Vyāsa-pūjā 2023

Hare Kṛṣṇa Dear Guru Mahārāja,

Please accept my respectful obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

When a spark of fire falls on dry wood, it catches fire immediately. Same cannot be said about wet wood. For wet wood to catch fire, it needs to be constantly burned until it becomes dry first. Most people do not have the time and patience to do this, and so they throw the wet wood aside.

The spark of fire here is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Some devotees are like dry wood, and they immediately get attracted to Kṛṣṇa consciousness when they come in contact with devotees through the various preaching programs. But fallen souls like me are like wet wood who have been rotting in this material world, chewing the chewed, and our hearts drenched with so many material desires. We need constant care and guidance to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and take it up for rest of our lives. This care comes through devotee association which is made possible in an organized and consistent manner through the Bhakti-vṛkṣa program.

It is only because of Your gratitude towards Śrīla Prabhupāda and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and Your strong desire to fulfill the instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda that many people like me are able to come into Kṛṣṇa consciousness, through this concept of Bhakti-vṛkṣa You had introduced.

With Your blessings last year, I was able to start a weekly in-person Bhakti-vṛkṣa program in Cleveland area. Please continue to give Your blessings, so that I can serve You by showing similar care to the new devotees like how I had once received.

Thank You Guru Mahārāja!!

Your insignificant servant,

Patita-pāvana Balarāma Dāsa