My Dearest Spiritual Father Śrīla Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on the auspicious day of your divine appearance.
O Guru Mahārājā, I do not have any qualification to glorify you. I am making an insignificant attempt to glorify you by my limited conditioned mind and intelligence.
I am very fortunate that you have accepted me as your disciple.
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
I do not know where I was wandering in this universe and by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement after millions of lifetimes finally I am fortunate enough to get your shelter of your lotus feet which I do not want to lose anymore. Life after life I will be eternally indebted to you for your mercy showered on myself.
Lord Kṛṣṇa has given you back to us after your major surgeries. It’s a great miracle that has taken place. Lord Kṛṣṇa is great reservoir of ocean of mercy and pleasure and you are chosen to shower that unlimited mercy on fallen souls like myself. To give the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, you are constantly endeavouring, travelling unceasingly and working tirelessly day in and out to save fallen conditioned souls from the clutches of Maya (nama ācārya padaya nitāi kripa pradayine). By your tireless efforts we come to understand what actually unalloyed, uninterrupted devotional service means.
Recently when I visited Māyāpur for taking the darshan of Panchatattva Maha-abhishek and you had just arrived to Māyāpur after your surgery, we witnessed your compassion and mercy for conditional souls like myself. Myself with few of other matajis were waiting for your darshan and for taking your leave, downstairs near the lift of lotus building. When you alighted the lift and were proceeding towards the main hall to meet the devotees, you stopped for us and gave your darshan. Usually you have Jagannātha stick for blessing the devotees. But this time, Jagannatha stick wasn’t there. But you wanted to bless us and due to restrictions of meeting devotees closely, you were not allowed to come closer to give your blessings. However, you showered your mercy by covering your palm with a cloth and blessed us. We were overwhelmed with joy with your merciful gesture despite your medical restrictions as we understand from scriptures that “sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sanga, sarva-sastre kaya, lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya -The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success. “. It is said in SB 1.18.13, “tulayama lavenapi na svargam napunar-bhavam bhagavat-sangi-sangasya martyanaṁ kim utasisah ”- The value of a moment’s association with the devotee of the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which are for those who are meant for death.” And what more we do we want. I pray that I give up material desires and take full advantage of your association.
By your personal example, you teach and inspire us how to take care of devotees and support each other.
Śrīla Prabhupāda went to west at the age of 69 to fulfil the desire of His spiritual master and now we see living example of yourself following the footsteps of Śrīla Prabhupāda, constantly endeavoring to fulfil the mission of your spiritual master.
Dear Gurudeva, please give me and my family blessings and the strength to follow your instructions and imbibe your fearless and uncompromising mood in serving Lord Kṛṣṇa, so that we do not get entangled in the tricks of maya and we can advance steadily in devotional service.
The essence of all I am saying is “All Glories to you, my dearest Śrīla Gurudeva”. I pray to Lord Narsimhadeva to protect you always so that you continue to inundate the entire world with Kṛṣṇa prema through your ecstatic preaching as you have been.
Your insignificant servant and spiritual daughter,
Shrutipriya Rādhikā devī dāsī (Dīkṣā)
Syama desa, Middle Easṭ