Beloved Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. On this sacred day of your
appearance, we offer our deepest gratitude for your boundless compassion in bringing the holy
names of Kṛṣṇa to Africa and for carrying Lord Jagannātha’s mercy to every corner of the world.
Your worldwide saṅkīrtana mission keeps planting the seed of bhakti to the extent that soon, no
land shall remain untouched by the sweetness of devotional service, and for this, we are eternally
indebted.
This year, the Vyāsa-pūjā celebration is happening under particularly troublesome situations
around the world, and our country is no exception. We fervently pray for your divine intervention
to protect the devotees and the saṅkīrtana mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),
where strife and suffering weigh heavily upon the people. Fearlessness – that’s what we pray for.
You transformed hearts through the power of harināma. May your blessings bring peace, protec-
tion, and the light of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to this troubled land and its people.
As we prepare for the upcoming Ratha-yātrā festival in June, we recall how the ancient Opet
festival of Egypt – where the sacred procession of Amun-Ra fostered unity and divine connec-
tion – mirrors the unifying power of Lord Jagannātha’s chariot. The Skanda Purāṇa (Puruṣottama-
kṣetra-māhātmya) proclaims that wherever His chariot rolls, the influence of Kali diminishes and
divine grace flourishes. In keeping with these ancient traditions, may this year’s Ratha-yātrā in the
DRC become a beacon of spiritual harmony, dissolving discord and awakening pure love for the
Lord in every heart. Glories to your saṅkīrtana movement – the lifeline for all fallen souls!
On behalf of ISKCON Kinshasa,
Your unworthy aspiring servant,
Yugala Kiśora Dāsa