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
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Dear Guru Mahārāja, please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Your unflinching service.
By your causeless mercy my family and I are able to live in the Holy dhāma of Śrīdhāma Māyāpur for the last eight years, and when I say by your causeless mercy, I'm not only talking about your blessings to be able to reside in such an exalted place. What I also mean is that, if it weren’t for your resolute determination and unflinching service to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupāda, the facilities my family and I are able to enjoy would not be there.
Every time I got to the temple, chanting my japa, I start to look around and think of the history of this ISKCON Māyāpur, and how because Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desire and your love and dedication to His lotus feet that ISKCON Māyāpur is here today.
Not long ago I finished reading your Biography, from Milwaukee to Mayapur, and even that I knew many of the details, it brought to my mind all the tapasya that You had to undergo so we can have the ISKCON Māyāpur we have today. Your spiritual strength, your determination, and your desire to server the mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda is astounding, and this is reflected in Your everyday life.
Since your accident in 2008, I really miss your personal association, it’s so difficult now. But it has been materially more difficult to You to do your service, but that didn’t discourage you. You are an example of strength, determination, love, and courage. Anybody in your current situation would prefer to lay back and let time pass, but You are not, You are unflinchingly still guiding devotees, giving classes every day, managing those helping You in the many services You have, giving new devotees the opportunity of devotional service thru initiation, inspiring, and everyday being there in the execution of devotional service, a real example of pure devotional service.
People nowadays look at those inspirational talkers for inspiration, but I don’t have to look far, I have to look at You and understand what real motivation and determination is.
As a son's birthright is to have part of his father's inheritance, I pray to You that you make me the object of Your mercy. Please bless me so I may have a spec of the love you have for Śrīla Prabhupāda, for You. Please bless me with a spec of your faith in the saṅkīrtana mission. Please bless me with a spec of unflinching faith in the chanting of the holy name. Please bless me with a spec of the love you have for Gaura Nitāi and their mission. Please bless me with a spec of your faith in devotees.
Please make me the object of your mercy.
I hope someday I can become a real son for a father like you.
I wish someday I can become your servant.
Your aspiring servant,
Eka Gaurāṅga Dāsa