Hare Krsna dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances on your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I feel short of words and praises every time I want to write something to glorify you. Every year, as your Vyasa puja approaches, I think of something I could compose in a poem. Unfortunately, I could not do the same this year. But I will try my best to put up few words thanking you and glorifying you on your auspicious appearance day.
10 years ago, October 2008, you suffered from a life-threatening stroke that shook all of us. We all were shattered to hear what happened. I didn’t even know much back then, all I knew was you were my inspiration and I didn’t want to lose you. Little did I know that there were so many others who were begging krsna to bring you back. Who could have imagined, in these 10 years, you would start traveling again, preach non-stop and render devotional services with even more enthusiasm despite the bodily limitations. You continued your travel to UK, North America, South America, Australia, South Asia and where not.
Gurudev, you never seize to amaze us. Any normal human being would have given up 10 years of struggle, but you are extraordinarily strong. Your will power, your desire to preach and your compassion towards other living entities is so much stronger than your physical condition that Krsna gets obliged to empower you in every way. After 10 years, in 2018, you underwent major surgery, again, risking your life. You said you wanted to get better for all of us. You were in the operation theatre for more than 12 hours, getting a full liver and a kidney transplanted at the same time. As always, you came out Victorious. Your name has it all, Jayapataka – The Victory Flag!
During your recovery, you continued preaching to hospital staffs, patients. You prayed for departed souls at times when you were in so much difficulty. You started the Facebook live classes, uniting devotees all over the world and flooding them with Caitanya Leela. Every now and then you would sing “Any questions for me? I want to Serve you!” in the Happy birthday tune. Skype meetings for GBC, supporting different yatras by communicating through digital media, you came back with unlimited force!!
You continue to be a source of inspiration for hundreds of thousands of people, and the numbers just keeps increasing.
I have nothing much to offer you Gurudev. By your mercy, I am getting to relish the pastimes of Lord Gauranga in this deserted material world. Remembering you, I am starting a new initiative of women’s program in Toronto temple, mainly focused on newcomers/students. In 2016, you instructed my sister to preach to ladies, and educate them spiritually in Bangkok, as that will create a strong foundation. Keeping that in mind, I always wanted to follow your instructions and finally by your blessings, me, along with few other devotees are organizing this program monthly.
I am not qualified but with your blessings, I hope to inspire others to take up spiritual path and help them in every way I can.
I am longing to get your association Gurudev. I don’t know when, how and where but I hope soon. Until then, I will try to follow your instruction and focus well in my material as well as spiritual path and excel in both!
Once again, nothing would have been possible without your mercy. I remember that 18 years old Sakhi harini, who wanted to quit studying, in her 2ndyear of Engineering and open a restaurant. When i asked you, you said No. Instead, you told me that I should continue studying, do Masters and work in a reputed Company. In that way, I could set an example. Today, I have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and I am working in a really good company. Please give me your blessings that I can continue working and serving Srila prabhupada in every possible way!
Seeking for your blessings,
Your spiritual daughter,
Sakhi harini devi dasi