Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Kindly accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace,
the fearless general of Lord Caitanya’s saṅkīrtana army.
On this sacred day of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we gather as your children, holding your instructions
close to our hearts. You gave us Kṛṣṇa. You gave us meaning. And in return, we want to give you
our lives.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you once stood alone in New York, armed only with the holy name and
unshakable faith in your spiritual master. From that place of surrender, you built a global move-
ment. Today, from the southern tip of Africa, in the city of Sandton, we try to carry your mission
forward.
This year marked our fourth Ratha-yātrā, and it was glorious. With the theme “Culturally
Many, Spiritually One,” Lord Jagannātha’s chariot rolled through the heart of Johannesburg – a
city marked by diversity, struggle, and searching. People from every background danced together,
sang together, and honored prasādam together. That day, the boundaries of race, language, and
nationality dissolved in the ocean of your mercy.
Preaching breathes life into our community. We’ve seen it firsthand. When we go out, distrib-
ute your books, share kīrtana, speak the Gītā, and offer prasādam – something lights up in the
hearts of devotees. We remember who we are. We remember why we’re here. Without preaching,
we wither. With it, we grow bold, joyful, and united.
You taught us that spiritual life is not meant to be hidden. We are your saṅkīrtana movement.
We are meant to sing in the streets, speak in the universities, stand in the fire – and bring Kṛṣṇa
consciousness to every corner of society.
This past year, we continued our outreach to universities through our Bhakti Yoga Society. We
distributed books, hosted Sunday programs, celebrated major festivals, and did our best to care
for each other. And still, we know we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, for your pleasure, we aspire to:
• Establish a permanent home – where the holy name resounds day and night.
• Expand our outreach across Johannesburg to awaken more hearts.
• Grow Ratha-yātrā into a nationally recognized celebration of spiritual unity.
• Foster a strong devotee community, where cooperation, care, and service thrive.
We fall short in many ways, but one thing is certain: we are yours. And we will not give up.
You reminded us that real gratitude is shown through action. So let our offering be our effort –
imperfect, but sincere. Let it be our commitment to preach, to serve, to grow, and to follow in
your footsteps.
Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, for everything. Please bless us to remain faithful instruments of
your will.
Your servants at the feet of Your Divine Grace,
The devotees of ISKCON Sandton
(written by Vibhu Caitanya Dāsa)

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