Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances from the bottom of my heart. All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta
swamin iti namine
namaste saraswati deve
gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi
pashchatya-desha-tarine
nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate jayapataka
swamin iti namine
On this glorious day of your appearance our hearts are filled with infinite gratitude that Lord Sri Krishna has truly blessed us by allowing you to remain here and guide us on our path of devotion. You are a shining example of the mercy of Lord Chaitanya . Your inexhaustible desire to take everyone back to the spriritual world, back home to the lotus feet of the Lord, is a true example of compassion.
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.
Although I have been wandering through so many lives, by your causeless mercy I have had the benediction of the seed of bhakti. Every day you show us more and more causeless mercy by continuing to give classes and allow us the sublime gift of your association. When I asked you during class once about how we can remain enthusiastic when we are unable to be constantly in the association of devotees. You replied that these days there are so many opportunities, such as conference calls and whatsapp, facebook etc., that we can get association that way. Then you asked, I hope I am giving you enthusiasm by my association here on live streaming classes. How can we not be enthused when we see how much you love us and are using every ounce of your time and energy to keep us connected to this divine process.
Many times in your classes you stress the importance of keeping others connected to Krishna Consciousness. Not only should we make new devotees but we should make sure that we don't forget those who are already practicing devotional service. You also stress the importance of reading Srila Prabhupad's books. In order to fulfill these two desires of yours we have recently started a Vaishnavi sanga group on Zoom. Varsana Devi Dasi ( Romapada Swami disciple) and myself coordinate a group call twice a month. SInce they can attend on line, it makes it much easier for women to join. We are starting out by reading the small paperback books by Srila Prabhupad. The women that join are very happy with the association and we have newcomers as well as longtimers. We read a little and give opportunities for questions, discussions and realizations. It is very nice because the new women have many questions and those that have been praciticing for some time can give the benefit of their experience in practicing Krishna Consciousness.
I continue to coordinate the Sunday School along with Varsana Mataji and although we only have a few children who are regulars, they do enjoy attending. The kids have put on plays and the younger kids sang "Sundara bala" for Gaurapurnima. They did an excellent job under the care and direction of Varsana Mataji.
I am also doing deity service and my mother comes with me every week when I do arati and she washes the Lord's plates. She has also been chanting 20 rounds for awhile now.
There is a young brahmacari here in San Diego who is very fired up in trying to involve our congregation more and more in temple services and activities, his name is Damodar Kumar (Radhanath Swami disciple). He also coordinates the monthly sankirtan and book distribution and invites everyone to join. It is so wonderful to see his enthusiasm, it is quite contagious. Now I am going on book distribution whenever possible.
Once a week there are a few of us reading Srila Prabhupad's Lilamrta and when we see how he continued to struggle to keep ISKCON moving forward and attracting as many souls as possible to this divine path we see where you get your dedication. Please give us this dedication. You are our inspiration, you are our good fortune, you are our shining light and we are forever grateful.
Dear Guru Maharaj, please bless us that we can always stay connected to your lotus feet. Please bless all the devotees at our temple that they may also imbibe your enthusiasm and dedication. So many devotees at the temple are trying so hard to serve Sri Sri Radha Giridhari with faith and attention. Sometimes, I know it is hard for them because we are so few, but we still are trying to do our best. Our desire is to serve Srila Prabhupad by fulfilling his desire to serve his spiritual master and helping you spread this mission of Lord Chaitanya.
With heartfelt love and gratitude from the bottom of my heart at your divine lotus feet,
your spirtual daughter,
Phanesvari Laxmi Devi Dasi and Bhaskar Peesapati and Indira Devi Duvvuri
