Respected Gurumahārāja,
Hare Kṛṣṇa. Please accept my most respectful obeisances unto your Lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
On this auspicious day of your 73rd Vyāsa Pūjā, I sincerely pray to Their Lordships Śrī Śrī Rādhā Mādhava, Śrī Śrī Pañca-tattva and Śrī Śrī Nṛsiṁha Deva for your complete and speedy recovery from all health problems and for the long duration of life.
Normally, conditioned souls like me are always engrossed in the modes of passion and ignorance. So, we will get easily agitated when difficult situation comes in front of us. But, Gurumahārāja, in your dealings with various ISKCON related affairs, you will always handle even the most challenging situations in a very smooth and magnanimous way without getting agitated even a least bit. I am very much amazed to see your transcendental behavior. This is the proof that you are always unaffected by the modes of material nature. This is the main qualification for being a representative of the Lord as confirmed in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.4.31 Purport that, “The specific qualification for becoming the representative of the Lord is to be unaffected by the material modes of nature”. From this definition, I am realizing that the word ‘Guru’ cannot be used very cheaply. It is a very heavy word. Gurumahārāja, you are perfectly fulfilling this definition of ‘Guru’.
As per Bhagavad-gītā 14.26 “māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevāte……”, “One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman”. As per this śloka, because of your constant Gaurāṅga smaraṇa, you have crossed the influence of 3 modes of material nature. This is your glorious transcendental position. Please bless this poor fallen soul also for constant engagement in Kṛṣṇa smaraṇa.
In Thirukkural it is mentioned that, “Solludhal Yaarkkum Eliya Ariyavaam Solliya Vannam Seyal”. The meaning is, “To say how an act is to be performed is indeed easy for anyone; but far difficult it is to do according to what has been said”. This is also confirmed in Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Antya Līlā 4.103, “Acara, pracara , - namera karaha dui karya tumi – sarva-guru, tumi jagatera arya” . Here, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is saying to Śrīla Haridās Ṭhākura that, “ You simultaneously perform both duties in relation to the holy name by your personal behavior and by your preaching. Therefore, you are the spiritual master of the entire world, for you are the most advanced devotee in the world”. Śrīla Prabhupāda also had mentioned that, “Acharya means one who teaches by example”. Gurumahārāja, you are the perfect Acharya, because you are not only preaching Lord Gaurāṅga’s glories, but you are also personally practicing those teachings very perfectly. I am very fortunate to have such a glorious spiritual master.
Kṛṣṇa attracts everyone by His transcendental qualities. In the same way a pure devotee also attracts everyone because of possessing pure bhakti in his heart. Similarly, Gurumahārāja, because you are always possessing Gaurāṅga in your heart, you are able to attract everyone simply by your transcendental presence.
When a conditioned soul acquires various material designations, he will become proud unnecessarily. This is the history of the conditioned soul. But, on the other hand, when one advances in Bhakti, the more he will become very simple. The reason is, he is freed from the concept of False Ego- nirahaṅkāraḥ - by the strength of his intense Bhakti. In Śrī Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya Līlā 23.74, it is mentioned that, “dakṣiṇo vinayī hrīmān śaraṇāgata-pālakaḥ ………”. As per this śloka, Kṛṣṇa is possessing a transcendental quality called Dakṣiṇaḥ – which means ‘simple and liberal’. Even though Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and no one is greater than or equal to Him, still Kṛṣṇa is very simple. If Kṛṣṇa is not very simple, then no one will be attracted to Him. In the same way, Gurumahārāja, even though you are an Acharya and holding many many positions inside the Movement viz., GBC member, BBT Trustee, Zonal Secretary, Sannyāsī etc., still you are always very simple and will handle every situation in a very straightforward Kṛṣṇa Conscious manner without any complicated thinking. This clearly shows that you are freed from the influence of false ego. Gurumahārāja, you are the perfect example of ‘nirahaṅkāraḥ’. That is why you are very very dear to the Lord -which is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā as “yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ”.
Gurumahārāja, I sincerely pray at your Lotus feet that practicing intense bhakti alone should be my only motive. Gurumahārāja, I need your causeless mercy to completely fix my mind only upon your transcendental instructions.
Your insignificant Disciple,
Ṣrīnivāsa Hari dāsa, Dīkṣā disciple
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