Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
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 my daṇḍavats again and again at the dust of your lotus feet.
As I write my first offering to you as a newly appointed member of the GBC, it feels surreal. When you were physically present, you gave me your personal association and blessings, but I was only a child and could not understand their full value at the time.
I remember how you kindly accepted my piggy bank as an offering, after previously instructing me to fill it and bring it back to you. I remember falling asleep on your lap in Vrindavan while my parents were taking your darshan, and when they came to take me, you told them to let me rest, saying that I was your grandson. Later, you personally held my hand and brought me back to their room. I also remember your walks, your darshan of the Deities, and even the letter you wrote to my sister and me.
When I reflect on this, it is difficult to understand how you gave such personal attention and affection while at the same time managed so many temples, disciples, books, letters, and challenges. Yet you still made time to extend your mercy in such a personal way.
That mercy has sustained me for over five decades. When your senior disciples asked me to accept the service of GBC, I was hesitant. However, I have accepted it with the hope that, in some small way, I may express my gratitude by serving your mission in this capacity.
You have already given me far more mercy than I deserve, yet I still find myself asking for more.
Please allow me to serve your instructions and your divine will. Please allow me to serve your disciples and the devotee community. Please allow me to help protect children, Vaiṣṇavīs, and all devotees, so they can experience Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a safe and supportive environment. Please help me improve my sādhana, my study, and my service, and to do so with humility, tolerance, and compassion.
I remain forever grateful for your mercy.
Your insignificant servant,
Indreśa Gaura Dāsa