Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet,
All glories to your Auspicious Appearance Day.
On the occasion of your 71st Vyasa-puja celebration, kindly accept this small heartfelt offering at your divine lotus feet. As we all know you have been very instrumental for ISKCON world and one of the stalwart Disciples of HDG A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada had so must trust on you that he entrusted you the spiritual capital of the world, Sridham Mayapur and told you to develop it. Srila Prabhupada took pleasure in calling you as “Jaya pataka” The Victory Flag and your divine grace indeed lived up to Srila Prabhupada’s expectations and continues to be his victory flag even today.
On March 1971, when ISKCON first got land at Mayapur, from that time onwards you are tirelessly thinking, dreaming, planning and serving for the development of Mayapur with one pointed attention, ‘vyavsaya-atmika buddhi’. Right from the scratch, when there was nothing, only paddy fields filled with snakes & scorpions, you devoted yourself wholeheartedly. From that elementary stage of the dham to the level of TOVP that we have today, is the expression of your love and surrender for your spiritual master.
You have given us not only the land of Gauranga, but also the Gaura-lila, Gaura-naam in the form of Gauurangaaaa… chant. Thus, you are spreading the glories of Mayapur dham, holyname to the thousands and thousands of people across the world. Inviting them for eight days Navadwip-mandala-parikrama. Irrespective of your health condition you tirelessly continued preaching and inspiring devotees through travelling around the globe, pandal programs, seminars, meeting with the devotees, caring for them, social media like Email, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, zoom etc. When I read about how Krishna took care of Sudama – it was only a mere story for me; but your live is actually a full of examples of the practical application of it. There are so many stories how you cared for the devotees. Like an affectionate father you always thought of our material and spiritual well-being and acted in all the possible way so that we become attracted to Sri Sri Nitai Gaur.
You are the eternal & intimate associate of Lord Chaitanya’s Sankirtan party, freely distributing the mercy of lord Nityananda. How an insignificant conditioned soul like me can understand your pastimes? On this blessed and joyous day of your appearance day I beg for your mercy upon me. Kindly guide me to the path of transcendence.
Your insignificant servant of servant,
Virabhadra Sundara Das (Diksa),
ISKCON Temple, Kolkata, India
