Embracing Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Legacy: A Guiding Light through Contemporary Challenges
As we gather to commemorate the auspicious occasion of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Vyāsa-pūjā, we are
afforded the opportunity not only to offer our gratitude and reverence but also to collectively
immerse ourselves in the timeless wisdom Śrīla Prabhupāda bestowed upon us. The Vyāsa-pūjā
book serves as more than a collection of homages; it is a testament to the enduring potency of
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings and a vital resource for the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Con-
sciousness as it navigates the complexities of the modern world.
In his purport to text 4 of The Nectar of Instruction, we read, “The International Society for
Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges
between devotees.” One of the loving exchanges is “revealing one’s mind in confidence.” The
annual Vyāsa-pūjā book encourages and facilitates such a confidential extraction of devotees’ feel-
ings for Śrīla Prabhupāda, and for other devotees to absorb themselves in them. So all who com-
posed offerings, and all who will read them, are participants in the most delightful form of guhyam
ākhyāti pṛcchati – confidential revelation and inquiry specifically for our cherished founder-ācārya.
ISKCON, as a dynamic spiritual movement, encounters various challenges in its mission –
among them, ensuring the continuity and purity of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, fostering
unity and a strong sense of community amid a diverse global following, and adapting its presenta-
tion in order to resonate better with contemporary society – all while upholding its foundational
principles. As we face these challenges, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Vyāsa-pūjā book serves as a powerful
tool for revitalization and direction.
For example, in reaffirming foundational principles and fostering unity, you’ll see that the
offerings in the Vyāsa-pūjā book invariably draw us back to core tenets of Kṛṣṇa consciousness
as Śrīla Prabhupāda gave them to us; and in articulating their realizations and gratitude, devo-
tees, from senior disciples to later generations, consistently speak of the critical importance of
his teachings in their service and lives. This shared focus is unifying, nurturing a cohesive under-
standing of our philosophy and how to apply it. The Vyāsa-pūjā book is thereby a vibrant form of
saṅga for Prabhupādānugas.
Reading the heartfelt glorifications and expressions of indebtedness to Śrīla Prabhupāda
is one of the best ways to strengthen our faith in His Divine Grace, and stronger faith in Śrīla
Prabhupāda fortifies our collective faith in ISKCON and helps us serve his Kṛṣṇa consciousness
movement with greater resolve. When facing internal or external obstacles, reading these offerings
can remind us of our founder-ācārya’s own unwavering devotional resolve, conviction, and spiri-
tual strength. The honoring of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s dedication to his spiritual master and determi-
nation to serve the mission is a theme in many of the offerings you’ll find in this volume.
The Vyāsa-pūjā book also serves as a vital bridge that connects senior devotees, a number of
whom had Śrīla Prabhupāda’s personal association, with all the devotees who have come after
them. The torch of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s legacy is being passed down, and in these offerings,
we receive it along with an emphasis on the mood, mission, and standards he established for
ISKCON. In this way the experience and wisdom of our seniors is passed down to all of us who
wish to carry his movement forward.
As we immerse ourselves in these offerings, let’s do it with a prayerful heart. Let’s honor Śrīla
Prabhupāda and imbibe the spirit and letter of his teachings. By collectively focusing on his
instructions and the profound impact he continues to have on our lives, we become empowered
to face challenges with clarity, loyalty, and unwavering devotion. May this book be a beacon shin-
ing on our collective service to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda and his
sacred mission.
Before closing, we’d like to thank the devotees who helped put this year’s book together:
Bhaktivaibhava Swami chose the many beautiful photos of Śrīla Prabhupāda inside the book. Sītā
Ṭhākuraṇī Devī Dāsī and her husband, Don Stammers, from the United Kingdom, and Vasudāmā
Dāsa, from Australia, did the proofreading. Kṣameśvarī Rādhā Devī Dāsī, from Alachua, helped
edit the offerings. Caitanya Devī Dāsī, from Croatia, chose the quotes for the “Our Obeisances to
You for Your Transcendental Instructions” section in the back of the book.
Please note that again this year, the Vyāsa-pūjā book is available in PDF format so you can
download and share it with members of your community. It will also be online at vyasapuja.com.
Would you like to offer some service with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Vyāsa-pūjā book? Write to us at
vphomages@iskcon.net and let’s connect. Thank you.
Your servants on the Vyāsa-pūjā book team,
Satyamedhā Gaurāṅga Dāsa
Ānanda Tīrtha Dāsa
Kaiśorī Devī Dāsī
Praghoṣa Dāsa