Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Please accept my humble obeisances at the divine dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga!
I attempted to write a small poem in your glorification on this very happy day on behalf of the devotees at ISKCON Goloka Dhāma. I beg for your kindness to accept my humble service.
The Messenger of Lord Kṛṣṇa
Empowered by your Guru Mahārāja’s grace,
With a mission vast – to uplift the human race,
More than sixty years ago, upon the Jaladūta you came,
A devoted servant of Kṛṣṇa, bearing His holy name.
Across the restless ocean, frail in body yet strong in soul,
With heart attacks and trials that sought to take their toll,
Still you pressed onward with unwavering steadiness,
A beacon of courage, untouched by distress.
Upon that ship, in solitude yet divine company,
You celebrated Janmāṣṭamī in deep spiritual harmony,
And those who sailed with you, though worldly they may be,
Received your mercy, your kindness, your purity.
Arriving in the West, unknown, without support or claim,
Yet carrying within you your guru’s sacred flame,
With fearless determination and a vision crystal clear,
You planted seeds of bhakti that would blossom far and near.
Establishing ISKCON with compassion bold and bright,
You turned the darkest corners toward transcendental light,
To every soul you met, regardless creed or birth,
You gave the greatest treasure ever known upon this earth.
Bearing the sacred service mood of Śrī Rādhā’s grace,
Soft as the dawn of love upon the soul’s embrace,
Illumined by Kṛṣṇa’s wisdom, as sung in Gītā’s song,
A guiding light of truth to which all hearts belong.
Overflowing with prema-bhakti, boundless and free,
As Gaurāṅga danced in divine ecstasy,
You shower compassion upon every living being,
Awakening love through divine seeing.
In humble praise, your glories we proclaim,
Echoing truths the Vedas eternally name,
Your life a bridge from knowledge unto bliss,
A path of devotion no seeker should miss.
O radiant soul, in service pure you stand,
An instrument of grace in the Lord’s own hand,
May we follow the footsteps your deeds have shown,
And awaken that Divine love as our very own.
Wherever your lotus feet so gently did reside,
You left behind a legacy no time can ever divide
Kirtan’s joyful chanting, the holy names’ embrace,
Books that sing eternal truths, revealing Kṛṣṇa’s face.
Lectures filled with wisdom, prasādam rich with grace,
A culture of devotion that time cannot erase,
With patience deep as oceans and compassion ever pure,
You gave a path to Kṛṣṇa, simple, joyful, and sure.
No distraction swayed you, no hardship dimmed your sight,
You saw each soul as precious, meant to walk in dharma’s light,
And vowed that none be lost within illusion’s stormy sea,
But all be brought to Kṛṣṇa, that is your legacy.
O Śrīla Prabhupāda, each year we humbly come,
To offer but a tiny lamp before your radiant sun,
Our words fall short, our praises faint and small,
Before your boundless glories that uplift us all.
Yet still with hearts of gratitude, we stand within your line,
Aspiring to be instruments of your divine design,
Whatever strength we carry, whatever voice we raise,
We offer in your service, in Kṛṣṇa’s loving praise.
So in full daṇḍavats we bow before your feet today,
And earnestly, with folded hands, we pray
Please bless us that in every time and place,
We may remain sheltered in your causeless grace.
And let us serve your mission with steady hearts and true,
With firm resolve and faith in all we say and do,
To carry forth your message, both timeless, pure, and new,
And share Lord Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, as we have learned from you.
All glories to you, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Your insignificant servants at Goloka Dhama
(written by Bhāgavata Dharma Dāsa)