Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, bestower of jeweled knowledge and causeless mercy,
Today, on this day, the most auspicious day, we reflect on why this is, indeed, the most wondrous day. And we begin the impossible task of trying to explain “auspiciousness,” to try to encapsulate what your presence has meant to all of those mercifully brought into your orbit and influence. A wonder is that, although you are jagat-guru and the three worlds are ringing with your praises, you traveled, at an advanced age and great personal inconvenience, to the most extreme places to save us with the science of devotional service. Us! The wonder and power of true causeless mercy, indeed. And then, wonder of wonders, you, became our stern and loving benefactor, who offers a personal connection to us all.
We each have our own wonders to speak of: your influence and magnanimity ranges from the global to communities to the personal. The miracle for many older followers was that you descended into the desert of our ignorant, dull, suburban lives, humbly opening your arms, speaking of the science of knowing a loving and beautiful God, and then tirelessly committing it all to print for daily reference and posterity. You dispelled our stumbling confusion and softened us with a beautiful mantra that can dance daily on our tongues and cleanse our hearts. You removed the cataracts of materialism from our eyes so we could daily greet the beautiful Deities, both on the altar and in our minds and hearts. We were the recipients of mercy we could not even have envisaged.
And the enduring wonder today is, in all our preaching activities, and indeed in our daily exchanges, we can look to others in every town and village who are distraught and blind, and even to those who are as yet unborn, and open to them all the windows you gave us. And we, who knew the emptiness of a world not yet touched by Your Divine Grace, can follow your example and embrace them and say, “Do not despair! We are blessed by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda with this mahā-mantra balm to revive you.”
We can go out and find them and draw them into the safe spaces of devotion that we are building. Śrīla Prabhupāda, your devotees worked tirelessly over the decades to fulfill your mission, distributing the light of your books in challenging circumstances and emergencies; they continue to do so in book distribution, glorious Deity care, prasādam distribution, farming and cow protection, and by developing preaching facilities – temples and farms, restaurants and rural and city preaching pods.
And a present wonder, growing from your loving example, we are maturing! We are better leaders and community members now; less in the passion required in those urgent times, we are now interacting with greater care. We are working hard to build strong communities in the places we gather to worship; we are endeavoring to develop the Vaiṣṇava qualities, as enunciated in The Nectar of Instruction and exemplified in you, that contribute to deep, appreciative connection. You gave us a perfect behavioral guide of high expectation, compassion, causeless love, and forgiveness. Your devotees are meeting each other with increased compassion and openness, while building and honoring the trust between one another that makes this possible. There is growing respect, cooperation, and reciprocity between areas of service, spiritual guides, ashrams, genders, and ages. And this is further strengthening the foundations you gave us and encouraging the preaching opportunities you wanted for us. Daily appreciation is fueled by exquisite, careful Deity worship and ecstatic kirtan, which is often driven by the enthusiasm of our wonderful youth. Indeed, the wonder is the meticulous attention to their service offered by all your devotees, touched by your example and your grace.
Of course, anything offered springs from our heartfelt gratitude to you and a deep commitment to continue your wonderful mission. That your causeless, loving mercy was bestowed on us is what makes this the most wondrous day. Please bless us to hold on tightly to your gifts and your example.
All glories to you, our wondrous ever well-wishing ISKCON founder-ācārya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda.
Your servants at New Gokula Farm community