Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace!
You said: “I have built a house in which the whole world can live.” Śrīla Prabhupāda, you have indeed built such a house – a home for the entire world. By your causeless mercy, ISKCON Austin stands as one of those sacred homes, where people from all walks of life can come, find shelter, and connect with Kṛṣṇa.
You once taught that if everyone were pure, there would be no question of preaching. Yet, by your inconceivable compassion, you engage us in your service, giving us the opportunity to purify ourselves and to please Kṛṣṇa by assisting those who come to your house in Austin.
Here at ISKCON Austin, a small leaf on the great tree of Lord Caitanya, we aspire to remain humble instruments in your service. In whatever small way, we seek to assist in the spiritual journeys of all who come so that our efforts may bring you pleasure.
We understand that each person who walks through these doors is special. Every soul who comes to your temple does so for a reason, some out of curiosity, some in distress, some seeking peace, and a rare few in search of the ultimate truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you gave everything for every one of them. Please bless us to receive them as you would want, to care for and guide them on their spiritual path, and to become worthy participants in your divine mission.
By your mercy and under the guidance of your disciple, His Grace Saṅkarṣaṇa dāsa Adhikārī, we feel deeply fortunate to be engaged in your mission and to grow in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness by following your instructions.
As Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhakura prays:
kabe jīve doyā, hoibe udoya,
nija-sukha bhuli’ sudīna-hṛdoya
bhaktivinoda, koriya vinoya,
śrī-ājñā ṭāhala koribe pracāra
When will I feel compassion for all living beings? When will I forget my own happiness in true humility? And when will I, Bhaktivinoda, go from door to door, preaching Your message?
We pray we can imbibe this mood in the service of Your Divine Grace. Please continue to shower your mercy upon us so that we may always remain engaged in serving in this sacred home.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we offer our words, our actions, and our lives at your lotus feet. Śrīla Prabhupāda, your pleasure is our only goal. We humbly beg for your guidance, protection, and shelter so that one day we may truly become instruments in your hands and assist in relieving the suffering in Lord Caitanya’s heart, for where else can we go but to take shelter at your lotus feet?
All glories to Your Divine Grace! All glories to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga!
Your humble and eternal servants,
The devotees at ISKCON Austin