nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatāka svāmin iti nāmine
nama ācaryapādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
Dearest Guru Mahārāja, please accept my respectful obeisances again and again! All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!! All glories to you on this most blessed of days!!
In the Nectar of Devotion Prabhupāda says that we should meditate deeply on Kṛṣṇa’s names, forms, qualities and activities. Once I asked you if we can do like that with the Lord’s pure devotee and you answered-
“Since a pure devotee is fully submerged in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, if you are absorbed in that aspect of the devotee, then there is no difference.” July 14, 2019, Chennai.
Dearest Guru Mahārāja, I find it difficult to meditate deeply on Śrī Kṛṣṇa. But somehow, by the good fortune that you have made for me, it’s not difficult, but rather, relishable, to contemplate your different aspects. You are the manifestation of the Lord of the Heart and the representative of Nityānanda Prabhu who is ādi-guru, so I try to meditate deeply on you and…
Guru Mahārāja: the great teacher who brings his disciples from darkness to light.
Guru-pitā: our dear spiritual father.
Ācāryapāda: one who sits at the feet of the ācāryas.
Prāṇanātha: the Lord of our life.
Your Form - You are a pure servant of the Lord and not an ordinary person. You are ornamented with all good qualities, possess great shakti and I know too that the body of such an exalted Vaiṣṇava as you, is spiritual.
Sometimes when I remember you as you were, like a great king, a warrior, I become a little saddened. But I know that Kṛṣṇa has a plan to which you are privy and that His many purposes are being fulfilled.
And you stay on! But for what purpose, someone may ask - because you have yet to complete the orders that Prabhupāda gave you and, I think you also stay for us, your children. Who can even begin to imagine how the Lord is reciprocating with you for your surrender!
How can we ever even begin to repay you for what you have given, this great gift, the chance to love and serve you. Once I heard you say that getting to serve the spiritual master means that we are getting trained up to serve the Lord in the Spiritual World! Serving your vapuḥ, your physical body or your vāṇī, instructions, either one, you are fully present in both.
Your Qualities: (So many come to mind!)
Compassionate - You are always ready to shower the mercy of Mahāprabhu on anyone and everyone!
Determined - You are unwavering in your devotion to Śrīla Prabhupāda, intent on fulfilling his instructions! No matter what!!
Strong - It’s almost inconceivable that you do what you do, considering your physical condition but your inner strength and resolve drives you on.
Renounced - For you, EVERYTHING - body, mind, words, intelligence - is used in the service of the Lord.
Kind-hearted - You are constantly manifesting your caring nature.
Your Activities:
Knowing you are not an ordinary person, I can see that you actually operate in a different dimension. Your every breath is for the pleasure of the Lord and your beloved Śrīla Prabhupāda so your entire life is a continuous pastime.
You have become renowned for so many activities - developing Māyāpur, Nama-Hatta and Bhakti-vṛkṣa, Navadvīpa parikramā and Kolkata Ratha-yātrā. You are seeing to the building of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and acting as lifetime chairman of the Bhaktivedanta Charity Trust. You have travelled the world over for decades, inspiring and encouraging everyone and linking up your disciples with the guru-paramparā. Then there are so many personal interactions that show your ability to win hearts and amaze! Thank you for ALL you do!!
Please bless us here at New Tālavan to move forward with the building of the new temple. It’s already begun.
Please bless the devotees here to work together to help manifest the project more and more for the pleasure of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Please bless me to use the time that I have left to fully engage in devotional service. Please forgive my offenses. Please let my only desire be to always love and serve you.
Your spiritual daughter,
Haridhvanī devī dāsī
New Talavan, USA