nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatāka svāmin iti nāmine
nama ācārya-pādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Respected Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my prostrated humble obeisances unto Your lotus feet!
All glories to Your Divine Grace! All glories to Gaurāṅga! All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
I am very fortunate that Kṛṣṇa has made you my guru.
"By the mercy of the guru, one receives the mercy of the Supreme Lord."
oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
On the most auspicious occasion of your 76th Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. With a heart full of gratitude, I reflect on your extraordinary contributions to the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda, your unceasing dedication to spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and the immense mercy you have shown to your disciples and countless devotees all around the world.
I am very fortunate to serve in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur in Bhaktivedānta National School as a secretary to H.G. Rāmaṇīpati Prabhu and in assisting the Bhaktivedānta Swami Charity Trust.
I bow at your lotus feet with a heart overflowing with gratitude, awe, and unworthiness. You are the eternal representative of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the compassionate emissary of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and the guiding light illuminating the path for countless fallen souls like myself. Your divine presence in our lives is a testament to the mercy of Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga, and today, I offer my humble words as a meager attempt to glorify your boundless grace.
Your guidance has been invaluable. You have always shown me the path of service, the importance of surrendering to the divine will, and the importance of cultivating a deep and personal relationship with Śrīla Prabhupāda. Your compassion and encouragement have been a constant source of strength for me, and I am deeply grateful for the times you have taken me under your wing, offering both spiritual wisdom and practical guidance.
I am especially inspired by the way you continue to spread the mercy of the Holy Name. Despite the physical challenges you face, you have remained steadfast in your mission of preaching and distributing the Holy Name, and your tireless efforts have brought many souls to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Your unwavering commitment to the saṅkīrtana movement is truly exemplary. Whether traveling to distant lands, visiting devotees, or engaging in personal outreach, you have demonstrated how one can live a life of full absorption in devotional service.
Your love for Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s saṅkīrtana movement is unparalleled. Under your guidance, the holy land of Śrī Māyāpur has blossomed into a thriving pilgrimage site, drawing devotees from every continent to bathe in the nectar of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The monumental Temple of the Vedic Planetarium stands as a testament to your vision—a vision not merely of brick and mortar, but of a world united in chanting “Hare Kṛṣṇa.” Every brick laid, every soul touched, echoes your prayer to fulfill Śrīla Prabhupāda’s dream, and I am humbled to witness this golden era under your leadership.
Guru Mahārāja, your mercy knows no bounds. You accepted this insignificant soul into your fold, granting me the priceless gift of initiation despite my countless disqualifications. Your instructions—simple yet profound—cut through the illusions of māyā like a sharpened sword:
“Chant attentively.”
“Serve with love.”
“Depend on Kṛṣṇa.”
These words reverberate in my heart—a lifeline pulling me from the quicksand of material existence. Each time I falter, your glance of compassion steadies me, reminding me that the guru’s mercy is the bridge to Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
Your humility disarms us all. Though adorned with titles and reverence, you remain the humble servant of the servant, ever eager to glorify your beloved Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Vaiṣṇava ācāryas. In your presence, we learn that true greatness lies not in accolades, but in surrender. Your laughter, radiant with childlike joy, dissolves our pride, while your wisdom, deep as the Gaṅgā, submerges us in the ocean of bhakti. How can we repay such a debt? We cannot—only Kṛṣṇa can fathom the magnitude of your service.
On this Vyāsa-pūjā day, I pray to be a worthy instrument in your hands. My offerings are feeble—my chanting distracted, my service imperfect—but I beg for your blessings to purify my heart. May I imbibe even a drop of your faith, your determination, your love for Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. May I serve the mission with every breath, honoring the legacy you have built upon Śrīla Prabhupāda’s sacrifice.
Dearest Guru Mahārāja, please accept my life at your lotus feet. You are my shelter, my inspiration, my eternal master.
Gaurāṅgāaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......
Your insignificant servant,
Śuddhātmā Śaunaka Dāsa (dīkṣā)
Śrī Māyāpur, India