Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisance
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda
All glories unto your divine lotus feet
We have learnt about goṣṭhy-ānandī Prahlāda Mahārāja from Śrīmad-bhāgavatam, who practiced devotional service amidst all odds. But we can see the practical example in your divine grace, practicing and preaching devotional service amongst all odds. No excuse given. Simultaneously you are lenient to accommodate the fallen souls and become pleased with whatever little they can offer. This is an all-attractive feature of your divine grace.
Some of the things that I practice in developing my relationship with you are
Feeling the direct presence: I started the practice of attentively and legibly chanting guru-praṇāma mantra and Śrīla Prabhupāda praṇāma-mantra at the beginning of every round of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, praying to enable me to hear the holy name. This practice has helped me a lot to connect with you as you really engage me in hearing the mantra clearly, which is otherwise not possible with my own endeavors. This makes me feel your personal presence.
Personal vapuḥ sevā: I am far away being engaged in local services, hardly to get any vapuḥ sevā. Almost every day, except when I am travelling, I try to offer sevā to your photograph, cleaning and offering flowers, begging forgiveness and praying for mercy to render my services nicely. This daily sevā helps me tremendously to connect with you.
I also would like to mention the instructions that I am meditating upon.
1. Make Bangalore Kṛṣṇa Conscious city.
2. Sending regular preaching reports and book distribution reports. I could be able to send one video report last year. I am preparing the next one.
3. Hearing attentively
- Chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra
- Lecture of Śrīla Prabhupāda and Yourself
4. Become serious and mature
Hoping and praying that my services of preaching in Bangalore may offer you pleasure. Pleasing the spiritual master is the only business of a disciple.
Seeking your blessing for rendering service unto you. Begging to forgive my offences in course of my services.
Your disciple,
Harikṣetra dāsa
Bangalore, India