My dear eternal spiritual grandfather, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 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
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet on the auspicious occasion of your
Vyāsa-pūjā celebration. Your mercy is like the limitless sky – vast, boundless, and ever-expanding,
encompassing all souls, regardless of their fallenness, within its all-embracing shelter. Just as the
cooling shade of the grand banyan tree provides refuge to the weary traveler, your divine mission
has given shelter to so many souls wandering in the scorching fire of material existence. By your
unrelenting compassion, you carried the transcendental sound of the holy names across oceans,
mountains, cities, and villages. You awakened the dormant love for Kṛṣṇa within millions of
hearts, and the prophecy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu – that His holy name would be chanted in
every town and village – has come to life before our very eyes.
You have given us the greatest gift of this age – harināma-saṅkīrtana. What can we say about
this gift, Śrīla Prabhupāda? The chanting of the holy names is not merely a ritual or a practice;
it is the very essence of our existence, the key to unlocking the doors of the spiritual world.
Through your mercy, the holy name is no longer confined to the sacred halls of the temple but
has now spread to the streets, to the hearts of people everywhere. This is your divine contribution,
and by your causeless grace, we, the fallen souls, have been entrusted with carrying forward this
mission.
You gave us the treasure of harināma-saṅkīrtana, and we are forever indebted to you for it. The
only way we can express our gratitude is by dedicating ourselves entirely to serving you and the
mission you so selflessly established. In every moment, we strive to fulfill your divine instructions,
remembering that every action, every word, and every thought should be directed toward the glo-
rification of Kṛṣṇa and the spreading of His holy names. And we know that this path is only made
possible through your mercy.
As we reflect on your blessings, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are filled with awe at the magnitude of
the mission you set in motion, and we are inspired to serve in whatever small way we can. By your
grace, the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry has completed one year of service as a humble instrument in
your divine plan. Our office, inaugurated on April 9, 2024, has grown into a beacon of devotional
creativity and outreach. It is in this sacred space in Pradhikaran, Nigdi, Pune, that we have been
able to serve the global ISKCON community through various initiatives – producing kīrtana
recordings, designing visually captivating posters, conducting online sessions, and fostering an
environment where devotees can immerse themselves in the mood of pure kīrtana.
The heart of our efforts, Śrīla Prabhupāda, has been our daily online Bhagavad-gītā sessions
titled “Facing Life’s Challenges – The Bhagavad-gītā Way.” These sessions, by your mercy, have
become a source of comfort and guidance for devotees from all walks of life. Countless souls,
searching for answers to their struggles and uncertainties, have found solace in Kṛṣṇa’s divine
words. The teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā have the power to transform lives, and we see this in the
transformation of many devotees who have attended these classes. They find strength, peace, and
clarity in Kṛṣṇa’s instructions, and their lives are slowly but steadily being shaped by the wisdom
you imparted to the world.
By your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, these online Bhagavad-gītā sessions have become a thriving
community, where devotees support and uplift one another in their spiritual journeys. It has been
an incredible joy to watch how devotees, after hearing the sacred teachings, feel inspired to serve
the community in a variety of ways. Many of them volunteer to moderate the sessions, answer
queries, and assist in the technical aspects of the programs. We have been blessed to witness the
growth of this devotional family, and it is our prayer that this outreach continues to expand and
that more and more devotees can benefit from the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā.
As we look toward the future, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we recognize the need to strengthen the role
of Vaiṣṇavīs in this divine movement. We have seen how many young women are eager to serve,
yet they sometimes feel unsure about how to navigate their devotional journeys, especially when
it comes to leadership roles. Inspired by your teachings, we are in the process of establishing a
dedicated online platform, Vaiṣṇavī Saṅga, where young aspiring Vaiṣṇavīs can receive guidance
and mentorship from senior and experienced devotees. This platform will offer structured training
in kīrtana etiquette, personal sādhana, leadership, and service, providing the necessary tools to
empower them as future leaders in the movement.
As more young girls attend our sessions and express their desire to serve, we feel an urgent
need to offer them the support they need to flourish in their spiritual lives. Our hope is that this
initiative will help foster a generation of strong, compassionate, and capable Vaiṣṇavīs, who will
carry forward the torch of devotional service with grace, strength, and humility.
At the same time, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we understand the importance of instilling the principles
of devotional service from an early age. We know that if children are exposed to the right teach-
ings early in life, they can grow up with a strong foundation of spiritual values that will guide
them throughout their lives. With this in mind, we have launched summer camps specifically
designed for children, where they are not only taught the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness but
also introduced to the art of proper kīrtana.
These summer camps have become a source of great joy for us, Śrīla Prabhupāda, as we watch
these young hearts engage in kīrtana with enthusiasm, innocence, and devotion. The children are
trained to play devotional instruments such as the mṛdaṅga, karatālas, and harmonium. From a
young age, they are taught the standards of pure devotional music, ensuring that they grow up
with the right understanding and respect for kīrtana. This early exposure to the holy name and
devotional practices will lay a strong foundation for their spiritual lives, and we pray that these
young devotees will continue to grow in their love for Kṛṣṇa as they mature.
Among all the initiatives that have been undertaken by the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry, Śrīla
Prabhupāda, there is one project that we place before you with the utmost prayer and hope. This
project is the Kṛṣṇa Conscious Kirtan Certification Course, which the ministry is proposing as
a certified course for ISKCON devotees worldwide. This course aims to provide devotees with a
structured, in-depth understanding of kīrtana standards, including both the art of kīrtana and the
deeper philosophy behind it.
The purpose of this course is to ensure that kīrtana, the highest form of devotional service in
this age, is practiced according to the highest standards. We want to preserve the purity of this
sacred art form, ensuring that future generations of devotees can participate in kīrtana with a
deep understanding of its significance. This course will provide devotees with the necessary train-
ing to not only lead kīrtanas with excellence but also to impart the correct standards of kīrtana
to others. It is our heartfelt desire that this course will become a valuable resource for ISKCON
devotees around the world, guiding them on the path of devotion through the practice of
harināma-saṅkīrtana.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are aware that we are merely insignificant instruments in your divine
plan, but by your mercy, even the weakest can accomplish the impossible. Please bless us with the
strength, intelligence, and determination to carry out these projects and initiatives. We beg for
your continued mercy, so that we may remain steadfast in our service, always with humility and
sincerity. We pray that you will guide us in all our endeavors, giving us the wisdom to make deci-
sions that are in accordance with your teachings and in line with the needs of the devotees.
As we continue on this path, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we pray that you will always keep us humble,
recognizing that it is only by your mercy that any of this is possible. Without your grace, we
are nothing. We are merely instruments in your hands, and we can only pray that we are able to
carry out your will to the best of our ability. We ask for your blessings so that we may remain ever
focused on our mission: to spread the holy names of Kṛṣṇa to every corner of the world, to inspire
others to chant, and to engage in the service of the Lord.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you have already given us everything – your teachings, your instructions,
your guidance, and your boundless love. What can we possibly offer in return? All we can offer
is our hearts and our willingness to serve you in every way possible. Please accept our humble
prayers and bless us with the strength, intelligence, and love to continue carrying forward your
glorious mission. May we remain forever humble servants in your transcendental service, and may
we always remember the essence of your teachings: that everything in this world is meant to glo-
rify Kṛṣṇa and spread His holy name.
With the deepest gratitude and unwavering devotion, we offer ourselves at your lotus feet, Śrīla
Prabhupāda, praying for your mercy, your guidance, and your blessings. May your divine pres-
ence always inspire us to serve you with a heart full of love and devotion, and may we remain ever
committed to spreading the holy name of Kṛṣṇa to every corner of the world.
Your insignificant servant,
Stoka Kṛṣṇa Gopa Dāsa
Managing Director, ISKCON Kirtan Ministry