Our dearest ever well-wisher, Śrīla Prabhupāda,
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept our humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, the 130th anniversary celebration of your appearance.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we stand before you with no qualification. We have no good qualities, no strength, and no ability to serve you properly. Still, by your causeless mercy, you have given us a place in your mission, and that alone gives us hope.
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.10.18), it is said that the symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities. When we think of this, we can only think of you. You showed these qualities perfectly in your life.
Another verse describes how a tree gives everything to others without expecting anything in return. Even when cut or neglected, it continues to give shade, fruit, and shelter. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are like that tree. You tolerated so many difficulties, traveled across the world at an advanced age, and gave Kṛṣṇa to everyone without discrimination. In fact, you built a house (ISKCON) in which the whole world can live, the true definition of vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam.
From Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 11.59):
anargala prema sabāra, ceṣṭā anargala
prema dite, kṛṣṇa dite dhare mahābala
All these devotees had unlimited strength to deliver unobstructed, unceasing love of Kṛṣṇa. By their own strength they could offer anyone Kṛṣṇa and love of Kṛṣṇa.
Purport: Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has sung, kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāra, tomāra śakati āche. In this song, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes that a pure Vaiṣṇava, as the proprietor of Kṛṣṇa and love of Kṛṣṇa, can deliver both to anyone and everyone he likes. Therefore, to get Kṛṣṇa and love of Kṛṣṇa one must seek the mercy of pure devotees. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura also says, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi: ‘By the mercy of the spiritual master one is blessed by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement.’ By the grace of a Vaiṣṇava or bona fide spiritual master one can get both love of Godhead, and Kṛṣṇa Himself.
It is described that a pure devotee has the power to give Kṛṣṇa and love of Kṛṣṇa to anyone. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you have done exactly that. You have given Kṛṣṇa to the whole world. Because of you, even in a small city like Burlington we are able to chant, hear, and try to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Home away from home – just because of your causeless mercy.
We know that without the mercy of the spiritual master, we cannot get Kṛṣṇa. So today, we simply pray to you: please shower us with your bhakti-śakti (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 7.99). Please give us even a small drop of your faith, your determination, so that we, your followers, are able to preach this message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to everyone.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we also remember how Lord Kṛṣṇa embraced Sudāmā and the leper Vāsudeva with great compassion (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 7.143). In the same way, we pray that you kindly embrace us also at ISKCON Burlington, even though we are unqualified and full of faults.
By your mercy, this past year has been very special for ISKCON Burlington. We started Bhakti Vriksha programs in devotees’ homes, where we gather in a simple and informal way to hear, chant, and associate. These programs have helped us come closer as a community and stay connected in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
With your blessings, we were also able to conduct our fourth Ratha-yātrā at Spencer Smith Park. It is one of the most beautiful places in our city, and many people came, took prasādam, had darshan of Lord Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā, and received Their causeless mercy. We could feel that this is your movement, and you are bringing people to ISKCON step by step.
Our small community has also grown. More devotees are regularly coming, and for the first time at ISKCON Burlington, two devotees have received first initiation. This has given us great hope that many more will come forward in the future to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, whatever little we have been able to do is only by your mercy. We cannot claim anything as our own.
Looking forward, we have one strong desire: to establish a permanent home for your mission here in Burlington. We are searching for a place where devotees can come together regularly, where your books can be distributed, where kirtan can go on, and where new people can be introduced to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Please bless us so that we can collect the required lakṣmī and resources to make this happen for your pleasure, if you so desire.
We also pray that we can continue and expand our temple and Bhakti Vriksha programs and focus more on making devotees and engaging them in your mission. Please give us the intelligence, cooperation, and sincerity to work together and serve you nicely.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you said that your mission is to give Kṛṣṇa to everyone. We are very small and weak, but if you bless us, even we can become instruments in your hands.
So today, on your Vyāsa-pūjā day, this is our simple prayer:
Please engage us in your service.
Please keep us together.
Please keep us under your shelter.
Let us never forget that everything depends on your mercy.
Thank you for giving us Kṛṣṇa. Thank you for giving us your books. Thank you for giving us a place in your movement.
Your insignificant servants of your servants,
ISKCON Burlington, Canada