oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Dear Śrīla Ācāryapāda,
Please accept my humblest obeisances at your lotus feet on this magnificent day of your merciful appearance; I pray that you constantly award me service at your lotus feet.
Śrīla Ācāryapāda, you personify the unlimited ocean of mercy. You are always in the presence of Śrīmati Rādhārāṇī and assisting the gopīs, who always at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vṛndāvana. Although dwelling in Vṛndāvana, and always merged in transcendental ecstasy, relishing the mellow of pure devotion, you have descended for the welfare of fallen souls, and you are preaching the divine love Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa and delivering the whole planet from the darkness of illusion.
Śrīla Ācāryapāda, you are the abode of loving devotion to Kṛṣṇa; Dust from your lotus feet is conducive to devotional service, while service to you is itself the supreme perfection and the root of the tender creeper of divine love. Please place me in the ocean of joy by bestowing upon me happiness in the mellows of service at the feet of Śrīmati Rādhārāṇī in the groves of Vraja Dhāma. There is no one except you who can purify the fallen souls. All the śāstras therefore advise,
'sādhu-saṅga', 'sādhu-saṅga'—sarva-śāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya
Even by a little association with you, the conditioned souls can get out of this miserable material condition. Your heart is always the resting place of Lord Govinda. I desire the dust of your holy lotus feet in every birth I may take. Please be kind upon me.
Śrīla Ācāryapāda, Kṛṣṇa is yours. You are able to give Him to me, for such is your power. I am indeed wretched and simply run after you. Crying, ‘KṚṢṆA! KṚṢṆA!’
Jaya Śrīla Ācāryapāda!
Your insignificant servant,
Vanamālī Dāsa