nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatākā-svāmin iti nāmine
namo ācāryapādāya nitāi-kṛpa-pradāyine
gaura-kathā dhāmadhāya nagara-grāma tāriṇe
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
mukhaṁ karoti vācālaṁ panguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānanda-mādhavam śrī-caitanyam īśvaram
Dear Srila Guru Maharaj,
Hare Krishna. Please accept my most respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your most auspicious 72nd Vyasa Puja celebration!
Srila Guru Maharaj,
I want to thank you endlessly for always thinking about us and you reach out to us in so many ways, making virtual home visits during the pandemic. You never gave up on us, knowing that the pandemic is a high potential for anyone to be disturbed by maya, since we don’t get to visit the temples and get the personal association of the devotees, but you taught the whole world by being an exemplary on how to be connected through virtually. Now with the JPS app, we can see how you visit each and every place, every nook and corner of the world to extend your care and love, you keep us updated about your activities and your health status. Regardless of any health situation or challenges that you may face, it is not a barrier for you, you just keep giving and giving your mercy. You are so kind that you give shelter and compassion to anyone that comes to you, you’re the personified of patita-pavana, Srila Guru Maharaj. Such is the mercy of the pure devotee of the Lord, where he is always thinking on how to save the fallen souls like us.
The pandemic has certainly taught me so many things in life. I was retrenched from my job last year as a legal counsel, in July 2020 and that put me through so many challenges. But Lord Caitanya, He never gave up on me. Srila Prabhupada, he is so merciful to this spiritual granddaughter of his. Srila Prabhupada’s books kept me enthused, alive and going. I learnt to understand that Lord Krishna sees the bigger picture. He opened the golden door to many sankirtan activities throughout the year, keeping my mind absorbed always in the thoughts of distributing Srila Prabhupada's books. When I first lost my job, I got the opportunity to lead the ‘Bhadra 2020- Go to Goloka’ campaign for ISKCON Malaysia together with my god-brother HG Gokula Damodara Prabhu. ISKCON Malaysia scored 121 sets of Srimad Bhagavatam which was the highest amongst other years that the Bhadra campaign was organized and this amazes us how books can be distributed even more during the pandemic. Nothing can stop Lord Caitanya’s Harinam Sankirtan movement. We are declaring a way against maya! I am taking a lot of guidance from HG Vaisesika prabhu, who is one of my greatest inspirational leaders and I participate in all the book distribution campaigns led by HG Vaisesika prabhu, through the BBT. The recent one is the distribution of Caitanya Caritamrta sets for the ‘Be A Gardener’ campaign in conjunction with the Gaura Purnima celebration 2021, and I distributed 10 Caitanya Caritamrta sets for the pleasure of Lord Caitanya. I remember how you would always say that Lord Caitanya would give His mercy to one who deserves it or not. So, if He would give mercy to this very fallen, Malini Priti Devi Dasi, then He would give the mercy to rest of the world. Throughout the seminars held by BBT, HG Vaisesika prabhu, would always tell us to pray to Lord Caitanya very intensely for His mercy on sankirtan, I took his words to my heart. HG Vaisesika prabhu and the devotees of the BBT have encouraged me so much in my book distribution activities and kept me very enthused, help to build confidence and leadership qualities. I had an interview by the BBT on how I came to Krishna consciousness, the achievements of Bhadra 2020 nationwide and book distribution activities that I do in Malaysia and this is featured through the BBT’s podcast, Sankirtan On. I also take a lot of guidance from your god-brother, HG Drumila prabhu, a kind and loving spiritual uncle to me, who has been distributing books for over 40 years now. He always keeps in touch with me, looks after me with great care and affection. I’m ever grateful to all of them and I'm blessed to have their association.
For the pleasure of Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Guru Maharaj and all Vaishnava Acharyas, below are my book distribution scores for the year 2020:
10 Srimad Bhagavatam Sets
5 Caitanya Caritamrta sets
1 Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta
240 Bhagavad Gitas
55 Krishna books
3 Big Books
68 Medium books
105 small books
28 children’s books
During the pandemic, I also had organised some introduction programs on Krishna consciousness to the beginners, the programs were conducted following the regulations set by the Malaysian laws. I also distributed about 50 sets of chanting beads, 500 packets prasadam. I had also organized zoom classes to teach Bhagavad Gita to the people that I had distributed books to.
Srila Guru Maharaj, I learnt that how prayers is so powerful, how intensely one should pray to Lord Caitanya. We were reminded how Advaita Acharya prayed intensely for Lord Caitanya to come to save the fallen souls in Kali Yuga and how the same principle is applicable for sankirtan. Sankirtan is my life and soul, Srila Guru Maharaj. It is my life air that keeps me going and keeps mind away from so many unwanted thoughts. Please bless me that I will do this till my last breath, amidst any obstacles, because I know you will be always there with me, Srila Guru Maharaj.
I dedicate my sankirtan activities for your health and well-being, Srila Guru Maharaj. I pray to Lord Narasimhadev for your longevity and health, for thousands and thousands of souls are fully dependent on you, Srila Guru Maharaj, for your mercy and personal association. Please keep me sheltered always at your lotus feet, please forgive me for all my mistakes and imperfections. Whatever good that comes from me, is because of Srila Guru Maharaj and all the imperfections are due my own fault. Year by year, we get many realizations through you being the greatest example in our life, by your actions and words. You touch the hearts of million of people, because you are compassion personified, so this fallen soul is also begging for your mercy and association always. Lots of love.
Your spiritual daughter,
Malini Priti Devi Dasi
Diksa disciple
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia