Dear respected Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace! All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
On the most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa Pūjā I realise that as disciples we can never repay our debt to you. You have saved us from hellish life in this material world where I was suffering in ignorance and fear. With your merciful glance and merciful guidance, you pulled me up from this gutter like material world. In spite of you taking my karma and suffering on account of accepting unqualified disciples as myself, I am unable to appreciate your compassion. I am so fortunate to be a disciple of such an exalted spiritual master - who has been serving Śrīla Prabhupāda and his family for more than 50 years with complete dedication and devotion.
You are unlimitedly tolerant and patient. No matter what challenges are thrown at you - you don't give up. Your determination to carry out every instruction of Śrīla Prabhupāda is super human. No wonder Śrīla Prabhupāda recognized you as an associate of Lord Caitanya and the victory flag of ISKCON. Your determination to complete the TOVP and your strong desire to please Śrīla Prabhupāda is so evident in your ecstatic devotional service. With this determination you are overcoming one health challenge after another. You have created medical history!
In spite of being the senior most sannyāsī you are an epitome of humility. You are a living example of tṛṇad api sunīcena...
You are a great role model for your disciples and the whole ISKCON community and beyond. Your character is spotless and you are the best of sannyāsīs and best of Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples.
You are such a great visionary! Even with my limited intelligence I can see that your vision is at least 20 years ahead of the mass of devotees.
Here in Sydney, you came and in spite of poor health you came and blessed the 4-acre land where devotees are trying to build a beautiful temple for Śrī Śrī Rādhā Govinda. Despite covid and 2 months of bad weather and floods, the foundation of the temple is almost 75% complete. The plan is to complete phase 1 (temple, cultural hall and commercial kitchen) by mid next year to Q3 next year. There are still many challenges ahead. We are begging for your blessings.
3 years ago - left with a handful of devotees and a tidal wave of negative propaganda against the building of the temple, a new community has emerged in the western suburbs of Sydney. The GBC has recognised this effort of the team of devotees and given the project - the name - ISKCON West Sydney. Now it is a community of more than 300 families operating from 5 different centres - called the temple before the temple. ISKCON West Sydney came no 1 in Australia/NZ in last year's Gītā Jayantī - Christmas marathon and 2nd in Bhadra Purnima. Please please bless us to build a nice temple next year and also build a healthy community around the new temple and please Śrīla Prabhupāda! All this is possible only by your mercy and your prayers for all of us.
If possible, please forgive my countless offences.
On this auspicious day I pray to Lord Narasiṁhadeva to always protect you with good health and long life.
your worthless servant and disciple,
Vijay Gopikeśa dāsa
ph: +61 410 076 030