Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
We offer our humble obeisances to you, at whose feet all masters sit. All glories to your extraordinary life of pure and unalloyed devotional service to Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa!
On this most auspicious occasion of your appearance in this material world, we take the opportunity to remember you and to meditate deeply on the meaning of Vyāsa-pūjā. In the early days of the Tokyo temple, in 1970, on the occasion of Vyāsa-pūjā, you instructed your disciples about the meaning of the Vyāsa-pūjā day and about serving the spiritual master in separation. You said: “You should always pray that only by the grace of the spiritual master we achieve the grace or mercy of Kṛṣṇa. This is the meaning of Vyāsa-pūjā … remain always faithful to the spiritual master and try to understand Kṛṣṇa.”
Today, we meditate on your instruction and rededicate ourselves to the service of your mission here in Athens, Ohio. We seek your blessings in order that we might carry on with our humble attempts to assist you in your work of bringing light to the people of this modern age of spiritual darkness, Kali-yuga. Your life’s example is our guiding light and our inspiration. Please guide our thoughts, words, and deeds as we continue on. Please give us the strength to take your vision of Kṛṣṇa consciousness forward and share the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā with everyone we meet, just as you did.
Out of profound compassion, on a wonderful day – May 19, 1969 – you addressed the people of Athens, Ohio, at a place called the Appalachian Lighthouse. How appropriate, as you had come to bring illumination to this remote place, located so far from the birthplace of Lord Caitanya.
Your message was simple. You spoke about the importance of chanting and what it can do for the human being: “[W]ith chanting, there is no religious or sectarian movement, only happiness. Happiness is man’s nature. It is one of man’s inherent qualities.” May the people of Athens become happy by being in contact with Kṛṣṇa and by the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa!
It has been our honor to represent you and to share your message of “Chant and be happy!” We pray that our service attempts are pleasing to you and to the entire disciplic succession.
We beg to remain your humble servants,
Ashok Gupta, professor emeritus
Prem Vilas Dāsa
Pranatakaruna Dāsa
Rāsalīlādevī Devī Dāsī (ACBSP)