Most dear, revered 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
Fifty years ago, on Janmāṣṭamī, you formally accepted me as your disciple. I have made many mis-
takes in my life, but taking shelter at your lotus feet was one thing I did right for sure. Everything
else I did before that was all a mistake, one after another. Even after formally coming to your
shelter, I continue to make mistakes, moment after moment, by not fully applying myself to your
instructions.
But you already know of my weaknesses and struggles, and you like to hear good news, so I
hope you will be pleased to know that in the last year I published The Mood and Mission of Śrīla
Prabhupāda, which I hope will be a significant contribution to your mission, now and into the
future. I also partook in the installation of splendorously beautiful Śrī Gaura Rādhā-Vallabha
in your temple in Bhopal, run by my disciples, in a ceremony expertly conducted by members
of the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry. I also completed, in 670 lectures, a series of talks on
Viṣṇu-sahasra-nāma. Even though my recorded lectures are deliberately nonpopulistic and aim to
transparently convey the message you gave “as it is,” they are reaching an ever-increasing audience
of mostly serious listeners.
I can be sure that the farm projects and book distribution I oversee are pleasing to you,
because you repeatedly stressed the importance of these programs.
Construction of a magnificent stone temple in Salem, Tamil Nadu, is nearing completion, and
we envision opening it next year, if Kṛṣṇa permits. Already a community of around one hundred
families live close by.
My disciples are heading three saṅkīrtana padayātrās: in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and a tribal area
of Maharashtra.
I pray these endeavors may bring you some satisfaction.
On behalf of the devotees who are working hard to push these programs, I offer you these
efforts, in a mood of grateful service, as contributions within the worldwide propagation of Kṛṣṇa
consciousness that you inaugurated.
The previous year has seen more ups and downs in my life and in projects I oversee in your ser-
vice; some progress amid inevitable struggles and challenges, all on the background of my peren-
nial anxiety about the ongoing state of your movement.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, in your personal presence, your followers were united and animated by your
prediction that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement would save the world in its darkest hour. The
world has become unimaginably darker since then, but your books, instructions, movement, and
vision can still save it.
In my Vyāsa-pūjā offering to you last year, I quoted:
Book distribution and farms: these are our solid programs. They can change the whole
world. The whole foundation of animal civilization can be destroyed.*
If these farms become successful then the whole world will be enveloped by Kṛṣṇa
consciousness.*
I then stated: “If we, your followers, take these words to heart (guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete
kariyā aikya, āra nā kariha mane āśā), the world will change, people will experience the benefits of
your wisdom, and automatically, rightfully, the whole world will glorify you.”
Your books and instructions are still there, but your movement is not very united, and its
members have largely forgotten your vision for saving the world. Book distribution is going on,
but I am distraught, considering how much more we as a movement could have done had we not
jettisoned your instructions regarding farms and varṇāśrama-dharma. We could have been a major
world force in alternative living, with thousands, if not millions, on your farms. At least we could
have saved so many good souls who came to Kṛṣṇa consciousness but then left or severely slack-
ened their practices because we have no arrangement for them to live a decent family life.
But it can still be done. I am simply praying that The Mood and Mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda can
be instrumental in waking up your followers to the legacy you bequeathed them and their respon-
sibility to fulfill it. That would be the most important service I have offered you so far.
May my words and actions ever be faithful and pleasing to you.
Aspiring to eternally remain,
Your servant,
Bhakti Vikāsa Swami

* TKG’s Diary, August 9, 1977.

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