My dear spiritual father Srila Gurumaharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All Glories to You!
You have created a truly wonderful and empowering congregational development preaching programme in the form of bhakti vrksha. Following the mood and vision of Bhaktivinode Thakur and Lord Nityananda prabhu, you have evolved the nama hatta (marketplace of the holy name), for modern city life in the form of bhakti vrksha.
Your initiated disciple, my siskha guru, Her Grace Amala manjari mataji recently explained in Vrindavana that there is not one thing you have given this world that is not exemplary and the bhakti vrksha programme is no exception. Through this internationally recognised programme you have inspired and engaged thousands of new devotees to take up the process of Krishna consciousness all over the world. Not only is it inspiring and creating so many devotees, but creating budding mentors, spiritual guides and empowered preachers. We have seen over the last twenty years, bhakti vrksha has proven vastly successful in building congregations across India, Russia, south America and now Western Europe!
I have not found such a dynamic preaching model that can systematically take someone new to Krsna consciousness to the standard of an initiated Vaishnava in the space of a year and a half, like we have seen many times over with the bhakti vrksha programme.
By your mercy, inspiration and example we are seeing more and more western bodied men and women taking up Krsna consciousness through this preaching initiative. As ISKCON Congregational Development Minister this is just one of your many wonderful services to Srila Prabhupada and the guru parampara.
Despite facing ongoing health issues, you do not stop in your commitment to fulfill the instructions of your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. Your dedication to His mission, Your unlimited love and care for the devotees and Your determination and strength of character in face of so many adversities, has set an example for all the world to follow for the next 10,000 years.
I met you in the Summer of 2014, and your presence in my life created a revolution in my heart. I am eternally indebted to You for the mercy you have bestowed upon me and my family. I can never repay you for the love and the kindness you have shown us over the years. Thank you for coming into our lives and showering your causeless mercy on this poor, grossly conditioned soul. Thank you for saving my life, my daughter’s and the 21 generations of my forefathers and descendants yet to come.
Please bless me that I can be strong in my Krsna consciousness and please you in some way. Please continue to bestow your causeless mercy on me, so I can dedicate my life to serving Srila Prabhupada and help others as you have so lovingly helped me.
All glories to Your Divine Grace!
Your insignificant servant,
pratatapamaya nitai das