nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatākā svāmin iti nāmine
nama ācāryapādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
My Dearest Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances unto the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Your Holiness.
All glories to your most auspicious 76th Appearance Day, Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā festival.
Before attempting to glorify you, I beg forgiveness at your lotus feet, which I do for my own purification. Śrīla Prabhupāda once commented that Kṛṣṇa is already glorified; however, He is more pleased when His pure devotees are glorified.
Just like Ananta Śeṣa cannot fully glorify the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead even with His thousands of mouths, similarly, how can I glorify you with my single, useless mouth? Trying to see your divine qualities is like an ant trying to measure the depth of an ocean. Your divine qualities are as unlimited as Kṛṣṇa’s, and my material mind does not have the capacity to grasp even one of them in its highest essence. I beg at the dust of your lotus feet that in my stone-like heart, at least I may begin to realize some of your transcendental qualities and always strive to please you.
Kṛṣṇa attracts everyone, and you, being abhinna-prakāśa—non-different from the Supreme Lord—attract all by your transcendental qualities. You have appeared in this world to distribute love of Godhead. The presence of exalted Vaiṣṇavas like Your Holiness is holding this planet together—otherwise, it would have long sunk into rasātala, overburdened by the sinful activities of this godless civilization. If you had not come, what would have happened to this world? What would have happened to me?
Dear Guru Mahārāja, we feel so blessed and protected by your love and affection for your spiritual children—it makes us feel the happiest. We may not have seen Kṛṣṇa or Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu face to face, but your love makes us feel that same transcendental affection. Your love allows us to taste the unlimited and unending love of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
This past year, I have had countless impressions in my heart where I personally witnessed and experienced your patience to listen to our struggles, your compassion and desire to uplift and inspire every soul in their Kṛṣṇa consciousness, your equipoised nature, your deep care for everyone in this world, your empathy, and your unwavering determination to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s ISKCON—especially in the face of difficulties, when it would have been easier to step away. You are an ocean of good qualities that I have only begun to comprehend at the surface.
The more I hear about your glories and receive your association, the more I realize how fortunate we are to have in front of us the ideal example of what it means to be a devotee: how to love Kṛṣṇa, how to love the dhāma, how to serve Śrīla Prabhupāda, and how to be a co-operative ISKCON member.
You are addicted to Gaura-līlā, addicted to service, addicted to serving Śrīla Prabhupāda, and addicted to preaching. It is completely mesmerizing to witness your love for Mahāprabhu and Śrīla Prabhupāda. Your very presence transforms hearts. How could we not become inspired in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness when in your association? It is impossible!
Update from ISKCON Youth Forum Kolkata:
Dear Guru Mahārāja, for your pleasure I would like to report on the spiritual activities of our ISKCON Youth Forum, Kolkata:
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Several spiritual camps were held in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, Śrī Jagannātha Purī, and spiritual picnics during winter to encourage both new and 16-round chanting devotees.
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Our monthly Sunday ‘Gaura Bhakta Vṛnda Saṅga’ classes continue to inspire 16-rounders, with senior devotees from our temple and Māyāpur guiding us in our devotional lives. After the class, sumptuous prasādam is served to all participants.
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During Ratha-yātrā, hundreds of youths registered with our forum and are being guided by senior devotees.
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We held multiple Preraṇa festivals to engage more youth across Kolkata in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission.
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We were immensely blessed this year with the association of many senior ISKCON leaders including His Holiness Rādhānātha Swami Mahārāja, Indradyumna Swami Mahārāja, Subhāga Swami Mahārāja, Ananta Kṛṣṇa Dāsa Gosvāmī Mahārāja, Bhakti Pūruṣottama Swami Mahārāja, Bhakti Prema Swami Mahārāja, Bhakti Prachār Parivrājaka Swami Mahārāja and others.
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Your divine association during the 53rd Kolkata Ratha-yātrā was like a spiritual recharge for all of us—especially your Q&A session with the Youth Forum devotees. Despite your health challenges, your consistent presence and support never falter.
Dear Guru Mahārāja, although I am a very fallen soul with no qualification, you have showered your causeless mercy by accepting me as your disciple on 9th July 2024, giving me spiritual birth—for which I am eternally grateful.
By your mercy and the blessings of Śrīla Prabhupāda:
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I have recently completed Bhakti-śāstrī.
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I have also completed my graduation and am now pursuing post-graduation studies.
On this most auspicious day of your Divine Appearance, I pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for your good health and well-being, so we may continue to receive your association for many more years.
I eagerly await your visit to ISKCON Kolkata during this year’s Ratha-yātrā festival. I beg for your causeless mercy so that I may fully surrender to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lotus feet and serve your instructions to the fullest of my capacity.
Your most insignificant, unworthy, foolish aspiring servant,
Diptimān Gaurā-Nitāi Dāsa (Dīkṣā disciple)
ISKCON Youth Forum, Kolkata