Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
In the first verse of the ninth chapter of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Lord Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna that He will speak the most confidential knowledge along with realization of it to one who is nonenvious. In your purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you mercifully explained that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not simply theoretical knowledge but knowledge combined with realization.
You not only presented the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but you also gave your own realization, which you received through your pure devotional service and complete surrender to your spiritual master. In this way, you made the highest spiritual truth accessible to all sincere souls.
At the same time, you clearly explained that although this knowledge is open to everyone, only those who are nonenvious of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees can truly understand and realize it. Only such sincere and fortunate souls can receive your mercy and become enlightened in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
We understand this principle through the example of Prahlāda Mahārāja. Although he had every opportunity to enjoy material comfort as the son of the powerful demon-king Hiraṇyakaśipu, Prahlāda did not compromise his devotion. He remained fixed in the instructions of his spiritual master, Nārada Muni, even in the face of severe persecution. Prahlāda Mahārāja did not choose comfort or convenience. He chose sincerity and loyalty to his guru. Because he received knowledge along with realization by the mercy of Nārada Muni, he remained steady in Kṛṣṇa consciousness under all circumstances. Ultimately, the Lord personally appeared to protect him.
In the same way, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you freely distributed Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. You gave both knowledge and realization through your transcendental books, without considering who was qualified and who was not. This is your causeless mercy.
However, we understand that although this gift is available to everyone, only those who are honest, sincere, and free from envy can actually realize and benefit from it. The key is not simply receiving the knowledge, but receiving it with the proper heart.
Your dedication and devotion to your Guru Mahārāja stand unparalleled. Because of your complete surrender, you have been able to present Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a pure and powerful way. Through your books, you gave the whole world a matchless gift. Anyone who sincerely follows your teachings can understand this knowledge, practice devotional service, and achieve perfection.
At ISKCON Sri Rangam and Trichy, we are making a small attempt to serve your mission. We have started the Sri Rangam Institute for Higher Education to systematically teach your transcendental literatures to all. We understand that we can only teach to the extent that we have understood your books. Therefore, we sincerely pray for your mercy so that we may properly represent your teachings and be instruments in your mission.
We are also trying to create facilities for pilgrims who visit this holy place by arranging proper accommodations and prasādam for them. In addition, we are constructing a small temple so that the message of Lord Caitanya may be spread from this sacred land. We fully understand that none of these efforts can be successful without your mercy. Therefore, we, the devotees of ISKCON Sri Rangam and Trichy, humbly pray at your lotus feet to kindly bless us with strength, sincerity, and purity so that we may be able to serve your mission and be of some use in your transcendental movement.
Thank you very much, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for giving us Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for giving us your association through your books, and for giving us the opportunity to serve.
Your insignificant servants,
Nandapūtra Dāsa the devotees of ISKCON Sri Rangam and Trichy