Namo Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Preshtaya Bhutale
Srimate Jayapataka Swamin Iti Namine
Namah Archaya Padaya Nitya Kripa Pradayine
Gaur Katha Dhama Daya Nagara Grama Tarine
My Dear Guru Maharaj,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
During Kartik month of 2019, I earnestly prayed to Srila Prabhupada in Radha Rasbihari Temple, Juhu Iskcon to help me find a spiritual master to serve and to do deep in devotional service. And in a couple of days, I randomly came across a video in Youtube "Never Give Up". It was that inspirational video that got me in touch with your Divine Grace as until then was completely unaware about you. Just then within few weeks, you were visiting Mumbai. I was so looking forward to have your darshan. I tried contacting known devotees about your schedule so I could get a chance to see. Unfortunately didnot get the exact details and I missed the fortune to see you.
But little did I know that your mercy and blessing would be showered upon me so soon again and in January 2020 when you visited during Makar Sankranthi. I was working in office around 9.30 pm and I received a call from Guwahati from your disciple (Jhulaneswari Madhavi Devi Dasi) checking if I was in temple attending your class in Juhu terrance. I was completely saddened by the feeling that I again missed the opportunity to meet you. And the next day sharp at 7am, I reached temple for Sringar Arti hoping that you would come for Arti. Upon inquiring with the devotees in the temple, I was guided to 1st floor to check with your disciples if there is a chance to see you atleast from distance. I was totally amazed to how by Krishna’s arrangement, I was guided by Vamsidhara Visala Das (part of JSSS Mumbai) informing me to wait and that your Divine Grace will be meeting devotees in 10 mins. I rushed to the place where devotees were waiting and that 10 mins turned out to 3+ hours. I was delayed by hours to login for my office shift. I thought waiting for 3 hours and even more is better to wait for many births to get a spiritual master! I also got the opportunity to hear your class for the first time.
Guru Maharaj, my life changed when I saw you for the first time when you kept the Jagannath stick on my head, I followed you till the lift doors closed. I was taken over by the gush of emotions with tears of happiness knowing the magnitude of your mercy on me. For many of us, COVID-19 was a difficult year, however for me it’s the year I saw my spiritual master and just by going with the flow of events that evening, you took me under your shelter thus making me your sheltered disciple. I started following your daily Chaitanya Lila evening class, offering food by reciting the pranam mantras, inquiring what pleases you. I attempted to make your favourite Muri laddoo on father's day to offer to my Spiritual Father, prepared for the virtual Rath Yatra, started chanting extra 2 rounds for your good health, did book distribution and recorded in JSSS Mumbai book distribution scores, chanted 192 rounds on Haridas Thakur’s appearance day, followed Karthik and Purshottam months with more vigor and enthusiasm.
On your 72nd appearance day, I would be chanting 72 extra rounds as an offering for your well being and good health. I beg for your mercy to empower me, help me be sincere, committed and determined so to serve you in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada instructions and to contribute in the mission to spread Krishna Consciousness.
Your struggling spiritual daughter,
Alka Babu
(Sheltered disciple)