nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatāka svāmin iti nāmine
nama ācaryapādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
Happy Vyāsa-pūjā Day!
To Dearest Śrīla Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
All glories to Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga!
The other day, I was listening to the Bhāgavatam class given at Bhaktivedanta Manor on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.9.29:
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
mā veda-garbha gās tandrīṁ
sarga-udyamam āvaha
tan mayāpāditaṁ hy agre
yan māṁ prārthayate bhavān
Translation:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead then said: O Brahmā, O depth of Vedic wisdom, be neither depressed nor anxious about the execution of creation. What you are begging from Me has already been granted before.
In the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that any authorized person, either by the Lord or by His bona fide representative, is already blessed, as is the work entrusted to him. However, such a person should not become puffed up with pride but must always seek the mercy of the Lord to become successful.
First of all, Guru Mahārāja, you are a great example of being entrusted with such immense responsibilities within ISKCON. You have unwavering faith in Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas, ensuring the success of every service you undertake. You exemplify great humility and always credit Śrīla Prabhupāda and our glorious Guru-paramparā.
Please help me remember this principle—that any responsibility entrusted to me is by your blessings. May I never become proud, but always remain humble. In fact, being engaged in any devotional service to the Supreme Lord is an opportunity to express our love for Him. It also serves as a protection, ensuring that our senses remain engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than wandering into material distractions.
I am deeply grateful to you and to your senior disciples in East London, HG Aravinda Kṛṣṇa Prabhu and HG Yamuneśvarī Mātajī, for engaging me in various devotional services—not just locally, but now also with ISKCON London.
Your insignificant servant,
Kusuma Modadharaṇī Devī Dāsī
East London