Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to you on this divine day of your appearance.
A criticism that comes up again and again in different generations of Lord Caitanya’s move-
ment is that the devotees seem sentimental, not thoughtful or reflective. Here in Trinidad and
Tobago, for many years the devotees would be invited to functions to chant and lead the attend-
ees in kīrtana. One year we were asked to put together a group of devotees to have kīrtana with
one organization; however, we thought we have much more to offer than ecstatic kīrtana – we
also have a deep philosophy that is practically unmatched. We therefore asked the organizer for a
few minutes to make a presentation at their program. They reluctantly agreed, but at the end they
remarked that for so many years they had known the Hare Kṛṣṇas to be just a group of persons
who chanted and danced in the streets and had had no idea that we had any philosophy. They
subsequently invited us to do a full presentation with them, and this relationship still exists today.
In reflecting on you and your contribution to the world, we thought of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī and
his contributions, and how you are his modern-day representative.
Literary contribution: It is estimated that Jīva Gosvāmī wrote and compiled at least 400,000
verses in his own works. He was even instrumental in getting paper for the books to be printed
on. Not only did he produce the books of the Gosvāmīs along with his own books, he arranged
for them to be distributed.
You received the instruction from your own spiritual master to publish books. Armed with the
First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, you came to the West in 1965 and, until your departure in 1977,
you contributed at least sixty volumes, with original artwork – books that would be given high
praise by scholars around the world.
Leadership: Jīva Gosvāmī lived at an important turning point in the history of our sampradāya,
just after the departure of Lord Caitanya. He served to consolidate the movement after Lord
Caitanya’s departure and establish a foundation upon which it would spread.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you also established a foundation upon which the movement would spread
by building on the work that was begun by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and then furthered by
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
Establishment of a legal framework: Jīva Gosvāmī was able to navigate the political climate of the
Mughal rule in India. He received legal guarantees from that government through his alliances
with the Rajput kings that the property of the Gosvāmīs would always remain in the hands of the
Gosvāmīs and their descendants.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you saw that the first step in establishing a worldwide preaching movement
was to establish it legally. This day is marked on our calendar as the “Incorporation of ISKCON.”
You also did not waver in your determination when devotees were taken to court to defend the
authenticity of ISKCON, or when unscrupulous persons tried to cheat you out of land, such as in
Bombay.
Teaching: Jīva Gosvāmī was instrumental in teaching the next generation of devotees, who
would go on to establish Lord Caitanya’s movement in Bengal, Purī, and other parts of India.
Similarly, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you taught your disciples by your example and instruction how to
continue the mission both in your presence and after your departure.
It is easy to find a person who excels in one or even two of these areas, but it is rare to find a
person who is superlative in a multitude of them. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are indeed a person who
deserves the title ācārya. You demonstrated thoughtfulness, tenacity, and excellence in so many
significant areas that it set a solid foundation for us to carry your mission forward.
We pray to you on this occasion of your appearance that we may at least develop competence
in one area of need to continue to spread and consolidate your mission.
Your servants at Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Gopīnātha Mandir in Longdonville
(written by Jaya Lalitā Devī Dāsī and Śānta Vigraha Dāsa)

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