oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
Hare Kṛṣṇa Guru Mahārāja
Please accept my daṇḍavat praṇāma.
As you have seen, many of the devotees are not serious about reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s book. You took it very personally, not only reading it yourself but also inspiring many devotees to take the association of Śrīla Prabhupāda through his books. Your exemplary act has motivated many devotees to do courses like Bhakti-Śāstrī, Bhakti-Vaibhava, Bhakti-Vedānta. Personally, I have witnessed many senior devotees taking up these courses. As every year passes, I would say as every moment passes, your glorious pastimes are unfolding to us as a flower bloom and becomes more beautiful.
Whenever I read or think about Bhiṣmadeva, I am reminded that he was such an exalted person that he could teach even on his deathbed. I think about your situation. Kṛṣṇa has many plans which I definitely don’t have the capability to understand. But I know at least that Kṛṣṇa wants to teach me what pure devotional service is and who can do it. Only his pure devotees can let us know what it means by “ahaitukī apratihatā”. Many times, devotees wonder at their neophyte stage how devotional service is not dependent on material assessment. Many times, people come to Kṛṣṇa with various desires, and once those are fulfilled, they become lax in their practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. But your determination is unflinching. It’s not just for a few days, months, or years but you have been in this situation since 2008. Kṛṣṇa gave you the service of setting an example, and you are doing it well. Only a qualified student can pass an extremely hard exam, and you are one who did it.
Now, for me, I don’t have any excuses to not practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, especially when it comes to preaching. I have to find time for reading and preaching to others. This year, by your mercy and inspiration, I completed my Bhakti-Vaibhava. I felt blessed when His Holiness Jaya Advaita Swami Mahārāja gave me the degree. I thought of coming personally to you so that I could offer this degree to you, but I heard about your health situation and stopped myself.
I am trying to execute the service of NDP in Māyāpur. I need your blessings and guidance so that I can do better. As Kali is progressing very rapidly, understanding the subject matter of Kṛṣṇa is becoming more difficult. As per the scriptures, I know if a pure devotee thinks to give Kṛṣṇa to anyone, Kṛṣṇa has to fulfill his wish. So, I constantly pray for your mercy so that I can get Kṛṣṇa in this lifetime… As the song says…. “kṛṣṇa se tomāra, kṛṣṇa dite pāro, tomāra śakati āche”. I am simply trying to be your servant. Please be kind to me so that I can serve you nicely and by your mercy, I will get Kṛṣṇa.
Your unworthy son,
Rasamaya Nityānanda dāsa