Hare Kṛṣhṇa Dear Gurudev,
On this blessed occasion of Your 76th Appearance Day, I humbly offer my deepest gratitude and appreciation to You, from the core of my heart. Words cannot fully capture the immense love and care You have shown me through the mercy of Your senior disciples, His Grace Caitanya Avatārī Prabhu and Her Grace Rasamayī Mātājī. Their pure affection and guidance have been a reflection of Your boundless compassion. If they, Your dear followers, show me such love and tenderness, I cannot even fathom the magnitude of the mercy You bestow upon all of us, despite my fallen and unworthy state.
I also want to thank You for giving me the association and guidance of my Śikṣā Gurus—His Grace Amāni Gauracandra Prabhu, Her Grace Susevinī Guru Gaurāṅga Devī, and His Grace Kṛṣhṇa Gaurakiśora Prabhu. Their care, love, and teachings have been invaluable, and through their constant guidance, they have nurtured and uplifted me in every aspect of my life. I am forever indebted to them for showing me the way and helping me grow in Kṛṣhṇa consciousness. This is such a precious gift, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to continue serving under Your shelter.
Though I feel so unqualified and unworthy, I humbly beg for Your forgiveness for any offenses I may have committed, knowingly or unknowingly. I pray that You may kindly excuse my shortcomings and continue to bless me with Your guidance and mercy, that I may fully surrender to You and Your divine will. I desire nothing more than to serve You and Your devotees with sincerity and devotion, and I long to fully dedicate myself at Your lotus feet.
Please, Gurudev, bestow Your mercy upon me, and enable me to come to the point of complete surrender to You as soon as possible. There is no hope for us in this material world except in seeking shelter at Your feet, for You are the only way to bring us back to Kṛṣhṇa. Without You, we are lost.
Gurudev, I also humbly request Your blessings for my daughter Chaturā, my wife Ramyā, and myself. Please guide us, protect us, and help us to stay steadfast in our journey of Kṛṣhṇa consciousness. We are praying to Lord Śrī Śrī Prahlāda Nṛsiṁhadeva and Lord Śrī Dhanvantari for Your health and well-being, and we ask You to please bless us that, no matter the circumstances, we may never deviate from the path of devotion to Kṛṣhṇa.
On this sacred day, I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon me. May You always be happy and peaceful in Your service to Kṛṣhṇa. I pray that Your divine mercy continues to shine upon all of us, and that we can be ever more worthy of Your loving care and guidance.
Lastly, we humbly request that whenever You visit the USA next, please consider coming to Minneapolis. We would be so honored and grateful to have Your divine presence among us, and we are eager to serve You in any way we can.
Happy 76th Appearance Day, Gurudev! Please accept my respectful obeisances and eternal gratitude. May Your lotus feet continue to guide me, and may I always remain in the shelter of Your divine love.
Your insignificant servant,
Arun Souri