Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to you, the
savior of countless conditioned souls across the world. You are the chosen emissary of Lord Śrī
Kṛṣṇa and the most merciful representative of the entire paramparā. By your compassion, millions
who were lost in the darkness of ignorance have now found the light of transcendental knowledge
and the shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
We, the residents of Kashi, the ancient and spiritually significant city of Varanasi, are eternally
indebted to you. Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself once walked these very lanes, it was
through your boundless mercy that we came to know of His divine pastimes, His loving associ-
ates, and the profound glory of gaura-bhakti. Prior to your teachings, we had little understanding
of the supreme gift Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave to the world, kṛṣṇa-prema.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, though our center in Varanasi is small in size, by your causeless mercy it is
vibrant in spirit. The physical facilities may be limited, but our true wealth lies in the association
of devotees and in your transcendental teachings. We have a dedicated congregation of approxi-
mately sixty devotees who are sincerely chanting sixteen rounds daily. The unity and affection
among us resemble that of a loving family.
We are also blessed with an active youth wing, with four gurukula-style youth centers located
just behind IIT-BHU, where about forty or fifty young devotees reside and engage in spiritual
practices. These devotees attend maṅgala-ārati and participate in the full morning program daily.
This is truly your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Gradually, the culture of devotional service is growing. Initially, garlands were not made by
devotees, but now many mātājīs have lovingly taken up this sevā. Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Gopāla and Śrī Śrī
Gaura-Nitāi now receive garlands made exclusively by the hands of devotees.
Our digital sevā team shares the divine darshan of our Lordships with the broader community
through regular postings. Our weekly programs are many, and our forums are expanding. We
have special saṅgas, such as:
• Vidur Saṅga for the elderly
• ISKCON Vaiṣṇavī Saṅga for married ladies
• Swara Brahma for training in Hare Kṛṣṇa kīrtana
• Nritya Vatica for devotional classical dance and music
• Girls’ Voice Center for uplifting young women through Kṛṣṇa consciousness
• Sanskriti classes for children to learn ślokas, drama, painting, and more.
We are also engaged in online preaching and book distribution. Many souls are reading your
books digitally and connecting with the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
A gift shop functions as a base for book distribution, and our festival organization has matured.
Recognizing that festivals are the soul of the temple, we have appointed coordinators, and every
month, despite limited resources, we celebrate at least one grand festival led by a devotee from
the congregation. Our grand festivals include Janmāṣṭamī, Gaura-Pūrṇimā, and most recently, the
Phoolon ki Holi festival, where over two thousand people attended. We showcased a short film on
your glorious life and teachings. Many were deeply touched and expressed a desire to associate
more with the temple.
Kīrtanas in the morning and evening fill the temple atmosphere with transcendental joy. People
from all walks of life come to the temple seeking peace, devotion, and Kṛṣṇa’s presence. We are
in the process of constructing a new temple on this same sacred land. Though the area is small, it
is at a prime location, and a beautiful temple here will allow thousands more to experience Kṛṣṇa
consciousness.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, whatever little we are able to do is only by your blessings. You journeyed
across the ocean at the age of 70 and changed the world. We are young, but cannot match
your dedication and sacrifice. Still, we try, in our limited ways, to serve you and follow your
instructions.
Kindly bless us that we never become complacent, that we rise above laziness and internal
politics, and remain focused on our ultimate goal – to please you. Please bless us that we see the
good in one another and do not fall into the trap of fault-finding or the pursuit of positions. Let
the service itself be our reward, and your satisfaction be our only ambition.
You have brought us to the service of Śrī Gopāla. No matter how big or small our efforts are,
the fact that we are engaged in devotional service is itself the greatest fortune of our lives – and
that is entirely your mercy. Without your coming into our lives, we would have continued wander-
ing in the world of illusion, running after temporary pleasures.
Your life, Śrīla Prabhupāda, is a lighthouse in the darkness of Kali-yuga. You lived in Praya-
graj and surely must have had a spiritual connection with Varanasi too. Now, please bless us that
our external development is matched by internal purification, so that we can truly meet your
expectations.
You didn’t simply desire temples or restaurants – you desired that we become pure devotees
and lovers of Kṛṣṇa. That, we know, is not possible by our own effort, for we do not yet know
Kṛṣṇa. But you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, are Kṛṣṇa’s pure devotee – and only you can bring us closer to
Him.
We humbly pray for the strength to carry on your mission in this holy city of Kashi, to expand
Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and to grow in our own sādhana. Please bless us to be united, sincere, and
enthusiastic in your service.
As Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.17.27) glorifies the position of guru:
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyāsūyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ
One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One
should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all
the demigods.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are our eternal guide, our ever well-wisher, and our dearest master. We do
not know what to ask, but you know what to give. Please continue to guide us, correct us, and
uplift us. Your mission will continue for the next ten thousand years. May we be instruments in
your hands.
Your aspiring servants,
on behalf of the entire congregation of ISKCON Varanasi

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