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 most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, your insignificant servants in Thunder Bay, offer our heartfelt gratitude and prayers. Although we are in a small, remote city in Northwestern Ontario, we feel your presence deeply guiding our lives and our service. Your mercy continues to inspire us at every step.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you crossed the ocean with nothing but firm faith in the holy name and complete dedication to the order of your spiritual master. Because of your sacrifice, the message of Lord Kṛṣṇa has reached even this distant part of Canada. What was once unfamiliar land is now touched by kirtan, prasādam, and your teachings.
By your causeless mercy, we now have a dedicated temple – the Vedic Cultural Center in Thunder Bay – offered in your service. This center stands as the only stand-alone ISKCON/Hindu temple in Northwestern Ontario, serving the community seven days a week. It has become a spiritual home for many – students, families, newcomers, and seekers – who come to experience devotion, peace, and connection with Kṛṣṇa.
Within this sacred space, we are trying to follow your instructions – chanting the holy name, distributing prasādam, studying your books, and serving the community. Under the guidance of our spiritual master, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Mahārāja, we are attempting to carry forward your mission with sincerity and cooperation.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, by your mercy, your mission is steadily growing in Thunder Bay. Through prasādam distribution, the Vedic Cultural Center now serves more than 20,000 meals each year, touching many lives with spiritual nourishment. Book distribution is also progressing steadily – your transcendental literature is reaching many homes through the distribution of small and large books each year.
We are especially encouraged by the next generation. Our children’s classes bring together more than fifty young students each week, where they learn the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā and grow in devotional values. In addition, our bhakti-vṛkṣa programs and online preaching initiatives are supporting youth and young families in developing their Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a practical and sustained way.
By your mercy, we have also seen your movement expand through festivals in this region. What began as small gatherings has grown into large community celebrations. The Festival of India and Festival of Colours in Thunder Bay now attract thousands of participants each year. This expansion is now reaching Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, where many people are experiencing kirtan, prasādam, and devotional culture for the first time.
From very small beginnings – simple gatherings with a few devotees – to serving thousands through festivals and outreach, we clearly see your invisible hand guiding everything.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your instructions continue to guide our service: “If you love me, distribute my books.” Inspired by this instruction, we are trying, in our small way, to distribute your books and connect people to your teachings. We understand that your books are the foundation of your movement and the greatest gift to humanity.
At the same time, we are aware of our many shortcomings. Our minds are often distracted, our service imperfect, and our devotion unsteady. Yet your teachings give us hope and strength. Your books remain our constant shelter, reminding us that even the smallest sincere effort in devotional service is never lost.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please bless us that this temple may always remain a place of pure devotion – a place where your teachings are lived, where the holy name is chanted sincerely, and where everyone who comes feels spiritually uplifted. Please help us serve with humility, unity, and determination.
Kindly empower us to expand your mission in this region – to reach more people, to distribute your books, to offer prasādam, and to build a strong spiritual community centered on Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Please remove our false ego and distractions so that we may become proper instruments in your service.
You have given us everything – philosophy, process, purpose, and a path back home, back to Godhead. Without you, we would remain lost in material life. Because of you, we have hope, direction, and a meaningful life in devotional service.
On this sacred Vyāsa-pūjā day, we offer our lives, our service, and whatever little devotion we have at your lotus feet. Please accept us as your servants, birth after birth.
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for your compassion, your courage, and your boundless mercy.
Your insignificant servants,
The devotees at ISKCON Thunder Bay
(written by Prema-kiśora Dāsa and Sunīti Devī Dāsī)