Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at Your lotus feet on this auspicious day of Your appearance!
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
All glories to Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga!
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Few years ago I was in such desperate situation that I understood that I cannot help myself anymore and I need absolute guidance, an anchor which is always steady. So on the way to the temple I prayed to Lord Nityānanda to reveal me that person who can give me such shelter. When I went out of the temple I went to the place where I usually don’t go directly from the temple, a bookstore. Rows of books were there, all standing, but single one was taken out lying in front of others. It was His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Disciples Handbook. I took it as an answer of very merciful Lord Nityānanda. Since then I am just amazed as I hear more and more of Your glories.
It took me long time to understand the subtlety and power of Your apparently simple instructions. Now they are part of my daily meditation, my sādhana. I am also happy that you are showing us such variety of services to keep us busy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Every day we can get showers of Your mercy of being Kṛṣṇa conscious, Gaurāṅga conscious, by hearing Their glories, chanting Their names. Thank You for that, Guru Mahārāja.
Thank You also for giving me the initiation and further instructions which gave me more encouragement in devoational service. I was very moved to see how much You wanted to be with us personally despite Your health condition.
I pray that I have more and more appreciation of Your association and strength to help You to fulfill the desires of Śrīla Prabhupāda, our previous ācāryas and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Your disciple
Pītāmbara Hari Dāsa (dīkṣa),
ISKCON Māyāpur, Security Department
