nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatāka svāmin iti nāmine
nama ācāryapādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
Hare Kṛṣṇa Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my daṇḍavat-praṇāmas.
No one can truly understand Your glories, nor properly describe what it means to be an ideal ācārya. Not even the demigods can sufficiently describe the character of a Vaiṣṇava, what to speak of someone as insignificant as myself. Therefore, please forgive me as I try to offer this humble attempt to satisfy You on this most sacred Vyāsa-pūjā day.
Bhagavad-gītā Personified
Śrīla Prabhupāda described the symptoms of an ācārya in Bhagavad-gītā, explaining that an ācārya leads by example. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu declared that a teacher must behave properly before he can begin teaching others. The one who teaches in this way is called an ācārya—the ideal teacher.
Guru Mahārāja, through my observation, I have seen that You have always acted as such. You have never strayed from Your deep desire to plant love for Kṛṣṇa in the hearts of all living beings. This is no exaggeration, but a plain fact. All of us can observe it in You.
You rejected honorary degrees and personally sat for all the Bhaktivedānta exams just to inspire us by Your example. Śrīla Prabhupāda desired that every devotee be such a role model, and through You, he has empowered the ISKCON society to witness such a standard. “Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” Truly, You are the personification of Bhagavad-gītā, for You always act in accordance with śāstra.
The Eternal Servant of Lord Caitanya (Nitya-siddha Pārṣada)
It is no secret that Śrīla Prabhupāda himself hinted that You are an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya. Even if he hadn’t said so, by observing Your unmatched prowess and deep spiritual stature, we would have understood it for ourselves.
Only a nitya-siddha pārṣada, like Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, could survive such a harsh stroke and still maintain daily chanting of at least 16 rounds, while remaining engaged in the highest level of service. You do not perform this sādhana for Your own elevation—you offer it all to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
You are never baffled by the most confidential pastimes of Lord Caitanya, as revealed in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, because since childhood You were raising Your hands in church saying “Hallelujah,” which was actually a praise of Lord Gaurāṅga. Your senses, mind, and intelligence have always been dovetailed in the service of Mahāprabhu. You swim in His pastimes like a fish diving deep into the ocean, never returning to the surface.
Perfect in Every Endeavor
I have heard from Your illustrious disciple Bhakti Pūruṣottama Swami, who recounts many of Your glorious pastimes. When You went to Māyāpur to develop Lord Caitanya’s dhāma, under Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, You ensured that even the smallest detail was executed perfectly.
Even if a simple bhaktin was upset she didn’t get oil for her hair, You took steps to ensure that all dhāmavāsīs were satisfied. Every instruction from Śrīla Prabhupāda You fulfilled to the highest standard, without deviation. Who else in this tribhuvana can match Your unwavering dedication?
Always Ready to Give Kṛṣṇa to Others
Despite Your physical limitations, You have accepted over 50,000 disciples, and still You are not satisfied. Like a mother cow, You nurture each calf with care. One disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda once remarked that because he is not initiating, “Jayapatākā Swami has to make 100,000 disciples!”
You initiated not only people but entire nations—naming them Sanātana-dhāma, Mathurādeśa, Balarāmadeśa, and more. You preach even in turbulent lands where few dare to go, all to fulfill the mission of Your spiritual master.
Śāstra says we are to run after guru, but You are the one who runs after Your disciples—offering association and shelter even before they seek it.
Personification of Śrī Gurvaṣṭakam
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, in his Gurvaṣṭakam, proclaims:
“sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair uktaḥ tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya”
The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, for he is the dearmost servant of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all scriptures and accepted by all authorities.
When less intelligent, envious people see You being honored with garlands and regal care, they forget this śloka and criticize. Yet, as Nitaisevinī Māta testified, whether treated royally or humbly, You never complain. You always remain humble and ready to give Kṛṣṇa to all, as a pure representative of Lord Hari.
You are the living embodiment of the Gurvaṣṭakam, and whenever we sing those prayers, we think of You.
A Personal Prayer
Gurudeva, I am entangled in material desires, and due to a weak mind, I am drowning in the hellish existence of this world. I am 16 years old and currently living in Trinidad, attending college and studying science. I aspire to become a nurse so that I may use the fruits of my labor in Kṛṣṇa’s service and one day have Your darśana in Śrī Māyāpur-dhāma.
Please bless me to become a sincere Vaiṣṇava and engage in devotional service. Though my parents are not yet favorable, I am doing my best to maintain my sādhana.
I will never forget how I wrote to Your secretaries, and You prayed for me. Thank You, Gurudeva, for everything You have done for me and for accepting this fallen soul as surrendered unto You.
Jayapatākā Swami Guru Mahārāja kī jaya!
Śrīla Prabhupāda kī jaya!
Your spiritual son,
Dīna-bandhu dāsa