Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe

When Lord Caitanya first met Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, they offered the
Lord the following prayers (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 1.204–206):

We are very depressed at being unfit candidates for Your mercy. Yet since we have
heard of Your transcendental qualities, we are very much attracted to You.
Indeed, we are like a dwarf who wants to capture the moon. Although we are com-
pletely unfit, a desire to receive Your mercy is awakening within our minds.
By serving You constantly, one is freed from all material desires and is completely
pacified. When shall I engage as Your permanent eternal servant and always feel joyful
to have such a fitting master?

At the time, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī were known as Dabira Khāsa and
Sākara Mallika. Lord Caitanya changed their names, and you explain in the purport that this was
their initiation. You write that with the change of name, with initiation, one begins a new life.
Although I am so unqualified and insignificant, you have given this greatest of gifts to me as
well. You have given me a new and wonderful life. You expressed this transformation in your 1936
Vyāsa-pūjā offering to your own spiritual master:

Message of Service
Thou hast brought.
A healthful life
As Caitanya wrought.
Unknown to all
It’s full of brace.
That’s your gift
Your Divine Grace.

By your grace, I wake up and look at the new day before me as a fresh adventure. At the end of
the day, I go to sleep deeply grateful for the opportunities you have given me to serve.
How can I ever repay you? The answer is: “Only by increasing my gratitude every day for the
sublime life you have given me.”

May I always remain in your service,
Badrinarayan Swami

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