offering All glories to Srila Prabhupada. prayers in an adequate way to glorify your great- On this auspicious day we pray for Your well- ness. being. Every time I attempt to write to You I feel I truly believe that it is Krishna’s special unqualified to do so properly and am at loss of mercy and your grace that enabled me to obtain words. Yet I keep trying with a hope that with your association from a young age. How else Your mercy I will learn how to sincerely & suitably could an insignificant and useless person such as glorify Your Holiness, Srila Prabhupada & other me even get an opportunity to understand the exalted Vaisnavas. Supreme Absolute better! Guru Maharaj, you have I am wonderstruck at how You always have continued to be a spiritual father for all us fallen time to enlighten Your disciples and devotees in souls and nurtured us back to health each time we spite of the busy schedule fulfilling Srila Prabh- become a prey to the illusions of Maya. You have upada’s instructions and various roles & respon- been ever so patient and tolerant with me and it sibilities Your Holiness holds and executes. I am is only because of your mercy that I am still able always overwhelmed by the faith and love the dis- to remain in this movement and get some Krishna ciples & devotees have for You. I remember of so Conscious nectar. many instances where I was adamant that some- You are an inspiration Guru Maharaj. The way thing was difficult or not possible and how You you relentlessly strive to fulfill Srila Prabhupa- understanding my constraints & concerns helped da mission despite any obstacle that might come me with a solution suitable to devotional practice your way leaves me awestruck every time. It only based on time, place & circumstances. goes to show how pure your love and devotion to- You always demonstrate the extraordinary in- wards Krishna and your spiritual master are and is fluence of teaching by example. Where we would a learning for me in terms of how I should strive start giving excuses on encountering smallest of to be towards my Guru and Sri Caitanya Maha hurdles, setbacks, minor ailments etc. even in Your prabhu. present condition there is NOTHING STOP- On this auspicious day, I sincerely pray with all PING YOU! my heart for your good health and well-being and MERCIFUL is the word that comes to our hope that I move towards being an iota worthy of mind when we think of You or hear about You your servant. from devotees, god brother & sisters and senior Vaisnavas. In spite of Your health condition You Your most fallen servant, keep travelling preaching & spreading the message Sugopi Soumya Devi Dasi (Diksha), of Srila Prabhupada. Even when in critical condi- Mumbai, India tion in hospital You endeavor to spread Krishna Consciousness to doctors, nurses, hospital staff, Dear Spiritual Father His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj, patients and their relatives. You forgive those who have wandered off the path giving them an 143 Asia India opportunity to realize their mistake and correct the same. You are truly representative of Nityananda Prabhu who is so merciful that he accepts every- I owe my seriously taking up Krishna body without any discrimination so I have seen Consciousness to the care and constant encour- the same reflection in You.. You have accepted agement from You. I am eternally indebted for the all the people whether good or bad without any blessings & mercy You have always showered upon discrimination You have bestowed Your mercy on me & my wife. You kindly accepted us as Your every soul for their upliftment. disciples and are constantly guiding us on the right You are truly an Inspiration and Great teacher path. Despite of our limitations & imperfections to all of us, where You showed us how to be tran- You kindly tolerate, patiently correct and continue scendental in any situation of Your life. to engage us in service. Please forgive any offenses we have knowingly or unknowingly committed. Your mere Darshan gives me transcendental pleasure. I pray to Your Holiness that with Your blessings "yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasäda yasyäprasädän & mercy we remain in shelter of Your Lotus Feet na gatiù kuto ‘pi..." Without Your mercy nobody always remembering, thinking and acting on Your can progress in their Spiritual advancement. instructions. With Your I could understand the ultimate goal of human life. Otherwise I was just hankering after Your servant always, gratifying my senses. Vamsidhara Visala Das (Diksha), I therefore thank You from bottom of my heart Mumbai, India for showing me the " true way of life". You are the source of Happiness in my life. On this 67th Vyasa Please Accept my humble obesiances unto Your puja I pray to Sri Panca-tattva, Sri Narsimha Dev, Sri Radha Madhava with Astasakhi and Srila Pra- Lotus Feet!! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! When I was not in to Krishna Consciousness I dint know what ISKCON had to offer to the bhupada to keep you always in Your best of Your health!! people at large. ISKCON gives you Spiritual Your Servant, Master which is none other than Krishna Him- Veena Dubey (Siksha) self... We say we have not seen God but having Mumbai, India our Spiritual Master in life that gap itself is filled up. After coming to ISKCON Guru Maharaja, I have received internal happiness for which Hare Krishna, All glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga! every soul hanker on earth. Like a Father, you have Dandavats! I am really very very... happy and guided me to advance in Spiritual life through thankful to Lord Sri Krishna for giving me His Your various lectures, messages and most promi- holiness Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj as my nent Your mercy and blessings on this fallen soul... Spiritual father (guru). Guru is representative of Supreme Personal- I lost my father in my small age itself from that ity God, therefore You know what is running in time onwards I was longing for the love from my Your disciples mind and I have experienced many dad but when I met Guru Maharaj in Ujjain in times. 2013 May, he pointed me and said " Anushya, you 144 India Asia are my loveable daughter" The moment he said of your lotus feet, on this very auspicious occasion I was overwhelmed and my tears started to roll of your Sri Vyasa Puja. down. From that second onwards I have been re- All glories to your divine grace!! ceiving the love of my dad each and every fraction All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! of second from him and I have been protected by All glories to your divine appearance day!! him from all enmities. Guru Maharaj has come Actually, while writing this offering, I am from Goloka Dham to deliver the fallen souls, thinking of in what words to glorify you and how I am grateful to be one among them. to express my gratitude towards you. It is practical- I pray to Lord Narashima dev to keep my Guru ly impossible to describe in words your causeless Maharaj healthy so that he can deliver more num- mercy and compassion towards us despite our fall- ber of fallen soul in this contaminated material en and conditioned nature. Please empower me so world. that I can glorify you atleast to a slightest extent. I practically see how you are constantly inspirYour eternal servant, ing and trying to elevate us through various means. Anupama Vraja Gopi Devi Dasi Through your lectures, kirtans, quotes, messages, Nagerkovil, India instructions, your interactions with devotees, your god-brothers and practically through your every Dear Guru Maharaj, action you are guiding, inspiring and elevating Please accept my humble obeisances at your us in our spiritual life. You are always holding us lotus feet. All glories to you the dear most servant and bringing us back from maya. It is inspiring to of Srila Prabhupad. see how your instructions and words act like the On this auspicious day I beg you to forgive mistakes and offenses committed. perfect medicine in all the difficulties and situations. Your loving nature, simplicity and constant I unknowingly took the responsibility to be concern for our advancement in spiritual life and Manager of ISKCON, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari services to the Lordships and Srila Prabhupada is Dist. what is always motivating us to go on and improve To some extent after knowing it's responsibility, I wish to continue and also improve in it. Beg your blessings that I can perfect my educa- our Krishna consciousness. It is practically impossible to advance in Krishna consciousness without your constant guidance and mercy. tion of Instrumentation and Control Engg as per Guru Maharaj, I remember you emphasizing, your instructions of Krishna as controller and I “I am happy, all spiritual masters are happy, if being an instrument. you are happy in serving Krishna.”, “The greatest service you can do is, Be happy in Krishna Your servant, consciousness and make others happy I Krishna Vikrama Govinda Das, (Diksha) consciousness”. Your constant words are always Nagercoil, Kanyakumari DT, India encouraging me to go on serving despite all anarthas in my heart. Please bless me so that I can do Dear Guru Maharaj, this service best possible for you, in the way you Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust wish. 145 Asia India Guru Maharaj, your compassion for all the lotus feet. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!!! suffering conditioned souls is simply unimaginable All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! for me. We practically see how you are always so All glories to Sri Sri Radha Madhava Asta much concerned about preaching, practically at all levels. How despite your physical health, you still travel to various places encouraging people to Sakhi!!! All glories to Sri Nitai Gaura Sundara Bhagavan and Panca-tattva!!! chant, read, take up Krishna consciousness, always All glories to all Vaishnavas!!! inspiring devotees to expand preaching, Bhakti Guru Maharaj! Vrikshas, Nama-hattas. We see how even when We have no words to express on your contin- you are in hospital, you still distribute your mer- ued determination and mood to serve His Divine cy to anyone you meet, doctors, nurses, patients Grace A.C Bhakti Vedanta Swami Srila Prabhu- encouraging them to chant, read Bhagavad Gita. pada and Nitai Gaura Sundara Bhagavan's desire Please please bless me so that I can be of some use to propagate Krishna Consciousness for all fallen for you in your service to Sri-Sri Nitai Gaur and souls like me throughout the world. His Holiness Srila Prabhupada. served untiringly your Spiritual Master from the Also Guru Maharaj, it is inconceivable as well age of 18 years old and made so many Diksha disci- as inspiring for me to see, how you take even every ples, Sanyasi disciples, development of Congrega- single word and instruction of Srila Prabhupada tional programs and Bhakti Vriksha programs all very seriously, even if it is small or big, easy or over the world. Even after troublesome bad health difficult and dedicate life and soul for that. You His Holiness travelling all over the world to spread are always trying to satisfy the desires of Srila Krishna consciousness and love of Godhead for Prabhupada and all the previous acaryas, despite making the success of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's all the circumstances. mission. Please bless me Guru Maharaj so that I can I beg Guru Maharaj to shower mercy on us to get at least a drop of devotion, faith and surren- get mood and determination to serve Guru and der to you compared to what you have for Srila Gauranga in any situation for their pleasure. Prabhupada. There is lot to express glorification of Guru Guru Maharaj, please please forgive me for the offences which I have committed at your lotus feet Maharaj, but is unlimited and never ending forever. out of my ignorance and material attachments, We Pray to Sri Sri Radha Madhava Asta sakhi knowingly or unknowingly. Please empower me and Panchatatwa including Lord Narasimha for that I can get rid of my anarthas and humbly en- their causeless mercy to give good health and gage in your service eternally, in the way you want. Strength to His Holiness for spreading Krishna Your aspiring insignificant servant, consciousness everywhere as "Gaura katha dama- Bhakta Pawan Palan, (Aspiring) Nagpur, Maharashtra, India daya nagara tarine." Yours insignificant servants, Vira Govinda Das & Anantha Manjari Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Dear Guru Maharaj` Please accept our humble obeisances at your 146 Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India India Asia Dear most Guru Maharaj, devotees. I remember, once, you got up in the mid- Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust dle of the night. When I approached you, you saw of you lotus feet. All glories to your Divine Grace. me and started enquiring my name, and about my All glories to Srila Prabhupada. parents and brother. I was so moved that despite The past couple of months was very eye-open- how tired you were, and despite the fact that you ing. You had to come to Delhi numerous times for had just got a break from the ventilator, you took your health treatment. This gave me some very time to know about me. purifying moments to associate with you closely. Before sleeping you ensure that a clicker is All I can conclude is, only someone 100% placed in your hand. Whenever you get up at Krishna Conscious, can lead the lifestyle you night, you start chanting. Even in the bathroom are leading. With so many health complications and while eating, you are busy discussing about that would put even the most optimistic person important ISKCON affairs or listening to/dictat- into depression, you are being the embodiment of ing correspondences. All these are some examples ‘bolo Krishna, bhajo Krishna, koro Krishna-siksha’. of how your divine grace is engaged 24 hours ev- Whether you are sleeping, eating, under medical ery day in the service of Srila Prabhupada. treatment, or doing any activity, you are constant- “yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado ly thinking of spreading Srila Prabhupada’s move- yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto’pi ment and ensuring well-being of devotees. By satisfaction of the spiritual master, the You have long back severed the connection Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes satis- with the material and now are in the spiritual fied. And by not satisfying the spiritual master, plane. How else can you overcome the burden of there is no chance to be promoted to the plane of such a sick body and be so active, so powerfully Krishna consciousness” Gurudev, I beg you to continue guiding and engaged in the battle against Kali? You are so selfless and compassionate that even showing your mercy on me. You are my only shel- in this condition, you tend to sacrifice personal ter and only hope to cross this ocean of nescience comforts for the deliverance of fallen conditioned and develop pure Krishna bhakti. souls. I was very fortunate to be engaged for night Your eternal servant, shift seva on some nights. It was a sublime experi- Caru Gauranga Das (Diksha), New Delhi, India ence. Your sweet dealings with the doctors and nurses and how you simply preached to them to be Krishna-conscious was very uplifting. In fact, Guru Maharaj, I offer my respectful dandavat at your lotus feet. once, I observed how you naturally caused every- You are so merciful, that you are distributing one around to chant Hare Krishna while a needle Krishna Bhakti to everyone, without looking for was being stuck in your veins to extract blood for any qualification. I am one among those beneficia- tests. I was reminded of how child Nimai similarly ries. I am a most fallen conditioned soul, stuck in prompted the ladies to chant the names of Hari. the clutches of Maya, looking for sense gratifica- You are also so personal in your dealings with tion every where. I am so fallen that despite getting 147 Asia India instructions from you, I am so attracted towards conditional souls message of God is very inspiring sense gratification, accumulation of wealth, posi- and melting my stone like heart. tion, name, fame etc. and having demoniac qualities. You are only my saviour, hope to retrieve me from this rotten condition. You are great inspiration to everybody, living example of surrender to Krishna, engaged in the mission of Srila Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu tirelessly, selflessly. You always look for opportunities to preach glories of Krishna in whatever conditions you are To follow your instructions is only aim of my life. Please accept this small composition as an offering:In 1965 a saint travels through ship having mission in his heart. Krishna sent some blessed soul to help His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. placed. Amazing level of energy, enthusiasm you So many beautiful and fragrant flowers grown show for preaching, devotee care, I have no words in this garden. O’ most worshipable Guru Maharaj, to explain. you are also among one of them. Please forgive all my offenses at your lotus feet and give me atleast a drop of your mercy, How to follow instructions of great souls,your life is an example. so that I can follow your instructions, follow in Fortitude is courage in, you teach us how to your foot steps, do a little to progress in Krishna perform devotional service in so much adversities consciousness. and pains. O’ most worshipable you are spiritual warrior Your insignificant disciple, Kirtaneswara Gaura Das Coimbatore, India (Presently at Delhi) of this divine moment, who never takes rest, heals up and start preaching again. You never allow your mind in fret, grateful to you ever for teaching to the mouth who always HEART FELT OFFERINGS complains. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Words are less, your glories are endless, com- Please accept my humblest obeisance. position of your’s‘ yadi Prabhupad nayihoite’ cap- All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories tures millions of hearts. to Guru and Gauranga! All Glories to your heart and soul Lord Nityananda How Prabhupada’s vision became your heart and soul the temple of Vedic Planetarium is an I am not at all qualified and possess nothing example. worthy to offer most worshipable you on the most You never give up the service which is dear to auspicious day of your appearance day, except you, preaching the fallen souls who stuck in the the deepest gratitude for accepting this most fall- dark well of ignorance. en then Jagai and Madhai soul like me as your disciple and underneath your shelter. I humbly bow down my head unto your lotus feet with full awe and reverence. I was spiritually orphan before you accept- How to keep Krishna as top priority of life, ed me as your child. You are epitome of mercy, whether in distress or opulence, grateful to you for despite struggling with severely bad health your teaching us this important lesson. determination to serve guru and zeal to preach the 148 The living force which is in the body that is India Asia indestructible, It is pure love for sri Gaur Chan- ress one step ahead in my spiritual life. I am in- dra which is running in your vain. debted to you for ample of things. Your life is very precious to us we are helpless and spiritually orphans. Your mood is filled with genuine compassion & love. You strongly desire & endeavor to facili- Our heartfelt and deepest prayers to Sri Radhamadhav may he always keep you in good health tate Lord Caitanya's mercy to reach every nook & cranny, every town & village. now and always. Gurudeva, you always assorted in your service to your spiritual master, setting such an exalted Your fallen Servant of the servant, example for all your disciple to follow. You are al- Kritida Suta devi Dasi, (Diksha) ways worried for preaching & not for other things. New Delhi, India doesn't matter for you that where you are, you are just busy in preaching & making devotees. Where Dear Guru Maharaj, you go, people become devotee just by having dar- Please accept my humble obesiances unto your shan of your louts feet. You are strongly giving louts feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glo- full efforts to fulfill Srila Prabhupada instruction. ries to you! Gurudeva thanks a lot for everything. I am very fortunate to have you as my Gurudev, Gurudeva it’s my sincere desire that I may be you are my source of inspiration, whenever I just able to assist you in some small way, in your ser- have your darshan, I forget my all miseries & prog- vice to Srila Prabhupada. please allow me to stay 149 Asia India close to your lotus feet. ship with you based on hearing about you from your loving disciple, Ramya Vrndavana Mataji. Your insignificant servant The first time I met you, i can still remember Megha Rupa Radhe Devi Dasi, your glance upon this fallen soul and in all the New Delhi, India crowd you could recognize this unknown face. I have been a very rebellious person and before Hare Krishna. taking any decision, I let go three or more oppor- Humble obeisances at the lotus feet of His tunities before finally taking one. But when I had Holiness Swami Prabhupada. to take your shelter, your love crushed my rebel- If it wasn't for you dear Prabhupada, I would liousness and your love and mercy along with the have never been to see a way out of the deep love and compassion of Ramya Vrndavana Mataji cluthes. Thank you for reaching me through your who introduced me to you, I was bestowed with books and beautiful disciples and guiding me your shelter the very first time I saw you. I had to everytime, everyday to increase my Krishna believe my eyes that in actual I was having your Consciousness. darshan. And my life after that tremendously Please accept my humble dandvat pranams at your lotus feet. changed. I have seldom met you but your love is not Always at your service, bounded by any boundaries of physical associa- Priya Singh, (Aspiring) tion. You take care of each and every of your dis- New Delhi, India ciple in myriad of ways. You live with them daily in the form of your vani association, you give them Dear Guru Maharaja, immense spiritual protection in most gross as well Please accept my most loving and humble obei- as subtle way. sances All glories to Srila Prabhupada and our Guru Parampara. I can also recall how once when I was blessed with an opportunity to be in your association and My every single word in your glory would be directly after you had come out of the operation like a blind person left from his home to find a theater, we ran for your darshan. And YOU asked piece of pea in an infinitely expanded green field. US instantly “How are you?” What are his chances of finding even a trace or a That single statement was so much full of love shadow of that pea. But still I will try not based and concern like that of a loving father. It was on my strength but based on the strength of your us, who should have spontaneously as well as in- words that in bhakti desire and our resultant en- stantly asked you “How are you our beloved Guru deavor is most important, rather than the external Maharaja?” And then even after going through all result. And I have not just heard but experienced the inconvenience of an operation procedure, you moment to moment in my own life too that there inquired about smallest of details with fully con- can no one be more magnanimous and merciful scious of our presence around you and making all than Lord’s pure devotees. the arrangements so that you could see us and talk I had always heard about the great length of your glories. I was fortunate to start my relation150 to us nicely. Lord Nityanand went on His own to places like India Asia brothels, bars, to meat eaters. He approached the awaken people from the slumber of ignorance and most fallen people of that time one can think of to teach us how physical impediments are not a and gave them Mahaprabhu’s mercy. Even though trouble in following instructions. Your unflinch- they never desired their spiritual upliftment but ing desire to serve your spiritual master and do- Nityanand Prabhu delivered all of them out of His ing everything to please him without thinking of causeless mercy and deep love and compassion. In anything else is glorious. Your focus is instructions this age He has sent you to all of us. People are and mission of Srila Prabhupada. You actually now becoming more and more degraded so they taught us the meaning of SURRENDER by your cannot approach your lotus feet. So you are doing own PERFECT EXAMPLE. this pastime of giving your service to so many of Guru Maharaja we are witnessing your tran- us, who even in our strangest of dreams could ever scendental pastimes in this material world par- think of serving you personally. But you have con- ticularly in last few years where you are showing nected all of us to you through our prayers for you, how physical ailments and restrictions can not you have connected all the doctors and devotees block the spiritual journey. Time and again you to you even more intimately. have defied the medical science and proved be- Please always bestow us with your loving asso- yond doubt that these material obstructions can ciation, care and service our dear Guru Maharaja! not stop you from your mission in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya. This is a Aspiring to be your loving part of your pastime in this material world that spiritual servant and daughter, you are reaching to those who are not able to ap- Priyanka (Sheltered Disciple), proach you, they may be in ICU or far off hospi- New Delhi tals,or wherever, may be of any caste or religion, those who are just engaged in material activities My Dearest and Respected Spiritual Father alone, who would have never seen you before, you Hare Krishna! Please accept my dandavats at the are going to them, showering all the love, compas- dust of your lotus feet on your divine and auspi- sion and mercy on them by giving them Krishna cious appearance day. in some form or the other, See! how may have got All glories to your undeterred transcendental preaching mission. purified by your glance alone and now chanting Hare Krishna. Even those who are admitted in the All glories to Srila Prabhupada! hospital are getting the mercy of Krishna by your Guru Maharaja, it is my great fortune that sheer presence there. This is true compassion.You by you have given us this opportunity to write are repeating the pastime of Lord Nityananda to you on your magnificent appearance day. We who begged everyone to chant the holy name, by have no qualifications to write about you, it is going places to places, door to door, this is REAL like a small bird trying to measure the sky.You GURU. have been sent here by Mahaprabhu to deliv- Guru Maharaja your concern about those who er thousands of fallen souls like us, the purpose are somehow connected to you is beyond descrip- of your appearance in this material world is to tion, you are always contemplating and praying for assist in the mission of Srila Prabhupada and to their spiritual welfare by suggesting and guiding 151 Asia India them towards the right direction. You are ready to transmitted through your disciples to to unquali- take responsibility of anyone and everyone who- fied souls like us, I am grateful to her bring me to soever approaches you. Your merciful darsan is your lotus feet. good enough to purify them. You are always ready Guru Maharaja please accept my humble obei- to answer all the queries of the devotees at any sances again and again at your lotus feet and ac- time and anywhere, that may be in the hospital or cept my insignificant prayers and wishes for your while getting late in catching flight. You always better physical health, so that you can assist your give transcendental and practical solutions to all spiritual master Srila Prabhupada and Gauranga our queries. Mahaprabhu and we can get more and more of You are the REAL WELL-WISHER of everyone. Guru Maharaja I feel very fortunate to have your personal association so many times along your association and blessings. I also request you to use me in your service in whatever way you desire. with my family, it is your love, compassion and mercy on us which is allowing us to sustain. Your Aspiring to be in the dust of your lotus feet association is always very inspiring and purifying while serving your servants. for us. You are always concerned about our spiri- Rajiv Mukha Govinda Das, (Diksha) tual welfare, we are very grateful to you for your New Delhi, India prayers. Sometimes we become concerned about your health but the next moment we could ap- Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj! preciate by your mercy that you are beyond all Please accept my respectful obeisances! these material miseries, it is just one of your pas- All glories to you and Srila Prabhupada! times thus giving us an opportunity to purify our- On this most auspicious day, I want to thank selves by meditating on you and offering our in- you for saving me and helping me realize my true significant prayers. This is another aspect of your constitutional position i.e. to serve Lord Krishna. MERCIFUL CHARACTER. A Father saves his child from all kinds of danger Guru Maharaja your disciples who are sincere- and you have been a true Father for me because ly following you are also very glorious, they get you saved me from the blazing fire of this material inspiration from you and pass on to their subor- world. I have realised that you are very merciful dinates. They sing your glories all the times thus as you accepted me who is the most conditioned, giving us inspiration and letting us to see you in ignorant and fallen soul as your daughter. a different light. Those aspects of you which are Guru Maharaj I think that I have disappoint- missed by our imperfect senses, they could appre- ed you by not doing my Bhakti properly. Every- ciate them and describe to us, and thus teach us day I firmly decide not to commit offences but your teachings and glories, giving us joy.Guru Ma- somehow I end up committing many offences haraja I feel very fortunate that I am being guided but I will continue with the determination to by one of your such loving disciple Ramya Vrn- improve myself by overcoming my anarthas (bad davana Mataji, who is always singing your glories habits) so that in due course of time I come at and thus inspiring me all the times. Thus your the offenseless stage in Bhakti and thereby never parampara of love, compassion and mercy is being disappoint you. 152 India Asia you accepted, that initiation ceremony was Your Sheltered Disciple, Ria, (Shelter), so special & magnanimous you came back fighting against most critical health conditions. New Delhi, India Wherever you go, whether hospital or temple, you always have special lilas to perform Gauranga!!!!!! To engage more & more people in harinaam My humble obeisances onto the lotus feet of sankirtan Specially in the month of Kartik & beloved Guru Maharaj, Purusottama. Oh! Dear Guru Maharaj, “If you fall down, Do not repent, do not fear You have enlightened this fallen soul with the To Protect you, I am always here” your these words mercy of Nimai and Nitai.Only your grace can while initiation filled everyone’s’ heart & eyes shower your insignificant servant with the limit- who can be more merciful than you, it made less mercy of Nitai Gaur Sundar. You truly live at me the soul platform Guru Maharaj. You create situ- ceremony specially for me, for giving me most ations,that we can render devotional service onto beautiful name ‘sadguru sevanandini’ realize Felt that you organized this the lotus feet of radha-shyamsundar.In a gaze you O Father,I asked the name in guru lila from changed my life, and you are my master. It is your you, So that at all situations, my mind can will to accept me or reject me, let me surrender my always remember to serve you. I was so life and soul onto your lotus feet.And serve you in scared to travel overseas & praying to you all spreading your beloved Guru Maharaj Srila Pra- time But your blessings gave me strength bhupada's mission. to face all difficulties. A glance of your lotus feet Please accept me as your maid servant for eternity and bless me to become humble as a blade of make me forget all pains your hand on my head make me feel complete. grass. I am not able to declare war against "maya" Whenever I feel alone and distressed and follow your instructions "as it is" due to my Sharing heart with you, I always feel reciprocation fallen position. Like Krishna is everywhere, I can feel you everywhere Please shower your grace onto this fallen soul Always worrying & caring for every individual soul Guru Maharaj,as I do not have any qualification Serving selflessly, you never live for yourself other than your mercy. What would be my life-without you. O dear father! I realize the importance of Your Insignificant Servant Vyasa Puja first time now, Counting every Ruchi Nandrajog, (Shelter) single day till 17th April. I just can’t live New Delhi, India without you and your service O Gurudev, Hare Krishna! please always engage me under your lotus feet Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. Always shower on me your special mercy. This is your little daughter offering. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Yours Blessed Daughter All Glories to Srila Gurudeva. Asked for your acceptance at the first Vyasa Sadguru Sevanandini Devi Dasi, Puja I attended, And you are so merciful that New Delhi, India 153 Asia India My Dear spiritual father, aged me in most gentle and loving way, appreciat- Please accept my humble obeisances at your ing whatever insignificant service I rendered and lotus feet. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!! ignoring my weaknesses and flaws. I cherish those Vyaspuja maha-mahotsava ki jaya!! precious memories always. On the auspicious appearance day of your In this regard, I pray and request you to bless Divine grace, I pray for intelligence to glorify your me so that I develop these qualities gradually and unlimited glories in few words for your Divine deal with my superiors, juniors and equals, irre- grace pleasure. spective of devotee or new to KC, in a same way Dear spiritual father, I feel so fortunate to be as you have taught me by your own behavior and part of such huge god family that you created and glorious example showing how a Vaishnava should will always be grateful for accepting me as part of be! it. Thank you very much Guru Maharaja for your Out of your unlimited qualities, I am particu- unconditional love for all of us.. larly so inspired by your quality of tolerance and patience in dealing with new devotees, and your Aspiring to be sincere in your service, dependents. I remember when I was new devotee, Your spiritual daughter, didn't know any etiquette how to deal with spiri- Sukishori Vishakha Devi Dasi. tual personality like spiritual master, you were ex- (Mira road) Noida, India tremely tolerant and patient with me. Not only All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! you tolerated my foolishness, you always encour- All Glories to Srila Guru Maharaj! 154 India Asia Our beloved Guru Maharaj, Puja ki jai! Please accept our humble obeisances at Your Lotus Feet. On the auspicious occasion of Your Your ever obedient servant, Vyasa Puja we sincerely pray to Narasimhadev Manasi Radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Bhagavan to give you better health and protect Palakkad, Kerala, India You. In these difficult circumstances also You are taking utmost care about the devotees. You are Dearest and most lovingly Srila Gurudeva! really very merciful. By Your Mercy we are con- Kindly accept my most humble and loving ducting classes and doing devotional activities. obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Gurumaharanj, kindly shower Your Blessings on us, to become more serious and become perfect All glories to Sri Sri Radha Madhava! devotees. Please pardon us for the offences com- All glories to Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan mitted at Your Feet knowingly or unknowingly. Candra! All glories to Sri Jaganath, Baladeva & We pray to Lord Krishna not to give You the effect Subhdra ma! All glories to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai!! of our sinful activities if any. All glories to Sri Sri Narsimha Dev bhagavan! Gurudev, first of all would like to wish you a With humble pranams at Your Lotus Feet, very happy, fulfilling and satisfying 67th Vyasa Your spiritual children, Puja. Brhat Caitany Das, It is the most auspicious, special and extraor- Silatala Nivasini Devi Dasi, dinary day for me, your all other disciples and Priyamvada Madhavi Devi Dasi, Arun and ISKCON. On this day I would like to say that we the devotees of Nemmara Namahatta are eternally indebtful to you and also to your Palakkad, Kerala, India loving father, mother, siblings, friends and society in which you were brought in in the childhood. My dear Guru Maharaj... I would like to remember and be thankful to Humble obeisances at your lotus feet! their sacrifices and big heart to let you join and Happy Vyasa Puja! expand Srila Prabhupada's movement. I would like Because of your magnanimousmercy I am to remember and be thankful to their hardships doing some small seva for your mission Guru Maharaj! So please kindly give me shelter, I am begging you for your mercy... and intensity of love for you as LOVE means to be Happy in the happiness of your loved one. In order to see you happy they let you leave comfortable and royal life. Srila Gurudeva, you are a divine figure of awe, Gurudev kripa Bindu Diya... Then only way we can do more seva in future also. Now I am doing three bakthi vrikshas in natural inspiration, pure love, insurmountable strength and 100% GIVING. Palakkad. That is gift for this vyasa Puja and Srila Gurudeva, I feel so fortunate that you ac- namahatta also because of senior Devotees cepted me as your disciple. You have a golden heart mercy I am preaching in Sundays... which spontaneously adjusts to SOFT & HARD Guru Maharaj ki jai... Guru Maharaj Vyasa circumstances. The same heart which is as soft as 155 Asia India butter and tender like young coconut from inside all over the world. You are always absorbed in your towards your disciples is changed to heart of Steel services to Sri Guru and Gauranga & are always when dealing with decisions related to ISKCON's on the transcendental platform of pure devotion- progress and high standards. al service. Srila Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day I But I am a rascal of this material world, ab- can only think of LOVE & SACRIFICES in dif- sorbed in all sorts of nonsense material desires. ferent forms and situations which you have been Somehow I have been sheltered at your lotus-feet distributing to all of us. by mercy of your devotees. Then also, I have been On this day, I earnestly pray that may I can an offender at your lotus-feet, being a victim of understand a small percentage of your desires and lust. I have been swayed away by maya in form of become instrumental in fulfilling them along with thoughts to enjoy opposite sex. my good wife Aradhya Radhika Devi Dasi and children. I am very weak Guru Maharaja & thus I pray unto you to please protect me. I don’t want to be On this most auspicious day I along with Arad- again cheated & robbed by these material desires. hya Radhika, we would continue to pray to Srila Even though I may want to leave your lotus-feet & Prabhupada to bestow you with good health, more your instructions, I pray that you please keep me strength and energy to fulfill your spiritual desires. forcibly under your shelter, in association of dev- Kindly, kindly bless and help both of us to do otees and destroy my independent enjoying men- little service towards Srila Prabhupada's mission tality for sense-gratification. by establishing and expanding this movement in Guru Maharaja, you are a pure devotee of Lord the hearts of other people so they can taste the and a very dear servitor of Srila Prabhupada, Sri- happiness and peace of Krishna Consciousness. man Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha Madhav. I beg at your lotus feet to kindly forgive me for I therefore request you to please bless me & en- my any offences while writing Vyasa Puja offer- gage me in Their Lordships’ service under your ings to you, as I am not good at it. lotus-feet. Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakura says in Thanking you again and again. Guruvashtakam “yasya prasadat bhagavat prasa- Your indebted and surrendered disciples do, yasyaprasadat na gati kuto pi…” without the Amulya Harinama Das, (Diksha) mercy of spiritual master, a disciple can make Aradhya Radhika Devi Dasi no advancement. I therefore beg for your mercy Panchkula, India again and again, so that I can become free from maya’s service and be eternally engaged in ser- My dear Guru Maharaja, vice of Vaishnavas, Your Divine Grace and Srila Please accept my humble obeisances. Prabhupada. I don’t deserve your mercy but you have kindly Your fallen insignificant servant, accepted me as your disciple, being very merciful Achyuta Nama Das, (Diksha) to a fallen soul like me. You have been continu- Orissa, Paradip, India ously & tirelessly distributing the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada & Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 156 Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, India Asia All glories to Srila Prabhupada, All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!!!! All glories to Guru and Gauranga. Jaya Sri Gurudev!!!! Please accept my humble obeisances. Dear Gurudev, Happy Vyasa Puja celebrations Guru Please accept my humble obeisance unto you. Maharaj.I don’t know whether my pattern of You are the guide and only hope of all fallen writing is correct.my love for my spiritual father conditioned souls like myself. I am not at all grows more and more as years go by. There are qualified to speak about a great personality and many materialistic defects in my day to day life. a pure Vaishnava like you maharaj. Still it’s the But the moment I chant,look at your picture, mercy of the devotees who are very kind unto listen to your recordings all my burdens just fly me for letting me speak whatever limited knowl- away. I feel very spiritually active and my faith edge I have accumulated with your mercy. I am increases to advance in Krishna consciousness. nothing but less than a small drop in front of the If I would not have been to manipal,If I would oceanic divine qualities you posses Oh Gurudev. not have met the devotees there,I just simply cant His Holiness is one of the greatest forces in Srila imagine how my life would have been all these Prabhupada’s mission of spreading the teachings years.Its all by guru and Krishna s mercy and of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of the chanting of arrangements, that I am able to rise up into the the Hare Krishna MahaMantra around the whole spiritual purity and I am also able to rejoice in this world in every town and village. Guru Maharaj transcedental bliss. I am so fallen that I am unable to serve His Any kind of hurdles, any kind of hurricanes, Holiness in any manner. Generally it’s said that a any kind of emotional conflicts I am able to sus- disciple should be an instrument in the hands of tain, withstand, overcome... Its all by your mercy his spiritual master in spreading the teachings of gurudeva. Lord Sri Chaitanya and His Holiness is the prop- Thank you Guru Maharaj, for giving an oppor- er personification of this statement where it is tunity for this most fallen soul to taste the nectar clearly seen that you are serving His Divine Grace of Krishna consciousness in this human form of Srila Prabhupada in every possible manner. The life. Most shocking thing I see in His Holiness and Guru Maharaj please bless me, my daughter admire in him that even though after going through nakshatra, my husband Arun kumar and all my so much sickness in which doctors said only 2% of family members to progress in Krishna conscious- the cases have survived in such a severe condi- ness and to do more and more services in our life tion still His Holiness has emerged through such to please Guru and Gauranga. severe crisis and is able to serve Srila Prabhupada in the same way as previously. Generally fall- Trying to be your servant, en souls like me just leave everything and give up Vinodhini Arunkumar, everything for a small silly sickness. But His Holi- Pollachi, Coimbatore Dist., India ness is very determined in your activities and His Holiness is still very much having the determina- A Humble offering to the lotus feet of Srila Gurudev! tion and desire to serve Srila Prabhupada in even this condition. Actually His Holiness is not affect157 Asia India ed by all these diseases of this material world. This tities out of which you just shower mercy upon. is one of your pastimes to warn your disciples to Even in your sick condition you have strong de- be careful in following the proper principles set sire and determination to preach and give mercy by Srila Prabhupada and this also shows the power to everyone. May I too be a part of your mercy and of the Krishna consciousness movement. Gurudev cooling shade giving shelter in scorching desert not only in this condition but in so many other of this material world where I am already being situations like the incident of the airport where tormented by the heat since many lifetimes, even the person came to kill with a knife on your neck though I am not at all qualified to even ask and but still by the mercy of Lord you were saved and get that mercy. served back again in the full spirit. Your life was Gurudev! I am so fallen and find no shelter at a risk still His Holiness is able to continue your other than His Holiness lotus feet which is the services towards His Divine Grace Srila Prabhu- only hope for conditioned souls like me. Please be pada without any bodily considerations and other kind upon this useless soul and engage me in the factors. It’s said that for a pure Vaishnava there loving service of His Holiness and Sri Sri Rad- is nothing in the world that can stop them from ha Krishna. Please steady my rocking boat in this loving Krishna and from obeying and following material ocean to cross over it and attain the ul- their spiritual master’s instruction, and it’s clear timate perfection of serving His Holiness and the enough that nothing can stop His Holiness from divine couple Sri Sri Radha Krishna,Sri Sri Gaur preaching Krishna consciousness. Nitai and Srila Prabhupada. Please be merciful The whole Mayapur Project which has been undertaken by you on the instruction and divine mercy of Srila Prabhupada has already come to a grand success in the path of preaching Krishna consciousness. Thousands and Lakhs of people have been preached to take to the path of Krishna Bhakti and to become serious dedicated devotees. His Holiness have given the major contribution towards the service of Lord Nityananda that the construction of the TOVP has been possible and is going on in a fully fledged way. This clearly shows that the prediction of Lord Nityanand and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu about the spreading the holy names in every town and village is now coming true by your active services in the TOVP. Your services rendered to Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON and to the Krishna consciousness movement are unlimited and cannot be counted and estimated. The very great quality I admire and aspire to gain in you is Jiva daya compassion to all the living en158 upon me so that I never leave the path of Bhak- India Asia ti and continue it my whole life with the proper Krishna!’. mood of a servant. I am not as grateful as I should be.I request you May my human form of life be properly utilized to shower your mercy upon me so that I will be in your service! I Thank you for giving me the able to understand the importance of jewel what valuble Krishna Consciousness gem for which you had given me and stop searching for broken I am not even qualified. I am very grateful that pieces of glasses. by your mercy I am able to practice some Krishna Consciousness. I promise you that I will not commit any actions which displeases you but please give me strength to overcome my anarthas and to perform my du- Your Aspiring Servant, ties or actions in the way it pleases you. Chitturi Krishna Chaitanya, (Aspiring) As Radha Madhava, Prahlad Narsimha Dev, Pune, India Panch-tattva and Srila Prabhupada are very dear to you.I request you to please pray for me so that Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, they also can shower their causeless mercy upon Please accept my humble obeisances, me and I will be able to practice Krishna Con- All glories to Srila Prabhupada, sciousness with full faith and surrender, so that i All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. can please you. I first of all, offer my respectful obeisances unto Your insignificant servant, to your lotus feet. You are the source of all inspiration from me Sucaru Nimai Das (Diksha), to practise bhakti. Every activity you do only for Pune, India the pleasure of Gauranga which inpires me to surrender more and more unto the lotus feet of Dear Guru Maharaja gauranga by surrendering unto you,but please give Please accept my most humble obeisances at me strength to surrender unto you. My dear Master, please give this servant one your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Guru. drop of mercy. Give me strength. Let me be as you Because of you o my beloved guru, we could are without desires or aspirations. If you examine taste this happiness and nectar of devotion. Your me, you will find no qualities.Your mercy is all that causeless mercy is reaching all living beings, just I am made of Please give me the shade of your lo- as the rain refreshes the fields during drought. tus feet and purify me. Teach me to control my six passions,rectify my six faults,bestow upon me the six qualities,and of- Guru Maharaj please give me strength to follow your instruction and blessing to always to be associated with the devotees. fer unto me the six kinds of holy association. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the greatest treasure of O the most merciful, please forgive my offences and bless me with wisdom to advance in spiritual path. the holy name of Krishna. Krishna is yours. You Your servant have power to give him to me.I am simply your Swapneel Deshpande, (Shiksha) servant running behind you shouting,’Krishna! Pune, India 159 Asia India Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj, becomes purified, Please accept our humble obeisance’s at your As you are the most lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glo- mercy personified. ries to Srila Gurudeva. By your inspiration and commitment towards Without caring for your health, the movement, we started students pogramme you deliver fallen souls, for Lovely professional university students at our This is not possible for home. The students are taken up the chanting an ordinary living soul. very seriously and visiting the local temple regularly. This is my offering to you on this auspi- Had Srila Prabhupada not given you cious day. And also we blessed with new girl baby a precious jewel, (named her as Nandini). We are struggling with We just can't imagine baby care and sadhanas, by your mercy we are bal- we would have definitely been in hell. ancing both. Regular follow-up your health, messages and schedules through whatsapp and also You teach us by example your lectures in JPS archives radio. We need your O! Dear Gurupada, kind blessings to expand the preaching and bring- How to preach and be humble, ing more conditional souls to the movement. we learn by your ashirvad. Your humble servant, O benevolent Vaishnava, Krishna Subhadra Das & Satkirti Radhika deliver this lowest of men, Devi Dasi Begging at your lotus feet Bk.Nandini again and again. Phagwara, Punjab, India, Asia Give others respect and Hare Krishna Maharaj, do not expect honour, Please accept my most humble obeisances. You teach us by your example All glories to Srila Prabhupada. at every spiritual corner. Thank you, O thank you for your spiritual care, Whatever we have learnt is Oh! Nityananda's expansion with your spiritual mercy, wherever you are there. Kindly fill our heart with deepest mercy. Navadvip, Bengal, Moscow, Australia-wherever you go, You give us supreme benefit You spread Holy name to get rid of birth and death, far-far at a go. May I serve you till my greatest depth. Anyone who comes in your contact 160 India Asia Just like Krishna's associates Still you have accepted in Vrindavan are in ecstasy, a fallen soul like me. We feel the same in your divine loving supremacy. Your limitless compassion and care have transformed my stone like heart, Please give benediction to serve you No one father would be ever able to done this all. till the last breath of my life, As your lotus feet Still a lot of faults residing deep inside, is mercy personified. Please chastise me a lot to throw them aside. Begging for your mercy Plenty of mistakes I always do, on this auspicious day, Not been able to ever please You. Kindly grant service to this insignificant today. O Guru Maharaj I really love you a lot, But my mind always says, Diksha Ahuja, "you are doing a show off". Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, India O my father please help me Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, to love and serve You, Please accept my most humble obeisances at As this is the thing which can please You. your divine lotus feet! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! My only desire to follow All glories to You! Your mood and instructions, Before You came O Gurudeva, Please help me to fulfill my life was really hollow and empty, Your Divine mission. But now Your love and prayers have filled my heart completely. Trying to pray daily for Your health, As this is our only treasure and wealth. Krishna being merciful on me, He sent You to deliver me. Beg at your divine lotus feet today, Please help me to attentively chant everyday. O my dear father and my guide, You were there when no one beside. Thank you Guru Maharaj for giving me an opportunity to say some words for You in You are an ocean of transcendental mercy, You filled our hearts with great ecstasy. Your glorification. Please accept them as an offering to You on this Vyas Puja day. Your fallen spiritual daughter Mahak(Shelter) I really have no qualification Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, India and no knowledge with me, 161 Asia India Hare Krishna Maharaj. Once I was able totouch his wheel-chair, Please accept my most humble obsiences. And it told me the intensity of his love and care. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Once I paid my obeisances unto him, All glories to you. And it made me think of us "Secret of a strong preacher is that he is rigid trapped in a well so deep. in his devotional services. “O our dear maharaj Just by his merciful sight, you are a perfect example of this, your strength He vanishes the darkness of gives us the strength. illusion by spiritual light. You are a perfect reflection of Srila Prabhupada, Once I heard Maharaj's glories, friend of the fallen souls. they were so deep Please kindly bestow your mercy upon us. and touching like Krishna's stories. When I met you at Delhi airport last month By my endavour I cannot know for the first time I thought how someone can be so his transcendental pastimes ever, merciful. It is said that a spiritual master is some- Yet I know that he is praying for one who brings mercy from Lord and gives it to all of us forever. fallen souls, then I realised that you are that ocean Rohit Ahuja, of mercy. Your fallen servant, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, India. Nitika kocher, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, India. My dear Gurudev, sakshad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair It's time to enjoy this celebration, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih Of our Maharaj's vyasa puja occasion. kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya Happiness and joy is spread all around, vande guroh sri-caranaravindam As where he is, mercy is abound. The spiritual master is to be honored as much By just his merciful glance, as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confi- One can experience spiritual trance. dential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged Blessing and bestowing his mercy in all revealed scriptures and followed by all au- to as much people as he can, thorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisance It'll be him who'll take us back to godhead unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who on his spiritual van. is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krishna]. Once I was able to clean Guru Maharaj, I met you first time in 2015 & Maharaj's dust, Jagannath Rath Yatra in Bengaluru. Your health and this made me from lust. was not good but, very mercifully you gave us Once I got the opportunity to have his leftover food, Darshana and, I felt very fortunate and blissful. and this helped me to change my mood. You were undergoing so much pain to speak but, Once I could hang maharaj's bag on my back, still you preached so much about Bhakti. And this made me realize After returning, I saw your videos, early photos where in my spiritual activities do I lack. and, read your biography. I am deeply influenced 162 India Asia by your dedication to preaching and serving vaish- My Dear Guru Maharaja, navas. I realized the significance of Guru in one’s sri-guru karuna-sindhu, life. Guru is the representative of God and, only adhama janara bandhu, means to go back to Spiritual world. You are like lokanath lokera jivana the Captain of ship going to Goloka Vrndavan. I ha ha prabhu koro doya, understood that, though being in material world, deho more pada-chaya, ebe jasa ghushuk tribhuvana we should be spiritually conscious. I request at your lotus feet to bless me so that, Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the I dive deeper into this divine preaching activities friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the for your pleasure. I am conducting one Bhakti devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me vriksha in Raichur. the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all Gurudev, please accept me as your disciple and over the three worlds. bless so I can take initiation at the earliest. Gurudev, serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission I want to enter Grhasta ashram. Seeking your of spreading Krishna consciousness in the associ- divine mercy to get a devotee husband, so together ation of your servants is a great source of joy and we can serve you in spreading Srila Prabhupada's inspiration for me. mission. I remember a very inspirational pastime of Your aspiring disciple, your’s during the initial days of stroke. One day, Anuradha(Aspiring), Raichur, India after intense day schedule, you were falling asleep 163 Asia India while having prasadam in evening. Your servants mercy beyond compare. sent away the devotees waiting for your class. Lat- In the first verse of his Prayers Glorifying the er, you asked why no devotees have come for class; Spiritual Master, Sri Viswanatha Chakravarti your servant replied that he sent them away. So, prays that the spiritual master is like a rain-pour you replied that without preaching, you cannot of mercy. The rain is merciful because it alone lead life and, preaching is rest time. can extinguish the blazing forest fire. That forest This shows your complete dedication to spread fire is compared to the burning heart of the man Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Whenever I read your in material existence. It is only by the mercy of a pastimes, lot of inspiration arises inside me. I met bonafide spiritual master who is coming in disci- you for the first time during Rath Yatra in Ben- plic succession from Krishna that one can receive galuru. When you arrived, I was standing right in the realized knowledge by which he can cut the front of the car very excited. Then, you mercifully knot of ignorance which binds him to continue in blessed all the devotees from Raichur holding the his repeated sufferings. By the realized knowledge Jagannath tooth brush. My happiness was beyond of the spiritual master, one can himself become bounds. self-realized and, at once end his illusory struggle I was leading an animalistic life before coming to be happy without God-consciousness. in contact with ISKCON. After joining Bhakta Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered a dog Prahlad School, I stopped eating non-veg and my who had received the affection of Sivananda Sena. mom also started to attend regular classes. Now, Although I was born in a “well-to-do” family, after receiving your blessings, we regularly at- I simply wandered around looking for sense plea- tend Sunday-feast, take part in Book-distribution, sure and had no higher spiritual purpose to my preaching during Damodar month and, I’m con- life prior to meeting Your Holiness. I am eternal- ducting a Bhakti-Vriksha since 4months. ly indebted to Your Holiness and see no possible Dear Gurudev, please forgive my sins done way of ever repaying the unlimited debt I owe you. knowingly or unknowingly. Please shower your Still, I see no other way than trying with what mercy upon this fallen soul, so that I get initiated ever strength I can muster to serve you as much as by you and, spread Krishna consciousness all over. I possibly can to contribute something against this I want to enter Grhasta ashram. Seeking your incalculable debt I owe you. divine mercy to get a devotee husband, so together Srila Prabhupada wanted you to do big things— we can serve you in spreading Srila Prabhupada's “Make more disciples than him. Write more mission. books than him. Open more temples than him.” Your aspiring disciple He said people would come to us in the mil- Pavani lions. They will have to be trained, protected, Raichur, Karnataka, India guided, and nourished. ekaki amara nahi paya bolo, My dear spiritual father Jayapaka Swami harinama-sankirtane Guru Maharaj, Please accept my respectful prostrated obeisance at your lotus feet on the occasion of your Vyasa-puja celebration! You are an ocean of 164 tumi krpa kari sraddha-bindu diya deha Krishna-nama dhane “I do not find the strength to carry on alone the India Asia sankirtan of the holy name of Hari. Please bless vande guroh sri-caranaravindam me by giving me just one drop of faith with which Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecsta- to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of sy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the Krishna " spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankir- Time is short and our strength is limited. tana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore, on this most auspicious occasion of Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devo- your Vyasa puja, I am falling at your lotus feet tion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands and begging for the mercy to dive deeply into on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears the ocean of preaching ecstasy. May my efforts to flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful serve you expand geometrically every year. Let me obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual do something significant in your great mission of master. spreading Krishna consciousness to every home Gurudev, so many struggles in your life, so and every heart. I reconfirm my eternal surrender many health issues you are experiencing. But, for at your lotus feet and pray for your protection and the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, you are tireless- your mercy to enable to serve Srila Prabhupada’s ly travelling and preaching this divine message of mission. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu worldwide. I am deeply I’m a Brahmacari and serving in ISKCON- influenced by this. I also want to dedicate my life Raichur. Activities are slowly growing in preach- to serve your instructions under all conditions of ing, fund-raising, new temple construction & life. book distribution. We have around 8 Bhakti-vrik- I heard once that, “One devotee couple were shas &, since 4 months, we started Jail preaching. about to get initiation in the ceremony. A day Many devotees are seeking initiation from you. prior to initiation the couple went upto lotus roof It’s very tough here, because of lack of man-power, top to take your darshan. You said that you would money and consciousness of people here. Kindly give initiation to Prabhuji during 2015 narashima bless all of us in Raichur with the ability to work chaturdasi initiation and 3 years later for mataji. together cooperatively in the spirit of submissive- Couple expressed that they were following rules ly serving Your Holiness lotus feet. We will pray and regulations for 3 years, passed in written and to Sri Sri Radha Shyamachandra, Gaur Nitai for personal interviews. You told them that, mataji your early health recovery. With blades of grass in had eaten fish yesterday and thereby she broke the the mouth, I’m looking forward for your visit to rules and regulations. Mataji confesses she ate fish ISKCON-Raichur. All glories to Your Holiness! yesterday as she had gone to her sister's place; the sister was compelling her to take fish as she would Your insignificant eternal servant, Sarathi Shyama Das, (Diksha) get initiation couple of days later, so by force she took.” ISKCON Sri Radha Shyamachandra Mandir, Gurudev you are anataryami! Raichur, Karnataka, India My Dear Guru Maharaja, My life has been miserable since beginning. Somehow in 2013, thru Kids summer camp vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena (I borrowed money to enroll my daughter), romanca -kampasru-taranga-bhajo organized by ISKCON devotees, I got introduced 165 Asia India to “Hare-Krishna” mahamantra. I was also at- Guru Maharaj, your faith in Krishna, your love tracted by the love and care showered upon me, for Srila Prabhupada, your ever increasing enthu- which I was longing for long time. Slowly, I start- siasm,your sincerity and spirit of service towards ed chanting and attended weekly programs but, I Srila Prabhupada (under all circumstances) in his couldn’t understand the language. Then, by your mission to spread the teachings of Lord Chaitanya mercy, one of your kannada speaking disciple came has been always inspirational. here to preach. By happiness was beyond measure Guru Maharaj, your unlimited compassion and because I started to understand the Krishna con- your unconditional love for every living being is scious philosophy and, it gave my life a purpose to wonderful. live. Everytime I feel dejected, hopeless just the very I was always afraid in life. But, when I met you thought of you, your words and having you in my in 2013 @ Jagannath Rath Yatra in Bengaluru, my life gives me hope, the hope that I can still get the life changed. After chanting guru-mantra, most of mercy and practice Krishna Consciousness. my fear is gone and, I’m experiencing lot of happiness. I’m now going twice a week to temple for Guru Maharaj, I am incapable to glorify Your Divine Grace. cooking, deity garland making and cleaning sevas. But, I am ever grateful for tolerating me, for I’m also conducting a Bhakti Vriksha in my house. the unconditional love and guidance I have been Dear Gurudev, I want to make my son Brah- receiving from you. macari, get my daughter married to a nice devo- I request you to bless me that I have the tee, my husband should become nice devotee and, strength to face all obstacles and take proper decisions I want to dedicate my life for preaching and con- in life, so that I can follow four regulative principles struction of new temple here. and chant min. 16 rounds under all circumstances. Please show mercy, so I can take initiation from Also, guide me so that I can practice Krishna you at the earliest and and, preach fearlessly Srila Consciousness sincerely, and be an instrument in Prabhupada's mission. your service to Srila Prabhupada. Your servant always, Your aspiring disciple, Sheetal G N, (Shelter) Shashirekha(Aspiring) ISKCON Raichur, Karnataka, India Raichur, Karnataka, India Dearest Guru Maharaj, My dear Gurudev, In Sri Guru-vandana, we pray Please accept my respectful obeisances at your sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma, bando mui savadhana mate lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace! jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! Krishna-prapti hoy jaha ha'te I find myself most fortunate, to have got the The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the shelter of your divine lotus feet and the mercy of only way by which we can attain pure devotional Lord Chaitanya and the entire Guru parampara service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and through you. But,i also feel I am too insignificant reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of and fallen to receive this mercy. material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna. 166 India Guru Maharaj, I have been very inspired by Asia of Gauranga prema. your sincere, intense preaching since the day By your mercy, I am conducting 2 Bhakti-Vrik- I heard about you. Inspite of undergoing severe shas, since 2 months. I need more blessings to physical pains, you motivate all to continue the strengthen my sadhana and, preach Sri Caitanya eternal preaching activity with full enthusiasm. Mahaprabhu’s mission, make more devotees in Your dedication to your Srila Prabhupada and Sri Raichur. Krishna makes me happy and attracted towards this movement. Gurudev, please accept me as your disciple and bless so I can take initiation at the earliest. I heard that once you were travelling some- According to Sastras, women shud be under where and, somebody attacked you with a knife. shelter of father, husdand or son. I want to enter But, you are fearlessly preaching and spreading Grhasta ashram. Seeking your divine mercy to get Krishna-prema world-wide. I don’t have words to a devotee husband, so together we can serve you express your mood of service. in spreading Srila Prabhupada's mission. I stay in Raichur, Karnataka. Got connected to ISKCON thru Bhakti-vriksha in 2013 & slow- Your aspiring disciple ly I started chanting. I attended classes & I was Swetha Bandari (Aspiring) regular for Sunday programs with my brother. My Raichur, Karnataka, India non-devotee life earlier was ignorant, misguided but, by your mercy we are getting the highest gyan Dear Guru Maharaja, 167 Asia India Guruastaka, sloka 8 states: rounds, but I am chanting more". "but you should Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado take rest" said Tamal Krishna Maharaja. Then you Yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi turned to him and said " how can I do that when Dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandyam so many disciples of mine are dependent on me Vande guroh sri-caranaravindam for spiritual guidance? I am chanting these extra By the mercy of spiritual master one receives benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the rounds for them, praying to Krishna to give them spiritual strength" Spiritual master one cannot make any advance- You are compassion personified!!! ment. Therefore one should always remember & In spite of difficult health condition, your praise the Spiritual master. At least three times a dedicated service to Srila Prabupada has inspired day. I should offer my respectful obeisance unto me that, we should serve our Spiritual Master in the Lotus feet of my Spiritual Master. all conditions. I had read one story that Lord ful- Gurudev, I also want to remember u always & praise you. I want to offer my respectful obeisance unto your Lotus feet. filled all desires of his dear devotees and, I felt you are so dear to Lord Nrsimhadev. I stay in Raichur, Karnataka. Got connected to Once in Kolkata, it was late night and, you ISKCON since December 2011 through BPS class- were still awake chanting on beads; then Tamal es & slowly I started chanting. I attended class- Krishna Maharaja asked why not finished rounds es & I was regular for Sunday programs with my until so late. Then you said " I have finished my mom & brother. We felt this is a right path in our 168 India Asia life, so we continued to come & I was taking part ers and, requesting them to chant Hare-Krishna. in cultural programs. Now, weekly twice we vis- This is beyond materialistic people capability. it temple and do seva's like cleaning temple hall, I don’t have words to properly express your divine cleaning arati plates. nature but, I feel highly inspired by your mercy. Dear Guru Maharaj, last year I met you at I met ISKCON devotees after my daughter Ratha Yatra in Bangalore. You mercifully blessed joined Bhakta Prahlad School. I felt bliss and us and, I have become serious in chanting & at- satisfied, when I saw devotees singing and dancing tending Mangal-arti & doing seva. By your mercy, happily. I met you for the first time during Rath I have started to take 2 Bhakti-Vriksha, since 4 Yatra in Bengaluru under guidance of His Grace months. I need more blessings to preach more and Varada Krishna Prabhu. Then, you mercifully make more devotees in Raichur. blessed all the devotees from Raichur holding the Gurudev, please accept me as your disciple Jagannath tooth brush. My happiness was beyond and bless so I can take initiation at the earliest. bounds. I want to enter Grhasta ashram. Seeking your di- Now, after receiving your blessings, we regu- vine mercy to get a devotee husband, so together larly attend Sunday-feast, make garlands for Sri we can serve you in spreading Srila Prabhupada's Radha Shyamachandra, Cooking, temple clean- mission. ing, preaching during Damodar month and, I’m conducting a Bhakti-Vriksha in telugu since Your aspiring disciple 4months. Dear Gurudev, I donot know to read and Swapna write but, I’m listening to telugu lectures, remem- Raichur, Karnataka, India bering and preaching. Please forgive my sins done knowingly or un- My Dear Gurudev, knowingly. Please shower your mercy upon this sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana- fallen soul, I get initiated by you and lead Krishna sringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau conscious Grhasta life. Bless my daughter to get yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato 'pi married to devotee, so together can serve you in vande guroh sri-caranaravindam spreading Srila Prabhupada's mission. The spiritual master is always engaged in the Your aspiring disciple, temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. He Umadevi, Raichur, Karnataka, India also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and orna- I offer my respectful obeisances unto his ments, clean Their temple, and perform other divine grace His Holiness Jayapataka Swami similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful Maharaj who is very dear to Lord Krishna having obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual taken shelter at HIS lotus feet. I offer my respect- master. ful obeisances unto his divine grace His Holiness During the initial days of stroke, you were Jayapataka Swami Maharaj who worships the admitted in hospital with severe health issues. lotus feet and follows the instructions of his However, you were showering your causeless divine grace A. C. Bhativedanta Swami Prabhu- mercy upon all patients by distributing them click- pada and the previous acaryas by bestowing the 169 Asia India mercy of Lord Nityananda and spreading the sacred approach of pracara-aacara and acara- glories of Lord Caitanya's pastimes and instruc- pracara have really impregnated my heart with the tions. He delivers the inhabitants of towns and feelings and attitudes to always be on the path of villages around the world. realization. I offer my respectful obeisances unto his divine grace A. C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabh- My dear Guru Maharaj, I love you. I love you. I love you so much. upada who is very dear to Lord Krishna having Your words have always guided me in choosing taken shelter at HIS lotus feet. I offer my respect- the right things and moving in right directions. ful obeisances unto his divine grace A. C. Bhative- The ways you treat all the devotees in ISKCON danta Swami Prabhupada who worships the lotus are imparting permanent impressions on us to be feet and follows the instructions of his spiritual practical in our lives and to care for devotees and master His Holiness Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati all living beings in general. Thakur Prabhupada and the previous acaryas by My dear Guru Maharaj, You have bestowed un- bestowing the mercy of Lord Caitanya by spread- limited mercy on us. I always pray to Lord Jagan- ing HIS pastimes and instructions. He delivers natha, Lord Nrisinghadev to be merciful enough the inhabitants of western countries. to keep my Guru Maharaj in best health condition vanchha kalpa tarubhyas ca so that he can deliver many awaiting souls from kripasindhubhya eva ca many corners of the world. I pray to Lord Jaganna- patitanam pabanebhyo tha to give me strength to serve my Guru Maharaj vaishnavebhyo namo namah who is my father, mother and everything. I pray to I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Sri Sri Radha-Madhav, Asta Sakhsis, Panchatat- vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like va, Lord Nrisinghadev, Srila Prabhupada and all desire trees and can fulfill the desires of everyone, vaisnava devotees to serve my dear Guru Mahara- and they are full compassion for the fallen condi- ja with offenceless chanting and sincere sadhana. tioned souls. All glories to Guru Maharaj! I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and HIS internal potency Radharani who bestow their unlimited All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu! mercy on us by allowing us to perform unalloyed All glories to Panchatatva! devotional service at their lotus feet through the Thank you my dear Guru Maharaj. proper guidance of spiritual master, sastras and With Love. sadhu-sanga. I express my immense gratitude to my spiri- Your fallen servant lies prostrate at your lotus feet, tual master His Holiness Srila Jayapataka Swami Atmarama Jagannatha Das, (Diksha) Rajkot, Gujarat, India Maharaj for giving me shelter at His lotus feet. My dear Guru Maharaja, you have accepted a fallen soul like me and showed me the path of Dear Guru Maharaja, self-realization. Your instructions to us to perform Please accept my humble obeisance at your lo- pure unalloyed devotional service through the 170 tus feet. India Asia All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! Red is for the life All glories into your Divine Grace!! Which you touched this year Happy Vyasa Puja Celebration!!! By giving the light of knowledge O Divine Soul, When I took shelter in thy Lotus feet It is not easy To sing thy praise O most Respectful one, No words to say You're a very special one How much you toil Just like this crystal, that's clear! Each and every day You place knowledge in your disciples hands To make our life complete And melt into their hearts and lives forever There aren't many like you You're a Magnificent and Marvelous Guru Who give so selflessly To set free the fallen soul O the Symbol of Sacrifice, When the world bogged down You are the real father You never fail The strength of our devotee family, To put a smile on my face To bond us and hold us together When all I want is to frown Always there to mediate It is because I have a Guru like you A determined mentor we look to lead altogether I didn't falter in life's treacherous path You're the body guard that protect us, My future, with your guidance Gives us comfort from all harm Is sure to be safe from You constantly offer compassion A terrible aftermath... Always offering up your arm You stand behind us endlessly, O the Ocean of Love, Though at times in darkness we tend to fall You play a great part You're always their to guide us to the light In making my life colourful For us to follow your call Green is for the inspiration With years to come, day by day You gave me each day We pray for your health to stay. By bestowing the Love of Gouranga In hopes to become something great, Blue is for the purity For I hope to someday You bestowed on me I grow from this nest of devotion & love you built By showing the path of purification And fly to spread the colour, Orange is for the warmth Of unconditional love You showered up on me For that there is no end By your endless compassion and caring style To the most fallen soul like me Yellow is for the sun shine To obscure heart into flaw of happiness You manifested unto my heart By adding smile on to my face O Merchant of Wisdom, And happiness onto my life When life has turned my world 171 Asia India Completely inside out to continue in the mission of spreading Krishna Whenever things go wrong Consciousness. And I don't understand Your Mercy and compassion knows no bounds I know you toil yourself as is very evident from the news trickling in from To help me stay straight your hospital bed. Your only aim is to give out On the path of life the Lords mercy and name whosoever happens to As you try to guide me round the turns come in front of you, irrespective of class and caste. And though sometimes I stumble Your physical body is not supporting you but your It helps to know you will always be there spiritual body is prowling and on the look out to deliver the fallen conditioned souls. We are impa- O Nectar of Mercy, tiently waiting to hear updates about you from the I, the most insignificant, sinner, ignorant, egoistic, corrupted, ill feeling soul don't really know hospital and pray that very soon you are out and able to go to Mayapur for Gaur Purnima. what is good or bad, what to accept or to reject, Gurudev, whatever I am today is only because when to be stubborn or when to be flexible. I bow of your Blessings. I am so glad that you accepted to your Lotus feet and honestly plead for your me as your disciple otherwise I may have been pu- causeless mercy. Please help your downtrodden trefying in some garbage dump of maya. Not that child to be pure, qualified disciple; so that I always I am free of maya now and have succumbed to it remember that I am the insignificant servant of on so many occasions and I know for sure that it the servant of the Supreme Lord and be able to is only you who is constantly pulling me out of it fix my mind on Gouranga's Lotus feet. Also please and giving opportunities to do service to the Lord. guide this fallen soul to come to light and engage Guru Maharaj, please Bless all the mem- in distributing your bliss Harinam Sankirtan. You bers of our congregation and Bhakti Vrikshas in are so merciful that anyone who is most sinner and Secunderabad/Tandur so that we can all advance offender can be faultless by your look. Please for- in Krishna Consciousness and help you in your give me for all the known and unknown offended mission. I would also like to take this opportunity I committed. to thank His Grace Vijay Venugopal Prabhu and Your most insignificant servant, His Grace Prema Padmini Mataji for giving us all Vaisnavi, (Shelter) Ramnad, India the necessary support and advice to help us advance in Krishna Consciousness. His Divine Grace Jayapataka Swami Maharaj My Dear Guru Maharaj, Ki Jai. Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Guru Maharaj, Wishing you a Very Happy Please accept my humble obeisances. Krishna Conscious Birthday. On the most aus- All Glories to Srila Prabhupad. picious occasion of your Vyasa Puja my sincere All Glories to Guru & Gauranga. and insignificant prayers to Lord Narasimhadev The devotees from our congregation in Se- to protect you from all calamities. I am sure that cunderabad have chanted the ‘UGRAM VIRAM you will come out stronger and with added vigour MAHA VISHNUM’ prayers 45,560 times and 720 172 India Asia additional rounds of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra er a pure devotee like him goes the holy dham of and will continue doing so for Guru Maharaj’s Krishna also goes with him. It’s not just that he speedy recovery. changes the environment of that place only but On behalf of all the members, we ardently pray more importantly he changes the heart of each to the Lotus feet of Narasimhadev Bhagavan and and every entity there by which he can get a fast plead with Him to protect Guru Maharaj from all pickup in his spiritual life which out of nowhere calamaties and dangers and eagerly wish to see he could have received by his own endeavor. Guru Maharaj back on his feet delivering all the fallen conditioned souls. By his instructions and mercy he has changed the hearts and lives of many people all over the We could do some insignificant spiritual ser- world so on this wonderful opportunity I would like vice solely due to the Mercy and Blessings of Srila to personally seek the mercy of Guru Maharaj and Prabhupad and the constant encouragement and all his disciples to give me their causeless mercy by enthusiasm bestowed by Guru Maharaj and the which whenever I feel disheartened or feel lack of inspiration from HG Venugopal Prabhu & HG care in my life I could still have enough strength Padmini Mataji. to always practice and have firm determination to All of us are eagerly waiting for news update preach this wonderful message and somehow be and wish Guru Maharaj is out of the hospital very able to please my Guru Maharaj and other senior soon.It is amazing to hear about his preaching devotees through whatever little effort I can do activities even in this condition. to help myself as well as others in the devotional All of us WISH YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY life Also in this occasion I would like to seek his and Pray that very soon you come to Secunder- mercy so that by his mercy I can somehow contin- abad and give us your valuable association. Please ue my efforts in my devotional life with a new and Bless us so that we are able to do some service in more sincere efforts. May through my little efforts the way in which it pleases you, HG Venugopal I might be able to please you Guru Maharaj Eternally your servant, Prabhu & Padmini Mataji. Your fallen son, Ankit Sati, Neela Madhava Krishna Das (Diksha) BACE NIT Silchar, India Secunderabad Congregation, India Please accept my respectful obeisances unto Hare Krishna Dandvats! your lotus feet. I personally have neither words nor suffi- Guru Maharaj celebrating your Vyasa Puja cient strength to share the glorification of Guru is like an opportunity for me to understand your Maharaj. As is well known that only by the mer- mercy over me. it is very easy to understand the cy of guru we get the mercy of Krishna, but that leader through his followers so similarly it is quite attentive mood to serve Guru Maharaj deceives visible how grateful your disciples are in serving away from my heart whenever I lose the associa- the mission of Lord Caitanya and you are the one tion of devotees even for a single day in my spiri- leading everybody enthusiastically, chanting ev- tual life. ery time loudly ‘GAURANGA’,’NITYANANA- Guru Maharaj is a live example to confirm that through his presence only, whenever and wherev- DA’, thus giving every soul a chance to become enlivened to ones real position. 173 Asia India The relation of guru and disciple is eternal and very pleasing. He is guru who takes charge of his disciple to bring back the lost child of Lord Sri Respected Guru Maharaj, Please accept my Respectful obeisance’s unto your lotus feet, Krishna back to lord by teaching him all art of As I am not at all qualified to write this offer- serving Krishna, similarly I see Guru Maharaj you ing but still I am trying to write something to glory are so concerned about every disciples and keep you by my little understanding about Devotional on travelling to reach everybody, which is so diffi- Life. Guru Maharaj it is because of your causeless cult but you go on. mercy I came to Devotional life and because of How glorious you are and so simple by heart! Every moment you are planning how to serve Srila Prabhupada and previous acharyas, and thus making everybody involved in divine mission. you only I am trying to do some service to you and my authority. I am stupid person who only know how to find faults in other, when I came first time to Mayapur I beg for you mercy Guru Maharaj, I see myself it was April 2013 when I saw you for first time you failing in attempts to serve you, because of my so were addressing many devotees. Being less intelli- many attachments which are born out of my false gent person mentally committed offense unto your ego. lotus feet. I later stage when I came to know your Your insignificant servant, glories that being opulent in your material stuffs Kamlendra Singh Rathore but still you left every for Srila Prabhupada Vision Silchar, Assam, India and you have developed the Mayapur as Prabhu- 174 India Asia pada desired without any personal consideration be considered as good as the Supreme Personal- and now also you encourage so many people in all ity of Godhead Himself. That is the meaning of over the world to take up the Krishna Conscious- säkñäd-dharitvena. All glories to Guru & Gauranga, ness Movement very seriously even though your All glories to Srila Prabhupada, physical body is not supportive. All glories to My Guru Maharaj, My Dear Guru Maharaj please bless me so that I can become serious and now as I am your Initiated disciple want to fully dedicate my life for Srila Your Humble Servant, Prabhupada Vision and to repeat your word as it is. Abhaycaran Govinda Das, (Brahmacari) An instance from Caitanya Caritramrta; Sridham Mayapur, India Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied that His spiritual master, Éçvara Puré, was so empowered My Dear Guru Maharaj, that he was as good as the Supreme Personality Please accept my most humble and respectful of Godhead. As such, Éçvara Puré was the spiritual obeisances. master of the whole world. He was not a servant All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories of any mundane rule or regulation. An empow- to you on this auspicious day. ered spiritual master like Éçvara Puré can bestow Happy Vyasapuja Puja! his mercy upon anyone, irrespective of caste or Guru Maharaj, I wanted to thank you for all creed. The conclusion is that an empowered spir- that you do for Srila Prabhupada, your disciples itual master is authorized by Kåñëa and his own and for all of ISKCON. The commitment, dedica- guru and should therefore be considered as good tion and love that you have is beyond imaginable. as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Even though your health problems try to impede That is the verdict of Viçvanätha Cakravarté: you, Guru Maharaj, like they would do to a normal säkñäd-dharitvena. An authorized spiritual mas- person, you do not let them get in the way of your ter is as good as Hari, the Supreme Personality of mission. Godhead. As Hari is free to act as He likes, the I'm sure I speak not only for myself, but for empowered spiritual master is also free. As Hari all of my god brothers and sisters when I say that is not subject to mundane rules and regulations, it is the highest honor to be your disciple, Guru the spiritual master empowered by Him is also not Maharaj. Nothing is more inspiring to us than subject. According to the Caitanya-caritämåta your constant preaching of the Holy Name and (Antya-lélä 7.11), kåñëa-çakti vinä nahe tära pra- your love for Guru and Gauranga. vartana. An authorized spiritual master empow- Kneeling at your lotus feet with folded hands, ered by Kåñëa can spread the glories of the holy I humbly beg you to please forgive me for my on name of the Lord, for he has power of attorney going offenses. I am but a foolish child in the midst from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the of a greatly esteemed and caring father. mundane world, anyone possessing his master’s power of attorney can act on behalf of his master. Your insignificant servant and daughter, Similarly, a spiritual master empowered by Kåñëa Devesani Radhika Dasi, (Diksha) through his own bona fide spiritual master should Sridham Mayapur, India 175 Asia India Dear Guru-maharaja, Acintya Caitanya Prabhu has mercifully given Please accept my respectful obeisances thrown in me the service of reading for you just before you the dust at your divine lotusfeet. take rest in the night. So I was fortunate to read All glories to you and Srila Prabhupada! for you various books, viz., Båhad Bhägavatämå- I have realized lately that it is only by your kind tam, Kåñëa book, Nectar of Devotion and so on. mercy and well-wishings that I am fortunate I think that the all-merciful Lord Kåñëa has made enough to be able to live in Sri Mayapur Dham. this arrangement so that a stone-hearted person You were one of Srila Prabhupada 's main pioneers like myself could be melted by somehow or the here, and when I read about how you would travel other serving you. tirelessly in and out of Mayapur to aquire land to The day before you went to Ekacakra the birth- fulfil Srila Prabhupada's dream, as well as the pre- place of Lord Nityänanda, I was reading for you dictions of the acharyas, of Mayapur becoming from Caitanya Bhägavata, Ädi-khaëòa, chapter the city from which Mahaprabhu's glories shall be Nine: Nityänanda’s Childhood Pastimes and Trav- spread all over the world, I am just amazed. It is no els to Holy Places. While reading this section, we exaggeration to say, that Mayapur is becoming a came across the section wherein Lord Nityänanda city to shelter countless devotees from all over the met Çré Mädhavendra Puré by the will of provi- world, due to your energy and early endeavors to dence. By coincidence, this particular section develop Mayapur. happened to be the section that you are working Your unfailing preaching spirit and the auster- on for your book, “Çré Kåñëa Caitanya” and thus ties you undergo to constantly travel the planet Vidvän Gauräìga Prabhu had asked me to read to care for all your disciples and followers is no this section. less than awe-inspiring. I get exhausted just by All through this section of verses 152 to 175, hearing about how active you are in Srila you were crying and laughing in ecstasy. In the Prabhupada’s service. beginning, I thought that may be you are Guru-maharaja, you are just such an coughing and stopped to read so that servants inspiration to this fallen, useless soul. I can like Golokeçvara Govinda Prabhu and Çubhäìga never thank you enough for having accepted Govinda Prabhu can do the needful service. But, me under your shelter. I am ever so grateful. Çyama Rasika Prabhu who was standing next to I fall at your feet and with tears in my eyes I thank you again and again. me told me to continue reading and then while reading, I realized that you were actually relishing the pastime of Mädhavendra Puré and Lord Your Eternal Servant Jahnudvip Das, (Diksha) Sridham Mayapur, India Nityänanda meeting together and thus were laughing and crying. The concluding verses of this pastime are as follows: Dear Gurumahäräja, Please accept my Verse 175: For some days Nityänanda Prabhu respectful prostrated obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. travelled with Mädhavendra Puré and relished discussing topics of Lord Kåñëa. The characteris- All glories to Çréla Prabhupäda. tics of Mädhavendra Puré are most wonderful; he 176 India Asia fell unconscious just by seeing a dark cloud. tual life”. Je prasade pure sarva asa When verse 176 came, you were also shouting “hai hai” and “häya häya” as is seen in the verse. ahar-niça kåñëa-preme madyapera präya By the mercy of the spiritual master all desires for spiritual perfection are fulfilled. häse, kände, hai hai kare häya häya guru-mukha-padma-vakya cittete koriya aikya Out of love for Kåñëa, he would day and night laugh, cry, and exclaim “Haya! Haya!” almost like ar na koriho mane asa a drunkard. Make the teachings from the lotus mouth of Verse 177: Lord Nityänanda was intoxicated with loving sentiments for Govinda. He would the spiritual master one with your heart and do not desire anything else. laugh loudly and sway to and fro with love of God Most of the times we take your instructions so After reaching Ekacakra and installing the lightly, so cheaply, so much so that at one point deities, gurumahäräja was taken to Durgapur we can even lose the means for our freedom. We hospital and Çyäma Madhusüdana Prabhu has are getting our lessons in this way. And as soon as written briefly about it which is available in this we grow sober over the matter, your divine grace link: http://www.jayapatakaswami.com/?p=3021. manifests again upon us, and with it the hope that An excerpt from the writing says “But one thing maybe one day we will get our desires for spiritual was clear – he was in conscious, composed and even perfection fulfilled, by your mercy, again. joking spirits, saying his characteristic “Aayaa ho” marching chant while trudging through the bumpy, There is an imminent need to convince our mind rocky roads.” Jahare prasade bhai e bhava toriya jai Krishna-prapti hoy jaha ha’te Actually gurumahäräja is thinking about the verse 176, “hai hai” and “häya häya”. You have mercifully tolerated my impudence and patiently tried to somehow or other engage My dear mind! It is through the grace of the spiritual master that we cross over this material existence and obtain Krishna. me in the harinäma-saìkértana movement. I take But! this opportunity to pray to be forgiven for my Guru means heavy...the mind does not agree.... offenses while imperfectly serving you. Let me be again, in this way remains our enemy. not like Rämacandra Puré but be like Éçvara Puré. Let me be engaged in your Lord and Master Çré You are revealing all the secrets for our success: “be absorbed in preaching” Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s service eternally under your expert guidance. You yourself are showing this by your perfect example. Knowledge must be shared, otherwise we be- Your eternal servant, come envious; and if we share it, as per our duty is, Jaya Rädhäkåñëa däsa others become envious! Not easy...but should we Çrédhäma Mäyäpur, India give up? Are you giving up despite huge obstacles? Not really. Are our obstacles bigger than yours? “If one carries, fulfils the order of the Guru Not really.... carefully, one can cross over all obstacles in spiri- So much to learn from you.... beloved spiritual 177 Asia India father. The name of the new page is Guru vakya and Same mistakes, every single day...what is getting on our way to our main interest? Always the same selfish desires.... Endless task...unless.... has around 200 likes so far. It is in Portuguese, including English version as well. Also, a few days ago, I was offered to do Ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya devotee care for Brazil and Portugal. Have O master! Be merciful unto me, and give me accepted the seva, however we did not start yet. the shade of your lotus feet. Your aspiring servant, “This is a sincere and just prayer by the devo- Mahapremada Devi Dasi tee to the Lord to, “Kindly Sridhama Mayapur, India in spite of my unqualified nature, if You will have mercy and be present in my heart so that I can simply serve You without any impediments.” vdjd;Gs;s FU k`uh[H mtHfSf;F> This is only possible by the mercy of the spiritual cq;fs; jhkiu ghjq;fspy; vd; jho;ikahd master that the Lord will reside in one’s heart.” khpahij fye;j NfhlhdNfhb tzf;fq;fis His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Srila Gurumaharaj 29th April 1980, Los Angeles, California, USA. jaT nra;J Vw;Wf; nfhs;Sq;fs;. vy;yhg; GfOk; =y gpuGghjUf;Nf chpj;jhFf. vd;Dila Kjy; Nrit cq;fis Nghw;Wt Dear Spiritual Father, jhFk;. Please accept my most humble obeisances to G+i[ jpUehspy; cq;fisg; Nghw;Wtjpy; ehd; the dust of your lotus feet. Mifahy;,e;j (mtjhu) tpahr kpfTk; kfpo;r;rpailfpNwd;. ePq;fs; vq;fSf;F All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! fpilj;j kpfg; ngUk; nghf;fp\khtPH. Here a report about my current seva. Eternally cq;fSila nfsuhq;f yPiy> gf;jHfSf;F grateful for engaging me in serving the Lord on mutizg;G kw;Wk; gy epfo;Tfs; vd; kdjpy; your behalf: gjpe;Js;sJ. Holding the helpline of the Care and =jhk; khahg;G+H tphpthf;fk;> Gj;jf tpep- Assistance Mayapur, as well as volunteering Nahfk;> Gjpa Nfhtpy; (TOVP)> etj;tPg kz!ly on other areas. Assisting Sahadeva Prabhu be- ghpf;ukh> gf;jp rpj;jhe;j ru]!tjp rgh,izg;G> ing part of his team of translations and media Gjpa Gj;jf Nrit ( = fpU\;z irjd;a production. Currently working on As Long As kw;Wk; =y gpuGghjh yPiy) Mfpa midj;J There Are Slaughter houses. There Will Be Wars NritfisAk; nra;J Kbf;f ehd; =y gpuGg- Coordinating a page in English on Facebook, hjh> kw;Wk; gfthd; = eurpk;kH MfpNahhplk; Beyond the thin curtain, where we are trying ehd; gpuhHj;jpf;fpNwd;. to show the importance of glorifying our previ- ePq;fs; =y gpuGghjhtpd; vy;yh fl;lis- ous acaryas, holy festivals, holy places, etc. It has fisAk; epiwNtw;w cw;rhfj;Jld; 24 kzp around 2100 likes. NeuKk; nray;gLfpwPHfs;. Regarding your Facebook page in Portuguese, cq;fSila fhuzkw;w fUiz,e;j finally decided to create a new one some weeks cyfk; ago. As you perhaps remember, the previous one, [Pthj;khf;fSf;F ePq;fs; toq;f Ntz!Lk;. (more than 5000 likes) was lost. ehd; 178 kw;Wk; vy;yh cq;fSf;Fk;> cyfj;jpy; =y cs;s gpuGghjUf;Fk; India Asia NkYk;,e;j Nrit vd; MAl;fhyk; kw;Wk; mLj;jLj;j Ntz!Lk; alone reading scriptures, describing ananya bhakti, vd;W,e;j ed;ehspy; ehd; cq;fsplKk; kw;Wk; Whenever we are close to You, we can feel =y MAl;fhyk; gpuGghjhplKk; njhlu Wondering what pure devotion is! when sitting Ntz!bf; Nfl;Lf; nfhs;fpNwd;. what pure devotion would be! Eager to know more about pure devotional service we would like to ,g;gbf;F> hang with you throughout our life. jq;fspd; NrtfHfspd; NrtfHfspd; Sastra defines Guru as fire, Nrtfd;> ee;jFkhH> * Don’t be close you will burnt, taking Guru to be one among us, JPS Archives, Sridham Mayapur. * Don’t be far way you will be freeze of cold Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, * I would like to be always under warmth Please accept my humble obeisances! affection of care of love to continue my journey All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, who has cre- towards the kingdom of Krishna ated a home where the whole world can stay, O Gurudeva! You are so kind to remain just All Glories to the 50th year Golden Jubilee celebration of ISKCON, Because of Srila by my side always! Thus my debt to you increases beyond the hope of my repayment. Prabhupada’s great accomplishment of churning, The material world illusory representations and many gems appeared from the ocean, One allure us every moment but your presence alone such gem is Your Divine Grace can help me see beyond this foggy maya. All Glories to You Divine Grace, you has May our love and respect increase day by day completely dedicated Your life in service of the thus we can become stronger and stronger to Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna under perform our sadhana with more vigor and be a the able guidance of Srila Prabhupada and thus part of Lord Caitanya’s movement engaging us in the Lords service. When shall I realize how much sacrifice you I am begging Your Divine Grace blessings to write few words in Your Glorification, which is are doing every moment for us to remain in Krishna Consciousness? my only hope to please the previous acharyas and Krishna. Every word and every act of Your Divine Grace is fully focused on taking more and more condi- There are unlimited qualities Your Divine Grace possess but being in conditioned state cov- tioned souls back to Krishna’s abode and pleasing Your Guru’s Instructions. ered by bodily identification I could least see all those. Your tioned Every time you had a hand pricked and the difficulties you endure to keep your body healthy association souls an urge helps to us, stay condicloser to is performed simply to teach and help me to become perfect? Krishna, Your words clears our dirty mind from ignorance How will I ever understand and appreciate your causeless mercy upon me? and takes us to the light, Your activity reveals us how a pure devotee acts Wondering what would be my qualification to receive this causeless mercy!! in His eternal constitutional position, Answer is my fallen nature to being en179 Asia grossed India in sense gratifica- tion attracted the mercy of vaisnavas who has brought me under your lotus feet. Begging under to your lotus remain feet eternally even if I reach the spiritual world and would like to serve their Lordships under your able guidance You are my only hope Oh dear Gurudeva! Please kindly keep me under your warmth of love and affection. Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj! I could notice how dear are your god brothers for you, I just wrote to you that I could do some service for His Holiness Radhanath Swami, you replied me “You are very fortunate to Serve His Holiness, You indicated to me that “He is very dear to me.” I learn that Your Divine Grace will be happy if I co-operate with my god brothers and god sisters in serving the mission of pleasing Srila Prabhupada, thus seeking Your Divine Grace blessings in this regard, Wondering when will I get closer to Dham and Lord Caitanya! Hearing Your Divine explanation of the glories to Lord Caitanya and his abode I feel unworthy of stepping here but by Your Mercy you granted permission for me to stay in Sridham, I never realized the importance of the dham Please accpet my humble obeisances. Happy Vyasa Puja! dåñöaiù svabhäva-janitair vapuñaç ca doñair na präkåtatvam iha bhakta janasya paçyet gaìgämbhasäà na khalu budbuda-phena-paìkair brahma-dravatvam apagacchati néra-dharmaiù “Being situated in his original Kåñëa conscious position, a pure devotee does not identify with the body. Such a devotee should not be seen from a materialistic point of view. Indeed, one should overlook a devotee’s having a body born in a low family, a body with a bad complexion, a deformed body, or a diseased or infirm body. According to ordinary vision, such imperfections may seem prominent in the body of a pure devotee, but despite such seeming defects, the body of a pure devotee cannot be polluted. It is exactly like the waters of the Ganges, which sometimes during the rainy sea- Yours unworthy servant, Hope to be of some worth in near future Rasa Priya Gopika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Sridham Mayapur, India son are full of bubbles, foam and mud. The Ganges waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water.” You are a pure devotee of the Lord. And you 180 India Asia are pure like Ganges, by taking your association I pray to Krishna and Gauranga, that I should not all our sins were washed away. And not only that, become the victim of Maya or Kali; and thrown out we get the taste to turn our face towards Krish- of your association, due to many aparadhas that na. You are always situated in the spiritual realm. I commited in the past or in the present. But, due to our material vision, ignorantly commit please bless me that, I should understand your millions of offenses at your lotus feet. But, as like heart and mood and serve you. And I always Ganga even wash away all the sins of deadly kali- pray at the dust of your lotus feet to give me the yuga conditioned, low born, animalistic entities’ taste for chanting the holy name. I am trying to sins in a moment, you just wash all our offenses by help devotees to stay in Mayapur as much as I can. your merciful glance. So by that credit Mahaprabhu may also give some Somehow, the Lord put me near you, under place to me to be here in this Spiritual World. your shade. And I feel protection. Your close asso- I hope and pray also that one day, I will realize ciation, initimate association shows the meaning the glories of Sri Navadvipa dham by your mercy - of Causeless mercy. You heart projects to me that, personally, I just doesn’t even have a qualification “Krishna will be nice and caring Person.” As you are to desire for these - you are a divine sculptor, who caring us more and more, we feel the care of the can only sculp us into a wonderful sculptures with Lord through you. the chisel of your divine care & affection. In past years, you were undergoing unimag- Your Ever Servant, inable sufferings for us. I am witnessing all these Shyama Rasika Dasa (JPS Archives) things right next to you. ICUs, Air Lift, Ventilator, etc. But, as I always tell you that, it is more painful Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj, to see all these Guru Maharaj, please don’t do this Please accept my humble obeisances. to us, we can’t see you undergoing these for us. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. In Durgapur ICU, I didn’t come for two days, Your tireless dedication of more than 40 years and I doesn’t wanted to disturb you. But, I came is an inspiration for whole ISKCON. You have all and saw you on the third day, you said, “I was ask- the reasons to take rest, but still despite ill health ing you, where were you? Why you didn’t come and you continue to preach and initiate disciples for see me?” Those words made my eyes wet, and not the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. able to speak. Your love for us, is extra-ordinary. And we are too attached to you. Thank you very much for trusting me that, Please continue blessing this unfortunate soul and empower him to assist you in serving Srila Prabhupad’s preaching mission effectively. I will be useful in your service. And you have given Your eternal servant, me service in your Archives and the responsibil- Shanta Lakshmi Narasimha Das, IYF Mayapur ity to serve all my God-brothers and sisters. I am trying my level best. I need heeps of blessings in †Zvgv Qvov AvPvh©¨cv` order to accomplish all your desires in this regard. ~ tomä chäòa äcäryapäda ~ The devotees around the world attracted by †jLK: k¨vg gaym~`b `vm your powerful TLC. Being very near to you, we Lekhaka: Çyäma Madhusüdana däsa feel we are really in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). 181 Asia India †Zvgv Qvov AvPvh©¨cv` †Kvb AvkÖq bq| †gvi ¸iæ‡`e wcZv eÜz `qvgq \ 1 \ RMbœv_-AZzj¨-`qv w`‡j me©‡Îv| Gnv-gv`K-†cÖg-im hv wKQz kv‡¯¿ \ 5 \ tomä chäòa äcäryapäda kona äçraya naya jagannätha-atulya-dayä dile sarvatre mora gurudeva pitä bandhu dayämaya mahä-mädaka-prema-rasa yä kichu çästre Other than you Jayapataka Swami Srila You gave the unequaled compassion of Lord Acaryapada, I have no other shelter. You are my Jagannatha in all places and also the intoxicating gurudeva, father and friend, the embodiment of mellow of love and all that is in the scriptures. all compassion. Gg g›`-g‡b K…ò-¯§iY †jk bq| †Zvgvi K…cv`„wó `vI Avi MwZ bq \ 6 \ wkLvB‡j Avgv‡i †h Avwg K…ò`vm| nwibvg msKxZ©b †Mv‡jvK-cÖKvk \ 2 \ mama manda-mane kåñëa-smaraëa leça naya çikhäile ämäre ye ämi kåñëa-däsa tomära krpädåsti däo ära gati naya harinäma saìkértana goloka-prakäsa My foolish, low mind has not a tinge of re- You taught me that I am the servant of Lord Krsna and that Lord Krsna’s abode known as Golo- membrance of Lord Krsna. Give me your merciful glance as I have no other way. ka is revealed through the congregational chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari. Ze wbZ¨-wcÖq-†mev m¤ú` cÖvYab| k¨vg gaym~`b guv‡M †mB †cÖgab \ 7 \ tava nitya-priya-sevä sampada präëadhana `x‡bv×vi Kwiev‡i GB K…ò KxZ©b| gnvcÖfzi wkÿv-Øviv w`‡j †cÖgiZb \ 3 \ çyäma madhusüdana mäìge sei premadhana dinodhära karibäre ei kåñëa-kértana Your eternal, loving service is the treasure and mahäprabhura sikhä-dvära dile premaratana wealth of the living force. Syama Madhusudana This congregational chanting and singing of Dasa begs for your eternal loving service, the trea- Lord Krsna’s holy names is there just for the pur- sure of divine love. pose of delivering the fallen. By the teachings of Your Servant, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, you gave the jewel of Shyama Madhusudana Dasa love of Godhead. Sridhama Mayapur, India c~e©vPvh©¨-Abycg-K…cv wejvB‡Z we‡k¦| AMY¨ cÖPvi-ågY nq Ani-wb‡k \ 4 \ Dear Lord and Master, purväcärya-anupama-kåpä biläite viçve Please accept my humbly obeisances at the dust agaëya pracära-bhramaëa haya ahara-niçe of Your divine lotus feet. You distributed the unparalleled mercy of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila O Lord and Master! Prabhupada and our previous acaryas, such as Srila At your lotus feet Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, Fall and pray I all over the world through countless numbers of Drop of nectar preaching efforts and travels, both day and night. Of Mercy Yours Never fails 182 India Asia Finds its mark always 7. Enthusiastic: are few out of many qualities. In my heart of muck Acaraya: Acaraya is He. Who teaches by His Through thick and thin own example. Guru Maharaj always teaches all Valleys and glen of us by His own example the He is not this Of desires unslaked body. He is inside the material body and not Join me You did any physical condition or circumstances can Until lumps of sorrow stop Him so as He is teaching, we can follow Did impede mine breathing His footsteps and can do preaching and devo- Call upon You I wouldn’t tional service in this material world through But the moment I called this material body in any condition of life. Did realize I Your love Missing You so much here in Mayapur. Please come For You simply waited back as soon as possible. I am waiting for you eagerly. Looking at mine back of heart Guru Maharaj Vyasa Puja Ki jai! For it to turn, pour itself out Your's spiritual daugther (good for nothing), To give it vision of You Sukartiki Radha Devi Dasi, (Diksha) And have mine eyes adorned Sri Mayapur Dham, India With sweet tears of service in Love As the heart waves of emotion hove What have I? Oh, dear me, what? Dear Guru Maharaja, To Your Divine Self repay? Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Holiness! Yours Humbly, O deliverer of fallen souls! I was born in the Sravan Kirtan Das, (Diksha) darkness of ignorance. About 36 years ago, you JPS Archives, Sridham Mayapur, India conferred your mercy upon my parents. Although I was a child then, Your Holiness initiated me in Gurudev! a dream one night. Although it was just a dream, To my most respected and precious last breathe the senior devotees told me that I had that dream of my life. Please accept my most humble obei- because of your blessings. Some time later, through the help of your pure sances. Our Guru Maharaj has so many qualities and time to time we are seeing that all. disciples, that most cherished day came… On the 1. He is very good poet: Recently GM wrote auspicious occasion of Sri Narasimha Chaturdasi, memorable song “yadi Prabhupad na hoite". So Your Holiness kindly initiated me. I still remember much love and deep thoughts He showed for His Your Holiness saying, “From today, your name is spiritual master. Tapa Advaita Das!” as you handed me the chant- 2. He is having heart like sea. ing beads. For any race to take root and flourish, two in- 3. He is full of love. 4. He is full of compassion. gredients are needed: 5. He is having very nice sense of homour. 1) The advent of a great personality, and 6. Determined. 2) and an event of paramount importance. 183 Asia India The race of the Sankirtan Movement has taken root and flourished because of these two sacri- preach in my small way. By the blessings of Lord Nrishimha Deva, I believe that you will remain healthy. All glories to fices on your part: 1) the bold renouncing of your aristocratic lin- you, O Guru Deva! All glories to your lotus feet! eage and coming to India, and 2) the decision to preach in the Sankirtan Your unqualified son, Movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The day Tapa Advaita Das, (Diksha) you came to India, good fortune became mine. If JPS Archives, Sridham Mayapur, India you had not been there, then what horrible destiny a most fallen soul like me would have encoun- Dear Guru Maharaj, tered is unimaginable. Please accept my most respectful obeisance In spite of many bodily difficulties, you are try- unto you’re lotus feet. You are inspiring the dev- ing to serve your gurudeva. Om Vishnupada as- otees of ISKCON and as well as new comers to tottara sata His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedan- get hold on to lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada. The ta Swami Prabhupada. You are flying the flag of foremost thing I feel after hearing you’re lectures victory of the Holy Name of Lord Caitanya Ma- always is to rededicate, revive, reconnect to Sri- haprabhu all over the world. That is the greatest la Prabhupada teachings. Your expertism in fol- activity. lowing and preaching Srila Prabhupada teachings You are not the body, but the representative of the Supersoul. By your wonderful friendly activ- have made you’re tireless endeavors successful worldwide. ities, this has become clear. Although my body is By your divine grace under guidance of Sri- healthy, my consciousness is unhealthy. Still you dham Mayapur authorities, His Grace Sankar- have kindly given me the opportunity to perform shan Nitai Prabhu, engineering students are get- your Vani Seva. All the credit goes to you. I have ting initiated to this process of Bhakti and also zero qualification to serve you, but still you did dedicating their life to serve You. not exclude me from your personal service. This On this auspicious occasion please bless me is the strongest evidence that you are the deliver- and forgive my innumerable offenses, kindly al- er of fallen souls. Among Vaishnava communities ways keep me as an atom of dust of your lotus feet. worldwide, your glories are well-known. There is Your servant, none that does not know of your noble qualities. On this auspicious occasion of your 67th Tirthanga Nitai Das Vyasa-Puja day, you appear infused and decorat- Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir ed with Divinity. I have neither the knowledge Sridham Mayapur, India nor any realization to glorify Your Holiness. So, as your worst servant, I pray to Your Holiness hum- Dear Guru Maharaja, Hare Krishna. bly that I may have the opportunity to continue Please accept my respectful obeisances. All to be your servant; that by giving me your mercy, glories to Srila Prabhupada and his followers. All Your Holiness engage me in the service of your glories to Your Divine Grace. Lotus feet and give me the capability to help you 184 I am very much indebted to Your Divine India Asia Grace for having engaged me in the service of you made all these distractions as a means to re- Srila Prabhupada and his predecessor acaryas in member Krishna. For example, the most distract- the association of their followers. My services to ing things in present days are facebook and whats Your Divine Grace currently especially is literally app. But I am amazed to see how you have engaged Guru-Gauranga-seva! thousands of people in using these as a medium to Please forgive any of my offenses and please en- remember Krishna. gage me in the offenseless service of Lord Krishna and His devotees. Your glories are unlimited. You always serve everyone and show example how to serve others. Although you are such a great spiritual master Your lowly servant, with thousands of followers, you consider yourself Vidvan Gauranga Das, (Diksha) always a meek and humble servant of SrilaPrabh- JPS Publications, Sridham Mayapur, India upada and serve everyone. Hence you are always unaffected by Maya. titiksavahkarunikah By you mercy, I am here in the spiritual world, Suhrdahsarva-dehinam Sri Mayapur dham. I don’t deserve it but I have it ajata-satravahsantah due to your blessings. I understand that we cannot sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah The symptoms of a sadhu 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. (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chap 25 Text 21) dhyanamulam guru murti puja mulamgururpadam, mantra mulamgururvakyam, moksha mulam guru kripa [SkandaPurana Dialogue between Shiva and Uma (Shakti)] Translation: The Guru's form is the best to meditate upon; the Guru's feet are the best for have spiritual benefits by our own endeavors. It is worship; the Guru's word is the mantra; the Guru's always the causeless mercy of pure devotees of the Grace is the root of liberation. Lord who always think for the benefit of others. “Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja ” I am still immature in my spiritual practices but grateful for what you have given. I am trying to attend Morning programs and Bhagvatam classes at Gurukul, sometimes missing one or both. You are embodiment of mercy. You have the I need your blessing to give me spiritual strength potency to convert Inauspiciousness into auspi- to overcome my laziness and procrastinating na- ciousness. Material world is full of distractions but ture in this regard. 185 Asia India You always wanted to have devotee care. You and we should follow sincerely. yourself is embodiment of devotee care. You Thanks for all the sacrifices and austerities personally go out of your way to take care of that every day you undergo for the mission of Lord devotees and I witnessed it personally millions of Caitanya. times. We ourselves living in Mayapur are a result For this and many more reasons and tirelessly of your devotee care. We are trying to do this at say Thanks to you and specially because you ac- our insignificant level, what we have learned from cept fallen souls as my for to take us to home. you, being grateful to you. May Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Sri Gaura I know my Guru Maharaj His Holiness Radha Nitai, Sri Prahlad Nrsimhadev keep you healthy nath Swami Maharaj will be more pleased if and give countless blessings to you and give all the I serve you and please you. success in your mission of preaching in Caitanya's We cannot repay your mercy upon us, we can only be grateful to you. mission. Thousands obeisances to your lotus feet, Thank you, Your humble servant Your servant, (Diksha) VrajaKrishna Das, (Shiksa) Sita Prema Devi Dasi, Sridham Mayapur, India Surat, India Hare Krishna yad tyaga vaibhavo gaura rudha prapancham Dear most Gurudev! Please accept my humble obeisance yad karuna phala karo samasta jiva All glories to Srila Prabhupada! bhaktivedanta manoratham ankitani All glories to Sri Sri Goura Nitai! yad saktir ekam vijayate hridim sri jayapatakam Dear Guru Maharaj in the occasion of your Translation: Whose divine sacrifices verily is the Vyasa Puja I want to thank you from the core of source of gauranga consciousness in the world my heart for being the well wisher of mankind. today,enabling the living beings to have placed on I don't have words that can glorify you I just their palms the fruit of the mercy of Gaura and can say Thanks for to come to this world for to who is decorating the flagpole of the chariot,the help to all of us to go back with Krishna. desire, of Sriman Bhaktivedanta Swami; Let that Thanks for all your tireless effort in preaching, in all circumstances you always preaching no mat- Victory Flag eternally and forcefully flutter in my heart! ter how difficult look that. Thanks for being very very merciful not only Balaram Krishna Das, (Diksha) with your disciples, but with all living entities, Thrissur, Kerala, India given the best of you to others, give your love for Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj Krishna and making feel bliss to all us Thanks for to be example of first category in Please accept my humble obeiscances. all aspect, your care, your preaching, your obedi- All glories to Srila Prabhupada! ence and love to Srila Prabhupada, your love for All glories to Gurudeva! Gauranga and devotees are very exalted example On this most auspicious occasion we devotees 186 India Asia of South Vrindavan pray to Sri Sri Nrsimhadev to gy;yhz!L.,optile;Js;s vd;idAk;,d; protect our Guru Maharaj from all directions. Kfk; nfhz!L Vw;wpUf;Fk; FUNt nghoptPH We do not know what pious activities we have ce;jd; fUizia,e;j Ngij neQ;rj;jpw;Nf. done in our previous birth to get such a merciful FUtpid Nghw;Wk; Fk;kpg;ghl;bid fhzpf;if Guru Maharaj. You are showing us by example we -ahf;Ffpd;Nwd;. are not this body and our duty is to please Guru and Krishna. So whatever the condition may be Fk;kpab ngz!Nz Fk;kpab you are preaching always and taking care of each jpUkfid Nghw;wp Fk;kpab and everyone. You are our eternal spiritual father, Fk;kpabngz!Nz Fk;kpab Gurudev. So on this auspicious occassion day we FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab all fall at Your lotus feet begging for Your mercy Mz!lhz;L fhykha; Gtpnaq;Fk; and spiritual strength to continue our devotional kq;fskha; tyk; tUgtuhk; service more sincerely and cooperatively. We residents of South Vrindavan know that juzpiaNa nropf;f nra;Ak; without Your mercy South Vrindavan would not FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab exist. Whatever service we do is also because of Your mercy only, Gurudev. South Vrindavan dev- Nkiy ehl;L rPkhdhk; otees come together to do daily Mangal Arati, daily ,d;Kf kyH nfhz!ltuhk; Srimad Bhagavatam class, alternate days evening jhkiu kyH jpUtbahk; class, book distribution, weekly Nagara Sankirtan, FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab weekly children's class, youth class, yearly summer camp for children, celebrate all festivals on nrhy;ypd; nry;td; ghhpdpNy ISKCON calendar, Sunday class and feast which je;jhH jd;idNa ghUf;Nf local people also attend, Damodar yatra, Nrsimha itafk; jdpy; cw;wtuhd Kavacha, extra japa, all we dedicate for our be- FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab loved Guru Maharaj's health. fUizkio ehafdhk; Again and again we are all praying for our beloved Guru Maharaj's good health and waiting for nfsuhq;fNu cUthdtuhk; our spiritual father's arrival to South Vrindavan. epj;jk; epj;jNk jpj;jpf;f itf;Fk;; FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab Servant of servant of servant of Your servant fz!zid je;j ts;syhk; South Vrindavan devotees, FUtpd; cj;jkGj;jpudhk; GtpjidNa G+j;Jf; FYq;fitf;Fk; Bindu Lakshmi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab South Vrindavan, Thrissur, Kerala, India ,jaj;jhkiuapd; ed;dhspy;,g;Ngijahy; 67tJ md;gpd; cUtk; nfhz!ltuhk; tpahrG+i[ fhz!gtiu jpiff;f itg;gtuhk; rkHg;gpf;fg;gLk; rPlHfspd; eyd;tpUk;gpahk; tpahrG+i[ rkHg;gzq;fs;. thopa FU thopa 187 Asia India FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab Dear Guru Maharaj, gpur;rhuk; nra;Nj tho;gtuhk; Please accept our obeisances at the dust of midj;J cs;sq;fisAk; ftHgtuhk; Your divine lotus feet. jd;id <d;w jhapid Nghw;wp All glories to Srila Prabhupada. FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab All glories to Your Divine Grace. Guru Maharaj, on this very auspicious Vyasa ee;j ee;jdpd; nry;tdhk; puja day, to glorify Your holiness is an unlimited epj;ahde;jhpd; &gkhk; blessing and festival, it is an opportunity for nfsuhq;fhpd; Njhd;wyhk; the conditioned souls like us who are always FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab deeply concerned with the aham-mameti concept. At least on this day, We can fully deliver our- khahg;GH thrpthdtuhk; selves simply by dedicating to hear and remember tpUe;jhtdj;jpd; fUizahk; Your transcendental qualities, pastimes, etc. G+hp jhkj;jpd; jpUTUthk; Your appearance is of such an immense FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab treasure to the world. Srimad Bhagavatam stresses again and again that a moment association te;jhiu tho;tpf;Fk; nrk;kyhk; of a pure devotee and attachment to His ,q;Fkq;Fk; vq;Fk; epuk;gpatuhk; lotus feet is the rapid and easiest way to nry;tf;Foe;ijfspd; md;Gj;je;ijahk; quench the thirst of the unsatisfied wander- FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab ing conditioned soul in this universe from time immemorial. We are greatly indebted to Sri gy;yhz!L gy;yhz!L tho;e;jplNt Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada for kq;fsq;fs; vq;Fk; nghq;fplNt having blessed the debauchees like us to have the ehkj;ij ghbahbNa association of a pure devotee – Your holiness. You FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab are a Pure devotee in person shown by your practical demonstration. Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad- Fk;kpab ngz!Nz Fk;kpab Gita that "My devotee is he who is unlimitedly FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab determined to engage in Bhakti unfailing in all Fk;kpab ngz!Nz Fk;kpab circumstances whether favorable or unfavor- FyFUit Nghw;wp Fk;kpab able, healthy or unhealthy, loss or gain, honor or dishonor." epjha; nfsuhq;fh! This is the theory part which we have heard epjha; nfsuhq;fh! from Bhagavad Gita. The practical applica- epjha; nfsuhq;fh! tion of this is found in Srimad Bhagavatam & epjha; nfsuhq;fh! Sri Caitanya Caritamrita with many examples of many exalted devotees. We were not fortu- Gandharvika Mohini Devi Dasi, nate to see Prahlada Maharaj, Gopis, Narada Thuraiyur, Tamilnadu, India muni etc., But You are perfect example of 188 India Srimad Bhagavatam in front of our eyes. Asia clusive transcendental quality. Lord Krishna is teaching us through Your Holi- Guru Maharaj, We are simply no more better ness example that Krishna consciousness cannot than fools for we are not able to serve Your holiness be checked under any material condition. Every to the best of our capacities inspite of Your valuable moment of Your life is a great example to learn presence and guidance. Please bless us with something. We don't know how to express our the tinge of love and service attitude that You gratitude fully in words to Srila Prabhupada for have for Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada. being connected to Your holiness as diksha Please bless us so that we just don't become disciples. This fortune is something which we name-sake disciples but to become genuine cannot even imagine. Our fortune which we disciples have now is something like a beggar in the attitude to completely dedicate and surrender our street becoming a billionaire in a moment. If thoughts, words and actions to execute Your mis- we deeply think, it's all simply Your causeless sion and vision. Also, we need to set a living ex- mercy for we have no qualification even to come ample for the upcoming newer generations. Please near Your Holiness. You are genuine, pure, kind, empower our lives in such a way that we simply transcendental, friendly, compassionate, trans- live for Your satisfaction and execute missionary parent, toleranti full in all godly qualities. activities with all energy and enthusiasm. in action and develop the Once Srila Prabhupada was asked by George Please bless us with the quality of tolerance and Harrison how to find a genuine Guru. Prabhupa- cooperation among the members for the smooth da answered "See who is most addicted to Krish- running of the Organization. Last but not least, na, he is a genuine Guru". Whenever we hear You You are our hope, shelter, father, everything to us. Guru Maharaj, we see Your strong addiction and Please always bless us by Your prayers and guid- faith towards Srila Prabhupada & Sri Chaitanya ance, without which we have no hope of crossing Mahaprabhu's prediction. All the devotees were this turbulent ocean of material existence. Our worried when Your transcendental body was ema- insignificant prayers are always there for the im- ciated due to sickness. But the most puzzling and provement of Your health and maximum life span. miraculous thing is that Your preaching activities and services to Srila Prabhupada has multiplied Your eternal servants, many more times after You fell sick. This is an ex- Revati Raman Dasa & devotees of ISKCON-Tirupati. tra ordinary activity of a pure devotee. One lecture which You have delivered in Juhu, reveals Your heart and desire. The essence of the Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, class was "There is one exclusive service that we I offer my respectful obeisance unto you. can perform here for Krishna and that which we This is my first offering donot know how to offer cannot do once we go back to the spiritual world homage. So please forgive me if I do not offer i.e., PREACHING". Your mind always dwells in homage properly. By your mercy and blessing the sweet pastimes of Lord Chaitanya and han- me & my mother came to Navadvip Mandal kers to bring as many conditioned souls as possible Parikrama this year it is our 1st time to Mayapur. to the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu. This is Your ex- By your prayers for us to Lord Shiva we were able 189 Asia India to do parikrama nicely. Your loving enquires about offering unto the mission. However, I am hardly our health kept me in good health, your enquiry able to practice the simplest of your instructions about the tent made me stay in the tent, or else without struggle. I have the least qualification to I would have not stayed in the tent. Your ever day be glorifying you, much less be your disciple Guru visit to our group gave us more enthusiasm. Maharaja. Kindly please bless me that next, year after year till my death let me join NavadvipaMandal At the same time, I cannot think of letting Parikrama. I really, really thank you for your un- this Vyasa Puja pass without sending my hom- limited kindness and prayers, everything. age to you. It is as if these words are all I have to You are really a very big store house of offer unto you. Please accept them, and grant my Lord Nityananda prabhu’s mercy- Nitai Kripa abilities the potency to fulfil your transcendental Pradayine. Jayapataka Swami ki! JAI. desires. Please accept these words as my prayer, Thank you maharaj. and bless me to be a sincere disciple. You are giving us so much, and yet I shamelessly ask for more. Please forgive me if I have offended you, Please forgive me for taking that liberty Guru Ma- Saradha Iswarya, (Aspiring), haraj. It is because I know that you are unlimited Tirupur, India Dear Srila Guru Maharaj, in all respects. Thank you for holding on to me, and being my Hare Krishna! guiding light. The material world is like an ocean Dandavat Pranam! and the turbulent waves and frightening birds of I pray for your health and protection to Lord prey make it a hard struggle to survive. It is easy Padmanabha Swamy and Yoga NarasimhaDev. to be carried away and be tossed around forever. I seek your blessings on this most auspicious celebtation of your Vyasapuja. Thank you for being the anchor that keeps me in devotional service Guru Maharaj! Your Humble Servant, Your insignificant disciple, Leelanandhi Radha Devi Dasi, Ratikeli Radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Dearest spiritual father, Respected Guru Maharaj, Please accept my respectful obeisances at your All glories to Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga! soothing lotus feet! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga! All glories unto you! Jaya Srila Prabhupada! I’m often at a loss around this time of year, I am extremely happy to get a chance to trying to put together words of glorification. My express my heartfelt gratitude to you on this occa- weak attempts are simply shadowy letters. I under- sion of Vyasapuja offering 2016. I have no words stand that my true homage to you would be to fol- to express my happiness for being given a chance low your divine instructions and live my life as an to live a Krishna Conscious life. Though because 190 191 Asia India of my Anarthas I falter every moment, your mercy Guru Maharaj, you are just like the ocean of gives me the courage to stand up and still fight. mercy, always feeling for the sufferings of all liv- I wish I will no longer commit any further offens- ing entities. You are receiving benediction from es and cause harm to your health. Though I know Srila Prabhupada’s ocean of mercy, you are always that you are above and beyond all these health extending to the fallen souls like us. It is amazing problems, it's quite obvious that it's because of me that in spite of all the health challenges you have that you are suffering. So, please forgive me and been facing now, year after year you deliver many bless me that I will always remain your servant thousands of fallen souls like us at the lotus feet of and stay in good association of devotees and ren- our founder acarya Srila Prabhupada. der services to all Vaishnavas. When we asked a question under what cir- My mother, your disciple (Her Grace Indira cumstances a spiritual master rejects a disciple, Gopi Devi Dasi) also wishes to club her offerings you mercifully answered, normally a guru would here as she doesn't have access to internet. She never reject a disciple, and even if he deviates or has expressed her gratitude and has thanked you falls down, will come back life after life and deliv- for accepting her. She is praying for your good er the disciple. Only when the disciple is harm- health. It's very obvious for all of us that after your ful to other disciples or society then he may reject accepting us, it's become very easy for all of us to such a disciple. When further asked why you did develop more faith in the philosophy of Krishna not reject ritvik deviants, you said there was no Consciousness. Mother is trying her best to ren- need to reject as they distanced themselves from der services to the Vaishnavas. Despite her age you and our society. Also you said apart from the and health problems, she is trying to preach and core group the rest were sincere and just misguid- learn shlokas to make you happy. ed and if you gave time and space to reason out Nityatarangini Devi Dasi (my wife) and they would come back to ISKCON. Your strat- Ananth Chaitanya (my son) also wish to express egy worked out, and because of your patience, their gratitude to you. many of the deviants year after year came back to I feel that hadn't it been for your causeless ISKCON from Ritvik camp and rejoined mercy, I would have been more an animal than a ISKCON and serving in very responsible leader- struggling soul, trying to fight Maya. ship positions. If you had rejected them then they Seeking your blessings to lead a better Krishna Conscious life, would never have any chance what so ever. So because of your kind heartedness you are still patiently waiting for more of those deviants to come Your fortunate disciple and servant, back to ISKCON fold. You are a great example Savyasachi Krishna Das for ‘trnad api sunicena, tarorapi sahisnuna’, and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India tolerated all their insults and your kindness and mercy paid off greatly for larger ISKCON. This Dearest Guru Maharaj, episode will be a part of our rich Gaudiya Vaish- Please accept our most respectful obeisances nava history, and your glories will be sung by many at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Divine Grace. future generations to come. We thank you for accepting our recommenda- 192 India Asia tions for first initiations, 40 candidates from Sin- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India gapore during ISKCON Penang temple opening, and 24 candidates from ISKCON Vijayawada on Respected Guru Maharaj, Gaura Purnima day at Mayapur. Please accept my humble obeisances. You are an extra ordinary, exemplary example Guru Maharaj, first time I saw you at Guntur for everyone in distributing the mercy freely in temple opening ceremony and I was astonished to the mood of Lord Nityananda. No material obsta- see many of your disciples. Guru Maharaj, during cles can stop a sincere disciple like you in serving the Navadvipa parikrama 2015, myself along with Srila Prabhupada’s mission. my husband and daughter got your blessings at You always carry Lord Caitanya in your heart Hari Hara Ksetra. During Last month, on Gaura and narrate so many of His pastimes, during your Purnima 2016, you have mercifully accepted my- travels to every town and village around the globe. self and my husband as your disciples and gave It seems time expands for you to accommodate so disksha to both of us. I am really grateful. many preaching activities, devotee care activities Guru Maharaj, you are one of the good souls in your daily schedule. I hear from all god broth- sent by Krishna to Srila Prabhupada. Guru ers, god sisters and devotees in general, that you Maharaj, you have been serving Prabhupada always give them time when they approach you for as “selfless worker” over the last four decades. help and guidance. Inspite of your bad health, still you are eager to Recently when our father (in law) passed away serve Srila Prabhupada. Your selfless service to in November 2015, we came to your room on Lo- Srila Prabhupada with utmost dedication is an in- tus building at Mayapur, you gave time to us and spiration for me. prayed for the departed soul. You also guided us I beg you, plead you and pray you to please how to perform the final rites for the departed bless me and shower your mercy upon me so that soul. We are eternally indebted to you for all your me and my family always remain in ISKCON and love, care and blessings throughout our spiritual serve you always. I will assist my husband in devo- journey in ISKCON. tional services. I beg for your mercy and blessing On this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja in every stage of my life 2016, we pray to our Spiritual grand father, Srila Prabhupada to bless you with good health, long Yours disciple, life and many victories for ISKCON, befitting the Giteswari Harini Devi Dasi, (Diksha) name that Srila Prabhupada has given you. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India Please bless us to help you in your service to Srila Prabhupad’s mission. Please forgive all our My Dear Guru Maharaj, offences that we may have committed knowingly Please accept my humble obeisances at your or unknowingly. divine lotus feet which are the supreme shelter for all conditioned souls. All glories to your Holiness Your humble servants, and Srila Prabhupada. Bhadra Govinda Das, Your spotless character and example of utmost Geeta Gamya Radhika Devi Dasi (Diksha), kindness and gentleness cannot be measured. Your 193 Asia India divine qualities are unfathomable and cannot be Your devotion inspires me, described by this insignificant servant and it may Your determination strengthens me, so happened that my words of praise will be insuf- Your intelligence defeats me, ficient to glorify your transcendental qualities. Your sacrifice encourages me, You are showing such exemplary behavior of a Your steadiness comforts me, pure devotee and that has been the source of in- Your are example enlightens me, spiration for the fallen souls like me. Your dedication to Srila Prabhupada force Divine Master, I pray to Narsimhadev for your speed recovery and want you to get better. My heart is full of gratitude for your causeless mercy upon me. me to dedicate to your divine lotus feet. You know how to bring out the best qualities in a person while tolerating the worst. You’re my worshipable master life after life. Your unqualified servant, My only qualification to be your disciple Purna Bhagavan Syama Das is, I love you too much. I am always thinking of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India you. I never forget you in any situation. I am very thankful to your Divine grace. Even in the early days of ISKCON, devotees began to realize that the vast majority of the world's population would not fit in our Hare Krishna temples. You're my only association. I take shelter at your precious lotus feet. Every thing you do or say compels one to surrender to Krishna. You can make a dirty man In establishing the congregational preaching firmly, you have devised wonderful programs like "BHAKTI VRIKSAS" and have engaged so many devotees from all walks of life, they have been given the chance to render devotional service. Today we see its results around the the world, congregation is growing like a wild fire, all the credit goes to you. clean and you can transform a rice field into a Kingdom of God (TOVP). You’re just like a transcendental touch stone and I beg to always have your association. To please the spiritual master by service is the highest possible goal of human life. Your unflinching determination to carry out the instruction of Srila Prabhupada perfectly By your exemplary behavior by gentle encour- exemplifies this principle. agement by any means you try to engage every- On this auspicious occasion of your divine ap- body in Krishna service and give them the taste of pearance, I sincerely pray from the bottom of real nectar for which they have always been han- my heart to Your beloved worshipable deities kering. I beg that you will find some way to engage Sri Sri Radha Madhava astasakhis, Sri Sri this most worthless servant. Panca-tattva and Sri Prahlad Narsimha to I am travelling through this lifes journey bless our tireless travelling preacher Srila Guru all alone. Crying an ocean of hot, silent tears in Dev with hundred years of longevity to guide my search. In desperation for spiritual life. I know us and continuing services in the service nothing but Krishna is so kindly sent you to me of Srila Prabhupada. and I am forever a debtor because you alone are my spiritual life. Dear Srila Guru Maharaj, I once again sub194 India Asia mit that this surrendered servant of yours is of Mayapur, and congregations preaching are ready to take any challenge in the mission of your glorious. service to Srila Prabhupada. Seeking your divine blessings, I beg to remain Guru Maharj, you traveled throughout world for preaching and there is hardly any service that you has not tried your hand at. I am devoid of Your insignificant humble servant, intelligence and strength. I complete depending Ram Murari Das, (Diksha) upon your mercy to progress further in spiritual Temple President, ISKCON, life. I pray to you please bless this fallen person, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India so that I can always remain in the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga life after life and able to do Respected Guru Maharaj, some menial services at your lotus feet. Without Please accept my humble obeisances. your mercy it is not possible for me to advance in I bowed down at your lotus feet, to speak few spiritual path. I beg for your mercy. words of your glorification on this auspicious day of your appearance. On Gaura Pournima 2016, Guru Maharaj you have shown mercy upon on me and my wife and Guru Maharaj, you are dear most servants of accepted us as your disciples. I pray to Lord Nar- Srila Prabhupada and done enormous service to simhadev, Panca-tattva and Sri Sri Radha Madha- Srila Prabhupada. Your services in development va Astasakhis for good health of Guru Maharaj, 195 Asia India so that we can see him, hear him and serve him. I heard that Bhakti Vriksha Programme is very Your humble servant, dear to you. I beg for your blessing so that in this Syama Caitanya Das (Diksha) year I may actively involved in spreading this pro- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India gramme in vijayawada. Dearest Guru Maharaja, With pranamas, Your disciple, Please accept my most respectful obeisances in Santana Parthsakha Das, (Diksha) the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India you! All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I’m such a lame excuse for a disciple that I can- My Dear Guru Maharaj, not always get it together to write an offering to Please accept my most humble obeisances at you each year. How much does it take, after all? your lotus feet. Some minutes of my day to contemplate your All glories to your unflinching service to your beloved spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. glories - I should be doing this all day every day instead of just once a year. My head hangs in shame. On most auspicious day of Your Divine appear- When I think about you, my eyes well with tears ance in this world, I want to thank you for your and my heart aches. I miss you so much, and wish inconceivable mercy. I were so much more able to do something to serve Your mercy is infinite, I am so foolish and un- you so that I would deserve to see you more, have fit, still you are so compassionate that you have ac- your association and direct instructions the way cepted me as your disciple on this Gaura Purnima I once did. At that time, I didn’t ever think things and allowed me in your service. I am so fortunate would change; I imagined that somehow I’d be to have a pure, kind hearted, humble, which are able to see you and serve you more and more, that just a few of your many qualities, spiritual master my life would be truly yours the way it should be. I have. I so want to serve you, to glorify you, to be a prop- We all witness how you sacrifice your com- er disciple. But then, my determination weakens, forts and went through so many health problems and I find myself pulled into the vortex of the ev- and difficulties in order to execute your service to eryday away from you. Srila Prabhupada and Guru-Parampara. This is Some years ago, I wrote about basking in the the lesson by you to all of us that if we carry our glow of your spiritual effulgence, and how anyone services sincerely, then we will progress in our who comes close to you becomes purified simply devotional service. by your association, that you were truly a tirtha. I beg your causeless mercy, so that I can Since the stroke, in your current body, I see that advance in the path of devotional service and this is so even more now than before. Everywhere remain as your obedient servant. Please don’t ever you go, everyone who meets you understands how stop showering your loving glance on this fallen you are truly not this body, and that the devo- soul. tion and dedication to preach and spread the holy With full of love and devotion, name is what flows in your veins; like blood in the 196 India Asia ordinary body, your spiritualized body is pumping very limited abilities for my own purification. pure devotion to Srila Prabhupada and to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana mission. You In one of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja offer- inspire the devotees, you attract all kinds of peo- ing to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, ple - your determination to preach in every cir- he wrote that “honoring your spiritual master is cumstance and your unstoppable compassion and not done just through words of praise and offering overflowing love for every single lost jiva in this garlands but it is done by carrying out his orders.” wide, wide material world dwarfs any feeble at- Gurudeva, by following Prabhupada’s instruc- tempt made by practically anyone to serve you. tions, going thorough hardships for his pleasure, How can I, miniscule speck of nonsense, even enduring great difficulties and risk to carry out attempt to serve you? I know I should help you his mission & compassion, you have made your for this is what I promised at initiation. Some entire life an offering to Srila Prabhupada. desire is there, but no real skill; like a child fum- In your last vyasa puja talk you mentioned bling with his zipper, trying to learn to dress him- how you want your disciples to help you in fulfill- self he pricks his finger and gives up in frustration. ing Srila Prabhupada orders given to you. Services So many times… but you are oceanic, limitless in like Book distribution and preaching I consider your compassion and care, firm in your instruc- myself a fit to help you out. Currently we do about tions, but ever so kind and patient when I fail. three hours of Preaching service everyday above Some years ago, your devoted disciple Lila Srila Prabhupada Samadhi in Vrindavan. Last Vilasini in Italy transcribed a class of yours from month on average we made about 400 to 1200 new Vyasa-puja 1991 called Glorification is Our Main visitors to chant there first round of Hare Krish- Business. I mean to understand this point, and to na Mahamantra everyday and distributed 50 to truly make glorification my main business so that 250 Srila Prabhupada books everyday to them. We one day I will be able to properly glorify you, and also try to preach to them and connect them to thank your for all you have done for the world. various temples and Bhakti vriksha leaders. Now All glories to you, beloved father! Vrindavan has become a famous tourist place and people from all around the world come here espe- Your eternally aspiring, insignificant servant, cially because Taj mehal is just 60 KM away. All Jaya Dayini Devi Dasi, (Diksha) those foreign tourist also come to our vrindavan ISKCON Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India temple. Recently we had a lot of interaction with many foreign tourist and they chanted One round My Dear most worshipable, most merciful, of Mahamantra and took Srila Prabhupada books. eternal Spiritual master, Please accept my very humble obeisance's at your lotus feet. Every day before starting the service I pray for your mercy and blessings to execute the service with enthusiasm and right mood. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! From this service we get to speak to many stu- All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! dents of nearby colleges and many of them showed I lack sufficient eloquence to glorify you, still interest in starting of a regular program in their let me take this opportunity to glorify you with my universities. GLA University which is very near 197 Asia India to vrindavan has about 10000 students and we are service to you and Sri Krishna with a desire for going to start a new program there with the start service only and not some exchange, and then we of this first year batch. Same we will be starting in may become eligible for your full mercy. Sachdeva College which is near to Mathura. I pray, dear Guru Maharaj, to help us to serve With the association of Avinash Govinda Pr you in the mood you have spoken in your lectures this month We laucned our Vrindavan branch to and writing, I pray that your mercy may always be teach English via Srila Prabhupada Krishna Book open to your lowly servants, such as myself. I pray and Bhagavad Gita. Without advertisement we to always receive the purification from your words got many students for this program. Now we are emanating from your lotus lips. Only by associa- advertising for it and in the process of making tion with you, your devotees and your transcen- batches and schedules. I pray for your blessings for dental talks, can we ever hope to advance in this the success of this project. This year we are plan- lifetime and come back home to your lotus feet. ning to open one branch in Delhi in one of my father’s property and one in Mathura. Dear Srila Gurudev, I also want to bring to your kind attention My only desire is to remain as a fool, that under your guidance and instructions I have at your lotus feet joined the Brahmchari Ashram in Vrindavan un- to lay down my life and body in der the Authority of Shub Krishna Pr. I might the dust of your lotus feet, day after day, have acted very foolishly in deciding my Ashram to sign my life away, and might have committed offences at your lotus on the dotted line, minute after minute feet. I am fool and beg forgiveness for any kind of hanging on for dear life, offence committed at your lotus feet. I have no to your lotus feet, life after life shelter other then your lotus feet. help me to go the distance, For my own Sadhna I try to read Srimad Bhag- keep me on board for the long haul, vatam everyday for 3o to 90 mins and try to chant I pray, dear Srila Gurudev, 16 rounds before Darshan Aarati and hear lectures please don’t kick me away, for 2-4 hours. I beg at your lotus feet to empower me with sufficient intelligence to understand Sri- Your lowly servant la Prabhupada books and give this understanding Rohininandana Balaram Das, (Diksha) to others. Vrindavan dham, Uttar Pradesh, India Dear Srila Gurudev, both in your transcendental writings and lectures, and the precepts of your My most loving and respected father, glorious life, you have continually demonstrated Guru Maharaja, the highest standard of pure devotional service to Please accept my grateful obeisances. Lord, showing us the perfect example of what a All glories to your beautiful heart and the mood pure devotee is, and how we can attempt to fol- to distribute Lord Caitanya’s love to one and all! low in your footsteps. By following your example All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! and teachings, we hope to come to the standard How high can a bird fly in the sky? How is it outlined in your lectures and writings, to render possible for a dwarf to touch the moon? How can a 198 India Asia blind person describe the beauty of a flower? How tion for Srila Prabhupada. It is also the perfection can anyone love Krsna enough? How can a disci- of my tongue to taste the Caranamrta that has ple ever reciprocate for the mercy and compassion washed your lotus feet and your remnants of the he receives from his Guru? Likewise how is it pos- Mahaprasadam that you mercifully leave for us---- sible for me to glorify you as it is like diving into It is the perfection of this dress (i.e. my body), an ocean trying to gather all jewels from its depth? when you bless me on my head and when I am able Your glories are unlimited and they are most to use that blessings and empowerment in your purifying for us when we hear and discuss them. It service- not only nourishes our hearts but helps us evolve It is the perfection of my mind to remember in our consciousness to appreciate Krsna’s glories your personal and general instructions and con- better. It is an inconceivable mercy of Lord Cai- template always on how to execute them in the tanya upon us that He has sent you to this duh- best possible way. It is also the perfection of my khalayam to deliver so many Jagais and Madhais mind to meditate upon your beautiful transcen- of whom I am the most fallen truly. You are simply dental pastimes- here fulfilling His desire every moment being conscious of your purpose of visit to this planet. Guru Maharaja, I was remembering the verse sa vai manah Krsna padaravinda.. while trying to It is the perfection of my heart to feel nourished by hearing from you, respecting you, loving you and experiencing your love and compassion in an apratihata way. write this homage and a small expression was cre- It is the perfection of my gratitude to feel grate- ated. I wish to share with you that how many ways ful for the kindness that you have expressed life you can perfect my life in a sublime way by your after life after life. sheer presence!!! The followings are my aspirationsIt is the perfection of my eyes to have darsana of your lotus feet and stare unblinkingly at the It is the perfection of my services to bring more and more conditioned and suffering souls to your lotus feet in order to please you and participate insignificantly in your glorious mission--- most loving, kind and beautiful lotus face---It is the perfection of my ears to hear your vani be it in your personal association or by oth- It is the perfection of my very existence to please you and find a small place in your large heart. er means. Also it is perfection of the ears to hear It is the perfection of my consciousness to feel about your glories without being satiated from an insignificant servant of the servant of your di- those who have served you with their heart and vine grace with all humility--- soul- It is the perfection of the purification of my It is the perfection of my nose to smell the Ma- heart when you mercifully glance upon this most hamaha garlands or flowers those have decorated undeserving hopeless fallen soul. I actually feel your transcendental body or your lotus feet. being cleansed--- It is the perfection of my tongue to glorify you It is the perfection of my love to become nir- spontaneously and with full enthusiasm speak matsara and love every devotee and all jivas in about your qualities, sacrifices, compassion, pas- order to please you as they are all object of your times and most importantly your love and dedica- love--199 Asia India There are so many other ways you are individ- All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! ually turning us into instrument in your hands, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada ! out of your causeless mercy. All Glories to Srila Gurudeva! Finally I wish to say, yadi Prabhupada na hoito, By Guru’s Grace, We Increase Our Pace. tabe ki hoito... How could we have found you? Everyone is running. Constantly, hastily, What would have been our destiny? We would erratically. Thematerialists are busy running after have been lost in the whirlpool of the material material existence, while the speculativephiloso- existence perpetually! By the causeless mercy of phers are busy running away from it. The athe- Srila Prabhupada, I have found you to sanctify my ists run after their own assumptions, in denial of lowly existence. a sentient Supreme Being, while the devotees are I offer my insignificant prayers to Their Lord- busily runningtowards service for the pleasure of ships for your good health and a very smooth jour- the Lord and the Vaishnavas. Everyone is running. ney in your service to Srila Prabhupada. I wish to My dear Gurudeva, offer humble obeisances feelingly unto your lo- Pleaseaccept my humble obeisances unto your tus feet again and again and again...seeking your divine lotus feet. Those lotus feet traverse the en- blessings to feel connected to you always. tire world, purifying each dust particle as well as those who may reside there. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! On this glorious occasion of your 67th Vyasa Aspiring to love you someday, my dear father, Puja, I wish to meditate on your movements Ramya Vrndavana Devi Dasi (Diksa) and instructions. During the recent GBC MTM meeting here at Govardhan Eco Village, we per- 200 India Asia sonally witnessed how unstoppable your divine- While we want you to rest, you’re inspiring us to grace is. Daily, gurudeva would enthusiastically fight? attend the meetings, althoughgetting to the meet- tapyanteloka-tapena sadhavah prayaso janah ing hall was a big journey (yatra) in itself. Nev- paramaradhanamtad dhi purushasyakhilatmanah ertheless, like all yatras, it wasunforgettable and purifying. As Lord Siva says, a great soul takes on voluntarily difficulties because of thesuffering people Once, you had arrived just as the meetings in general, and such is considered as the highest had adjourned. Devotees began making their way method of worship. Like this, your every act is a downstairs and they stopped, seeingyou sitting in glorification and service to Lord Caitanya, who your vehicle. Many wondered, “Oh, Jayapataka wanted Krishna Consciousness to spread all over Maharaj arrived late” “but the meetings are already the world. over”, etc. However when most asked “did you Therefore, as you lead us ahead; we try our hon- come for the meetings? It’s already over”, you sin- est best to also develop some tivrabhakti and keep cerely from your heartsaid, “Oh, I came to see the pace. Thus, we take shelter of your instructions devotees!”Thus, as each one passed by, you waved and meditateon your movements for our own spir- to them, greeted them and took their darshan. itual progress. I pray for your causeless mercy. For Your love for the vaishnavas is so divine. We by your grace, we increase our pace. know of how even Lord Krishna personally considered the worship of his devotee to be more than Your servant and son, himself,nevertheless, due to the false ego, we (esp. Hemarupa Caitanya Das (Diksha), myself) don’t take enough shelterof devotees. De- Govardhan Ecovillage, spite an intense schedule, you always gave time- Wada, Maharashtra, India to speak/meet/bless various groups of devotees – book distributors, brahmacaritrainees, gurukul All Glories To Srila Prabhupada! kids, congregation, etc. By this act, you remind us All Glories To Srila Guru Maharaja! of LordCaitanya’s instructions to sincerely chant A Humble attempt to translate the Gurvas- the holy names and not to offendothers, for with- takam into Bengali poetry, for the pleasure of my out service to the Vaishnavas, there is no deliver- beloved Gurudeva and especially the Bengali dev- ance, cadiyavaisnava seva nistara peyeche keba. otees, to help them easily understand and med- Oflate, you have been ‘bound’ in a ‘vehicle’ itate on the Gurvastakam which was originally that most would assume to restrict mobility and to written in Sanskrit by Śrīla Viśvanatha Cakravartī an extent slower one’s pace. But Gurudeva, you’re Öhäkura. moving so fast – with your traveling, preaching, attending programs, etc... My inspiration behind this is Çréla Kåñëa däsa Kaviräja Gosvämé, the great author of Çré Çré While the entire Jayapataka Swami Sishya Caitanya Caritämåta. In his book he quoted many Samuhya family would wish for you to ‘slow Sanskrit verses and translated them into simple down’,you lead us all ahead, in fact, you even look Bengali poetry for the help of Bengali readers. back to wave, for us to catch up! How do we understand such tivra bhakti? Secondly, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti vedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of 201 Asia India the International Society for Krishna Conscious- Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecsta- ness and the celebrated author of many books had sy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the also done in his “Gītar Gan”, where he translated spiritual master is always gladdened by the saìkér- the entire Bhagavad Gita into Bengali poetry. tana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Therefore in the occasion of 67th vyasa puja Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devo- of my beloved Guru Maharaja, His Holiness Jaya- tion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands pataka Swami Acaryapada, I make this small and on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears humble offering unto him. flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful Your insignificant disciple, Padmamukha Nimai Das. (Initiation) obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master. Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha (Student) Text 3 Govardhan Eco Village. Wada, India. divya äbhuñana ära divya alaëkära, parama änande çrévigrahera çångära GURVASTAKAM éçvarera nija gåha, mandira märjana, eimata nanärupe vigraha sevan. Kavyanuvada (Poetry Translation) of Śrī Śrī Gurv-añöaka -Eight Prayers to the Guru -by Çréla äpane niyukta bhakte karena niyojana, Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. Text 1 The spiritual master is always engaged in the saàsära dävänala jiva asahäya, temple worship of Çré Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa. He puòiche anale paòi nähika upäya. also engages his disciples in such worship. They kripäsindhu haite kari kripä äharaëa, dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and orna- megha rupe gurudeva karena varñaëa. ments, clean Their temple, and perform other gunanidhi, kripämaya, jagata täraëa, similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual The spiritual master is receiving benediction master. from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours Text 4 water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiri- carva, cüñya, lehya, peya cäri prakaraë, tual master delivers the materially afflicted world aiche svädu anna kåñëe kare nivedana. by extinguishing the blazing fire of material exis- sei mahäprasäda päyiä hari-bhakta-gaëa, tence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lo- parama tåptite tähä karena bhojana. tus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean bhakta tåpti haya gurura tåptira käraëa, of auspicious qualities. hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. Text 2 The spiritual master is always offering Kåñëa mahäprabhura ändolana saìkértana raìge, four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which géta-nåtya-vädya ära kértana änande. is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the Kakhanavä netre açru dhärä vahamäna, spiritual master sees that the devotees are satis- Kakhana romäïca ära deha kampamäna. fied by eating bhagavat-prasäda, he is satisfied. I bhaktirasa äsvädane magna gurura man, offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. of such a spiritual master. 202 India Asia Text 5 ati dakña rupe guru kare sampädana. rädhä-mädhava divya lélä adbhuta parama, ataeva ati priya, ihära kärana, tära madhye mädhurya rasa haya sarvottama. hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. The spiritual master is very dear, because he aiche divya lélä, näma, rupa, guna yata, ihära gaëanä nähi aséma ananta. is expert in assisting the gopés, who at different tära äsvädane guru lolupa pratikñaëa times make different tasteful arrangements for hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. the perfection of Rädhä and Kåñëa’s conjugal lov- The spiritual master is always eager to hear ing affairs within the groves of Våndävana. I offer and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, such a spiritual master. names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to Text 7 relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful akhila sästra ära sädhu munigaëa, obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual täìrä saba ei tattva kailä nirüpaëa. guruke manuñya jïäna kabhu nä kariha, master. Text 6 guru säkñät hari rupe satata jäniha. rädhäkåñëa rati keli, utkarña sädhana, kintu harira priya bhåtye, gurura gaëana, tära saìghaöana lägi yata prayojana. hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. The spiritual master is to be honored as much gopire karite sahäya tära äyojana, 203 Asia Malaysia as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confi- to be a disciple of Srila Guru Maharaja. Thank dential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged you so much Guru Maharaja for accepting me as in all revealed scriptures and followed by all au- a disciple and taking so much care of me though thorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obei- I am not worthy of anything. Each time when I get sances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual mas- Guru Maharaja’s mercy it is inconceivable that ter, who is a bona fide representative of Çré Hari how Guru Maharaj is giving personal attention [Kåñëa]. to everyone inspite of having thousands of disciText 8 ples all over the world. Last year was a very bless- yära prasäda bale kåñëa prasäda labhya haya, ed year indeed with so much of mercy from Guru yära prasäda vinä anya gati nähi haya. Maharaja and many opportunities to personally tri-sandhyä karinu dhyäna täìhära carana, serve Guru Maharaja, In June when I had Guru tri-sandhyä karinu täìhära mahimä kértaëa, Maharaja’s darshan I told Guru Maharaja that sei prabhu guru mora, jévanera jévana, though I am trying to do Vani seva I am still at- hena guru-päda-padma karinu vandana. tached to vapu seva and Guru Maharaja very (8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one mercifully replied that when Guru Mahara- receives the benediction of Kåñëa. Without the ja comes here I can serve Guru Maharaja. And grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any true enough when Guru Maharaja was here for advancement. Therefore, I should always remem- temple opening Guru Maharaja very mercifully ber and praise the spiritual master. At least three engaged me in your divine grace’s service. I was times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances really wondering how is it possible to serve during unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master. the big festivals and it is really amazing how Guru Maharaja gave me the opportunities. It was really Padmamukha Nimai Das, (Diksha) wonderful to see how so many people’s life Guru Wada, India. Maharaja touches during each visit and just Dearmost Srila Guru Maharaja, with one darshan how they become so attracted My Spiritual Father, to Krishna consciousness. During Guru Maharaja’s Hare Krishna. Please accept my most humble stay one day Guru Maharaj asked me to check obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. whether anyone is there waiting to see Guru All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Maharaja in temple. And I ran to temple think- All glories to Your Divine Grace. ing who will be there waiting because there was Please accept my humble offering of all no darshan announced that day. But to my sur- the services that I was able to do by Srila Guru prise there were 5 of them wanting to have Guru Maharaja’s mercy during last year at Srila Guru Maharaja’s darshan and they had an audience with Maharaja’s lotus feet. I do not think I have any- Guru Maharaja and all of them took aspiring. thing better to offer Srila Guru Maharaja. Thank When Srila Guru Maharaj was apparently sick you so much Guru Maharaja for always encourag- and was in ICU last year I used to pray to Guru ing my endeavors to serve Your Divine Grace. Maharaja to show some sign that Guru Maharaja Gurumharaja, when I sit to write vyasapuja of- is ok and so mercifully Guru Maharaja gave me fering it makes me think what good fortune I have darshan in my dream and removed my fear. Thank 204 Malaysia Asia you so much Guru Maharaja. It is just by Guru Maharaja’s mercy that we were able to go through Please accept my humble obeisancMy dearest beloved Guru Maharaj, those horrible times. Hope those pastimes do not happen ever again. Please accept my humble obeisance unto Your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All I pray that I be always attached to serve Srila glories to Sri Sri Panca Tattva! All glories to Guru Maharaja and please Srila Guru Maharaja. Sri Nrsimhadev! All glories to Sri Sri Radha Please forgive me Guru Maharaja for any offences Madhava! All glories to Your Divine Grace, that I have committed knowingly or unknow- Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaj! ingly. This life time is not enough to understand My beloved Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaja’s real identity or I may not realize You are Mercy personified and keep saving that ever. Guru Maharaja says in one lecture that me again and again from the clutches of Maya, Virachandra prabhu’s pastimes are not unbeliev- although I am the most undeserving of Your able but they are inconceivable. When I heard attention and mercy. Your lotus eyes are always that I was thinking that exactly same goes with gazing so lovingly towards Your children, and I am Srila Guru Maharaja also. so fortunate to be one of them, despite the fact Thank you so much Srila Guru Maharaj for that I am the most unworthy of Your love and answering my doubts and worries through the lec- affection. You always surprise me with Your tures. Whenever I have some confusion the next tender loving care. You always know what I want and lecture I hear will have the answer for that. Srila fulfill my silly little insignificant desires. When Guru Maharaja reciprocates immediately. You were with us in Kuala Lumpur last year, some Please forgive me Guru Maharaja for my inability to glorify your Divine Grace. of the devotees mentioned to me that You were telling them the meaning of their names…and Every time after having Srila Guru Maharaja’s I was just thinking of the meaning of my name darshan I think how nice it would be to have that that You gave me during my initiation, and time once again…and those are the only times that was wondering if I remembered the meaning I would like to have in my life again and again. correctly. When I saw You that afternoon, the Thank you so much Guru Maharaja for guiding first thing You asked was, “Hemakanti, what does me with all major decisions in my life and always your name mean?” When I told you the meaning protecting me as my spiritual father. And thank as I remembered it, You smiled and said “exactly” you so much Guru Maharaja for always keeping me with a thumbs-up sign! Guru Maharaj, I was so, in the good association of godbrothers and sisters. so excited! We all know that our spiritual master Begging for Guru Maharaja’s mercy to serve knows everything that we do and everything that and bring more people to Srila Prabhupada’s we think of, but incidents like this still make me shelter, feel so excited and overwhelmed. And many, many Your unworthy servant, such incidents comes flowing back to my memory, Amrita Sakhi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) from the time I was 7 years old and you gave me Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia extra sweet prasadam that I was eyeing for. And when you garlanded me with your beautiful jas- My dearest beloved Guru Maharaj, mine garland, in front of all the bramacharis who 205 206 Malaysia Asia keep chasing me away from You, when I was only Just yesterday (29 February 2016) I saw your 11 years old. No one would be able to comprehend video addressing disciples from Delhi. This is right the excitement I used to go through during those after you came out of the ICU. Guru Maharaj, all moments. I used to feel like my little heart was I could see is your steadfast enthusiasm in serv- about to explode. You always gave me such huge ing Srila Prabhupada. You sprung back to action, smiles and loving glances that used to make me and you looked happy to be back in the preach- feel so elated. You still do, Guru Maharaj. Each ing field. Guru Maharaj, no one of this world can time You glance at me and smile, my heart feels do what you are doing. I am 100% convinced. yes like exploding out of happiness, and I am so sure people do stay motivated and keep going with life that each and every spiritual child of Yours feels despite unimaginable challenging situations but the exact same way. I don't know one person who stays motivated for My beloved Guru Maharaj, the benefit of others. You are completely selfless I am so fortunate and blessed to have You as Guru Maharaj, completely. my savior and spiritual master! Please give me Dearest Guru Maharaj, in the purport of the intelligence to totally understand this and CC Adi 4.181Srila Prabhupada explains that remember this at each and every remaining breath "the gopis dressed themselves as beautifully as pos- of my life. Please remove me from this darkness of sible just to make Krishna happy by seeing them. ignorance. For without You, I will sink deeper and They had no ulterior desires. They dedicated deeper into the clutches of Maya. their bodies, and everything they possessed, to the My beloved Guru Maharaj, service of Sri Krishna, taking it for granted that Above all, please do take good care of Your- their bodies were meant for His enjoyment". self and Your health. I know that You can’t wait When I read this verse, I think of your selfless to travel and deliver more and more fallen souls qualities Guru Maharaj. You too are keeping your like myself; and fulfill the wishes and orders of body healthy only for the sake of Srila Prabhu- Srila Prabhupada. But at the same, please do take pada and Krishna's pleasure. You have no ulterior care of Your health as there are thousands and motive. Every second of your time, every limb of thousands of us who are all depending on You to your body, every word of your speech, every step deliver us from this fallen conditions. you take is selflessly utilised in Krishna's service. On this auspicious day of Your appearance, In the Narada Bhakti Sutra Text 19, Narada I pray that Krishna will always keep You in good Muni says naradas tu tad-arpitakhilacarata tad-vis- health and comfort to continue with Your mission marane parama-vyakulateti which means bhakti and carry on being Srila Prabhupada’s Victory consists of offering one's every act to the Supreme Flag for many many many more years. Lord and feeling extreme distress in forgetting Him. Guru Maharaj, you are a living testimony of Your most unworthy daughter this verse. You are never happy to be away from Hemakanti Devi Dasi, (Diksha) devotees or from preaching activities. We have ISKCON Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia read countless diary entries describing how you continue to share Krishna Consciousness even Dearest Guru Maharaj at the hospitals to the doctors and nurses. This 207 Asia Malaysia is simply amazing and beyond comprehension for taking and hardly giving. I pray and promise to any materialistic person. Every single act of yours endeavour to give more of myself and selflessly is an offering to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. serve. Guru Maharaj, on this most auspicious day of Guru Maharaj, I bow down unto your lotus your Vyasa Puja celebration please bless me that feet and beg for forgiveness for any offences that I too can serve you, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna I may have done knowingly or unknowingly. Please selflessly. I want to do a service to please Krishna always keep me close to you Guru Maharaj for a and not to feel happy for myself. We sometimes world without you is not a world I want to live in. say, I had a great time doing the service, I was so I love you Guru Maharaj and thank you for ac- happy etc. I want to come out of that zone. I want cepting me as your disciple. to be able to serve even if it is not favourable or enjoyable to me. I want to serve purely because Mathura Lilesvari Devi Dasi, (Diksha) I know Krishna will be pleased. Please bless me to Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have that opportunity. Guru Maharaj, I have so much love for you in Hare Krsna! my heart but I know you have more love for me in Please Accept My Respectful Obeisances, your heart. I want to thank you for lovingly caring All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, for me regardless of what a nuisance I am. I could All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, do so much for you, for Srila Prabhupada and Dear Srila Guru Maharaja, for ISKCON but all this while I have been only As I sit down to pen my little homage to you, 208 Malaysia Asia I cannot stop thinking how grateful I am to you transcendental knowledge to the West which was for accepting me as your disciple. It is my great then spread by His Disciples to Malaysia and that fortune to have you as my Spiritual Master. The eventually it has reached me and my family. I am love Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada have for so grateful to all the devotees who had always been you is simply unimaginable. And to imagine how supportive in my spiritual life. I am ever so grateful humble you are despite your most elevated posi- for everything that I have in my life, be it good or tion and how that you allow fallen souls like my- bad as You and Krsna knows the best for me. I am self to have your association, my heart moves and so grateful for having the faith in the scriptures, I feel so much gratitude and love towards you. and Srila Prabhupada ’s words. Without this tran- It is only through your kind mercy and com- scendental knowledge and your blessings, I would passion that I am able to remain in this Krsna have been rotting in the material world out there. Consciousness movement despite my own short I am ever so thankful to you and Srila comings and setbacks that I have faced Prabhupada for always providing me with spiritu- throughout my life. al strength and understanding so that I am able to I am so grateful for everything Srila Guru follow them consistently. I take this opportunity Maharaja, am so grateful that I have found on this auspicious day to wish you a very happy ISKCON and you, I am grateful to have known and blessed Vyasa Puja celebrations and express about Srila Prabhupada who has revealed the my heartfelt gratitude to you once again for every209 Asia Malaysia thing. I pray that I will be able to continue to re- Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj Ki Jai!!! main in ISKCON no matter what as your servant and follow your instructions and be able to serve From your most insignificant and fallen servants, Sudhir Sundar Das & the devotees, and Srila Prabhupada. Nama Nista Devi Dasi & family Thank you Guru Maharaja. Rati Gopika Devi Dasi (Diksha) Sri Jagannath Mandir / Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Please accept my humble obeisances, Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Please accept my Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj, humble obeisances. All glories all glories to Sri Sri Firstly of all please accept our humble dandavas Guru and Gauranga! to you. My wife and I wish to take this opportunity All glories to Srila Prabhupada! from the bottom of our heart to wish our humble Everyday I'm praying to Lord Nrsimha offering to GM on this auspicious Vyasa Puja Day deva to give You the strength and protection to 2016. preach Lord Krishna'a glories, Guru Maharaj. Dear Guru Maharaj as we try to balance our lives between the spiritual and material track it seems to be so difficult at times in trying to manage so many expectation between family, office, extended family and others. Our only hope at times seems to be although we were unqualified and fallen but yet Guru Maharaj showered us your mercy by accepting us as your disciples. Words of appreciation are the only things that we are able to offer Gurudev. You have shown the whole world that You are We are indeed struggling with our sadhana and not this body, that Your soul can transcend vows undertaken but we are trying to remain in all bodily discomfort to engage in devotional Krishna Consciousness with association of service. How I wish I had just one ounce of Your devotees. strength and determination, Guru Maharaj! Guru Maharaj please help us to remain in This year marks the 50th anniversary of Krishna Consciousness always and may we have ISKCON. However, unlike all your other stal- the shade of your lotus feet’s always and to try wart disciples, I do not have any amazing feats to assist in any small way to spread the mission to report to You on Your blessed Vyasa Puja day. of Chaitanya Mahaprabu and all the previous Diagnosed with cancer early this year, I've been acaryas. going for treatments that can do nothing but We always pray to Lord Narashinga Dev and devastate one's mental and physical condition. the Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Sub- And to add salt to the wound, I just turned 50 hathra and Radhe Shyamsundara that Gurudev last month. should be always protected by their lordships and I really feel so useless that I cannot do anything for Srila Prabhupada. I feel even more ashamed be in the best of health always 210 Nepal Asia because my late mother, Your disciple, Rukmini Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj. Priya Devi Dasi was one of Your staunch disciples. Please accept my humble obeisances. Even when she was at an age when she couldn't All glories to Srila Prabhupada. perform active service at our temple, my late Guru Maharaj, you have saved me from this mother would be looking for other ways to serve material entanglement 2 years ago. our temple. One of them was buying garbage As an offering, I submit myself and all those bags to be used for temple festivals. How I am guiding directly and indirectly to your lotus I wish I could be like her! feet. However, I'm still hopeful Guru Maharaj. I want you to know that you mean a lot to me Recently, my family threw me a surprise birthday and I am trying as much to follow all of your in- party which was attended by many of my relatives structions. who are senior to me by age. In an appreciation Kindly forgive my shortcomings and any wrong- speech by an older cousin (who also comes from doing I have done so far, either knowingly or un- an influential background) read out one of my knowingly. text messages I had sent her sometime ago. She mentioned that the message had brought tears to I am still crawling in this world - trying to be a devotee. her and husband's eyes. It was a simple 'thank you' message to her for helping me in finding ways to Only with your blessings and unconditional mercy can I someday be a true devotee. educate my Special Needs child. Although she never mentioned it but she had been so touched Kindly empower me to continuously use my body, mind and soul in your service eternally. because in the message I told her that Lord Krish- Jai Gurudev! na will always bless her and her family for helping Happy 67th Vyasa Puja Day dearest father! His devotee. I then realized I could touch people's Your most fallen daughter, lives just through my writing, Guru Maharaj! On your blessed Vyasa Puja day, I would like Taruni Radhe Devi Dasi, (Diksha) to beg for just one ounce of Your faith, strength Penang, Malaysia and determination Guru Maharaj. Kindly bless Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj! me to touch more people's lives and bring them to Please Accept my Humble Obeisances. Krishna consciousness. Though I wish I can All Glories to Srila Prabhupada recover overnight I know this would be impossible My dear Guru Maharaj. I bow down to Guru for a mere human being like me who is so full of Maharaj's lotus feet. Happy Appearance day Guru contamination. As I continue to pray for Your health and well being, I can only cling on to Your Maharaja! Krishna've sent Guru Maharaj to save all of us from material ocean. lotus feet for deliverance. Please forgive me Guru Please kindly bless me so that I get the mercy Maharaj for any offenses I may have unintention- to speech. Waiting eagerly to get Guru Maharaj ally committed on You or Your disciples. darshan. Hare Krishna Guŕumaharaj Yours sincerely, Your spiritual daughter Vrnda Sakhi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Sakhi Champaka Latha Devi Dasi, Sri Jagannath Mandir, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ISKCON Skudai Johor, Malaysia 211 Asia Nepal Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of Most Venerable Guru Maharaj, mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me Please accept my humble obeisances. all he1p. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! without desires or aspirations. I wish to thank you for giving me first initia- I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the tion during Radhastami Festival 2015 and would energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting like to humbly submit that I am doing my sadhana the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will as per vows taken. cease. However, I sometimes face obstacles but during O Lord and Master! When will such mercy fall which I pray to you and Srila Prabhupada to give to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? me strength. I am facing challenges in the areas Allow me to be with you. of tolerance, humility and behavior towards other If you examine me, you will find no qualities. devotees. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not Please remember me in your prayers so that merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not I can avoid offenses to the Holy Name and dis- be able to maintain my life. charge my duties as your disciple. I had the great Yours poor servant, Namita khadka, (Shelter) Kathmandu, Nepal 212 fortune to be present at Sri Dham Mayapur during your 66th Vyasa Puja and will miss this one. On the most auspicious occasion of your 67th Singapore Asia Vyasa Puja, I pray to Krishna for your good health, life and full recovery from bodily inconvenienc- hope to do some service to Your Holiness, and get es. You are associate of Lord Nityananda Prabhu more of your association in the years to come. and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu for deliverance of fallen souls like me by your mercy and associa- Your insignificant servant, Shyam Visvambhara Das, (Diksha) tion. Even the Hospital staffs and workers are delivered by your mercy. Kathmandu, Nepal Your humble Servant, Kulasekhar Goura Das, (Diksha), Please accept my humble obeisances! Bukit Batok, Singapore . All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Srila Guru Maharaj! Dear Gurumharaj, Your mercy is flowing Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj, everywhere. Since the time I was in detention Please accept my humble obeisances! centre in London, I could stand strong and cross All glories to Srila Prabhupada! the difficult situation and be back to Nepal. All glories to you! Then, as per the instructions of my siksha gurus, It has been very heartwarming to see that you I managed to go to Mayapur through have recovered from your recent bout of illness Kolkota temple. It was very difficult to under- and are once again engaged in the mission of Srila stand how your mercy was flowing all around Prabhupada. me and was guiding me. I could realise on the As this is the 50th year of Srila Prabhupada’s way back to Nepal. I could also find so much arrival in the West, we have been hearing about connection and ease with the devotees and the 50-50 program of distributing books written the family members here in Nepal. I really feel by Srila Prabhupada. I have decided to make that blessed. Only by your mercy I can understand your a pledge for myself for this year, to distribute 1 or glories and feel your presence and connected. more books every week. I seek your blessings for Please bless me that I can understand your the same. glories and surrender fully unto your lotus feet, As I told you during your visit last year I am attached to the vows and be an instrument in continuing the Bhagavad Gita classes for a few la- serving Srila Prabhupada's mission. I desperate- dies in my condominium. By your mercy it is com- ly need your blessings now to stay strong in my ing along nicely so far. sadhana and execute the services being connect- Besides this I am a part of Vanipedia’s efforts to ed to you. I beg for forgiveness of offenses that spread the message of Srila Prabhupada in various I have committed knowingly and unknowingly. languages all over the world through the internet. This has been very enriching experience as we are Yours Servant Bijen Maharjan (Shelter) constantly hearing from Srila Prabhupada and at the same time be of service to Vanipedia. Lalitpur, Nepal All the insignificant endeavors I do are by your mercy upon me. Beloved Guru Maharaj, May Lord Nrisinghadev bless us for your long Aspiring to be of service, to you and all Vaisanvas eternally. 213 Srila gurudev ki jai! Your servant, Suvilasi Madhavi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Singapore Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Vyasapuja mahosav ki jai! Anantha koti vaishnava bhaktha vrinda ki jai Your humble servant, My dear spiritual father Srila Jayapataka Swami Sravanadi Gaurapriya Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Guru Maharaj, Woodlands Crescent / Singapore Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet on the most auspicious day of your divine appearance. All glories to Jagad guru, Srila Prabhupada and All glories to Your Divine Grace! Dear Guru Maharaj, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaji, I wish you a very happy vyasa Krishna Krishna Hare Hare puja and I humbly pray to lord Narasingh dev to Hare Rama Hare Rama, bestow good health and protect you from all ill- Rama Rama Hare Hare. nessess. I offer my respectful obeisances unto your Ho- Guru Maharaj, this past year has been full of liness’ lotus feet. realizations and new spiritual experiences by your All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! blessings. Keeping you at the centre of my life, A little over three years ago, Caitanya each day I can feel how your causeless mercy flows Mahaprabhu showered his causeless mercy on a unconditionally in the up keep of my devotional worthless soul like me by placing me in the asso- service. ciation of devotees of The Lord. I consider that to Guru Maharaj, I must admit today that I am be a turning point in my life. It was only later that unable to perform my devotional duties properly I realized the great fortune that was created by due to ill health from few months but yes, I feel Srila Prabhupada and bestowed on me through energized and strong when writing this offering. you, as a result of which I could take up the Please Guru Maharaj, chastise me for my many Krishna Consciousness process in this lifetime. offences and guide me to become better servant. Another testimony of your limitless mercy and For an unqualified person like me, it would take compassion was that despite all my anarthas and many lifetimes to properly glorify you. shortcomings, you were magnanimous to grant me On this auspicious day, I pray to remain a speck the shelter of your lotus feet initially, followed by of dust at your lotus feet, O my beloved Guru spiritual initiation and acceptance as your disci- Maharaj wishing you the most wonderful vyasa- ple during Nrisimha Caturdasi last year. puja celebration again and again and iam desiring There are times when I introspect on what to be personally come and be in your necktar of would have happened had I continued to lead the association and care and please shower your mer- mundane and degraded life of gratifying my sens- cy on me so that I can overcome my weakness of es, that I lead before I came into the association of heart and daily try to glorify you and develop my devotees and accepted this process. While there gratitude towards you. is an initial sense of fear that engulfs me at the 214 Singapore Asia very thought, I immediately draw comfort and re- I was travelling on work), I felt blissful hearing my lief from the fact that we now have the shelter of wife Shobhamayi Kesavi and daughters Srishti & your lotus feet at all times. It is this faith and con- Smriti narrate their experiences of meeting you fidence of your protection that keeps me going on in person. I pray to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu a day-to-day basis and gives me the inner strength and Nityananda Prabhu to bless me with an op- and courage to face all kinds of challenges and sit- portunity to serve you at the earliest. uations in both my material and spiritual life. Guru Maharaj, how can I ever repay you for all Guru Maharaj, there is still a lot that I can and must do in the path of devotional service. the efforts and pain that you have taken and con- I pray for your continued mercy, association tinue to take, day after day, to deliver fallen souls and your blessings on fallen souls like me so that like me from this material existence and help us in we are able to grow in our spiritual life, progress taking small steps in our journey back home back on the path of devotional service and spread Srila to godhead. I don’t know. But one of the ways, as Prabhupada’s and your message in our own limit- you keep saying always, is to continue preaching ed measure. I eagerly look forward to visiting Sri- the message of Srila Prabhupada to as many peo- dham Mayapur again in the near future and seek- ple as possible and providing them the opportuni- ing your blessings in person. ty of taking up the Krishna Consciousness process. Please do instruct me on any service that you Towards this end, I have under the guidance of may consider me worthy or capable of. I continue His Grace Chaitanya Avatari prabhu, His Grace to pray to Sri Sri Radha Madhava for your good Rasmayi mataji and His Grace Vaishnavanand health and wellbeing so that you may continue to Nitai prabhu, made a modest attempt at preach- show us the way out of this material existence. ing by commencing a few Bhakti Vriksha sessions in Singapore. Having been part of the Bhakti Your humble servant, Vriksha process and experienced the change that Rangamaya RamaKrishna Das, (Diksha) it has brought in our lives, I am confident that Singapore this time-tested process will positively impact the (New Rajapur Dham, Bangalore, India) other members to whom we are trying to preach the message of Srila Prabhupada. I pray for your Dear Guru Maharaja, continued blessings in this regard, so that I have Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, the right knowledge and the right understanding Krishna Krishna Hare Hare to convey the teachings of Srila Prabhupada to Hare Rama Hare Rama, those who are interested in taking up this process. Rama Rama Hare Hare Guru Maharaj, I feel blessed and I am grateful to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the wonderful Please accept my humble obeisances unto your Lotus feet. opportunity of your association during your visit All glories to Srila Prabhupada! to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Srila Prabhupada’s Ever since I came into Krishna Consciousness, Vyasa Puja celebrations in August 2015. Although, about two years ago, I have noticed major changes I missed the opportunity of your association during in my life. Chanting at least one round a day your transit via Singapore in January this year (as helps me obtain peace of mind. The efforts made 215 Asia Singapore by Srila Prabhupada and your Holiness to spread attend Jagannath Patshala and practice devo- Krishna Consciousness around the world, have tional service under the guidance of His Grace also brought about major changes in the lives of Chaitanya Avatari prabhu, His Grace Rasmayi people. mataji and His Grace Susevini Guru Gauranga Preaching about Krishna Consciousness to mataji. In fact, a few months ago I also had the people has made them realize that we have a pur- good fortune of meeting you and having your as- pose in our lives, other than eating or sleeping, sociation when you transited via Singapore en which even animals are capable of doing. Our route to Chennai earlier this year. You, being ever purpose in life is to remember Lord Krishna and so merciful gave me shelter of your Lotus feet. chant his holy name because in this age of quar- I would like to thank you Guru Maharaja, for rel and hypocrisy, the only means of liberation is making so many efforts to spread Krishna Con- by chanting the holy name of the Lord. In this sciousness around the world. Once again, please endeavor of devotional service, there is no loss accept my humble obeisances. or diminution and a little bit of advancement on this path can protect one from the most danger- Your servant, Srishti RamaKrishnan, (Shelter) ous type of fear. Lord Krishna is so merciful, that he gave me the (New Rajapur Jagannath Dham, Bangalore) opportunity to join Krishna Consciousness and Singapore 216 Srilanka Asia I am left feeling quite startled. This year, I am Dear Guru Maharaja, allowing this to convert to desire to serve the Today is very auspicious day for us and we are mission with renewed vigor and for this and every- very glad for your appearance tithi Vyasa Puja thing else, need your Blessings O Guru Maharaj! Festival. We all Sankirtan devotees offer our hum- I am just thankful, so thankful that I have this ble obeisances at your lotus feet. We are so much desire to serve and this desire too is a result of fortunate because we are getting the most match- your ardent prayers so that I progress in Bhakti. less gift that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu brought Guru Maharaj, since last almost a year we (my from Goloka Vrindavana to this material world husband Sattick, 3 year old son Shaunakjeet and and which was distributed by Srila Prabhupada myself, Anandamayi Radha Devi Dasi) moved who is His dearest devotee. Although we never from Mumbai to Adelaide, South Australia. got Srila Prabhupada’s physical association but we The temple here of Sri Sri Radha Shyama are always getting the association of his dearest sundar, Gaur Nitai, Lord Nrsimhadev is very nec- and nearest disciples who are always glorifying the tarian and personal. Srila Prabhupada here feels transcendental qualities of Srila Prabhupada. so protective and loving. Yes, the atmosphere is You are one of those who are always glorify- loving, informal and homely. All glories to devo- ing Srila Prabhupada’s. You are one of the dear- tees here in the temple, well-wishers and patrons. est disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhu- Please bless that in someway we are able to serve pada is showering his mercy through his dearest the nice devotees here in the Adelaide ISKCON disciples. The magnanimous distribution of Sri temple. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s causeless mercy is per- Guru Maharaj, in our initial days we did not formed through the book distribution of Srila Pra- have a car and therefore, finding it difficult to bhupada. Srila Prabhupada empowered you with manage time especially with Janmashtami round that great responsibility. the corner. I told you this in Kolkata when we May Sri Sri Radha Rajagopal,Jaganath Baladev met during Jalduta celebration. You exclaimed so Subhadra,Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada al- loudly - “You don’t have a car!”. All in the room ways protect you. got startled and looked at you and so did I. And lo-behold, just before Janmashtami, Sattick’s (my Yours Servant, husband’s) boss called and asked him, where does Kunjeshwara Krishna Das (Diksha), he take the family out etc. etc. since he knew we ISKCON Colombo, Srilanka had a toddler. And my husband, said, by public transport. The boss said, “well, that must be dif- Dearest Guru Maharaj, ficult.” And then he paused and said, “I have a Please accept my humble obeisances. spare car and am giving that to you for person- All glories to Srila Prabhupada. al use.” It was incredible how your exclama- All glories to Gurudeva. tion actualized and we were able to attend the All glories to ISKCON. Janmashtami celebrations in the evening that Everytime your Vyasa puja comes, so many went into midnight without a worry. Such is your emotions, thoughts, words, feelings flood me and mercy and love, Guru Maharaj. 217 Asia Nepal We also came across so many strangers in the Your servant always, city in the mode of goodness, going out of the way Anandamayi Radha Devi Dasi, (Diksha) to help and do some service... Just waiting to be Adelaide, Australia asked. Focusing on the better things, sometimes flashes of thought light up in my heart - how Dear Guru Maharaja, pleasing it would be for You to see a huge Nagar Please accept our most humble obeisances on Sankirtan here! this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja. Guru Maharaj, I am incapable and nothing All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to without your loving protection and mercy. Please Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON 50th anniversary please please keep me somewhere close to you and celebrations. just hold on to me tight so that no matter what, om anjnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya I can serve ISKCON and help spread the love and caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah care that is the essence of Krishna consciousness. “I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my Prayers to the Lordships for You, dearmost guru, my spiritual master, opened my eyes with Guru Maharaj, so that your physical ordeals get the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obei- minimized and You are able to dance infront of sances unto him.” the Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra ma soon. From the time you first allowed us to seek your shelter (35yrs, 20yrs, 19yrs and 18yrs ago) you have No words and actions can thank you enough forced us to surrender to service, to Srila Prabhu- for accepting me as your spiritual daughter and pada, to Krishna and to commit our whole beings initiated disciple. Please forgive me for my errors. to Bhakti yoga. You have done this through lead- 218 Adelaide Australasia ing by example, your instructions, your kindness for your unparalleled compassion. Your entire be- and care. These are unparalleled and you are a ing is composed of Srila Prabhupada’s will and true Prabhupada man. therefore you incessantly propagate his mission Words cannot describe the debt of gratitude the world over. This you do in the face of so many and love we have for you, a debt we know can personal impediments and inconveniences. Actu- never be truly paid. Our lives are dedicated to ally, in your estimation there are no impediments. assisting you in your service to Srila Prabhupada Your compassion for your fellow living entities and this is our only life. means that your vision only captures their impedYour servants always, iments, their suffering and their thirst for Krish- Gour-Gopinath Das, (Diksha) na consciousness - whether or not they are aware Visnupriya Devi Dasi, (Diksha) of them. That you are composed of Srila Prabh- Radhe-Govinda Jivana Das, (Diksha) upada’s will means that your life is lived for the Radha Gopinath Priya Shaki Dasi, (Diksha) benefit of all the jivatmas everywhere; this whole Adelaide, Australia planet and beyond! (On many occasions you have given blessings to departed relatives, thereby help- Guru Maharaja, please allow me to thank you ing them progress irrespective of what loka they 219 Australasia Adelaide are in!) even the best would fall silent in your presence. Indeed, your sweet, divine compassion has no match in this world. Remarkably though, it No one could go toe to toe with HH Jayapataka Maharaja and hope to win!! is not your only stand-out quality. Guru Maha- Srila Guru Maharaja, because of you our lives raja, alongside your limitless mercy stands your now have meaning. Your unmatched qualities at- unfathomable intellect. You are, without doubt, tract living entities the world over. Seeing your the foremost genius in presenting Srila Prabhu- love for Srila Prabhupada ’s mission makes us pada’s philosophy and encouraging others to ap- understand that Krishna Consciousness is the ply it in their lives. The stories abound. So many real juice of life. The rest is just a sideshow. Your dyed in the wool materialists or mayavadis are now sweet, nectarean compassion and towering in- Vaisnavas, proudly sporting Urdhva Pundra tellect together act like a cintamani gem, able to and courageously assisting you in fulfilling Srila convert even the most obdurate baddha jivas into Prabhupada ’s mandate. And what a vast array dedicated Gaura Bhaktas. of disciples you have. They possess varying tal- Guru Maharaja, please free me from the ranks ents for the service of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. They of the most obdurate. Please bless me with the come from a range of cultural and linguistic back intelligence and determination to follow in the grounds that spans this globe. But you inspire footsteps of your illustrious disciples. them all. You inspire them with stories, you inspire them with preaching techniques, you inspire them All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your 67th Vyasa Puja! with managerial strategies and you inspire them Your servant, with apposite words of encouragement. Because Jaya Sada Gosai Das (Diksa), you have fully surrendered your life unto the lotus Adelaide, Australia feet of Srila Prabhupada, for you no challenge is insurmountable. Your intellect is so far reaching Dear Guru Maharaj, and versatile that there is no problem it cannot Please accept my respectful obeisances solve. All glories to Guru and Gauranga, My dear friend and Godbrother His Grace All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Saci Prana Prabhu would often speak of your sharp Thank you very much for accepting me and mind and rapier wit. He once told me that back so many others as your disciples. Thank you very in the day, some of the senior Mayapur devotees much for allowing me to be a part of this great would engage in friendly banter. big family of Srila Prabhupada. Although in this Occassionally, in their rare moments of free Age of Kali it is not recommended to take Sanny- time, they would take turns in ribbing one anoth- as and to accept many disciples. Still, disregard- er with clever wordplay. This was all in good taste ing all personal motives, carrying the mood of Sri and everyone had fun. Naturally, some were par- Nityananda Prabhu you continue to preach and ticularly proficient and could score points better accept more lost souls into this amazing family. than others. But of course, the undisputed cham- In the famous pastime of Jagai and Madhai, Ni- pion of this sport was none other than yourself tyananda Prabhu was instructed to preach and Guru Maharaja. Saci Prana Prabhu would say that even though he was even physically hurt by Mad- 220 Adelaide Australasia hai still he asked them to chant Hare Krishna. have done for Srila Prabhupada and what you are Even though Jagai and Madhai were so inimical doing for Srila Prabhupada but it gives so many even to the point of physical abuse still Nityanan- aspiring devotees, like myself, faith and conviction da Prabhu was so compassionate that he wanted in this process of Krsna Consciousness. I pray that to deliver them. I cannot help but think of Nitry- you will remain with us for a very long time so we ananda Prabhus mood when I see your determi- can remain enthused in our Krsna Consciousness. nation to preach and give Krsna to anyone and everyone. Simply following the instructions of Your servant, your Spiritual Master H.D.G A.C Bhaktivedanta Pavana Nitai Candra Dasa (Diksha), Swami Srila Prabhupada just like how Nityananda Adelaide, Australia. Prabhu was simply following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Dearest Guru Maharaj, Gargamuni prabhu was asked if it was very difficult in the early days with Srila Prabhupada and Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. he replied by saying “No, it was much easier when Srila Prabhupada was around. Because he would All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance day! tell us to do something and we would do it. And Every year as the time to write a Vyasa Puja whenever we did something Srila Prabhupada offering draws closer there is an anxiety because told us to do it always worked out no matter how I know that words will fall short to glorify you. far-fetched it was.” Srila Prabhupada is evidently How can one contain the glories of a spiritual a pure devotee and material nature, which is so master within various combinations of some 26 binding for the conditioned soul, actually assists letters of the English alphabets? So please excuse the pure devotee. So whatever Srila Prabhupada this feeble attempt. said and did always worked out no matter how un- By your mercy in 2015 I was able to attend manageable it sounded. Similarly, Physically what your Vyasa Puja in your very home, Sridham May- you are doing is impossible! But the Spiritual Mas- apur. To celebrate this special day in such a grand ters activities are always transcendental, above the manner was truly amazing. What was more three modes of material nature. Everything you do striking than anything else was your Vyasa Puja is what Srila Prabhupada has asked you to do and lecture, how you shifted the focus from you and therefore your entire life is perfect! Following in passed on all credits to your Spiritual master, the footsteps of the previous Acaryas you always His Divine Grace set the example. You show how it does not matter Prabhupada and the Guru parampara. Despite be- who you are and in which condition you are in ing treated like a King you very humbly reminded and where you are, whether it be in a plane, in a us that you are simply working on Srila Prabhu- hospital, in a temple or anywhere within this ma- pada ‘s instructions. You said that by the mercy of terial world. Simply Krsna should be kept in the Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupa- centre of all our activities and then ones life be- da everything is possible. Guru Maharaj, you are comes perfect. truly a living example of this statement. You Materially there is no explanation for what you AC Bhaktivedanta Swami engage every moment and every molecule of 221 Australasia Adelaide energy in serving Srila Prabhupada‘s mission. and to beg for some intelligence to be able to help Even when bodily illness rears its head and push- you, specifically, by helping the youth preaching es you to go to the hospital you simply turn hospi- in Adelaide so more can attend this transcenden- tals into preaching centers! You have truly shown tal party of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that Srila that anything is possible when it comes to serving Prabhupada has invited us to! Krishna. Guru Maharaj, you are the sole channel for us Your aspiring servant, to access this mercy and because of your magna- Premamayi Gaurangi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) nimity you allow everyone to subscribe! I am eter- Adelaide, Australia nally indebted to you. Although undeserving, you Dear Srila Guru Maharaj, have given me a chance to access this invaluable Please accept my humble obeisances at the jewel of Krishna Consciousness. I cannot express my gratitude, so for a lack of better words, Thank you. dust of your soft lotus feet. On this most glorious and jubilant occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I have made an insignificant In your Vyasa puja lecture, 2015 you requested attempt to glorify your humble self. Gurudev; your disciple to think of a specific way that they please forgive me for the many defects and imper- can help you serve Srila Prabhupada‘s mission. I fectness in my attempt to glorify and serve one of want to take this chance to reconfirm my vows the most pure and dear devotee of Sri Sri Gaur 222 Adelaide Australasia Nitai. your soft lotus feet and make a sincere attempt at In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.17.27) it is said: acaryam mam vijaniyan serving you and Srila Prabhupada to the best of our capacities”. navamanyeta karhicit Guru Maharaj, at the end of one of your lec- na martya-buddhyasuyeta tures in Mayapur, in your usual fatherly; caring sarva-devamayo guruh mood, you advised the devotees to be careful of the “One should understand the spiritual mas- strong currents when taking bath in the mother ter to be as good as I am,” said the Blessed Lord. Ganges. In your usual jovial way, you said, ‘Please “Nobody should be jealous of the spiritual master be careful when bathing in the Ganges as in my or think of him as an ordinary man, because the current condition, I no longer would be able to spiritual master is the sum total of all demigods.” save you if you drown.’ Guru Maharaj, you are sav- That is, the acarya has been identified with God ings hundreds and thousands every day, not from Himself. He has nothing to do with the affairs of the waters of the Ganges but from the ferocious this mundane world. He does not descend here clutches of Maya, whose clasp is much tighter, to meddle with the affairs of temporary necessi- very intense and a lot more entangling. You have ties, but to deliver the fallen, conditioned souls– tightly gripped many such entangled souls like the souls, or entities, who have come here to the me; who are deeply engrossed into this ocean of material world with a motive of enjoyment by the material world. You never let go even if we do and mind and the five organs of sense perception. He every time the situation seems hopeless and dark, appears before us to reveal the light of the Vedas you come forward as the guiding light. and to bestow upon us the blessings of full-fledged Guru Maharaj, thank you; for accepting me freedom, after which we should hanker at every under your loving wings, thank you for your un- step of our life’s journey (By Srila Prabhupada ). imaginable love and care, thank you for planting Guru Maharaj, you have proved time and over the precious bhakti lata bija within my heart, thank again, your divine presence beyond this material you for nurturing it, thank you for the encourage- body. Your perseverance to preach despite all the ment, thank you for your blessings, thank you for bodily challenges is both mind boggling and very allowing me to cling onto your soft lotus feet and self-humbling. Gurudev, you are in every sense a thank you for all the unaccountable number of spiritual master who leads by example, who leads favors that you have done upon me, which I do from the front; the longest standing soldier not even have knowledge of. of Srila Prabhupada ’s army – a crest jewel in the crown of ISKCON. Gurudev, I would like to end by making one plea, Please, please allow me, and bless me to re- Gurudev, on your appearance day today, main clinged to your lotus feet, so that one day I would like to make an earnest, an intense prayer I also may get drowned in the ocean of nitai kripa at the lotus feet of Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha that you distribute so freely to every single person Shyamsundar, “May we all be able to have your that you come across. association not just through vani but also through Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj. My many vapu for many many more years; so that utterly many wishes at the your lotus feet on this most fallen and worthless souls like myself can cling to auspicious day!!! 223 Australasia Brisbane Your insignificant servant, regardless of external material discomforts. Sonia, (Shelter) I am daily chanting 16 rounds, following the Adelaide, Australia prescribed four regulative principles and chanting my gayatri mantra 3 times daily. With you cause- Dearest Guru Maharaj, less mercy I was engaged in the Sankirtan Service Please accept my humble obeisances for the pleasure of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu All glories to Srila Prabhupada.! and pleasing Srila Prabhupada. I have tasted the All glories to your lotus feet! importance of this service and dedicated the re- Guru Maharaj, I feel very fortunate to be your sults to Krishna since He is the ultimate owner of spiritual daughter, because you are showing us the everything and He is the doer and I am an instru- intense love you have for your Guru Maharaja ment in His Hands. It’s with Your divine blessings Srila Prabhupada, preaching in every country with that I got the mercy and please continue to bestow the beautiful pastime of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, your mercy upon me eternally. and sending your protection and blessings to all yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado of us. Guru Maharaj thank you for your blessings, yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi thank you for encouraging me to do my service, dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam vande guroh sri-caranaravindam thank you for everything you have done!. All Glories to His Holiness Jayapataka Swami!! By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the With love from your spiritual daughter, grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any Bhakti Candrika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) advancement. Therefore, I should always remem- Vrajadhama Das, (Diksha) and Kavi ber and praise the spiritual master. At least three Brisbane, Australia times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master. Guru Maharaja, it is with your sincerity that I Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, Please Accept My Humble Obeisances, have been blessed to take up this process of devo- All Glories To Srila Prabhupada, tional service and please bless me more and more All Glories To Gauranga Mahaprabhu, so I progress in devotional service and come to Your expectations and I remain fixed in Krishna Wishing you 67th many many happy returns Consciousness without any distractions. I want to of the day. I am praying for you regularly to their visit the Dhams and understand the mood of Shri Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Lord Narasimha Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, please bless me to come deva. and visit those places so I can serve the devotees You are very very dear to everyone and Lord and serve You thereby developing Krishna Prema Radha Madhava and Pancha Tattva protects you. in my heart. I have realised that without chanting You have shown through your actions that this and devotional service, one’s life is useless and one body must be used for Krishna’s service and ser- needs to reconnect his life with Krishna through vice to Krishna is the real eternal asset and You the spiritual master if one wants to get out of the are always situated on Transcendental Platform entanglement of the material existence. Please 224 Brisbane Australasia bless this poor and ignorant servant so I can serve next year Guru Maharaj? You in the mission of Srila Prabhupada and put Krishna in the centre of my life. Thank you very much, I offer my heartfelt prayers that my Guru Maharaj is always kept safe under the shelter of Nrsinhadev Bhagavan and Srila Prabhupada. Your Lowest Servant, Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaja ki, JAI!! Parama Purusha Nitai Das,(Diksha) Your spiritual daughter, Brisbane, Australia. Sukesvari Rani Dasi, (Diksha) on behalf of Dearest Guru Maharaja, please accept my all the devotees from Brisbane humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada! My dear spiritual father, All glories, all glories unto your Lotus feet! So fortunate have I been my entire life to be Please accept my prostrated obeisances unto the dust of Your Divine Lotus Feet. guided by your example of what it takes to be true devotee of the Lord. Not a day has passed when All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Divine Grace. you have not shown us how to put Krishna in the I have no qualities to properly glorify your centre of our very being. Defying all odds you per- divine grace, therefore I beg for your mercy and severe relentlessly in your spiritual pursuits and blessings to glorify you from my heart. just when it seems all is lost, like a phoenix bird Guru Maharaja, as time is flying I am realising you resurrect what is seemingly a hopeless situa- how fallen, impersonal and selfish I am. I am filled tion, bewildering some perhaps but confirming to with unwanted things in my heart. Gauranga, I all your direct relationship with Krishna. have lots to purify and dovetail in Krishna Con- These past months have been trying for us in sciousness. I have no hope other than your mercy. the family and you have given us so much inspi- I am very fortunate because I have received your ration to keep going, to consolidate the teachings mercy in this life. Although, I have no qualifica- of Srila Prabhupada, to be mindful of the tempo- tion to become your servant, you still accepted rary and fragile nature of our material existence, me as you disciple and connected me to the grand to continue to row the boat of devotional service, Guru Parampara System. to draw our strength from your lectures and the Sometimes I wonder how I got the chance to maha mantra, and above all to follow your foot- be part of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada’s steps, or rather to try to. I have complete trust in Sankirtan Movement? Someone must be praying your words Guru Maharaj and know all will be for me! Without someone’s mercy and prayers how well either way. can I come in contact with Lord Nityananda’s My husband Murari Hari Das I had planned to devotees? Now all my questions and wonders are be present there in Mayapur for your Vyasa Puja answered. You are the true well-wisher of hu- celebration, but circumstances seem to indicate manity. Your mercy has no discrimination. Even that that may not be so. I am sending a card made in your present situation your health is not per- by Bhakti Candrika Dasi signed by devotees from mitting many things including traveling, however Brisbane and New Govardhana during the Sacred your love for your disciples and well-wishes is so Chant festival held over the Easter break which strong that you are taking so much trouble to give will be an annual affair. Will you be able to come us your blessings. So that we may become strong 225 226 Melbourne in our devotional service. By your mercy only I am able to join Harinama Sankirtan regularly and be able to perform devo- Australasia protect you from all kinds of danger and to bless you with a long and healthy life. I beg you for blessings to never forget your lotus feet. tional service thought out my life. I heard from Srila Prabhupada’s disciple that once Srila Prabh- Aspiring to be your servant of the servants, upada said “I have given you everything. You just Devanatha Giridhari Das have to decorate it and present it to people ….” Melbourne, Australia. then Srila Prabhupada paused for a minute and said again “Actually I have done that too, you just Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj. need to hang it on the display, that’s all”. On this Please accept my humble obeisance. auspicious day of your appearance I pray that I All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri may be able to serve your instructions as you have Gaur Nitai. asked me to help you with fulfilling Srila Prabhu- Please forgive me for sending my late offering. pada’s instructions to you. Hope you are in good health now. By your I know I would never be able to pay my debts to mercy and blessings I am fine here in Melbourne. you and Srila Prabhupada ever. However, please I came here by your blessings from Chennai yatra allow me to serve you life after life. for my masters and it has been going great so far. Dear Guru Maharaja, on this special day of I have made many devotee friends at Melbourne your appearance I pray to Lord Caitanya, Lord temple and got quite a few services too. I visit ev- Nityananda and to Lord Nrshimhadeva to always ery weekend to the temple to do my services and 227 Australasia Melbourne stay in the brahmacharini ashram and weekdays I Prabhupada had given come back to my home near Uni. Devotees here for becoming the Lord’s servant** are same as elsewhere, loving, caring and very merciful especially my god family here from JSSS. Na- **Surviving many attacks vadwip Iswari mataji has been my mentor all the you determined to preach time and a really good friend too. She engaged me wherever you go in many services for your Vyasa puja, Melbourne starting from mathuradesh visit, Panihati celebration and so on. all over till melbourne I am happy that your health has improved in you kindly spread your mercy (Gurudev)** the past few days. I was worried when your trip got cancelled to Melbourne last year Decem- **You endeavour to fulfill ber, though eventually you ended up coming by the divine orders of Jan 2016 this year. I was so happy that Yogeshwar Srila Prabhupada Prabhu suggested an idea to write a song for you. by making upto At first I thought I couldn’t do it. I felt unworthy 50,000 disciples and unqualified. I do not deserve to glorify you all over the globe** as I do not have that much love as compared to the senior devotees I met from my godfamily. But **Besides your health problems then I tried to the best of my ability to do this you keep travelling seva for your pleasure and for the pleasure of Lord all around the world (gurudev) Krishna. He would be so happy when his dear we are indebted to devotees are glorified. So I wrote whatever serve you eternally came to my mind and practiced the song. As it life after life** was a short notice I could not practice it with the whole Melbourne yatra and present it to you. ** So much love and so I had to sing most of the lines. I was pretty nervous much compassion you have when that moment came. But I was moved by the to give everyone way you inspired millions around the world and caring for devotees gave me and many others Krishna consciousness without any rest and sleep in their lives. The way you personally touch each you keep gong on (gurudev)** devotee’s heart is so beautiful. That made me want to sing and glorify you. **Inspiring devotees The song later got posted in youtube ( https:// to spread the message of www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJlEB2YWlM) chanting the holy names and the lyrics are: increasing bhakti vrikshas **If Guru Maharaj was not there Namahattas and so on what would have happened spreading the lords mercy** how would we have become Krishna conscious? who would have taught us what **Your love for the lord 228 Melbourne Australasia and Srila Prabhupad at catching things but I caught it perfectly. And inspires us all (gurudev) guess what? that secret blessings you gave no one if we could every repay knew when they got up. HAHAHA. That was so what you have given us cheeky and sweet. Only pappas or fathers can do its by following your footsteps** that with their children. I love you dear Gurudev or a better way to say it I love you pappa. You have ** Developed the kingdom of unconditional love for me and do so much to pro- Lord Gaura tect me from maya. I am indebted to you with my in Sri dham mayapur whole life. I pray every day for you and do tulsi We bow down unto your parikramas when I visit temple on weekends for divine lotus feet you. Fast for ekadashi’s and offer all the benefits and pay our obeiscances** from that for your health and do extra rounds on The paragraphs within ** is sung together. that day. I know I am not a proper disciple to you. Honestly, I don’t sometimes chant properly, I be- I was able to have personal association with come too stressed with studies, don’t push myself you here. It reminded me of meeting you in Krish- like you do to please Srila Prabupada. I want to be na katha desh when I was 8 years old. How you more dedicated to you, to follow your instructions. used to be bold and cute and chubby. I remember This Jan when you visited to Melbourne and those blessings you gave with those big smiles and before leaving from here in the airport you called hits from your danda. You deeply touched me so me and instructed me “ You see all these young- much that I was convinced somehow without any sters.. they are in maha maya..engage them in sing- doubt that you are my spiritual father, my Guru ing, dramas etc” I am not sure if I heard it right but Maharaj. Somehow you manage to give me bless- this is what I remember from my poor knowledge. ings each time you came there until your last visit So I am trying to fulfill this personal instruction before the stroke. One of the pastime was when of yours in the best way possible, by going on hari- you visited Ravi gopal prabhu’s house and it was nams and making the youngsters sing and dance, your guru puja time and many people were around singing kirtans in girls preaching program here so I couldn’t get too close to you. I was standing and engaging new girls for dramas (Yamuna sund- atleast 20 feet or more away from you, in the very ari matajis bhakti vriksha) and singing in kirtan back. That was the year when my Grandfather sometimes for Urban yoga preaching centre in met you first time and you hugged him. After the city. I am a bit scared to sing in front of the lord guru puja everyone paid their obeisance and since in temple though. But I do have so much desire I couldn’t see you properly I took that opportunity to sing for him. I want your blessings for improv- to see you and sat on my knees while my grand- ing my singing. I know I don’t have such a good pa was standing as he had knee problem. And re- voice but when you said I do I believe your words. member what you did that time? You looked at me I don’t know in what other ways I can fulfill this and I felt this mind voice saying “catch” and you instruction of yours. If you need me to do it in any took a laddu from the bowl next to you and threw particular way please let me know Gurudev. it to me. I am very clumsy and normally not good I miss your personal association Gurudev but 229 Australasia Melbourne I know you live through your instructions, so in ti mataji introduced me to you along with other that way I feel we are not separated. I hope to fin- girls. I said I was studying Biomedical engineer- ish my course this year and even hoping to find ing and you immediately asked “Research?” and a job in Melbourne in Biomedical field and then I was smiling and saying “ No Guru Maharaj i’m by your blessings get married after I settle with a in my 2nd year”. That time my mom said me “Gu- good job. I am doing a research project in Biomed- rudev can see the future. Ohterwise he wouldn’t ical currently while pursuing master of electron- say anything just like that”. Now I can see why you ic engineering. I hope this project becomes suc- said that to me. Whatever you do Gurudev please cessful by your blessings and I may be able to help don’t leave me from your shelter. Please bear with in lives of many sick devotees. It is about spinal my stupidity and please bless me to carry out your cord injured patients who cannot control their instructions. I don’t want to be here for another urination and I am brainstorming ideas to solve lifetime and forget Krishna. I want to catch your this problem like when a catheter is inserted to hand and come back to godhead. take out their urine, we put a manual or automat- Also the whatsapp group and facebook group ed clamp on it so patient releases urine once in I created “Gurumukha padma vakya” for sharing 4 hours only when bladder gets full. My profes- your lectures with many godfamily matajis and ev- sor said if it a new idea then it can even go into eryone sharing realizations from the lecture is go- production as I am working in collaboration with ing not so good lately. I am finding it hard to send Austin Hospital, Melbourne. So it looks like a big constant lectures or precise to say so called busy deal. I remember in my 2nd year of bachelors when with studies to follow up with the group. I need I met you in Chennai with the IYF girls and sukir- your blessings for that too Gurudev. So I can make 230 Melbourne Australasia it run nicely for your pleasure, so that each of us When Guru Maharaj visited Melbourne this get inspired and establish deep connection with January, my prabu went to do some service for you through your instructions. the servants of Guru Maharaj. For many reasons, I knowingly sometimes commit offenses in my I wasn’t in the position to serve Guru Maharaj in mind to you and unknowingly also committed any ways physically which made me to feel very sad many offenses too. and guilty. While waiting for my prabu to return My humble pranams onto you divine lotus feet. Please please please forgive me for all of that. home after his service for the day, I was meditating on Guru Maharaj thinking I wasn’t anywhere All my prayers to Narsimhadev, Radha Vallabh, near the eligibility to receive any maha prasadam Gaur Nitai and Sri Jagganath baladev Shubadra from our Guru Maharaj because I haven’t done mai for your speedy recovery. My heartfelt love to anything, thinking like this I had fallen asleep. you pappa. Then I had a dream where I was asking one of his servants if I can get the mahaprasadam wa- Your insignificant servant and spiritual daughter, ter from Guru Maharaj’s glass. I was allowed to Harita Madhavi Devi Dasi,(Diksha) take the maha water (which was only a very few Melbourne, Australia drops). Also I saw our Guru Maharaj got up from his wheelchair and became able to walk slowly. Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaj, I happily thanked Guru Maharaj and Krishna, and Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaj Ki Jai! drank the maha. Suddenly I heard my prabu open- First of all, My prabu Vinothkumar and I would ing the door, and I woke up. He excitingly told like to thank the opportunity to share our thoughts me that he brought me a bite of roti mahaprasad- to glorify our Guru Maharaj on this auspicious day am from Guru Maharaj today. I was speechless to (18 April 2016 Vyasa puja). my eternity, because I was thinking about having I am such an insignificant, unworthy soul with maha, then had the dream. I was excited to tell full of tama guna. Only one thing I do is “desire”, my prabu that I had maha in my dream, which was but don’t act on it until the opportunity comes on more than sufficient because obviously I haven’t my way. The spiritual master is so special which done anything at all to our Guru Maharaj. Dream I didn’t know until I met our Guru Maharaj in itself is a big maha for me but then in real also, Melbourne ISKCON, for the first time, in 2013. Krishna and Guru Maharaj knew my desire and My prabu and I went so emotional for some rea- not only they gave me what I needed in my dream, son, after receiving his blessings to ourselves and but also in real. I felt so connected to our Guru our child Vallabha Saran who was in my womb (3 Maharaj spiritually and with Krishna. Thanked months pregnant).I didn’t know how to choose a Srila Prabupad for giving all these nice wonderful spiritual master but after hearing from the senior experiences as a glimpse of what to expect in the vaisnavas, I kept praying to Krishna to give me spiritual world if we please our Guru Maharaj at the sign. I do not know what could have we done all times. to receive this inconceivable mercy to receive Even to write this Vyasa puja glorification, shelter acceptance from our Guru Maharaj last I was so ignorant, and not knowing what to write November. because I haven’t written one before, I was pro231 232 Melbourne Australasia crastinating it despite of the deep desire I had Guru Maharaj very nicely. I look forward to that to write one for our Guru Maharaj. Krishna and position. Hare Krishna! Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj kept reminding me in one way or maharaj ki Jai! Srila Prabupad Ki Jai! All glories another to write (not that I am a good writer to Guru and Gauranga! or a glorifier, it just to get myself purified when I glorify the pure devotees of the lord). I am a Iswariya Nataraja, (Shelter disciple) useless fool who doesn’t appreciate the fact of Melbourne, Australia having the ability to see when the vision is still Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, present. What would be the use to offer obei- Dandavat Pranams at your lotus feet. sance’s to the sun god, after the vision is gone Please Accept my humble obeisances, (or when one becomes blind). Repeatedly, Krish- All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! na and Guru Maharaj kept reminding me that All Glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga! they are with me and they satisfy my spiritual de- Please accept my sincere thanks for giving sires spotlessly. But when will my turn come to Diksha/Initiation to me in Jan this year. It’s a please my Guru Maharaj and Krishna? When will dream come true for me. Your mercy is unmatched! I actually offer my services to Guru Maharaj and Please bless me to remain sincere in Krishna Krishna without obstacles? I am such a spiritually Consciousness. All glories to You, all glories to blind and an illiterate soul, don’t even know how Srila Prabhupada. to please such a wonderful spiritual master who Your servant in fact has the spiritual eyes and senses to look Jai Radha Vallabha Das, (Diksha) after every single soul under his shelter and also Melbourne, Australia is constantly working on bringing others souls to Krishna Conscious. What fortune or spiritu- Dear Guru Maharaja, al credit could have I earned to receive this mer- Please accept my respectful obeisances. cy from our Guru Maharaj and Krishna. Surely, All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I haven’t done anything, it is all because of the All glories to Guru Maharaja. mercy of Krishna, Srila Prabupada, Guru and On this auspicious occasion of your 67th Gauranga, of course, our beloved devotees sang- Vyasa Puja I would like to express my gratitude ha. My prabu, our 2 years old son Vallabha for accepting me as your disciple. It is only by and I would like to thank our Guru Maharaj to your mercy that we are building a team here in eternity for giving us shelter. I am sure we will Adelaide under the guidance of His Grace Adi build up our ability to serve our Guru and Krishna Purusa Krishna Prabhu and His Grace Satananda at all possible ways we can, so they are pleased. We Krishna Prabhu. fall at the lotus feet of our Guru Maharaj and the We are praying to our Lordships Sri Sri devotees to kindly forgive us our position for not Radha Shyamasundara for your quick recovery so being able to be of any use to the god family or our that you can come to Adelaide as soon as possi- community. Every day, these thoughts are killing ble. Just by your presence the whole atmosphere me spiritually! becomes so festive and Krishna conscious. Every- I desire to serve the devotees of the lord and our one is eager to do more devotional service just for 233 Australasia Melbourne your pleasure and mercy. It gives us an immense tama adhikari who is giving kindness, kindness spiritual boost. and kindness. And this is not sentimental kind- During your last trip to Melbourne in January ness. It is real, spiritual kindness full of compas- 2016, we heard the glories of your compassion. We sion, patience and tolerance. You know very well were told how you are saving conditioned souls how fallen we are and you never push us or put everywhere you go. You transformed the hospi- us even more down.You really know how to love tal into a temple with everyone chanting on their in spiritual way. You are a real real ocean of good clickers irrespective of their religious backgrounds. qualities. We were also informed that on a Qantas flight I pray that you remain with us for a long time in Australia you gave shelter to a crew member. with your health recovered. I believe in miracles. Guru Maharaja you are saving conditioned souls Srila Prabhupada gave you name Jayapataka Swmi, not only on land but also in the air. At the end of you are victorious flag in our hearts and I hope you your trip you gave us some instructions. So on this will be victorious in your health as well so you can most auspicious occasion, I pray at your lotus feet fulfil your mission without so much health con- to give us strength and intelligence to fulfill them. straint. Praying to stay at your lotus feet. Your servant, Your servant, Krpalu Krishna Balaram Das, (Diksha) Rasa Vilasini Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Melbourne, Australia Melbourne, Australia Dear Jayapataka Swami, Please accept my humble obeisances! Dear Guru Maharaja, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Your Divine Grace! Please accept my humble obeisances unto Your Dear Guru Maharaj, your appearance day is Divine Lotus Feet. very fortunate occasion for all of us who had a All glories to Srila Prabhupada. fortune to meet you and those who have taken Dear Guru Maharaja please accept this poem shelter of you. in glorification of you. You have written a poem to Srila Prabhupada “As the days turn into months and the months into where would you be if Srila Prabhupada did not years, we became more aware of why Guru Mahara- come, but for us apart from Srila Prabhupada’s ja really Appeared.” merciful coming, where we would have been if you As Srila Prabhupada had once said “Jayapataka also did not come? You connect so many to parampara and you maintain our connection to parampara with Swami is an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya”! This statement keeps ringing in my head. your tireless preaching, constant traveling, your patience, your kindness, your tolerance, your Can you imagine the great fortune forgiveness, your understanding. Many stay in which is bestowed upon us? An eternal associate of ISKCON only because of you. We need so much a person like you, A real ut234 Lord Gauranga is calling us! Melbourne Australasia Calling us to come back to His great ability to infuse Krishna Consciousness where we all belong. in whoever comes near. But how much are we hearing the call? Everyone becomes At least for myself I am lacking, lacking sincerity, inspired in his presence, depth and gratitude. It’s as if something is unfolding inside as It’s time to wake up and you realise Krishna Consciousness is the essence. start developing the service attitude. As we all know Who knows when we will His Physical situation is not ideal, get this opportunity again. but His attitude is either on foot or on wheels, If we miss the boat, To reclaim as many souls as He can, We will surely repent. and bring them back to that sacred land. Continuing to be swept away by The land of Vraja where the waves of the mode of material nature, there’s no Birth and Death Our dear Guru Maharaja really A place of pure love is our only saviour! In which no one ever returns On this auspicious day His qualities are like different kinds of Gem’s I offer my respects and pray. so beautiful and rare. Guru Maharaja, thank you for tolerating me 235 Australasia Melbourne and waiting for me to grow, With every application apparently wrong; I pray to be your instrument, Come with me to your Eternal Home, Like Aruna’s bow and arrow. Where for personal honour you will find no room Where every step is a dance, every word a song… To assist you in some little service Endeavour to understand, with My guiding hand; to Srila Prabhupada, To Glorify Krishna, To Chant His Holy Name; and to feel your presence in that service And give up that longing for fame! and never feel apart. Still aspiring to be a proper disciple, I recall for the first time in 19 years, I felt a strange kind of upliftment and purpose in my life, Your servant Varadatri Radha Devi Dasi,(Diksha) Melbourne, Australia something that I could strive for…..the science of self realisation. I took shelter of Your Divine instructions, Endeavouring to control my malicious mind; “O My Lord, O Supreme Personality of God- Yes, I did have the rare fortune of being accepted as head, will I again be able to be Your servant of Your spiritual child, Your eternal servants who find shelter only at In spite of my ‘mind in the making’ totally & abso- Your Lotus Feet? O Lord of my life may I again lutely wild; become Their servant so that my mind may always Day in & day out…. think of Your transcendental attributes, my words My offenses did mount, always glorify these attributes, and my body always Foretold by the sages of yore… engage in the loving service of Your Lordship?” ‘The mind could be one’s best friend or foe’, The Lord in the form of (Srimad Bhagavatam: 6:11:24) Your Divine Grace so kind, My dear Spiritual Father, Please accept my humble obeisances unto your Always bestowed freewill…. for me to find… Which of the two is true? Lotus Feet countless times. I am unqualified to avail this opportunity to To succumb to the offenses of one’s mind, Glorify Your Divine Grace, but if I do not take Or to the Master of one’s senses, it, my lowly mind that is always engrossed in including my treacherous mind!! prathishta, garbed in false pride and self prestige, will continue to do so without deep self reflection. Only You my Spiritual Father… I sincerely thank you for this chance. I am sure it Knows every step I trod… will help me engage & cleanse my contaminated Every action & thought my uncontrolled mind prods… mind. When I met Your Divine Grace, for the first The follies & the ‘so called triumphs’… The ridicule & empty praise, I dwell on…. time, in the year 1982, at Bangalore, India... I heard a clear message... Honour & dishonour, my pride & false ‘humility’… Jiv jago, jiv jago... O Jiva, open your eyes wide, The demoniac nature I am so inclined to… You’re wallowing in material energy so strong, Like a miser…whose heart is never 236 Melbourne Australasia at peace with kith & kin, Your precious instructions to always recall… But only a resting place of sin… Please grant me that from Totally lost I would be…. Your umbrella of mercy… without Your guidance for me… May I never fall…. You…who gives out without discrimination to For a dark & weary place for me would be the demons & devout! this earth… If You had not appeared in it…. Praying at your merciful Lotus Feet… Any sound of song of my life would’ve lost Oh, when will that day be mine, through eternity…. its mirth…. When I give up my false ego, If You weren’t there to begin it. I know I’ve a long way to go! No devotional thoughts like a creeper to grow, The day I will be on my knees… To melt my ‘rock like’ heart… surrender; nectar of your Lotus Feet Who would engage my crazy mind, The ultimate shelter of all fallen souls determined to be an enjoyer? who seek retreat…. None but You, only You… My mind often is dark from negative thoughts, ever so gentle and tender….! I am weak and weary from their clots; My bewildered soul….. At Maya’s enamouring market placements… Would have to burn & Countless times have I roamed, cruel material nature grow more inhuman… not being complacent… Conditioned as I am, to whom would I then turn? Most often readily succumbing to Her lure… Forgetful of my purpose, Expecting to find happiness falsely promised… I would become less than human, Discovering only too late about My life would indeed lose its meaning without Her deceitful ways… YOU to begin it! Never learning that Maya is Her name… Surely a doleful place would be this earth And bewildering Her choiced game! if YOU had not appeared in it! Your Divine Grace… So today….hear….hear all ye…. On this auspicious day, I beg to humbly pray… It is our most cherished day, 237 Australasia Perth for aeons of lifetimes to come; vande guroh sri-charanaravindam The day our most beloved By the mercy of the spiritual master one re- Spiritual Father did appear, ceives thebenediction of Krsna. Without the grace To erase our darkness away…and fear; of the spiritual master, one cannot make any ad- With the torch light of knowledge, vancement. Therefore, I should always remember flying the Victory Flag… and praise thespiritual master. At least three times ‘Jayapataka’…rest assured, a day I should offer my respectfulobeisance’s unto none of us will ever fall behind or lag! the lotus feet of my spiritual master. Dear Father, What is the point of my existence without you, I beg you to please overlook countless blunders, Gurumaharaj? How can I even get the blessings of Of this pretender so meek, the Lordships without Your causeless mercy?I hon- and let my service and shelter, estly can never ever thank you enough. Though I Rest always at Your Divine Lotus Feet! was never qualified, youhave accepted me as Your disciple and gave me Your unlimited mercy and- Your fallen spiritual daughter, Radha Prema Devi Dasi,(Diksha) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia guidance. From my initiation day at Shridham Mayapur up till date, every conversation and every realization You have given this insignificant soul hashelped me to slow make small yet My Dear Amazing Gurumaharaj, meaningful changes to myself and strive to bea Please accept my humble and respectful better servant of the Lord, a better soldier to Sri- obeisances unto yourdivine lotus feet. la Prabhupada’s army and abetter disciple to Your All Glories to Jagatguru Srila Prabhupada. Holiness. Despite my imperfections, You guided All Glories toSri Guru and Gauranga!!! me trulyunderstanding my nature, You brought Gurumaharaj!!! Happy Vyasa Puja!!!! I pray amazing realization to me in acompletely unique Your healthalways improves for the better. I am manner. standing here before you, as the mostinsignif- Thank you Gurumaharaj for I am truly indebt- icant spiritual daughter; not knowing what to ed toYou life time after lifetime. Thank you my say and where to start.This shows and explains eternal spiritual father for guidingme through! your abundance of mercy towards myself and the Like how a father guides his child to walk and picks other devotes. Gurumaharaj, you have been such them up whenthey fall, you have been there always a role model and exemplary not only tome, but also as a helping hand for me Gurumaharaj.Though I to other devotes as well. You are my living exam- have had many personal associations with you, I ple andSuperhero!!! Your dedication towards the am always wanting moreand more (this is where instructions and the teachings of LordChaitanya I am so greedy for your mercy that I always want- is indeed immeasurable! more) BECAUSE I know that You bring out the As stated in Sri Sri Guru-Astakam: best in me, I can always feel yourcountless mercy yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado onto me Gurumaharaj! yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi Oh my Eternal Rescuer, dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam It is described in the Srimad Bhagvatam that 238 Perth Australasia when the Supreme Personality of Godhead KRS- canwe understand that matter when or previous NA appeared in this world everyone felt happyand acharyas like Srila Narottam Das Thakur also ex- blissful. They wanted to serve Krsna by offering pressed that same mood. And you gave a brilliant the best thing they had intheir possession. The answer whichreally touched my heart. You said “I sages offered their controlled mind, Suman. The did not compare myself with Narottam Das Thak- demigods offered their heavenly flowers which is ur.I just wanted to express that I am really a fallen also suman. The Gandharvas started Singing with soul. You did not tell me directly but you took it their melodious voice, the Apsaras started danc- on your own self. I then realized that this itself ing. Then the clouds started thundering which is very humbling”. You never cease to amaze me was sounding like cattle drums. Like that it was a with Your humility andGurubhakthi!!! I can only very wonderful combination of cooperation and pray to RADHA MADHAVA ASTHASAKHIS, service attitude. As Krsna appeared to revive these UGRA-NRSHIMHA and PANCHATATTVA transcendental qualities of service attitude and that one day I too would be as humble you are. cooperation amongst the devotees and to make Please give me alittle drop of that transcendental them happy I can see that your appearance is also taste which you get by being so humble. for this same reason. You are always inspiring the Oh Nitai Kripapradayine, devoteesto serve more and more and to cooperate Your mercy is like such a vast ocean that if with each others. someone givesme the power like Agasta Muni or Unfortunately, despite being Your spiritual Hanuman then also it is beyond myimagination. daughter, I, GandharvikaRadha Rani Devi Dasi You were coming down from lotus building after do not have even a single drop of these qualities. I your breakfastto meet Radha Madhava, Pancha amalways busy with my selfish motives. Being pre- Tattva, Ugra Nrshimha and Srila Prabhupada- occupied with my studies, workand personal life, to to offer Them your respects. You were coming I am fearing that I will not be able to possess any down to the elevator fromthe rooftop being aid- of this beautifully amazing qualities. Please bless ed by your two servants. Since my sisters and Iw- me with a single drop of this tasteof Service Atti- ere always stalking you no matter where You go tude and Cooperation with devotees. hoping to get a littlemore of the unlimited mer- Oh Nagar Gram Tarine, cy You have tirelessly poured on us, we patient- You are delivering all the cities and villages lyhid ourselves strategically from the eyes of the with your powerful weapon Humility. About public and waited for You atthe entrance of the which Lord Caitanya said, Trinadapisunichena.. elevator!!! I still can remember the chuckle You You are the embodiment of humility. That day gave whenYou saw us. Knowing the thought that in Mayapur (last year when we camedown for the I was having when we saw the elevator dooropen Mayapur festival and my initiation) I asked you a and when I finally made eye contact with You as question themorning after your class. It was about You were wheeled out ofthe elevator, I wondered you addressing yourself as the mostinsignificant if only You would read my mind and realize how- fallen soul in front of Srila Prabhupada. Then funny it was and if You would also feel the same. Srila Prabhupada said you are not the most of Then You chuckled and Istarted to wonder if You anything. Then about that I asked you that how did read my mind. That thought made my whole 239 Australasia Perth body trembled. That beautiful soul who eradicates Srila Prabhupada!!! And till that day arrives may the fear of all and makes everyonelaugh. my hero. I carry on. I thought to myself now He’s making this pastime Oh the greatest friend of all the fallen souls, with the insignificant me by chuckling at my funny I heard a lecture by HH Radhanath Swami thought. How can that be possible?? Istill remem- Maharaj in which He mentioned in his classon ber thinking to myself, “Get a grip Amitha! Yourt- devotee care that your life is simply pleasing the houghts aren’t that important for Him to share a devotees. You also alwaysstress on devotee care laugh with!! He probablyhad something better in and serving vaisnavas. Growing up watching You His beautiful mind...” As always, I continued just- treat all Your God-brothers and God-sisters with being me and going about my day. What gave me so much of respect, love and affection makes me goosebumps later on that day is something I will so inspired to be able to one day follow Your foot- remember for the rest of my living and breathing steps. It is not an easy task but I shall stay true to it life!!! as it is what You constantly emphasize on. Please You came to inspect us doing our seva and bless me so that Ican also please the devotees and after speaking to everyone present in that room, never be the cause of their disturbance and bur- You looked straight at me and asked me point den to any of them. blank about my funny thought earlier!!! I died for Oh mighty warrior, a second thinking “Oh my Krsna!!!! He read my Although externally it seems you are not so mind???” Despite everything that you had on your strongphysically but the world knows about your mind and the heavy amount of responsibilities prowess in fighting againstMaya. Please help me. I You carry on Your shoulders, You still found time am captured by my internal enemies Lust, Greed,- forme!!!! At that time I realized how merciful You False ego and so many material desires. Please give are. Despite Your bodily condition You are travel- strength to fight against them. ing all over theworld and climbing up and coming Oh my spiritual father, down so many skyscrapers and buildings just to- That day You told me that the general instruc- shower Your mercy upon all the fallen souls. That tions of thespiritual master seems very personal to gives me the hope that onefine day I will also be a sincere disciple. As I am such afallen soul please able to get more drops of that ocean of mercy. bless me so that I can accept all your general in- Being born in the 90s, I have never seen Srila Prabhupada in person and always wondered structionsas personal instructions and dedicate my life in following them. when I offered my my obeisance’s onto His lotus- Guru Maharaj, Feet, “How can I serve You, Prabhupad? How can With your mercy, I have been continuing my I be apart of Your amazingarmy??? What if I don’t service and vowthat I have taken up to you. I beg fit? What if I can’t help You? Whatif.. What if.??”. you to continue blessing me, so that I amable to Only a few months ago, I got all my “what ifs” an- carry out more service that is possible. I am in- sweredby You. Thank you Gurumaharaj. You bless- deed fortunate that youhave accepted me as your ed me and gave me some advice and instruction- spiritual daughter. Please forgive me Guru sand said “Gandharvika Radha Rani one day soon Maharaj, ifI have offended any Vaishnavas or enough you will succeedin your plans of serving Vaishnavis, knowingly or unknowingly. I will- 240 Perth Australasia continue praying to Lord Ugra-Nrshimhadev to Krishna regardless of any situation, it is evident always bestow His blessings,protect You from all that you are a Pure Devotee of The Lord. Due to obstacles and give You the strength to continue my weakness in my devotional practice, I always servingthe instructions of Srila Prabhupada and feel that I am not qualified to serve you direct- Lord Caitanya. ly, but due to your causeless Mercy occasionally I Happy Vyasa Puja Day Gurumaharaj!!!! You totally rock!!! I love You so so so so much!!! get the opportunity to serve your servants. This gives me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I can’t Please come see us all soon!!! I miss You lots!!! imagine the spiritual pleasure and satisfaction ex- I love you to Pluto and back and the whole perienced by the devotees who serve you directly. universe and beyond!!!! You are and will always Thinking and discussing about You gives so much be my anchor!!!! I am so proud that I am Your pleasure and enthusiasm for devotional service. spiritual daughter!!!Keep smiling Your beautiful What to say about being in Your presence? I pray smile!!!! that Krishna will continue to Bless us with the association of Your Divine Vani and Vapu for the Sending lots of love and prayers Your way. rest of our live. Your eternal servant, Your only desire is to fulfill the mission of Sri- Gandharvika Radha Rani Devi Dasi la Prabhupada, just like Srila Prabhupada’s only Perth, Australia desire was to fulfill the mission of His Spiritual Master. Following on Your footsteps, I also aspire mukam karoti vacalam to be a dedicated servant of Guru, Krishna and pangum langhayate girim the Vaisnavas. So on this special day, Dear Srila yad kripa tam aham vande Gurudev, please Bless me to be a good devotee so sri gurum dina taranam that I can do some service to please You. Please paramananda madhavam forgive all my offences and always keep me under sri caitanya iswaram the shade of Your Lotus Feet. I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spir- Thank you so much for all your help. itual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and All Glories to Your Divine Grace! All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada! enables the lame to cross mountains. Your humble and insignificant servant, Dearmost Guru Maharaj. Please accept my humble and respectful obei- Kesava Gopal Das, (Diksha) sances unto Your Lotus Feet on this most auspi- Perth, Australia cious day of your Divine Appearance. I had the opportunity recently to hear some Jai Narasinga Dev! detailed explanations on the Prayers of Queen Jai Guru Maharaji, Kunti. During the lecture, I was thinking about Pranam to your Lotus feet, You as a perfect example of a living Devotee at the I am Latha Salla suffering Ovarian cancer present moment. By looking at your dedication Since May, 2013. and steadfast Devotion to Srila Prabhupada and During your last visit to Perth you gave me spe241 Australasia Perth cial darshan on 29th December, 2015. You were so inga Dev to give pooja in your presence would be merciful and gave me Aspiring and by that time fulfilled by your grace. O Guru Maharaj please be merciful on me and I finished my 3 cycles of chemotherapy. After taking your darshan and cake cutting by you on 1st January, 2016 my cancer marker was my family and give me the shelter at your lotus feet. shrunken from 1563 to 256. Doctor told me this gurur brahma gurur vishnu was very very good. The decrease of indicator of gururdevo maheshwara cancer marker was happened in the month of Jan- guru sakshat parabramha uary, 2016 with your blessings and mercy of Lord tasmaya shri guruve namaha Jai Guru Maharaj ki! Jai! Narasinga Dev. I am much much energetic and healthy now. I Latha Salla, (Aspiring) am going to complete my last cycle of chemother- Perth, Australia apy 9th March, 2016 with your kind blessings and mercy of Narasinga Dev. Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my respect- After you gave me Aspiring I am chanting ful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, and All glories to your Divine Grace. Narasinga Kavacham and also Lord Narasinga Thank you so much for allowing me to render Dev prayers. some menial service to your divine vapu in the Please bless me that I completely come out of recent times. Your compassion has no boundar- disease and become healthy so that my desire to ies. Recently when I had the good fortune of be- come to Mayapur to take Dharshan Lord Naras- ing in your presence in Sridham Mayapur for the 242 Perth Australasia Sri Gaura Purnima festival the auspicious 530 th ation became worse and oxygen levels went down appearance of Sriman Gauranga Mahaprabhu on in the early hours of one day and we had to call an the adhivas ceremony you were explaining how ambulance to take you to the hospital. We were all the joy of serving Maha prabhu has no limits and worried and in so much anxiety but You remained by serving Maha Prabhu all the miseries will go Cool and was joking with the ambulance staff by far away. You exemplifies this fact so vividly that saying” She will be right might” which surprised you are always happy in serving Maha prabhu and even the staff that they have not seen any patient Srila Prabhupada and you never show any signs of like you in their service. unhappiness even in the midst of so much turbu- Guru Maharaj, we can only say that you are not lence in the society and even in your body.In the on the bodily platform and are reminding us that month of December when you took so much pains we are not these bodies. You are not only teaching to visit your spitual sons and daughters in down this philosophy but constantly acting on this plat- under you gave unlimited mercy to all those who form thus you are an acharya who teaches by ex- came to see you and serve you. ample.Your apparent illness gave us the devotees One mataji who is your Siksha disciple and dis- in Perth to serve you for 13 days, the longest stay ciple of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj who ever in Perth and during that stay you inspired has not visited temple for many years and when many more devotees which resulted 10 devotees to she came to see you, you gave her so much mercy take shelter and another 10 to aspire for Initiation that her life has transformed again and she is very and many more including the Doctor who is the enthusiastic to engage in the direct service of their Head of the department to render service to the Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. So your compassion devotees. is beyond any boundaries!!When Your bodily situ- Your mood is always to please the devotees and 243 Australasia Perth you put all your personal inconveniences aside me as an instrument in your plans. which was shown so vividly by willing to travel the day after you were discharged to the east- Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krishna, ern states to enthuse the devotees and help the Your insignificant servant, preaching programs over there. No wonder your Sita Rama Lakshmana Das dedicated secretaries have hard time in convinc- Perth, Australia ing you to balance your health and your enthusiasm to preach. I can only offer my insignificant Pranam to your Lotus feet, prayer to Lord Nrsimha Dev to protect your body In year 2013, you came to Perth retreat at that and give you lots of strength to help the devotees and fulfill many orders given to you personally by time I took Siksa from you, Guru Maharaj. I am doing Mechanical Engineering from Curtin University and I am presently in 3rd year. Srila Prabhupada. You are always thinking how to expand the family of Srila Prabhupada and thus inventing newer and newer ways to engage the conditioned Please bless me to complete my Engineering studies successfully. I am doing seva at Kalamunda Temple and chanting Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and I am in souls and please the previous Acaryas. Recently in the month of February my material father came to Sri Dham Mayapur to have Krishna Bhakthi. This all happening in my life after your darshan only. your darshan and he had to leave on 2 March not O Guru Maharaj please be merciful on me knowing that would be his last visit and you were that I will come Mayapur for Lord Narasingadev still recovering in Delhi. So he left the Sri Dham darshan and give puja in your presence, Mayapur after having darshan of Panchatatva, Sri O Guru Maharaj please be merciful on me and Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Prahlada Nrsimha Dev my family and give me the shelter at your lotus and Srila Prabhupada in physically weak condi- feet. tion and he left his consciousness in Sri Dham gurur brahma gurur vishnu Mayapur and thus left his body in Kolkata which gururdevo maheshwara is another holy place being the birthplace of Sri- guru sakshat parabramha la Prabhupada. Immediately after hearing this tasmaya shri guruve namaha news you prayed for him and advised me to do the Jai Guru Maharaj ki jai ho Vimar Kumar Salla, (Shiksa) rituals in a vaisnava way. Guru Maharaj what more can I ask you. I have Perth, Australia no words in expressing my gratitude to you. On this most auspicious day I beg you to please do not kick Pranam to your Lotus feet, me from your lotus feet and please please allow me gurur brahma gurur vishnu to always remember your lotus feet and allow me gururdevo maheshwara to some menial service being an insignificant ser- guru sakshat parabramha vant of the servant of the devotees. I need all the tasmaya shri guruve namaha mercy I can get to stay on the path so please allow I took Aspiring on 29th December along with me to stay in the association of devotees and use my parents. I am chanting one round everyday be- 244 that I am always eager to serve you and please you. I would like to share this incident with you I sincerely pray to you for your mercy so that Guru deva. Once I was taking Hrishikesh and my wife, my son and myself remain at your lotus Bharat to Playschool and found that they were feet at all times since there is no other shelter for having cake cutting ceremony of one kid. I knew us. I also sincerely pray to Lord Nrsimhadev to al- the cake would be with egg and immediately I told ways protect you so that more and more condi- Hrishikesh, that we need to go home now. But tioned souls can be delivered by your mercy. Hrishikesh saw the cake and wanted to attend the ceremony and then the cake. But I pulled him Your most fallen and unworthy servant, from that place and bought him in the car. Then Anandamaya Gopinath Das I felt guilty about this that I had to pull my kids Sydney, Australia out of cake cutting ceremony, and I immediately prayed you Gurudev, Please help me to make Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev, him understand. Then I told Hrishikesh “ ohh you Please Accept My Humble Obeisances! know Hrishikesh, Why we can’t eat that cake, be- All Glories to Sri Sri RadhaGopinath, cause Krishna doesn’t like and it’s not offered to All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, him” and Hrishikesh said “Oh yeah” and he didn’t All Glories to you Gurudev, even bother to go back for cake. And All Glories to my God Sisters and God Brothers. Gurudev I know am not that good Mother for my Kids and not giving 100 percent of it, but am Dear Gurudeva, My Dandavat Pranam to you!, now sure that my kids have best Grand Father like I, Manibhushita Radha Devi Dasi, your fallen you and he is there to help them. and conditioned disciple, firstly wish you Many Many Happy Returns of the Day! I would like to thank you Gurudeva for accept- Last year I had this in mind that I will prepare or present something once you visit Sydney. Lot of ideas were running through my mind. ing me as your disciple, who is fallen and full of One day I prayed to you that please help me, Anarthas. Thank you for being with me all the and then I found to do something out of the Poem time whenever I needed, and showering your you wrote about Srila Prabhupada “Yadi Prabhu- blessings on me. pada naa Hoita”, which could please you. I kept This is your mercy that I am able to write this listening to the poem and couldn’t understand the offering on the auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. meaning of it, and then looking out for transla- I have learned that, to know Supreme Person tion. So one of the mataji one day started sharing and connect with Him, I have to go through spir- some videos which had this song with translation itual master who have experienced the Supreme and I was really thankful to her for sending me the Person. As I am also aware that I can’t see Lord di- meaning. I learned the poem, specially the mean- rectly but I am able to see His representative who ing of the poem, then started thinking what can has experienced and connected to the Supreme be done. Person! In this case, for me it’s you Gurudeva who Later stage there was inauguration of Temple is a representative of the Lord, through disciplic in Malaysia and some disciples played the same succession. poem with drama. I got some idea from the drama 245 Australasia Perth cause I am studying year 12 in senior high school The year 12 studies are hard. At present for me Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj, English is very hard and I am not doing well in Please accept my humble respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. English subject. Please shower your mercy and bless me to com- All glories to you Guru Maharaj!!! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! plete my year 12 studies successfully. With your kind blessings soon as I complete This is my first time writing an offering to you. my year 12 studies and I want to come Mayapur Every year I keep thinking that I am not quali- Lord Narasingadev darshan and give puja in your fied to glorify you and keep giving myself an ex- presence. cuse not to write an offering. I was thinking that O Guru Maharaj! please be merciful unto me I will develop the quality one day and then make and my family members and give me the shelter at an attempt. No matter how hard I try, it will be your lotus feet. in vain since I do not have any purity in my heart to glorify a pure devotee. On the other hand, by Jai Guru Maharaj ki jai! trying to glorify you I hope that my mind will be Vishal Kumar Salla, (Aspiring) purified since it is filled with countless material Perth, Australia desires and impure thoughts. Although I am very degraded and engrossed Pranam to your Lotus feet, with material sense enjoyment, you have been gurur brahma gurur vishnu showering your mercy time and time again. It is by gururdevo maheshwara your causeless mercy that you have accepted me at guru sakshat parabramha your lotus feet and you stayed with us for the past tasmaya shri guruve namaha two times you visited Sydney. Although I could You gave me special dharshan on 29th De- witness in person so many of your transcendental cember, 2015 with my wife Latha Salla and son qualities such as humility, tolerance, patience etc., Vishal Kumar Salla.You showered your mercy on my mind filled with ignorance and false ego that this day and without my anticipation you gave me I have no inclination to imbibe those qualities. Aspiring. Please help me Guru Maharaj to somehow get an I am chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha Manthra and our lives are changed and we have lot of peace in the house. interest to develop these qualities. Everytime I meet you, I am afraid to ask you how I can please you since I feel that I will not Please shower your mercy on me and my wife be able to and I will be a failure. I am very foolish Latha and children Vimal and Vishal to come to and very obstinate. By your mercy, please drag me Mayapur for Lord Narasinga Dev dharshan to give forcibly on the path of devotional service. patita puja in your presence after Latha comes out from pavana hetu tava avatara - You have descended to cancer disease completely. this material world to deliver the fallen souls like me. mo sama patita prabhu na paibe ara - I can Vishwanthan Salla, (Aspiring) assure you Guru Maharaj that there no one more Perth, Australia fallen than me. So, please pick me up and ensure 246 Sydney Australasia played by them, like the meaning and how it can month without any difficulties. This was only pos- be presented with kids. sible because of your blessings and mercy. And finally the skit and dance was presented Finally Gurudeva, Myself and my Prabhu,with to you when you visited to Sydney, without any Kids Hrishikesh, Bharat,my parents would like difficulties and with help of all my God Sisters to wish you Many more years of devotional ser- and God Brothers. vice and always praying to Sri Sri Radha Gopi- The reason I mentioned this to you Gurudev, nath,Gaura Nitai, Jagganath, Baladev,Subhadra, just to thank you for understanding my mind and Narshimha Dev to constantly protect you and being with me all the time, even to gift you and shower their blessings. please you, I need your prayers and blessings. What I have realized from this, even If I want to please you Gurudev with strong and pure de- Please forgive me and correct me, If I have offended or used inappropriate words in writing this offering. sire, you are one who gives me the way and different options to full fill them. Thank you Gurudeva again for reading this offering I do remember one Incident which I would like to share with you Gurudev and all disciples. While I was cooking for Servants, Volunteers Thank you God Brothers and God Sisters for giving me the opportunity to give this offering to Gurdeva! and you Gurudev,I had finished my cooking with other teams except for you. But I was so much wor- Yours Aspiring and Fallen servant/daughter ried that I can’t find any dish which I can make Manibhushita Radha Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Sydney, Australia for you according to your diet restrictions. I tried couple of them but didn’t work well. Fi- Dearest Gurudev, nally Sankirtan Prabhu told me, only cook halwa All glories to Guru and Gauranga, and rest he will take care. I asked prabhu what he Please accept our humble obeisance at your is cooking for Dinner, and Prabhu told me that lotus feet. Gurudev wants to eat quesadillas and he haven’t Dearest Gurudeva, cooked it before. Oh on hearing this, I was like You are an exemplary example of how we ought “I know how to cook it but we need to find the to execute devotional service in every aspect of ingredients suitable to Gurudeva’s Diet”, we re- life despite all material discomforts. We fondly searched and finally prepared quesadillas. remember our association with you during your Gurudeva you honored it without any complaints and ate more than enough. Sydney yatra early this year. We were fortunate and blessed to get your association. I vividly From this incident I realized that Gurudeva remember the night seva where I received a first- you are so merciful that you gave me chance to hand experience of the strife you face at every cook for yourself, and you knew what I was able moment. Despite all the bodily discomforts, you to cook. I am such a thankful to you Gurudev for are always in Krishna consciousness and bliss. You saving me and being so merciful on me. remain jovial and kept showering us with Krishna Lastly, I and my Prabhu were able to perform Prema. Your unconditional love and care for all the fast and follow the principles of Purshottam devotees with a tad care for your material self is 247 Australasia Sydney truly a life changing learning experience. to look into the future and make adjustments ac- This year has been exceptional blissful for us with the initiations for myself and my wife, at the start of this year at Sydney. We are eternally indebted to you Gurudev. cordingly amazes me. Your focus on preaching and saving the lost souls is so amazing. Spiritual master is called the incarnation of the mercy of the Lord – Karuna avatar. I can clear- Thank you Guru Maharaj, for engaging us in ly see in my case that only strength I have both the spiritual path and blessing us with satputra. materially and spiritually is your mercy. I have With your blessings, my wife Nandini Hari Priya no idea why you chose me to bestow your mercy. Devi Dasi is carrying and expected to deliver in Only explanation is your mercy is causeless. You Sept. We hope and pray at your lotus feet that all are pouring unlimited mercy into our hearts. But of us as a Vaishnava family always remain engaged alas my heart has so many holes like envy, greed, in devotional service. lust etc. that I am loosing this mercy. Oh master We had an intense desire to serve our Lordships Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha and with your unconditional mercy we have been engaged in bhoga service. when will the day come that I will be able to retain this mercy? I desire to serve your lotus feet. But my desire is weak and I have no determination. I can see We express our heartfelt feelings of gratitude this honey called service to spiritual master stored for guiding us in every step of our life. We hum- up in the bottle. But I am unable to reach it. Even bly pray at your lotus feet to continue guiding us though I see it and am very close to it I have not in every path of life and help us in our sandhana tasted it. So all I have is little book knowledge and Gurudeva. have no real experience of this honey called Bhak- Your humble servant aspiring for your service, Nandini HariPriya Devi Dasi thi. Oh master please feed me this honey. Please engage me in your service. and Paramapriya Gopinath Das Adhikari The dark age of kali is progressing. Kali purusha Sydney, Australia is pushing his agenda relentlessly. I am completely disturbed by external and internal ( from my mind) Dear Gurudev, problems. I am completely lost in this terrible sit- Please accept my humble obeisance at your uation and suffering terribly. Please instruct me lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! on how to serve you which is the only medicine. I All glories to Guru and Gauranaga!!! feel the urgent need to establish the golden age of One more year of your glorious service to Srila Sri Chaitanya for my sake and for the other souls Prabhupada has gone by. You are a priceless and suffering here. Please use me as your instrument tireless general in the army Srila Prabhupada cre- in establishing the golden age. Enough of this Kali ated to fight Kali. You embody the concept of ser- and his agenda, please show me and this world the vice to spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada is the sweetness of Lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. Ad- perfect master and you are his perfect disciple. Sri- vaita Gosai did tapasya to save the people of this la Prabhupada said ‘Purity is the force’ and even world by bringing Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. a lowly person as myself can feel the force within Oh master please make me drown in the ocean you. Your clarity in thought and your capability of Bhakthi which Gosai wanted everyone to taste. 248 Sydney Australasia Let the spiritual revolution manifest more promi- our complete happiness lies in keeping up that nently and defeat this Kali. promise given to you.But without your mercy we You are our only hope in this dark age. don’t have a clue how to do it Yours fallen son, Please help, Sankirtan Narottam Das, (Diksha) Your Insignificant Servants, Sydney, Australia Sarva Thirtha Gaura Das, (Diksha) Manmohini Radha Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Hare Krishna Respected Gurudev Vishnugupthan, Radha Gopinath, Please accept our humble obeisances Sydney, Australia All glories to You and Srila Prabhupada Gurudev,we consider ourself very fortunate Dear Gurudev, that we had your darshan in Sydney in January Please accept my humble obeisances. this year. You gave us opportunity to serve you in All glories to you!!!!!! different ways. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!!!!!!! We are so happy that you gave your blessings to our newborn and did the naamkaran for him. Every time you come to Sydney and home, it is festival for eyes. When I look back in life the Thank you Gurudeva. moments that I cherished most is the moments I In the last Vyasa Puja offering me and my wife got your association. I feel most fortunate to re- were reminding ourself about the promise we gave ceive your merciful glances. Your shelter is the you at time of initiation that we will be helping only remedy for my madness. Three modes of ma- you in spreading Srila Prabhupad’s mission. Now terial nature is taking me here and there. It is be- when we looked back, since the last Vyasa Puja till yond my capability to control my mind. I sincere- today we understand that we didn’t do anything ly desire to desire that I should do every moment significant to satisfy that promise. work as your servant. I have heard from you that However some baby steps which we did last year were: 1. Helping Starthfield Bhakthi Sastri as a co facilitator. 2. Volunteer Coordination for the temple festivals we renew our commitments to our spiritual master daily. I sincerely beg you that I should chant my 16 rounds sincerely seriously, humbly with full concentration and follow 4 rules and regulation eternally. I also beg that my prabhu Anandamaya Gopinath Das and son Achyuth should chant 3. Coordinating Shiksha programme for the their 16 rounds and follow 4 rules and regulation temple as an assistant to His Grace Vijay Gopikesh eternally as well. We should never leave your lotus prabhu. feet. Let us listen from you and Prabhupada very This year we will try expanding our services attentively every day. Let us read your instructions in doing book distribution. We already started to and Prabhupada books very scrutinisingly. Let all do in a very small way in the eastern suburbs of of us have a single pointed focus on serving you as Sydney. you desire. Let us all put our mind in our services. The above said services we could do only by Let me be a good wife and good mother as you in- your mercy and beg for more to do something sig- structed. Let the house be filled with Bhakti vrik- nificant to keep our promise to you.We consider sha as you directed. I can totally understand that 249 Australasia Sydney I cannot do any of these as everyday there is so million to me dear spiritual master. However, I am much shortcomings in all these services because sure you will make me a diamond. I am also very of my tendency to do these things very slowly. sure you will make my prabhu, Achyuth, my fa- I am sincerely praying to Lord Nityananda to help ther, mother and sangirtan narotam Das and all me, my prabhu and Achyuth to become an effi- wishers around us into wonderful diamond. cient servant of you. We all are crying and begging for your mercy. Please give your blessing to my mother, father, Let us all be determined to make you happy. We Sankirtan Narotam Das and all the bhakti vriksha all are waiting for that miracle from you so that members so that they continue doing the services. we all do services very efficiently to please you. Let us all be small instruments in your hand for Please forgive all our offences. All glories to you serving Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you!!!!!!! dear spiritual master!!! Though I am terribly foolish and very inefficient, I would like to spread your glories, Prabhupada Your humble servant, glories and Caitanya Mahaprabhu glories. Good Sri Guru Bhakti Devi Dasi, (Diksha) disciples can write about spiritual master and the Sydney, Australia lord in a poetic way. I am struggling to write even this small paragraph. My only hope is you. I have Dear Gurudev! heard from you that Srila Prabhupada has said if Please accept my respectful obeisances in the devotees put 70% of their effort he will take them dust of your divine lotus feet. back to the lord. I can understand that Prabhupa- All glories to Your divine Grace. da is so merciful to give 70%. But 70% looks like All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 250 Sydney Australasia I am so insignificant to glorify you Guru ing. Finally, when we heard your visit to Sydney Maharaj, But so indebted to you for showing mercy has been finalized we were so much excited, we up on me and trying to pull me out of the clutches started jumping up and down. All set, ready for of maya. Therefore I would like to make an attempt the big day. to writing and sharing my offering, with your permission and blessings. When you were at Sydney and went to the hospital for albumin I came to know the difficul- Your visit always leaves me with many realiza- ties you have to undergo. It was a shock to me. It is tions. This visit was no exception and was most not that easy to plan your travel. My mind was re- special. We originally heard a whisper that you alizing the situation you would have undergone in would be visiting Australia, but nothing was very Perth and it has amazed me how you could make clear and then after few days it was confirmed and it. If I was in that situation I would not be leaving we came to know you landed in Perth. Everything the place. happened so quickly. We all started preparation You are so merciful Guru Maharaj, you have for your Sydney visit. We were all discussing and taken all that trouble on earth to make that visit to sorting thing out. Then we received the message give vapu service and your association to this in- that you were unwell and also in ICU. We were significant soul. Thank you so much for this visit shocked and started to pray Narasimha dev by Guru Maharaj. You have demonstrated how much chanting Narasimha kavacha and extra rounds as one has to tolerate any difficulties for preach. I am requested. We were waiting for your recovery and so fallen and always try to remain in my comfort anxious to know if you would be able to visit us. zone and need to learn from you Guru Maharaj. We didn’t get any news of confirmation that you The trouble we had taken is not even half of a were coming, we didn’t know what to do. Wheth- drop of the those you are taking. er to visiting you in Perth or wait here in Sydney. It is the responsibility of the deciple to take We were eager to take your association, couldn’t care of the Spiritual master’s health and I failed wait. Then there was this message that you may in that. Instead I am causing you lot of pain due to visit Melbourne and not Sydney. We changed our my sinful actions. Please guide me and don’t leave plans to visit Melbourne instead, but nothing was me even if I have done these mistakes. Please give decided. The only thing for sure was that we real- me one more chance. I will try my best next time. ly missed you and wanted to come and take your Not everybody can serve you Guru Maharaj: darshan. On that first day itself we realized the bed which My wife and I were given the service of hir- was provided for you was not at all adequate and ing items for your visit and due to the Christmas you couldn’t sleep well for the entire night,causing holiday period, there was a lot of rush and crowd. tiredness and uneasiness to you. Though meticu- So we had reserved the things to hire as earlier as lous planning we couldn’t fulfil the need at that possible to secure them. Now with the schedule hour. It was not adequate, we should have checked changes, it was very hard to decide when to get the requirements beforehand. We are so fallen we the items in. There was a kind of anxiety as we didn’t think of the bed before and caused you lot don’t know for definite what should be our move. of physical stress and we failed miserably in this, We were not aware of the difficulty you are tak- please forgive me for causing this. 251 Australasia Sydney I remember in a couple of incidents you taught All glories to Srila Prabhupada. me the lesson “one should not act foolishly but al- Dear Guru Maharaja, I had the wonderful ways keep in mind that I am the fool no.1 in knowl- opportunity of spending some time in your edge in front of the Spiritual master.” I acted so personal association when you had come to foolishly and you taught me how to do things with Sydney in January this year. I was very fortunate greater care and attention to details and use com- to get the service of sitting by the side of your bed mon sense, also how to turn the situation around in the night (night shift service) during your stay by admitting any and all of my mistakes. in Sydney. My senior god brother Madhavendra You are so humble, tolerating all the pain Priya prabhu was also with me and he took care of I gave you while serving you, you wouldn’t com- most of your needs. Even though there were more plain about anything. Yet allowing me to do the qualified devotees to do this service, I was very service in view of giving the opportunity to realise fortunate to get this opportunity. I was unable to and correct. understand your needs most of the time and made I am again requesting you for your mercy and several mistakes. Though you could have asked blessings, show me the ways to understand what anytime for someone better, you tolerated me and you are trying to teach me, light up the path to continued to give me an opportunity to serve you show the direction you are directing me, educate in an insignificant way. me to change. I Beg for at least a drop of your mercy You are always keen to give your disciples an and blessings. I am all yours, your eternal servant opportunity to serve you and please Krishna in Guru Maharaj please pull be back from my anar- that way. In that same mood, you had merciful- thas and provide me with your association and ly given me this opportunity and tolerated all my guidance, blessing to move in my spiritual path. mistakes and inability. Also, I felt Krishna was The New year has just started we are fully very kind enough to arrange this opportunity for charged with your blessings and mercy after your me. I had just quit my old job the previous week visit. Our progress in the path as you recommend and awaiting to join my new job the following in one of your lectures to try to concentrate to week, hence I was free during the week you vis- make one family a devotee in an year. My wife and ited. Though I had not made special efforts to ar- I are taking this instruction deep inside our heart range things this way, it so happened and I was free and tried to do this through Bhakthi Vrikshas. during the week you visited and hence I was able Last year there were 3 new families who took up to come almost each night for the service. I am the process of Krishna consciousness. Thank you very grateful to Krishna to kindly arrange things for using me as an instrument. this way and give me this wonderful opportunity to serve you that I did not deserve. You had menYour spiritual son, tioned in one of your lectures that even thinking Srivasa Nitai Gaura Das, (Diksha) of a pure Vaishnava purifies one, what to speak of Sydney, Australia touching one. I had the glorious opportunity to touch you as part of the night shift service and get Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, purified in that way, though I did not deserve to Please accept my humble obeisances. touch your transcendental body. I am very grate252 Sydney Australasia ful for such an opportunity. times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances Earlier, I had contacted you by e-mail about unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.” my first Bhakti Vriksha batch that Vijay Gopikesh Although for a person like me, it would take prabhu helped me start. You personally replied to many lifetimes to properly glorify you but I am that mail saying that it was a defining moment attempting to write this offering to purify myself. in my life and gave me tips on how to succeed in Your glories are as unlimited as Krishna’s and Sri- that service. Though there are thousands of Bhak- la Prabhupada’s glories. ti Vrikshas around the world run successfully by Srila Gurudev, every year whenever I write thousands of more qualified disciples, you encour- the Vyasa Puja offering I cannot but just keep aged me by personally replying to my e-mail and thanking you for the mercy you shower on me and asking me to send regular updates about how the my family. This year due to your unqualified disci- service is going. In this way, you have kindly en- ples like myself, you have had a tough ride in terms couraged me in my attempt to render some service of personal health but still you have travelled all to you in an insignificant way. around to give your precious association. You dis- Looking forward to opportunities to serve you play unlimited compassion and humility not only in whatever insignificant way I can in the future. forsuffering souls like me but also for people who have hardly made any efforts to take Krishna con- Your undeserving aspiring servant, sciousness.Nothing can stop you to preach - not Sumedha Gauranga Das, (Diksha) even ill health. I remember when you were in Syd- Sydney, Australia ney in January 2016, you were admitted to a local hospital for a day treatment for a serious health My most dearest Gurudev, issue but your mood still didn’t change. Even in Hare Krishna!!! that state, you were subtly preaching hospital doc- Please accept my most humble and respectful tors and nurses. obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you Srila Gurudev! Guru-Maharaj, you have made all arrangements not only for your disciples but for aspirers Wish you a very very very Happy Appearance and well wishers through many innovative ways day! I humbly pray to Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri of giving your association through JPS app, JPS Sri Radha Gopinath, Pancha Tattva and Nrshim- archives, your lectures, social media (Facebook) ha Dev to bless you with good health. etc. I always notice that you get immense plea- yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado sure when someone strengthens their commit- yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi ment and conviction to Srila Prabhupada and his dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam ISKCON. In a very exemplary way, you teach us vande guroh sri-caranaravindam the mood of becoming an eternal disciple by dis- “By the mercy of the spiritual master one playing your unconditional pure love for Srila Pra- receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the bhupada. With your mercy and blessings, I am hop- grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any ing that one day I will instill in my heart a drop of advancement. Therefore, I should always remem- that mood of servitorship for Guru and Gauranga ber and praise the spiritual master. At least three similar to what you have for Srila Prabhupada and 253 Australasia Sydney ISKCON. You have further placed a lot of impor- God-brother and Brahmachari Leader Ghanashy- tance on working together and spreading Krishna am Govinda Das and Kamsarisena Das (disciple Consciousness - we can create something so much of His Holiness Devamrita Swami). We would like more powerful than we could ever create on our to offer unto your lotus feet the positive outcomes own. of what I would personally term as bit out of the Last year on this auspicious day, I was with you comfort zone- service. I am fully dependent on at your Home base Sri Mayapur Dham but un- your lotus feet my dearest Guru Maharaj and re- fortunately this year I am feeling that separation. quest you to kindly keep bestowing your continual I am praying and hoping that every year from shower of mercy and unlimited blessings so that here on, we will be in your personal association to we can add some value to this mission of spread- celebrate this day with you. ing the Sankirtan Movement. Dear Guru Maharaj, I always ask you what can Last but not least, I was listening to one of the I do for you and your standard response is to help lectures from His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami you in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s mission. To and he quoted -“Don’t try to see God but act in start on this journey, last year my wife Yutheshvari such a way that God will call you”. If I delve on Radha Devi Dasi and I took a small step of distrib- it further, I believe the only way I will be able to uting books on our daughter – Anaiya Radhika’s even perceive it with my faulty senses is by ren- second birthday in November 2014. Although, we dering service unto you with all my heart which is didn’t undertake book distribution actively this nothing but a lump of anarthas. I genuinely thank year but we have embarked on a new journey - you from the deepest core of my heart for letting Western Preaching - with the assistance of our me render some service unto you - I am eternally 254 Sydney Australasia indebted to you for allowing me to spend intimate menial servant at your Lotus Feet, moments with you. Every time you allow me to Venkata Madhava Das,(Diksha) feed you or let me drive you around it creates spe- Sydney, NSW Australia cial memories, which I secure deeply in the most hidden corner of my heart for this is what I need Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja! to unlock at the time of death. Guru Maharaj you Please accept my humble obeisances! know me inside out and being an ocean of cause- All glories to Srila Prabhupad! less mercy you fully understand and appreciate Dear Guru Maharaja, wish you many more my strengths and encourage me to get better and Krishna Conscious Vyasapuja appearance day! better. Guru Maharaj right from day 1 you under- Please kindly accept my deep heartfelt thank stood my passion to drive you around and allow you for initiating me recently during your visit to me to render this service which is the most exclu- Sydney in January 2016. “Bhrahmanda bhrahmite sive and treasured service for me. I pray to Sri Sri kauna bhagyavan jiva, Guru Krishna prasade paye Radha Gopinath that I always follow your exam- bhakti lata bija”. I feel very fortunate and bless- ple and never deviate from yours and Srila Pra- ed to get your association and mercy. I always felt bhupad’s values and instructions. I also pray that sad that I never stood first in material education gradually I will develop such qualities that at the but to the second position in class which left me culmination of my life, you will be proud to be my frustrated in education. But your causeless mercy spiritual father. I took my first baby step in spiritual path, which Thank you for being a special father… made me to cloud 9. Your Spiritual Son and Till your travel to Sydney is confirmed, I was 255 Australasia Sydney not thinking about initiation considering that Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja, I am not qualified and various so called obstacles. Please accept my respectful obeisances. But things so turned out that all the hurdles on All glories to you dear Guru Maharaja! the way were vanquished as your trip is finalized All glories to Srila Prabhupada! and your health is recovered. Then I understood On the night of Gaura Purnima, I had a dream, how you are distributing Lord Gauranga’s mercy in the dream I was giving you our statistics about freely in every town and village. our book distribution scores. Yes Gurudev! Mahaprabhu predicted that “prithivite ache We (Me and my husband - Nityananda Prana yata nagaradi grama sarvatra pracara haibe mora Das )have taken the initiative to engage grihast- nama”. Srila Prabhupad’’s mercy, holy name is has in book distribution using the idea that you spread all over the world in to major towns, and suggested in Perth Lecture. So far 85 congrega- keeping Prabhupad’s legacy through nama hatta tional members have signed up for 50:50 book dis- and bhakti vriksha programs you spread the glo- tribution Campaign. Taking inspiration from His ries of Gauranga to every village in India and oth- Grace Ghanashyam Prabhu, support of His Grace er countries. In my recent visit to India (Mayapur, Vijay Gopikesh pr and with the help of enthusi- Puri, Tirupathi), I clearly understood the glories astic congregational members we are trying our of your services to Prabhupad. Wherever I went, best. You instructed me to distribute books during I could see the presence of Victory Flag in some the first personal darshan,I would like to make it a way or other. When His Holiness Bhakti Purshot- life long service, thank you for guiding us through tama swami was here, he mentioned that your and we seek your blessing. I felt that this dream/ vision is always 10years in advance; some of your sleep was complete after having spoken to you(in activities are not comprehensible for common dream) and Gaura purnima day ended very nicely. man like me. Taking inspiration from that moment I am I understand with great qualification of being writing this for you…. your disciple, great opportunity and responsibility If it’s a dream, let it be about you, of serving you in the mission of Prabhupada is up If its birthday celebration, let me celebrate yours, on me. I pray and beg at your lotus feet to bestow If is a garland I have to string, let me string it for your mercy and strength on to me in serving Rad- you, ha Gopinath and Sydney congregation. If it’s the food that I cook, let it be for you, This is my first offering to you Guru Maharaja; If it’s a letter that I write, let me address it to you, If it’s a gift I have to buy, let me shop for you, kindly forgive me for my offenses. vanca kalpa trubyas ca If it’s a skill I have to learn, let me learn to use in kripa sindhubya eva ca your service, patitanam pavanebyo If it’s a puja, I have to do, let it be Guru puja, vaishnavebyo namo namaha If it’s a service I have to do, let me do it for your pleasure, Aspiring to be your menial servant, Virabhadra Nityananda Das, (Diksha) Sydney, Australia 256 If it’s a song I have to pen, let me compose it for you, If it’s a stage performance, let me do it for you, If it’s a discourse I have to give, let me speak about Sydney Australasia you, edge, I was unable to understand. After hearing If it’s a book to distribute, let me distribute it for you, many lectures and reading Srila Prabhupada’s book If it’s the bhakti creeper I have to grow, let me nour- I gradually increased my faith on the Lord and his ish it for you, name, however still with 0.0000001% doubt. I al- If it’s somebody’s dhoti I have to catch, let it be yours, ways used to mention to myself “If you chant well, If it’s somewhere I have to go to, let it be to Goloka Krishna will reveal to you that secret.” Srila Gu- with you!!! rudev your recent visit to Sydney in January 2016 So far it has always been ‘I’ and ‘Me’, I am slow- helped me to remove that 0.0000001% doubt as ly learning to do it for you dear Gurudev, the pro- well. I would like to share this pastime. I was very cess which you taught, that would make life ‘Com- excited to see you and have your vapu association plete’! as well. My husband and I took Laundry service Your daughter, for you, Srila Gurudev and your servants. I have Vraja Vinoda Devi Dasi a problem wherein my right shoulder dislocates, Sydney, Australia and whenever this happens it takes weeks to reduce the pain and for it to come back to normal. Hare Krishna Dear Srila Gurudev, Unluckily or luckily my shoulder got dislocated Please accept my respectful obeisances. suddenly, and you had just gone for rest and I was All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. in severe pain but could not do anything. The only All Glories to you Srila Gurudev. thing I was happy about was that if I died at that Happy appearance day to our beloved Gurudev! moment (as the pain will be so bad that I can’t With your permission and mercy, I would like to even express) at least I was close to Srila Gurudev pray to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, and continued struggling. Within 10 minutes my Gaura, Nitai, Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra shoulder popped back into position, but I could to bestow unlimited mercy on to you on this Vya- not move my right hand at all. I was very disap- sa Puja and for your fast recovery so that you can pointed as I had ironing service to finish off for fulfil the mission of Srila Prabhupada. the day. I forced myself and said this is the gold- Whenever I used to hear, “Krishna is not alone. en opportunity to serve Srila Gurudev and started Krishna means His name, His qualities, His fame, to iron your clothes Gurudev. As I continued to His friends, His paraphernalia, His entourage— iron and the wrinkles in the garment started to everything included” I never fully understood it. disappear, in the same time the pain of my shoul- Srila Gurudev only with your mercy I could un- der, which usually takes a minimum of a week to derstand that Krishna is non-different from his heal, started to disappear as well. Then I started name as mentioned in Bhagavad-gita 10.39 “I am to realise why this happened to me while I was the generating seed of all existences. There is no doing your service, Srila Gurudev. You showed being – moving or nonmoving – that can exist me that you and your paraphernalia is non-dif- without Me.” ferent. Then it struck me Krishna and his name But Srila Gurudev somehow I was drawn to are non-different, you were so merciful to remove this, sometimes I used to get confused about how that 0.0000001% doubt. This instance helped me this is possible. With my material eyes and knowl- to increase my faith more and more and made me 257 Australasia Sydney stronger in Krishna Consciousness. I beg to your All Glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!!!!! lotus feet please keep blessing me so I can take All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!!! larger steps in Krishna Consciousness. All Glories to Gurudeva!!!!! As mentioned in – Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.36 My dear eternal spiritual father, hope your “O Lord,” the demigods say, “the imperson- health is doing well. We are so much worried alists, who are non-devotees, cannot understand about your health Guru Maharaj. Checking often, that Your name is identical with Your form.” whatsapp messages and email to get an update of Since the Lord is absolute, there is no difference your health. We are doing extra rounds and Tulsi between His name and His actual form. In the parikrama as per your instruction. material world there is a difference between form Guru Maharaj, We were so upset when we and name. The mango fruit is different from the heard that your health is not good when you were name of the mango. One cannot taste the mango in Adelaide. When we told this to our daughter fruit simply by chanting, “Mango, mango, mango.” Varsha, she was so upset and she kept on tell- But the devotee who knows that there is no differ- ing “I want to see Guru Maharaj”. But ignoring ence between the name and the form of the Lord your health condition you came flying through to chants Sydney this year in the month of Jan 2016. You are Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna a pathitha pavana Guru Maharaj. Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama We (My husband and me), though don’t have Hare Hare and realizes that he is always in Krish- any qualification to serve you, but we are long- na’s company. ing to serve you personally, but we couldn’t get Please accept all my services to your lotus feet much personal service to do for you this time. We Srila Gurudev. Last year I was asked to do the dec- pray to you Guru Maharaj that, next time when oration for the Altar of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath we meet you in person we get abundance oppor- for the festival days, through the showering of tunity to serve you personally. I (Krishnapriya your never ending mercy, I was able to complete Kavita Devi Dasi) was praying to you, Lord Ja- the service and learn a lot in the service of their gannath and Lord Krishna to have initiation to- Lordship. gether as husband and wife. We heard from senior Please bless me and my family to be able to con- devotees that you will be more happy when you tinue our humble service to your lotus feet and to- give initiation as a couple together. You gave us ward fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s mission. (me and my husband) Harinam Initiation on Jan Jai Srila Gurudeva. 7th 2016, which I (Krishnapriya Kavita Devi Dasi) never imagined. If we think now also it is a kind of Your Servant dream for us. Thanks Guru Maharaj for pouring Vrindavana Palini Devi Dasi so much mercy on us to such a fallen unfortunate Sydney, Australia soul than anyone else and a beggar who are longing for Krishna Prema. Our Dear Beloved Gurudeva, What else we need Guru Maharaj. You have Please accept our humble obeisances at dust of your Lotus feet. blessed us with what I (Krishnapriya Kavita Devi Dasi) have prayed for. We have only one thing to 258 Sydney Australasia ask you, please give us Good Health, strength and blissful way. It’s always been blissful to read and Intelligent to preach Krishna consciousness. hear your lectures. Blissful to hear and read the Along with Nityananda Prana Das (Disci- wonderful nectar about your pastimes. Though ple of His Holiness Janananda Maharaj) & Vraja you are feeling so sick you are very focused on Vinoda Devi Dasi (Disciple of His Holiness Jayap- preaching Krishna consciousness where ever you ataka Swami Guru Maharaj), we have joined the go. How wonderfully you answer to each and ev- 50/50 Book distribution team, please bless us so eryone’s prayers. How wonderfully you take care of that we can distribute lots of books to other souls the devotees. I was amazed to see how wonderfully and get them to Krishna consciousness. and with so much concern the personal servants Guru Maharaj please bless us in abundance and take care of you. We pray to Radha Gopinath for only by your mercy we will be able to distribute your good health and also personal servant’s good books. Please bless us in abundance to get Krishna health. We wanted to see you back in very good Prema. We are fully surrendering to you. Please health. We love you Guru Maharaj. You are show- give us Intelligence and strength to get other souls ering mercy to such a fallen soul like us. The way also to Krishna Consciousness and also to help in you recognize and appreciate the little services Srila Prabhupada’s Mission. that we do. Inspite of all your health crisis you are Guru Maharaj, You are such a big inspiring to our life. The life for us changed completely in a giving so much love, affection and care to your disciples. 259 Australasia Sydney Please... Please... Please... Guru Maharaj, We I would start with reiterating that everything beg you at the dust of your lotus feet, please take about you, everything associated with you is all enough rest so that your health becomes very good. transcendental and blissful. Every role you play is We all want you Guru Maharaj forever… First class- you are a First class disciple or a Spiri- Guru Maharaj, Please bless us, in whatever tual son of Srila Prabhupada, a First class Sannyasi hardship we go through in our life we should never (who was awarded Sannyas at a tender age of 21), lose our enthusiasm in serving you Guru Maharaj. a First class preacher follower of the Bhakti cult And also we should be very helpful in serving Sri- and most importantly, a First class Guru or Spir- la Prabhupada’s mission. itual Father to hundreds and thousands of your My dear eternal Father, Please bless us that we should become a very good Vaisnava and Vaisnavi. Thanks Guru Maharaj for showing mercy to this fallen souls. spiritual children. You are quintessence of all the 26 Vaishnava qualities. Your love for your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada is unalloyed without any tinge of Guru Maharaj we have attached the letter that our daughter Rithika wrote for you. contamination, Your valiant commitment to fulfill your spiritual master’s instructions in simply Your Useless Son & Daughter, inconceivable. Scriptures reveal on several occa- Vrndavana Venkatesa Das & sions, how the most merciful Lord empowers his Krishnapriya Kavita Devi Dasi, (Diksha) devotees in every respect. Similarly, in this mate- Sydney, Australia rial world, we can clearly witness how your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada, Guru parampara and Dearest Guru Maharaj, the Lord Himself has empowered you so much so Please accept my humble obesiances at your that with innumerable and inconceivable heath lotus feet. All glories to you Srila Gurudev! All devastations you emerge victorious parading glories to Srila Prabhupad! Victory Flag indeed- His Holiness Jayapataka On this most auspicious occasion, I would like to wish you a very Happy, healthy and healthier Appearance day! Swami. Srila Prabhupada empowered you to develop the kingdom of God and you continue to execute I also humbly pray to your beloved Sri Sri Rad- his orders with full potency and vitality. Your ex- ha Madhava, most merciful Sri Sri Radha Gopi- tensive service portfolio, over the years, ranging nath, Pancha Tattva and Nrshimhadev to bless from Namahatta preaching Bhakti tree format to you with good health. Mayapur and Navadwip mandal prarikrma and Gurudev, as always, on this special day, I try endless GBC responsibilities keeps growing year hard to glorify you, but no matter how hard I try on year. In light of your endless service in the I am unable to do so. For, it is very difficult to ex- Dham, it would be appropriate to say that one can- pound perfection personified with my imperfect not think of Sri Mayapur Dham without thinking senses. Yet, I make an attempt every year for I know of you and your contributions. fore sure the eternal fact that you have accepted Last year, on this most auspicious occasion, me, as your spiritual daughter will overpower all with your causeless mercy, my family and I had the my incompetences. honor of experiencing the festivities in Sri May260 Sydney Australasia apur Dham with you. Though, I miss each and ing our energies in such a way that our strengths every moment we all spent with you during our strengthens further and our weaknesses become visit but something that still resonates in my ears an opportunity to learn something new. I genu- and in my heart is the welcoming that hundreds inely thank you for engaging me in the your ser- and thousands of devotees gave you when you ar- vice of email transcription. It is most certainly the rived in a fully packed temple hall. Just by seeing a treasured service of my life for it makes me feel glimpse of your wheelchair was being wheeled in, that I am sitting right next to your lotus feet and devotees roared Gauranga, Gauranga, Gauranga witnessing personally, how you deal with the most followed by applaud. Not just any applaud but the complex matters with such ease. It is simply be- kind that seemed to be never-ending. It was the yond my feeble mind to comprehend how at one kind that would rip the hearts out and would be instance you will be discussing with senior devo- engraved as a precious memory for years to come. tees about the most crucial strategic management I am extremely privileged to experience such pub- decisions and simultaneously sharing the tran- lic display of love, regard and endless appreciation scendental vision on ISKCON’s future and with for you. Gurudev that applaud alone had such a flick of finger transform into this loving person spellbound effect that could never be achieved by who would be encouraging a new bhakta by giving words. basic practical tips. I fail to understand how you Gurudev, you are epitome of humility, love and can travel so swiftly and with so much ease be- affection. As I always say you are our powerhouses tween various levels i.e. top to bottom. Whatever our source of energy. Just by having a glimpse of it may be Gurudev all I would say is this service is you one can feel rejuvenated. Your aura is tran- helping me understand your mood and I hope to scendental and enthralling even in this far-from- become a sponge to absorb as much as I can. perfect medical condition. Gurudev, I would like to conclude by seeking I am eternally indebted to you for the causeless permission to kindly allow me to express my deep shower of mercy you sprinkle upon my family and gratitude for demonstrating to us most vibrantly me. You have held us and nurtured us with your that no material circumstance can dissuade a true unconditional love during the most testing times devotee of the Lord. Guru Maharaj on this spe- of our lives. Quoting the most recent one that ap- cial day of yours, I pray to you that never for a pears to be the most horrific experience any par- moment, even in my dreams, I become ungrateful, ent would ever go through being seeing your new- unfaithful or forgetful of your causeless mercy. Just born ‘children’ passing away in your arms in front as a father takes pride in seeing his children grow, of your eyes. How the most grief stricken situation you take great pleasure in seeing us advance in transformed into jubilations with your penetrat- our spiritual lives. Gurudev, as you often say that ing Vani (voice). How within minutes you man- advancement implies becoming free from selfish aged to make us forget our life long loss and turned material desires and rendering service, but I some- it into the eternal profit. Now I understand what how cannot free myself from such selfish desires it really means to be a devotee mother. alone. I need your mercy to help me kick out these Gurudev, you are so expert in not only gauging unwanted weeds. Please bless me with strength, our strengths and weaknesses but also channel- intelligence and wisdom so I could serve you and 261 Australasia Sydney assist you and become a valuable instrument in wonderful opportunity to yet again experience the your cherished service of fulfilling Srila Prabhu- magic of your blessings and association. Your very pada’s mission. Guru Maharaj in scriptures it is presence dissipated all hostility and all the horri- written that for a women, the most priced posses- ble feelings lingering in the heart stemming from sion is her chastity but to me it is my initiation the lower modes of nature. What seemed like in- vows. Please bless me Guru Maharaj so I remain surmountable obstacles paled into insignificance true and chaste to my initiation vows. by your divine auspicious blessings and unlimited Gurudev as it’s your birthday today and I am mercy. suppose to give you a gift so, I was thinking what When Prabhu told me how you gave him a else could be a better gift to give to my spiritual very affectionate hug and cried tears of gratitude father than sharing with him of our new preach- for his service to your beloved Srila Prabhupada’s ing adventure! But Venkat as always, has beaten mission all my anxiety and frustration disappeared me on this front. So, all I would say is yes, I am co- and my heart was filled with a daughter’s love for operating with him to best of my ability so he can her only and kindest spiritual father. give 100% to the service. I would also like to offer Gurudev I don’t have words to describe my to you Gurudev my prayers. Again, there is no pu- gratitude for your love for an insignificant Kali- rity in my prayers; yet, I make an attempt to pray yuga rascal like me. to the Supreme Personality of Godhead to bless You never cease to amaze me with your loving you with perfect health so you can preach for vast relationships with one and all. I feel proud of you preaching arena is waiting for Srila Prabhupada’s when I remember how His Grace Jananivas pra- ninja assassin- victory personified - victory flag bhu cried tears of love for you as he feelingly said to Fight against the cruel prangs of Mayadevi and that you only live for others. save hundreds and thousands of souls like me. I am just the opposite, very selfish and narrow Your unqualified Spiritual daughter, minded. But I have full faith that your blessings Yutheshvari Radha Devi Dasi on my head will one day make me worthy of being Sydney, Australia Hare Krishna Dear beloved Gurudev! your spiritual daughter. I would like to narrate your most inspiring pas- Please accept my respectful obeisances at your times, but just to keep it short I narrate only a few. lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupad, your When it was His Holiness.Bhakti Tirtha Ma- most beloved Gurudev. All glories to your life- haraj’s birthday in Mayapur, he came to the long long dedicated service to your most beloved Srila kitchen and lined up like any one of us for your Prabhupada. blessings and prasad. When u saw him, you came Srila Gurudev I would like to thank you unlim- down and gave him such an affectionate hug and itedly for accepting me as your spiritual daughter lifted him off the ground with your physical might and continuing to inspire me in spite of my deep as well as the power of your deep love for your god ignorance and unshakable conditioning. You are brothers. I have that scene etched in my heart for- generosity and magnanimity personified for con- ever. necting a mleccha like me to the guru parampara. One of your disciples had knitted a woolen This year when you came to Sydney, I had the scarf for you and gave it to you in the middle of 262 New Zealand Australasia summer. You wore it round your neck and gave the get along with anyone. I know that it is because class, all the time perspiring with sweat all over of your non critical, all accepting, magnanimous, your face, just to show her how much you appreci- tolerant nature. I think I can now,slightly compre- ate her gift. hend the statement Srila Prabhupada made about You had said regarding the crazy person who you - He is an associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. attacked you in Madrid, “ He had offered 3 chop- His Grace Mahatma Prabhu in his recent semi- pers to Krishna and hid it in the bushes and was nar in Sydney quoted you and said, “ His Holiness. wanting to get the big sannyasis. It is better that Jayapataka Maharaj says that he fights fire with he got me (you meant you were big in physical water.” When I am faced with a tough situation, I size - those days) instead of any other ISKCON try to remember this statement of yours and qui- Sannyasi. (I am only paraphrasing - my language etly beg for mercy to be able to follow it and please like everything else, is not good like yours) You you with my behavior. are always protecting and caring for everyone - Today, on your most auspicious appearance whether they are your god brothers, your spiritual day, I would like to thank you unlimitedly for all children, spiritual children of your god brothers, your love and blessings and re affirm my vow to people outside of ISKCON.... anyone.... follow your instructions, to please you and that I His Holiness. Bhakti Rasayana Sagar maharaj would always tell us that you are a person who will will be able to do it only with your blessing hand permanently on my measly head. 263 Europe Belgium, Sofia may not stray from the path of bhakti. I would also Your foolish spiritual daughter, who begs constantly for your mercy, like to beg forgiveness for all the offences I have committed knowingly or unknowingly. Sharanmukhi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Your servant, Wellington, New Zealand, Australia Ananda Gaura Das (Diksha), Brussels, Belgium Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances. Dear Srila Gurudev, All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Please accept my most humble obeisances! All glories to Your Lotus Feet. your divine grace. This year we are celebrating your divine grace’s All glories to Srila Prabhupada 67th appearance day on this earthly planet. On this and Sri Guru parampara! auspicious occasion, I pray to Nitai and Gauranga I would like to express my admiration and re- to give you both physical and mental strength to spect to the intimate service that Your Holiness carry out all the instructions given to you by Sri- has been rendering to Srila Prabhupada and the la Prabhupada. I also pray to them that your en- previous acaryas, as well as humanity at large. deavours are met with success. Despite suffering Everyday I pray to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai that my from bodily ailments, your divine grace continues devotion and desire to serve Guru Maharaja’s mis- to travel extensively around the world spreading sion increase day by day. the glories of the holy name. The power of your Since my last visit in Sri Mayapur Dham I have determination to propagate the teachings of Sri been meditating on the instructions that you have Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is unquestionable. kindly given me. Next week we are starting our Over the last few years, I have realised that first Bhakti Vriksa group in Sofia, Bulgaria, and you are the perfect living example of Sri Krish- I would like to use this as an offering for your most na’s teachings to Arjuna. The main principle of auspicious Vyasa Puja. the Gita, “you are not this body” is perfectly being Although I feel myself not qualified for this depicted by you. Your sole aim has always been task I hope that Your Holiness and all the previ- to please Krishna regardless of your condition. ous acaryas will be pleased with our endeavors and I remember an incident back in 2008, when you shower upon us an ocean of blessings for the suc- were recovering from a stroke. I visited you in cessful execution of this great service in Bulgaria. Malaysia and my mother broke down upon seeing I bow down at Your Lotus Feet again and again! you. She stated, “I have just come here to see you Guru Maharaj.” You then responded, “Why me? Your servant, You should see Jagannath.” I was amazed by the Bhakta George (Shelter) way you responded. I do not think it would have Sofia, Bulgaria been possible for any other person to respond in such a manner. Despite your poor health, you Dear Guru Maharaj, were constantly reminding us not to forget Krish- Please accept my humble obeisances. na. I, therefore, pray to you on this auspicious oc- All glories to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. casion to bless this insignificant soul so that he Thank you very much for everything Dear 264 Denmark Europe Guru Maharaj. Thank you very much for accepting spiritual master. Please make me worthy to gain even somebody like me as your disciple. Thanks a similar absorption in meditating constantly on million for being so causelessly merciful upon so what will please you the most and with determi- many conditioned souls. nation pursue that path. It is so wonderful to witness the completely I am a very weak person Gurudev. On this most pure Krishna consciousness of a pure devotee of auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja I beg for the Lord Gauranga, so blissful to get glimpses of one strength to follow my vows of initiation. I don’t who is firmly situated in pure, unalloyed devo- want to let you down. Yet I have failed miserably tional service. Only an unadulterated eternal as- so many times. I pray for some very special bless- sociate of Sri Sri Panca Tattva can maintain his ings that I can somehow continue distributing Krishna consciousness and simultaneously preach Srila Prabhupada’s books until I breathe my last. to one and all around him, while being repeatedly Thank you very much Srila Gurudev for all your unconscious and having his breathing supported prayers, care and affection that you shower on all by artificial means in the intensive care unit of a of us. hospital. When we met you in ILBS, Delhi and asked Thank you very much Srila Guru Maharaj for you where we should stay, you said wherever we wanting to stay with all of us for some more time. can do maximum service. We are not many devo- I very much need your continuous unlimited bless- tees in Denmark. So there is practically unlimited ings and association always. Yours is truly a glori- service here. We need mountain-loads of mercy ous life, deeply absorbed in the mission of your and blessings Guru Maharaj to do some service 265 Europe Denmark and stay fixed on the path of devotional service. or material pleasure. Nobody can serve Krishna so You have Krishna and so you can give Krishna. uninterrupted and be interested only in serving I want to always run behind you calling, look- Krishna as you do, if there is not freedom from ing for Krishna. Please don’t give up on me Guru attachment of material desires. Maharaj. Your single desire is to spread the holy name Thank you very very much for everything and the Lords transcendental qualities. You are Gurudev. Please give me the strength to serve fully absorbed in thinking about ways to spread in separation. I am very afraid of committing Krishna consciousness and to save Krishna’s fall- offenses at the lotus feet of the devotees. You are en children. You are the ideal spiritual master. the most beautiful shining example of sincerity, dedication, humility, tolerance, perseverance, You have full faith in Krishnas mercy and you gratitude and all other good qualities. Please bless are the perfect medium through which to receive it. us with the dust of your lotus feet. I am very grateful to Krishna that He send us such an extraordinary soul as you, to give us this Your unworthy servant, amazing example of pure devotional service. Kurma Gaura Das, (Diksha) I pray that Krishna allows us more of your as- Copenhagen ISKCON temple, Denmark sociation and for improvement of your health. It is obvious, that nothing can stop your good spirit Dear Guru Maharaja, and bliss in devotional service, still I always pray that you can remain like that despite bodily diffi- please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! All glories to you! culties. I thank Krishna, that I came in touch with you On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I take the opportunity to write something for my purification and hopefully for your pleasure. and I thank you for accepting me so mercifully as your disciple. Although following the basic rules and regula- I am not qualified to estimate your glories, just tions of Krishna consciousness since many years, as a person that knows only little about mathemat- still, I feel, I have not done anything significant. ics can hardly appreciate the accomplishments of Please forgive me and please pray for me to over- a great mathematicion. come my obstacles. I have no grasp of your stage of devotional ser- Please bless this fallen soul and the souls relat- vice. But by examining your life and your quali- ed to me in this life, to hold on to your and Srila ties, and comparing them to the descriptions of a Prabhupada s lotos feet and to be able to do any- maha bhagavata as given in Nectar of Devotion thing that could make us dear to you. and Nectar of Instruction, everybody can under- Begging to remain in your mercy, stand your position. How else can a person be so selfless over such Your servant, a long period of time? You must experience such Amrita Daya Devi Dasi,(Diksha) a fullfillment in devotional service, which you do Cologne, Germany not need to care about any material appreciation 266 Germany Europe My dear Guru Maharaj, dandavats to your lotus feets, Jay Srila Prabhupada, requires a great faith – both in the spiritual master and the process –, honesty, sincerity, serious- What can I offer to you, You gave me every- ness, steadiness, and unlimited humbleness. I do thing, everything what I have is gift from you. not have any of the above mentioned qualities, Thank you for everything. I wish you wonderful but You possess them down-the-line. I know this. Vyasa Puja day, and good health in next year and I have seen this by examining Your life and Your that all you wishes get manifested. teachings. Your unlimited faith in Your beloved spiritu- Your Servant in love, al master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Lilanath Krishna Das, (Diksha) Swami Prabhupada and in His movement. Your Munich, Germany unstoppable enthusiasm to give Krishna-consciousness to the fallen souls and the infinite love Dear Guru Maharaja, for Your disciples and for the devotees in general Please accept my humble obeisances. inspires me so much. I know I am not qualified for All glories to Your beloved spiritual master, this, but I want to serve such a person. I feel that Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your Lotus Feet! without this my life would be meaningless. On the path of spiritual life taking the initia- Going to the battle against Maya under Srila tion is a very important stage. Not because of the Prabhupada’s Victory Flag is my only real desire. ritual, but because of the personal connection. There are so much material desires in my mind but Being a disciple is a very serious responsibility. It I know they are not real. I can handle them under 267 Europe Hungary Your guidance and shelter. The only real desire I have is to serve You Dear Guru Maharaja in this life and life after life, under any circumstances. to strength day by day. Dear Guru Maharaja, I don’t have any good qualities, I’m the topmost rascal, my only hope is These are big words I know. And tests will Your mercy. You are full of compassion for the fallen come I know. And I will not have the opportu- conditioned souls and it is for this reason that nity to spend too much time with You personally You are always engaged in delivering them back I know. But Your example Your teachings will be home back to Godhead. I gave up my indepen- with me forever. And they can inspire me, they dence and took shelter at Your lotus feet. Please can guide me, they can protect me! In this I have a forgive my offenses and allow me to develop taste great faith. I have a great faith in You Dear Guru for Your service. Please maintain me by consider- Maharaja! This is what I only have. ing me to be Your servant. I surrender everything I was looking for my spiritual master for a long time and during this time I was praying to Srila at Your lotus feet, please be my master and let me be Your dog. Please kindly threat me this way. Prabhupada: “Please kindly send me somebody whom I can surrender and whom I can serve.” The insignificant servant of Your servants, Gaurasundara Krpamoya Dasa (Diksha) And He kindly guided me to You. I know I can hardly serve You personally but Bhaktivedanta Library, I can serve You in many other ways. Basically by Budapest, Hungary serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission I know I am Shelina / Irish serving You. I am in the temple community, fully depending on the temple. I am serving in an Dear Guru Maharaja ISKCON institute in the Bhaktivedanta Col- Please accept my humble obeisances. lege, Hungary, for 6 years now. I love it. Teaching, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! preaching is my life. I know I can make You happy All glories to Your lotus feet so freely giving with an other service too namely book distribu- shelter to so many of us souls struggling here in tion. I regularly go out and do sankirtan. In the Kaliyuga. last three years by Your kind mercy I won once I took shelter last summer in Birmingham, and I was second twice at the Prabhupada Mara- finally after all these years but you have always thon amongst the part time distributors. Although been very kind to me. I do not know where I would I can not see my life as a full time book distributor, be without your care and attention. Praying your but time to time I go out and try to convince peo- mood of compassion and ability to reach out to ple to accept the treasure of Srila Prabhupada’s so many will continue for many years to come. books. I have even found a way to serve You per- It is hard to see your current body situation but sonally. I contacted Satya Medha Gauranga Pra- amazing/awe inspiring to see you defy the bhu, and he is kindly using my Krishna given skills limits of the body. Thank you million times over for in computer graphic. your care and prayers towards me/my advancement. By engaging my mind body and words in the I am still struggling to committ to follow four princi- above mentioned services and by constantly hear- ples, so unable to take initiation yet. However the step ing from and about You my faith in You continues towards shelter has helped me to step clos- 268 Irish Europe er to Guru disciple relationship and so far I am embarrassed by my inability to serve but sincere- Praying for your mission to be fulfilled too by us your disciples. ly hopeful I will one day serve you and this great movement which really is a door to the spiritual Yours hopefully humbly servant world. My family has expanded by the great mercy Bhaktin Shelina,(Shelter) of the Lord I am a mother of two now, Tukaram Irish yatra age six and Dana-Keli age 5months! My chanting has reduced with birth of Danakeli. With your blessings we are planning to move My beloved spiritual father Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaja, to Sridham Mayapur in January 2017. Below are two photos of my family and me. Thank you Guru Please accept my most respectful obeisances at the dust of Your Divine lotus Feet. Maharaja for your dedication to Prabhupadas All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the savior of mission and for always being there for me and this world! All glories, all glories, all glories, all my sister Sudevi sundari Devi Dasi, and, father glories unto You! Syamasundar Bhagavan (currently in Belfast, Your glories are beyond my comprehension. northern Ireland, age 76 struggling w some health You are a true hero! Fighting and chivalrously issues but continues to chant daily) Praying for winning all the hurdles and still so humble and smooth building of the TOVP we are aware of caring with everyone… various issues. You are there steady and strong, for the bene269 Europe Italy fit of all! dragging me home with sweetness, care and joy- I am speechless and stunned when I see how You behave with devotees, how You make them feel loved, how You inspire them, how personal You are with each and every single person, how everyone is special and dear to You and how you fulness. Falling at Your Divine lotus feet I pray to remain there forever. My mum says: Happy appearance day and she is happy You recovered. can enter in people’s heart within few seconds. This is all wonderful and simultaneously uncon- Your grateful daughter, ceivable for my tiny brain, and though I under- Akarsini Radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) stand You are a living blessing, my heart longs for Bari, Italy those moments spent in Your association, cooking for You, being tricked by Your transcendental My beloved and unique Spiritual Father Jay- jokes and behold with my eyes how You behave apataka Swami, please accept my most respectful with others. Also when You are there, devotees obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your are naturally joyful, united and affected by the Grace!! All glories to His Divine Grace AC Bhak- Mayapur transcendental vibe manifested by Your tivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada! presence: where problems seem irrelevant, the Just as in April springtime brings along the en- material world moves backwards and Srila Prabh- ergy to awaken nature from a long dark and cold upada and Lord Gauranga dance in the devotees winter, and everything comes back to an impet- hearts. uous life … green, scented, colorful, melodious, I will endeavor to put BQ in everything I do. ready to overcome any obstruction, in the same I humbly pray You to instill in this helpless soul way, in April, you appeared like a Spring equipped some tiny drop of Your mercy, so I can contribute with spiritual energy to awaken the dormant souls, in spreading Srila Prabhupada and Lord Gauran- to take them out from their long winter sleep. Like ga’s message and make Your instructions my life the gentle but powerful touch of Spring is able to and soul. I am committing in this Vyasa Puja day, make even the most withered among plants bloom, to see every soul as a gift that You are sending so even a short association with you is able to cause to me, so I can treat them properly and with the the seed of Krishna consciousness to bloom in every soul; that person feels your warm touch, becomes happy, filled with hope and the Holy Name manifests from his mouth. Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda gave us a special gift sending Your Grace here and They are giving us time...and time...and time again to take advantage of this special mercy. I don’t want to be the fool who misuses that right frame of mind, serve and help them to come, good fortune, please Srila Gurudeva keep me close somehow, closer to Krishna. to your lotus feet even though I am so fallen. You are truly my savior and I know You are 270 Italy Europe Your unqualified aspiring servant, Mio amatissimo Guru Maharaja, Devaki Rupa Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Per favore accetta gli umili omaggi di questa tua Florence, Italy sempre insignificante figlia alla polvere dei tuoi Dear Guru Maharaji, piedi di loto! Tutte le glorie a Srila Prabhupada! Please accept my humble obeisances. Tutte le glorie a Sri Caitanya e Sri Nityananda! O mio amato Guru Maharaja, anche quest’an- All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to the dust of your lotus feet. You no sono qui a scriverti in occasione del tuo Vyasa carried and are still carrying the compassion of puja con il cuore in mano e con la sempre mag- Gauranga Mahaprabhu for the suffering souls of giore consapevolezza che se non fosse per la tua this age all over the world! All Glories to Navad- misericordia infinita non sarei qui in compagnia wipa dhama, the transcendental abode of the Su- dei devoti del Signore Krishna a Villa Vridnavana preme Personality of Godhead! a curarmi dall’intossicazione del mondo materiale. By your mercy one more year in Krishna con- Il falso ego cerca sempre di aver la meglio, ma gra- sciousness has gone, but sincerely I feel too much zie al prezioso aiuto di mio marito Murari-Cait- still on the platform of “I and my.” anya Das che Krishna mi ha messo accanto e di Although the time is pushing me to do more, and I feel the necessity and desires even to be more tutti I devoti del tempio sto cercando di metterlo a tacere. consciousness...those anarthas are still troubling Cerco sempre di avere davanti a me, nitida, la me. If after 20 years of practice I’m still at this tua immagine, perché senza la tua presenza costan- stage, I have to admit I’m not doing well... Some- te non sarei in grado di superare tante cose. Sei times I feel disconnected from local authorities, tu la mia ancora di salvezza, l’unico scoglio a cui and seniors devotees; my fault, this is the problem! mi aggrappo con tutta me stessa per non essere You gave me so much mercy and affection Guru sopraffatta dall’energia negativa che sta dilagan- Maharaja, I would to like to somehow repay and to do a macchia d’olio nel mondo. Solo tu, con il tuo do even a little thing properly for you. I know how costante esempio e con la tua costante presenza, you cherish book distribution, so with your mercy mi stai aiutando ad affrontare tutto quello che sta Guru Maharaja, I would like to do it in a more reg- avanzando in quest’era di Kali, perciò ti prego mio ular way to satisfy you and Srila Prabhupada, along amato Guru Maharaja, ti supplico, non lasciarci with Pujari service in Villa Vrindavana where it is proprio ora! E’ una grande egoismo da parte nos- very much needed. Please consider this and pray tra, da parte mia, pregare Krishna e Nrisimhadev for the project here. Some improvements are hap- che ti lascino ancora con noi. Stiamo tutti pre- pening, but still is very difficult making new dev- gando per questo, anche in questo momento che otees. We wish also to see you soon in Villa Vrin- sono appena arrivate le ultime notizie sul tuo stato davana, where recently a group of your disciples di salute da Delhi. Ogni giorno prego Krishna affinché tu possa have gathered and are serving nicely. An aspiring, humble beggar of the dust of your venire qui in Italia per poter stare dei giorni con te: vederti, ascoltare la tua voce, prendere ogni lotus feet! Your servant, giorno la tua misericordia, ascoltare la tua saggez- Isvara Krishna Das, (Diksha), Florence, Italy za, sono di vitale importanza per tutti noi tuoi dis271 Europe Italy cepoli, per me. Bhaktin Monica (Shelter) Guru Maharaja, per favore accetta le mie umile Villa Vrindavana, Florence, Italy scuse per tutte le offese involontarie che in qualche modo posso averti arrecato scrivendo queste Mio caro Guru Maharaja,Ti prego di accettare poche parole, perché, come mi corregge spesso mio I miei umili omaggi ai tuoi piedi di loto, tutte le marito, ho la tendenza a fare offese anche se non glorie a Srila Prabhupada, tutte le glorie a Tua div- c’è intenzione. Il mio percorso è ancora molto lun- ina Grazia. go, ma con il tuo aiuto e con l’aiuto di Krishna In questo auspicioso giorno del tuo meraviglio- confido un giorno di riuscire a diventare un po’ so Vyasa-Puja, io mi sforzo di trovare le parole de- più seria nella vita devozionale. gne di glorificazione per Tua Grazia! L’unica cosa preziosa che posseggo e che posso Tua Grazia inonda tutti I suoi discepoli con un offrirti in questo sacro giorno del tuo Vyasa Puja oceano infinito di misericordia, alleviando così è la mia infinta ed eterna gratitudine per avermi tutti dalla sofferenza dell’esistenza materiale che è accolta e la mia devozione; il mio cuore non posso simile ad un fuoco ardente. dartelo, perché è sempre stato tuo fin dall’inizio e quindi è già lì con te. Non tu solo predichi costantemente le glorie del Santo Nome di Sri Krishna e I divertimenti L’essere più insignificante che tu abbia mai accolto, meravigliosi e di infinita dolcezza di Sri Caitanya e Sri Nityananda, ma la Tua misericordia senza 272 Italy Europe causa è così grande che cerchi ad ogni istante di I came to the shelter of your lotus feet and became coinvolgere tutti coloro che incontri sul tuo cam- an object of your causeless mercy. You delivered mino. Chiunque incontri lo vedi in modo assolu- me from an extremely miserable condition and tamente come un anima da liberare, indipenden- blessed me with a life full of indescribable joy. temente che egli sia hindu, musulmano, cristiano o On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja ateo, colto, ignorante, uomo o donna. Tu vedi solo celebration, I would like to express my deepest l’anima spirituale, la sua connessione con Krishna gratitude for your saving me in the darkest hour da ristabilire e soddisfare così la missione di Srila of my life. I feel blessed by Your Divine Grace that Prabhupada e Sri Sri Gaura Nitay! this feeling of gratitude accompanies me constant- La tua ansia nel desiderare di ascoltare le glo- ly in my activities of Kåñëa consciousness rie del Signore e nel desiderare di annunciarle al So on the most auspicious day of Your appear- mondo intero è senza fine. La tua tenacia di ser- ance I beg that You please accept this offering as a vire Guru e Krishna ad ogni singolo istante della humble attempt to somehow or other reciprocate tua giornata è davvero sorprendente e di grande with Your causeless mercy. I beg that You kindly ispirazione per me e per noi tutti. Così allo st- remove the ignorance that is presently covering esso modo è esemplare anche la tua noncuranza me so that I can properly receive and follow Your dei problemi relativi al corpo e alla vita in questo instruction and try and serve Your lotus feet with mondo. Per noi tutti tu sei un esempio di totale devotion. trascendenza. It is impossible to guarantee the authenticity of Per la tua misericordia il discepolo può ricev- the emotions of myself, but I think that I can hon- ere le benedizioni di Krishna. Io ti prego sempre estly say, that in this lifetime, I have never loved affinché possa ottenere l’intelligenza per servirti, anyone more than I love you. soddisfarti e non deviare mai dalle tue istruzioni This love is simply the realization that in this che sono l’essenza e lo scopo stesso della mia vita. life you are my dear most friend, my ever well Glorie infinite al mio amato Maestro Spiri- wisher, my teacher and spiritual master, People, tuale! Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaja ki friends, family, loved ones have come and gone Jaya! throughout the course of my life, but you have reTuo insignificante (Diksha), mained the one constant in my entire life. Murari-Caitanya Das Please accept my most humble obeisances, and Villa Vrindavana, Florence, Italy. kindly forgive my offences. On this most blessed event; Sri Vyasa-Puja, the appearance day of my I was born in the darkness of ignorance, but my beloved spiritual master, I cannot even imagine spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of where my life would be today, if you had not ap- knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto peared and blessed us all with your divine bene- him. diction. Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet and allow me to remain there for- Your unqualified disciple, ever as an insignificant speck of dust. Phanindra Das, (Diksha) Florence, Italy It is my inconceivable good fortune that 273 Europe Italy My Most Beloved Guru Maharaja Srila Jay- much I could be unfortunate to follow completely apataka Swami,please accept my respectful obei- my material desire? You changed my heart and I sances at Your Lotus Feet!All GLories to His Di- bow to Your feet again and again with the hope to vine Grace Srila Prabhupada!, always have the shelter at Your Secret Lotus Feet. Happy Vyasa Puja All Glories to Divine Sri Panca Tattva!!! On this very auspicious Day of the year we cele- my most beloved Spiritual Father! brate Your Sacred and merciful appearance in this With Spiritual affection word, to show Your unconditional mercy to the Your spiritual Daugther, fallen souls of this dark Kali Yuga,which became a Eka Radha Devi Dasi, golden opportunity to be in, all for the mercy of a Miano, Italy Great soul like You, one can take the opportunity to be in Your association, physical or by instruc- Dear Beloved Guru Maharaja, tion or by books etc..and take the most precious Srila Acaryapada! Gift which Your full of ecstasy and Love distrib- Please accept our most respecful obiesances ute: The Holy Name of the Lord!!,no matter what unto Your lotus feet today, the most auspicious day circumstance or obstacle, You are always ready to for us, the day of Your Vyasa Puja. give without any prejudication full of Spiritual In this most auspicious day for all our God- Desire to make Srila Prabhupada Happy. You put brothers, we really want thank Gurudeva, all our always Your mission ahead of everything even be- Godbrothers, all ISKCON devotees and leaders to fore Yourself, How Great is Your Love??Your de- give us (our family and all ROME ISKCON dev- termination and Desire to Serve? and who I am otees) inspirations and instructions to serve and to find the proper word to describe It?? But one fulfill the sublime Srila Prabhupada mission. things I can say that if my heart will be steadi- Even if we (our family) are so full of attach- ly touch by a drop of Your mercy, and because I ment and unqualified, always all of You give the am one of this saved fortunate soul my life can opportunity to do service, even if we do small, be fortunate and safe. Just for You, for Your care anyway service. and love, for the opportunity that You Gave me, This is the most great mercy of Srila Prabhu- for what You show me every day with Your exam- pada mission: give to anybody the possibility to do ple,for the desire that You have that we go back devotional service. to Krishna in this lifetime I really start to believe We hope to improve and expand our small ser- it!! How can I say Thank You to you? I will never vice, and we hope to satisfy You, Srila Prabhupada, fulfill my debt, but as long as I feel a drop of Your ISKCON, all Gruru Parampara and Sri Sri Nitai Pure mercy in my heart I can With Your blessings Gauranga. carry on Your preaching mission and in a thou- Dear Guru Maharaja, please give us your bless- sandth part understand the deeply desire to my ing so we can improve always our Krishna Con- Spiritual Master to save the fallen Kaly Yuga souls sciousness and help Your divine person to fulfill and to serve with so much dedication and love His the Srila Prabhupada projects! Divine Grace. If I have some desire some enthusi- May you be always kept in good health! asm is because you gave it to me!!!Otherwise how We should always pray Lord Nrsinhadeva to 274 Italy Europe protect You in any condition, any place you are. Jaya Sri Sri Radha Madhava! itual life then to plea and beg to my most merciful and dear Spiritual Master, and Father. Jaya Sri Sri Panca Tattva! Only You dear Guru Maharaja are actually able Jaya Sri Sri Gaura Nitai! to save someone as lowborn as myself, knowing of Jaya Sri Sri Laksmi Nrsimhadeva! my previous sinful activity, and the long years here Jaya Srila Prabhupada! trying and trying to continue with many difficult Jaya Srila Acaryapada! situations and with no real results. Guru Maharaja Only You can save any of us, Your insignificant, I am certainly not worthy to even put into words unqualified and humble servants, on how Glorious You Are, Guru Maharaja I can AsokaNitai Das (Diksha disciple) only pray for Your mercy even in this darkness you Gopanandini Devi Dasi (Diksha disciple) are my only beacon of light, and I am so brazenly Baby DulalGaura Das asking for your mercy even if I don’t deserve it at (son of above devotees, Well-wisher) all. ISKCON Rome, ITALY I have missed being in your presence, or to serve you in some way, I feel like my life became useless Most beloved Guru Maharaja, and empty, and my only last push is the Fact that Please accept my most respectful and humble You are still present and I can actually plead to obeisances, All Glories to Your Divine Grace and to His Your Divine Grace for a much needed kick in the right direction.. right back at your lotus feet. Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Guru Maharaja, I know things eventually will Guru Maharaja You are the most Merciful in finish in this material world,I dont want to waste the 3 worlds, and yet I am ashamed to say that this special chance. so please place this foolish this year has been hard for me so many influcenc- soul and place back at your lotus feet, ready and es of the material world just gushing in my mind enthused to again serve. constantly, not leaving much time for that which I miss you Guru Maharaja so much, I am so is really important spiritually, even if I have gone sorry that Guru Maharaja Your health keeps going about my Krishna Consciousness much the same from one extreme to another and passing so many as for many years even increasing projects, I am phyical crisis I am ashamed that I dont have any finding it so hard to mentally continue and feel- thing that will give Your Divine Grace pleasure ing weaker by day losing enthusiasm like I had be- to read on this extra special day. But I am writing fore. I feel I am just following actions as a robot this from My heart and even if sounds helpless without any real affection. its not hopeless just like you once told me... ITS I know this is not good, and I am praying for OK TO BE HELPLESS- BUT NOT HOPELESS. Your blessings Guru Maharaja that these conflicts Your Divine Grace told me this in Mayapur one and negative feelings will disappear as quickly as time. they came. I know one should praise the Spiritual Our Most wonderful Gurudeva, I bow to Master on the day of Vyasa Puja, but I know no Your lotus feet again and again year after year, other way of mitigating this negativity in my spir- Eternally. No matter what ever happens to me. 275 Europe Slovenia With heartfelt obeisance and a much hurting We are also very happy, that we can raise our heart to see you in the physical condition You daughter in Krishna Consciousness. And that we daily have to tolerate, I can only offer to you my can help with our talents -Krishna generously gave eternal self. us, as much as we can in our temple in Ljubljana. We hope that one day with Your Mercy, our Your eternal servant of the servant sadhana increases and we will become fishes that Lilavilasini Devi Dasi goes deep and deeper, (as You said in one of your Terni, Italy, quotes) far below the nets of Maya and become Radio Krishna Centrale very humble and taste the transcendental nectar. Thank you again and we pray that we can see Dear Respected Guru Maharaja and beloved you in Gauranga camp in Serbia this summer. Spiritual Master Please accept our humble obeisances. All glo- Your grateful servants always Paramagati Gaura Das (Diksha), ries to You - dear Guru Maharaja. Navadvipa Ganga Devi Dasi(Diksa) All glories to Srila Prabhupada. and Raya Lila Dasi, Ljubljana, Slovenia All glories to Sri Sri Panca Tattva. We are glad to gather enough courage to write you a letter. We think that our contribution to Dear Guru Maharaja! Srila Prabhupada ‘s and your mission is so insig- Hare Krishna! Please accept my respectful nificant, that is not worth to mention it. obeisances. All glories to your Divine Grace and We are from Slovenia and more than ten years all glories to Srila Prabhupada ! ago, we got in touch with devotees and Krishna Thank you Gurudeva, for your prayers to Krish- Consciousness. We were very lucky to meet one na for all your disciples, they certainly do help of your disciples - Damana Krishna Das and he despite my terribly conditioned nature. By your preach us and inspire us with Your Grace. And strong desire to bring all of your disciples back to we are very, very thankful to Nitai Gaura, that in Godhead in one lifetime, and because you told me all this years, we got so special gifts from you. You so many times that you want to make sure that me gave us shelter, accepted us as your disciples, ini- and my family will go back in one lifetime, then tiated us and last August gave us second initiation I also have that strong desire as the main goal of trough Skype. It was happening meanwhile you my life. Despite all distractions which come and were driving from Callcutta to Mayapur. go in this world, one goal is clear and that is to go We were at Damana Krishna’s home in Mari- back to Lord Krishna before I die. bor. It was unforgettable and extraordinary expe- Many tests are remaining to be passed but I rience. That gift was more that we ever can imag- have faith in your blessings Gurudeva and thus I ine. never feel discouraged despite all troubles in the We have to express you a deep thankfulness to struggle for existence which I had to face this year gave us opportunity and also more responsibility and I was painfully reminded of all my life’s mis- to serve You, Srila Prabhupada and Gaura Nitai takes. I keep telling myself: “Just focus on your ser- more. vice to Guru and Gauranga and everything you 276 Sweden Europe need will be provided.” I wish to be more conscious press that it is only thanks to your unlimited grace, of your presence in my life, and to chant better and your tireless service that I am hanging on to rounds and to control my mind in order to serve Srila Prabhupada’s dhoti trying to get blessings better. I pray to deepen my relationship with you to become able to one day be called a vaishnava and Bhaktivinode Thakur in his eternal abode in devotee of the Lord and have pure and unadulter- Godrumadwip. By your grace my glorious master ated love for Krishna. everything is possible. Your glorious example of a Suffering in the lap of maya, being tortured topmost pure devotee makes me feel tremendously over and over again, every time my bad habits blessed for having received such a glorious master. turn my mind to sense gratification for lacking I pray to be able to please you one day with my ser- transcendental taste, inspired but not educated, vice and to be worthy of the title ‘disciple’. lamenting for not having any taste for the holy name I pray to you. Your humble servant, When will my heart hanker for Krishna’s holy Mangalavati Citra Devi Dasi, (Diksha) name the way yours do? When will my mind stop Malmo, Sweden tolerating interruptions to my meditation on Krishna’s pastimes like you do? When will I only Dear Guru Maharaja, want to be engaged on thinking of Krishna like Please accept my most humble obeisance. you do? When will my whole self will only want to All glories to Srila Prabhupada. serve the Lord and think of how I could serve Him All glories to your service. better like you do? All glories to your service to In this glorious occasion of your vyasa puja your spiritual master His Divine Grace Srila Pra- 2016 I would like to take the opportunity to ex- bhupada. 277 Europe United Kingdom Please dear Guru Maharaja, in this special and Sridham Mayapur but never youchose such easy glorious day of your transcendental appearance, life. I found myself guilty somewhere for the trou- please bless this fallen disciple of yours to learn to bleyou faced because of my bad karma, by not fol- depend only in guru and Krishna. lowing your orders regularly. I feel shameful and I am always confused about my duty because regretful for being so irresponsible for my respon- of miserly weakness. I am your disciple, and a soul sibility towards my spiritual master. You are such surrendered unto You. Please instruct me. a exalted personality that you never threw me out from your prayers. You suffered alone, always but Your servant never blamed anyone. You took our pain and suf- Lalitanath Das, (Diksha) fering and gave us new hope in life. I know that Chatham, United Kingdom bodily pain can never stop you even nothing can stop you because you are the soldier of the soldier Please accept my humble obeiscances. of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I mean you are All glories to Srila Prabhupada. in the front of the army of Srila Prabhupada to All glories to you. fight against Kali and give Gauranga prem to ev- Beloved Guru Maharaj, ery soul. As today is your appearance day I want to First of all I would love to thank you to give beg you for a small blessing. me this wonderful chance you glorify a dear most Please bless me so that I can please you and devotee of Lord Gauranga. I might not be the follow your instruction as you are doing it for Sri- right person to express appropriate words inyour laPrabhupada. glorification but still count myself in the Kripa As you from the deep of your heart wrote Yadi Siddhas because due tomy laziness and dull head- Prabhupada Na hoite today on your auspicious edness I am not able to do my sadhana perfect- Vyasa Puja Celebration I want to dedicate few ly. If all down daily but stand up again and keep words to glorify you. going just because of your merciful lotus hands on my head. Therefore, whatever I got and wher- Song offering for Guru Maharaj ever I am standing all of this is just because of Sri Acharyapadhave come down just to save us your causeless, unconditional, unalloyed love and from the blazing flame of material world. mercy. Dearest Guru Maharaj again my heartfelt thanks to you with great love and gratitude for Who would have shown us always being with us in every circumstances. Last the way to please Srila Prabhupada. year and even this year was so painful and disturb- How we would have known the deep love of ing for you due to the diseases occurred by infec- Srila Prabhupada for Lord Krishna. tion or physical exertion when you were trying to you have taught us to live in co-operation. reach out far to all your disciples and bless them, you gave us such treasure stories of as usual. You caught up severe health difficulties Mahaprabhu in the Book “Gauranga”. still you never left us alone through emails, face- The real meaning of Vaishnava was explained book, text messages, skype calls you were always by you in “Vaishnava Ke”. guiding and blessing us. You can easily rest at your Who would be such great inspiration to 278 United Kingdom Europe his Spiritual Master’s instructions? jan’ya n.m..s.chi. You showed how to chant in all circumstances. Yini amad.rak. patha srila Prabhupada khusi Who can be like you to spend karara jan’ya d.khan. hab.. almost all of your life travelling to reach out Amara srikr.sn.ra jan’ya srila prabhupad.ra each and every fallen soul. gabhira pr.ma kibhab. paricita hab.. Like Prabhupada made us understand Apani sahay.gitara basa karat. who Krishna is by his vision, amad.ra s.khan. ha..ch.. you made us know who is Srila Prabhupada Apani amad.ra ba’i”gauranga” through your heart. madhy. mahaprabhura y.mana If you were not there dhana galpa di..chilama. who would have developed Mayapur dham Baisnaba.ra prakr.ta artha”baisnaba k.” to this state that millions of devotees from apani dbara byakhya kara ha..chila. all over the world are visiting every year. K. tara adhyatmika mastarsa You live thedream of Srila Prabhupada nird.sabali y.mana mahana anupr.rana hab.. and Prabhupada lives within you forever. Apani saba paristhitit. bhajana kibhab. d.khi..ch.na. Translation in Bengali Apani pratiti nipatita atma paum.chat. bhramana Sri acarya pyada sudhu amad.ra bahyajagara apanara jiban.ra pra.a bya.a jbalanta sikha th.k. raksa karara mata k. hat. par.. 279 Europe United Kingdom Bhal. l.g.ch. Prabhupada amad.ra bujhat. Guru Maharaj who, in every condition never for- kr.sna tara darsan.ra dbara ha.a gets his disciples, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. tairi, apani amad.ra janana apanara And my physical pain is just a drop in the oceanic hr.da.a madhyam. srila Prabhupada ha.a tairi. physical challenges you face on daily basis. Not an Apani s.khan..’i abastha.a Mayapur dhama ordinary soul can do this and that’s why I remem- bikasita hab. na ha.a tahal. sara ber the words of Srila Prabhupada saying about pr.thibi th.k. upasakamandali mili.ana you that you are the personal associate of Lord prati bachara paridarsana kara ha.a y.. Chaitanya. Apani srila prabhupad.ra sbapna basa. Also, I would like to mention how you never Prabhupada ciradina t.mara madhy. basa kar.. forget Srila Prabhupada and always talk about him. This is a teaching for us to love our Spiritual Your Servant Master same like you do to your Spiritual Master. Acharya Premi Devi Dasi, You have set the standard so high that we can nev- East London, United Kingdom er understand it but can just follow your footsteps through my little steps keeping the dust of your Dear Guru Maharaj lotus feet on my forehead. I can never understand Please accept my humble obeiscances. your love to Srila Prabhupada because I have in- All glories to Srila Prabhupada. significant material eyes but blind spiritual heart. All glories to you. I beg you to please bless me to open the eyes of my heart to understand the relation of a Guru and The other day I was watching movie on Lord Disciple. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I am not fortunate to see Your Servant, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu but I am fortunate Gourav Dhabhai, (Shelter) enough to see his past times through you. He must East London, United Kingdom be similar to you, so much compassionate. You are always there to teach us how a devotee can prac- Please accept my most respectable and humble tice Krishna Consciousness going through under obeiscances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada All so much physical hardship. Just like Lord Chait- glories to Srila Gurudev. anya who wore Radharani’s mood you are there Dear Srila Acharyapada, for us to show Lord Chaitanya’s mood. Lord Chai- All glories to your divine appearance day and tanya never forgets his devotees so do you never divine appearance day celebrations. You are an eternal associate of Srila forget your disciples. On this auspicious day of your appearance day Prabhupada..So you have come to execute his I pray to Krishna to keep you in good health so and his Guru Maharaja’s mission. We are that you can tell the whole world the purpose of fortunate to be connected to Srila Prabhupa- our human birth. But we are so unfortunate that da through you.Your hunger for accomplishing we always need your association to remember this. Srila Prabhupada’s I remember when I have health issues I forget ev- unequaled. Unfortunately I am very fallen and erything and focus on my health and here is our do not capture atleast an infinitesimal portion of 280 goal is unparalleled and United Kingdom Europe your mood and desire. our families and all our Bhakti Vriskha members. Ever since you taking me under your shelter Thank you very much for keeping us in the I have developed more confidence in the teachings association of such wonderful senior vaishnavas of Srila Prabhupada.This has resulted in greater siksha Gurus who are constantly guiding us and enthusiasm in my spiritual life. I can see how your showering their love and care for bringing us clos- causeless mercy is the only means we can achieve er to Sri Guru and Gauranga. Love of Godhead. Please continue to use me as Th Golden Age is coming and it is so over- a instrument in the service of Srila Prabhupada whelming to see the holyname spreading in every and previous acharyas. town in London here and we are very grateful to I pray for the intelligence to realize that how your Divine and our Siksha Guru’s for allowing us fortunate I am to be given the chance to serve to be part of this divine mission of BhaktiVriksha your Lotus Feet. Despite of my most fallen con- and serve the Guru Parampara. dition you have accepted me as your very own. If If it was not for your Divine’s vision and one day if I have developed a fraction of the devo- strong determination to make people fortunate, tion for you as you have for Srila Prabhupada I will we wouldn’t have got Bhakti Vriskha - which is consider myself most fortunate. the very existence of spiritual lives of many souls Please forgive my countless offenses and in- here. Bhakti Vriskha is making people fortunate still in me the ability to stay fixed in the service of and connecting us to Srila Prabhupada and giving Guru and Gauranga. people an opportunity to experience their forgot- I pray to Sri Sri Radhamadhava and Lord Nara- ten eternal life. So many new people are seeing simhadev to keep you healthy and to protect from hope through these BV classes and this makes us all dangers. more responsible towards the movement. Please allow me to remain your loving servant, Gurudev, you have given us all your love and Mallik Bheemanaathini, care, but still my stone like heart is attached to East London, United Kingdom many material desires which is keeping me away from my eternal service. My only wish is to have Hare Krishna Dear GuruMaharaj my consciousness purified by hearing the pastimes Please accept my respectful obeisances!! of Gauranga and his associates from your Divine’s All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to lotus mouth. Srila Guru and Sri Gauranga!! Your Divine’s Chaitanya book is a treasure that All glories to your service! can unlock the storehouse to flood Gaura Prem to We are very fortunate and thankful to your all of us. Divine for accepting us and providing shelter at your lotus feet. Our existence is only because of your cause- Sridham Mayapur is our home, the dust of your lotus feet can bestow us the mercy to glorify and serve Sridham Mayapur. less mercy.Your Divine is guiding us at every step We have no one but you dear Gurudev to teach of our lives and very compassionate to us. Thank us to perform this sankirtan movement and to you very much for providing initiation to my spread the glories of Sri dham Mayapur, the glo- prabhu this Gaura Purnima. Not only us but also ries of the Parama Karuna Sri Sri Nitai Gaur in 281 Europe United Kingdom every street of london. this offering may please you, dear Guru Maharaja. Your Divine has provided all facilities to us, but Nowadays I hear from you in my home tem- we are very weak and we do not find the strength ple. The variagatedness of your talks on Krishna to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name consciousness and the enthusiasm in which you of Hari. speak inspires me greatly. I very often find myself We are completely dependent on your mercy and the mercy of vaishnavas. joyfully joining in with the devotees to shout out “Gauranga!” at your prompting. Who else speaks Ohe Vaishnava Thakura, Gauranga is yours, with such passion on the topics of Lord Caitan- pls bless us with the great faith in the holy name ya Mahaprabhu and His associates? Your beautiful of Krsna and to chant the holyname without any name and fame are well known in this regard. Your offences. The holyname alone can give us the wonderful command of the Bengali and the sweet- strength to perform this sankirtana yagna. ness with which you present your unfathomable May this coming year be a opportunity to glo- realisations bring me to ever deeper convictions rify your Divine and be conscious of Sri Guru and of the necessity of participating in the sankirta- Sri Gauranga in all our activities.Pls bless us so na mission. You are a true sena-pati bhakta, Guru that we can co-operate with our senior devotees Maharaja, one who expertly rallies his troops into and expand the Bhakti Vriksha groups in London action. and become an instrument in the loving hands of It’s been eight very long years since I’ve been in your dear disciples to spread the holyname in ev- Sri Dham Mayapur physically, but because of your ery street of London. great compassion and attachment to the Dham Many more happy Vyasa Puja celebrations Gu- I go there very frequently in my mind. Many im- ruMaharaj.Thank you very much for your unlim- pressions are solidly there in my black heart, so ited love and care. when I recall being in Mayapur I see you there. Your spiritual daughter I cannot ever thank you enough for giving me a Supriya Jahnava Devi Dasi drop of the attachment you have for your etneral East London home. I am returning home in just a few weeks. I Dear Guru Maharaja: will participate in Navadwip Mandal parikrama. It Please accept my obeisances eternally. is my ardent heart’s desire that you will be there. All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! I can’t imagine you not being there, Guru Maha- Because I am a useless jerk, this is the first writ- raja. You, who love the Dham with heart and soul, ten offering I’ve ever made to you. It will not be you are the best person to blissfully follow around the last. As the years go on I find more and more the nine islands. qualities in you to glorify. When a disciple matures Wiring this to you simply makes me hanker to it is natural to come to a place of ever-growing be with you in that most glorious of holy places. I appreciation and spontaneous devotion. You are miss you terribly, dear spiritual father. Please let the perfect person on which to meditate, for your me always remain your spiritual daughter. Your character, pastimes and services are so outstand- shelter is so magnanimous, friendly and safe. ing. This year I relish the opportunity to remember Always aspiring to serve you as you serve our you on your all-auspicious Vyasa-puja and I pray most auspicious parampara, 282 United Kingdom Europe Amrta Gopal Dasi, Akita, Doha, humble. You leading, and teaching East Sussex, United Kingdom us to go from door to door requesting the conditional souls to chant the Mahamantra. Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is Most beloved Spiritual Master, Srila Guru Maharaj! Satyasara-truthful, as you repeat only what His Please accept my humble obeisances at your Divine Grace Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada said. Srila Guru Maharaj. Your Divine Grace is Lotus feet on this day of your appearance. All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabupada. Guru Maharaj you are decorated with Ornaments of highest qualities. In Caitanya Carita- Sama-equal to everyone. Your Divine Grace is always enthusing the conditioned Souls to serve the Supreme Lord. mrta, Lord Caitanya, while teaching Sanatana Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is Goswami described twenty six qualities of Vaish- Nirdosa, faultless, being cent percent surrendered. nava. Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace pos- Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is mag- sesses all these twenty six qualities. nanimous vadanaya. Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is for- Krpalu, Akita Doha, Satyamedha Sara, Saman Nidosa, Vedanta, medusa, suci, akincana, giving, he sees good in everyone. Sarvaopakaraka, Santa, Krishnaika sarana, Aka- Lord Chaityana emphasises five methods of de- ma, Aniha, Sthira, uijita-sad-guna, Mira-bhuk, votional service, tho Chant Hare Krishna, to live apramatta, manada, Amani gambhira, karuna, in a holy place,to read Bhagavad Gita and Srimad maitra, ka I, Daksa, Mauni. Bhagavatam, to worship deity of Krishna and to Devotees are always merciful, humble, truth- associate with devotees. ful, equal to all, faultless, magnanimous, mild and Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is fully clean. They are without material possessions and engaged in this process and advising and guiding they perform welfare work for everyone. They are whoever he meets to take up this process, thus re- peaceful, surrendered to Krishna and are desirless. flecting a Magnanimous quality. They are fixed in devotional service. They com- Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is mild, pletely control the six bad qualities, lust, anger, Mrdu, simply by seeing you one’s heart is trans- greed, and so forth. They eat only as much as re- formed. quired, and they are not inebriated. They are re- Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is Suci- spectful, grave, compassionate, and without false clean, always asking the conditioned Soul to chant prestige. They are friendly, poetic, expert and si- Hare Krishna, where by his heart and mind is also lent. (CC Madhya 22.78-80) cleansed. Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is Kra- Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is palu, the most merciful Spiritual Master. Let me without material possessions, akincanaSarvaopa- serve Your Lotus feet eternally. Your Divine Grace karaka,utilising all things in service of Krishna. is merciful Mahatma, by serving you Guru Ma- Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is am- haraj, we can share in distribution of Lord’s mer- rtadhuni, flowing. River of Nectar of Devotional cy, and become preachers. service. I beg on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja Srila Guru Maharaj your Divine Grace is 283 Europe United Kingdom to let this useless disciple have drop of mercy so Maharaj will like the role you performed, I was so that I can serve you eternally in this nectarine happy was able to do something worth to you. And flow of devotional service. also on Lord Nityananda ‘s Appreance day me and Srila Guru Maharaj Your Divine Grace my son acted in the play called “Delivering Jagai I beg for drop of your causeless mercy to kindly and Madhai”. I was the house holder and my son engage me in the Sankirtan Movement of Lord was my son. Caitanya, and continue preaching via Mayapur. Last year in the month of March (2015) I at- TV. Please bless us so that we can reach our next tended, Deity worship course conducted at Krish- goal of Twenty four hours of Cable TV Chanel to na Avanti Primary School by ISKCON Leices- reach Millions of Conditional Souls to access this ter, the class was given by Head Pujari His Grace Divine process. Vishnu Murti Das prabhu, who had been qualified in Mayapur under the teachings of His Holiness Your most insignificant Spiritual Daughter Pankachagiri Das Prabhu (Head Priest of May- begging to remain your eternal servant, apur), it was a 8 week course, every Saturday from Chudamani Dasi, (Diksha) 9.00 am to 11.00 am. In the Deity Worship Course, Kingswood, Surrey, United Kingdom there were teachings how to perform Achaman, how to offer bhoga to the Lord, how to dress the Dear Gurudev, Lord, how to cook, how to sleep the Lord and how “Please accept my humble Obeisance’s unto to wake them up. Gurudev, every class I prayed to your Lotus feet” All glories to Srila Prabhupada, you asking I should not sleep and learn. By your All glories to you Srila Guru Maharaj. divine grace and your kind mercy I was able to Thank you so much, for accepting and giving perform and practice them all. Normally I used to shelter, to this fool & fallen soul. I never felt lone- sleep in all my collage days and sometimes, even ly, every time and everywhere, I feel and felt your in the Bhagavad-gGita class given in the temple, unconditional love and mercy. Without your mer- but here I performed well. I was really shocked to cy it wouldn’t be possible for me to survive in this see in the class all the senior devotees, who are material world. been serving the Lord so many years, do not know Gurudev, I have not acted, in any drama only the simple achaman, how come Gurudev, as it once when I was in 1st Std. But now last Govardha- says in sasthras that Achaman is very important na Pooja (2015), when Janaki Mataji, asked me for aspect before performing the deity service. Still to play as “Samvarthaka”, in the play called “Lift- they are learning, sorry to say this Gurudev, I am ing of Govardhana” I straight away refused as I am really happy that I have learnt them very quickly not an expert in acting, but my god sister Sevap- by your blessings, sometimes I tried to teach them, riya Mataji and her family said our Guru Maharaj even though they are senior devotees, they are likes plays he very much appreciates his disciples, struggling to do correctly, they silently neglect- so without uttering a word, I immediately took the ed me, as I am not initiated, I am not bothered. role in doing it. And by your grace I was able to Gurudev thank you so much for teaching me this perform my role successfully. Everyone appreciat- Achaman, offering bhoga, sleeping & Waking ed, saying you have done very well and your Guru the deities. His Grace Vishnu Murti Prabhu said 284 your our ISKCON Leicester Temple’s South In- position, without you recommendation to His Di- dian Brahmin. I was so happy when he said and vine Grace Srila Prabhupada, no it is not possi- the temple management team have decided and ble, you have made my dreams to come true, I was wasn’t me to be trained as Poojari. This post, what just talking to you, how fortunate are this souls to the ISKCON Leicester has decided is your mercy serve Prabhupada, I was immediately offered this upon me, I didn’t think I deserve this, still I am a service the very next day, thank you Gurudev for fool, selfish, useless. your mercy. Gurudev this is where you have started my re- Gurudev, when you were in the hospital, the ally Journey into the spiritual world. After this I entire disciples of yours Lotus feet, through out was able to serve the Lord Jagannatha swami, the the world began to intensify there prayers to Srila Lord was awakened and brought down only for big Prabhupada and Narasimha dev. I am really proud occasions, as the building is not ready to serve the I was able to be part of the massive prayers for you. Lordship on daily basics, by your divine grace, you I am not thinking of, I have done a big deed, I made me to become a part of the team who brings am just like the Squirrel in Ramayana. Gurudev the Lord ship down to the alter and takes back to I have not send you, about my daily prayers, but his room, Gurudev very honestly I am telling you, my prayers where collectively joined in your UK it was not so easy to carry the Lordships down the disciple list. From the day I realised from Didi stairs and back again, every time before lifting and Prabhu, I am reading Narashima Kavacham them, I bow to them with Your full Pranam Man- for you, once daily and was lighting Tulasi Stick tra, to make me easy. The Lordship last year was warped in cotton dipped in Ghee for your health, brought out for, Gaurapurnima, Rathayathra, Jan- every Ekadshi. I am so grateful to you for giving mashtami, and we had a very special occasion of me the opportunity to pray for your divine health Sanyasi, 2nd and 1st initiation, all in one day given improving. by his His Holiness BHAKTHI CHARU Maharaj. Gurudev, by during the month of October, in After Janmashtami, the Lordship decided to take Leicester they started to take fresh classes, called rest downstairs itself. During all this occasions I “Explore the Gita” the first step into Bhagavat- performed my Achaman and was able to serve the Gita. It was 4 week course, the temple president poojari team with what ever Seva I was able to do His Grace Pradyumna Das Prabhu and the Fi- the Vaishnavas. Gurudev, I am really proud to be nance Manager His Grace Saci Tanya Das Pra- in your divine shelter. Thank you so much. bhu, told me to take part in the coming courses, Gurudev, by your mercy, I got to climb a step which will be very useful for me, in taking initia- forward, during the Janmashtami, the Lady Poo- tion and as well as in deepening my spiritual dive, jari’s offered me the service of His Divine Grace I was thinking, would this be possible by me, and Srila Prabhupada service, I am to change the dress also had a feeling, as I was praying to you, like this for Srila Pabhupada every 4 weeks once. I am giv- is your message and took as your command and en a set of his cloths (shirt, dothi, chadar, socks, started the course, and then the second course, sweater, woolly hat, and big shawl) I have to wash GITA LIFE, which was about 8 weeks and now them clean and take them on my turn. Gurudev, BHAKTHI LIFE, course is going on which is of would it have been possible for me to receive this 7 weeks, this courses are conducted in our temple 285 Europe United Kingdom itself and course is taught by His Grace Sundar to save her and bring her alive, I was totally think- Madhava Das, disciple of His Holiness Radhanath ing she is going to die, and was chanting Maha- swami Maharaj. His teaching is so clear and very mantra and was praying vigorously to Narashin- interesting. Here I should say only by your divine ga dev and to your lotus feet to show mercy upon blessings, I am able to concentrate in class with- us. Oh Gurudev, what would I have done if your out sleeping. Thank you Gurudev. not with us. I always feel your presence with me. During the end of the year when His Holiness Again on 8th of August, she went down on a Major Bhakthi PURSHOTHAM Maharaj came, every Operation removal of Uterus and Ovaries, during body in the temple, who are bit close began to the course of operation I was just Chanting the say that Maharaj can give me initiation like con- Mahamantra, Narashima Kavacham and your nection from you, even the President His Grace Pranam Mantra. I sent to you an email before and Pradyumna Prabhu, said he will talk to Maharaj, after the operation requesting you to be with her. and he spoke to Maharaj also. oh my Gurudev, be- Gurudev, in above 2 occasions I known throughly lieve me I was in cloud nine, but at the same time, that, if I wanted to receive the protection of the every one is saying so, but I was asking myself am Narashinga dev, it is only possible by your divine I really qualified for that, I have not prepared for grace, so the only choice is your Pranam Mantra. that, even at this point I was feeling it is you who Thank you, Gurudev for being with me through have made this fire to ignite in me. Gurudev is all my difficult times. Last but not Least. As you know Gurudev, I there any way I thank you. And during the end of the year (Devember) wanted to bring my daughter here to UK from His Holiness Kriupamayia Das Prabhu, conducted India and have been thinking and praying past Guru and Disciple course, and have attended the five years and was not able to do so, Luckily by course susses-fully by your divine blessings. your blessings, I was able to go to India, I reached Oh Gurudev, I totally forgot to mention, during Chennai on 13/03/2016, wanted to apply the very the month of May 2015, Banu, my wife, was very new day or soon as possible and visit your divine ill, she was vomiting, everything that was going grace and seek blessing in Mayapur, but I was not in, she was coughing and coughing and she was that fortunate in visiting you. Each and every vomiting Blood, twice took her to A & E, only on step I took in, for applying the visa for her was second day she was checked properly, I.V., was giv- so difficult, I was so confused, like what I have to en and then shifted to LGHospital from LRI Hos- do next, got stuck in the mid of no where. I have pital, she was there for two days, as I had no one been reciting your Pranam Mantra in each every else with me, it was so difficult for me to leave my step. On Monday I visited VFS UK, Chennai, Of- son Nandhagopal to any one, 1st day poor kid was fice and there the security said their is no enquiry with me till late night 1.00 in the morning when here everything is online only, I was thinking of we went A&E and on 2nd day, luckily opposite you to give the mercy and then the security said to neighbours where kind enough to look after him, go in as I came up I informed another security and when we again visited A&E, later when she was he was so kind and said will inform the officers admitted in the hospital, I was able to send him to inside. One by the name Mr. Fabian, came and he school. All this time only thing came to my mind is said some details and he took my passport inside 286 United Kingdom Europe to his Manager, and as he came back he said, they this time my daughter was asking some silly ques- can help me with choosing the application and tions, oh I was so high tempered. Some or other by other details, for a fee and asked me if I wanted your divine grace I have submitted the form and to do the same day or next day, I said will come came out. Today my dad said that he received a back the following day, oh Gurudev, all this time text message saying “The Processed visa applica- I was happy and was thinking this was possible by tion for GWF039299091 will be delivered to the my Gurudev’s mercy. Next day on Tuesday, as I chosen address”. Gurudev, please show mercy, I told my Dad to bring my daughter after her exams don’t know what is happened, you know what has gets over to VFS Office by 2.00 pm. When I went happened, what is given, this is possible by your there, the system was down and they were not able divine grace only, even the Lord supreme will not to do anything. Oh Gurudev, I was totally broken, adhere if I don’t go through you. Gurudev, she has there and was not able to think anything else oth- to learn the Mahamantra, and the really service to er than praying to you to show some mercy. I also your lotus feet and to the Lordships. came to know that, the fee Payment and some- Guru Maharaj, apart from the course, I do my thing new Immigration Health Surcharge has to service in the temple regularly, this are not ser- be done compulsory, this all has to be done only by vice, I feel like it is my duty to Lordship and the online payment. Then came home. made some ar- Vaishnavas. I am part of the temple service, I do rangements. Again On Wednesday prayed to you all kinds of service, no particular service and then very strongly to shower your mercy upon us. When say my service is over, the more I do, the more I I went there everything was fine, filled in the ap- can contribute them towards your betterment, plication, made IMS payment, thought by Guru if you’re ok, we the devotees will be fine. I have Maharaj’s divine grace everything done, but the sponsored some Gita and have distributed them very moment got stuck for the Visa fee payment, to my family members. the card’s which my BIL gave, was not accepted, I Gurudev, please forgive me for scribbling, so tried and tried, then came out to inform my Dad, much. I don’t know what to write. Some of my se- I was laminating - oh Gurudev, please show mer- nior God brothers and sisters, say I have to write cy- it took nearly 2 hours, Dad was calling all the the Vyasa Puja offering, I feel like, why should person who he knows having the cards and I in we write to you saying this was done and this was turn was asking my BIL, lastly collected 2 very li- done, I am always thinking of you, I fell your with able cards, was saying your Pranam Mantra and me, in each and every step I take, I talk to you, I went inside I tried my BIL ‘s friends card and then have a strong feeling, that your listening, watch- it went through, I was inside saying “Jai Gurudev” ing me always, so I no need to say what I do, what “Jai Jagannatha”, Later the officer said to give my happened, Gurudev please forgive me for being daughters photo, on seeing the photo he said this foolish, stupid, I don’t know the right or wrong is wrong photo size for UK Visa, oh my days, again thing. I beg to your mercy, please prepare me for got stuck in the Mid air, he said there is a pho- the intitation, bless our family to serve your lotus to studio in the same floor, where they take pic- feet and all Vaishnavas. ture and give immediately, oh again went outside Gurudev, my son Nandhagopal is very fond took photo came in, they gave a form to fill by of you, His Vyasa Puja offerings is “ HAPPY AP287 Europe United Kingdom PEARANCE DAY TO YOU Guru Maharaj. most auspicious day. We have always been praying LOVE - Nandhagopal”. Gurudev, please accept at your lotus feet to keep us engaged in the service his offering and bless him to become a pure dev- of the Lord. We did feel some engagement during otee of the Lordship and serve the Vaishnavas. last year’s December 2015 Book Distribution Mar- Gurudev, please be with my daughter and please athon. We got involved in ‘The 100k effort’ at bring her, here to UK. I have missed her past 10 Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK. It required years, now she is big girl, where she has start her us to mobilize and train the various sangha groups spritual journey, your divine grace knows what to which are connected to the temple. It was a new do please shower your mercy upon us. experiment as the plan was to demonstrate the Guru Maharaj, my son Nandagopal, is also a very active boy, who is only 5.5 years, he has acted door to door book distribution and get the whole congregation involved. in many dramas, that they play in our Leicester Me, my wife and my 7 year old son Madhav also Temple, he does Achnman, he is also attending for personally went door to door in our neighbouring kids Bhakti life course In the Temple every week, areas during the marathon month and distributed He also been on basic Deity Worship course. Some- Srila Prabhupada’s books. For the very first time, time he sings in Kirtan and also sings Narashima we enjoyed so much nectar whilst knocking on the Pranam( With help). Mywife. Banu, she does very doors, talking to people, handing over the books, good service in the temple every week, follows 4 collecting lakshmi and preaching about Krishna regulative principles, she sings in the house, no consciousness. other material world songs, but she does not chant, Being unqualified and incapable for this ser- she stopped chanting every day, saying no time, vice, this was made possible only by your causeless but she chants 25 rounds every Ekadshi, I don’t mercy which made us an instrument to give out understand anything, please bless her and make more than 1000 books in about 3 weeks! Thank her to chant the holy name regularly. you so much Guru Maharaj. Before I close, Gurudev, please shower your We are starting to conduct Kirtan programs special blessings on Didi and his family. I should under the guidance of His Grace Prema Padmi- be thankful to them for showing me this path. Gu- ni Mataji along with His Grace Aravinda Krish- rudev, please be with me always as your now and na Prabhu and Her Grace Yamuneshwari Mataji make to serve better. Gurudev I wanted to serve which will help in bringing in new members for you physically, with you for a day or two. Bhaktivriksha programme. Thank you, thank you so much. Also, Guru Maharaj, we want to thank you for Yours fallen and unworthy son, blessing us for our Gaura Nitai deities and for such Badhrinath,(Shelter) a beautiful name – ‘Nitai Rai, Chaitanya Gosai’ Leicester, UK. during our recent visit to Mayapur. Nice welcom- Dear Guru Maharaj, ing ceremony is being planned for them. Please accept our humble obeisances. All glo- We would sincerely like to thank His Grace ries to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this Nitai Charan Prabhu, Her Grace Chudamani auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. Mataji, His Grace Madan Mohan Govinda Pra- We feel so fortunate to make an offering on this 288 bhu, His Grace Vishal Gauranga Prabhu, Her United Kingdom Europe Grace Amala Manjiri Mataji and all the other life and be in the service of Srila Prabhupada with devotees from the UK yatra for their guidance, much sincerity and seriousness and reach unlim- support, and association. ited number of souls to Krishna consciousness!! We humbly beg for your blessings and mercy to I personally can’t even think of what my life keep continuing these efforts to please Guru and would have been without Bhakti Vriksha training Gauranga. and your Divine Grace’s causeless mercy through your empowered Disciples who are constantly Your servants, guiding us and so many countless souls in the ser- Acyuta Gauraprema Das,(Diksha) vice of your Divine Grace and Srila Prabhupada! Nrityapriya Radha Devi Dasi(Diksha) For this very special year dedicated in glory- and Madhav ing Srila Prabhupada ‘s acheivements, I am just London, United Kingdom begging at your lotus feet to please bless me and Yamunesvari with a drop of Guru Bhakti your Di- Begging Causeless Mercy for the Hypocrites vine Grace has for Srila Prabhupada, so that we Dear Guru Maharaja, can declare boldly following in your footsteps that Hare Krishna, “Aravinda Krishna Das & Yamunesvari Devi Dasi Please Accept Our Respectful Obeisances are YOUR DIVINE GRACE’S PROPERTY & All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !! not ours anymore”. This is the highest pure love All Glories to your Divine Grace!! one can ever acheive and we are hankering to re- This being a very special year for your Divine ceive that by begging at your lotus feet Guru Ma- Grace - ISKCON 50th Anniversary Year where haraja. The power of Guru Bhakti has been very everyone is meditating on the glories of Srila well exhibited in the pastimes of how Isvara Puri Prabhupada & HIS achievements, I am just over- pleased Madhavendra Puri due to his menial ser- whelmed and awestruck to see what an amazingly vice during his final days of manifested pastime in dedicated disciple you are to your spiritual master this mortal world and hence being blessed by Mad- for so many years. Your divine grace has been the havendra puri how Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu victory flag of Srila himself descended as Isvara Puri’s disciple. Such Prabhupada and pushed on last 50 years irre- is the power of Guru’s blessings & Guru Bhakti!. spective what challenges you faced, to get ISKCON So without a doubt nothing can come in par to to this much stablised & glorious stage, where in this pure Guru Bhakti which your Divine Grace pretty much all the leaders in the world appreci- is soaked with for Srila Prabhupada. ate Krishna Consciousness and major cities/towns We humbly request to please consider both of have temples or some form of ISKCON devotee us who have been hypocrites our whole Krishna gatherings like Namahatta & Bhakti Vriksha by conscious life, showing to the outside world as dev- your tireless efforts of educating ISKCON world otee but inside we are hankering something differ- on this new revolutionised preaching style as per ent - Chanting holy name outside but meditating the directions of Bhaktivinoda Thakura going up on lusty desires inside Caring for devotees outside to Lord Nityananda Prabhu himself. This is help- but grudging on devotees inside Exhibiting Yukta ing Grhastha devotees to be saved from Grhamedhi vairagya outside but desiring for sense pleasures 289 Europe United Kingdom inside Serving like a blade of grass outside but Grace’s touch in our life in all departments of our hankering for name & fame inside Training dev- life, we once again both humbly beg at your lotus otees to be selfless outside but searching for self- feet on this most transcendental day of your Vya- ish bodily comforts inside Showcase like a fearless sa puja for the priceless treasure of - “Unflinching preacher to devotees outside but escape preach- Pure Guru Nishta & Guru Bhakti - Incessant Pure ing service due to fear inside Always preach to be love for Spiritual Master (your Divine Grace & Humble & Work as a Team for Srila Prabhupada the guru parampara)” by which we can jump and outside but always criticize & get angry due to zero roam about mad boldly travelling & declaring to tolerance & false ego inside I personally feel bad everyone all over the three worlds the glories of that this has been my Krishna Conscious practice your divine grace and the guru parampara’s mercy which I am battling against year after year, Guru and enroll everyone to take shelter at the speck of Maharaja. the cintamani dust of this glorious Guru Parampa- When we heard from your Divine Grace that ra which is the ONLY way to get the mercy of the Advaita Gosai asked for a boon to Caitanya Ma- kali yuga magnanimous avatar Lord Caitanya and haprabhu to not bless the hypocrites, it made me Nitai. I see no other way for hypocrites like us who think even more deep that when will that day are so fallen that we dont even have hope to get come I can be free from all these dual phase of the mercy of most merciful avatar - Lord Caitanya life and be simple & straightforward to receive and Nitai, who delivered even Jagai and Madai!. Mahaprabhu’s mercy. If even Mahaprabhu wont Since your Divine Grace being the only bea- bless us then what hope we got and what an gold- con of hope for disciples like us, we are praying & en opportunity we are missing in this life!!.. But offering to Sri Sri RadhaMadhav, Narasimhadev, seeing the power of your causeless mercy, we beg Pancatattva and Srila Prabhupada whatever in- at your lotus feet to please consider us hypocrites significant spiritual credits we are blessed with by and please recommend us to your Dear Lord Ni- your mercy, for your FULL health recovery so that tyananda prabhu who is an ocean of love and bliss, your divine grace can travel incessantly all over who delivered even Jagai & Madai! the world saving many more souls by giving Krish- We are surely convinced this equation of our na consciousness for many more years to come. We miserable life can only be solved by your cause- humbly seek your blessings & pray to their lord- less mercy who is more merciful to consider even ships that we always be attached to your lotus feet the hyprocrites like us & engage us in service. life after life as your servant of the servant. I have no words to explain what transformation Please forgive us for all the negligence, of- this speck of your causeless mercy has caused in fenses we committed during all these years of our our life till now. BUT I can boldly testimony our Krishna Conscious practice Guru Maharaja. We life as an example of the power of your causeless humbly beg, being Brahmin initiated this year mercy and I loudly declare to the whole world to by your causeless mercy, we get all the spiritual please try experimenting by taking shelter of your strength and intelligence to practice Krishna con- Divine Grace’s mercy and experience the change sciousness seriously and sincerely for your plea- for oneself for GOOD! sure, so that we never be negligent and offensive With all these experiences of your Divine 290 by mind, body and words to your divine grace and United Kingdom Europe to any other living entity in the creation! most auspicious day of your appearance day. Thanks for tolerating and engaging us in your All glories to Srila Prabhupada! loving devotional service for all these years Guru Thank you for all your blessings and inspira- Maharaja.. We seek your blessings to flourish and tion. Every year when I write an offering I can say multiply more our Krishna Conscious family in that I have made advancement in my spiritual life UK, Europe & all over th world during this very and that this is all due to you. This is completely special year of ISKCON for your divine grace’s true because I have no qualifications for spiritual pleasure. life( I don’t have much understanding -I read reg- Happy Vyasa Puja Celebtation Guru Maharaja!! ularly but I understand very little) However every Your Servants, year I am appreciating more and more associating Aravinda Krishna Das(Diksha) with devotees and I see this as evidence that I am and Yamunesvari Devi Dasi (Diksha) advancing and that is the fruit of your blessings East London, United Kingdom I have learnt from you this year how deter- Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj, mined one must be to execute any spiritual activ- All glories to Srila Prabhupada ity in this material world. The material energy is All glories to you.! Firstly I pray to Srinath- unreliable and we cannot trust it to give us facili- ji and Narshimhadev for speedy recovery of your ties. I see from your example that despite the body health. Guru Maharaj still I can remember because you are still the same person whose will to serve of your mercy I was able to do Bhakti Vriksha pro- Srila Prabhupada is based on pure love for him gram, And because of your mercy only I was able and that there is nothing you will not do for him to advanced spiritually, and because of your mer- because that is the consequence of pure love. You cy only I got spiritually wife and my family became don’t see the obstacles like I do or allow them to Krishna conscious. My wife started doing 16 round affect you but you show us by your service that and my parents are also chanting. We really thank that this is the way to exchange love with guru you for your mercy which you are showering on and because of this always trying to do every thing us. Even I am not sincere. first class. Guru Maharaj I really beg your mercy so We I will ask for forgiveness at this point for of- can do our sadhana properly and again I can start fences. I will offer you a Vyasa puja gift of dis- Bhakti Vriksha program in my city. Guru Maharaj tributing one hundred hardbound books of Srila please forgive my all offences and help me in my Prabhupada in London UK to assist you in your spiritual life. Please help us so we can serve Krish- service to Srila Prabhupada. I will also pray to Sri na nicely and became servant of servant of ser- Sri Radha London Isvara to give you all facilities vant of Krishna and his devotees. Thanks to expand the preaching unlimitedly. The world is a better place because you are preaching every- Your servant, where. This planet is dear to Lord Krishna because Deepak Dangi, you are here. May Lord Nrisimhadeva protect you London, United Kingdom everywhere and always. Dear Guru Maharaj Your grateful disciple Please accept my humble obeisances on this 291 Europe United Kingdom Jaitra Das, Birmingham was to guide other couples who were London, United Kingdom having marital problems – by your mercy they are now going to be parents. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Ashok Prabhu wishes to thank you for being All glories to Srila Gurudev! This year we have been asked to write an offer- a guiding light in this dark age of Kali yuga and ing as a Bhakti Vriksha so I am writing on behalf wishes your continued presence to guide and be of the Byron Road BV which takes place at Arvind an inspiration to thousands of devotees. Krishna Das and Yamuneswari Devi Dasi’s home. Tarlock Prabhu has work related problems and We have 12 members however not every mem- he is unable to attend BV on a regular basis. He ber is able to attend every week so we ask as a wishes your blessing to remove his obstacle so he group that you bless us to maintain some stabil- can come to BV regularly and as a consequence ity and remove obstacles mainly to do with work have regular association of devotees. Sushmamataji has been attending for a few schedule. We would like to thank you for giving Alka- years now and is having problems in being consis- mataji and her family guidance at the recent loss tent in her chanting, reading and devotional ser- of her father. By your mercy she was able to get vices – please bless her to come up in her spiritual all items for the last rites, the most important was life. the garland of Radha Londonishwara and send it Vinod Prabhu is now chanting 16 rounds, read- to Africa. She was also able to organise kirtan for ing Srila Prabhupad’s books, doing devotional ser- every night for 12 days. She is now chanting 16 vices – we pray for your blessing your his contin- rounds regularly, reading and doing regular devo- ued spiritual progress. These are regular members and we have some tional service. You also met Dhivyamataji and Suresh Prabhu new members as well so I request that you help me and your instruction to them when you met in cultivate these new souls so they may progress in 292 United Kingdom Krishna consciousness. Europe ing you, this year during Gita Jayanti book distri- This year by your mercy I was able to visit May- bution I could strongly feel your support with me, apur, Jagarnath Puri and Vrndhavan. The Deities although Iam not that much efficient in distribut- at Mayapur are so beautiful and merciful. If it was ing shrila Prabhupadas books but I could feel your not for all of you senior disciples, Srila Prabhu- mercy with me while I was out distributing books. pad’s dream would not have come to fruition. The Dear Guru Maharaja it has always been my de- diaries written by your servants are truly inspira- sire to bring my family into Krishna consciousness tional and shows how you are bending backwards and serve you and Aacharyas, and this year you to help so many people to take up Krishna con- have really showered your mercy on my mother sciousness. I have by your mercy been able to re- and sister- in - law family, they all are chanting 16 duce my working time – please guide me not to rounds taken aspiring from you and are very soon squander the extra time but to use it wisely in my going to start Bhakti Vriksha. reading and devotional service, especially devotee Our Bhakti Vriksha members are also pro- care. Recently you said in one of your lectures that gressing nicely and they are all very sincere souls we need to beg for your mercy but I am so fallen and have taken up chanting and are also reading, that I do not know how to beg. In the material life please continue to shower your causeless mercy on if one does not get what one wants in a certain them and make them into strong leaders, Iam an period of time one tends to give up and try some insignificant instrument putting efforts to please alternatives. But in spiritual life, we have to be my siksha gurus and You dear Guru Maharaja determined and focused and as long as we put our but only by your mercy can they be moulded into full effort Krishna will bless us. Help me to work strong and efficient leaders like you always say hard and use every opportunity to preach and mukam karoti vachalam distribute Srila Prabhupad’s books unlimitedly. pangum langhayate girim yat-kripa tam aham vande Begging for your mercy – Byron Road BV sri-gurum dina-taranam Kusumamodadharini Devi Dasi, (Diksha) So with your mercy I have faith the even the London, United Kingdom dumbest person like me can bring leaders to serve you and our Aacharyas, please continue to shower My Dear Spritual Father Guru Maharaja, your blessings on me and keep me under the shel- Please accept my respectful obeisances. ter of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Dear Guru Maharaja I don’t have an art of Thank you very much Guru Maharaja for giv- writing a Vyas Pooja offering so please forgive ing me an opportunity to write a Vyas Pooja offer- me for any offences that I must have done while ing to you. writing this homage to you or even in my spiritual Dear Guru Maharaja you have always been practice knowingly or unknowingly, but I will al- guiding me in my spiritual life in many ways, not ways try to put the best of my efforts to please my only that you always remove all obstacles that siksha gurus and you dear Guru Maharaja. Thank you once again Guru Maharaja come on my spiritual life. Your spiritual daughter My services are incomplete without remember293 Europe United Kingdom Nikunja sakhi Devi Dasi (Diksha disciple) London, United Kingdom render ordinary people defeated and withdrawn. All glories to You! ‘Your mercy knows no bounds’ is a phrase O my dear beloved Guru Maharaja, Please I always write to You in my personal offerings and Accept my Humble Obeisances unto your Divine prayers. Although I utter these words, I am not lotus feet, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. even close to understanding the depth to which What qualification do I have to glorify you my they hold true, golden, sweet, causeless mercy dear Guru Maharaja but how can I miss the great through which I have been saved time and time opportunity to sing the glories of the Spiritual again. I long for the day when I offer everything I do Master. I am completely indebted to you life after life to You. I wish to dive deep into fulfilling Your in- for giving me shelter at your Divine lotus feet structions and I wish to unhesitatingly take full without your mercy I will rot in the material life. advantage of Your shelter, which You have offered I have heard the glories of your holiness before to me unconditionally. I have not yet reached this coming to Mayapur this year (50th anniversary of stage, but I know You will never leave me. You al- ISKCON) where I have practically seen the sweet ways send reminders when I start to step off track, mercy flowing freely from you and seen your com- be it through a powerful quote address my very passion towards every living entity. need and questions at the time, or a dream where I please beg for your mercy to enable me to serve your holiness life after life and also beg you You completely pacify my mind and desire to feel Your presence in a unique way. to please shower mercy upon my family, friends I have a long way to go before I am steady in and everyone, bring them to your Divine lotus my practise in Krishna consciousness, Guru Ma- feet. Please bless and enable them to serve Shri haraja, but You make me want to be, and you keep Shri RadhaKrishna eternally. me going every single day. Please shower your mercy upon me and give me Thank You so very much. All glories to You! strength to have the sincere desire to serve your Your aspiring servant, holiness to fulfill your desire to expand the Bhakti Bhaktin Reshma London, United Kingdom Vrikshas in UK which I have always failed to do. Yours insignificant and humble servants, Maalya and Rajendhar, (Shelter) London, United Kingdom Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Dear Guru Maharaja, All glories to Srila Gurudeva! Please accept my respectful obeisances. All Dear Guru Maharaj, I would like to thank you for accepting me as glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to You! Guru Maharaja, this past year has left me in your disciple. First of all I would like to thank you awe and wonder at Your unyielding determination for introducing Bhakti Vrikshas. Through Bhakti and energy to spread Lord Caitanya’s movement Vriksha I strated my devotional life. Bhakti Vrik- and Srila Prabhupada’s mission far and wide de- sha has given me all happiness in my life. It has spite facing physical health conditions that would given me a great Krishna conscious family. After 294 United Kingdom Europe coming to Bhakti Vriksha I am so happy that I do One this auspicious appearance day I am pay- not care for any problems. You are the people who ing millions and millions obeisance unto your have motivated your disciples to do Bhakti Vrik- Lotus feet. sha. not only me but many people who just asso- I do not have any qualification to serve you ciate as our family friends etc are also happy to but by your cause less mercy, you allow me to serve see devotees. This is because Bhakti Vrikshas has you and Srila Prabhupada mission. taught us to be free of envy and greed. You are an I was in Scotland in 2014 to do some preaching inspiration for millions of ISKCON devotees all program although my contribution was insignifi- over the world. Despite your bodily condition you cant you sent me whatsapp massage appreciating are putting greatest efforts to give the ultimate my insignificant afford to Preach Krishna con- benefit of Krishna consciousness to everyone. sciousness there. This show how big your heart What you are doing is not an easy task even to although you were so busy in different preaching imagine. But because of your love for Srila Prabh- program, meeting etc. You remember any service upada you are able to achieve all success. big or small. You are a reservoir of all mercy and compas- I am so fallen that I forgot your Love on me. My sion to everyone. you always want all people to be dear Guru Maharaj please keep me your prayer so happy always. Thats why you relentlessly travel all I never forget you. round the world to give your association for everyone. You are a personal associate of Lord Caitanya, because of your tired less preaching many coun- during nawadwip mandal parikrama despite try in this would people able to know the glories your bad health you visited all parties and gave of Lord Caitanya. You have pure love for Lord lectures. It’s a huge motivation to see you and get Caitanya please shower some mercy on this fallen your personal association in holy dham. soul so I can success my human life by doing some Please bless me Guru Maharaj so that I can humbly carry out Bhakti Vriksha services. service Lord Caitanya mission under Your divine guidance. Please bless me that I shall become free from Wish you good health so that you can travel envy and greed. I want to serve you whole heart- many countries and give them your valuable asso- edly but because of my own bad karma etc I would ciation and preach Krishna consciousness unlim- not put effort. itedly. Your insignificant servant, I have done many offences at your lotus feet. Sanjay Kumar Pal, (Shelter) Please kindly forgive me and use me as an in- London, United Kingdom strument in your hands. Thanks a lot Guru Maharaj! All glories to the most auspicious day of Your Your servant, Vyasa Puja, all glories to Your Lord Nityananda- Sadhvi Gaurangi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) like compassionate and merciful nature. Your ad- London, United Kingdom vent has become the greatest fortune in the lives of many, who have taken shelter at Your lotus feet. Please accept my humble obeisance unto your Lotus feet. All glories to your divine Grace. You have granted me unearned mercy, the scope of which I do not fully understand yet, by accepting 295 Europe United Kingdom me into Your spiritual family. Your unflinching de- faction that all our problems bothering us for long votion to Srila Prabhupada, and determined ser- time has come to an end. By Your causeless mercy vice, Your love and compassion to us, Your spiritu- which You chose to shower on us, we were able to al children, fuel my faith in this process of bhakti see the blessings in the year 2015. Just by meditat- and feeds my admiration for Your devotion. ing Your darshan we could able to see our prayers On this very auspicious day I would like to send are getting fulfilled and all our hindrances are You my deepest thanks, dear Guru Maharaja, for just getting vanished. From our mentor guidance taking on this arduous task of helping struggling we started assisting them in BhaktiVriksha from jivas out of the material world and reawaken our 2016. We humbly beg at Your lotus feet to forgive dormant love for Krishna. I also have a sense of us for all the offenses we committed and provide guilt for not being the kind of disciple I should be. us with the intelligence and devotion to not com- May I pray for your kind blessings on this occasion mit more offenses and bless us so that we always that I become a better, more dedicated disciple of engage at your devotional service with pure love Yours, and will ultimately be able to please You and devotion as a servant of the servant. Your Servants, with my service. Suresh Shanmugam, (Aspiring) Thank You, thank You, thank You. All glories, all glories, all glories to Guru Ma- Dhivya Priya Rajappan, (Aspiring) Lohit Suresh, haraja. Your eternally indebted servant, London, United Kingdom Suddha Kanti Dasi,(Diksha) London, United Kingdom All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Srila Gurudeva! Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept our humble and respectful obe- Please accept my humble obeisances! siances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to You Divine Grace! I don’t have enough words to thanking youGuru Maharaj for your causeless mercy upon me. We are not feeling worthy and don’t have This year, I could visit Sri Mayapur dham with enough words to write about Your causeless mercy my Son Maan and my Husband Vijay along with and blessings which you have showered us. Through our East London Bhakti Vriksha Congregation our mentors Aravinda Krishna Das and Yamunes- for Gaur Purnima Festival. It was like dream come vari Devi Dasi from East London BhaktiVrik- true by your blessing Guru Maharaj. I can say how sha we got an opportunity to serve You through merciful you are Guru Maharaj, that with your cooking and personal service in Birmingham in mercy only without no qualification I can serve September 2014. By seeing you we learnt what is as Bhakti Vriksha Sector Leader. I really want to pure bhakti and how we can pass this ocean of life beg at your lotus feet to make my chanting proper using pure bhakti as boat.We were overwhelmed in terms of that I desire to complete all my japa with happiness, joy and unable to express the Di- rounds in morning daily without carry forward a vine feeling we got during those days. On return- single round. Please please... Guru Maharaj bless ing back to London we had a great feeling of satis- me with this. Secondly, I would like to serve you 296 United Kingdom Europe in Srila Prabhupada’s Mission to spread the mercy Your Servant, of Gauranga. In this I would like to ask blessings Usha Vijay Majithiya, (Shelter) that I should properly follow the instructions of London, United Kingdom my Siksha Gurus: His Grace Yogeshwar Gopinath Prabhu, His Grace Arvind Krishna Prabhu and My dear spiritual father Srila Guru Maharaja, Her Grace Yamuneshwari Mataji by putting my Please accept my respectful obeisances false ego on side. Next I would like to reorganize All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! my daily schedules so I can do all my spiritual and It has been a great fortune for me to write the material duties in good stamina and and in good offering to your glorious 67th Vyasa puja. mood in more efficient way. You have given me and my family a new and I would like to have your blessings that I can spiritually energized life which is full of bliss and attend the Navadwipa Mandal Parikrma soon in ecstasy. Your mercy has been working all over future. Also so far I was considering that I will in my life and miracles are happening. I am very make myself eligible to get initiation from you much indebted to your divine grace for giving this Guru Maharaj on my own but not possible with- wonderful Krishna Conscious family with love out your mercy. Please shower your mercy for this, and care. so I can imbibe a tiny little mood of yours to serve Srila Prabhupada and Gauranga. Apart from my own spiritual growth my family members also started taking Krishna Conscious At the end, I would like to beg forgiveness from path very seriously. My wife has already been ini- you Guru Maharaj for my so inefficient services tiated by your Divine Grace and leading bhakti and my all offences. vrikshas in east London. Her level of dedication has been increased multi fold this year and your 297 Europe United Kingdom mercy and blessings are really changing her a lot. ment. Thank you very much. My daughter Shruti also loves to preach following your instructions. One of my uncles recently came to Sridham Mayapur and met your Divine Your insignificant servant, Grace during a talk given by you on Caitanya lila, Yogesvara Gopinatha Das, (Diksha) hearing the pastime he got so mesmerised that he London, United Kingdom wants to commit himself on this path of Krishna Consciousness and asked the requirements of Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj! initiation from your divine grace. My sister and All glories to Nitai Gauranga...All glories to niece have taken aspiring from your divine grace Srila Prabhupada.All glories, all glories to your lo- in the Sridham Mayapur this year. tus feet, the shelter of numerous fallen souls like Your Divine grace, you are always guiding and us.... caring for each and every disciple and well-wish- Wishing you a very happy vyaasa puja... May ers personally. This is really heart touching and you always be ever so magnanimous and merci- amazing. I recently seen this in Sridham Mayapur ful spiritual fathar to all your disciples...This time and the way you cared for devotees who came from I really want to glorify the power of your prayers different part of the world, you gave your personal that you make for your disciples to Krishna every time and care that they were really touched. My moment...Even being miles away from you I feel sister who came from Jaipur was sitting in the first your auspicious presence and blessings for me... row during your Caitanya lila talk, desiring to get Last year somewhere in aug/sep I was chanting in some special Prasad from your divine grace, to her the evening and for the entire one hour I saw your wonder, she got really huge garland (with all other clear image infront of my eyes... The next morning matajis) as a Prasad at the end of the session. She I read your email replying to my get well soon mes- now fully inspired to start her Bhakti Vriksha in sage through your health team...then very soon Jaipur. When someone meets you only once feel I learned that you pray every day to Sri Sri Radha greatly transformed in their life and feel a lot of Madhava deities for empowering your disciples to enthusiasm. preach enthusiastically...Miraculously very soon Guru Maharaja, I beg for forgiveness for my I was motivated to start bhaktivriksha preaching mistakes and offences and since you are real pati- under the guidance of our senior god brother. By tapavan and the only hope. your mercy Krishna sent us many new souls who Dear Guru Maharaja, Please bless me so that took up to Krishna Consciousness very enthusi- I can become an instrument in your mission to astically. By your inspiration we are able to con- please Srila Prabhupada by spreading the Krishna nect many new souls to Krishna through Bhakti Consciousness unlimitedly. Please bless our group Vriksha preaching, book distribution and damo- members that we can bring more and more souls dar program....Every time I feel your divine inter- to Krishna consciousness this year as an offering vention in my life that makes me so hopeful about to Srila Prabhupada on the auspicious occasion my spiritual life... of 50th anniversary celebration by following your I pray to Lord Narsimhadev to shower his bless- instructions and spreading the sankirtana move- ings on you so that you always remain ecstatic in 298 United Kingdom Europe love of GaurNitai and fulfill the mission of Srila up this spirit of preaching and are endeavouring Prabhupada. to follow this instruction of yours even though we are very neophyte. Your spiritual daughter Once we settled in Northampton, the author- Kancana Madhavi Devi Dasi ities at Bhaktivedanta Manor gave us the respon- Milton Keynes, United Kingdom sibility of overseeing Northampton Nama Hatta. We have since formed a local ISKCON commit- Dear Srila Guru Maharaja tee to ensure programs run effectively. It is still in Please accept my humble obeisances at the the sprouting phase but we are hopeful of progress dust of your lotus feet. and co-operation from the members here. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your Divine Grace on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja! We organised a few street sankirtan festivals with the help of Manor devotees and friends. Our next step is to host a grand Hare Krishna Culture mukam karoti vachalam festival for the public. We hope to collect many pangum langhayate girim contacts and invite people to our Nama Hatta, yat-kripa tam aham vande which we call “Krishna Wisdom”. shri-gurum dina-taranam We struggle to maintain new devotees because “I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spir- of investing our energy in outreach and organi- itual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His sation of regular programs. We want to establish mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and a balanced program newcomers are able to relish enables the lame to cross mountains.” and relate to. We have noted how kirtan is very This year has been one of facing new and exciting challenges. My wife and I moved away from popular here and we are planning to train ourselves better in performing kirtan. our family home in London to Northampton in Kindly bless us to find the ways and means by East Midlands. We have taken new jobs and be- which we can take personal care of new devotees come part of a different community, whilst strug- so they can become regular members and take up gling with health issues. sadhana bhakti. We believe the scope for preach- Still it has been a smooth transition and we ing in Northampton is very big and we are just at are seeing the shining mercy of the Lord Caitan- the tip of the iceberg. There is a large community ya throughout. Devotees, family and friends have of vegans, spiritual seekers and common people kindly helped us at every step of the move for are looking for answers to the big questions of life. which we are grateful. My new job is also not too ISKCON is the shelter of all such persons and demanding which is giving some peace of mind somehow we have found ourselves in this situa- to focus on preaching. I hope this can continue tion to try and help them. We therefore offer re- because preaching is our real life and occupation. peated obeisances at Your Lotus Feet for the spiri- During your class at Bhaktivedanta Manor tual strength to guide them towards their eternal, in you asked us all “Are there any English people infallible shelter. present?” Then you requested us to preach beyond Our aspiration is to develop a strong yet di- the Indian community of Britain. We have taken verse congregation with the help of our commit299 Europe United Kingdom tee. We pray at Your Lotus Feet that we can work thus we can relish the most when we are present together as a community, unconditionally for the with you here. pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. We want this proj- My great fortune this year is that you blessed ect to be our humble offering of gratitude at His my new harmonium with the touch of Your Lotus Lotus Feet. Hands personally. I am hoping to engage the in- We have drawn so much spiritual strength and mercy from your holy association and we beg to strument in preaching service and get better at playing. always remain at your shelter, because Your Divine Finally, I am trying to gain stronger faith in Grace is always so close to the Lotus Feet of Srila the unlimited potency of the Holy Names of Lord Prabhupada. Besides this we have no other shelter Krishna. I beg for Your blessings so that I am able and so we are praying to you every single day for to get a taste for chanting. So far I have been hear- our own benefit and for the benefit of others. ing japa seminars. Once in the past, you had asked It was most uplifting to be with you in Sridham me to recite the Sri Namastakam Prayers of Srila Mayapur during the week Bhishma Panchak. We Rupa Goswami which are so powerful they relieve had the good fortune of bathing in Mother Ganga one of all offences to Sri Harinama Prabhu, and with Your Divine Grace and your senior disciples now I want to make a serious effort to do this reg- such as Bhaktivinod Maharaja. We heard daily ularly, and attain the mercy of Lord Krishna. classes on the Caitanya Book at Your Lotus Feet Again and again we beg at Your Lotus Feet that on the Rooftop of Lotus Building. We were also Your Divine Grace empowers us with the mercy of most fortunate to serve you prasadam lunch. Sri Sri Nitai Gaura to fulfill our spiritual objec- In February when you faced another health crisis yet we had strong faith you would return tives this year and have the strength to overcome obstacles. to good health. We were gifted with Tulasi plants Your servant which we were able to circumambulate daily and Sacinandana Karuna Das,(Diksha) pray for your good health if Krishna so desired. Northampton, United Kingdom It is also wonderful that Tulasi Maharani is staying with us as it had not been possible in previous Please accept my humble obeisances years for extended periods of time due to cold UK All glories to Srila Prabhupada weather. This is my sincere offering to you on the occa- We were overjoyed to hear the news that Your sion of your Vyasa Puja. Divine Grace reached Sridham Mayapur the same Thank you for giving a useless fallen soul like day we arrived there for the Gaura Purnima fes- me the shelter of your lotus feet. You are compas- tival. This increased our enthusiasm to be in the sion personified. Dhama as the real purpose of our visits are to hear the nectar from Your Lotus Mouth directly. The Although my association with you has been more vapu than vani. highlight of our pilgrimage was to hear Gaura Please continue to guide me as I struggle to katha from you during Navadvipa Parikrama. My live up to what it really means to be a disciple of realisation is that the influence of the Holy Dha- an eternal associate of Lord Nityananda prabhu. ma is most perceivable to Your Divine Grace and 300 I still remember and cherish dearly the chas- United Kingdom Europe tisement you gave me just after my initiation cer- seriously. emony when my foolish arrogant ways manifested Our Namahatta group has grown nicely. We themselves. Being the all merciful loving father have had wonderful Damodar house programs, that you are you corrected me firmly but lovingly. Diwali Festivals, Kirtan programs at Namahatta. Please continue to shower your mercy upon me We had wonderful Kids Gita Recitation and so that I may become a more worthy instrument in Kirtan performance at Leicester Rathayatra. We delivering the holy name to every town and vil- celebrated beautiful Panihati festival, Janmashta- lage. Pleasing you Guru Maharaj is my life’s goal. mi, and Govardhan Puja at our namahatta. May it always be so. We managed to do book distribution, Hari- I offer my respectful obeisances to you again nams, Group Japa, and Kirtan for your and again. health and recovery. Your fallen daughter We now have once in two weeks-KIDs Gita Taruni Radhika Devi Dasi. Class. We have started weekly Sunday morning Norwich, United Kingdom Bhagavatam discussions led by H.H. Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj’s disciple couples. Dear Guru Maharaj, Hare Krishna. Please accept our Respectful obeisances unto you Guru Maharaj. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. We also pray we can take your wonderful darshan this 2016 at Birmingham. We have aspiring devotee couples who are eagerly waiting to take initiation from your kind self. Our sincere prayers for your health, Guru We request to shower your Mercy upon us, and Maharaj. 2015 has been a wonderful year for us also pray we get Srila Prabhupada’s Mercy and spiritually. Nitai Gaura’s Mercy too, on Nottingham Nama- We had a wonderful “Hare Krishna Festival” hatta. in Nottingham. As a result-a good bunch of new Please kindly pray for us Guru Maharaj- so devotees have taken up Krishna Consciousness we develop the faith and taste to chant the Holy names and associate more and more with vaishnavas. Thank you kindly, Guru Maharaj. It’s been a spiritually wonderful 2015, by your grace and mercy. Please kindly take care of your good health. Hope to see you soon Guru Maharaj. Your aspiring servant of the servants, Acyuta Rupa Das,(Diksha) Ragavalli Devi Dasi, (Diksha) 301 Europe United Kingdom Nottingham, United Kingdom Dear Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhu- Dearest Maharaja, please accept my humble, pada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your VYASA PUJA. heartfelt and loving obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and to you, One year ago the Festival team came to a com- his pure devotee, on this day of your vyasa puja. munity centre in my home town. The posters said You are one of the most important people in my “The hare Krishnas are coming to town”. My sis- life, even though I have never had the good for- ter and me went along to see what it was all about. tune and great pleasure of your association, even We heard the Maha Mantra, we saw the devotees, as part of the crowd. The example you have given we heard Parasurama Das we began chanting that me in how to live, and to have grace in adversity very evening, we began to live by the four regula- has shown me what a person can do, and be, if tive principles that very evening and now we are they are as strong and fine as you. growing in Krishna Consciousness daily and serv- The work you have done with the Congrega- ing with love at every opportunity. tional Development Ministry has helped so many I go to NamaHatta, travel by train to London people to advance spiritually and to lead better every week for Harinama and Darshan, distribute lives. You have brought joy and hope where ever books, offer food at my home altar, eat only Prasa- you have been, and to many, who, like me, only dam, study daily, chant japa and seek association know your work and your writing. The way you with other Devotees. have continued and extended your work, in spite Maharaj, you inspire us. We read your words of your great bodily challenges, is an inspiration. and try to follow your example... you are our Hero. It is said that the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord Thank you for all your hard work. are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned Thank you for being such a huge, vivacious souls. This is certainly true of you. The new pro- personality. I read your book about Sri Caitan- grammes and books that you are offering help ya Mahaprabhu and it is beautiful.. I love Him so people. Through your mercy they can find their much. way back to the place they know they belong. Have a great day on your Vyasa Puja. When they realise their original relationship with Sri Krishna, and take up their role as His eternal Your humble servant, Diane, servitors, their lives can truly begin. Thank you for your endless mercy and selfless Nottingham, England. service. You are a pure devotee and a magnificent person. I love you, honour you and feel joy every day, when I think of your being my well wisher Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept our humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, All Glories always. Your loving servant always, to you Gurudev Guru Maharaj on this auspicious Deena Caunt - Well Wisher occasion of your Vyasa Puja, even though we are Nottingham, England. not at all qualified to say something about you, we would like to say few words. Guru Maharaj, we 302 United Kingdom Europe always hear about your glories through disciple ried, yet!! Still have obligations to take care of network and it is always wonderful to hear that, family and husband, although mostly they are in- in spite of your health issues, how eagerly you are dependent. So I am going to cut down my mate- serving your Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada rial attachments and dedicate myself to spiritual and we always feel that we are not doing any ser- life by taking Bhagvatam classes regularly in War- vice to our Guru Maharaj even though we have rington. I will also check out how I can help with been blessed with good health and opportunities. listening to and translating your lectures. By your mercy we are under your shelter, only by Manchester ISKCON are working towards your mercy we are still chanting, doing little ser- building a temple and eco village. I will help with vice to our Home Deities Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari. that. We have started doing home programmes 2 years I am going to start Bhakti vriksh (I have been back but that has been discontinued for some rea- saying this now for few years!!!) with Chester son- we know that is because we were not sincere groupon my returnto uk after my trip to India in and we want to restart this again this year by the May and April.. help and encouragement of our god brother and I am also visiting Doha to take association and sister, Aravinda Krishna prabhu and Yamunesh- blessings of all Krishna Katha Desh devotees for wari Mataji, of East London. They are always en- the next phase in my life. couraging us. Guru Maharaj, we are very sure that ISKCON Manchester are visiting Mayapur by your causeless mercy only that we can overcome this December and I hope to take your darshan these problems. Please bless us so that we can get then. initiation from you this year. You are a constant inspiration Guru Maharaj, On this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa you a warrior and a Victor. I hope to be able to Puja, we pray to Sri Gauranga to give you good serve you in better way. Despite all the health set health, we want to see you Guru Maharaj, very backs, your work goes on. soon, hopefully in Birmingham Ratha Yatra!! I am very fortunate to be surrounded by group of devotees who are dedicated to devotional ser- Your forever aspiring servants, vices for Manchester ISKCON. Ganesh and Gitanjali My association with you is through your lec- Nottingham, England tures, your devotees and I hope, I can present you a glowing report on Bhakti Vriksha soon. My offerings to my guru, his holiness JayapataYour Humble Servant, ka Maharaj 2016. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisance’s. All Meenakshi Madhavi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) glories to Guru Maharaj and Gauranga. You are Preston,United Kingdom ocean of mercy and I am very fortunate that I got (previously Krishna Katha Desh) your blessings and got initiated in January 2008 in Krishna Katha Desh by you. Dear Guru Maharaja, This year I will be 65 and although I am not Please accept my humble obeisances! formally taking sanyas as my daughter is not mar- All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. 303 Europe United Kingdom On this most auspicious occasion of Sri Kama- Praying that I may gain da Ekadashi you appeared on this Bhumi Loka in but a speck of the devotion the new world now called USA. It behoves me to That you have for the Lord thank you for your most gracious blessings upon and his pure devotees myself and family and I fall at your feet in humble supplication offering these few words in your well deserved glorification. Falling and rolling in the dust of all your menial servants Dear Gurudev you have passed your adult life I Sakhyarasa Prema Das pray for In service to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, their merciful blessings At sixty six years of age you are a living example Sakhyarasa Prema Das, (Diksha) Of dedication, commitment and compassion South Staffordshire, United Kingdom It is very rare to find someone like you Who sees and deals with all as equals My dearmost spiritual father Not caring for your personal prestige and honour Srila Guru Maharaj, Your vision is on parallel with high flying eagles Please accept my most respectful obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to Your Encouraging everyone you meet Divine Grace. with a friendly gesture Your Divine Grace is more merciful than So careful to reassure those mercy personified; always looking for situations who are fallen and weak to engage us in Lord Krishna’s service. Sri Vyasa Who may have lost their faith Puja too, is an opportunity for us to glorify Lord’s or have failed in their mission pure devotee and thus purify our existence. In one With great compassion and Vyasa Puja lecture, Your Divine Grace said that understanding you speak Vyasa Puja offering is a service that the disciple renders to their Guru. Though you may be physically Please allow me to glorify you on this most aus- incapacitated now picious Vyasa Puja. Your strong desire to serve Personally for me, writing the Vyasa Puja of- the mission of Mahaprabhu fering is an act of worship. When I start writing, Is so plainly evident for I relive all the precious moments in Your Divine one and all to see and Grace’s association – all the mercy that I have re- It is clear that you are one of ceived through the years. Srila Prabhupada’s dearest sons I meditate on my unimaginable good fortune to get the opportunity to glorify a pure devotee of So on this most sacred day of days, the Lord. How can I, with my tiny minuscule mate- Sri Vyasa Puja rial brain, glorify Your Divine Grace, who is com- I can only weap and fall pletely spiritual? Years back, during one parikra- in the dust of your feet ma, I told your Divine Grace “ I don’t know Lord 304 United Kingdom Europe Krishna, I don’t know Lord Caitanya, I don’t know sider it one of the biggest boons in my life. There Srila Prabhupada ; I know only my Guru Maharaj, is nothing remaining to know for a person who and I am happy” As every year passes by, I real- listens to your lectures! Please bless me that I can ise I can never fathom Your Divine Grace’s com- listen to Your Divine Grace’s lectures every day, passion and glories. His Grace Jananivas prabhu till the end of my life. Please bless me that I can mentioned in one class in Mayapur - “Even if you also do some service in this area. understand Krishna, you will not be able to understand your Guru.”!! If I am able to do some service, either vapu or vani, to Your Divine Grace, I feel very enlivened. brahmanda brahmite kona bhagyavan jiva If I am not doing any service, I feel like I am dead. guru Krishna prasade paya bhakti latha bija Please, please kindly engage me in Your Divine Even though I have been told about this verse Grace’s service, always. again and again, each day I realise the depth of this verse more and more. Guru Maharaj, my existence in itself is a proof Please use me as Your Divine Grace’s instrument in service to Srila Prabhupada and previous acaryas. of Your Divine Grace’s mercy and blessings. Even Please keep me at the shelter of Your Divine though life has seldom treated me fairly, I could Grace’s lotus feet. Please grand me taste for chant- overcome all the obstacles, both in material and de- ing the Holy Name and for reading Srila Prabhu- votional life, only by your blessings and guidance. pada’s books. Any problem that comes like a mountain vanishes I have committed countless offenses; please for- just like the morning fog which disappears as soon give me for the offenses I have committed know- as the sun rises, when we just meditate on your ingly and unknowingly. lotus feet and pray to Your Divine Grace. This year, we are planning for a grand Vyasa Guru Maharaj, Your Divine Grace lead us by Puja celebrations in UK. Please bless us that we your example. Any situation that we come across can work together and please Your Divine Grace. can be dealt with in the best way if we just medi- Your insignificant daughter, tate on the way Your Divine Grace has reacted or Amala manjari Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Reading, United Kingdom would react. I meet a lot of devotees who are attached to Your Divine Grace, but have never met Your Di- Hare Krishna!!! All glories to Srila Prabhupa- vine Grace in person. I have personally witnessed da! All Glories to Sri Gaura - Nitai!! All Glories the transformation in people’s hearts just by Your to Sri Radha - Madhav!!! Divine Grace’s presence, even in photo. Dear Guru Maharaj, When I see the love, devotion and dedication Please accept our humble obeisances at your my god brothers and god sisters have for you, I pray lotus feet. We are eternally grateful to you for more intensely that one day I also develop a little showing us the right way of bhakti; and always in- devotion. I thank you from my heart for giving me spiring us to perform bhakti fearlessly in any cir- this wonderful spiritual family. cumstances and never leaving the side of truth. Guru Maharaj, by the sincere efforts of JPS ar- On this most auspicious and blessed moment of chives, we are able to connect to your vani. I con- your 67th appearance day celebration, we all pray 305 at your lotus feet – “please make us understand your desires and empower us to execute appropriate devotional services”. parikrama last day during Mahamilan. I finish last day Parikrama early because my flight was at 5pm from Kolkatta due to this I was Let us accept you and your instructions as our unable to attend the mahamilan Guru Maharaj ultimate dharma. Let us be instruments in your Lecture & one of my God brother told me you can devotional services to Srila Prabhupada and to all take darshan of Guru Maharaj but due to shortage the previous Acaryas. of time I went to the ground & from the last line Please shower on us your causeless mercy and I offer my obeisance & came back but my desire let us be free from all kinds of anarthas so that we was not satisfied & I was thinking I leaving may- can render pure devotional services unto you hap- apur but due to badluck I cant get the darshan of pily and properly. Guru Maharaj. Then I went to take last darshan You are so merciful that you have made several of Panca-tattva, Radha Madava & Lord Narshima visits to Avatari Desh, just to rescue us from the Dev & I was praying for Guru Maharaj Darsan & clutches of maya. after Narasimadev Darshan I saw Guru Maharaj Whenever we have been with you; we have experienced such an outpouring of love from the core of your heart; not only towards your devotees but towards every other individuals. is coming from Radam adv Gate. finally offer my obeisance to Guru Maharaj. from this past times I self realize how merciful is Guru Maharaj. & my prayer on the lotus feet of Our sincere prayers to Nrsimhadeva to bestow good health and long life unto you as to enable Lord Narshima Dev for the Good Health of Guru Maharaj. you to keep-on incessant devotional service for Your servant, years and years. Chandan, (Shelter) For and on behalf of Avatari Desh Disciples & Avatari Desh, Middle East, Middle East Well Wishers, Hare Krishna! Your humble servants, Yatra Leader, Bahroopa Nrsimha Das (Diksha), & Sumadhura Gopi Devi Devi Dasi (Diksha), Avatari Desh, Middle East, Middle East please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! My Dear beloved Guru Maharaj, I am so indebted to you for showering your causeless mercy on a fallen soul like me. I imagine All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! how much I was rotting in to this material world All glories to you on this auspicious day of your running behind money, fame and sense gratifica- 67th vyasapuja. tion, until I met your holiness and your senior dis- Oh my Spiritual father I am very fortunate ciples (HG Saccidananda prabhu and His Grace because you accept this fallen soul as a shelter Sevashakti Mataji, Nasik). I was completely wast- disciple either I don’t have any qualification to ing my life, but by your divine mercy I was saved. get your causeless mercy & how merciful you are I feel now I have purpose in life. The purpose is to I self-realize this year during Nawardipmandal serve you until the last breadth of my life. 306 Avataridesh Middle East I am eager to serve you in your service to your determine to complete. But as a materially con- Guru Maharaj His Divine Grace Srila Prabhua- ditioned soul, I wish to see you completely cured pada, but due to my conditional state I am facing of all illness and you health remains at the best so many hurdles. My absent minded behavior, at- levels. So that you can travel to many many many tachment to worldly pleasures and uncontrollable places across this world to deliver the many mil- taste for palatable food is acting as impediments lions of souls who are fallen like me. in my path of serving you. I sincerely pray and chant to please the Lord I want to sincerely make efforts in completely to give you the best of health and fulfill all your removing these impediments and serve you most desires in service to Srila Prabhupada. May this honestly and sincerely. I like the preaching service Vyasya Puja day be the most happiest day for you. the most so I want to develop my self as per your i am begging for your blessings and best wishes instructions in this service. so that I can sincerely follow in to your footsteps My dear spiritual father I want to become your and always remain loyal to Srila Prabhupada and sincere son and along with my family want to re- his entire ISKCON family.With best wishes and main always loyal to this society of Srila Prabhu- compliments, your spiritual son, daughter, and pada and contribute positively in various service grand son opportunities, like Bhakti vrishas, congregation Nitai Nateshvar Das, (Diksha) development, etc. that your holiness has started Divya Ananga Gopi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) and enabled for us. Guru Maharaj please shower your blessings on Bhakta Atharva, me and my family so that we are able to overcome Avatari Desh, Middle East, Middle East all the hurdles that we face in advancing in our spiritual life. Without your blessings we will not Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, be able to move even a inch ahead. I want to learn Please accept my humble obeisances! to completely depend on Krishna and Guru. I see All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, who has cre- how you have lead your life completely depending ated a home where the whole world can stay, All on Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. Your determi- Glories to the 50th year Golden Jubliee celebera- nation in serving this mission of Chaitnya ma- tion of ISKCON, Because of Srila Prabhupada’s haprabhu is simply amazing. I wish I could at least great accomplishment of churning, many gems have a fraction of that determination so my life were appeared from the ocean, One such gem can be perfected. is Your Divine Grace; All Glories to You Divine My dear Guru Maharaj I pray at the lotus feet Grace, you has completely dedicated Your life in to Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Asta Sakhis, Sri service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Panca-tattva, and Sri Narasimha deva that if Krishna and also engaging us in the Lords service it pleases them then they recover you complete- My dear beloved Guru Maharaj, ly from the difficult conditions you stay in phys- Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories ically. I know confidently that the physical situ- to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this aus- ation doesn’t matter you much and nothing can picious day of your Vyasapuja “. Guru Maharaj, Krishna will bless you,be in stop you from taking forward the services your so 307 Middle East Balaramdesh good health for propagating the mission of Srila Prabhupada, this is the only prayer. I’m praying at Your Holiness’s Lotus Feet to give strength & qualificationto this unqualified sinner to write a few words to glorify Your Your obedient servant, Holiness onYour Vyasa Pooja. Even though I’m Antaryami gaura das, (Diksha) not qualified, Lord Krishna showered Hisbest Gopala Krishna Temple, mercy to me in this life time, by showing me path Balaramdesh, Middle East to approach aSpiritual master like Your Holiness. And it’s none other than YourHoliness’s causeless To my dear spiritual father, mercy to accept me as a disciple and even giving Please accept my humble obeisances unto your 2nd Initiation during Your Holiness’s recent visit ever merciful lotus feet, Today on this very aus- to Balaramdesh. picious day of your Vyasa puja I get a chance to Your Holiness is the major source of inspiration express my indebtedness for the unlimited mercy for us that despite theexternal bodily sufferings, you have showered upon me and my family. There Your Holiness is preaching and purifyingevery- is not one moment when I don’t meditate on you body surrounding, even at Hospitals at Durgapur, for giving this miserable soul eternal shelter who Delhi and all. is not at all eligible to serve you. You bestow me Your Holiness is an ocean of mercy, one of the strength to face the miserable calamities and such instances I felt, wouldlike to recollect here. always stand by me to fulfill my duties and respon- During one of Your Holiness’s visit to Balaram- sibilities.Please always lead me with your merci- desh,I received Guru Asraya, and as per the seva ful hand to follow the instructions given by you allocation chart, got a smallseva at Your Holiness’s and walk on the path of spiritual progress. I never residence, to count the no: of chantings during know whether I can ever repay for your showers of Your Holiness’s prasadam intake. Meanwhile, merciful glances on our family. Words are limited I noticed that many seniordevotees of Balaram- to write about your unlimited blessings on us. As desh were massaging Your Holiness’s Lotus Feet. always please give us strength to face any hurdles Therewere lot of senior devotees in queue and on the path in serving you and following your in- I was sure that I may not get achance and even structions in serving Srila Prabhupada selflessly. not appropriate to ask them for this service, as I am muchjunior. Next year when Your Holiness Your ever indebted daughter, visited Balaramdesh, I got initiated and the seva Bhuvanapujita radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha), in-charge informed me that I have got a seva w/o Nandasuta govinda Das, (Diksha), opportunity atYour Holiness’s residence. While Balaramdesh, Middle East. driving to the location, my mind wasweeping a lot, for being sure that this time also there will be My beloved and ever-respected Guru Maharaj, no chancefor me to massage Your Holiness’s lotus Please accept my humble obeisances... feet. Out of grief, I came out ofthe car, entered All Glories to Sri Gaur Nitai.... into the lift, came to Your Holiness’s residence, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada... washedmy feet and paid obeisances unto Your All Glories unto Your Holiness.... Holiness. It was lunch time and Your Holiness 308 Balaramdesh Middle East was taking prasadam and one of the senior Tamil having a nicecongregation of Malayalee devotees devotee wasmassaging Your Holiness’s lotus feet. here in Balaramdesh, which have increasedfrom To my surprise, he moved aside andtold me - “Come around 40 devotees in 2010 in a single Bhaktivrik- fast and massage Guru Maharaj’s Lotus Feet”. sha started by HG Sakha Gopinath Das prabhuji, I immediately came under the table and upon to around 200 nos: regular devotees includinga- touching Your Holiness’s Lotus Feet, Iliterally round 8 Bhaktivrksas, now. Also by the excellent broke down and wept a lot, thinking of Your support of Balaramdeshtemple management, we Holiness’s causelessmercy. I wept a lot happily for are carrying out some nice outreach programs a long time and as I was under the table,nobody &outreach follow ups. During the last Damoda- could see my face. All glories unto Your Holiness... ra Yatra, our Malayaleecongregation contributed Guru Maharaj, Your Holiness is an ocean of to Balaramdesh temple by conducting more than causeless mercy. Otherwise, manyunqualified 450house visits. I am mentioning this here not souls like me would never have got initiated and for projecting our efforts, butout of the intention startedpracticing spirituality. We would have been that, if it may give Your Holiness a small amount rotten in this repeated cyclesof birth & death, ofhappiness, we will be ever-blessed. It’s only Your suffering all the ill-effects of the future ferocious- Holiness that engagingall of us in some service Kali yuga. I am ever ever ever indebted and can- for our own purification. If we were able to doany not repay it with any wordsof thanks, any amount menial seva, that is only due to Your Holiness’s of services unto Your Holiness’s Lotus feet formil- causeless mercy andempowerment. I would also lions of births, but humbly and unashamedly beg- like to thank profusely to Krishna & YourHoliness ging to pardon thismenial dog of Your Holiness’s, for me to get my wife & spiritual companion His for deficiencies in my personal Sadhana andbeg- Grace LavangaVrajasundari Devi Dasi, who use to ging to keep continue showering mercy, so that I cook tirelessly 80-odd people for Bhaktivrksasand can do a little service in assisting Your Holiness in use to do all sringars to our beloved Sri Sri Radha spreading Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Madhava and other deities at home and also sup- By Your causeless mercy, we are having a weekly Hindi Bhaktivrksa at ourresidence in Balaram- port me a lot to render some preaching /devotional service. desh attended by around 80 devotees and also a Praying to Sri Sri Prahlad Narasimhadev to monthlySrimad Bhagavatham class at our home bring back again Your Holiness immediately to in Malayalam by our Siksha Guru HGKripasagar full fitness to reach out physically to many many Krishnadas prabhu. Also by Your Holiness’s bless- many more unqualified souls like me... ings, during mylast vacation to Kerala, we have started a small Bhaktivrksa at our village temple Your Humble Servant, near Farook College (Calicut, Kerala), which is Dayanidhi Syama Sundara Das, (Diksha), attended by around15 - 20 devotees including my Balaramdesh – Balaramdesh.Middle East. parents and now it’s being continued everyweek by His Grace Syama Caitanya Das prabhu. Also My Dear Gurumaharaj, with the support of my Godbrother His Grace Please accept my humble obeisance unto your Parthasarathi Parameswara Das prabhu, we are divine lotus feet. All glories to Jagatguru Srila Pra309 Middle East Balaramdesh bhupada. All glories to your Holiness. Your Holinessis a true Acharya – He who teaches I am drowned in the ocean of nescience, not by example.You value every services of unquali- knowing the importance of a Spiritual Master like fieddisciples like me. Your eagerness to preach you-with the sincerity you are serving Srila Pra- LordGauranga’smessage about theHoly name with bhupada is extremely praiseworthy-and that’s a this unbeatable travel schedule is abig lesson for wonderful example for all of us to learn how to us in thislife time. You have a heart, big enough serve a spiritual master. to accommodateanyone and everyone whohave I wish you would stay with us for a very long long time showering your Mercy upon us-- the great fortune of coming Your way; and even afraction of a second spent with Your Holiness, Please! Please! Help me and splash out all anarthas from my heart! as a lifelongcherish-ablememory.It is a boon that many fallensouls like us have had the opportunity to understand the very purpose of ourexistence Your Insignificant Humble Servant, through Your Holiness.We aregreatly inspired by Dina Pavana Mukunda Das the example Your Holiness is showing us every Balaramdesh, Middle East day by Yourservice to SrilaPrabhupad.Many incidents have revealed howcompassionate YourHoli- My dear-most spiritual father, Please accept our humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. ness has always been to your disciples and others evenif they havecommitted grave mistakes.Guru All glories to SrilaPrabhupada! Maharaj, my only desire is toserve you eternally. All glories to Guru and Gauranga! Please bestow upon us a drop of the Gurub- On this very auspicious andglorious day of hakti You havefor Srila Prabhupada. Your Vyasapuja, we pray forMahaprabhu’s, Sri Please forgive me for any offences I have com- Narasimhadeva’s mercy to give you ayurarogyasa- mitted at Your lotus feet; I am afool who could ukyam and tolive many many more years to come not utilize the opportunity to serve youand please to take the message of LORD SRI CAITANYA bless us tounderstand what it is like, to be the toevery town and village incessantly. You accept Servant of theServant of the Servant. everybody as itis, You can becompared only with yourself. Namo mahavadanyaya krishna premapra- Praying unto the lotus feet of Srimati Tulasi devi toprotect our Guru Maharaja. dayate. His Holiness Jayapataka swamin itinamine. Ysya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädo Time and again and again I have experienced yasyäprasädän na gatiù kuto ‘pi your causeless blessings upon us through your un- dhyäyan stuvaàs tasya yaças tri-sandhyaà imaginable lila. Your kindness, like the sun and vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam moon,is undiscriminating. Your compassion tothefallen souls, like the heavy rain, ndrenches Your worthless spiritual children, one completely. Your love is asdeepas the fathom- Murthi Mohan Das, less ocean. Your potency is such that by a mere Divyangi Radha Devi Dasi, chat,one’sstonelike heart is transformed. Your ev- Premarupa Madhavi Devi Dasi, ery action,especially in thisphysicalcondition is Sreedhar (Aspirant) a lesson for all your followers and well-wishers as Balaramdesh, Middle East 310 Balaramdesh Middle East Dear Guru Maharaja, All glories to His Holiness Jayapataka swami Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! All glories to Gurudev Maharaj. Please accept our humble obeisances. Srila Prabhupada, our founder acharya and the Goparaj Krishna Das, (Diksha) saviour of the fallen souls! All glories to your Ho- Nalini Gopika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) liness, the ideal disciple of the ideal Guru! Dhanush & Keerthana On the occasion of your vyasa puja, we submit Balaramdesh, Middle East. our prayers to Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Asta sakhis, Sri Sri Narasimhadeva and Prahlada and Sri Sri Pancha Tatthva for your protection. My most beloved spiritual father, at this very auspicious occasion of your appearance day I of- Guru Mahraja, I am neither an eloquent speak- fer my respected obeisances unto your lotus feet. I er, nor a writer. Even if I was, I would not have Pray Always to Lord Narasimha Deva for the well words to glorify you adequately. But, purely due to being of my Guru Maharaj. your unlimited blessings and your causeless mercy, I speak and I write. Your insgnificant servent, By your mercy and blessings, my service at Madan Mohan Muraleedhara Das, (Diksha), the Bhagavad Darshanam magazine is continuing Venkatesan J,(Aspiring disciple), and we are now on the sixth year of the magazine. Please bless me to continue my service and make Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, it better in order to please your Holiness and Srila Please accept our humble obeisances at your Prabhupada and the purva-acaryas. lotus feet, On this glorious vyasa puja day, we as your spir- Gurudev, you are true representative of Lord itual children, once again beg your forgiveness for Nityananda. You are very mercyfull on fallen souls all our aparadhas, and we hope to serve you bet- like us. Today is very auspicious day of yourdivine ter through following your instructions more and appearance. You have appeared here to deliver more strictly. conditioned souls likeus. Gurudev, you are gen- Please bless our two sons, Bhakta Gaurahari uine disciple of Srila Prabhupada and havededi- and Bhakta MadhavKrishna, so that they will grow cated your whole life in spreading the mission of up to be nice devotees and dedicate themselves to Chaitanya Maharaphu. assisting you in spreading Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Please shower your mercy on us to become true disciples and help you inspreading Srila Pra- Your spiritual children, Govardhana Giri Das, (Diksha) bhupada’s mission and to always remember Lord Gauranga. Gokula Gaurangi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Bhakta Gaurahari, We always pray Lord Narasimha Dev for your recovery. Bhakta Madhav Krishna, Always at your Lotus feet. Raman, Menial servants, Balaramdesh, Middle East Mukunda Govinda Das (Diksha) 311 Middle East Balaramdesh Madhureswari Radha DD(Diksha) near my parents taking care of them when I am Makarand (Aspiring) not there. My children are studying far away and I always felt that you were with them protecting Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, them from any fatal calamities. Please help me, My Please accept my most humble obeisances, Guru Maharaj, to be able to execute your instruc- On the auspicious occasion of Vyasa puja tions like a loyal soldier. please give me strength, patience and tolerance. I would like to share my feelings as my offerings What would I have done if you were not there Your servant, for me? When I took initiation I used to won- Nandasuta Govinda Das (Diksha) der that how will I ever maintain my continuous Balaramdesh, Middle East. thoughts and connections with you,as you are al- Please accept my most humble obeisances, ways travelling and busy. How will I ever meet you All glories to Srila Prabhupada! and discuss with you my problems and issues and I am so happy to being writing this love queries? As time went by it was easy for me to re- ladened Vyasa Puja offering, wishing Your alize that your physical presence was not needed Holiness A very Happy and prosperous Vyasa to maintain connections. When I needed you sin- Puja, for another century to come. cerely from the deep of my heart you were there As ISCKON (our home) has been celebrating for me immediately to guide me,console me,to mo- its 50th Anniversary with grand pomp and splen- tivate me, to cajole me, to caress me, to bless me, dor all over the globe, one cannot help but rem- to advise me, be my friend and my father and my inisce the success of His Divine Grace Srila Pra- well wisher. As I write tears tickle down my cheeks bhupada in spreading Krishna Consciousness all thinking of you. My parents are getting old and I over the world. Such an amazing feat could have love them very much. I always felt your presence only been carried out by a great personality who 312 Balaramdesh Middle East is directly empowered by the Lord Himself to ful- Striving to be Your eternal servant’s servant, fill this impossible mission of spreading the Naam Premarupa Madhavi Devi Dasi(Diksha) Sankirtan in this deploring age of Kali. (d/o His Grace Murthimohan Das and His His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, himself Grace Divyangi Radha Devi Dasi) gives credit of this solemn effort to the youth of Balaramdesh, Middle East. the western society, whom He went on to inspire, during the noteworthy era in the 20th century I offer my respectful obeisances to His Divine which was infatuated with conflicts and transfor- Grace Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaja, mation. who is dedicated to serve the desires, instructions, Amongst these young people who were in- and lotus feet of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhak- spired by Srila Prabhupada to carry on this mis- tivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and the previ- sion, was one gem of a person … whom Srila Pra- ous acaryas, who is distributing the mercy of Ni- bhupada went on to declare as the Victory Flag… tyananda Prabhu, and propagating the glories of His beloved Spiritual Son- Your Holiness. the pastimes, instructions and abode of Sri Cait- Your steadfastness to serve and please Your beloved Guru is unmatched and a testimony that will anya Mahaprabhu, preaching Krishna consciousness in every town and village. stand the test of time… and an exemplary relation Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, for the rest of our society to earnestly follow. Kindly accept my humble obeisances and Guru Maharaj, just as each and every one of dandavat pranams to the dust of your lotus feet. has a unique and personal relationship with the All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Supreme Personality of Godhead that another All glories to your divine grace on this auspi- third party might not be privy to and hence would cious day of your Vyasa Puja. not be able to comprehend. Similarly Guru Ma- It is not very easy to glorify someone in this haraj, You are antaryami and each and every one material world where everyone has the fault find- of us, in our God Family feel you are ours and that ing mentality but one day one may meet an ex- You care and nurture for us individually. This is in traordinary person who is on the transcendental spite the fact that we are ‘The Largest God Fami- platform always preaching under all circumstanc- ly’ in ISKCON, with numerous God brothers and es, everywhere and to everyone, someone who is sisters from various ethnic groups, castes, colour, completely absorbed in preaching the mission of race and language. Srila Prabhupada, always full of spiritual enthu- Guru Maharaj, thank you so very much for being such a prominent part in all our lives. My take away this year, from scores of Your instructions is, “Karmis are working so hard for siasm and able to enlighten others. When one meets such a great personality like this, one will naturally want to glorify him. You are exactly such a personality. Maya… why don’t we work harder for Krishna”. Keeping you at the center of my life, each day With Your blessings and mercy, I look forward I can feel how your causeless mercy flows uncon- to imbibing this phrase as my motto, and mould ditionally in the upkeep of my devotional service. the days to come, around this. That recent darshan of your divine grace in Balaramdesh (Balaramdesh) is still afresh to my 313 Middle East Balaramdesh vision. care of their Guru. And you, my dear Guru Maha- I can never forget of the time when you were raja, have such love for your disciples. You teach here in Balaramdesh and I had the opportunity to them well, with your wonderful classes, with your meet and talk to you personally. The very first day immense love for Lord Gauranga, for Srila Pra- when you arrived in your hotel room after your day bhupada, for ISKCON and for your Godbrothers out shopping, everyone bowed down to you and and Godsisters. you glanced at me and asked me how I was and so You have taught me so much by your associa- many other questions regarding my spiritual life. tion here in Balaramdesh. I pray for your recov- I was so happy. Out of everyone there, you talked ery and want you to get better. At the same time, to me and then called me out to bless me by keep- I hope you to return more often to Balaramdesh ing your hands on my head. It was such a won- since I know I will miss you so very much, although derful moment. Tears slowly started rolling down I know it’s quite difficult for you to travel to plac- from my eyes like torrents of rain. Then, on that es. You have been a mentor and guide for me by day, I got a chance to do kirtan for you while you your classes and instructions. I thank you so much were having your lunch prasadam in your room. for this Guru Maharaj. May Sri Sri Radha Madha- I kept looking at you from the door that was par- va, Sri Sri Narasingha Dev and Srila Prabhupada tially open while you were having prasadam. always protect you and keep you healthy. How can I ever forget, the most important and Please Guru-Maharaj, instruct me, chastise me wonderful day of my life was when I took Guru for my many offences and guide me to become a Ashraya from you in your last visit. It was the best better servant of all the living entity. Just as Lord feeling ever. I felt like as if I was reborn with new Krishna’s glories are unlimited, so are your divine energy and positive vibes all around and being glories. For a dull minded person I am, it would blessed of having your shelter. Thank you so much take many lifetimes for me to properly glorify you. Guru Maharaj for being so merciful on me. I pray to remain a speck of dust at your lotus Throughout your stay in Balaramdesh, I got to feet, O my beloved Guru-Maharaj, wishing you be in your grace’s association while you gave lec- the most wonderful vyasa-puja celebration again tures. and again and hope that some day, I will be in your Your classes often reflect the genuine caring and love for Srila Prabhupada. This is very exem- personal association to celebrate this day and directly get the nectar of your association. plary and of high standard, of not only being Srila o conclude, on this most auspicious occasion Prabhupada’s disciple, but as an acting Guru of of your Vyasa Puja celebrations, I take this op- ISKCON. portunity to pray to Lord Narasimha Dev and Sri I have also observed how truly dedicated your Sri Radha Shyamsundar to bless you with good disciples take care of you, with love and devo- health, long life and to remove all the obstacles, tion, assisting you in your wheelchair, helping you if at all any, from your path of selfless preaching drink water while you give class, assisting you to activities, in order to relieve as much conditioned offer flowers to Prabhupada’s lotus feet, taking you souls as possible from their life of ignorance. to see the lordships, taking you for your medical treatments. This is the duty of the disciple, to take 314 I look forward to have an opportunity for your grace’s association again. Balaramdesh Middle East Please accept this as an offering from this in- divine appearance, I beg to the Lordship Sri significant disciple of yours on the occasion of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Sri Sri Radha your Vyasa Puja celebrations. Madhav & Sri Lord Narasingha to protect and Please bless me so that I can progress in this improve your health condition so you may spiritual path and render little service to Srila continue inspiring us by the way you serve Prabhupada’s movement and go back to Godhead. Srila Prabhupada and guide us and on the spiritual Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Srila Guru-Maharaj path towards Krishna in this blinding darkness of vyasa-puja Mahotsava ki jai! material world. Your humble servant, Although I don’t posses any personal qualities Shilpa Gusain to glorify the slightest of you, still as a duty of a Balaramdesh, Middle East. disciple, I will do the same for your pleasure and to follow your instructions. Kindly Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj, please forgive me for all the known and unknown Please accept my humble obeisances. offences I have committed unto you, due to my I am not really comfortable in putting the weakness. I fall unto your Lotus feet and beg for- homage. I feel all the anarthas staring at me but giveness for the same and kindly bless me so I do one confidence which helps me is your merciful not commit any more offence unto your Lotus glance & concern for the welfare of your disci- Feet. ples. Your lotus feet is the only hope I have to walk Again, on this auspicious day of your Vyasa through the bhava Sagar. I sincerely hope & pray Puja celebration, I would want to rejuvenate my that Lord Narasimha Deva gives you good health spiritual life by rededicating myself to you and in guiding people like me to constantly remind me your instructions. After billions of lifetime in this of the danger of sense gratification. Guru Maharaj material world and after facing billions of slaps by please forgive our faults & mistakes, bestow your the waves of material ocean, due to some good for- mercy for developing unflinching faith in your tune I have had the opportunity to become your words & instructions. disciple and practice Krishna Consciousness under your shelter. Without the shelter of the mercy Your humble Servants, of your Lotus feet, I am like a wooden boat tossing Sridhari Madhav Das (Diksha) like a toy in the whirlpool of the dangerous mate- Shobha Rohini Devi Dasi (Diksha) rial ocean filled with ferocious sharks of desires. Balaramdesh, Middle East. Kindly always keep me under the shelter of your Lotus feet. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, I personally do not have any special qualities My Dear Spiritual Master & My Spiritual or qualification for that matter due to which I can Father. Please accept my humble obeisance unto say that I have performed anything or achieved your Lotus feet. any milestone in my devotional life, but as you All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, have once mentioned in your lecture at New All Glories to you. Orleans in 1982 that, “whatever advancement one On this most auspicious occasion of your has achieved is due to the mercy of the spiritual mas315 316 Damodardesh ter in response to ones desire in most cases, and then Middle East follow what you expect and instruct us. when there was no desire, then you know it was special mercy.” And since I personally do not have Hoping to qualify in being the minute dust particle of the flowers offered at your lotus feet. any taste in spiritual life, and also get no taste in chanting the sweet holy names of the Lord, I un- Your Insignificant Servant & Spiritual Son, derstand that it is nothing but your unconditional Akinchan Damodar Das, (Diksha) mercy on this miserly, weak servant of yours due Damodardesh / Middle East. to which I am able to perform whatever menial Hare Krishna... Guru Maharaj ji, service I am performing currently. Dandavat pranams.. Requested blessings to progress in Krishna con- Guru Maharaj your personality is exactly like a spotless pearl white color on which I find my- sciousness life. My deepest gratitude to my beloved Guru Ma- self as a dark stain, whenever I call myself your disciple, because the way you have served Srila haraj.. Prabhupada with full conviction and deter- Thanking you, mination, I do not posses the slightest of it, not Yours sincerely, even a grain of it. Even now in this condition you Balaji (Aspiring) continue to do so, and even much more than ear- Damodardesh / Middle East lier, and I am not able to follow your instructions even after you continue to shower your mercy on Dearest Srila Guru-Maharaj, me. I am such a fool that I do not realize the value We offer our most respectful and humble dan- of your mercy, therefore I humbly request you to davat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet. All dissipate my ignorance so I can actually be a true glories to Jagad-Guru, Srila Prabhupada and all disciple to you by following your instruction ex- glories to your loving grace. We wish you a very actly how you want your disciples to follow. happy vyasa-puja and pray to Srimati Radharani You have always stressed and instructed us that for many happy returns of this auspicious day. Gu- • you expect all your Grihasta and non ru-Maharaj, this past year has been full of real- temple living disciple to have the same standards izations,as so much inspiration taken from your as the temple living disciples. exemplary way of continuous preaching of the If our Guru is a Sanyasi Guru then we message of Sri Krishna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as a disciple have the duty to be a preacher and and Srila Prabhupada, Guru Mahraja even as your preach the message of Gauranga Mahaprabhu to health conditions reached at levels where in tak- everyone who has to heard it. ing rest, no travel, and taking care of your per- • Please chant 16 rounds without any of- sonal health should have being a topmost priori- fence and follow the 4 regulative principles strict- ty, but rather you simply were only worried about ly and at the end of this life you will surely go Back how should you and your operation and other home Back to Godhead. medical procedures to be done in such a way that • Before I end, I shamelessly seek your mercy it shouldn’t at all compromise on your preaching once again, hoping to realign my spiritual life as activities which includes travelling the globe and per your instructions so I can at least fulfill and spreading the message to so many fallen souls. 317 Middle East Damodardesh Guru Maharaj in a very exemplary way, you Dear Guru Maharaj, teach us the mood of becoming an eternal sisya by I bow down to your Lotus feet for Your Ocean displaying your unconditional pure love for Srila of Mercy as it is the abode of pure devotional ser- Prabhupada. Please Guru-Maharaj, we beg to in- vice and from where the practice of devotional still in our hearts a drop of that mood of servitor service sprouts and devotional creeper begins to ship too. grow. Guru-Maharaj as part of my service this unworthy servant of yours taking inspiration from I have titled this glorification as “You are the Ocean of Mercy” you and other senior devotes of damodardesh have Boat of devotional service is the route to Lord being humbly involved in sevas such as Preaching Gauranga’s Lotus feet, the one and only Yuga to various Labor Camp, Projector seva ( display- Dharma for deliverance which is possible by Your ing sholkas, Various Presentation of Vaishnava’s Ocean of Mercy. visiting damodardesh on projector ) For the sake of His devotee Krishna broke his As a part seva of my wife Prema Purna Guran- own promise and took chariot wheel as a weap- gi Devi Dasi your disciple service to the yatra she on. Similarly you often break the promise you give is the Local Zonal coordinator for the Bala utsa- the doctors that you will take rest. But, when you va Group which teaches various children of da- come out of hospital for the sake of Devotees, the modardesh sholkas, stories, and activities such as next day you are in their association this is possi- Natkhat Mela, Shyama Painting, Vachaspati ble only by Your Ocean of Mercy. Please Guru-Maharaj, instruct me, chastise me As per Shastric injunctions, when Lord for my many offences and guide me to become a Caitanya was discussing with Ramananda Raya better servant of all the living entity. “what is most auspicious beneficial activity for Just as Lord Krishna’s glories are unlimited, so the Living Beings” came into discussion the an- are your divine glories. For a dull minded person swer given was “Association with the Devotees of I am, it would take many lifetimes for me to prop- Krishna”. This is your service since you join Srila erly glorify you. On this auspicious day, I pray to Prabupad’s glorious movement ISKCON. This is remain a speck of dust at your lotus feet, O my be- by your Ocean of Mercy. loved Guru-Maharaj. Wishing you the most won- Thousands throng to Mayapur from all over derful vyasa-puja celebration again and again and the World, this resembles how a magnet attract hope that someday, we will be in your personal iron filings. Your relentless effort in Mayapur association to celebrate this day and directly get Dham from day one, up-keeping Your Guru’s am- the nectar of your association. bition and for the benefit of fallen souls to gain Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Srila Guru-Maharaj vyasa-puja Mahotsav ki jaya! deliverance from this Kaliyuga is by Your Ocean of Mercy. Your Unworthy children, Mayapur Dham is the reservoir of Lord Gauran- Hemarupa Gaura Das (Diksha) ga’s mercy, by your dedicated unflinching devotion Prema Purna Guarangi Devi Dasi (Diksha) and by resourcing services of devotees, now May- Bhaktin Ganga (Aspiring) apur is sprinkling her Mercy through it’s fountain Damodardesh / Middle East. head, to devotees all over the World. We witness 318 Damodardesh Middle East this year after year in every Gaura Purnima festival. This is by Your Ocean of Mercy. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Lord Jagannath with Balaram appeared in this Kaliyuga as Taru Brahman to deliver the fallen My humble obseiances to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you! souls. By Gauranga’s mercy you happen to serve Last year 2015 is the golden year for taking (appeared in) Mayapur Dham to accumulate Lord new birth (Diksha) from you.. You have given me Gauranga’s mercy and to channel the necter to a beautiful name (Kavirupa Radhika Devi Dasi) who are in thirst, in this era. This is by Your Ocean and I don’t have any words to convey my gratitude of Mercy. and heartfelt thanks to you and your associates Lord Jagannath and Balaram stretch their hands out of their body symbolizes that they are for that. As you wish, I will definitely contribute for the Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution. reaching out the fallen souls by their special form BTW, I am always inspired and motivated with in this Kaliyuga. Similarly, in the recent past you your unfathomable determination and tireless are reaching out to neglected Tribal population of dedication to awaken fallen souls like me in this nearby 6 Indian states by conducting special pro- material world. grams. This is by Your Ocean of Mercy. This is our humble tribute to remind us of our debt to You, Dear Guru Maharaj. May Lord Narasingha Dev protect your health to continue Your service, Whenever I see your glorified eyes and your non-stop thinking of Guru and Gauranga. tears flow in my eyes... Day by day, I am entangled in the material life with my family and sometimes unable to perform my devotional service due to my family May Lord Gauranga give You the spiritual strength, commitments. Please give us the same determination and strength to get engaged in all devotional We pray to the Lord on this auspicious occa- activities and able to perform my duties materially sion of Your Vyasa pooja, all glories, all glories, all and spiritually by keeping you and Lord Krishna glories unto You, always at the center of my life. Your eternal servants, Kindly bless my family members (my prabhuji Jagad Guru Krishna Das, (Diksha), and my both sons) to progress in their spiritual Thanya Radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha), path and understand the purpose of human life to Damodardesh (Damodardesh) / Middle East go back to Godhead. My elder son (Adhish ) is interested to do medical (Doctor), however I would Hare Krishna, like him to serve all the devotees once he com- Guru Maharaj. Dandavat pranams. plete his degree successfully. Please bless him to I have been praying for your good health to fulfil his desire and be in the lotus feet of exalted narashimha Bhagwan. I hope we as a group fulfill devotees. the dream of Srila Prabhupada. Also during the auspicious day of Vyasa Puja, I would like to seek your blessings for all my be- Your eternal servant, loved ones to advance in Krishna Consciousness Kamni singh (Shelter) and get more and more energy to perform the de- Damodardesh / Middle East votional service joyfully with all the devotees and 319 Middle East Damodardesh surrender to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord at the end. You are a source of inspiration for many, that no matter what come may, you simply act as an Kindly request your frequent visit to Damod- wonderful instrument in Lords hands to save many ardesh and awaken fallen souls like me from the many souls. Your enthusiasm, dedication, sincer- cycle of birth, death, old age and disease. ity towards your spiritual master Srila Prabhu- All glories to Guru Maharaja! pada,your care for every jiva, your love for Lord Gauranga, your Godbrothers, Godsisters, disci- Yours humble servants, ples and well wishers is exemplary Srila Gurudev. Kavirupa Radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha), I only pray that I can have the much needed family members sincerity to follow your instructions, and be an (Srinivasan, Adhish and Rohit), instrument in fulfilling your desire to help Srila Damodardesh / Middle East Prabhupada in spreading this mission of Krishna Consciousness. Dear Gurudev, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Madhava Ashta Sakhis, Please accept my humble obeisances Lord Nrsimhadev, Panchatattva, Srila Prabhupa- All glories to Srila Prabhupada! da, for your quick recovery and to always protect All glories to you Gurudev! you dear Gurudev. Wish you a very happy & healthy Vyasa puja Gurudev. I am so indebted to Their Lordships, to your spiritual daughter Lord Gauranga, to Srila Prabhupada for saving Nila Radhe Devi Dasi(Diksha) this fallen soul by connecting me to this wonder- Damodardesh / Middle East. ful and precious movement - ISKCON. By the mercy and blessings of Srila Prabhupa- My Dear Father and Spiritual Master, da, I have had gotten the opportunity to be your Please accept my respectful obeisances unto disciple. You have mercifully accepted me & al- the dust of Your Lotus Feet! All glories to you! All ways guided me in my spiritual life, through your glories to Srila Prabhupada! instructions. Guru Maharaj, it is a very great privilege and You have so much of care and concern for your honor to be able to write an offering unto the disciples Gurudev. I realize this every time I see most elevated person in this planet. I don’t have how eager you are, to engage us,to encourage us enough qualification even to address you, what to always to help us continue our devotional services talk about writing to you. Whatever, I may write with enthusiasm. is very insignificant compared to the seva that You have dedicated your life to Srila Prabhu- you are doing for Srila Prabhupada, despite your pada, and despite your health conditions being a health. Well, this might be an understatement hindrance, you never let it come your way. even compared to what you are doing in dedication. the hospitals you have been admitted in, you con- You have given us enough lessons to learn and verted them into a spiritual center, so many doc- have shown us by example what it means to be tors, nurses hospital staff have started to chant a devotee and a sincere disciple. Unfortunately, I simply by your association and preaching. am still learning my lessons the hard way, but I am 320 321 Middle East Damodardesh surely trying to learn. Your other disciples, my god Gaurangadesh. I am ever indebted to you for giv- brothers and god sisters, are showering me with ing me this opportunity to serve Gaurangadesh their love and affection, by co-operating well for and its devotees. the growth of Gaurangadesh, the name you gave us a few years ago. Your determination towards fulfilling your mission for Srila Prabhupada is exemplarily visible Since your last visit to Gaurangadesh, to my and this is the most important impetus in propel- residence first and then to Gauranga kutir (our ling me towards my goals in Krishna Conscious- prayer hall) there has been a lot of changes in ness. I am able to perceive that there is something Gaurangadesh. I had mentioned to you that the Krishna is planning for me, though I am not able Gauranga Kutir was overflowing and we need a to see clearly what it is all about and I am pre- bigger venue. At that time, you mentioned this to pared to act according to His plan. I request your His Grace Srivallabh Prabhu and simply laughed. blessings and mercy for me to able to co-operate I did not understand that you were giving us mer- with Krishna’s plan. cy by laughing. Today, by that mercy we have been able to secure a nice hall, part of a school premises, that can accommodate more than 400 devotees, I would like to dedicate the following to your lotus feet and owe it to your mercy: 1. Last year we were able to reach close to for the conduct of our weekly Friday programs. 470 houses doing Damodar aarties. This number The best thing about this venue is we have a sep- is very much lower compared to the previous year. arate area for lunch prasad in which we serve the However, we were happy to spend quality time in devotees. What can be more amazing than this? those houses. This enabled some devotees to feel The last couple of years have been a trying time for me, as I lost my job and was bereft of suf- attracted to our Friday programs. 2. Continuation of Bhakti Sastri and Bhakti ficient revenue to hold on above the water of ex- Vaibhava programs in Damodardesh by His Grace penditure. I had discussed this with His Grace Sri- Srivallabha Prabhu has been useful as it acts as vallabh Prabhu, to whom I report spiritually, who a supplement to our siksha program, where read- mentioned that I should stay here no matter what. ing of Srimad Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavad I had to secure loans from my relatives, which Gita along with other books are important. Many I was not happy about. Had it not been for my wife members of Gaurangadesh got benefitted and this and my daughter, who gave me a lot of support helped them take initiation from you during your mentally and spiritually, I would not have seen last visit to Damodardesh. this day, when I have secured a job and am slowly 3. By your mercy, the opening of “Gauranga coming out of my financial difficulties. It has been Kutir” in 2011, which is very similar to 607 Al Ain very difficult on this job – the long working hours, center of Damodardesh has proven a good move. the commuteetc., but at least it is helping me to 10 brahmacharis are now staying in this ashram stay with devotees in Gaurangadesh. I have nei- and this was our regular venue for our Friday pro- ther been able to do much for Gaurangadesh nor grams. We have now secured a new big hall in one for myself spiritually, but my presence and that of of the schools, after which, we have seen a steady my wife His Grace Sachi Janani Devi Dasi, I feel, increase in the devotees attending the congrega- is making a lot of difference to other devotees in tional program from a 120 to 180 currently. 322 Damodardesh Middle East 4. Goloka Patrika, the electronic maga- 3. We are planning to organize various zine that we started under the instructions of His training programs in various fields such as playing Grace Shyama Hari Prabhu is now 8 years old, by musical instruments, making presentations, pub- your blessings. lic speaking etc to empower more people to preach 5. Shyama Painting and the Uttama Sloka competitions for children are encouraging a lot of and present Krishna Consciousness in a very attractive way. children into the children’s classes. The number Guru Maharaja, by your mercy, I am trying my of children in our children’s classes has increased best to serve the devotees well in the yatra with at least by 10%. We had also launched the Shy- the help of my wife His Grace Sachi Janani Devi amsundar Art Classes to channelize new talents, Dasi. which had to be discontinued due to operational / security reasons. 6. Reading classes were started during the On this most auspicious day, I humbly pray to Lord Sri Narasimha Deva to give you a long and healthy life. week-days in several locations and we were able Your insignificant servant always, to achieve quite a bit of reading of Sri Caitanya Ramananda Gaura Das,(Diksha) Caritamrta. However, we had to discontinue it Damodardesh / Middle East. due to operational / security reasons. 7. Dear Gurudeva, With your blessings we have just complet- Please accept my humble obeisances! edour annual program, the AICF (Ancient India All glories to Srila Prabhupada and you! Children’s festival) in a grand way. This festival Happy Appearance Day Guru Maharaj! consists of stage plays, dances and songs in Krish- I pray to Lord Krishna and Caitanya Maha na Consciousness. The number of participating prabhu to keep you in good health. children have increased substantially and also the Thank you for appearing in this world, at the audience. We have been doing this festival better most needed time and place, to assist Srila Pra- by the year as it engages everyone in devotional bhupada your divine father in saving thehuman service. This year marked the 13th Anniversary of race... AICF. The number of children who participated last year was 320 while this year it was 349. Thank you for your compassionate, saintly, selflessly dedicated life. Futuristic Plans: 1. We are encouraging more devotees to You practice, preach and live in Krishna, all your days and nights... take up MIHE online courses, Bhakti Sastri and Thank you for your expert outreach, in Bhakti Vaibhav courses to strengthen their un- thoughtful and dynamic ways, you are reaching derstanding and to develop more preachers. Krishna’s lost servants, sharing eternal truth rele- 2. We have planned a reporting system vantto today... which gives us statistics for each month and its Thank you for your personal vaisnava dealings, comparison between the previous month. The re- how you are loyal andalways there, for a devotee port is also designed to include a plan for the next who reaches out to come under your supercare... month so that we could tract the direction of each committee based on such reporting. Thank you for being my spiritual master, a loving father for me too, any auspiciousness I may 323 Middle East Damodardesh have in my life...it has come through you, Thank to see myself grow and help to nurture so many you, souls. I feel fortunate to have you blessings always Your humble servant and am endeavouring to do my best thou I do al- Rupa Gaura Das(Diksha) ways fall short always but I have faith that you will Damodardesh / Middle East somehow pull me out of this material world and My dear spiritual father, give the shade of your lotus feet. Please accept my respectful obeisances, Gurudev your cause less compassion is a perfect On this most auspicious occasion of your 67th manifestation of the Nityananda Prabhus mercy. Vyasa pooja please accept my repeated obeisances Mercy and compassion that is abundant never at your lotus feet. It’s a great privilege and honor ending and flowing constantly towards all living to be bestowed with this opportunity to celebrate entities. In spite of personal discomfort, pain and this most auspicious day thou I am yet to realise struggle to even carry out basic functions you just how invaluable this opportunity is. I don’t deserve ignore them all and only think of all the fallen your forgiveness or mercy but still On this day souls and your promise to Srila Prabhupada. when your mercy will reach great heights I beg you to forgive me for all my offences. You are travelling all over the world to transform the Jagai’s and madhai’s like me. Gurudev I am aware. there is no one else who Wherever we turn in this world we see our God will tolerate my fallen condition and guide me and brothers and God sisters..so many souls who have shower the abundant mercy that can make my life taken you shelter and transformed their life and more meaningful and useful. Thank you for be- are willing to give up their lives in your service. I ing there always guiding and inspiring me by your aspire to be like those who do not hesitate in car- words and actions. rying out your orders. Gurudev slowly but steadily I am able to re- In this year of the 50th anniversary I have set alise how your compassion and mercy empowers some personal goals and goals for Bhakthi vriksha even the most fallen souls to achieve wonderful members to offer to Srila Prabhupada. We need things. We just concluded our 13th ancient India your mercy and blessings so we may be able achieve childrens festival. Gurudev this is an example of our goals in this endeavour. just how your mercy has empowered us to con- Gurudev you presence in this world is so much duct this programme year after year and inspire required not only for us your disciples but even for so many children and parents and now due to its others who are somehow touched by your cause popularity it has an appeal among many in the so- less mercy. You have some magic vibration that ciety. Starting as a humble home programme with you emanate that makes people flock around you. 20 children today we have 350 children partici- So we pray to Radha Madhav and narisimha Dev pating and these children are our gateway to the and panchatattva that they somehow protect you adults who inspired by these children are slowly and keep your health intact so you can continue taking up to Krishna consciousness. this invaluable service. Gauranga desh is very blessed by you mercy Your insignificant spiritual daughter and I am fortunate to be able to serve here un- Sachi Janani devi Dasi(Diksha) der your guidance. It’s been a wonderful journey Damodardesh / Middle East 324 Damodardesh My Dearest Spiritual father Srila Gurudev, Middle East have been. Please accept my most humble obeisances at Your insignificant servant and spiritual daughter, your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your di- Shrutipriya Radhika Devi Dasi, (Diksha) vine appearance. Damodardesh / Middle East All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, guru Krishna prasdade paya bhakti lata bija Please accept my humble obeisances on this I had been wandering for millions of life times special occasion! in different species in darkest regions of igno- Although I feel totally fallen and unqualified rance. I am very fortunate to been saved in this to write this letter, I still want to try and make a life by your causeless mercy. I am indebted to you humble attempt to glorify you. By the mercy of eternally for saving me from this bewildering con- Gauranga and Srila Prabhupada, I feel so great- dition of material existence. I owe you every good ly fortunate to even be born in the same time as thing in my life. yours, and also get the opportunity to associate Despite your ill health, you are tirelessly work- with your and your wonderful devotees on mul- ing day in and out to save fallen conditioned souls tiple occasions. When almost everyone in this from the clutches of Maya. I am amazed at the lev- material world take pride in the glorification of el of enthusiasm you have through all sorts of cir- their body, I realise that it is very difficult to over- cumstances, teaching us by the example you are come the bodily concept of life, especially. But you setting for us as to what it really means to be a do it with such ease, I am inspired by it. pure devotee. You have such compassion and love Your physical health in no way deters your for each and every one of us, no matter whatever real true energy. And, by doing so you have not circumstances you are in, you treat us like your only glorified Lord Chaitanya’s teachings, but are beloved children. a great living example for it. By your mercy, I am Yet I am so lowly resting the lap of Mayadevi, now taking a Youth Class here in Damodardesh, that I haven’t done anything to make you proud and although I don’t deserve to be given a position and happy. I can however make a humble attempt like that, I feel privileged to be there, as it is good to try to whole heartedly take this process of Krish- motivation for me to read, study and understand na Consciousness that you have blessed me with, better all that Srila Prabhupada has left behind for as seriously as possible, working towards trying to us. With my parents constant support, guidance make my every thought, word and deed, one that and inspiration, I hope to be worthy of being your is pleasing to you. I know that any progress I make disciple someday. I am also blessed to be part of a is solely the result of your causeless mercy and beautiful family - Gaurangadesh, which by your blessings. causeless mercy and support is growing by the day. The essence of all I am saying is “All glories We concluded our 13th annual programme AICF, to you,my dearest Srila Gurudeva”. I pray to Lord and we, me and my mother Sachi Janani Devi Narsimhadev to protect you always so that you Dasi, brought our classes together to perform for continue to inundate the entire world with Krish- the beautiful song Yadi Prabhupada Na Hoito. na prema through your ecstatic preaching as you By taking Shabda Hari Prabhu’s song as ref325 326 Damodardesh Middle East erence, I was able to create a somewhat similar, the glorious Guru Parampara, but nowhere close to, background track, for which We both are trying to sincerely serve your in- the youth girls sang and danced. I will send you a structions, that is to preach about Lord Krishna copy of the song sung by the girls, soon. I pray to to as many souls as we can. By your mercy and Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Sri Panca Tattva, and Lord encouragement we have been able to connect 2 Narasimhadev to give you a long and healthy life, to 3 new souls to Krishna Conscious movement, so you can continue to inspire the million people and soon we are going to start Bhakti Vriksha at who are touched just by your glance. our place, with the help and guidance of local Please continue to shower me with your mer- devotees here. cy so I can continue to try and climb my spiritual ladder. Gurudev, when we see ourselves, we could have never imagined that we could also preach Your eternal servant, about Lord Krishna to others, this is a miracle for Sneha Krishna (Aspiring) us and only possible by your encouragement. we Damodardesh / Middle East only wish to continue this preaching service and connect as many jivas as possible to Mahaprabhu’s HareKrishna Guru Maharaj ji.. mission for this preaching service is very very dear dandavat pranams.. to you. I am so fortunate to be your disciple.. My thoughts have changed more by your mercy in to KC. Nice realisations coming in. I feel We pray to always remain as humble servants at your lotus feet and serve you life after life, where ever we are. Krishnas protection always thru ur mercy... I should chant prescribed 16 rounds.. By your Praying to Lord Nrsimhadev to grant you good health and to always protect you. mercy I have given up coffee.. Thank you Gurudev for saving us from clutches By your mercy only I m growing in kc and my family...I need blessings to progress in kc for whole of Maya and showing us the Lotus feet of Lord Hari. Your servants, family and whoever I contact.. Taraka Govinda Gopala Das & Thanking you Gunavati Gita Devi Dasi (Diksha) Yours sincerely, Damodaradesh, Middle East Shubashini balaji, (Aspiring) Damodardesh / Middle East My Dearest Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisance to your Dear Gurudev, Lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept our humble obeisances, Wish you a very happy Vyasa-puja and we All glories to Srila Prabhupada! humbly pray to Sri Narasimha Dev and Radha All glories to you! Madhava for this auspicious day. This is the day We wish your a very happy Vyasa puja cele- you appeared to deliver fallen souls like me. It has brations Gurudev. Thank you for accepting us as been only 7 months since I met you with my fam- your disciples, and helping us to be connected to ily in Calcutta and you blessed us and time since 327 Middle East Damodardesh me and my family have full of realizations and my help to you not even a gravel. new spiritual experiences due to your blessings. Oh, my sweet, caring, loving, dear father, My wife Smitha, took shelter from you and I have Sadly, this worthless son has started preaching in our satsanga. These are the always been nothing but a bother! two new things happened to me in 2016 by your Vyasapuja, is an auspicious occasion mercy. Keeping you and Krishna at the centre of to glorify my savior, my life, each day I can feel your causeless mercy. I A chance to commit to new things that am thankful to Lord Krishna, who has mercifully I have not done prior. sent you as my Guru. It is extremely inspiring to I beg to get strength to fight see that in spite of your physical condition; you are the ever attractive maya, tirelessly distributing the mercy of Lord Caitanya Really, I want to serve you, and Srila Prabhupada. Although you are far away manasa, vaca, kaya! we get your kind association through lectures and You know my inner heart, Mayapur.tv. Me and my family chant extra rounds, if there is any truth in my claim, do guru puja and circumambulate Tulasi Devi for You know my deepest fears, your Health. I also beg you today to please forgive and what all makes me maim. me for the offences that I commit unknowingly Please guide me to my real nature, Gurudev, while being engaged in my services. I hope, gradu- Rightly, at last it is only you who are coming to Save! ally, with your mercy, I will be able to make myself Your Servant a better devotee. Your servant, Vraja Vinoda Syama Das (Diksha) Vinod(Shelter) Damodardesh, Middle East. Smitha(Shelter) Siddharth (son) Dear Gurudeva! Vedika(daughter) mukam karoti vachalam Damodardesh, Middle East. pangum langhayate girim Dear Gurudeva! yat-kripa tam aham vande Please accept my respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. sri-gurum dina-taranam “I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spir- All Glories to you Guru Maharaj, itual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His All Glories His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and Swami Srila Prabhupada. enables the lame to cross mountains.” All Glories to Gauranga! Dhyana Mulam Guru Murti Puffed up with the little material things and vanity, Puja Mulam Gurur Padam, I assumed that a little to TOVP is a great charity. Mantra Mulam Gurur Vakyam, As I know, I lack even the little basics of purity, Moksha Mulam Guru Kripa Surely, your grace upon me is just causeless divinity! Translation: The Guru’s form is the best to Gurudeva, your mercy upon souls like me, a marvel, meditate upon; the Guru’s feet are the best for Your efforts an entire beach, worship; the Guru’s word is the mantra; the Gu328 Damodardesh ru’s Grace is the root of liberation. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to you! Middle East experience, I should utilize those moments more in Krishna Consciousness as they are personally given to me by the Lord to help me advance. It You came to this world just to give everyone is my responsibility as your follower to try to un- an opportunity to become His pure devotee. Your derstand how to utilize every situation, including atmosphere allows everyone to associate with dev- difficulties, to advance in Krishna consciousness. otees and become Krishna Conscious. You made Therefore, to advance I need more blessing us understand that nothing can ever prevent us from you as you are my Lord’s pure representative. from becoming Krishna Conscious, if we sincerely Last year when you came to Sri Vallabh Prabhus want to become pure. house during Damodar Month, I took off to serve You adopted one slogan, “Utility is the prin- you the whole day. But I had got the opportuni- ciple,” that is the proper utilization of everything ty to make Prasadam for your disciples who came in the service of the Lord. Your life is the em- along with you. I prepared the Prasadam and was bodiment of surrender to Srila Prabhupada. You about to leave to see you taking the Prasadam, constantly give of yourself and selflessly travel then I had a call to prepare the Prasadam for night all over the world encouraging people to take up also. I sent the Prasadam through my husband Krishna consciousness and to progress in Krishna and then stayed back to prepare the next one. consciousness. Your skillful preaching methods, After preparing, somehow, I managed to come to following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada, Damodardesh thinking that I will get someone make practicing Krishna consciousness so much from there to reach to Sri Vallabh prabhus house. more accessible to people. It is the glaring need of But till evening 6.30, I never got any one. So human society. I thought I had missed this opportunity. But by And even amidst so many worldwide responsi- your mercy, one devotee called and came to pick bilities you are amazingly personal, taking the time me up and I was there to see you so close and take to give such an incredible level of care to your dis- your blessing. I can never forget, how when we ciples through your personal instructions. really are eager to do something, Lord fulfills Taking your example, I too want to utilize ev- our desire somehow. These experiences always erything in the Lord’s service—even in adverse increase my faith towards the Lord and you conditions. I often try to blame my own spiritual continue to guide me as my loving father and shortcomings with my personal problems. Due to purify me. these problems, illness etc… I sometimes do not Gurudeva, please continue to give me the bless- chant sixteen rounds of japa properly, read books, ing by your instructions. I pray that I may be able serve devotees etc. But, looking at you and hearing to follow them and become a useful and menial about you and your lectures again and again, with- servant to you. in my heart, I realized that my spiritual shortcom- I pray to Lord Narasimha Dev to give you more ings are due to my own causeless unwillingness to strength, so that I can utilize myself in spreading surrender to the Lord, and that I am not the victim your message and love to Krishna to others. of any external cause. One thing I learnt from you Your eternal spiritual daughter, is that whatever difficulties or disturbances I may 329 Middle East Damodardesh Gopigana Gita Devi Dasi-(Diksha) Damodardesh, Middle East. Dear Guru Maharaj, All glories to Guru and Guranga! Please give your mercy Guru Maharaj to do Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, Dandavat Pranams. pure sadhana. Eventhough my laziness is not All Glories To Srila Prabhupatha ! allowing me to do sadhana propery. I will need All Glories To Guru and Gauranga ! your mercy to remove away my laziness. I can feel By your mercy causeless trying to improve my that I am improving in my sadhana but still I need Sadhana and Service to engage the senses and pu- your mercy to do more better and get the taste for rify the same. chanting. Devotee can achieve anything by mercy Guru Maharaj, being in the service of of guru. So I need your mercy. You showered your Book distribution for yatra booktable section mercy by by Increasing the my children class AICF reaching as much as possible book distribution partcipants.Guru Maharaj your health condition andapproaching through the out reach program is not able to do in that condition also do all devo- also. tional service These are all examples of perfection Near my village two ongoing Namagata center (Perambalur & Thuraiyur -Tamilnadu, In- of guru and inspirition of me please bless us our family and improve devotional service I always pray to krishna please give strength to dia) serving oppurtunity also is there. At Thuraiyur land also registered in the ISKCON name and basic facility forweekly program, ashram for Bramachari, grahastras and Guru Maharaj, In future, i hope that your mercy only can do better dovotional service so shower your mercy gosala arrangementto be done.Planning to extend Your eternal servant, some financial support for this project is in mind Ambika Gopika Devi Dasi, Gauranga Desh, Middle East needyour blessings Guru Maharaj. Similarly, Perambalur Center also has the oppurtunity to preach in theschool, college and land My Dear Guru Maharaja, for ISKCON temple chances are there as adona- mukam karoti vachalam tion. Guru Maharaj for this project also need your pangum langhayate girim blessings and spreadour moment in this area. Many yat-kripa tam aham vande villages in the surrounding also will be benefitted shri-gurum dina-taranam “I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spir- by our moment. In the Gaurangadesh Yatra service also i need itual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His your blessings to continue mybook distribution mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and service more proper manner and reach maximum enables the lame to cross mountains.” Dhyana Mulam Guru Murti numberpeople soon. Puja Mulam Gurur Padam, Your Eternal Servant, Sathya Acyuta Krishna Das. Damodardesh / Middle East, Middle East. 330 Mantra Mulam Gurur Vakyam, Moksha Mulam Guru Kripa Translation: The Guru’s form is the best to Damodardesh Middle East meditate upon; the Guru’s feet are the best orwor- It is very difficult for me to glorify your quali- ship; the Guru’s word is the mantra; the Guru’s ties and personality. Whenever I see you or hear Grace is the root of liberation. your Devine voice, I feel that I am standing in Please accept my humble obeisances. front of the vast ocean of qualities, like - Intel- All glories to Your Divine Grace. ligence, Honesty, caring, magnanimous, compas- The celebration of Vyasa-puja brings me spiri- sionate, humble and many more… tual bliss and realization when the disciples gather But out of these, the most wonderful quality together to glorify you deep from their heart. This is that you are ever most merciful and compas- brings the disciples closer to you on this special sionate to all the fallen conditioned souls, even occasion while sharing their love, sentiment and in your present condition. I was so happy to see gratitude for you. you last year during the Damodar Arati in Sri On your appearance day I would like to thank you for the love and care you have given to me. Vallabha Prabhus house. After so many years I had got this opportunity to be close to you and serve 331 Middle East Kanhaiyadesh you. I had not served you so close for a long time. Every time, I would leave the chance for some new devotees, as I had got many times opportuni- Guru’s Grace is the root of liberation. It is by Lord Krishna’s causeless mercy that we have got you as our spiritual master. ty to serve long back. But by Krishna’s and your Guru Maharaj, we do not have the words to mercy, I got a chance once again. This time I got an appropriately describe Your affectionate and opportunity to keep the eating bowl near you while loving attitude towards our whole family. you were eating. You are still the same, very play As the above prayers testify, it is indeed by Your full. In this health condition also, you want to keep blessings and guidance that we have any hope of your devotees very happy and make us more joy- crossing this miserable ocean of birth and death. ful. I beg Lord Narasimhadev for your good health This is indeed very auspicious day for all of and well being and for you to become as before. us. In this very special day I would like to thank I was so happy and enthralled to enjoy your kirtan, you from the core of our heart for accepting many and lecture. Even with so many physical health kaniyyadesh devotees as your disciples. Since problems, you are encouraging everybody. So, initiation, we have tried our best to follow your I feel I am really very fortunate to have you as my instruction to the best extent. Guru and serve you. Srila Gurudev, as you mention preaching is the Thank you, GuruDev for your Causeless mercy on this Conditioned soul. mood of spiritual master we try our best to preach for every possible chance we get. This year we got your special mercy, by your Your eternal spiritual son, visit to Kanaiyya Desh and gave your causeless Sriranga Krishna Das (Diksha) mercy to more Devotees and accepted them as Gaurangadesh / Damodardesh, Middle East. your Disciples. On behalf of all of them I wish to use this Dear Gurudev, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj, opportunity to Thank you Guru Maharaj. On this auspicious day of Your Appearance, Please Accept My most Humble Obeisances we pray to Lord Krishna for Your good health so at your divine lotus feet. All glories to your dear that you can continue to fulfill the mission of Gurudev His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada of spreading the love of All glories to your heart and soul Sri Gouranga Godhead, and protecting and delivering all fallen Mahaprabhu. souls like us. May Lord Nrsimhadeva protect You Dhyana Mulam Guru Murti all the time!! Puja Mulam Gurur Padam, Please forgive us if we have done any offence Mantra Mulam Gurur Vakyam, while we carrying out your order. Kindly shower Moksha Mulam Guru Kripa your causeless mercy on us for engage in your (Guru Gita - Skanda Purana Dialogue between service. Shiva and Uma (Shakti) Translation: The Guru’s form is the best Your insignificant spiritual son to meditate upon; the Guru’s feet are the best Mani Bhushan Krishna Das, (Diksha) for worship; the Guru’s word is the mantra; the Kanaiyyadesh / Kuwait, Middle East 332 Kanhaiyadesh Middle East desh, and in the following months you made your No words to express our gratitude visit. We all felt very happy to see your causeless Fulfilling Thy Guru’s words is Your attitude mercy and the troubles taken by you inorder that Bless us to be in the same mood of servitude we can become uplifted.HG MahaVaraha Prabhu Jai Gurudev! Jai Gurudev! said that the plan was to to go to Krishan Katha Abundance of spiritual strength Thy give desh, but you said to them Lets go to Kaniyya- Shelter did we take in You desh. Our happiness and our feelings cannot be You are truly our Guru expressed by words. During your stay here inKa- Please accept this humble homage and obei- naiyyadesh we were able to get little opportunities to serve you, It was our great fortune. When i took sances. Manju Arjun (Shelter) you in my car for the program i was feeling very Salmiya (Shelter) happy at the same time very nervous to careful- Kanaiyyadesh, Middle East ly drive the vehicle. But i can never forget those precious moments in my life. Bothof us have com- Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, pleted Srimad Bhagavatam first Canto and now Dandvat Pranams, continuing second canto. We are always geting wonderful association All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Guru and Gauranga! and inspiration from our God brothers and God All Glories to His Holiness Jayapataka Swami sisters here in Kanaiyyadesh. Guru Maharaj, Furthermore we are getting inspiration by see- This is my humble offering at your lotus feet on your Glorious Vyasa Puja! ing your tireless dedication in spreading the holy Guru Maharaj, I am not qualified in anyway names inspite of so many challenges. We all are to speak or write about you. But i am writing this today enjoying the fruits of Krishna Conscious- for our own purification. Currently we become ness, is only due to your Holiness and your God- disturbed on hearing your health condition, We brothers tireless dedication and countless sacrific- offer oursincere prayers to Sree Radha Madhava, es made in spreading the Krishna Consciousness. Sree Narashimadeva and Pancha Tattva for your So we all are eternally indebted to Your Holiness quick recovery and good health. and ISKCON. Thanks Guru Maharaj for giving initiation for Once again our humble and sincere prayers tot me and my wife under your lotus feet. We know the Supreme Lord Sri Sri Radha Krishna for your that giving only thanks is not a proper reciproca- quick recovery, so that there are many more souls tion for the great mercy you have showered on us. that can get the opportunity to receive your mercy We desire to become an Insignificant instrument We all here in Kanaiyyadesh are eagerly await- in your hands to spread the Krishna Conscious- ing your next visit to receive your blessings and to ness in whatever possible way to as many souls as serve you. possible. Please bless us to assist in your mission. When we taken initiation in Balaramdesh last Your humble insignificant servant year, we requested your holiness to visit Kanaiyya- Sivaguna Krishna Das (Diksha) 333 Middle East Kanhaiyadesh Nirupama Rukmini Devi Dasi (Diksha) received immense spiritual strength and bliss. Revanth Krishna I can also see some positive changes in my 2 young Rakshana children, whom you blessed, when you came to Kanaiyyadesh, Middle East. Kannaiya Desh. The Narasimha oil prasadam that you gave for my daughter, is have a positive effect. Hare Krishna! My dear spiritual father, please accept my We thank you for all the care and blessings you have given us. Hare Krishna. humble obeisance at your feet. Please bless me to understand your mercy, my dear spiritual father I am inconsistent in follow- Arjun Neelakantan (Shelter) ing Krishna consciousness, Please bless me so that Kanaiyyadesh, Middle East. I shall overcome this Anartha. I am working Kuwait, by your mercy I am in Dear our beloved Guru Maharaj, association of devotees here, I am trying my best Please accept my humble obedience, I am not to serve. I like to get involved in preaching here. qualify to much more glorify about you due to my I am worried about material things, fallen and lazy, less intelligence, Guru Maharaj you always in my thus have very less desire to serve your lotus feet heart and I am praying always our God Krishna to my Guru Maharaja. get well our Guru Maharaj. I pray for your fast recover from Lord Nrishima Maharaj ji without your guide my life is very deva. By your blessing and Lords Gauranga and difficult and I am now very happy to follow KKC Nitananda blessings let me be engaged in devo- You are always in my heart Guru Maharaj. tional service so that I become strong enough not to get dragged away by material things. Hari Hari Bol, With these words I close my offering, Your’s, Amisha Gupta, Kanaiyyadesh, Middle East. Your unfit servant Vrindavan Shyam Das Kanaiyyadesh, Middle East. Hare Krishna! I was born in the darkest ignorance & my Spiri- Dear Guru Maharaj. tual Master H.H.Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj, Jai Gurudev. Jai Gurudev. Jai Gurudev. opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I of- My humble dandavat pranams to your lotus fer my humble & respectful obeisances unto him. feet. I pray to your lotus feet for more mercy and Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaj, to be in the divine service of His Divine Grace Please accept our humble obeisances. Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Srila Prabhupad! Guru Maharaj we pray for your good health All glories to Guru Maharaj! and long life. We are truly inspired by you and feel Wish you a Happy Vyasapuja Mahotsava so blessed to be in your service. Since the time we celebration. In last one year your health has trou- got sheltered in your lotus feet, my wife and I have bled you so much. But it had no adverse effect 334 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East on your interest & motivation to Preach Krish- Rupesvari Revati Devi Dasi (Diksha) na Consciousness. This in return has inspired so Krishnakatha Desh, Middle East many of your Disciples to take up Preaching seriously. Dear Guru Maharaj, By giving Harinaam Diksha to so many of your Please accept my humble obeisances. disciples you have not only showered your mercy All glories to Guru Maharaj. to accept them as your Spiritual children, but you I’m very fortunate to be your disciple. With have also empowered them with potency to spread your sincerity and dedicationyou are serving Srila Krishna Consciousness. Prabhupada’s mission. Your life is completely Recently we had the mercy of the Lord, to host surrendered to your Guru. Due to our karmic at our residence “Gokuldham”, your God Brother, action you are suffering a lot.But still continuing H.G. Sikhi Mahiti Prabhu (TP – ISKCON Phil- to guide us back to god head. adelphia). Prabhu told us lots of your pastimes Guru Maharaj you are not an ordinary soul. in Atlanta temple & about you. How you used to With so much difficulties youare still rigorously take charge of all the Sevas in Atlanta temple per- serving Guru and Krishna so intensely. sonally & show everyone how to serve the Lord, One day you suddenly asked me “are you initi- right from cleaning the utensils, cutting vegeta- ated” I said no, expressing myfamily situation back bles, cooking Bhoga for the Lord, decorating the in India. Guru Maharaj you out of great compas- Deities with your own hand with all your love, etc. sion onthis soul, blessed me and said “that’s why This was a great inspiration for mundane fools like I’m here to protect you.” Andgave me shelter un- us to focus more on serving the Lord. der your lotus feet.. If that didn’t happen I don’t My dear beloved Spiritual Father, please bless knowwhat I would have been now. us to thrash out all our false Ego to serve you as Lord has instructed in Bhagavad Gita – 4.34, Guru Maharaj in my life so many relatives friends have come and gone butyour part in my tad viddhi praëipätena life is most precious. I’m not worth, fit to be your- paripraçnena sevayä disciple. I don’t have any qualification to get your upadekñyanti te jïänaà mercy. I’m lazy withno good behavior. But guru jïäninas tattva-darçinaù Maharaj you as partita pavana saved me. Please- Wish you a Happy Appearance day, Guru Maharaj. May you live long to guide us in spread- bless me on this auspicious day so that I may be a good disciple of yours. ing the mission & vision of Srila Prabhupad. Guru Maharaj you are my real father. I’m so My mother, Parama Nandini Radhika Devi bad and ungrateful that I don’teven care to know Dasi, daughters, Parvathi Anantha & Savithri about your health status, where about.... I see all Anantha join us in paying this homage. worlddevotees are praying for your good health. But me not doing any thing foryou. Please accept our humble obeisances. I can’t follow your instructions properly. I’m Hare Krishna! committing more and moremistakes. Also Vaish- Your servant, nava aparadh. So please shower your mercy upon Aniruddha Gopala Das (Diksha) me sothat I can serve you in proper way and im335 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh prove my vaishnava qualities. his lovable and caring gesture towards everyone yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädo and so on. yasyäprasädän na gatiù kuto ‘pi His dedication and sincerity towards propagat- A devotee gets the mercy of Krishna only ing Krishna Consciousness as instructed by Srila through his spiritual master. Without Spiritual Prabhupada in spite of his ill health enthusiast me masters mercy one cannot advance in spiritual to do more and more services to please Krishna. life. Last time we went to the Holy Dham, Mayapur, My wish is bless me to obey and serve your instructions. it convinced me even more. Day and night even when he is busy with his tight schedule,when he sees his disciples, he pauses to associate with them, Your servant, bless them and to shower them with mercy. Anukula Radhika Devi Dasi (Diksha) We are very fortunate to get blessings from our Krishna katha desh, Middle East. dear Guru Maharaj on the 6th day of our wedding (31 May 2015). We never expected to have his Dear Gurudeva, Please accept darsan as it was Vyasapuja, a very busy day but still our humble obeisances. by the mercy of Guru and Lord we got darshan and All glories to guru and gauranga. All glories to maha maha prasadam from our Gurudev. He also Srila Prabhupad. All glories to your Divine Grace. instructed us to respect each other as a Vaishnava The first time I saw Gurudev was when I was and Vaishnavi. An unforgettable day indeed! around 3 or 4 years old ( I am surprised that I still We feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have remember). It was in Muscat, where I was part of such a wonderful Vaisnava as our Spiritual mas- the girls waiting to receive Guru Maharaj with ter. We wish that he stays with us for a long, long plate filled with flowers, lamp and fruits standing time and continues to shower his mercy upon us. on one side of the red carpet which was spread out for Gurudev to come in. Then I saw him com- Yours humble servant, ing, a father like person with a wide smile holding Athira Prajosh, an orange stick. As soon as he came everyone just (D/o Sadbhuja Visvambara Das & Prajosh Prasad) covered him like a honey covering a honeycomb. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. With my little self I was struggling in between the prabhujis to have a slight darshan of Guru Maharaj Dandavat pranam, and finally when I saw him, he was looking at me Please accept my humble obeisances and please in a playful way with a wide smile and his eyebrows give me the mercy to see youoften and to get the raised, as though he just saw his grandchild…. My mercy of your lotus feet. first association with my spiritual master. You are the messenger whom lord Krishna sent When I was a child, even though I wasn’t that to the world to free peoplefrom darkness or illu- aware of being guided by a spiritual master, Guru sion. Even in this condition you preach Krishna Maharaj always inspired me with his funny un consciousness throughout the world to liberate expected jokes during lectures, his kirtans with sinful people. huge kartals, the way he easily read people’s mind, 336 I am blessed to get this Krishna consciousness 337 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh and spiritual masters like you and Srila Prabhupad. lactivities like nagara sankirtana. We need your My life is full of bliss. To go to Krishna conscious- blessings to expand Krishnaconsciousness in my ness we need a guru. For this Krishna himself sent village. Here in Krishna Katha Desh, I am assist- a solution – totake shelter under your lotus feet. ing myhusband in conducting bhakti vriksha for I am begging and praying Krishna to recover your pleasure. you from illness and to spreadKrishnaconscious- I am praying to Lord Sri Krishna to give you nessthroughout the world. Please give me chance better health to enlighten somany fallen souls. to servethe devotees of the lord. I am so much indebted to you I cannot repay the same butsurely will try my best to propagate your Hare Krishna, mission. Bavithaa (Aspiring) Your humble servent, Krishnakathadesh, Middle East. M. Bhagya Lakshmi (Shelter) Krishnakathadesh, Middle East. Hare Krishna, Please accept my humble obeisances, Hare Krishna! All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Dandavat Pranam. Please accept my humble obeisances unto All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga your lotus feet. Oh Guru Maharaj!You are so All glories to Srila Prabupada merciful. You have sacrificed your whole life to en- Please accept our humble obeisance. lighten somany millions of fallen souls like me in Would like to take this opportunity to wish you the world. You have given us somuch blissful and peaceful life of Krishna Consciousness by givingtranscendental knowledge and showing path how Happy Spiritual Birthday. In this opportunity I would also like to share glorification. 1. Always having positive approach with every to achieve transcendental abode of Krishna. I had your darshan first time on Nov 5, 2015 in Damodar desh yatra. I feltvery much excited that I am seeing representative of Lord Sri one of us. 2. Being compassionate to all the fallen soul even during his illness. Krishna. Youare showing so much compassion to 3. During Jaganath ratha yatra Maharaj was all your disciples and you are caringeach individu- staying till the last participants reaching to the final al. I have witnessed that when we have celebrated point and given them his blessings eventhough the our sonJatin’s Birthday in your presence on that ratha has reached. day. That has given so muchhappiness to us. The 4. While he was airlifted during illness, Maharaj next day on November 6th 2016, we took shelter was blessing allthe devotees by giving them sweets to ofyour lotus feet. We are very much thankful to all of them without considering hisillness. you for giving us shelter atyour lotus feet. We as family would like to humbly seek for your I am happy to tell you that by your mercy in kind blessing on thisoccasion to progress in our our village 25 people areoing chanting and read- spiritual life and growth to ensure supportingin ing Bhagavd-gita. They are happy to do spiritua- your mission as you promised to Srila Prabupada. 338 Krishna Katha Desh Kindly engage thisfallen soul also in your service. Middle East Radhapati Shyam Das Prabhu. Your humble Servant, Your Menial Servant, Campakalata Premamayi Devi Dasi (Diksha) Chandra Shekar, (Aspiring), Krishnakathadesh, Middle East. Krishna Katha desh, Middle East. All glories to Radha Govinda, Hare Krishna All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, All Glories to Srila Prabupada!!! All Glories to Guru Maharaja, All Glories to Guru Maharaj!!! All Glories to all Vaishnavas, Please accept my humble obeisances. I take Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, great pleasure to write homage toHis Holiness Please accept my humble obeisance unto your Jayapataka swami for Vyasa puja.It is my immense lotus feet. On this auspiciousday we would like responsibilityto express my deep feelings about to thank Guru Maharaja for all the mercy that Guru Maharaj because he has given me anew has beenbestowed on us. For me this life is real- life.I really owe alot. Before we were introduced ly blessed by Krishna because inthis life at least to our Siksha Guru,His Grace Radhapati Shy- I came to know about Krishna and I can practice am Dasprabu, We were complete in ignorance and alsoteach others as much I can do and go back filled with quarrels with in us,familyand relatives. to Krishna. I need your blessingso that I can im- Always filled with mundane material activities prove in my academics and in my spiritual sadana. but i neversatisfied any part of the responsibility Please bless me for my proper 16 rounds chanting neither family life or job life. Even after we started and can please you and Krishna bymy service and to going to BV classes,initially i took the classesas whatever work I do should be useful in Krishna some material fun and definitely not to the heart. service. Iwant to learn flute but I am failing in it When we started hearing the nectar of Srila Pra- so I need your blessing so that. bupada teachings and I can play in kirtans. I will try to bring my Guru Maharaj’s life and struggle from our Sik- friends in iskcon as much as Ican. Iam very sha Guru,our hearts slowly getting cleaned. We happy to meet you in Damodardesh I never started learning the way to live life and trying saw you so close and firsttime I was for a long tounderstand our ultimate destiny.But now life time I can see you in front of my eyes and I am has completely changed.Due to Mercy of Guru really blessed. Please Guru Maharaj take care of Maharaji, Today we are able to follow 4 regula- your health and I sincerely pray lord Narasimha tive principles and 16 rounds chanting andstrict- dev for your good health so that you can savema- ly attending all the festivals. With the blessings ny fallen souls. from Guru Maharaj, we actively participated in bookdistribution and recently started conducting Yours external servant, BV classes.I am sure withoutmercy of Guru Ma- Chinni Rishika, (Aspiring), haraj, We would not be in this position. Please Krishna Katha desh, Middle East. give me more strength to actively involved in various projects of ISKCON. Siksha Guru: His Grace Hare Krishna, 339 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh My dear Guru Maharaj ji, Thank you Guru Maharaj Ji. It is all yourblessings Please accept my humble obeisances & mercy. This abundant flow of mercy to uplift All glories to Srila Prabhupada, conditioned fallensouls like me is an expression of All glories to Sri Krishna, your your absolute benevolence. First of all I pray to Lord Krishna The Supreme Personality of Godhead for aspeedy recovery from Please permitme to bow my head at your lotus feet. My humble obeisances. the present crisis & for an early recuperation of I also beg & it is pertinent to mention that your Holiness. We all need you, the ISKCON our yatra leader, siksha gurus & senior devotees needs you. I feel its an honor & privilege for a con- of Krishnakathadesh are putting in sincere ef- ditioned soul like me to be given this opportunity forts,relentless hard work & sacrifices to see that to pay homage to your Holiness on this auspicious your mission & Srila Prabhupada ‘s dreams are occasion ofVyasa Puja. fulfilled. After Srila Prabhupada ‘s departure, the institution of ISKCON, under your ableguidance Thanking your Holiness for everything. I seek your blessings & forgivenessfor all offences. has grown remarkably. from strength to strength & achieved a corporatestatus in spreading the I remain humbly your servant always, business of Krishna Consciousness all over the PB Devidasan (shelter) world.It is a reflection of your able leadership. Krishna Katha desh, Middle East. Always leading from the front. Youare an eternal leader of the highest order. Your Holiness have proved that bygiving one’s hands in the hands of My Danvat pranams to Sri Jayapathaka Swami Gurumaharj. Lord Krishna & by His causeless mercy physical I feel that I am very much fortunate and by the impediments are never an hurdle on the path of mercy of supreme Lord, I have got you as my Guru Krishna consciousness &also in our efforts for Maharaj. This was my first opportunity to express- preaching. This extreme display of tolerance, the my realization about yourself on the special oc- grit& determination in your Holiness is always an casion of “ Sri Vyasa pujamahotsava day”.I have inspiration to all of us. learned about yourself and your sacrifices from I also beg for this opportunity to express my profound & sincere gratitudeto Srila Prabhupada theSiksha guru’s. I am practicing my daily sadhana’s with faith and devotion. for giving us this wonderful & supreme institution I need your blessings to progress higher in this of ISKCON & also in choosing you & entrusting Krishna consciousness. Ialso pray the supreme your Holiness with the supremeresponsibility to Lord for your health to get progress well soon to- lead ISKCON into the future so that all of man- continue your journey in this Krishna conscious kind standsbenefitted. Guru Maharaj ji you will movement. be always in our hearts till eternity. The extremely well thought out program of Your humble servant ‘Bhakti Vrksha’ & its format isspreading every Durgalakshmi (Aspiring) where, it is giving us a strong foundation & im- Krishna Katha desh, Middle East. pelling us todevelop our Krishna consciousness. 340 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Dear Gurudeva, Herewith I would like to glorify about Guru Please accept our humble obeisances. Maharaj with small incidents. When we have All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to all the gone to Damodar Desh on November 6th 2015 to vaishnavas and vaishnavis. get shelter. We all were assembled in DPS school Gurudeva, we have no words to express your in morning around 07:00hrs, There were about determination to fulfill the mission of Srila Pra- 1,500 devotees including shelter and initiation bhupada. In spite of your health conditions, you devotees.Guru Maharaj arrived there around travel all over the world and shower your mercy 11:00 hrs, after the shelter andinitiation program, and blessings. he was entertaining the devotees those who all I remember the day when I started serving areparticipated in dramas and other program un- you….You instructed me the minute details of til 16:00 hrs without taking anyrest even his body how to serve you and the Vaishnavas. Even during is unfavorable for him.By showing his mercy,he your last visit you remembered my name and gave made myheart to melt,and I am very fortunate to instructions. How can I express my feelings Gu- get such a wonderful spiritual master. rudeva, you are an ocean of mercy. With your mercy our daughter is serving Jai Srila Jayapataka swami Guru Maharajki jai!! Hare Krishna ISKCON Melbourne temple on weekends and Trying to be a humble servant, whenever her time permits. It’s by your mercy that C.Ganesan (Shelter) my wife Padma Sundari was able to serve Mayapur Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Institute and carry on many other services to the Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis. Without your mercy Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, no accomplishment is possible. All glories to Srila Prabhupada Your love to your guru has no bounds. We re- Please accept my deepest obeisance at your quest you to shower a spec of that to serve you Holy Feet. Hope this mail will reach your Holy with all our heart and soul….We want to serve Ears, Eyes in time. you, that’s possible only by your blessings and Last year, I wrote a homage but I could not glo- mercy. We request you to shower your mercy and rify you on day ofglorification in front of saadhu blessings on us on this glorious day to serve the sanghaa, appa, because of shyness, anger, confu- Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis, follow your footsteps sion, ego, I don’t know... What a year, from working in one of the largest and please the acaryas. gas companies as agrahamedi to moving to a new All our prayers for your good health. country, sitting at home for 8 months toreturning Your humble servants, to my ex-employer as a aspiring married brahm- Gambhir Madhav Das (Diksha), achari...onlygood thing was I did little more ser- Padma Sundari Devi Dasi (Diksha) vice and was more consistent with my saadhanas Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. all of less work-load, fear of not having job and littlefearing for your health and well-being... You gave me permission to leave Krishna katha Dear Guru Maharaj, Dandavat Pranam, desh in 2015 when I compelled my siksha guru to 341 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh forward my request through his siksha guru, His scious activities - contribute to TOVP and tribal Grace Sankirtan Prabhu my siksha guru did not community Krishna Consciousness want me to leave, my senses and body said go, my - help build Brisbane yatra temple mind was confused. - help Sri Lankan yatra to build temple and But I hope he is little pleased of my return. Now expand into Tamil areas innorth and east, build I am trying my levelbest to follow his instructions a community (hope Shantini’s family land get- and guidance as it is. Please bless me as I know stransferred to her, so we can convert it into a base whatever my siksha guru does is coming from his for Krishna Consciousness in northof Sri Lanka) moodto serve only you perfectly. 2) distributing sweet Prasad whomever we meet By some sukriti, I am regularly blessed by devotees here to live 100years, please this is of no use to me, I sincerely humbly request youtake some years from me, without my sins and aparadhs, so that yourdisciples grow to more than 100,000+... and flood the humans living in Krishnakathadesh. 3) learn kartal, mrdanga, harmonium, kirtan songs to play for His Lordships 4) remove my shyness so I can sing in public, and distribute Srila Prabhupada books 5) Support start up and continuity of at least on mother earth will real love i.e. Gaura Nitai’s Krshna Prema. one Bhakti Vriksa in Brisbane, Al Khor in Krishna katha desh. I have so many defects, but you accepted me... inconsistent japa,poor seva, fear of preaching by 6) Convince my mother, siblings and friends to take up Krishna Consciousness. mouth, shy to do sankirtan...This year I again 7) Place SP books and ISKCON related educa- did not do my duty as a husband as for desire to tional material in alleducation, libraries, orphan- earn laxmi, a new job, the spouse under my care, ages, old folks, hospitals, prisonscentres in Malay- Shantini lost herchance to take initiation from sia, Sri Lanka and Australia. you the 2nd time. Now I have left heralone to take 8) Ensure my siksa guru dream project, Tip of care of the children blessed by the Lord to us and India (TOI) materializesas a preaching centre in I amconfused whether this is a good decision spir- the south of India and all participants arefocused itually for them. on simple living, high thinking. I can see your Holiness and Supreme Lord 9) Getting the spouse initiated and the chil- Krishna invisible hand caringfor me, now, every dren focused in Krishna Consciousness, so they minute and second little more clearly and I pray do not divert out. tosurrender further to you and my siksha guru to serve devotees andpreach to the world by my thoughts, words and actions both in materially and spiritually. 10) Do IDC and Bhakti Saastri course in line with my spouse. 11) Practice and memorise key slokas and meaning from BG (maybe SB), Brahma Samhita, I still have so many desires in my life and I do Siksatakam so I can use in preaching. not know whether itwould make you happy, but 12) Let me understand the hearts and ability I will list them out and if you do read thismessage, of my family, friends,siblings newcomers, existing please guide me: devotees so I say and do activities thatwill help 1) Contribute 50% of income to Krishna Con342 them in enhancing their Krishna Consciousness, Krishna Katha Desh Middle East without hurting their feelings (satyam bhruyat, glorify your holiness. You are so merciful.,that you priyam bhruyat). always think of your disciples and give priority to 13) Should I invest in a home now in Australia ? devotee whowants to see you. 14) Attend at least one public Radha Yatra and Street HariNama Kirtan. Your achievement and enthusiasm is increasing day by day even with thiscondition. In bhag- 15) Help Arjun Pr, Manju Mtj, Mahesh Pr, vatham 11.17.27 lord says to uddhava that one Shantini Mtj, Abishini Mtj,Gananen Pr, Sumathi shouldaccept a spiritual master like me and by Mtj, Jiten Pr, Divya Mtj, Rajesh Pr, Preethi Mt- serving him aone can serve all the demigods. j,Bhavatarakan Pr, Siddhi Pr and all upcoming devotees get drive to takeinitiation from you by You attract everyone to come into this Krishna consciousness. practicing sadhanas and sevakas and melting After initiation I didn’t get a chance to see heart of my siksa guru /Krishnakathadesh so he and serve you. I don’t have quality to ask your recommends them. mercy. Mercy should flow from heart by satisfac- 16) Help Australia Aborigine become Krishna Conscious In all these efforts both material tion ofone’s service. I’ll pray to lord Nashimhadev for your health improvement. and spiritual, please keep my egofocused on the Lord and your Holy feet so that I humbled, tol- Then only you will be able to liberate fallen souls out of this materiallife. erant andrespectful to all...and avoid lust, anger, greed, madness / illusion,pride, envy. Let me try Gaura Premi Devi Dasi (Diksha) to follow in the footsteps without fallingdown of Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. greatest Vaishnava, Lord Shambu / Shiva so that the name yougave me Das of Gangesvara, who is Dear Spiritual Father, Das of Chaitanya materializes standstrue...and Please accept our humble obeisance at the my biological father’s name of Ganesh Sivaji also dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Sri Guru holdstrue...Shaivite name to attract them to Lord & Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Krishna’s chanting ofthe holy name... All glories to your Divine Grace. Trying to serve you through yatra. On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance, we beg the words to glorify the Gangesvara Caitanya Das (Diksha) wonderful exalted personality who is a Vaikuntha Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Man with unlimited divine qualities. As we are young children of yours without any strength and Hare Krishna intelligence, we beg you to accept our offering at All glories to Jayapathaka Swami Guru your lotus feet. Maharaj. All glories to A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We humbly beg you to forgive us for our unlimited offences and mistakes. We are very fortunate Dandavat pranam, Happy appearance day! to take shelter of Your Lotus Feet and remain in My Dear Guru Maharaja. Lord ChaitanyaMahaprabhu’sSankirtana move- I am the most fallen soul in this universe but ment. accepted me as yourdisciple. I don’t have words to His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj 343 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh is the spiritual master who spread the holy name Lord Nrsimhadeva to give you healthy long life to of Lord Krishna according to his spiritual mas- deliver more and more fallen souls like us. ter Srila Prabhupada’s instructions.Following the footsteps of his spiritual master Srila Prabhupada, Your humble servants, our Guru Maharaja leads his life as ”Simple liv- Gaura Priya Saci Devi Dasi (Diksha) ing and High thinking” Following the footsteps of Sadbhuja Viswambara Das. (Diksha) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. he spread the mission of Sankirtan movement and their Lilas. Hare Krishna... It is very difficult to believe that even in your All glories to Srila Prabhupada, present physical condition,you are extending your All glories to your Lordship... preaching all over the world. Gurudeva, You have Dear Guru Maharaj, proved that you are not this body. Please accept my humble obeisances at your Gurudeva, whenever I (Gaurapriya sachi Devi Dasi) met you, I was touched by your kindness, mercy and great spiritual power. I still remember lotus feet... First of all, let me wish you a very happy appearance day...! that I met you in Madhuradesh, I came to take Words of an insignificant soul like me will not Shelter from you with my husband and several be enough to glorify...such a great personality like other devotees, I could not help crying when you you....! gave me the mercy by touching my head. Before You have always been like a father who is that, I never thought that I would cry and have so always there for his children at any hour of their much strong and special feelings for you. In the life....! following days’ association with you, this kind of I have made so many vows before you...! But feeling became more and more strong and I could I fall at your feet and apologize...for not fulfilling not help myself. them...! During our last visit to Mayapur to attend Maha abhishekam, we have felt the feeling, care My chanting is so poor,that I do not have any qualification to even stand before you..! and affection of a father to his children and how I catch hold on to your lotus feet... to give noth- much our spiritual father loves his children even ing but the interest for chanting... nothing else do in this physical condition. I ask for but a drop from your ocean of mercy... Only because of your causeless mercy we got the opportunity for few services in the Dham and for maha abhishekam during this trip. which will give some interest in chanting...! Your compassion knows no bounds when it comes to your disciples... especially when it comes We beg from your holiness the causeless mercy to Krishna Katha Desh..! And right now... I am so to bless our family the taste in Holyname forgiv- proud to be a part of Krishna Katha Desh... and so ing all our offenses. Please kindly help us realize so proud to rightfully tell that we are dear to His the mood and personality of the holy DhamMay- Holiness Jayapataka swami Guru Maharaj...! apur. Please bless us with the spiritual strength You are so eager to shower mercy upon your and mercy from Sri SriPancatattva. We pray to disciples every time you see them.! I feel so bless- 344 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East ed to have received your blessing whenever I have learning Bhagavad-Gita shlokas in the children’s seen you and to have received the dust from your club. I wish to serve Srila Prabhupada when I grow lotus feet on my head....! up. Please bless me to be always with Krishna and Nothing more do I need to get myself back His devotes. home... back to godhead...! Leaders of Krishna Katha Desh are encourag- Your humble grand son, ing youngsters to preach the message of Krishna Gokul Babu (Aspiring) Consciousness.Please bless me so that I can get Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. into the preaching of the Sankirtana movement Om ajnana timirandhasya and help your Holiness with your Seva.,which is jnananjana salakaya caksur unmilitam yena nothing in front if your service..! tasmai sri gurave namah I fall at your feet n beg forgiveness...because I am one of the sinners who made you in this con- I was born in the darkest of ignorance and my dition!...But on this very day...! I promise you... spiritual master opened my eyeswith the torch of that I will make my chanting perfect...! And I also knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto promise that this promise will never be like the him. ones I had given before...! My beloved Spiritual Father, Please bless me to serve you in the mission of Please accept my humble obeisances Srila Prabhupad....I pray to Lord Narasimhadev, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Panca Tattva and Sri Sri Radha Madhava, for All glories to Srila Gurudev, your better health...so that you can deliver other On this auspicious occasion of your 67th appearance day, even though I am notqualified, fallen souls like me...! So. I take this opportunity to just thank you... I pray to LordshipsRadha Madhav, Panchatatvav for all that you have done for us.! I hope I can and Nrshimadev tobless you with good health to show my gratitude towards you...! fulfill Prabhupad’s mission and spread Krishnaconsciousness to every town and village. And once again... I wish you a very happy appearanceday..! Through your life, you have set yourself as an example and showed us how toserve Krishna and Your Spiritual Grand-daughter, Gayathri Babu (Aspiring) His devotees. You taught us that we are not this body but theeternal souls. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Through your causeless mercy, you have guided me step by step to the way ofdevotional service DearGuru Maharaja, and on this occasion I pray unto your lotus feet to Please accept my humble obeisances. kindlybless mewith more and more opportunity to All glories to your Divine Grace, serve you and all the vaishnavas. In this auspicious day of your appearance. Please forgive me for any offenses done at your I like you very much. I know that you struggled lotus feet or towards any Vaishnavas as our lives to Krishna consciousness. I am chanting 6 rounds completely depends on your mercy. Sri guru charana padma daily. I will try to increase itby your mercy. I am 345 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh kevala bhakti sadma nate to get initiated byyou. bando mui savadhana mate I have been so fortunate that you gave me the The lotus feet of spiritual master are the only shelter at your lotus feet.And arranged the occa- way by which we can attain puredevotional ser- sions to regulate me and qualify me to get initiat- vice, we bow to your lotus feet so that please help ed.Yes Guru Maharaj.. what ever happens in my us and guideus to render our services so as to ob- life after getting shelter inyour lotus feet, are nev- tain taste in chanting, Guru kripa andmercy of er been co-incidence but all happenings are ac- Radha Krishna cording to your plan. You send me here to Krishna Jayapataka Swami Maharaj ki Jai!!! katha desh to know whatis really called Krishna Consciousness. Gokul Shaji (Aspiring) Maharaj you had given me a name “Gopi Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. bhava Caitanya Das” and clearly youinstructed me the bhava which I should practice seriously, to My dear Srila Gurudeva, make you happy. Maharaj, again I assure you that I offer my most respectful and humble pranams I will fight to the maya, whichtries to make me a failure in my spiritual growth. Maharaj please at the dust of your lotusfeet maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisance. empowerme. Without your blessing I cannot do Being a non worthy fallen soul again and again anything. I am making mistakes and Iafraid I may be a cause Maharaj, with all the difficulties what you are the troubles what you are going through.. Guru going through you are doingthe activities which Maharaj. I was not knowing I am this much fortu- supports prabhupad’s mission. You are being the 346 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East examplefor a devotee how he should serve his Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. spiritual master. Srila Gurudeva, this past year has been full of Please accept my humble obeisances realizations and newspiritual experiences by your All Glories To Srila Prabhupada blessings. Keeping you at the centre of mylife, Dear Spiritual Father, each day I can feel how your causeless mercy flows It is just because of your causeless mercy that unconditionally inthe upkeep of my devotional I’m in this wonderful KrishnaConsciousness service. Movement. If you were not there, I would have O my beloved Srila Gurudev, on this auspi- been engaged moreon materialistic activities. cious day, I pray to remain thedust at your lotus On your 67th Vyasapuja occasion I pray to feet and also to attain perfection in serving you. Lord Narsimha and the Lordships tobestow you Being away from you I am unable to do any ser- good health and continue your preaching activi- vice to you, and I never had anychance before as ties. I am new. but if you feel that I am capable of doing someservices to vaishnavas please provide me Your Insignificent Servant, chance to come up. Bhakta Goutham (Aspiring) Krishna se tomara, Krishna dite paro, tomara Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. sakati ache ami to kangala, Krishna Krishna boli, dhai tava pache pache Krishna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply yourservant running be- Hare Krishna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to SrilaPrabhupada. All glories to Srila Gurudeva. hind you shouting, “Krishna! Krishna!” [ Bhajana Lalasa Song7 by Srila BhaktiVinod Thakura] I cannot carry out devotional service on my I would like to offer my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your Appearance. own strength. I intensely begYou to give be faith I pray to Srimati Radharani & Lord Narasing- so that I can become solidly fixed. You have Krish- ha Dev to recover you and give you a very very nawith You and You are giving Krishna to others. long life so that you can serve Srila Prabhupada’s You are definitely from “Gauradesa”. On this mission for long time. day, I beg You to bless mewith Guru Bhakti. On this special occasion when we all take Please bless me so that I can also develop in- time to remember and appreciate the importance tense Guru Bhakti which Youhave towards His Di- of your presence in our lives, I wish to thank you vine Grace A.C. BhaktiVedanta Swami Srila Pra- again for your kind blessings and association. bhupada.Because attachment to Your lotus feet is the perfection that fulfils alldesires. I dedicate whatever progress I am making to Your lotus feet as my offering. Guru Maharaj, you are the Spirit, Strength, Encouragement and a person who gives enthusiasm to all devotees, I was watching your video of the Kirtan mela 2015 in Mayapur where you did Your servant’s servant’s servant’s ecstatic kirtans even with this bodily conditions, servant’s servant’s servant tears started flowing for me after seeing you in Gopibhava Chaitanya Das (Diksha) that video, Gurudev your love and faith for Srila 347 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh Prabhupada & Gauranga is so pure that by look- Sri Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj. ing at you all the fear of material existence goes By the mercy of Supreme lord, I am very much away. Recently Syama sundar Das has shared his blessed to have you as my Guru Maharaj. I am over dairy about your health updates and in that we whelmed since this was my first opportunity to tell- could feel how you are compassionate and caring my realization about yourself on this special day. for your disciples, you are not worried about your I am practicing mysadhana’s regularly. I have not bodily conditions but always wishing good for met you in person but I have come to knowabout others. you and your services from my Sikhsha guru. Fur- I hope I can render some service to you, Srila Prabhupada, Mayapur and all the devotees. ther I need your blessings to get advancement in my devotional service. I also pray the Lordfor your health to progress soon. Your servant Gupta Gokul Das (Diksha) Your humble servant Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. HariKrishnan (Aspiring) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. My Dear Guru Maharaja, I’m now in ILS 2016 maypur. Here we are miss- Pleaseaccept my humble obeisance unto your ing you.In one of the seminars they quoted from divine lotu feet. Srimad Bagavatham in purport Srilaprabhupad All glories to Jagatguru Srila Prabhupada. that a devotee gets his mercy through the orders All glories to your Holiness. of spiritual master.Then Srila phabhupad has ex- Today is the auspiciousday for me. Today is the tended it that though devotee is given an order or- day when disciple opens hisheart and with the Seva that doesn’t mean he is qualified, Srila Pra- greatfeeling sings the glorification for the lord. bhupada says he is subordinateto the order. That This is the day when spiritualmaster was born. was nice. Please bless me and my family to followthe Krishna I’m serving Krishna katha desh as a mandal consciousness throughthe sadhanas and prayers. Dasa. I came to the sense that I’mnot qualified yet Please guide andbless me and my family to follow out of your mercy I’m given this Seva. the divinewithout any obstacle. With yourblessing Please bless me on this very wonderful auspicious day to be always remainsubordinate to your order and be humble. Happy appearance day Guru Maharaj. Your servant, Harikirtan ranjan Das (Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Hare Krishna, My Danvat pranams and Obeisances to 348 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East we would like to become good preachersto spread However, just by taking the discipleship of Krishna consciousness to all over the world. We your Holiness, everything changedin my life are your servantand please show us the way tosur- towards a full positive angle. In addition, my fam- render unto you. ily members andmany people in my village are also got benefited of the blessings you have been Your Humble Servants showering on us. Hemalatha (Aspiring) I am indebted to you for taking me out of utter Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. darkness of this age of Kaliinto the beautiful path of Krishna Consciousness. Dear Guru Maharaja, I pray often to Gopal and Gauranga to give His Grace Jayapataka Swami Guru Mahara- you long life so that you canfulfill the rest of your ja is really a dedicated, devoted and a great soul. mission assigned to you by your beloved Spiritual- In this situation of his body he has been preach- Master His Devine Grace Srila Prabhupada. ing aboutKrishna and giving bhakti. He wants all Thank you our beloved Guru Maharaj for souls to get liberated from thishuman birth. His everything that you are doing for thesuffering only goal is to give bhakti to all and make Krishna humanities of the Mother Earth. andhis guru happy. May his mercy reach all the Your most insignificant servant souls. Jay Gopal Krishna Das(Diksha) It is very difficult tofind such a devoted soul in Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. this kaliyuga. I wish he recovers soon so that the rest of the souls who still don’t have the knowledge of Krishna may gethis mercy and reach All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! Godhead. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Hare Krishna, All glories to Dear Guru Mahraja! Your humble servant, Dear Gurudeva, G. Hemasri (Aspiring) I offer my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Srila Prabhupada’s mission is yourlife and soul and you are the only shelter for the fallen souls like Most respected your Holiness, me. Because of your causeless mercy I am here in Please accept my humble obeisances! ISKCON. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! I beg to Srila Prabhupada for your good health. I beg your mercy to serve your lotus feet. I trust in Gauranga that you are doing well. Although I do not possess any qualities to Your insignificant servant glorify your Holiness, I would liketo take this Jayanthi (Aspiring) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. opportunity say a couple of words. I have tried various methods to change myself to a good human being for thepast several decades All Glories to your holiness, and all my efforts just ended up in vain. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Guru 349 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh and Sri Gauranga!! Jivesvari Visnupriya Devi Dasi (Diksha), Guru Maharaja as you know, I love you more w/o Saci Prana Caitanya Dasa, than anybody and anything and just thinking of Son: Ruthwik. you makes me cry and become emotional. You are Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. always in my heart and I feel very unqualified to take initiation from you..I am not yet fully out of All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! material contamination and I deserve just one All glories to Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami thing that is to get my son out of his misery. He is Prabhupada! All glories to H.H.Jayapathaka severe hyperactive and many times I hated my life Swami Guru Maharaj! and just want to give up my life seeing him strug- Please accept my humble obeisances. gle and make us suffer. But seeing your struggle of Dear Guru Maharaja, material body, we regain our Krishna Conscious- Please accept my humble obeisances to your ness and pull our life through these difficulties. divine lotus feet. I feelextremely happy by doing My only desire to the lord Krishna is that devotional service to the Supreme Lord I need nothing but give a calmer and peaceful Krishna under your direction and order. I thank life to my son who can live just on his own and you very much for elevating myconsciousness practice Krishna bhakti.. from material to spiritual. By your mercy I come to I heard one of your pastimes at the hospital know whois Supreme Lord and how to serve Him. that you had just come out of critical condition By your mercy I experienced what is love for God from ICU and seeing a devotee you enquired how and what is eternal bliss and by your mercy I am is his daughter doing who was just suffering from a saved frommaterial anxieties and always protected much smaller issue. I weeped and weeped hearing from dangers of material world. Iam very much this incident and this shows your kindness even indebted for your mercy always. you being in such a painful condition you are enquiring about others welfare. What a great My loving prayers to Lord Krishna to get well soon and to live long. spiritual master you are... I sincerely pray the lord Your insignificant servant that you become all energetic and come out of all T. Karuppiah-(Shelter) your bodily issues. I have been regularly chanting Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Narsimha kavacam, Brahma samhita and doing extra rounds of chanting for both my son yourself. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, Guru Maharaja Please bless us so we can Dandavat Pranams unto Your Holy Feet & continue in the service of your lotus feet and All Your Disciples. Happy & feeling enthusiastic give me the energy to tolerate the material pains to know your improved health conditions. just as you are able to do...Also I am serving Lord Your enthusiasm to Devotional activities in Jagannath, Baladev and Subadramayi in the little this health conditionencourages everyone of us way possible with the help of other matajis. to continue Devotional Service in allUnfavorable I wish to remain in the service of JBS and your holy feet! circumstances also. Guru Maharaja, Please bless me to Serve all Your humble servant, 350 Esteemed Devotees of Krishna ina humble state of Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Keerthana (Aspiring) mind as instructed by Mahaprabhu. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East, Pranams Guru Maharaj. Your servant All glories to Radha Govinda, Kavitha srinivasan (Wellwisher) All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East All Glories to Guru Maharaja, All Glories to all Vaishnavas, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, All glories to Guru Maharaja, Today marks the most merciful appearance Dandavat Pranam. in this world; it is our greatgood fortune that we I am from Krishna Katha Desh, got aspiration have come in contact with you. You are the on 2012. Every soul undergoes the three fold mis- personification of Lord Nityananda’s Mercy; eries of the material world. But the soul in Krishna a moment of your association dissipates all consciousness has the strength to face it. Inspite of the darkness of ignorance and gives us the op- my chanting, and services unto to the Vaishnavas portunity toprogress towards the ultimate goal of and the Supreme Lord, am not able to overcome spiritual success. my miseries. samsara-dava nala-lidha-lokha Am doing 2nd year, Bachelor of Architecture tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam in Chennai at Sathyabama university, parents praptasya karunya-gunarna vasya are initiated devotees, and brother also initiated vande guru sri-caranaravindam from you, Guru Maharaja. I feel in love for a The spiritual master is receiving benediction boy, parents were against, in name of caste, but from the ocean of mercy. Justas a cloud pours I wanted to give that boy bhakti. Now he is water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the chanting 16 rounds, following regulative principles, spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted and attends functions at temple, but I have so world by extinguishing the blazingfire of material much pressure from parents’ side. existence. In college my classmates say me that I am I offer my respectful obeisance unto the Lotus trying to convert their religion. Most of the boys Feet of such a spiritualmaster, who is an ocean of in my college say me that I am a call girl. My auspicious qualities. brother died not like me because I don’t do house- There are innumerable waves in the ocean hold works, I come home late from college and and so are your qualities. Thishuman birth is very I am really tired. I am completely in a world with rare and what are the odds to get in touch with no support. Always feeling lonely. I Am not able you?You gave us direct access to Krishna’s Name. to bare the pain and suffering these people giving On this auspicious day, everyone would like me. You are my inspiration Guru Maharaj, Inspite to present you with some gifts,but I am such a of your health issues, you are spreading the glories fallen soul that I am begging mercy from you to of the Lord all around. please I beg you to bless fightagainst my internal enemies and external me on this auspicious day, so that I flight these enemies which are the obstaclesin propagate struggles and come back to you.... I miss you appa. Prabhupada mission. Please give me strength to Hare Krishna... Nitai gaura premanande...!! achieve thistarget. bless me to do better service 351 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh in bhakti vriksha so that I can helpmany souls to Maharaja, His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta follow Chaitanya Prabhu’s mission Swami Prabhupada you have dedicated your life I pray to Lord Krishna, Lord Narasihma, trying to makeeach and every effort to please your Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra Maharani and dear GuruDev.Although born in a veryrich fami- Gauranitai to bless you with good health and ly you gave up the material comforts immediately service fromwonderful disciples. There are so many at a very youngage,learned Bengali,stayed under fortunate souls that will doeverything in their difficult conditions in Mayapur during the initial capacity to serve. days, initiated new ways of farming techniques, Yours, servant, started bhaktivriksha and many others. Krishna Chaitanya Rama Sadbhuja Das. Yadi Prabhupada na hoito... a beautiful bhajan (Diksha) composed by your grace bringsout so expertly the Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. wonderful lilas performed by your gurudev. According to the purport given by Srila Dear our beloved Guru Maharaja, Prabhupada in (SB.8.21.28 - Bali Maharaj arrested Please accept my humble obedience, by Lord) A pure devotee is never deviated from I am not qualify to much more glorify about the service of the Lord, despite alldifficulties and you due to my less intelligence, Guru Maharaj you allways in my heart and I am praying always our God Krishna to get well our Guru Maharaja. impediments offered by the illusory energy. Your holiness is a perfect exemplary to the above statement made by SrilaPrabupada. A small Guru Maharaja without your guide my life is headache brings me so much of pain that my body very difficult and I am now very happy to follow forcesme to neglect my regular activities. But on Krishna Consciousness. Hari Hari Bol! the other hand your holiness hasbeen facing so many physical problems but still you continue your Your are always in my heart Guru Maharaja. effort todeliver fallen souls like me. I heard about Your Servant how merciful is Nityanada Prabhu who delivered Krishna Gupta (Shelter) Jagai and Madhai, I heard about Srila Prabhupada Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. efforts touplift fallen souls at very old age and I am now practically seeing howdevotees of lord Dear Guru Maharaj like your holiness are so merciful that you neglect Please Accept My Humble Obeisances! yourown comforts and always take every second All glories to Srila Prabhupada, to spread love of god head tomost fallen souls like All Glories to Sri guru and Gauranga! me. he Krishna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate Finally please forgive me for all the offenses gopesa gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo ’stu te that I havecommitted knowingly or unknowingly. Today I really thank the Supreme Lord Sri I beg your Holiness to give me the intelligence Krishna for haven given thisopportunity to glorify and strength to followyour instructions under the my dear Guru Maharaj on this very auspicious day most horrible conditions that I might face inmy ofhis divine appearance day. future. From the day you met your dear Guru 352 Sincerely I pray to lord Narasimha Dev to Krishna Katha Desh Middle East fulfill my desire to protect yourholiness as always Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. so that your holiness is always there to guide me Hare Krishna! andbecome a symbol of inspiration to my life. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, We are well aware of your causeless mercy All Glories to Guru Maharaj. is always flowing among us.Myonly desire to be vibrant recipient of your mercy. I am not eligible to speak about Guru Maharaj who dedicated His life forthe well being of every- Thank you so much Guru Maharaja. one by spreading Krishna Consciousness. Guru Your humble servant, Maharaj has dedicated His life for propogating Krishna Karunamayi Das, Krishna ConsciousnessMovement and delivering Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. all Conditioned & fallen souls like me. Inspite of his improper health condition Guru Hare Krishna, Maharaj is still preaching anddelivering everyone Guru Maharaja given mercy of me. We want and everywhere around the world. It is all because important the parents also, Guru also so import- of Guru Maharaj and all our Siksha guru’s Bless- ant of our life. Guru is Aspiration, Guru is Inspi- ings andefforts we have come to Krishna Consious- ration.Guru is everything in our eternal life. ness and conducting Bhakti Vriksha. I sincerely Hare Krishna. pray for Supreme Lord for the recovery of Guru Lakshmi Priya (Shelter) Maharaj so thatHis Mercy should always be on all 353 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh the fallen souls. I sincerely request Guru Maharaj guruwhen he is not present next to us. But Your to show mercy upon us in removing theobstacles Holiness has proved that youare able to see your for further progressing in Krishna Consciousness. GuruDev at each and every second.This depicts Siksha Guru- His Grace Radhapathi Syamadas yourunconditional love towards your Gurudev, Prabhu. Srila Prabhupada. Latha Chandra (Shelter) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. I kindly beg Your Holiness to forgive me for my offences committedknowingly or unknowingly. Also I Beg your grace to show your causeless Dear Guru Maharaj mercy upon this fallen soul sothat I may continue Please Accept My Humble Obeisances! my little efforts as a sparrow to follow your All glories to Srila Prabhupada instructions. All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! We are well aware of your causeless mercy is he Krishna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate always flowing amongst us.Myonly desire to be gopesa gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo ’stu te vibrant recipient of your mercy. From the bottom of my heart I beg the Supreme Sincerely i pray to lord Narasimha Dev to lord to give me many moreopportunities to glorify fulfill my desire to protect yourholiness as always my dear Guru Maharaj again and again. so that your holiness is always there to guide me Your Holiness has dedicated your entire life to just uplift fallen soulslike me.But I am so unfortu- and become a symbol of inspiration to my life. Thank you so much Guru Maharaj, nate that seeing your efforts I am not able totake Your humble servant, atleast 1% of your efforts. Even though I have been in ISKCON from last Leela karana lakshmi Devi Dasi (Diksha) 10 years I have not understoodthe philosophy nor Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. was I able to render proper devotional service to thedevotees.But I could see a lot of change from Dear Guru Maharaj, the last two years in myselfbecoming a direct ser- Please accept our humble obeisances, vant of your lotus feet.I feel some kind of power- All glories to Srila Prabhupada, guiding me at each and every step telling me what All glories to you Guru Maharaj, is to be done and whatnot to be done. On your appearance day we humbly pray to hank you GuruDev. Sri Narasimhadev to protect yourhealth and let Your Holiness initiative thought of using the us have your incomparable association for years technology to spread Krishnaconsciousness across to come. the world is helping me alot by being in direct Gurudev! Your instruction to conduct Bhakti relationship with Gaura Nitai and all the vaish- Vrikshas with 5 or 6 membersgroup in kkd is the navas of world throughMayapur website. main motivational force now in my life. We have Gurudev! around 28 Bhakti Vrikshas now, and we have fixed It is comparatively very easy to follow the a target of 50 BV’s as our humbleofferring to you instructions of a guru when heis present physi- and Srila Prabhupada in the 50th anniversary cally around us, but it is very difficult to follow a year of ISKCON. 354 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Further ahead we have a plan to achieve at least 108 BV groups by the year2022 as our offer- your blessings sothat we can advance in spiritual life and to serve your lotus feet. ring to you during the TOVP opening. This Year April we are moving to Avatari Desh When you last visited us, during discussions so we are planningto conduct Bhakti vriksha at the airport while leaving you were saying 3 to there. Only because of your blessing we can do.So 4 times... take care of the devotees... take care of we need your blessing very badly. thedevotees.... take care of the devotees... as your Guru Maharaja,we are praying to Lord instructions have very far-reaching consequenc- Narasimha Dev for your completespeedy recovery of es...we are now meditating on how best to fullfil your health so that you can deliver so many yourdesire, by taking care of devotees emotionally, fallen conditioned souls like us. physically and spiritually. Your Insignificant disciple, You are giving care to hundreds and thousands of disciples and devoteesaround the globe even in Lila Padmini Devi Dasi (Diksha) this condition. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Being incapable and ignorant we are totally dependent on your divineblessings and guidance to serve you and our predecessor acharyas nicely. All glories to Radha Govinda, Thank you for all the care gurudev. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Your servants, All Glories to Guru Maharaja, Sankirtan anand gaura Das, (Diksha) All Glories to all Vaishnavas, Leela kirtaneswari Devi Dasi(Diksha) Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, gayatri and gauri Please accept my humble obeisance unto your Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. lotus feet. On this auspiciousday we would like to thank Guru Maharaja for all the mercy that has Dear Guru Maharaj, beenbestowed on us. Thank you Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obiensances. Guru Maharaja, we are fallen soulsto the ground All glories Sri Guru andGauranga. level. Please accept our prayers and help us serv- I am very fortunate to have a spiritual ing you andLord Krishna. Please forgive us for Master like you because youaccepted me as a our faults. Please give me strength thorough your disciple. You are always inspiring us, a person blessing so that I can help my prabhu to conduct how toserve his Guru and follow the instructions bhaktivriksh and preaching activities.bless me for of him. Although you have somuch of health my chanting so that I can doperfect chanting and troubles you are travelling through out world to to bring some souls into sri chaitanya maha pra- deliver fallen conditioned souls like us. After tak- bhumission. I will pray lord narashmha dev to give ing shelter (sheltered in Damodar Desh me and you good health so that youcan raise so many fall- my husband RamaKrishna 2015)of your lotus feet en souls. I havedeveloped little taste for chanting and Our heartiest prayer is our Guru Maharajstays enormous interest to serve you and Lord in good health and live long to preach all the whole Gauranga. We are sincerely requesting you to give world. 355 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh Dear Guru Maharaj, Seeing you spread Krishna Yours insignificant servant, prema through out every continent, country, Lilavati Vishnu Priya SitaDevi Dasi (Diksha) state, home and every person really bring tears to Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. my eyes and makes me want to love Krishna more and more intensely. So please bless me so that My dear Gurudev Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, I will develop in my devotional life and cultivate Please accept my humbleobeisances at your lotus taste for chanting. I am doing 16 rounds, and read- feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All gloriesto ing Srila Prabhupada small books, however, please you. kindly shower your mercy upon me so that I can I don’t have any qualification to become your disciple but you are somerciful gave your causeless do chanting with concentration, consistancy and love for Krishna. mercy and accepted me as your disciple.Through Haribol!! Guru Maharaja!! your life you are showing example to us how to Your most fallen servant, lead Krishnaconsciousness life even in such ex- Maelathil Gowri (Aspiring), treme difficult situations. I am prayingto Lord Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Narsimhadev regarding your health. I wish that you stay with us fora long and long time and continue to shower your mercy upon us. Gurudev I am begging at your lotus feet kind- Hare Krishna! My dear Guru Maharaj, please accept our humble obeisances to your holy feet! ly please give me strength to handleproblems in Jaya sri Krishna caitanya prabhu nityananda life and to continue my sadhana properly and sri advaita gadha dara srivasadi gaura bhakta vrnda! preaching. It was purely because of your causeless mercy, Your daughter, I have got Diksha from you on 6th November in Madhusmita Padma Devi Dasi (Diksha) Damodaradesh along with many other devotees of Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Krishnakathadesh inthe presence of our beloved Shiksha Guru, His Grace Radhapathi Shyama das Hare Krishna, Pr and his wife mataji, Her Grace Ujvala Kalindi I pay my humble obeisances onto you. Devi Dasi mataji. We have been nicely taken care in the same Dear Guru Maharaja, You have enormously helped Srila Prabhupada mood of yours and kindness herein Krishna Katha in preaching the teachings of Lord Caitanya Maha desh and we are blessed to be connected to the Prabhu, you have brought millions of people into parampara through you. our ecstatic Krishna conscious movement. Despite With your mercy, on the next day of initiation your bad health condition you are still travelling I have got a chance to feedand offer you dry fruits the globe distributing the wonderful holy name prasadam in H.G. Sri Vallabha Prabhus dham and and connecting peoples hearts with their one and Iremember the way you were so lovingly accepting only best friend, Krishna. Your glories are innu- my offering... merable and if I start, the list will go on and on, It is my greatest fortune to become a disciple and servant of your holyfeet and I truly wish to never ending. 356 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East become a Vaishnava with the similar qualities and fallen souls, I am always pleased to see how you kindness as yours. are giving shelter and initiation to many souls just I wish to surrender unto your lotus life after to deliver them from this material nescience. But life and serve you eternally. With your grace, I again, I feel pained by seeing, for our mistakes, you am conducting BV in Telugu and I finished 25 are being suffering bodily. Though you fall sick and weeks so far. Kindly extend more mercy so I can get hospitalized but the moment you are recovered continue this seva and domore under your and out of the hospital, the very next moment merciful guidence. itself you are again engaged in your preaching Also as you have blessed my wife is in In- mission. This reminds me a profound statement dia yet she got the shiksha gurus approval for by His Holiness Srila Prabhupada from purport Diksha and her Diksha name was also an- Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.6, “Sometimes the spiritual master, after accepting nounced as “ SarveshvariVisnupriya Devi Dasi” in Damodaradesh while I was taking Diksha. the disciple, must take charge of that disciples past However, senior devotees informed that later sinful activities and being overloaded, must some- there would be a skype Darshan for my wife and times suffer – if not fully, then partially- for the sin- your would officially initiate her. We are yet to ful acts of the disciple. Every disciple therefore, must receivethis mercy from your end. be very careful not to commit sinful activities after initiation. The poor spiritual master is kind and Your humble servant, merciful enough to accept a disciple and partially Mahaprabhu Gauranga Das (Diksha) suffer for that disciples sinful activities, but Krishna, Sarveshvari Vishnupriya Devi Dasi(Diksha) being merciful to His servant, neutralizes the reac- Bhaktin Anuradha (Aspiring) tions of sinful deeds for the servant who engages in Bhaktin KrishnaKruti(Aspiring) the preaching of His glories.” Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Further, from 2015 Vyasa puja to this year in 2016, we have received your profused blessings Hare Krishna!!! that we could start our 1st bhakti Vriksha program. My Dear Guru Maharaj With the help of my wife, Raslila Radhika Devi Please accept my humble obeisances! Dasi, and group of godbrothers and sisters, we are All glories to Srila Prabupada and trying to spread this message of Krishna conscious Guru Maharaj! to 10 new devotees, we are getting enough strength On this auspicious occasion I sincerely wish and knowledge from your holiness to deliver the you a very happy Krishna conscious birthday. right message of Bhakti Vriksha. Please bless us I pray to His Lordship Sri Sri Radha Madhava, for success in Bhakti Vriksha. Jagannath Baladeva Subhadra Mai, Gaura Nitai We are sincerely following regulative and Lord Narsimha Deva to usher their principles, prescribed Sadhana and contribut- choicest mercy on your holiness for good strength ing to Krishna Katha Desh Yatra for ISKCON and health enough for you to keep your promise to movement with best possible ways. Please bless us His Holiness Srila Prabhupada. success in our endeavors. Your humble servant Guru Maharaja, for your ever mercy on the 357 358 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Mahaprabhu Manohar Das, (Diksha) I wish to serve you for my life time. Your service, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Mokshitha lochana (Aspiring), Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja. Recover fast Guru Maharaja! Haribol! Marikkani (Aspiring) My dear spiritual father, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. please accept my humble obeisances, I am Valli mathaji (aspired) from KKD. Hare Krishna, Please give us shelter to your lotus feet. Dhandavath pranam, Please accept my homeage and give your cause- All glories to Srila Prabupada, less mercy to improve my devotional service. Srila Guru Maharaj as he is affectionately All glories to Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru called is our real “Guardian of Devotion,” who has Maharaj! I pay my respectful obeisances to Guru appeared in this world to give us the most beauti- Maharaj. I will pray for your healthto Lord ful and elevated perception of what is Reality, and Narasimha. Please bless me so that I can come up at the same time to protect the devotion of innu- in Krishna Consciousness merable souls who have taken shelter at his lotus feet. Your Humble Servant So, not to make an excuse for my own inabil- Mithila Kumari Sita Devi Dasi (Dikhsa) ity, but to express what is certain, I also have to Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. say that no presentation could really adequately glorify what are the unlimited devotional qualities of Srila Guru Maharaj. Hare Krishna! Guru Maharaj told us that the more we render We are most fortunate that in Srila Guru Ma- service unto the Lord under the direction of spir- haraj,he has accepted us and given us a place in itual master, the more we make advancement on his heart. It is a fact that Srila Guru Maharaj has given the path of approaching the Lord. us so many important precepts and mature Mohan Das (Aspiring) spiritual understandings that are essential to our Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. eternal development. Without those conclusions Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to view When we are bewildered we do not distinguish one’s own development correctly or focus on what what is religious and what isnot.at that time there is essential for one’s own growth. For that reason, is need of guru.That is vedic instruction Tad vi- we are truly fortunate that we have had an jïärthaà sa gurum eväbhigacchet (MU 1.2.12) opportunity to take shelter at his lotus feet. It Material world mean inevery step there is danger, is our greatest fortune, and the most important please guide us, if ones mind does not bow atthe occurrence in our entire life. We are all fortunate that Srila Bhaktivedana feet of guru what is the use. You take all our karmas you are sufferingGuru Maharaj. Swami Prabhupada has directed all humanity 359 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh towards the shelter of Srila Guru Maharaj’s feet, get the Mercy at your DivineLotus Feet.We Pray and those that have sufficient sukriti have taken to Lord Krishna for your fast recovery. Please re- his divine directive as their true salvation. coversoonand Bless us. we can feel Srila Guru Maharaj presence and Please let me be a Humble Devotee and in this concern for our eternal well-being. We can under- material Worldlet me concentrate on Bhakthi. stand that Srila Guru Maharaj is eternally with Once again Please recover soon and Bless Us. us, and this will always be felt in the association Your Humble Servant, with devotees. Please, Guru Maharaj remove our all material Veeragandham Nagendra Kumar (Aspiring) contamination and give your blessings to grow Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. more and more service for your lotus feet. Hare Krishna, Dear Guru Maharaja, At your service, Murugavalli Venkatesan (Aspiring) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. This small insignificant soul offering Homage to you please accept it. By the grace of my siksha gurus I got you as a Dikhsa guru, Dear Guru Maharaj i am so fortu- My Dear Guru Maharaj, nate by getting a shelter at your lotus feet. Dear I Pay my Humble Obeisances unto your Divine Lotus Feet. Guru Maharaj your glories unlimited, And you are the inspiration for all the who want to connect to Today is the Vyasapuja yours appearance day. PleaseBless me withKrishna Consciousness. I will this parampara to reach Golaka and test Nectar of Krishna consciousness. be very Thankfulto get the Mercy of Yours. I am- ISKCON 50th anniversary successfully com- trying my best in Sadhana.Please help me to to pleted, This such Big success you are the main study well with your lovingmercy. Pleaserecover pillar, ISKCON Buildedmany temples, Started soon, I am praying to Lord Krishna that you shoul- food for life, Gurukula schools, Colleges, and Cow drecoversoon. Please recover soon. protection....etc many many activities are doing Please let me be your Humble Devotee of to attract people and enlighten the all humanity and Guide every one to know what is real position youand serve Lord Krishna with Love. of Jiva and why we are struggling in this materiYour Humble Sevant, al world with so many disease (Greediness, envy, Veeragandham Naga Vijayeswari, LUST, anger and excessive possessiveness... etc). VI Standard,(Aspiring) whoever come contact with ISKCON devotees or Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. supreme lord devotee he will be free from maya and this material diseases. Dear Guru Maharaj, You have started Bhakti Dear Guru Maharaj, I Pay my Humble Obesiances unto your Divine vriksha, Namahatta, and small congregational Lotus Feet.Todayis Vyasapuja the Appearance chanting... etc, this all are like small muster seeds, Day, In this auspicious occassionplease Bless me- but it now grows like a banyan tree and every tree with Krishna Consciousness. I will be thankful to become so huge and gives shelter to many many 360 Krishna Katha Desh fallen souls to progress in devotional sevices. Dear Guru Maharaj, Your health always Middle East so that I can get even adrop of Your Mercy through which a guilty person like me can get liberation. testing you about your desire of fulfilling Srila Hare Krishna, Prabhupada instructions, but continuously you were over coming and proving by going around the Trying to be Your servent, world and enlightening many many fallen souls and Nitya Prakash shukla (Aspiring) practically showing to the world how a pure devo- Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. tee and how can pure devotee (Srila Prabhupada) words can change the world. Dear Guru Maharaj, Dandavt pranam, I am standing by just holding your lotus feet in All glories to Srila Prabupada, devotional, please bless me to progress in devo- All glories to Guru Maharaj, tionally, Doing Bhakti vruksha and spreading Dear Guru Maharaja, Lord Chaitanya Message, and be a part in Srila Please accept my humble obeisances.please Prabhupada mission. give your mercy to thisfallen soul.please take care Dear gurumaharj, I have only one hope... Only of yourself.our chantings are always with you.. one hope hope... Only one hope that your blessing always with me, protect me from maya and suc- Your faithful servant, cessfully preach the glories SUPREME LORD Niveditha.(Aspiring) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. KRISHNA. Your Diksha disciple, Namananda asima Das. (Diksha) Hare Krishna, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Dear Guru Maharaja, I am S.Pappuraj from Krishna Katha Desh, My beloved Guru Maharaj, Antardvip, I am following 16rounds of Maha Hare Krishna! Mantra and 4 regulative principles. By the mercy Please accept my humble obeisances at your of you, Iam learning many things in Krishna con- lotus feet. sciousness and my consciousnessfurther progress I don’t know how to glorify You and have no towards Krishna. I am expecting the opportunity quality to glorify You but Imay only be able to which Iwant to have Darshan of you. Your mercy express something if Your unconditional Mercy is countless like Krishna’s mercy. befalling continuousely upon me. On that Vyasa puja, I pray to Krishna to give O, Gurudev, what I will say? You know my you a good health andstrength to take up this condition much better than me. Always I absorbed Krishna consciousness to all fallen souls like me. in self enjoyment, never think about Krishna, I wish you happy birthday to my Guru Maharaja. Guru Maharaj Ki Jai. Neverwilling to do any devotional service But in spite of my many bad things youhave given me a S.Pappuraj (Shelter) chance to purify myself and You have showered Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Mercy upon afallen soul like me. Please give me chance to serve Your Lotus feet Hare Krishna! 361 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Your humble disciple, All glories to Guru Maharaja! Parama Karuna Krishna Das (Diksha) Please accept my humble obeisance’s Gurudev Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Happy Krishna conscious appearance day Gurudev! All Glories to Srila Gurudev! You are most Maha vadhanyaya of jivas. Jai Srila Guru Dev! Always very eager and energetic with devo- Guru Maharaj I feel myself I am not an eligible tion, continue to shower mercy onjivas, which jiva to talk or to glorify about you. You’re a pure encourages me and all over world,to serve Lord vaishnava as you will be always compassionate to Krishna in spiteof so much hurdles/disturbance all the jivas as fallen soul like me. by Maya. Guru Maharaj, you are like candlelight In spite of your health condition your kirtan in our dark lives. Like His Divine Grace Srila was so transidental in Kirtan Mela during the Prabhupada, you have taken personalcare of all February month. It was all my Sukruthi to view devotees with so much personal sufferings. all your Kirtan and dance in the Mayapur TV. It With your blessings and encouragement last made me to remember you big and huge kartal. week we could complete Bhakti-vriksa-2, 64 weeks I was praying to Lord Caitnaya Maha Prabhu for and supporting 6 bv as upa-cakravarti. Please en- your health condition so that you can use the kar- courage and bless me Guru Maharaj, I could con- tal in next Kirtan Mela. Even you have melted the tinue my devotion in same enthusiasm and zeal. Panchathava by your pure devotion in the Kirtan. During the Ratha yatra in Avatari desh and ini- Nearly after 7 years Guru Maharaj this year we tiation ceremony in Damodhar desh, where KKD had your darshan twice in Krishna Katha Desh. devotees came for the shelter and initiation cer- And also It’s all you and your mercy and blessings emony, your words and action for KKD devotees where I have blessed with Siva Keshava. gave me tears. Oh Gurudev on account of your 66 Vyasa The care you show for devotees and restless Puja. I beg your blessings unto this fall Soul to service, which encourages me alot & I need to continue in this Sankirtan Mission by helping learn them. the Senior Devotees and accepting their guide- Whenever I have disturbance, I sit before your lines. Please need all your special mercy upon all picture, take shelter ofyour darshan, I get lot of my family members where they have to realize the calmness and peace. I beg and take this oppor- purpose of human life. tunity on your birthday, please bless me to grow in devotion and helpme from not doing any Your disciple. aparadha to vaisnavas. Also I humbly beg to the Peddi Srinivas (Shelter) lotus feet of all vaishnavas of KKD I beg my dear Godrumadvip, Krishna Katha Desh god brothers, god sisters anddevotees of Krishna katha desh to please forgive me for the aparadha Hare Krishna! I did knowingly andunknowingly. Please help me Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj. to progress in my devotion and preaching to assist Dandavat Pranam. Guru Maharaj and Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, 362 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East All glories to Srila Prabupada, Premadata Gopinath Das (Diksha) Please accept our humble obeisance. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Would like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Spiritual Birthday.In this opportunity Mukam Karoti Vacalam I would also like to share glorification about your pangum langhayate girim firm faith in following the mission of Srila yat-kripa tam aham vande Prabhupada. shri-gurum dina-taranam In few occasions while in hospital noticed your eagerness in the followingareas: 1. Caring for the devotees: - Trying to have meetings with thedevotees all over the world “I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.” through Skype etc. to find the progress oftheir op- Guru Maharaja, erations and other issues to solve. Moreover you By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and by are preaching inthe hospital itself to the nurses your blessings, had a blissful Purushottam adhika and making them to chant. maas in Kannaiyadesh (Kuwait) with Sampoorna 2. Following Instruction: - You have been a Bhagavatam pravachan seva (Mukam karoti vacha- role model to follow yourguru’s instruction (Sri- lam verse’s real purport, practically experienced la Prabupada) even during your illness. Following during Purushottam Adhika maas in 2015, all 12 upabout the TOVP project, Book distribution etc. cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam pravachan ser- You are always in the moodof following the mis- vice was made possible for continuously 30 days, sion of Srila Prabupada. all happened by your blessings, very grateful to 3. Sadhana: - Even during your illness daily sadhana and otherroutine activities are carried God brother Manibhusan Krishna prabhu & all kannaiya desh devotees). out. During February and March months in 2016, Further we can realize the amount of sacrifice preached for Matriculation and Higher secondary Srila Prabupada would havedone for the sake of & International school children in south India fallen souls like us. Similarly you are also being (TamilNadu). Around 900 students attended in socompassionate by giving us harinama diksa and 3 different schools at different places and happened to be proud beingyour disciple and try- distributed more than 500 Bhagavad Gita As it ing to cultivate having follow your instruction is. Kindly empower us more and more, to do such and support for your mission through our Krishna services and to please you Guru Mahraja, Sri- katha desh Yatra. la Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, We as family would like to humbly seek for your especially to distribute more and more Srila kind blessing on thisoccasion to progress in our Prabhupada’s Transcendental Books in near fu- spiritual life and growth to ensure supportingin ture in schools, Colleges, orphanages & old age your mission as you promised to Srila Prabupada. homes etc. (By your blessings engaged my cousins Kindly engage thisfallen soul also in your service. during Book marathon 2015, they distributed more than 200 Bhagavad-gita as it is in English, Hindi, Your humble Servant Tamil, Telugu, Kannada languages, most of them 363 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh are regularly chanting now and following ekadasi Dear Guru Maharaj, fasting). Srila Prabhupada lives forever with us by his Recently, a picture of your lotus feet has been divine instructions, and the follower lives with kept at Krishna Katha Desh Ritudwip’s Jaganath him.” And Our Beloved Gurudeva, you shown us puri dham. I am not sure how it happened but all how to be fixed in the service of GURU, and live of a sudden I am so attracted to worship your lotus with Gurudev’s Divine Instructions. So please feet. There is so much of sweetness in your lotus bless and empower this insignificant soul to feet. It gives great pleasure to look at your lotus preach, atleast 50 schools/colleges/orphanages feet and to pay obeisances to your lotus feet. & old age homes in this 50th year anniversary of ISKCON to spread the holy name. I still recall the speech by Maha Varaha Prabhu when he called you a true Kshatriya. This Give us the strength to receive humbly your is absolutely a true statement. Despite your severe causeless mercy Gurudev, in order to Spread physical inconveniences, you are still going on Krishna Consciousness in every town and defending the conditioned souls like myself from village as Sri Caitanya MahaPrabhu’s Instruc- the onslaught of maya. tions & Prophecy. Kindly bless us on this most I cannot forget the day, Guru Maharaj came to auspicious day of your 67th vyasa puja on all of my house to give initiation to so many devotees. our God Brothers and God Sisters to perform Your mercy is beyond our comprehension. devotional service with comprehensive coopera- Despite Guru Maharaj’s physical inconveniences, tion to please you GuruDev and His Divine Grace extremely tight flight schedule and so many devo- “Srila Prabhupada” and the most munificent in- tees hovering around you, you were still very con- carnation Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. cerned about Suraksha and immediately stopped Kindly dispel my ignorance to protect the Bhak- the persons who were recording the video. Guru ti Plant in my heart. Seeking your divine blessings Maharaj also told the devotee to delete the video. to become very humble, Please exculpate this conditioned soul’s mistakes, offenses which happened Your servant,, Radhapati Krishna Das (Diksha) by the ignorance. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Gurudev, amara bharasa tumi tomara carane, loinu sarana, tomara kinkora ami Guru Maharaj, my spiritual father, Guru Maharaja, On this most auspicious occa- Please accept my most humble obeisance to the sion of your 67th Vyaysa Pooja celebration, Kindly dust of your lotus feet. In the year 2015, me and continue to shower your causeless mercy, always my family were so fortunate to have your darshan keep us at your lotus feet, Seeking your guidance, on two occasions. Once in July, 2015 at Delhi and blessings and causeless mercy. another in November, 2015 at Damodardesh. Guru Maharaj, in July, 2015, you personally Your Insignificant Servant enquired about the usage of JPS app. in the yatra. Purushottam Prasada Das, (Diksha Disciple), This shows how much you wanted to reach your Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. disciples directly. Even your condition is not sup- 364 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East porting you, you made sure that all the devotees inspiration and a motivation to all in our society. came for darshan are satisfied and gave special Your activities are a real time explanation of Spir- electrifying evening classes all the days. This is an itual master and disciple relations. These are clear example of devotee care and the interest you have examples how a disciple shall give his heart and in upbringing all the fallen souls. Every activity of soul for the pleasure of the spiritual master and yours shows how much you care and strive to give for his mission. Congregation preaching through unlimited Krishna consciousness to the whole Bhakti vriksha program is a serious expression of world. your commitment to your Srila Prabhupada. Also, in November, 2015 during our visit to Damodar desh, you also gave your valuable associ- Guru Maharaj on this special day of yours, I humbly beg you for two benedictions that: ation to each and every one of our yatra members 1) To give strength to combat Maya/allure- and answered all our personal questions. You also ments and to follow your instructions to my heart gave guidance on several personal issues. Your and soul and to help you in Srila Prabhupada mis- special mercy for Krishna katha desh devotees for sion. taking shelter and initiation, is very motivating 2) To fulfill the desire of ISKCON 50th anni- aspect. Also by your mercy, this insignificant soul versary with 50 Bhakti vriksha in Krishna katha got some opportunity for personal seva. Always, desh. I also seek your blessings and empowerment you are eager to shower your mercy to Krishna for the fulfillment of challenge in taking up 16 BV katha desh devotees. groups in our area. säkñäd-dharitvena samasta-çästrair These tasks are only possible by your causeless uktas tathä bhävyata eva sadbhiù mercy. I seek permanent shelter at your lotus feet, kintu prabhor yaù priya eva tasya again and again. Guru Maharaj, you mentioned vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam in Damodar desh yatra, as most of the people in “In the revealed scriptures it is declared that the middle east are in the midst of tensions of the spiritual master should be worshiped like the losing job services due to drop in oil prices, But Supreme Personality of Godhead, and this injunc- your emphatic statement filled everybody with Joy tion is obeyed by pure devotees of the Lord. The and took out of material miseries, “ Krishna is so spiritual master is the most confidential servant merciful, he will never take out the services”. This of the Lord. Thus let us offer our respectful obei- is a great comparison and an eye opener to all of sances unto the lotus feet of our spiritual master.” us. As mentioned above, accomplishment of life Guru Maharaja, My entire family (wife, Ujva- mission will come only who serve and follow the la Kalindi Devi Dasi, your aspirant children, instructions of Guru as his life and soul. You are a Amrutha and Anirudh and my mother Varadha- true example and an epitome of such accomplish- tri Paurnamasi Devi Dasi) joins me on the auspi- ment to its full. You always have the enthusiasm to cious day of your vyasa puja, in praying to Lord- serve your spiritual master despite the challeng- ships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, ing physical condition. This proves that you are Narsimha dev and Panch tatva for your fast and beyond the bodily platform. Guru Maharaj, your complete recovery of your health so that you will commitment to Srila Prabhupada mission is an be in your best of spirits. 365 366 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Prabhupada madeour faith firm on Krishna, The Your insignificant disciple Supereme Personality of God Head. Radhapatishyam Das (Diksha) Gurudev, please excuse all offences we could Krishna katha desh, Middle East. have committed unknowingly,anything that could have cause you trouble. We sincerely wish to see Dandavat Pranam Gurudev, you healthy so that you can travel all around I didnot see you straigt but the sevices you are world and deliver many soulsfrom the ocean of doing have no comparison.You proved to the dev- repeated birth and death and fulfil the mission of otees that You are not body. Srila Prabhupada. Jai Gurudev, Jai Srila Prabhupada, Hare Krishna, Ragesh (Siksha) My dear father, please bestow your mercy upon us so that we could do thedevotional service and stay at the shadow of your divine lotus feet. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Your Humble Servants, Please accept our humble obeisance in the dust Raghurama Laksman Das, (Diksha) Subhagya Citra Devi Dasi, (Diksha) of your lotus feet. Bhakta Rahul and BhaktaRohit All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. All Glories to His Holiness Srila Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj! On this auspicious day of your Vyasa Pooja, we Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja, pray to Lord Narasimhadev,Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Happy Appearance Day, Hare Krishna! and Lord Sri Krishna to improve your health and Rajendran vairavanathan spread Srila Prabhupad’s mission uninterrupted. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Jai Gurudev, it’s been a memorable experience associating in your greatmission. We are grateful to you for your inconceivable mercy. Hare Krishna, We feel so fortunate to have you as our Dear Guru Maharaj, Spiritual father. Your life istotally surrendered to I am P.Rajeswari from Krishna Katha Desh, By our spiritual grand father His Divine Grace Srila your mercy, I am one milestone ahead in Krishna Prabhupada. You are constantly following the consciousness within my capacity. By the memory instructions received from HGSrila Prabhupa- Iwill take your Darshan on the vyasa puja day and da even though your physical body is not at all I pray to Krishna for your good health and wish co-operating. you the happy appearance day to my Guru Maha- We are eternally indebted to you for giving us raja. Guru Maharaj ki Jai!!! the knowledge of KrishnaConsciousness. We feel Rajeswari pappuraj (Aspiring) without you we would have been lost in thedark- Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. est region of material existence forever. Before coming into Krishnaconsciousness we were not at My dear Guru Maharaj all connected to any spirituality but your guidance Please accept my humble obeisance unto your thru books and lectures and instructions of Srila divine lotus feet. who hasopened our eyes and 367 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh given as the spiritual enlightened and the Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj, goldenopportunity to go back to Godhead Please accept my humble obeisances. in this life time. All glories toJagatguru Srila All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada. Dear Guru Maharaja, out of the compassion, O Great soul Nectar of Mercy! you have accepted thisinsignificant soul as your You are the true representative of Lord disciple. I am really wondering what would have- Gouranga. Who has made million of people well been my situation if you have not dragged to take – known about our Greater our Almighty Lord shelter at your lotusfeet. Now I have realised how Gaurangas endlesscompassion. You have showed true is what Lord Krishna has said in BG 2.44 the path of purification give away light of knowl- bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam edge bestowed the love of Gauranga. you are the tayapahrta-cetasam genuine, ingenuousdisciple of Srila Prabhupada vyavasayatmika buddhih that you are maintain his order, rule and regu- samadhau na vidhiyate lation. You have exposed the knowledge of Sri- I was in the same situation of getting attached mad Bhagavat Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam as to sense gratification andonly by your mercy it is to the darkened heart. You have taught how today I have realised importance of spiritual life. we will lead our life with Krishna Consciousness. Itis very amazing to see how seriously you are You obeyed the order of yourspiritual master very taking instructions of SrilaPrabhupada to deliv- cordially be er the fallen souls inspite of your health condi- hindrancein front of you for your respectfulness tions.You are the cause behind deliverance of towards gurudev. You have sacrificed your whole thousands of souls from thismaterial world. Just life for the betterment of us. You are the real by hearing your name, one will be delivered. We father, well-wisher and sympathetic towards us. wantto carry this Victory Flag throughout our You are the owner of suchcapacity that anyone life and spread the KrishnaConsciousness to who is most sinner and offender can be faultless every fallen soul by following your instruc- byjust taking a look at you. tions. Gurudev,we are very actively working on even in illness.Nothing can I am the most ignorant, sinner, corrupted, ill spreading Bhakti Vrksha movement in Krishna affected and ill feelingsoul. I am your downfall Katha desh under your merciful guidance. Only child. I don’t know what is good or bad and what- thing we need is yourcauseless mercy so that should accept or reject. I a have no future and we can be part of your efforts to spread Srila virtue. So I the helplesssoul bow my head in your Prabhupada’s mission. lotus feet and earnestly beg your mercy. Please Your insignificant disciple gurudev help me that I can be your qualified pure Ramananda Kanaidas (Diksha) disciple. So that as adevotee always can be able to Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. keep my mind as gauranga lotus feet. Trying to be your servant, Hare Krishna! Rama Avatar Nitai Das (Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Please accept our Humble obeisances, All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. 368 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Our Humble submission of Vyasa Puja Hom- Dear Guru Maharaj, we have no enough words age to the lotus feet of His Holiness Jayapataka to glorify you & we have no capacity to understand Swami Maharaj. Seeking your Mercy and bless- your deep affection & love towards supreme lord ings to progress and further advance in Krishna & all jivas. But we are very fortunate & our life Consciousness. became blissed because you have given us shelter Your humble servant(s), at your lotus feet. Ramasubramanian Gurusankar, Even in this physical condition you are only Pratheema Sankaragururaman, concerned about other jivas & you are infinitely Abhinav Gurusankar, compassionate. By your personal example you Ankita Harini Gurusankar, are showing the entire world how a bhagavatha Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. preaches and cares. Guru Maharaj, by your mercy & guidance My dear Gurudev, of our shiksha guru’s we have started BV group. Please accept my humble obeisances at your Please empower us to become a small atom in prop- lotus feet. agating your mission, please forgive all offences You are the karuna Sindhu. Always you are at your lotus feet. thinking of Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada and constantly engaged in the service of Lord. We always pray to Lord Narasimadev for your faster recovery. Mercifully you are delivering the fallen souls like With prayers, me. Please bless me Guru Maharaj to do my sad- Your ever humble servants, Ramesvaragiridhari Das, (Diksha) hana properly. ShyamapriyaRadha Devi Dasi,(Diksha) Your insignificant servant, Vishal (Son) Ramesh, (Aspiring), Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaj, Please, accept our humble obeisance’s again & All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Guru Maharaja! again in the dust of your lotus feet! Dear Guru Maharaj, All Glories to Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga! You are the ocean of mercy as described by All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Srila Vishwanatha cakravarthy thakura.Simply The spiritual master is to be honored as much by your presence you purify & empower in- as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most con- numerable jivas “darshane pavitra koro ei tomara fidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowl- guna” by Narottama Das Thakur. But am so un- edged in all revealed scriptures and followed by fortunate that am unable to perceive this truth. all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful Krishna is very merciful, that He gave me a spir- obeisance’s unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual itual master, and you are so magnanimous like master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that you gave me Krishna. Krishna. Your shelter brings all auspiciousness and gives 369 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh transcendental pleasure. Rasananda RamaKrishna Das(Diksha) By your disciples guidance, am trying to Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. preach this Krishna consciousness to the youth in Krishna Katha Desh. I beg your blessings to Dear Guru Maharaja, continue the best for those jivas in future too, Dandavt pranams, so that they all could soon take your shelter and I am so happy that even with this all illness become the soldier in your army. You teach by you are tiredless andworking for the mission of your way of life, how to live in harmony with your gurudev srila prabupada.This gives me alot everyone. of eneregy to follow your words. We are all worrid- Thank you Guru Maharaj for encouraging ed about yourpresent illness.hope by the mercy of me (your daughter) in all ways and engaging me Lord Krishna you will come out of the illness and in Krishna’s service to constantly be in Krishna continue to uplift conditioned souls like me. consciousness, through your disciples. Please bless me tocontinue in your seva as I am All glories to all your disciples (my God brothers & God sisters). not qualified. Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj Hare Krishna!!! Your servant, Your humble disciple Rangini Lakshmi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) Rasa Sagara Rama Das (Diksha) Dear His Holiness Japataka Maharaja, Krishna Katha Desh I am Vaishnavi Gururajarao Kulkarni Study- I am not eligible for this. By your mecry & ing in 6th standard - Aspired Deotees from Krishna blessing’s only will proceed. katha desh. Please accept my humble obeisance’s Krishna Katha desh targeted to proceed 50 in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Bhakti Vriksha in this year mid. I have desire to Prabhupada! start atleast 1 Bhakti-Vriksa. Please bless me Guru Thank you for being so very kind to us this past year. Maharaja. Thank you for guiding us. Last year you have given me a chance to serve Thank you for the service you allow us to do. you with chamara service during Mayapur nama Thank you for enthusing us. hatta conference. Also we are blessed to have your Thank you for your endeavors for Srila Prabhupada darshan even you health is not supporting. This Thank you being so caring to all the devotees. shows your love and blessings for insignificent Thank you for making us laugh. soul. Thank you for your integrity. Please give me intelegence to spread Krishna prema to my family and daughter. Thank you for encouraging us Thank you for being so compassionate. Currently I am in South Indian holy tour. Please bless for darshan. We pray the Lord to give you Good health and fulfill Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Will pray to Krishna for your good health to spread love of Caitanya to every one Maharaja. And Srila Prabhupada Mission... I like this statement “Always Chant and Be Happy” and also my mother always tells me that” Always Remem- Your Humble Servant, 370 ber Krishna and Never Forget Krishna” Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Radha Krshna ki Jai.Guruparampara ki Jai. consciousness. Srila prabhupada and HH JPM ki Jai! Guru Maharaj please bless us so that we can Anantha Koti Vaishnava Vrinda ki Jai! chant our rounds offencelessly and continue to Hari Bol Hari Bol Hari Bol! relish the taste for chanting and help to bring eagerness for chanting. Your Servant, I pray to you for special blessings on our Vaishnavi Gururaj Kulkarni, children to protect them from clutches of maya of Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. this material World. You are and will always remain source of inspi- Please accept our most humble obeisances to ration for us. Your humble servant, Your Divine lotus feet.On your auspicious day of Raslila Radhika Devi Dasi.(Diksha), your appearance. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. We have been facing challenges in our life due to my fathers ill health.We humbly beg for your mercy to render the services Required in a Dear Spiritual Father, Krishna conscious way and also enable us to All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, conduct the Bhakti vriksha, where ever we are. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Please bless us so that We can serve you, and Sri- All Glories to you Divine Grace, la Prabhupada more sincerely, from the bottom of Kindly accept my humble obeisances to the our hearts and help grow ISKCON house in which lotus feet of my Guru Maharaj. the whole world can live. I saw a self realized soul through my Guru Your humble servants, Mahraja without any desire for material bene- Raseswarchitanya Das, (Diksha) fit, immersed in 24 hours bahgavat seva, without Varsana vallibhi Devi Dasi, (Diksha) considering his illness, I bow down to my Guru Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Mahharaj who has dedicated his life at the lotus feet of Radha Madhav and Sri Gaura-Nitai to Hare Krishna!!! Dear Guru Maharaja, spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. Please accept my humble obeisances, Giving meaning to Nagara grama tharine, he All glories to Srila Prabupada, is spreading Krishna consciousness in each and All glories to Guru Maharaja, every nook and corner of the world.My Guru Ma- Happy Krishna concious birthday to you. May haraj has showed me the real meaning of Lawa Lord always bless you with good health so that mathra sadhu sangha,With one glance of his look, many fallen souls like me can get your mercy and he tries to elevate millions of devotees to the lotus come to know about aim of life and achieve real feet of Krishna. happiness. Always keep showering your blesssings on our By his own life, he has taught the utmost secret that we are not this body. family to always remember Krishna and never I offer my millions and millions of pranams to forget Krishna, also we could be able to become the lotus feet of sri hari for the opportunity giv- instrument in helping you to spread Krishna en to me to come across a spiritual master like 371 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh Jayapataka swami and to be born as his child. Please accept my humble obeisances. Fifteen years back, we came to know that you The words of thy holiness love all the living beings equally. During your visit Inspired me to pursue to Krishnakathadesh, we have given a Garland in the path of Krishna consciousness. which there were lots of insects. You literally took The words of thy wisdom all the insects one by one and left it in the table. Filled with determination to fulfill This was a lesson to me that we should love each the mission of Srila Prabhupada and every specious and allare part and parcel of Inspires everyone to surrender the supreme lordEighteen years back, I met with at thy lotus feet. my spiritual Father and I am so thankful that I got Thy holiness’s congregational an opportunity to serve my spiritual father. one developmental ministries senior devotees gave me a clicker to chant. later The bhakti-vrikshas and Namahattas I came to know that it was Guru Maharaj’s clicker. Gave us solace from From that day I started chanting 16 rounds and the pangs of material miseries. inspired us to sing I got all the mercy. I am so blessed to become a disciple of such a the Lord Krishna’s holy names. The bhakti Vriksha programmes merciful spiritual master. I should always remember the sloka yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädo yasyäprasädän na gatiù kuto ‘pi. thy holiness invention Not only gives the participants spiritual edification My spiritual master is the person who taught me how a vaishnava should love the other living But to the whole family where it takes place. We could experience thy beings through his own life examples. Even though he has thousands of disciples, by causeless mercy floods in following the footsteps of his guru srila bhakthi And devotees chant vedanta swami srila praphupad, he travels all over the Holy name with their hearts in. the world to spread the Krishna consciousness. We have not heard anything else from his vani Oh! the Saviour of the fallen soul Bestow thy causeless mercy except spiritual matters. My Guru Maharaj is a person who adopted the great philosophy”Small living and high thinking.” Your humble servant, Ravi Gauranga Das, (Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. on this wretched soul wandered aimlessly swallowed in self-pity. Awaiting for your divine glance. On this occasion of your appearance Crying out relentlessly to get a tinge of bhakti At thy lotus feet. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! All glories to Srila A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada! All glories to H.H.Jayapataka Awaiting for my chance Hoping for thou art to cast thy glance As a clay in the potter’s hand Swami Guru Maharaj! 372 373 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh Mold me the way thy holiness wants. inspired me in some way and you always will. As an offering at thy lotus feet. Every action that you do is to please Krishna and Prabhupad. You could be considered as the We pray to Lord Narashima Dev strongest person, because you are the best preacher and Srila Prabhupada I have ever since. Just by looking at someone you To get well soon to continue can make them gain attraction for the Lord. You to carry out the mission of Srila Prabhupada are always so merciful towards everyone and I ad- And to bless us with thy causeless mercy mire everything that you are doing for Prabhupa- to follow your instruction da and Krishna. To practice Krishna consciousness Last October, I came to Mayapur and we man- with determination. aged to get darshan of you. I have been trying to improve my sadhana, but to do that I need your Your insignificant servant mercy. Please Guru Maharaj, give me some bless- R. Revathi. (Shelter) ings so that I can improve my chanting. Only you Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. can help me progress in my devotional service and help me get closer to Krishna. Dear Guru Maharaja, You have a always showered mercy upon me, Your aspiring servant, who is such a fallen soul, and have guided me with Roshni R Nambiar,(Siksha), your torch of devotional service, which shines like Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. a beacon, to shown me the glimpse of Krishna consciousness. Guru Maharaj, you make everyone of Hare Krishna, your disciples feel special. In September 2015, my Dear our beloved Guru Maharaj, family and I came to Sridham Mayapur. You were Please accept my humble obedience, I am not staying in Lotus building. After taking afternoon qualify so much more glorify about you due to my darshan we would got to the top floor in Lotus less intelligence, Guru Maharaj whenever I am building to get blessings from you. Sri Devi mataji going to India my first plan to meet you in used to tell your amazing pastimes and it was joy- Mayapur and me and my family are so fortunate to ful. meet with you. Then me and my family went with Your aspired disciple, our relative to show you and they also got your Rohit RV Nambiar.(Siksha), Darshan after long waiting while you was Going Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. for Calcutta for treatment in 2014. After darshan they totally change in spiritual and they are call- Dear Guru Maharaja, ing me and asking when we are going again to I offer my obeisances to you and hope that you meet our Maharaj ji. so I feel our Guru Maharaji can grant me mercy so I can reach Krishna. I am is power. currently in Year 10 and I am aspiring to chant When front of Guru Maharaj our tear auto- 16 rounds with full dedication, however to do matically flowing and I can’t control, I am remem- that I need to have your mercy. You have always bering every movement Guru Maharaj. When 374 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East I reading your yatra schedule and daily by daily mercy of yours would make me a great Vaisnava. treatment schedule GBC meeting etc. Which is I am doing my sadhana regularly but at times sending by our Krishna Katha Desh His Grace I am doing it mechanically also I am missing on Sankirtana Anand Gaura Das prabhuji every Aratis most of the times. Due to my ill manage- update by whatsapp, I am so interest to read our ment of time and family concerns especially my Guru Maharaj’s update. child Ruthwik being Hyperactive, I am unable to Guru Maharaj I have so many memories in my justify the services I am accepting. Although my mind and heart and I feel this paper is not enough shiksha gurus are very understanding and always for these to write up massage, my eye is fully tell me to prioritize family over services, it is my tearing and I am now stopping here. greed to cater more time for spiritual activities and Hari Hari Bol at times I neglect my wife and kid...I am becom- Your Servant, ing a bit lazy and kind of losing the enthusiasm Rup Raj Govind Das.(Diksha), in many service activities. Also on top of it the Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. current job situation is also putting me in great distress. I have been thinking of starting some Hare Krishna my dear beloved Guru Maharaj, business as a back up plan and had also promised Please accept my humble obeisances unto your you on the initiation day that I would cater my lotus feet! profits and services, a greater extent to Krishna It is 4 moths already I have been connected to Consciousness activities. our parampara through you because of your cause- My dear Guru Maharaj please bless us so that less mercy. We (Me and my wife) took initiation in we remain at your lotus feet eternally, follow your DamodaraDesh in the month of November. It was instructions and develop your mood and service a very nice experience having come in personal attitude to Guru, Gauranga and the vaishnavas. contact with you. You are truly an emblem of Love I have to cross many mile stones and need and Krishna prema. Never you have considered to overcome hatred, envy, lust, anger, offenses your material body and the pains have obstructed against vaishnavas and all other anarthas and I you to preach and practice Krishna consciousness. am a lowest of your disciples in quality. Please You are poojyaneeya bhakta of a highest degree guide this fallen soul with the torch of knowledge and you put Krishna Consciousness and services and drive me away from ignorance. Please inflict over material miseries and difficulties. Which is Krishna prema and guide me how to develop taste a greatest practical lesson to many who follow of chanting and vaishnava association. devotional path. Gurudev! It is a most fortunate event of coming in Krishna Consciousness and taking initiation from kåpä-bindu diyä, koro’ ei däse, such a hevy Guru like your grace and I desire to tåëäpekhä ati héna serve Lord Gaurangas mission in the bestest way sakala sahane, bala diyä koro’, possible. Although I am not doing any commend- nija-mäne spåhä-héna able services yet, but I have a strong desire to do I beg for your mercy to enrich me with your so..Currently with your mercy and blessings, I am mood, love and the seva bhav even a drop of guiding 6 devotees through Bhakti vruksha system 375 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh and I am happy to share that they have recently votional service many times I falls down due to lack filled the aspiration forms. It is a most cherishing of misunderstandings with devotees and when I movment of my life and I truly wish all of them to approach siksha gurus reveals the subject matter take Krishna Consciousness seriously and surren- of ultimate purpose to achieve highest goal of life der unto your lotus feet and become qualified for servant of servant of RadhaKrishna. On this spe- Diskha... Need your mercy on these souls namely cial day of my divine father appearance day I seek Nagraj pr, Paramesh pr, Shyam Pr, Gopi Krishna your blessings not to fall on the lap of maya, and pr, Suresh pr, Allan pr (Yet to aspire) & Ramam dedicate myself with sincerity towards assigned pr.. service by authorities and in your projects. Guru Maharaj I am always thirsty and hungry to get your darshan and desire to serve you by vapu Yours humble servant, and vani. Please give me the opportunity and I beg Sanjaya Gaura Das (Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. you for the same... Your humble servant life after life! Saci Prana Caitanya Das (Diksha) Dear Guru Maharaja, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Hare Krishna. Crores of prostrations unto your holy feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. Please accept my humble obeisances, You are the cleaner of my heart with your holy All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Guru Maharaja two years passing from day of words. You endeavor very hard to save me from my initiation on 20th May 2014 since that time the cycle of birth and death. You pulled me to- I am happy to receive your schedules like preach- wards you and gave me Harinam although I don’t ing, travelling, health updates through JPS ap- deserve your mercy nor have any interest in chant- plication very much delighted where I can see ing the holy name. But because of the causeless you always. I was thinking insignificantly about mercy you showered and still showering on me, your spiritual energy but slowly relishing your I’m still in the association of pure devotees who nectarine pass times, commitment towards are none other than Your Holiness’ disciples. Your Srila Prabhupada as ideal sanyasi. You are carrying disciples are as munificent as you by accepting me unlimited mercy, love and affection in your heart considering that I’m one of your servants although and distributing people in general. Your always I don’t serve you wholeheartedly nor in full capac- energetic to give association, blessings to disciples ity due to my paltriness. enlighten in the matter of Krishna consciousness. Its greatest opportunity through you we are in You are a living legend, a live example of Mahaprabhu’s instructions. part of TOVP project. I am able to practice Krishna Whatever situation may come, you’re focused consciousness under siksha gurus and trying to in spreading the glories of Holy Name and bring- follow rules and regulation committed to you, ing out the jivatmas from the ocean of material I am very much pleased to conduct bhakti vriksha existence. You are an exemplary inspiration to the where I am learning knowledge, tolerance, kind- whole world in serving Prabhupada. ness, love towards members. While practicing de376 I don’t have any inclination towards serving Krishna Katha Desh Middle East the devotees nor the Holy Name. But as the cat You are giving care to hundreds and thousands his holding the kitten in her mouth wherever she of disciples and devotees around the globe even in goes, you are keeping me in Krishna Conscious- this condition. ness by your compassion towards this fallen soul. Being incapable and ignorant we are totally I just rely on your mercy to be aloof in this dependent on your divine blessings and guidance material world and be in spiritual path. Please to serve you and our predecessor acharyas nicely. Thank you for all the care Gurudev. bless me to serve you by following your instructions, even birth after birth. Your Servants, Your servant, Sankirtan anand gaura Das (Diksha) Sankapani Janardana Dasa (Diksha) Leela kirtaneswari Devi Dasi(Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh Gayatri and Gauri Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Dear Guru Maharaj, Please accept our humble obeisances, Hare Krishna, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, All glories to Dear Guru Maharaj, you Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble Obeisances, On your appearance day we humbly pray to Sri All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Narasimhadev to protect your health and let us All Glories to Srila Guru Maharaj. have your incomparable association for years to We wish you many more happy returns of the come. day and pray to Krishna and Gauranga for your Gurudev your instruction to conduct Bhakti speedy recovery and good health. Dear Guru dev, Vrikshas with 5 or 6 members group in kkd is the thank you very much for your causeless mercy main motivational force now in my life. We have shown upon us and given your lotus shelter and around 44 Bhakti Vrikshas now, and we have fixed guidance of our siksha Gurus on NOV-2015 at a target of 50 BV’s as our humble offerring to you Damodar Desh. and Srila Prabhupada in the 50th anniversary year of ISKCON. By your mercy we would like to serve more and more to movement and Srila Prabhupada. Further ahead we have a plan to achieve at Your Sheltered Souls, least 108 BV groups by the year 2022 as our offer- Saravanan & Gauthami Saravanan ring to you during the TOVP opening. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle Easts. When you last visited us, during discussions at the airport while leaving you were saying 3 to 4 times... take care of the devotees... take care of the Dear Guru Maharaj, devotees.... take care of the devotees... as your in- Hare Krishna, structions have very far reaching consequences... Happy Krishna Conscious appearance day. we are now meditating on how best to fullfil your Thank you for giving me the opportunity to desire, by taking care of devotees emotionally, know about Lord Krishna andto know about that physically and spiritually. I am not the body and I am Soul. 377 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh Please give all the Souls who are stuck in this material world yourblessings and take care of your mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakersand enables the lame to cross mountains. dhyana mulam guru murti health. puja mulam gurur padam Thank you. HareKrishna! Saumika (Shelter) mantra mulam gurur vakyam Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. moksha mulam guru kripa Guru Gita Skanda purana Dialogue between All glories to Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj, shiva and Uma (Shakti). Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj being sick, Translation: The Guru’s form is the best He has given Krishna Consciousnessto many souls. to meditate upon; the Guru’s feetare the best He is really fortunate to get the mercy of Lord for worship; the Guru’s word is the mantra; the Sri Krishna. I came to Mayapur to get aspired, and Guru’s Grace is the rootof liberation by Guru Maharaj’s mercy I have evengot shelter “Dear Guru Maharaja Please accept my hum- recently in Damodardesh. I got shocked when ble obeisance. All glories to SrilaPrabhupada. All I saw him first becausehe was very sick and was glories to you on this auspicious day of your vyasa- able to spread Bhakti. After that I realized tha- puja.” the was really a great soul. I understood that he BG 2.13 doesn’t care for his body.The devotees who get the dehino ‘smin yatha dehe mercy of him are sure to reach the Godhead. For- kaumaram yauvanam jara fulfilling his Guru’s desire he is building a temple tatha dehantara-praptir in Mayapur even inthis situation of his body and dhiras tatra na muhyati thus he is satisfying Krishna. May his mercyreach all the souls. Jai Srila Guru Maharaja ki jai! As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youthto old age, the Your humble servant, soul similarly passes into another body at death. G, Selvamani (Aspiring) A soberperson is not bewildered by such a change. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Dear Guru Maharaj after came under your Krishna katha desh shelter and with devotees om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya association I realized srila Prabhupada’s each caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah. word in BG 2.13 slogaand with your yasya prasädäd I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my I understood that I am also can get bhagavat- spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of prasäda. Really Guru Maharaj in my journey knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisance’s unto I completely missed what to learn and what to him. practice in my boyhood to youth but yasyä mukam karoti vachalam prasädän na gatiù kuto ‘pi but withyour grace pangum langhayate girim after yat-kripa tam aham vande sprouted from the seed andnow with your sri-gurum dina-taranam reference I am on the track of spiritual initiation my spiritual advancement “I offer my respectful obeisance’s unto my spir- advancement. Guru Maharaj, in your every step itual master, thedeliverer of the fallen souls. His there is a lesson for your disciples and we Krishna 378 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East Katha desh, devotees are so fortunate to pick all devoteecare now I am trying to practice your the lessons and we trying to implement inour life. instruction in devotee care. Guru Maharaja in Krishnakatha desh I was Guru Maharaj my greatest challenge is I am blessed many times to perform room seva for you. unable to balance deity seva in homeand my Guru Maharaj due to that I learned all the live life partner still not convinced in Krishna con- lessons directly from yourguidance and I am try- sciousness. Guru Maharaj Iam having the hope ing to implement in my day to day life. here I am that with your blessing one day her spiritual eye willingto share some events which I lively will open,and at present we both giving good de- captured from your teaching, in 2013 after votional atmosphere to my 11 years olddaughter 8 years KKD devotees blessed to get your darshan and she is also practicing Krishna consciousness at KKD itself,on that day Krishna katha desh and following theregulative principles + chanting management arranged a special villa in desert 6 rounds of mahamantra daily. area to associate all Krishnakathadeshdevotees in single shelter in safe mode and all devotees Guru Maharaj kindly bless me to serve more to your Krishna katha desh yatra. assembled there andprogram time 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm.On that day your reception plan was Thanking with you, Airport toHotel after refreshment then Hotel Shironmani gaura Das (Diksha), to villa. As per strategic plan somedevotees in Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. airport and some in hotel and some in villa and all are waiting foryour arrival to receive blessings Dear Guru Maharaj, from you,on that day unfortunately flightarrived Dandavat pranam. Despite of attending class- 6.30 pm after completion of formalities Guru es regularly, it took time for me tounderstand the Maharaj reached car at 7:00.p.m, Krishna katha importance of a guru. With the help of my BV desh management went to peak of happiness that leader I have nowunderstood and developed a Guru Maharaj lotus feet landedafter 8 in KKD respectful attitude towards guru. I seek your but same management lost the track of prepared blessings to be sincere in following Krishna planning but noneof them opened from the Consciousness.I ask for your mercyand grateful- mouth. ness to give me the strength to follow the regu- Guru Maharaj enquired with mandala Das lative principlesand be disciplined in following what is the plan today? Mandala Das explained the rules set for vaishnavas. Please bless me with all the path then Guru Maharaj raised one the intelligence and capability of learning and question, how many KM fromAirport to hotel and understanding hotel to Villa, Mandala Das explained and Guru Prabhupada and practicing them in my life to gain Maharaj captured that route and its KM then spiritual advancement. the booksprovided by Srila Guru Maharaj asked how many devotees will Aspiring Devotee, bethere in villa? More than 500 devotees includ- Shobana Konar, (Aspiring) ing children’s.Guru Maharajinstructed move Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. the car directly tovilla. From the above activity I observed you are always given priority 1 for Hare Krishna, 379 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh All glories to Srila Prabhupada, you lots of energy and health tofurther spread All glories to Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaj, Krishna Consciousness movement all over the Please accept my humble obeisances unto your Mother Earth. lotus feet. I pray Gopal to continue to bless me with your My Dear beloved Guru Maharaj! Holiness as my Spiritual Masterbirth after births. Because of your causeless mercy I am trying to serve Srila Prabhupada & your mission as Your humble servant much as my capability & knowledge,please bless Shyamilee Prema Devi Dasi(Diksha). me to progress in Krishna consciousness,I beg Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. your lotus feet,give strength to spread Krishna Consciousness more and more, I pray to the Su- Hare Krishna, preme Lord Sri Krishna to give physical strength Dear our beloved Guru Maharaja, to you to enlighten millions of entangled jeevas Please accept my humble obedience, I am not from this clutches of maya and material entangle- qualify to much more glorify about you due to ment,You are my eternal father,You only saved me my less intelligence, Guru Maharaj whenever I from the ocean of miserable world,I pray to Lord am going to India my first plan to meet our Guru Narasimha and Sri Krishna for your good health. Maharaj in Mayapur. Hari Bol! Guru Maharaj you changed my life style and I Your insignificant disciple, Shyamasundara lilaraja Das (Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. am very happy with Krishna Katha Desh devotee just the mercy of Guru Maharaj ji. Hari Hari Bol! Your Servant, Shyamli Shobha devi Dasi (Diksha) My most beloved Guru Maharaj, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. Dear Guru Maharaj, I sincerely trust in Lord Krishna that your Please accept my humble obeisances, Holiness is doing well. All glories to Srila Prabupada, I am always grateful to Gopal for blessing me with you as my Spiritual Master.You have taken me, my mother, sisters and various others associat- All glories to Guru Maharaj, I am indeed very fortunate to hear your glories from my senior god-brothers & god-sisters. ed with me,out of the sinful life, which I used to I pray to the Lotus feet of the Lord to always have before I joined the KrishnaConsciousness keep you active in good health so that you can movement five years back. always preach and spread the glories of the Lord. Thank you my dearest Guru Maharaj for Please bless me to always increase my absorp- everything that you are doing for myself, in tion and the execution in Krishna Conscious particular and the humanities in the world as a activities and share them with others in order whole. to always remember your great personality in my I pray every day to Lord Krishna to give 380 heart. Krishna Katha Desh Thank you so much for making such facilities Middle East Serve Lord Krishna with Love. available. I’m happy to be part of this great family. Your Humble Servant, Your humble servant, Veeragandham, Sita Pisapati (Shelter) Sri Anjali-Wife,(Aspiring), Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Dandavat pranam, My dearest spiritual Father, Please accept my humble obeisences, Dandavat pranam, All glories to to srila prabhupada, Please Accept My Humble Obeisances, All glories to Jayapataka Swami Guru Maharaja. All Glories to you, to Srila Prabhupada and to Dear Guru Maharaja, all our Parampara acharyas Maharaja you have spread Krishna concious- Hare Krishna, ness throughout the world, if you have disease also On the very auspices occasion of your 67th you are preaching till now. You are the messenger Vyasapuja day, my sincere pray to Lord Narasimha of Lord Krishna. You have opened my eyes from dev, Radhamadhav, Panchatattva and Srila Pra- maya’s illusion. bhupada to bestow you with good health and By your mercy, only then I can do pure devotion service to the Lord and released from mate- spirit and fulfil your all desires to fulfil Srila Prabhupad’s vision and instructions. rial worldand get liberation from all kinds of sin I I beg you at your lotus feet, to please use me have done. We need a guru to lead us back to the also an instrument to fulfil your desire giving your Supreme Personality of Godhead. causeless mercy on me and give instructions to I am a fallen soul. Please give me your mercy support you to achieve yours goals, since our goals to do more devotional serviceand accept me as are nothing but your goals and visions. your student. I will chant more rounds for you and Taking shelter at your lotus feet, Your humble servant, will pray to Lord Krishna that you have to get well Srinivasa Gauranga Das, soon. Hare Krishna! Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Smithaa (Aspiring) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Hare Krishna, My Dear Guru Maharaj, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, I Pay my Humble Obesiances unto your Divine All glories to His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Lotus Feet. Today is Vyasapuja your Appearance Day. On Guru Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. this Auspicious Day Please Bless me with Krsna My Dear Beloved Guru Maharaj Dandavat Consciousness. I will be very Thankfull to get the pranams. By your causeless mercy I am trying to Mercy of Yours. I Pray to Lord Krishna that you progress and serve to your mission, I pray to Lord should recover soon.We need Yours Blessings to Sri Krishna to shower mercy upon you to get good Survive in this Material World. Please recover health and save millions of fallen souls from this soon and let me be a Humble Devotee of youand material world,you are my eternal Guru in my all 381 382 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East janmas and in all my coming generations, Once out you. Still, we don’t know how to glorify you, again I pray to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna to haveno quality to glorify you and don’t have any give enough strength and good health to you. emotions. We are like a fools neither has any word Hari Bol! nor possesses any feeling in the heart for what Your Insignificant Diksha Disciple, ever you have been doing for us. We are always Subhanghi Padma Devi Dasi, (Diksha) busy with our own self and don’teven try to realize Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. about what kind of troubles you have been going throughto maintain and protect us. Please accepet my humble obeisances, You are distributing causeless mercy of Lord All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Caitanya tirelessly. You feelso concerned for All glories to your lotous feet. the fallen souls of this material world and using Dear Guru Maharaj, each and every opportunity in your life for the I wish you a very happy Krishna conscious spiritual uplift of fallen soulsirrespective of your appearance day. bodily condition. Your compassionate behaviour Thank you Guru Maharaj for your un- towards all humanity around you and your ever conditional love and causeless mercy, I am praying joyful mood to make people to take up chanting to your lotous feet, all our bhakti vriksha members the Holy name of Krishna even in the midst of will accept your instructions.and follow the path your crucial healthconditions is astonished. It of self realization. is reminds us that you live on beyond thebodily I sincerely praying to Lord Narsimhadev, platform. You are always well wisher to all liv- Panca-tattva and Radha Madhava for your better ing beings. You haveno enemy. You are so much health, so you can deliver more fallen-souls like determined in distributing causeless mercy ofLord me. Gauranga to every one. Insignificant Servant, In Bhagavad Gita 12.13 & 14 Krishna tells that Sucaru Jahnava Devi Dasi, (Diksha), “One who is not envious but is kind friend to all Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. living entities, who doesnot think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in All Glories to Srila Prabupada, both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, All Glories to Srila Gurudev. always satisfied, selfcontrolled, and engaged in Our Dear beloved Guru Maharaj!!! devotional service with determination, his and Please accept our humble obeisances. Today is intelligence fixed on me—such a devotee of Mine the very auspicious day ofyour divine appearance. is very dear to Me” Please accept our humble greetings at your lotusfeet. Your acts and determination to spread Krishna consciousness shows us that you are one You have accepted this most unqualified souls among the rare pure devotees who are very dear as your disciples.We becameeligible to practice to Krishna descended to this material world for Krishna consciousness because of your cause less- the benefit of human kind. We always feel mercy. We know clearly that whatever spiritual encouraged by your mood of spreading Krishna life we have been enjoyinghas no existence with- consciousness. We always feel safe and protected 383 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh I am Sudhan from Krishna Kathadesh. I write in your shelter. Our Dear Guru Maharaj!! Please help us to this homage with love to wish Happy Birthday. take your orders as our life andsubstance. Please I am eagerly waiting for your darshan. But I am help us to serve your instructions whole heartedly worried verymuch you weren’t in good health. withbody, mind, and speech. Please forgive all our But still you travel to places to visiting devotees. offences and continue toshower your mercy upon I am really inspired by your love and your mer- us so that we will not deviate from spiritual path cy for taken careof your devotees. On that viyasa and continue to help you in spreading Krishna puja, I will pray to Krishna to give you good health consciousness. and strength to distribute Krishna consciousness May Lord bless us so that you will be with us to all fallen souls. physically present as manyyears as possible to Guru Maharaja ki Jay, guide us, to protect our future devotional life and P.Sudhan, (Aspiring) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. toprotect future of ISKCON. Your Spiritual Children, Sucaru Madhava Das,(Diksha), Sumati Rukmini Devi Dasi, (Diksha), Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, All glories to Srila Prabhupad, Dandavat Pranams to Divine lotus feet of Guru Maharaj, Dear Guru Maharaja, I am not qualified to glorify you, even though My beloved Spiritual father, you are so mercifull,you given the chance to On the very auspcious occasion of your 67th glorify you. Guru Maharaj in last year homage vyasa-puja, I humbly requestLordships Radha Iasked you that” I want to take initiation. “with in Madhava, Panca-tattva, Nrsimhadev and Tula- one year you fulfilled my words with kripa. Now si Maharani to bestowyou with all health and this is my duty to help you in your mission, I will energy to spread the mission of Caintanya try best of my ability, Guru Maharaj you are so Mahaprabhuthrough merciful than Gauranga, even though I am a most out the world under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada. sinner and ignorant soul, you given me the place Guru Maharaj please bless me so that carrying as your disciple. Dear Guru Maharaj I bow down out your instructions alone shoulde my life and my head at your divine lotus feet, and begging soul.Gurumahraj please make me an instrutment your mercy, Guru Maharaj please helpme that in your hands toassit you in fullfilling Prabhu I can be your qualified disciple, and also help pada’s instructions.Let your lotus feet alone me to take your instructions as my life. Please should be my solace and shelter. help me to serve your instructions whole Always in the service of Guru and Gauranga! heartedly with body, mind, and speech. Guru Sudhamayi Isvari Devi Dasi, (Diksha), Maharaj please forgive me for aparadhas I made Krishnakathadesh, Middle East. up to now, and bless me to serve you, devotees and Lord Sri Krishna. Your Insignificant Initiated Soul, Hare Krishna, 384 Krishna Katha Desh Sukanti Lakshmi Priya Devi Dasi,(Diksha) Middle East glories to His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. I have been always contemplating that, how is that you are able to care foreveryone who comes in All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! contact with you. Your divine grace is concerned All glories to Srila Prabhupada! forevery single devotee around you. May he/she be All glories to Dear Gurudeva! your god brother/sister,disciple or even the new My dear Gurudeva, devotees. I used to wonder how it is possible toex- Please accept my humble obeisances! You are tend oneself so much!!!! I have witnessed this in distributing causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya and our recent visit toDelhi to have your darshan in serving Srila Prabhupada constantly irrespec- July 2015. Even before leaving to thehospital, you tive of your health conditions. You are delivering spent your valuable time with our family and you unlimited fallen souls. You have showed the path were askingthe welfare of each of us including our of purification to achieve Sri Krishna’s mercy. children. Even in the midst of yourhealth crisis I am not qualified to glorify you. Please bless me to everyday evening you were meeting the devotees achieve your mercy. and extending your mercy to all of us. It’s only Your Insignificant Servant, possible because your divine grace isunlimitedly Suvedha Ramesh (Aspiring) merciful and compassionate. It is natural for you Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. to be soloving and caring and it is natural for us to get attracted to that magnet.This year we were Hare Krishna, so fortunate to have your darshan again in Da- Please accept my humble obeisances, modardesh.Every time I met your divine grace my All Glories to Sri guru and gauranga, feeling became stronger that you are always there All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, for me, loving and caring. To spread the mission of Srila Prabhupada, My Dear Spiritual Father, Please accept my most respectful obeisances at we not only have to preach butalso develop the your divine lotus feet onthis special and remark- qualities to represent Srila Prabhuapada’s mood able day of your divine appearance, the mostaus- which yourdivine grace has so perfectly imbibe picious day of your vyasa puja. I am so unqualified and shown by your own example for usto follow. and my words are solimited that I really do not Your divine grace is completely for Srila Prabhupa- know how to glorify your divine grace and your- da ’s service.Every limb, word, mind, feelings and glorious services. qualities are for the service of Srila Prabhupada. You are the most confidential servitor of the As your divine grace truly wrote in one of the Lord. The purpose behind yourappearance is to Vyasa spread Krishna Consciousness and awake the fall- “JAYAPATAKA’S LIFE IS NOT HIS OWN. en soulsfrom the lap of maya and ultimately take IT’SSRILA PRABHUPADA TO DO WITH AS everyone back home back toGodhead. Because of HIS OWN”. to Srila Prabhupada, It taught me how a disciple shouldalways strive your causeless mercy, thousands and thousands of fallensouls are relishing the nectar of Krishna pujaofferings to be better to serve one’s spiritual master. Although we have no qualification by your prema. All Glories to your divine grace, and All 385 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh causeless mercy we are trying tobecome instru- ent offices and Centres to see whether things are ments in conducting Bhakti Vrikshas, Children going on as per Srila Prabhupada’s desires & classes to thebest of our minute ability. Please em- standards. Guru Maharaj, You are proving to power us to understand your mood andto get the everyone that irrespective of the physical condi- strong determination to serve you. tion one can fulfil the purpose of life. You are a My daughter Amrutha & son Anirudh joins great source of inspiration and energy for all. me in paying their humble obeisanceunto you. Your determination to spread Krishna Con- Please bless them so that they be in the path of sciousness all over the world and dedication to KrishnaConsciousness all through their lives. fulfil the orders of Your Spiritual Master are par excellent and beyond description. On this auspicious day, I am also begging you ust like Rupa Goswami understood the de- to forgive my many offenceswhich I have commit- sire of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu & worked on it ted unto you, and to please bless me so that I can- similarly You understood the desire of Srila Pra- wholeheartedly realize and accept my fallen con- bhupada and working so hard to make the whole dition and change myself tobecome the perfect world Krishna Conscious. instrument in your hands. We are so fortunate to be Your disciples but On this auspicious occasion of your appear- unfortunately we are not able to live upto Your ance, we pray to Lordships togive you the strength expectations. Although the desire is there to serve and energy to carry on with your mission of Your mission the required determination is not spreadingKrishna consciousness ‘unlimitedly” as there. Sometimes, we get the feeling that we are srila Prabhupada wanted you, foryears and years so useless and a waste, not deserving to be called to come. Your disciples. We are too weak to resist the onslaught of Maya. Your Insignificant Daughter, Guru Maharaj, we really fall at Your feet to beg Ujjvala kalindi Devi Dasi (Diksha) forgiveness for all our past sins, crimes, blunders, Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Offences, misdeeds etc. Please show some mercy on us Guru Maharaj, so that we improve our de- Dear Guru Maharaja, votional service and make You feel proud to call Please accept our humble obeisance. All glo- us Your Disciples. Please bless us to always remain ries to Srila Prabhupada and to Your lotus Feet. servants at Your lotus feet. Once you commented - ‘If I live I must preach, If I can’t preach then there is no purpose of my Your Eternal humble Servants, Vaikunthapati Das, (Diksha), Living.’’ True to this statement whenever You could Lokamata Lakshmi Devi Dasi,(Diksha), talk a little bit in the hospital You were preaching Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. to Doctors, Nurses, Ward boys etc. Once out of hospital, You are eager to visit different yatras Hare Krishna! Guru Maharaj! so that You can give devotees the message of Sri Dear Gurudev, I am not at all eligible to glori- Gauranga. In Mayapur You want to visit differ- fy you, this is only duetocauseless mercy of you & 386 Krishna Katha Desh Middle East devotees, I am expressing my bhava. Please accept my humble prayer to you. My Dear Guru Maharaj, Many manythanks to you & your disciplesfor I pay my Humble Obeisances unto your Divine association and service towards on theway to LotusFeet.Today is the appearance day of yours Krishna loka. I am coming foryour darshan so which we celebrate Vyasapuja, Iamyour devotee. please blessed me and giveme the ashraya at your Please Bless me in Krishna Consciousness. I am lotus feet. Gurudev Maharaj Ki Jai! Prayingto LordSri Krishna so that you could recov- Your humble servant, er soon Guru Maharaj. Please recoversoon. Iam Vaishali Parate Lord Krishnas and your Humble servant. Please Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Bless me with fullKnowledgeand to study well. Your Humble Servant, Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja. Veeragandham Durga, (Aspiring) Happy Appearance day Guru Maharaj! Because of you we can go to Krishna Class. Sai Srinivas, Studying in 3rd Standard. Guru Maharaj, You are my best friend in the whole Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. world.Wish you a happy birthday Guru Maharaj. Dear Gurudev, Thank you. Please accept my most humble obeisance’s at Vamsheedharan.(Aspiring) Class II C-DPSMIS your divine lotus feet, All glories to your dear gurudev His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. All glories to your heart and soul Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, I now realizer that my spiritual journey has al- My Dear Beloved Spiritual Father, Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of YourLotus Feet! All glories to our Dear Srila Prabhupada and our Dear Lord Gauranga! My Dear Guru Mahara- ways been full of your grace in the form of your disciples. Dear Guru Maharaj your constant emphasis on humility, tolerance and sincere service inspires me the most. My connection on with you is strongest through ja, Happy Gaura Purnima! I wish you all the best in continuing to spread Lord Gauranga’s mission inthis age of Kali! Dear Guru Maharaja, thank you so much for doing this, and also forcontinuing to show all the whatever little service I do to your disciples and other devotees. Let me realize your transcendental position. I pray for your recovery and want you to get better health. world, what kind of attitude all souls in humanYour Servant, form must have, towards one another and towards Venkatesan (Aspiring) souls in all other lowerforms of life. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Thank You! With all my love, Your servant & spiritual daughter, Varshana Lilavati Devi Dasi (Diksha) Hare Krishna. Jai Sriram! Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Most respectful Guru Maharaj, 387 Middle East Krishna Katha Desh You made many sacrifices to lead ISKCON and made many people to comeunder Krishna legs & most sinful animal like me into devotee of Lord Krishna. conciousness.You, the disciple of Srila Praphupa- Please excuse me of the many offences that da, strictly maintain his order, ruleand regulations I have always committed and thank youfor always and spread Krishna conciousness throughout the correcting me via your intimate disciples. world. You have given most importance to the devotees from gulf region andgiven big support to achieve more in Krishna conciousness. With Tri-dandi Bhikshu Srila Jaypataka Swami Guru Maharaj Ki Jai! Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai! your greatsupport and blessings,Krishna con- Yours, ciousness increased all over the world.Start from Vijay Paratedoha beginning of your spiritual life in ISKCON, You Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. have played a major role in the printing and spreading the knowledge of Bagavat Gita andSri- Dear Guru Maharaj, mad Bhagavatham.Because of you and by seeing Please Accept My Humble Obeisances, your spritual life, many western country people Guru Maharaj, I have so many things to say join ISKCON and enjoying their spiritual life. but its all so difficult to describe. You are the You obeyed the order of Your Spiritual Master inspiration in my life. I feel that you are very cordially even inillness.Nothing can be a always there for me for all situation.As I always hindrance in front of you for your respectfulness mentioned previously, that your compassion towards Gurudev. towards the fallen soul is immeasurable. My life is You have sacrificed your whole life for the betterment of us, your poordisciple and think about us. With the blessings of Krishna. secured always with your mercy. You are always guiding me in every bit of my life, Thank you so much Guru Maharaj. M.S. Venkatramani,(Aspiring), Your insignificant disciple V. Jeyalakshmi.,(Aspiring), Vrndavana Sundari Devi Dasi (Diksha) Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. I will leave it up to everyone else to glori- Hare Krishna, fy your miraculous spiritualattributes. You have Srila Prabhupada vijaya dwaja pada kamalam already far surpassed anyhealthy preacher, even Gurudev!!!! your bodyimpedes you and you keep on going, Akinchanoham Das Dasoham surely bythe mercy of Krishna and Srila Prabhu- madhavasya dhanyoham pada. I would, however, take advantage of glori- Srila Prabhupada vijayadwaja fying perhaps your mostwonderful achievement pada kamala dhoolyath and that is the quality ofservice rendered by Sadha saranagathoham smarami your intimate crew of servers. Because of you, nityam acharyapaada padakamalam. I am testing themellows of Bhakti. Ithink that My dear Gurudev, I am a poor servant of this is your greatest achievement to convert a two servant of Lord Madhava.I am blessed by the 388 Mathuradesh Middle East association of the dust; from the lotus feet of Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. Srila Prabhupada’s victory flag. I am always a beggar at the lotus feet of your holiness. And I Hare Krishna. am always trying to remember the lotus feet of All glories to Srila Prabhupad!! Acharyapada. All glories to Guru and Gauranga!! Gurudev!!!! Oh Dear Gurudev! Kindly accept my hum- Sadha Srila Prabhupada charana ble obeisances to your to lotus feet. On this 67th sevaya niratham divine appearance day of yours, I whole heartedly Bhakti vrksha paripalana niratham; pray to lord jagannath, baladev and subhadra to vande sadha shower endless and magical mercy upon you. I am Gaura kathaa gaana niratat desa a school student studying in 11th std who is thirsty videsa tharinam for the mercy of my gurudev to keep me on track. Trnavatyapi thava deha vyadhim anisam. My dear Gurudev; you are constantly engaged in the service of Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet. You Please bless me, my parents and my brother and all maturadesh devotees so that we get a very valuable opputunity to meet to very soon. are very expert in establish and maintaining the “BHAKTI VRKSHA”.And you are always travel- With loves and regards, ling inside and outside of India for preaching the Indulekha and hari (Aspiring) glories of the Lord Gaurasundara.;by neglecting Krishna Katha Desh, Middle East. your bodily difficulties. Gurudev!!!! Hare Krishna, Thava ahaituka karunaya All glories to Srila Prabhupada, santharayan mama jeevanam All glories to SriGuru and SriGauranga, Thava krpaa drsti vrshtyath Respected Guru Maharaj, mam hrdaya mala nasanam Please accept my humble obeisance to the dust Thava pada pankaja of your lotus feet. I am veryfortunate to have you anujnyaath vaanjithoham anisam as my spiritual master. I and My husband areet- Pankaja nabha paricharaka ernally indebted to you for accepting us as your Das Dasya sevah. disciples on 31st January 2014 in Mathuradesh. My dear Gurudev, I am passing each and ev- Though we are not qualified to be your disciples, ery moment of my life; simply because of your you have showered your causeless mercy on us and causeless mercy.And the dirt of my heart is being adopted us asyour children. cleaned by the shower of your merciful glance. Guru Maharaj, its only you and you alone I always wish to serve the servant of the servant who is giving us the opportunityto get out of this of the servant of Lord sree Padmanabha swami, material conditional life and you have brought us under the order of your lotus feet. intothe service of sri Chaitanya mahaprabhu and supreme lord Sri Krishna. Your most fallen servant Guru Maharaj, ever since I came to know Akinchana Madhava Das (Diksha) you, I always wondered how you aredoing selfless 389 390 Mathuradesh Middle East service and showering your causeless mercy to your lotus feet for ever &fulfil my initiation vows all the fallensouls like us. You do not care for with sincerity and dignity. your bodily comfort and have taken Srila Your insignificant disciple Prabhupada mission of preaching as your life Kamalangi Chitra Devi Dasi (Diksha) and soul. You have somuch unending un Mathuradesh (Muscat),Middle East. conditional love to bring all the fallen souls like us tothe shelter of Lord Krishna. Respected Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj, You are so merciful to all the conditioned souls irrespectiveof which ever place Please accept my humble obeisance to the dust of your divine lotus feet. you go and whatever health condition you are in, youkeep showering your mercy on everyone. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your holiness. Even if you are in hospital also,you are show- First of allI am not qualified to glorify you. With ering mercy to the nurses and doctors who are all your blessings I will make anattempt to glorify attending you andare preaching there too. you on this auspicious occasion of your vyasa puja. Guru Maharaj, Please keep showering your Being your disciple, your birthday is the most aus- unending causeless mercy on us tobe a part of picious and unforgettableday in my life. Because Srila Prabhupada’s mission of preaching and you had given me second life and showed me the spreading Hare Krishna Movement. We are doing wayto identify the lost relation with Krishna. Bhagavad-gita study classes at our house with lots You are one of the few living saints who have of Ups and downs. Please keep bestowing your attained enlightenment. Youserved your Guru mercy on us to bedetermined to be instrumental Maharaj Srila Prabhupada with utmost dedica- in spreading the preaching mission. tion and selflessness. Guru Maharaj, on this special day of yours, The mission of your life is to guide the spiritu- I pray to you that never for amoment, even in al aspirants on the path ofdevotion and self reali- my dreams, I become ungrateful, unfaithful or zation. You spread the divine message by develop- unforgetfulof your instructions. Please shower ingand encouraging the bakthi vriksha classes all your mercy on us to keep us always serving your over the world. lotus feet. Your presence gives me a different feel. Trans- Guru Maharaj, My entire family (my hus- formation is inevitableafter coming in contact band Karuna Samudra Krishna das and your as- with you. The moments which I spent with you pirant children Ishitha and Ishan) joins me on aremuch more valuable and I always remember the auspicious day of yourvyasa puja, in praying to those moments and get my strengthin devotion- the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri SriGaura al service. Inspite of your current health condi- Nitai, Sri Narsimhadev and Sri Panchatattva for tions still youwant to serve and follow the instruc- your fast andcomplete recovery of your health so tions of your Guru Maharaj. Your austerities are that you will be in your best spirits for many more unmatched. Your love and grace are boundless. years to deliver more fallen conditioned souls all You ask us tochant and take the name of the over the world. Krishna from the heart and assure us that Guru Maharaj please bless me so I could serve nothing else is necessary to achieve our ultimate 391 Middle East Mathuradesh goal. Bhagavathas travelling around the world, only Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to serve you, even in aninsignifi- for the benefit of the suffering mankind, purify that place they vist. -cant way. Please bless me to increase my taste Your enthusiasm, patience and determination for chanting theholy name of lord. Please give enhances your disciples even in the most difficult me the taste for reading & listeningPrabhupada situation. Gurudeva! Other than you, who can books & Lectures. And lastly, please forgive me give soo much care and love to others inspite of for all my offences, committed knowingly or un- your bodily inconvenience? Transcendental qual- knowingly. Hare Krishna. ities embedded in you inspires soo many people including those fortunate doctors who takes cares Respectfully trying to be your humble servant, of your health. Your conviction, faith, dedication Karuna Samudra Krishna Das.(Diksha) to Srila Prabhupad’s words are just incredible. You Mathuradesh, Middle East. are very particular to uphold the instructions of Srila Prabhupad. Srila Prabhupada told to per- All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! form various kinds of devotional services and to All glories to Guru and Gauranga!! expand Krishna consciousness unlimitedly, which My beloved spiritual father! Please accept my can be seen by your actions and achievements. most humble and respectful obeisances unto your Many devotees sincerely take shelter of you to de- divine lotus feet. On this auspicious appearance rive Krishna consciousness from you in the best day of your divine grace, I sincerely pray to lord way due to your radiating compassionate qualities. nrisimhadev to protect you from all obstacles so “One should fearlessly propagate the message that gurudev can spread Krishna consciousness of Lord Chaitanya and reassure that Krishna will for long time and deliver more and more people protect us, he comes as Nrisimhadev and He pro- of this age. Your enthusiasm for preaching and tects His devotees” – Jayapataka swami spreading Krishna consciousness movement of All glories to Srila Gurudev! Srila Prabhupada is exemplary. On this occasion Kindly bless me and my family to eternally keep I remember those reports,during the times you ourselves unto to the dust of your lotus feet. were admitted in the hospitals, which highlighted your intensity to preach each and every soul With love and regards, and bring them in Krishna consciousness with Your most insignificant spiritual daughter, full care and love. You have high intelligence and Malini kanthi Devi Dasi (Diksha) resourceful thinking on how to bring Krishna Mathuradesh, Middle East. consciousness in everybody, wherever they are situated. You uplift each and every soul without Dearest Guru Maharaj, any discrimination. Srimad bhagavtham says, Kindly accept my respectful obeisances at your Bhavad vita bhagavatha lotus feet. I am lose of words to express my grati- Thirtha bhutha swayam vibhoh tude towards you, Guru Maharaja. Thirthi kurvanthi thirthani I do not know what good fortune I have accu- Sandhasthena gatham vrtham mulated to get you, a pure Krishna devotee as my 392 Mathuradesh Middle East eternal spiritual master. na to protect you from so many bodily troubles Guru Maharaja, during my recent Navadvip youare undergoing to serve your Gurudev Srila parikrama, I was very fortunate to get darshan & Prabhupada and also to upliftyour devotees like blessings from you for me & my family’s continu- us. ous spiritual advancement. Me & family’s engage- Gurudev we are so fortunate that we are able ment in Krishna conscious activities is only your to listen to your nectareanlectures on the mobile blessings or else how we fallen souls can face the daily which is helping our devotional service and onslaught of maya? itis encouraging us to preach and serve you in ful- Guru Maharaj, in one of your visit to Mathu- filling Lord Caitanya’s mission. radesh, you have expressed your desire to have Gurudev by your mercy we are conducting two different nationalities in our congregation other programs for children, one forsmaller children than Indians & Bangladeshi. Guru Maharaj, I am and another for budding youth. Also Gurudev trying to get & preach other national, but I am the ladiesoutreach program is going on everyday still unable to get one, I sèek your blessings that where 4 ladies are regularly coming.By your mercy we may fulfill your this desire. we could help one old couple to chant regularly in Guru Maharaj, my Shiksha guru Venugopal prabhu & mataji have entrusted me with the ser- Delhi. Itis so apparent that Gurudev by the Guru’s blessing we can do what once seems impossible. vice of looking after activities of Simantdvip. I Gurudev this year we want to progress more in am devoting my energy for expansion of youth our devotional service.please bless us that we may & children programmes. Apart from that our progress in our services. Please bless ourdaugh- Mathuradesh yatra is also performing well in terms ters Vyjayanthi and Aishwarya and our son Gov- Bhakti Vrksha & other programmes. It’s all your inda. Dear Gurudev wewant to get our daughter mercy. Vyjayanthi married this year, please bless us We, your spiritual children of Mathuradesh, sothat we may find a good devotee for her. are eagerly waiting for your early arrival in Mathuradesh.Kindly keep me & my family glued to your’s Again requesting Lord Narasimha Dev to protect you for ever. & Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet service eternally. Your most humble devotees, Your Servants, Vaikunth Govinda Das, (Diksha), Mitra Govinda Das,(Diksha) Radhaahrini Devi Dasi,(Diksha), Shruti, Shashwat & Jaikishen. Mathuradesh (Muscat),Middle East. Mathuradesh (Muscat),Middle East. Dearest Guru Maharaj, Respected Guru Maharaja Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obei- Please accept my humble obeisances! sances unto your lotus feet! All Glories to Srila All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! Prabhupada! Dear Guru Maharaj, Today is the most auspicious day of your ap- Kindly allow me to write this letter on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day! pearance. We are extremelythankful to Lord Krish- It is like Krishna taking the help of His 393 Middle East Mathuradesh devotees that sometimes your disciples get the Dear Beloved Guru Maharaj, opportunity to pray for you. It is only your mercy All Glories to Srila Prabhupad, to your disciples so that they are engaged in your Please accept my humble obeisances unto you service somehow or the other. A disciple should lotus feet. Guru Maharaja, I am so fortunate to be always ready to serve his Guru in whatever way have you a my beloved Guru Maharaj. Beloware possible. There is nothing greater a favour a hu- the report I would like to offer you. man being can get than someone agreeing to show 1. I am residing in Muthuradesh, Al Khuwair the spiritual path and the path towards liberation Area and conducting Bhakti Vriksha Class every from the birth and death cycle. So, one has to be Thursday evening from 8:00 to 9:45pm. really fortunate to get a bonafide guru and there 2. Slowly slowly this year our bhakti vriskha is no way that the disciple can redeem his debt to member strength reach to 12members. This is all the Guru. When we are asked to pray for you it is because of your kind mercy and continuous guid- actually a favour for us. In addition to our prayers ance by HisHoliness disciples. to you three times a day, we meditate upon you ad- 3. My wife Mital is Sheltered devotee and at- ditionally while praying for you. Although you are tended IDC this year, ready to getyour mercy as physically away, with the help of information tech- 1st initiation. Please bless her. nology we are almost every minute in touch with 4. One of my sister residing in Guelph, Can- you by seeing your videos, hearing your speeches ada and i was trying to give herinform her about and reading your messages from our mobile phone. our regular programs and was trying to get her as- I take this opportunity to once again assure you sociate withany of your Holiness disciples. They of my full commitment to your mission. I am try- were also trying to find our some nearabout Bhak- ing my level best to preach Krishna consciousness, ti Vriksha Program Details since 2-3 years. Final especially by taking advantage of the information they got contactyour Holiness disciple Prema technology. Gaurangi Devidasi (Originally from Mauratius Kindly forgive my offences unto your lotus feet. andsettled in Bramton Canada) and Airand Das. I beg for your blessing to me, my family and the Mataji is initiated by your Holiness and Prabhuji members I am serving for our spiritual advance- is initiated by HH Bhakti Maraga Swami. Guru ment. Our prayers to Lord Krishna and Narsimha Maharaj they arevery very very happy to associ- Dev to give you good health and long life so that ated with ISKCON Bhakta vrinda and regular- you can fully carry out the instructions Srila Pra- lyattending weekly Bhakti Vriskha Program. My bupad had given to you. nephew also attend Children Class.Their names Please bless my daughter and her family so that are Madhvi Raval (Sister), Kapil Thakar(Brother they are also encouraged to serve you and Krishna. in Law), AaravThakar (Nephew). Dear Gurudev We hope to see you personally very soon. please shower your mercy on them. Your Insignificant Disciple, Radha Ranjan Krishna Das (Diksha), 5. Dear Gurudev, please also bless all of our cell member for their spiritual growth. Anandeswari Radha Devi Dasi(Diksha), 6. Dear Gurudev, Please also bless my son Mathuradesh, Middle East. Kandarp Mohan ( Son -4years), Krishna Raval (Daughter 12 years). Please also bless my all the 394 Mathuradesh Middle East sisters familyand my parents. Dear Gurudev, a touchstone is known by its All Glories to Srila Gurudev. wonderful ability to transform iron into gold. Your Humble Servant Similarly a pure devotee is known by his ability to seeking your mercy always. transform the conditioned souls into pure souls. Radheshyam Charan Das (Diksha), You are a touchstone of this Samsara, who has got Mital Raval-Wife these wonderful qualities to transform many con- Krishna Raval-Daughter ditioned souls around the world. Kandarp Mohan-Son Gurudev, you are a great compassionate soul Mathuradesh (Muscat) Middle East. who is a guide, shadow and shelter for all the fallen conditoned souls of this yuga. You are a eye-open- On this auspicious occassion of your Vyasa er to make each fallen soul understand the value Puja, the day of your blessed appearance in this and presiousness of taking this human birth and world, Dear Gurudev please accept my humble thus showing us the path of returning back to our obeissances at your divine lotus feet. eternal home, back to Godhead in this very life All glories to Srila Prabhupada. time. Dear Gurudev, on the special day of your Dear Gurudev, please bless me with a single appearance I pray to Sri RadhaMadhav and Lord drop of mercy, so that I may find a way to please Narasimhadev to bless you with many many more both Guru and Guaranga and thus enter the realm years of transcedental service to their lotus feet were every thing is full of knowledge and bliss, and the mission of Mahaprabhu. where we will meet again in the service to Lord Gurudev, Inspite of your delicate and physical uneasiness, you continue to travel and preach, Krishna.Requesting you always to keep us in the dust of your lotus feet. inspiring thousands of people with the message and past times of Mahaprabhu and Lord Krish- Your insignificant servant, na. You follow this as your prime goal of life Sevya Jhanavi Devi Dasi.(Diksha) taking the instructions of your spiritual master, Mathuradesh, Middle East. Srila Prabhupada. The dicipiles can approach the supreme Lord Hare Krishna only through the bonafide spiritual master and All glories to Srila Prabhupad! All glories to by the mercy of the spiritual master alone, one Srila Gurudev! Please accept my humble obei- receives the benediction of Krishna. The sucess sance unto your lotus feet. On this 67th glorious of one’s spiritual life lies only by serving one’s birthday of your’s, Guru Maharaj, I would like to spiritual master, and by pleasing him. Pleasing pray to Sri Sri Radha Madhav and Lord Nara- the spiritual master, therefore, directly pleases the simhadev to protect you and keep you healthy al- supreme Lord. Dear Gurudev, you have certain- ways. ly taken to heart the words of our paramaguru, Guru Maharaj, the best quality I found in Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Takura, who you is that wherever you go for preaching and to says “Praan Ache Yaar, Se Hetu Prachaar”. take lectures, you make sure that the lectures are “If one has life, that is only meant for preaching. translated to all languages in order to make it con395 Middle East Mathuradesh venient to all those who cannot understand the Srila Prabhupada had told you to make 50,000 language you are explaining in and the lectures disciples, which you are whole-heartedly trying you are taking is conveyed to all irrespective of to perform for his entire satisfaction. Although cast,creed, educated,non-educated. your physically not fit still with your extreme will Even in this health conditions, wherever he power you try to reach every nook and corner went for treatments, he conveyed the message of to spread the divine message of love of godhead Gauranga and make them happy always by giving to each and every conditioned soul by uplifting them Krishna prema and make them chant the them from material platform to spiritual platform. Holy name. Through this we also get inspired to Your preaching activities are unimaginable. Only convey the message of Guru and Gauranga. you can do such wonders. The recent example We seek your blessings to always keep us en- to justify this is, in this year’s mayapur parikra- gaged in devotional service and never deviate our ma, although a week before you were under treat- faith in gurus instructions. ment, you still rushed to mayapur and inspired all the devotees and shared gaura prema by trying to Shesha Narsimha das, (Diksha) reach minimum two groups every day and all dev- Jamuna Jeevani Radha Devi Dasi otees enjoyed your divine association. So on this Swathi auspicious 67th divine appearance day of yours, on Nandakishore behalf of all the Maturadesh devotees, we unitedly Mathuradesh, Middle East. and unanimously pray for your good health,long life,spiritual strength and your non stop marathon Hare Krishna. preaching, also beg lord nrisimhadev to protect All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! you from all sort of obstacles. In the mean time, All glories to Guru and Gauranga!! on this auspicious day, we also seek your blessings/ Please accept my most humble and respectful prayers to preach and support your mission as a obeisances unto your divine lotus feet. It is our great blessing that we got a opportunity to glorify your divine 67th appearance day. Even though we grand success over the globe. Wishing you a very blissful Krishna consciousness appearance day dear Gurudev. Haribol! are unable to glorify your sublime activities. Still, Your Iinsignificant children, as a part of our prime duty and responsibility we Sukirti Krishna Das, (Diksha) Mathuradesh, Middle East. did a small attempt to do the same. Dear Gurudev, the name “Jayapataka” as given by your spiritual master is extremely suitable My Dear Gurudev, Please accept my most for you in all aspects. As whatever activities you humble obeisances unto the dust of your lotus feet. perform all come to your victory flag. Like Srila I Pray at the lotus feet Panca-tattva, Radha Prabhupada once told you “ I am giving you this Madhava AshtaSakhi and Lord Narasimha dev to land of mayapur, you develop it”. Exactly you give you good health and continue their abundant fulfilled his desire by developing this Mayapur blessings on you Dear Gurudev. dham as the greatest world vedic center. This is As you have mentioned one time in your lec- also a landmark in the spiritual history. And also ture that Lord Krishna comes only once in the 396 Shyamadesh Middle East day of Brahma and sometimes Lord Chaitanya Mathuradesh, Middle East. Mahaprabhu comes sometimes after Lord Krishna Gurudeva, Please accept humble obesciences. appear. I was wondering how rare would be Srila Please give us your mercy so much so that the Prabhupada and how rare would be Your Divine oath we have taken during the time of initiation appearance. This gives me a tiny understanding is followed without any deviation and to be a part of the rarest of the rarest of the mercy, which has of your mission to preach Krishna consciousness manifested for our deliverance. This fills my heart to all the fallen souls in the material universe. with the deepest gratitude and strengthen my Please pray for us to Nitai for his blessings hope that inspite of all my short comings, I would so that we are determined follow the path of Sri get a chance to serve you Gurudeva and please Caitanya Mahabhara