Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at Your lotus feet,
This past year has been like a whirlwind for the entire world due to the COVID pandemic which struck all corners of the planet. I learnt to see the tiny molecular virus as an energy of Krsna, Krsna’s supremacy over the material world, capable of bringing the world down to its knees. However, this situation has given the opportunity for worldwide devotees so far away, to associate closer via the medium of internet classes/sanga.
By Your mercy, it gave me more time for deep and attentive sadhana practice, to simply take shelter of the Holy Name and let the Holy Name bring the much needed peace to the world. Srila Prabhupada wrote in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.10 “One can sit down anywhere and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. If the surface of the globe is overflooded with the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, the people of the world will be very, very happy.”
During the start of the pandemic, You held special sessions just to meet and talk to Your disciples, well-wishers and other devotees, inquiring of everyone’s well-being despite Your fragile health.
I read that compassion exhibited to living entities are of 3 kinds:
Compassion in regard to gross body/bodily wellbeing
Compassion in regard to mind- by giving free education
Compassion in regard to the soul- delivering fallen souls from material existence by awarding devotional service to Krsna.
I began to think how you always show us Your compassion on all 3 levels. You requested everyone to take care of their gross bodies and shared tips given to you by renowed doctors. Everyday you would educate us on Gaura Lila from Chaitanya Caritamrta for an hour on zoom/FB allowing us to engage our mind in Lord’s pastimes. And You are always eager to encourage new devotees to devotional service.
Then early this year, Jan 2021, You were tested positive for the virus. You very simply and graciously rose to the challenge by putting special efforts every day to counteract the virus, just so that You could maintain the body to serve Srila Prabhupada’s movement and fulfill His instructions to You.
The most striking part for me is that throughout the tough period Your body was put under, You never failed, even a single day, on delivering the Chaitanya Lila classes. This is no ordinary feat but I realized that it is only possible by You, Gurudev, due to Your enthusiasm and love for preaching the glories of Lord Chaitanya.
Your determination and dedication to serve the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada at all times is exemplary and I pray to have a tiny drop of Your dedication and enthusiasm towards Your lotus feet. This is my prayer and wish on this auspicious occasion of Your Vyasa Puja Mahotsava.
Your sheltered disciple seeking your mercy,
Bhaktin Gayathri J
