Nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatāka svāmin iti nāmine
Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda,
I sat down to write this Vyāsa-pūjā offering in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s quarters in Bhaktivedanta Manor, which is now a place of pilgrimage for all devotees due to the presence of Śrī Śrī Rādhā Gokulānanda, Śrī Śrī Sītā Rāma Lakṣmaṇa Hanumān, Śrī Śrī Gaura Nitāi and Śrīla Prabhupāda, who visited the place few times between 1970-75.
I am reminded of your staunch dedication and reverence to Your spiritual master, also our Founder-Ācārya, Śrīla Prabhupāda who has given the world the precious knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is only by His Grace and the special mercy that You have bestowed upon me, dear Guru Mahārāja, that I am able to benefit from regular hearing and discussions on scriptures in the association of sādhus and devotees. I pray to always be grateful for the association that this holy place of pilgrimage grants.
In regards to my services, dear Guru Mahārāja, this year I have taken up Deity worship service at the Krishna Avanti school, Harrow, to serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa Balarāma Deities. Before starting this service, I attended Pūjārī training seminar that was held at ISKCON-London, Soho-street. I have been continuing with my other services as well- teaching at Kṛṣṇa Club for young children on Sunday morning. I also assist in Kṛṣṇa Marriage service as a matrimonial matchmaker. My biggest service is to take care of my children and nourish their hearts with Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
I pray to You, dear Guru Mahārāja, that I can take up other services as per my capability, that would please You, Śrīla Prabhupāda and Their Lordships.
By Your inspiration and desire, I am also enthused to re-enroll in the Bhakti-śāstrī program, which I had begun more than 10 years ago, but was unable to fully complete the course at the time. It is only by reading about Your dedication to studying the scriptures and completing coursework that I am feeling inspired to also try and formally study and achieve the Bhakti-śāstrī degree.
This very dedication, enthusiasm, and determination you have, Dear Guru Mahārāja, is my biggest lesson in life. You always serve with Your mind, body and spirit and You never give up. You are a true role model, not only for us devotees in the movement but for the entire world.
Thank You dear Gurudeva and I will continue to pray to Śrīla Prabhupāda for Your good health.
Your humble servant,
Gauraprema Gāyatrī Devī Dāsī
(Dīkṣā disciple, Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK)