Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
For the past three years, by your mercy, I have been traveling throughout South America. In this vibrant land, I have found a great treasure: people who are naturally warm, deeply personal, and eager for genuine relationships. Seeing their enthusiasm to practice bhakti has been a great source of inspiration for me.
I am deeply grateful for how you have cleared so many misconceptions about the process of bhakti. In your books, you have so carefully explained sambandha-jñāna, teaching us not only that God exists, but who He is and how we are related to Him. I often remember your encouragement to study the teachings of Queen Kuntī. Through her example, you reveal that our relationship with the Lord is not only one of awe and reverence, but also one of deep personal and intimate devotion.
Recently, I had an encounter in Paraguay with two Christian priests that confirmed the universal relevance of your message. Though they were initially defensive, by your grace, I was able to present the inclusive nature of Vaiṣṇava philosophy. I explained that God is one but has many names – just as the sun is one, regardless of the language used to describe it – and that the ultimate goal of all genuine spiritual paths is the same: to awaken our dormant love for Him.
When I spoke about the personal nature of our relationship with the Divine, drawing from the prayers of Queen Kuntī, their hearts softened. They were surprised by the vast depth, completeness, and clarity of the Vedic understanding. They admitted that they were accustomed to a more rigid approach, and expressed appreciation for the philosophical completeness of your teachings. They left our discussion not as “opponents,” but as thoughtful seekers.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, this experience reaffirmed for me that your books are a powerful resource for addressing both intellectual doubt and the deeper needs of the heart. I am grateful for the guidance you have given, which allows me to connect with others in a spirit of understanding rather than conflict.
Please bless me that I may continue to realize and share your message with sincerity, compassion, and clarity.
Your grateful servant,
Bhakti Ārjava Prīti Vardhana Swami