Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your causeless mercy upon all conditioned souls. You crossed oceans at an advanced age, carrying the pure message of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa without compromise, giving shelter, direction, and hope to innumerable souls lost in material existence.
I feel deeply indebted to you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, because whatever little spiritual life I have is only by your mercy. There is no way I can ever repay what you have given, not only to me, but to my entire family, including my wife and our two daughters, and to so many others whose lives have been transformed through your mission.
Along with my family, I had the good fortune of serving at ISKCON New Orleans for many years, receiving association and guidance from our mentors, many of whom are your senior disciples. By their mercy, we were engaged in devotional service and strengthened in our understanding of your teachings and mission.
Inspired by the instructions of your disciples, including our dīkṣā-guru His Holiness Jayapatāka Swami, in 2018 we felt compelled to begin preaching in Baton Rouge. What began as small weekly gatherings in a rented apartment has gradually grown larger only by your mercy. During the pandemic, the programs continued in our home, sustained simply by faith in your instructions and the strength of congregational service.
By your arrangement, we were able to acquire a space, which we gradually developed into a center for devotional activities. That humble beginning has now grown into a preaching center and temple. We also hold weekly programs at LSU for students, and those who show sincerity are eventually introduced to the temple setting for further nurturing in devotional life. By your mercy, we are also seeing how people come forward in unexpected ways to offer help and support for this mission. We clearly see that none of this is solely our endeavor. It is your desire manifesting through very imperfect instruments like us.
Today, this space has become a shelter for a flourishing community of students, professors, intellectuals and sincere seekers. By your books, instructions, and saṅkīrtana movement, hearts are being softened and lives gradually turning toward Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, I feel completely unqualified and always indebted. No words can express what we have received from you, and no effort of ours can ever repay even a drop of it. Still, we pray only that we may remain constantly engaged in your service without deviation, pride, or forgetfulness.
Please bless us that we may always remain your humble instruments, faithfully carrying forward your mission to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and village, and never forget that the perfection of life is to serve your instructions with sincerity and devotion. Thank you for giving us a life of meaning, a spiritual family, and a path back to Godhead.
Your most insignificant servant,
Sarvatāraka Dāsa
and the devotees of ISKCON Baton Rouge