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
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious
day of your appearance.
Your presence blessed the city of Philadelphia in July of 1975 for our Ratha-yātrā parade, fill-
ing the streets with devotion and joy. At the parade’s conclusion, you addressed an eager crowd,
sharing your transcendental wisdom and uplifting words: “So our only request is that you chant
Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and you will feel very much happy. There will be no anxiety. And then you
can do your work. It doesn’t matter what you are doing, but chanting of this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra
will make you more and more happy, free from material anxieties. And if we continue this process,
then everything will be clearly understood about spiritual life, and very easily we shall be able to
go back to home, back to Godhead.” (Lecture, Philadelphia, July 12, 1975)
Your instructions are clear: chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra:
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
This is our heartfelt prayer, our call for service. As your disciples and granddisciples, we have
vowed to chant this prayer 1,728 times daily, begging, “Please engage me in Your devotional ser-
vice!” If we sincerely make this plea, how can we refuse the opportunity to serve when it comes?
Sincere chanting naturally leads to action and manifests as devotional service. True happiness, as
you assured us, is found in this engagement.
Moved by this realization, your instructions have taken root in the hearts of your devoted fol-
lowers here in Philadelphia, inspiring us to cultivate a genuine spirit of service. How can we best
serve you? How can we best serve Their Lordships, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Śaradbihārī, Lord Jagannātha-
Baladeva-Subhadrā, and Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi? How can we best serve those seeking guidance at
Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet?
By your mercy, our collective efforts have borne fruit. Thousands of your books have been
distributed, and prasādam is reaching vulnerable communities, touching lives with transcendental
knowledge and mercy. Through dedicated training and heartfelt guidance, devotees are empow-
ered to share in the glories of the holy name. Whether through education, outreach, or Vaishnavas
C.A.R.E., we strive to uphold your instructions and create an environment where both new and
seasoned devotees can deepen their commitment to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your divine mission continues in Philadelphia as we endeavor to carry
forward the torch of devotion you so mercifully lit. By your grace, we witness the transformative
power of Kṛṣṇa consciousness – hearts awakened, devotees engaged, and the holy name resound-
ing throughout our city. Yet we know there is always more to do. The challenges of this age
remind us of the urgency of your mission, and we pray for the strength to remain steadfast despite
obstacles.
We pray for the strength to serve with humility, the intelligence to organize with care, and the
determination to never tire of spreading this movement. May we serve with integrity, upholding
the principles you so carefully established, ensuring that our actions align with your teachings
and reflect the highest standards of Vaiṣṇava conduct.
As you so mercifully promised, by sincerely chanting the holy names and engaging in devo-
tional service, all anxieties will fade, and true happiness will blossom. Let us embrace this joy by
dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to serving you, Their Lordships, and all who seek shelter in
Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
May we remain instruments in your hands, working together in harmony to build a community
that reflects your vision – a place where all feel welcomed, nurtured, and uplifted. Let our service
be pure, free from personal motivation and offered solely for the pleasure of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
On this most sacred day, we offer our deepest gratitude and rededicate ourselves to service.
Please bless us so that we may always follow your instructions with faith, enthusiasm, integrity,
and unflinching dedication – knowing that in doing so, we will find true happiness, just as you
assured us, with unwavering faith in your mercy and the holy name. All glories to Your Divine
Grace!
Your servant,
Śeṣaśāyī Viṣṇu Dāsa,
on behalf of your humble servants in the “City of Brotherly Love”