Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa on this earth, having taken shelter at His
lotus feet.
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvatī
Gosvāmī. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering
the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, even the briefest association with a pure devotee can bring one
to the perfection of human life. You delivered many conditioned souls from illusion, sometimes
just by your merciful glance. For the person receiving your benediction, such moments were expe-
rienced in a very personal, individual way; yet you were able to give your blessings even while
tending to many persons at once.
Through your instructions, books, mission, and through other devotees, you constantly
brought awareness of a disciple’s eternal relationship with guru and Krsna. After your disap-
pearance, your association was obtainable in the same way provided the follower was submissive.
One time, when a devotee asked whether the spiritual master was in the heart of the disciple, you
replied, “Yes, if you let me enter.”
A wonderful sweet exchange, Śrīla Prabhupāda. However, you had many wonderful qualities.
When you planned the layout of the temple room in Māyāpur, you allowed your disciples to also
take part. “Where can we build a vyāsāsana?” one devotee asked. “Should we put it at the other
end of the temple facing the Deities?” But another devotee objected, “Isn’t that too far for you,
Śrīla Prabhupāda? Will you be able to see the Deities from such a distance?”
You replied strongly, “There is no question of separation of distance between me and Kṛṣṇa.”
So, the vyāsāsana was placed at the opposite end from Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava, and you could see
Them very nicely.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, there is one quote that I think is very important for your disciples: “If you
feel at all indebted to me, then you should preach vigorously like me. That is the proper way to
repay me. Of course, no one can repay the debt to the spiritual master, but the spiritual master is
very much pleased by such an attitude by the disciple.”
An example of this style of vigorous preaching was in Hawaii. You were discussing how you
were able to defeat the nondevotees’ arguments. “I know the art, like karate,” you said, “of push-
ing on a person’s weak spot until he dies. I find their weak point and push until they die.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, even with animals you showed your great abilities. One time, when walk-
ing with devotees on a beach in California, a large Doberman pinscher approached, snarling and
baring his teeth. You continued walking peacefully, but a devotee stopped and tensely faced the
dog. This challenge only provoked the dog into more threatening and growling, until the devotee
turned and ran to catch up to you. But as soon as he ran, the Doberman pinscher pursued him,
barking and threatening to attack. Before the dog reached the devotees, however, you suddenly
turned. You crouched with your feet somewhat apart, raised your cane high over your head, and
gave a loud “Hut!” – and made a growling sound at the dog. At this display the dog turned and
retreated quickly back to his home.
Who could do what you did, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Your task achieved; your time well spent
You went forward with full content.
Teaching even though interest was faint
You were empowered, a mighty saint.
At first, you weren’t accepted a holy sire
Resplendent like gold and a burning fire
But then when your noble words began
They thought you must be a sainted man.
Speaking deep from scripture’s page
Such sweet speech from a holy sage
Many assembled and sat right down
Listening to a saint of pure renown.
With humble palms together laid
An eager supplication you made
What type of life and suffering is this
When one can gain knowledge and bliss.
Forsake, forsake your mortal lot
And gain a life that withers not
Receive unending youth and be
Immortal, my dear friends, with me.
A fickle thing is youth’s brief span
And more than all in mortal man
In many ways you worked and strained
But none of these could be sustained.
And now, I think, has come the time
To surrender to Kṛṣṇa in your prime.
Patience is needed and patience is fame
Especially when employed for eternal gain.

Please go forward without any fear
Do something for the soul that is dear
Wonderful indeed, just, true and brave
Take heed of the counsel I gave.
Beloved friends, never forget
Service to Kṛṣṇa, everyone’s debt
All of you go forth the spiritual way
Work to be done and foundations to lay.
Dear Prabhupāda, you earned success
And won high fame which God did bless
And thou hast gained the mead divine
That waits on virtue such as thine.
You rose like the sun’s pure bright ray
Powerful that drives the darkness away
And thou did win a glorious name
Which none, O guru, but thou could claim.
And all the world was glad, whereon
Your glorious feats flowed and shone
For sin and stain were banished thence
By your sweet mercy influence.
Dear master, let my prayer prevail
For I always want to hear your tale
As sun and moon adorn the sky
Your amazing qualities we glorify.

Your fallen servant
Ramai Swami

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