nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya Kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatākā-svāmin iti nāmine
namo ācāryapādāya nitāi-kṛpa-pradāyine
gaura-kathā dhāma dāya nagara-grāma tāriṇe
Hare Kṛṣṇa dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my most respectful obeisances unto your divine lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of the 75th Vyāsa-pūjā of Your Divine Grace!
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to your holiness!
In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.12.12, the great saintly Jada Bharata instructs King Rahugana that “one cannot realize the Absolute Truth unless one smears his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees”.
Śrī Prahlāda Mahārāja told his father Hiraṇyakaśipu(SB 7.5.32) “Unless they smear upon their bodies the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava completely freed from material contamination, persons very much inclined toward materialistic life cannot be attached to the lotus feet of the Lord, who is glorified for His uncommon activities.” Reflecting on this point about the glories of the foot dust of great devotees.
Almost all the sastras and our ācāryas repeat this point to substantiate the glories of the minute particle of dust of the lotus feet of a devotee of the Lord. Reflecting on this point, I was reminded of all the fortunate souls including me who have had an opportunity to come in contact with the dust from the divine lotus feet of Your Holiness. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the most merciful incarnation, but You dear Guru Mahārāja are the via medium for the thousands of fallen souls like me, to obtain that mercy. Your mercy towards all of us is unfathomable.
I got married in 2011 and moved to London. In 2012, during your visit to London, we came for your darśana at Bhaktivedanta Manor. We were waiting outside the room to be called. Then one devotee who was taking your shoes inside the room touched them on my head. So, I was immensely blessed by the dust from your holy padukas. That one instance, one particle that I received is what has helped me to stay on this path and eventually get more association, tread towards initiation and keep going. Though I am utterly unqualified, your divine grace, the true representative of Mahāprabhu never saw any qualification and very kindly accepted me. You continue to bless me, to engage me, to guide me in so many ways in spite of all my shortcomings.
You are my biggest inspiration, Guru Mahārāja. At any point of time, if I feel a little low, I close my eyes and meditate on you and immediately I feel a fresh energy and enthusiasm flowing within.
I also wanted to inform you that I am currently doing Bhakti Vaibhava from Iskcon Bhāgavata Mahavidyalaya. Most of the devotees in my batch are my god siblings who are pursuing the course to fulfil your desire dear Gurudeva.
Please bless me to overcome all my anarthas and get better in my sādhana and sevā, to be always grateful for whatever I receive, see Kṛṣṇa’s hands in everything that happens around me, and that I never take all the mercy and Vaiṣṇava saṅga for granted. Please bless me that I become a worthy disciple and servant of yours and always work towards pleasing you.
Your insignificant spiritual daughter,
Utkarṣinī Sīmantinī devī dāsī