Nama om vishnu-padaya Krishna presthaya bhutale srimate Jayapataka swamin iti namine
Nama Acharya padaya nitai kripa pradayine gaura katha dhama daya nagara grama tarine
My Dearest Spiritual Father,
Please accept my respectful obediences. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Your Divine Grace!
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
My Dearest Gurumaharaj, in truth I did not truly understand the inconceivable good fortune that you bestowed upon me when you so graciously accepted me as Your spiritual daughter. It is only now, that I am starting to realise just how merciful and compassionate you have been to Vaishnav Pran and myself, by allowing us to serve you in such an intimate way whenever you would come to South Africa. We felt so safe and joyous in your presence. I was young, timid and very immature then, yet you were so patient with me. You taught me how to prepare your tumeric milk the way you like it, explained to me how to make mumra and told me how to serve kakra with apple chutney. This was all so new to me, and you understood how lost and nervous I was, so you dealt with me like a loving, patient parent. Even when I slipped up, you would chastise me but later you would enquire after me, console me and in so doing fill my heart with relief.
I am so grateful for all the opportunities you afforded me in your service. I hold on to the memories of cooking for you and sneaking in the fat-free cheese cake now and then and sewing your garlands. Although my heart feels heavy in the absence of devotional service due to ill-health, I endeavor to do whatever I can in your honour.
As I continue my service as a member of management at our Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Gaurahari temple in Pietermaritzburg, I am often cognizant of how easy it is to be swayed by my own ignorant nature and vices, yet I am also reminded of your dedication and surrender to Srila Prabhupada and in ensuring that His mood, mission and desire is progressed through our words and actions.
So on this auspicious occasion of Your Vyasapuja, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you Gurumaharaj, for your causeless mercy in accepting this conditioned fool as your spiritual daughter. Please continue protect and guide me to become a better devotee and a worthy instrument of your service to Srila Prabhupada.
I beg to remain at your lotus feet eternally,
Your unworthy Spiritual daughter,
Nandapriya-Gopika Devi Dasi (diksha)
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa