Dear Śrīla 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
Devotees at the ISKCON Fredericton Center, in New Brunswick, Canada, offer our most sin-
cere and humble obeisances at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupāda on his 2025 Vyāsa-pūjā day.
On September 1, 1896, long before any of us arrived in our current bodies, you were born in
Calcutta, India. It was the day after Janmāṣṭamī, and an astrologer made the following prediction:
“When this child reaches the age of seventy, he will cross the ocean, become a great exponent of
religion, and open 108 temples.”
It is impossible for us to find the appropriate words to thank you properly for what you taught
us, the example you set for us, and the wonderful ISKCON organization you created for us. We
can only try, in our humble ways, to honor you and attempt to follow your perfect example of
sharing Kṛṣṇa consciousness with those we meet.
As Canadians, we are fond of reading accounts of your visits to our country, particularly during
the summer of 1968, when you spent several weeks in Montreal. You celebrated ISKCON’s second
Janmāṣṭamī festival there, and it is a glorious memory, not only for those who were in Montreal at
the time, but also for those of us who have read accounts of that wonderful event.
ISKCON Fredericton is a small Hare Kṛṣṇa center that is slowly and gradually growing.
Devotees are always excited to distribute your books, chant the holy names, prepare and serve
prasādam, as well as teach people about Kṛṣṇa and His pastimes. In the past year, ISKCON Fred-
ericton has moved its programs to The Maritime Geeta Bhawan, which has led to an increase in
attendance. The Gopal Krishna Children’s School, a weekly program named after one of your
most dedicated disciples, has also been established. A small Food-for-Life program has been initi-
ated and provides prasādam to clients at a local homeless shelter. An outreach program, designed
to hold programs in other communities in New Brunswick, has been created.
ISKCON Fredericton has had much help and support over the years. Your disciple
Bhaktimārga Swami has provided an unlimited supply of guidance, inspiration, and encourage-
ment. Devotees from ISKCON Halifax and your Montreal and Toronto temples have also been
instrumental in helping your small Fredericton center prosper.
But it is you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, who continue to be the driving force that allows ISKCON
Fredericton to grow and succeed. Devotees here and around the world are inspired by your
books, your recorded lectures and the legacy you have gifted everyone in the movement you cre-
ated. Your love of Kṛṣṇa and unbelievable achievements inspire us to do our best to expand your
movement.
We look back in amazement at the austerity you faced, the challenges you overcame, and the
many great things you accomplished. It is our wish that in some small way we can continue to be
servants of the servants of your servants, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and servants of Kṛṣṇa!
On September 1, 1896, you arrived on Kṛṣṇa’s earthly planet. Well over a hundred years later
your disciples and devotees are honored to continue building on the foundation you created
and serving you as best we can in your mission to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and
village.
Your insignificant servants at ISKCON Fredericton

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