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
My dear spiritual father,
Please accept my respectful obeisance! All glories to Śrīla Prabupad! All glory to you!
mantra-guru āra yata śikṣā-guru-gaṇa
tāṅhāra caraṇa āge kariye vandana
I first offer my respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of my initiating spiritual master and all my instructing spiritual masters. Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 1.35
I’m grateful for this yet another opportunity to write glorification on your Vyāsa-pūjā day. However, I don’t have any qualification to offer homage unto your exalted divine self, but I am doing this for my own purification. I beg unto you for your causeless mercy to give me strength, in my attempt to glorify you.
ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān navamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhyāsūyeta sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11. 17. 27)
This śloka was spoken by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa when He was questioned by Uddhava regarding the four social and spiritual orders of society. Kṛṣṇa said that one should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods. Sākṣād-haritvena samasta-śāstrair, truly, you are my savior Guru Mahārāja. If not you accepted me, an unqualified person like me as your disciple, I would have continued living my sinful life and doing fruitive activities. I would have continued my life as a frog in a well. You opened my world. You brought light in my darkest life.
As Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote in his purports of SB 1.7.22, you are the mercy representative of the Supreme Lord otherwise who will be considering taking a sinner like me towards the path of bhakti?
Your steadfast commitment to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s teachings, your admirable character, and your ceaseless work to guide and motivate your followers deeply inspire me. Your teachings have enlightened my path of devotion and given my life clear direction and meaning. Your dedication to your spiritual mentor, Śrīla Prabhupāda, stands out among your many qualities and is greatly appreciated by us all.
I earnestly ask for your blessings to guide the devotees I’m teaching in line with your instructions. May I bring them to you for your mercy and connect them to your genuine lineage. Please empower me to understand and fulfil your wishes, making me an effective instrument in your service.
Your dedication to serving your guru, despite your health struggles, deeply touches my heart. Even in difficult times, you tirelessly think of our well-being. I’ve heard many stories from your servants about how seriously you take care of devotees. Your commitment to preaching has never wavered, even when your health is challenging. Yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa – You preach to the doctors, nurses, cleaners, who not?!?
On this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day, I offer my prayers for your continued good health and the strength to continue leading us on the path of devotion. May Lord Kṛṣṇa always shower His blessings upon you! May Lord Narasiṁha keep you under His protection always, eternally! All glory to You Guru Mahārāja!
Thank you, dear Guru Mahārāja, for being the guiding light on my spiritual journey. I feel blessed to have you as my spiritual master.
With deepest gratitude and devotion, your spiritual daughter,
Vṛndā Nandinī Devī Dāsī