Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, our dearest, ever well-wisher, eternal father, and master,
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 19.151)
We begin with trembling hearts and folded palms, fully aware of our utter unworthiness. We are the lowest of the low – fallen souls in a far-flung corner of the world, and the least deserving recipients of the bhakti-latā-bīja. And yet, by your causeless mercy, that seed appears to be sprouting in this most unlikely of soils. It is only by your boundless compassion that we find ourselves at your lotus feet once again on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance.
Respected Śrīla Prabhupāda, as you mentioned, “A Vaiṣṇava is therefore described as being para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others. As such, a Vaiṣṇava engages in activities for the real welfare of human society.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.21.12, purport)
This year in Brunei, your servants have attempted – however feebly and imperfectly – to embody this instruction. Witnessing the spiritual hunger of Indian and Bangladeshi expatriates in this distant land, and feeling genuine pain at their separation from Kṛṣṇa, your servants have endeavored to bring your books, your kirtan, and your prasādam to their doors.
This year it was heartening to partake in an indoor Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā in the palatial homes of some gracious devotee-friendly families. With great joy and enthusiasm, approximately eighty guests and devotees pulled the ratha, inviting Their Lordships Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā into their hearts. All of this was entirely possible by your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for we have no ability or capability to arrange anything by our own efforts.
By the mercy of Lord Gaurāṅga, we were invited to sing kirtan and perform āratis in the homes of friends on a couple of evenings during the eleven-day Gaṇeśa-caturthī festival. By Your Divine Grace, the guests were absorbed in the kirtan, and many enthusiastically performed the āratis themselves – a quietly transformative moment for souls otherwise unacquainted with Vaiṣṇava devotion.
The auspicious Dāmodara month continues to be the most beloved season for outreach. This year, by your mercy, we were invited to conduct the very first dāmodara-ārati in the homes of several new friends and colleagues. Most movingly, the High Commissioner of India to Brunei himself graced one such program and offered a ghee lamp to Lord Dāmodara. In all, approximately 375 ghee lamps were offered across first-time home visits and regular congregation members’ houses during this sacred month – kindling devotion by your causeless grace.
Govardhana-pūjā remains the most eagerly awaited annual gathering in our home. This year, more than seventy devotees and friends – some with their young children – participated with great enthusiasm. The air was filled with energetic kirtan, and a sumptuous feast of prasādam was lovingly prepared and honored. It is entirely by your mercy that such an event is even possible in the context of this conservative Islamic country.
Festivals such as Narasiṁha-caturdaśī, Janmāṣṭamī, Rādhāṣṭamī, and Gaura-Pūrṇimā were all celebrated behind closed doors by performing abhiṣeka with deep devotion. Most notably, abhiṣeka for Gaura-Pūrṇimā was organized twice to accommodate the schedules of friends and colleagues. All invitees individually participated in the transcendental activity of bathing Gaura-Nitāi Deities with milk, honey, yogurt and other sacred ingredients, and in so doing received the causeless mercy of Their Lordships.
Gītā-jayantī was celebrated in a most memorable way this year, with the translations of all seven hundred verses of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is being read aloud in six different languages by friends, colleagues, and their families. What a sight it was, Śrīla Prabhupāda – your words in six tongues, all glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This was only possible because of the seeds of devotion you planted through your books.
Our weekly Bhagavad-gītā study sessions – the Saturday group and the Tuesday group for expat oil-industry colleagues and their families – had a few unforeseen interruptions this year, but by your mercy, we were able to resume them and continue our study, reflection, and discussion of verses, translations, and the nectarean purports penned by Your Divine Grace. These sessions remain a lifeline of spiritual nourishment for many ultra-neophyte friends who have no other regular access to Vaiṣṇava association.
Our Sunday evening gathering with the Bangladeshi expat community continues to be the spiritual heartbeat of the congregation. Tulasī-ārati, Gaura-ārati and Nṛsiṁha-ārati, followed by soul-stirring kirtan, a reflection on the Bhagavad-gītā, and a shared prasādam meal – this format, so lovingly given by you, continues to attract new members. It warms the heart to see some attendees now turning away from meat-eating, and others eagerly requesting japa beads to begin chanting at home.
On this most auspicious day of your divine appearance, we, the most unworthy and fallen of souls in this tiny corner of the world, bow our heads at your lotus feet in deepest humility. Whatever small service may have been rendered in Brunei is entirely and solely the fruit of your boundless, causeless mercy. We have no qualification whatsoever of our own. It is only the shade of your lotus feet that keeps us from drowning in this ocean of material existence.
We beg, Śrīla Prabhupāda, that you never withdraw your compassionate glance from us. May you kindly overlook our countless offenses and shortcomings. May we always remain, in life and death, the most insignificant dust particles at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to Śrī Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga!
Your insignificant servants of the servants of the servants,
Cakradhārī Kānāi Dāsa and the devotees of the Brunei yātrā