nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatākā-svāmin iti nāmine
namo ācāryapādāya 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
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to your divine Vyāsa-pūjā!
On this most auspicious day, I, your initiated disciple, want to thank you from the core of my heart for your personal care and support in my life. You not only demonstrate, by your own example, unflinching loyalty to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions—you also practically support your disciples in carrying them out.
I thank you for fulfilling my heartfelt desires: giving me vapu-sevā last year during Lord Jagannātha’s Ratha-yātrā, and vāṇī-sevā through your Jayapatākā Swami App.
Thank you for distributing Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy all over the world. As you said, to receive Mahāprabhu’s mercy one needs only four “qualifications”:
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Fallen
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Low-born
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Distressed
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Foolish
And I surely possess all four. Thus, I am eligible for His mercy—only by your causeless grace.
One day I was listening to your glorification by His Grace Jananivāsa Prabhu. He shared a pastime from the early days of Śrīdhāma Māyāpur. At that time, no one wanted to stay there due to lack of facilities. So Śrīla Prabhupāda said every ISKCON temple should send at least two devotees to Māyāpur to support the project. But no one came.
You, Guru Mahārāja, responded with humor and determination. You said, “We have bugs!” And described strange creatures—like the leaf bug that looks like a tejpātā leaf, with a long antenna, able to fly and hit the bamboo walls, making eerie sounds. You also described the jeep bug that could run along the ground, scale the wall, and then fly! You humorously suggested sending these photos to the West, to invite people to “Come to Śrīdhāma Māyāpur and stay with these dhāma-vāsīs!” And you laughed and laughed, rolling on the ground. That was your joyful determination in service.
I thank you for your disciples and other devotees who are nourished by your example and guidance. Only by their help, encouragement, and well-wishing, am I able to chant, serve, improve my sādhana, and keep alive the hope that one day I may become a devotee. I am fully dependent on their association.
I thank you for showing the example of deep friendship and cooperation with your Godbrothers. Again and again, Kṛṣṇa shows me your affection for devotees—it is uplifting, it is sweet, and it sustains my spiritual life.
I thank you for caring not only for your Godbrothers, but for all devotees and fallen souls. Your compassion proves that even one person, if empowered by love and service, can transform the lives of many.
I thank you for withstanding so many tribulations in this movement and in your own life. Your example gives me strength in moments of crisis. I know there is no better place in this world than Śrīla Prabhupāda’s movement. I know I will never find better well-wishers than you and the Vaiṣṇava devotees.
I thank all the devotees organizing this Vyāsa-pūjā and giving everyone an opportunity to submit offerings. This is always my favorite part of the celebration. Every year, I receive so many realizations and inspiration by reading the offerings of other disciples. It makes me feel closer to you.
Gurudeva, I humbly beg for your blessings. Whenever I face difficulties or crises, please bless me to always take shelter of your lotus feet—through prayer and chanting.
I simply want to always be with you. Because with you, I feel protected.
Wishing you as much good health as possible.
Koṭi-koṭi daṇḍavat-praṇāma!
Your insignificant servant,
Prema Prakāśa Śacīnandana Dāsa