nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatākā svāmin iti nāmine
namo ācārya-pādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
My dear Spiritual Father,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your divine feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda, ISKCON, Lord Gaurāṅga. All glories to you!
Guru Mahārāja, recently while reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.7.19, I came across the following verse:
yat-sevayā bhagavataḥ
kūṭa-sthasya madhu-dviṣaḥ
rati-rāso bhavet tīvraḥ
pādayor vyasanārdanaḥ
“By serving the feet of the spiritual master, one is enabled to develop transcendental ecstasy in the service of the Personality of Godhead, who is the unchangeable enemy of the Madhu demon and whose service vanquishes one’s material distresses.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the purport that the word rati-rāso is significant—it refers to attachment in different relationships (rasas). From this, I understand that one develops attachment to the Lord through a specific rasa only by serving the lotus feet of a pure devotee, the spiritual master.
The next verse further clarifies:
“Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikuṇṭhas.”
In context, I understood that “pure devotee” here especially refers to the spiritual master.
Thus, Bhāgavatam is clearly emphasizing that to become immune to material miseries, I must develop attachment to Kṛṣṇa’s service through a rasa, and that can only begin by seriously serving your instructions. For that, I need to cultivate greater austerity in both my efforts and my mind.
Unfortunately, many times I struggle even with chanting my daily vowed sixteen rounds, due to my non-serious and non-austere attitude. The goal of becoming immune to material distresses thus seems distant. On this auspicious day, I beg forgiveness for my offenses of guru-avahelā (neglect of the spiritual master), and sincerely pray for your blessings to give me spiritual strength to not repeat such offenses.
Secondly, I had the great fortune to attend the Vṛndāvana Spiritual Safari 2024 for seven days. There, I realized, Guru Mahārāja, that you are not only an empowered spiritual master and serious disciple, but also a deeply committed grand-disciple. You are fulfilling the uncompleted desire of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda, who wanted to establish the footprints of Lord Caitanya at all the places He visited—whether in Vraja, South India, or other holy regions. You have taken that mission upon yourself with utmost seriousness.
Guru Mahārāja, I am rendering very insignificant service at ISKCON Chandigarh and Mohali preaching centers—giving occasional classes to the congregation, and following up with new devotees. By your mercy, I was also able to contribute to the IYF Boys’ Outreach Program at Chandigarh University last year by delivering a scientific presentation titled “Mind Your Mind.” I utilized my professional background as Scientist-F at Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Government of India, to present Kṛṣṇa conscious principles in an accessible manner.
Lastly, I humbly pray to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava, Śrī Pañca-tattva, and Śrī Nṛsiṁhadeva to bless you with a long and healthy life, so that you may continue to guide us by your vāṇī and example, and deliver countless conditioned souls across the world.
Thank you, and a very blissful appearance day to you, dear Guru Mahārāja.
Your servant,
Amṛta Kṛṣṇanāma Dāsa
Chandigarh (Dīkṣā Disciple)