Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Every year on this day it is a time to meditate on the wondrous activities you performed during your life, and at the same time reflect on how we, as a community, serve your movement.
By reading the Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta one can appreciate the extraordinary vision you had in creating an international movement to bring Kṛṣṇa to the whole world. One only gets a glimpse of the sheer weight of difficulties and setbacks you faced, and yet through sheer will, determination, and relentless faith in the instructions of your spiritual master and the will of the Lord, it is astounding to see what you went on to achieve.
Taking a step back, it really does seem quite impossible to imagine a person, at such a late stage in their life, and having never set foot outside of India before, going halfway around the world to find themselves in a strange and alien culture, whilst not even knowing a single person. To do that not for personal gain, but for the spiritual benefit of humankind is very difficult to comprehend. To inspire so many people, who had never even heard of Kṛṣṇa before, to surrender their lives to the service of the Lord is extraordinary and astounding. And yet that is what you did and so much more.
ISKCON South London as a community runs various activities in the local area – full-day weekend programs at the temple, Food for Life for the homeless, Kṛṣṇa clubs for children, saṅkīrtana festivals, harināmas, active participation in the December book marathon, and holding daily satsaṅgas during Kārttika. At the time of writing this offering, the temple kitchens are undergoing renovations to modernize and improve the facilities, and there are also thoughts in the near future to rebuild the hall where our programs are held.
We fervently pray at your lotus feet for a leader who can drive the temple to grow, and that as a community we can serve you to the best of our abilities in a mood of cooperation and gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the considerable sacrifices you have made for us.
Forever your servants,
The devotees at ISKCON South London