Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Prostrated at your lotus feet, paying my humble obeisances, I have come once again to beg for
the mercy of Your Divine Grace and humbly request that you accept this new attempt to glorify
you. I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt gratitude to you and, for your satisfaction, also to the
disciples who, following your request and with great sacrifice, took Kṛṣṇa consciousness even to
remote corners of the world.
On the occasion of this year’s Vyāsa-pūjā, celebrating your divine appearance in this world –
most appropriately termed “The Most Blessed Event” – and now also “The Most Wonderful Day
of the Year” – I recall the fortuitous way and glorious day you appeared in my life, making me
supremely fortunate.
In so vividly and recurrently relating your first encounter with your own spiritual master, His
Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, you taught us by your own example how
crucial and significant the meeting was, having come to you fortuitously, in its appearance.
It is a long story, how I met him. One of my friends, he dragged me. I was at that time
Nationalist, and manager in a big chemical factory. My age was about twenty-four
years. So one of my friends, he asked me that “There is a nice sādhu, Bhaktisiddhānta
Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. He has come in Calcutta. So let us go and see.” So I was reluctant.
I thought just like so, “There are so many sādhus. So I am not very much …” Because I
had very bad experience; not very good. So I said, “Oh, these kind of sādhus, there are
many.”
… So anyway, it was Kṛṣṇa’s grace. I would not go, but their point of view was that
unless I certified that sādhu, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he’ll not be accepted.
Therefore he dragged me. So I went to see Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura on that
day. On the first meeting, just we offer our obeisances. It is the practice. So immedi-
ately he began his talking that “You are all educated young men. Why don’t you take
up Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s cult and preach all over the English-knowing public?
Why don’t you take up this matter?” So I argued with him in so many … At that time
I was Nationalist. So I told that “Who will accept our message? We are dependent
nation. Nobody will care.” In this way, in my own way, in these younger days … But
we belonged to the Vaiṣṇava family, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Nityānanda, Rādhā-
Govinda. That is our worshipable Deity. So I was very glad that “Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa cult,
Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s … this sādhu is trying to preach. It is very nice.”
So at that time we had some talks, and of course I was defeated by his argument,
my argument. [laughter] And then, when we came out, we were offered prasādam,
very nice treatment, the Gauḍīya Maṭha. And when I came out on the street, this
my friend asked me, “What is your opinion of this sādhu?” Then I said that “Here is
the right person who has taken up Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s message, and now it
will be distributed.” (Lecture, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta disappearance day, Los Angeles,
December 13, 1973)
Śrīla Prabhupada, this recount was made by you at the Los Angeles temple on December 13,
1973. Notably, this was just ten days before I, along with other devotees from the Caracas temple,
had the privilege of meeting you in person for the first time and receiving our first initiation on
December 25. It is a very moving lecture that underscored your emotions when remembering your
Guru Maharaja.
So this is a memorable day. What he desired, I am trying little bit, and you are all
helping me. So I have to thank you more. You are actually representative of my Guru
Mahārāja [starts to cry] … because you are helping me in executing the order of my
Guru Mahārāja. Thank you very much. ( Lecture, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta disappearance
day, Los Angeles, December 13, 1973)
In the latter part of 1971, while studying at the University in Caracas, I found myself at a cross-
roads, questioning the path I was on in life. Like many university students, I began to feel disillu-
sioned with the prospect of my future. Although I was pursuing a degree in chemical engineering
for its potential financial stability, my real interest was philosophy.
Drawn intuitively to Eastern philosophy after reading popular books on the topic, I sought
answers in the university library. It was there that I stumbled upon a vast collection of books by
and about Gandhi, recently donated by the Indian Embassy to commemorate his birthday.
I was instantly fascinated by Gandhi’s philosophy and humble demeanor. His writings fre-
quently referenced the Bhagavad-gītā, but somehow or other, I never got around to reading it; the
title simply registered with me.
On March 5, 1972, while visiting a mutual friend, I met Ilan Chester (who was to become Havi
Dāsa), a musician of my age who was popular among young people. He was there with other
musicians for a musical session. After it concluded, we were introduced. He then asked if I could
give him a ride home. During the ride, Ilan shared his spiritual perspectives with me, as we would
later say in ISKCON, “preaching” to me. Śrīla Prabhupāda, that is the day and the way you
entered my life.
Ilan asked if I spoke English, and when I replied that I did, he invited me to form a group with
some mutual friends to explore a book on Indian philosophy, specifically the Bhagavad-gītā. I was
startled when he mentioned the Gītā, the book Gandhi had cited so often. I readily agreed to his
proposal.
It so happened Ilan had recently returned from Israel, where he had been studying music
at the university. He was staying there with a friend who also spoke Spanish. One day, a young
Argentinean man, briefly passing through from India, was directed to them due to their common
language and asked to stay with them. Ilan, who was very interested in spirituality and philoso-
phy, was very attracted to the talks with him on these topics. In particular, the day before he left
their visitor spoke about bhakti-yoga, which Ilan marked.
Coincidentally, shortly afterward, he stumbled upon a magazine article featuring an interview
with your disciples, where they discussed bhakti-yoga. The disciples were Dinesh Candra Prabhu,
his wife Krishna Devi, and their little daughter Vishnu Arti, who had gone to Israel at your loving
request. You wrote to Krishna Devi:
My Dear Krishna Devi,
So far as opening a center in Israel, I have all approval. So make arrangements with
the government and go there immediately. I have all blessings for this enterprise. Try
and preach Krishna Consciousness in this part of the world. So you go there husband
and wife with child and start a center. If you are successful in your effort, then I may
stay with you a few days there before going to London.
… Your husband’s letter along with yours is very encouraging and I have answered
it separately. I’m so glad to know that both of you are enhancing your Krishna Con-
sciousness by mutual cooperation. May God bless you. You are all helping me by
abiding the orders of my Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Goswami Maharaj and He’ll be pleased upon you who are His grand spiritual children.
So this program to open a branch in Israel has got all my approval. (Letter to Kṛṣṇa
Devī Dāsī, Gorakhpur, February 16, 1971)
Fulfilling your instruction, as other exemplary gṛhastha couples had done before, they had gone
there and opened the center, and were conducting the program as you had indicated Dinesh
Candra Prabhu should do.
My dear Dinesh Chandra,
Please accept my blessings and offer the same to your wife Krishna Devi, daughter
Visnu Arati and Kulasekhara Prabhu. I am in due receipt of your very encouraging
letter dated 30th June, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. Your endeavor is
very much appreciated. Thank you very much. You have my all good wishes. Success
or no success, it doesn’t matter; you have come to Israel with your family and that is
my pleasure. All blessings upon you.
So for the time being, you can stay in your apartment, have discourses and hold
kirtana and whoever voluntarily may join, no one can object. Whoever comes, give
him nice prasadam. For the time being this can be done. There is no need of outside
engagements if they are not possible to get. If you can, that’s all right. But inside
activities should go on. So live peacefully and whatever service you can render is all
right. (Letter to Dinesh Candra Dāsa, Los Angeles, July 13, 1971)
Their address was listed there, and Ilan decided to visit them, attending those programs at their
apartment for some time before returning to Venezuela. Through their association, he became an
avowed devotee of Kṛṣṇa and collected from them all the books and Kṛṣṇa conscious materials
they had available so he could preach in Caracas. After his return, I met him on March 5, 1972, as
previously mentioned. We then formed a group with like-minded friends interested in the Gītā
and Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We regularly gathered for harināma and private Gītā readings in local
parks, universities, and a yoga studio. This continued until December 1972, when ISKCON devo-
tees arrived to establish the country’s first temple.
By January of 1973, Citśukhānanda Prabhu had become the first temple president there, devel-
oping the Hare Kṛṣṇa community very nicely – so much so that soon, there were devotees ready
for initiation. He began arranging for your visit to Caracas at that time.
Tomorrow I am going to Dallas because the weather here in Los Angeles is not good
for my health. It is too cold and cloudy. So I am going to Dallas to get some sunshine.
If the weather there is not suitable, I may come at once to Caracas. However, if the
weather is good in Dallas I shall remain there until May 30 and then to New Vrinda-
ban for the corner stone laying for our first temple there. Then I shall come to Caracas
from Pittsburgh.
Please let me know in Dallas whether or not you can make arrangements for tickets
for four to Caracas. (Letter to Citsukhānanda Dāsa, Los Angeles, May 18, 1973)
During the rest of that year, Your Divine Grace was not able to travel to Caracas, so by December
it was decided that a group of devotees from Caracas would travel to Los Angeles to meet you
and for seven of us to be initiated. Thus you gave us our new names: Viraha Dāsa, Vīrabāhu Dāsa,
Havi Dāsa, Tamoha Dāsa, Pramāṇa Dāsa, Kartā Dāsī, Vara Dāsī. In the short lecture, you told us,
I am not asking individually about the four principles. I suppose you know this. But
just I was explaining sat and asat. These two things are side by side. Just like there is
darkness and there is light, you can see merging in the sunlight. You’ll see, one side
is light, and one side is dark. Similarly, sat and asat, they are existing side by side. If
you don’t remain this side, then you come to this side. So it is my choice. So this Hare
Kṛṣṇa is the bright side, and the other things, material activities and sinful activities –
meat-eating, intoxication, gambling, illicit sex – the dark side. So it is your choice. If
you remain the bright side, then your progress is certain, and if you fall down again on
the dark side, that is your misfortune. You should always remember that. (Initiation
ceremony, Los Angeles, December 25, 1973)
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, on this auspicious day of your divine appearance, I am reminded of your
recollection here in Los Angeles in December of 1968, when you were reminiscing about your own
encounter with your Guru Mahārāja and our encounter with Your Divine Grace:
Fortunately … by Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement, we came in contact. I was born in a different
family; my Guru Mahārāja was born in a different family. Who knew that I will come
to his protection? Who knew that I would come in America? Who knew that you
American boys will come to me? These are all Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement. We cannot under-
stand how things are taking place. (Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta disappearance day lecture,
Los Angeles, December 9, 1968)
By one such arrangement of Kṛṣṇa’s, we have come to you and you have most mercifully accepted
us. Our prayer is that one day we may have the realization in our relationship with you of the fol-
lowing statement we borrow from your Concluding Words to the Caitanya-caritāmṛta:
I think that His Divine Grace Prabhupāda is always seeing my activities and guiding
me within my heart by his words. As it is said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, tene brahma hṛdā
ya ādi-kavaye. Spiritual inspiration comes from within the heart, wherein the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, in His Paramātmā feature, is always sitting with all His devo-
tees and associates.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please keep me always in the shade of your lotus feet. May I always remain
there as one of your innumerable and fortunate servants. Eternally grateful, may I go on inces-
santly chanting your glories in your service, all of which have made me forever fortunate.
Your lowly servant,
Vīrabāhu Dāsa