Dearest Guru Mahārāj,
Please accept my prostated obeisances in the dust of your sankirtan feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupada!
My goodness another year has passed and what chaotic times we live in as we see the pages of the Bhāgavatam come to light, regarding this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, where viral affections, corrupt governments, and fruits and roots become actual concerns in survival. These become a testing ground for the dutiful spiritual followers, to imbibe and guide others in eternal principles given to us by the very same great scripture. The Lord is most merciful to give us the book Bhāgavat and the person Bhāgavat.
For us you are that Book Bhāgavat Autocrat, who is simply repeating the instructions given to us by Śrīla Prabhupada, directing us out of the material into the spiritual. From your example, the difficulties that you have endured, demonstrate how to deal with and navigate within these surreal material surroundings through unwavering service to the unworldly and heartfelt dedication to the will of Śrīla Prabhupada.
As you have overcome the obstacles; the building of Śrīdām Mayapur, wide spread book distribution, the puzzle towards ‘make sense’ congregational preaching, extensive travel, reconfirming the Gauḍīya siddhānta legacies, the preservation and protection of the dhama līlāstans, a most challenging heart condition including the complete replacement of two organs, the acceptance of 50,000 disciples, regulated preaching through video pod casts, and what to speak of the completion of 50 years as a sannyasi!!! There are so many tests coming from the material, but you are that ‘Jayapataka’, our victory flag in parampara transcending all these examinations.
What else can we expect from one who Śrīla Prabhupada indicated as an eternal associate of Śrī Caitanya. You are facilitating a large boat in seva allowing so many on board. What a blessing upon us, and what Mercy awaits those who follow you in every capacity to extend that mercy. This is a parampara, a heart connection that goes beyond the booby traps or distractions of this present realm.
You once said to me, “When the disciple goes back to Godhead, the spiritual master introduces that disciple to Kṛṣṇa and from that point onwards becomes an ‘old acquaintance’.”
Dearest Guru Mahārāj thank you, thank you, thank you, for being there for all of us and please empower us to serve you nicely and encourage others to so the same; please allow us that relation which will never go away.
Your most unworthy aspiring servant,
Bhaktisiddhānta Swami